(HARTFORD, CT, 5/20/2026) – The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the filing of a hate crime charge against a Connecticut man accused of threatening the family of the state’s first Sikh mayor.
According to reports, the accused allegedly made threatening and bias-motivated remarks directed at the mayor and his family. Authorities have charged the suspect with intimidation based on bigotry or bias in addition to other offenses.
In a statement, CAIR-CT Chairman Farhan Memon said:
“We welcome the decision to pursue a hate crime charge in this disturbing case and commend law enforcement authorities for recognizing the serious nature of these alleged threats. Public officials and their families should never face intimidation or violence because of their faith, ethnicity, or background. At a time when bias incidents targeting minority communities continue to rise nationwide, it is critical that acts motivated by hate are investigated thoroughly and prosecuted appropriately.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging systemic anti-Black racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Farhan Memon, CAIR-CT Chairman, 203-517-6526 or fmemon@cair.com