RNA - The 2016 Presidential election is one for the record books. Both Hillary Clinton and President-Elect Donald Trump ran very aggressive campaigns, but for the Muslim Community this is a time to pray for peace.
A report released by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows the number of hate crimes against the Muslim community increased to 8.2 percent in 2015.
Data shows that's nearly a 33-percent increase from 2001. In 2001, hate crimes targeting Muslims was a little over 6-percent. Abeer Syed with the North Austin Muslim Community Center feels there are ways to make the community more inclusive.
“Speak up. When you see people that are being hateful, when you see people that are harassing others, speak up,” Syed said.
Some feel political rhetoric and lack of knowledge about Islamic culture could lead to more discrimination. A report by the FBI shows five hate crimes in Austin were reported to the agency between 2010-2015.
And it's been a little over a year since the door of a Pflugerville mosque was vandalized.
Syed is hopeful things can turn around.
A few signs of that are the numerous cards, letters, and even flowers dropped off at the Mosque.
“This is what it means to be an American to stand up for justice, to stand up for equality, to stand up for liberty,” Syed said.
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