Local Civic Leaders Denounce Anti-Muslim, Anti-Refugee Rhetoric
(CBS) -- Civic leaders and representatives of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities came together today to denounce the anti-Muslim, anti-refugee sentiment that has been picking up steam around the country.
Rev. Jesse Jackson says there's "a toxic wind blowing" in the United States.
Azam Nizamuddin, president of the Muslim Bar Association, says here in the Chicago area it may not rise to the level of attacking mosques or other types of violence, but he says it shows itself in kids being bullied at school or women in hijab being verbally assaulted when buying gas.
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West suburban surgeon Dr. Mohammed Arain says he talked in Bolingbrook with a cab driver yesterday. The cabbie told him, "every third person who gets in his cab says, 'Are you a Muslim?'" When he answers that he is, the cab driver told the doctor he's asked, "Why do you hate us so much?"
He says the cabbie tells customers he moved to the United States from Pakistan because he loves this country.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says, "Many Muslims are viewed as terrorists. Such intolerance is unacceptable. We must denounce it at every opportunity."
Dr. Arain also said that if the Muslim community sees a young person "being brainwashed by ISIS," it's the community's job to catch it.
"We'll be very vigilant," he said. "We promise you that."
