The number of hate crimes targeted towards Muslims and their mosques have noticeably increased following President Trump’s election. The Southern Poverty Law Center has stated 867 cases of hateful harassment or intimidation that have occurred in the U.S. within 10 days after the Nov. 8th election. Trump has proclaimed several derisive statements regarding Muslims and and has taken the action of banning Muslims from entering the country, essentially profiling a large population because of their religion. The Islamic Center of Claremont (ICC), located in Pomona, was subjected to one of these examples of intolerance. On Nov. 26, 2016, the ICC received a letter that declared Muslims as “vile, filthy creatures” and “children of Satan” while stating that “Trump must do what Hitler did to the Jews to the Muslims.” In response, the Community and Human Services Committee of Claremont has voted to revive the Committee of Human Relations (CoHR). First established in 1996, the organization was terminated in 2013 due to a lack of members and planning; however, with this new found fire, the committee has found purpose once again to fight discrimination and contempt and to work to provide a safer community.

“When the threat letter arrived at the mosque and the word was spread throughout the community, you could feel a wave of despair and distress overcome us,” a CHS freshman and member of the ICC said. “Everyone felt more paranoid than usual being in the mosque and whilst taking part of their five daily prayers. However, we possess enormous support from neighboring families. They have been apart of our gentrification and we are in great debt for that. We all believe in Allah through trials and tribulation, will shelter the Mosque and us as he has the last 30 years. I speak on behalf of the Muslim community when I state: you can say harsh words, act upon some nasty things, but we will be and forever remain unapologetically Muslim.”

CoHR will be composed of Claremont city council members Paul Buch, Ellen Taylor, Lauren Roselle, Rose Ash, and Michael Edwards. All of these individuals have shared their interest in promoting education and understanding while brainstorming new ideas to implement. Previously, they worked together in assisting people who had been subjected to hate crimes, most of which had taken place at the Colleges in spite of the efforts of the Colleges’ own supporting committee. After this radical act, Claremont Police Chief Shelley Vanderveen, Captain Aaron Fate, and other community members have recognized this as a call to action.

“I think this committee will be something beneficial for everyone in Claremont and that it should be used partly as a way to educate people about Muslims, and break the racist stereotypes that have been implemented by certain ignorant people in power,” junior and member of the Muslim Student Union (MSA) Nisreen Radwan said. “This could be a great way for the MSA and other students to help address and prevent attacks on Muslims in our community.”

The committee aspires to have monthly goals regarding a variety of issues including the practices of
Claremont police officers with immigration. The group has organized plans on what to do during instances of crisis and to also hold regular meetings, and plan to further elaborate on their objectives further in the future. At a time where racial and ethnic tensions are heavy, the reestablishment of the CoHR is a necessity to maintain the peace and protection of Muslim citizens.