Our thoughts and prayers are with the people who have lost loved ones and those that have been injured.

At this crucial time it is essential that politicians and the media do not begin to speculate as to who has carried out these attacks as this could, in some cases, lead to a backlash on minority communities.
 
It is however telling that blaming the Muslims is never far from any sort of terrorist attack.  This is a result of over a decade of anti-Muslim rhetoric that has been perpetuated by the media and politicians.
 
The facts are in stark contrast to the ‘blaming the Muslims’, culture.  The majority of the attacks in the United States from 2002-2005, according to the FBI, were carried out by domestic groups and individuals.  The US faces a greater risk from home-grown terrorists such as white supremacist and anti-abortion groups than it does from any sort of Muslim organisation.
 
At this time politicians, media and the authorities need to act responsibly and with extreme caution to ensure that they respond once all the evidence has been presented and not to jump to conclusions.
 
Notes to editors

1)      For media interviews please call 0044 (0) 20 8904 4222 or 0044 7958 522196 or email media@ihrc.org

2)      FBI 2002-2005 http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005

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