October Marks Hate Crimes Awareness Month, Calls for Community Action

ORLANDO, Fla. — October is recognized as Hate Crimes Awareness Month, highlighting the urgent need for communication and community engagement to combat rising violence fueled by hatred. Recent statistics from the FBI reported more than 11,000 hate crime incidents in 2020 alone.

An incident last month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan resulted in four fatalities and eight injuries, perpetrated by a 40-year-old Iraqi war veteran who had expressed animosity towards the church and its congregation. This tragic event underscores the gravity of the issue and the need for increased awareness.

Imam Tariq Rasheed of the Islamic Center of Orlando stated, “Hatred is across the board. It’s not confined to one community only. It looks like everybody is hating everybody for whatever reason.” His comments reflect a growing concern about the spread of hate in various forms and communities.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) designated October as Hate Crimes Awareness Month to encourage discussion and education around the topic. Bryan Fair, the interim president of SPLC, remarked, “We are failing as a society when our neighbors are harmed simply for how they look, how they worship, who they love, or how they choose to live. We can, and must, do better.”

The SPLC’s initiative aims to foster dialogue and promote understanding to prevent hate. Imam Rasheed hosts an Open House every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Islamic Center, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds to participate. “We are here only for this one reason: We want people to build bridges, come together, people of all faiths or no faith,” Rasheed noted.

He emphasized the importance of peace in the face of adversity, saying, “Muslims and Islam have been under attack for a long time now, but our faith teaches us to reply to hatred with a smile on your face and with peace.” Rasheed believes that gathering to share meals can transform attitudes, one person at a time.