Wednesday, February 8, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks DOJ to Probe Oregon FBI's 'Coercion' of Muslim Citizens

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/7/12) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to investigate acts of "coercion and intimidation" allegedly used by the FBI's Portland Field Office to pressure Muslim citizens into giving up their constitutional rights if they wish to return to the United States from overseas.

CAIR: Probe Sought After 2 Barred from Returning to US (AP)

Yesterday, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent a letter to division head Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez about the case ofMustafa Elogbi, an American citizen who was recently detained by British authorities at the behest of the FBI and prevented from returning to the United States following humanitarian work in Libya. It is the third such case involving agents from the FBI's Portland Field Office reported to CAIR in the past six months.

In his letter to Perez, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote in part:

"I am concerned that the FBI Field Office in Portland has worked through foreign intermediaries to unlawfully detain American citizens and to place unlawful conditions on the right of citizens to return to the United States. ...

"In this case, British customs officials have been enlisted to do what the FBI would not be allowed to do in the United States -- to detain Mr. Elogbi without due process and to intimidate him into giving up his constitutional right to silence.

"The pattern of unconstitutional activity emanating from the FBI's Field Office in Portland warrants the scrutiny of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division."

Last week, CAIR called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene in the case of an American citizen of Libyan origin who was barred from returning to the United States and interrogated by the FBI about his religious beliefs, including his belief in "Shariah" (Islamic principles).

SEE: American Aid Worker in Libya: US Bars My Return (MSNBC)

Last September, CAIR reported that an Oregon Muslim who had to travel by ship to Europe because he is on the U.S. government's "no-fly" list was detained in the United Kingdom when he disembarked in Southampton.

CAIR: U.S. Muslim on No-Fly List Detained in U.K.

Following recent revelations that law enforcement and military personnel received biased training about Islam and Muslims, CAIR called for a "top to bottom" reform of that training.

CAIR: DOJ Analyst Claims Muslims Threaten 'Our Values'

Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the FBI seeking a court order to allow a Virginia Muslim teenager detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government no-fly list to return to the United States.

CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.
CAIR Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.

CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from Returning to U.S.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com



Posted by at 8:11 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Calls for Hearings on NYPD Targeting of Shia Mosques
Secret document recommends spying without warrants or evidence of wrongdoing

(NEW YORK, NY, 2/2/12) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called for hearings in that state's legislature to investigate new revelations that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) initiated a program of spying on Shia mosques without warrants and without any evidence of wrongdoing by worshipers.

CAIR-NY cited a secret NYPD document, titled "US-Iran Conflict: The Threat to New York City" and revealed by The Associated Press (AP), that "recommended increasing surveillance of thousands of Shiite Muslims and their mosques, based solely on their religion." According to AP, none of the targeted mosques had been linked to terrorism by the NYPD or by federal agencies.

AP's report also states:

"The NYPD is prohibited under its own guidelines and city law from basing its investigations on religion. Under FBI guidelines, which the NYPD says it follows, many of the recommendations in the police document would be prohibited. ... The secret document stands in contrast to statements by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said the NYPD never considers religion in its policing. Kelly has said police go only where investigative leads take them, but the document described no leads to justify expanded surveillance at Shiite mosques."

NYPD Document: Gather Intel Info at Shiite Mosques
US-Iran Conflict: The Threat to New York City

"We are beginning to wonder whether NYPD officials believe American Muslims have any constitutional rights that need be respected," said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick. "Each new revelation of NYPD targeting of the Muslim community without evidence of wrongdoing paints a picture of a department that has little regard for legal prohibitions on ethnic and religious profiling."

McGoldrick said New York Muslims will rally tomorrow following their Friday congregational prayers to protest the NYPD's targeting of their community.

CAIR-NY: Rally for Justice in Foley Square This Friday
CAIR-NY: New York Muslims to Rally Against NYPD
CAIR-NY: New York Muslims Fight Back Against Police Department's Institutionalized Paranoia About Islam

A series of recent investigative reports by AP revealed that undercover NYPD officers in a so-called "Demographics Unit" spied on Muslim communities and houses of worship with the assistance of individuals linked to the CIA. NYPD officials initially denied the Demographics Unit existed, despite the AP's publication of an NYPD presentation and other documents that described the mission and makeup of the unit.

SEE: CIA Lawyer Never Approved NYPD Collaboration that Built Widespread Muslim Spying Programs
AP: NYPD Demographics Unit Presentation

Reports indicate that the NYPD even spied on Muslim leaders who figured prominently in community outreach efforts, and infiltrated Muslim student groups not suspected of committing any crime.

SEE: NYPD Even Spied on the Muslim Leaders Who Were Helping Them
SEE: NYPD Spying on Muslim College Students Now

CAIR-NY -- along with the Muslim American Civil Liberties Coalition (MACLC) and other minority and civil liberties groups -- recently called for the resignations of NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne due to revelations that they covered up their roles in the production of the anti-Islam propaganda film "The Third Jihad" that was shown to almost 1500 NYPD officers.

Video: CAIR-NY Rep on Al-Jazeera to Discuss NYPD Showing Anti-Islam Film

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick, 212-870-2002, or 203-206-6883, E-Mail: cmcgoldrick@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Posted by at 9:07 AM 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks Sec. Clinton to Allow U.S. Citizen to Return from Libya
Oregon businessman barred from flight, questioned by FBI about religious beliefs

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/3/12) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene in the case of a American citizen of Libyan origin barred from returning to the United States and interrogated by the FBI about his religious beliefs, including his belief in "Shariah" (Islamic principles).

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Jamal Tarhuni, a 55-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Portland, Ore., was denied boarding for a flight to the United States in January when he tried to return home from Libya. He was reportedly told that an "unspecified federal agency" wanted to interview him.

Tarhuni said he was questioned by the FBI on January 23 about his religious beliefs and about his work overseeing delivery of relief supplies sent to Libya by a Portland-based Christian non-profit group. His daughter told msnbc.com that FBI agents asked her father whether he practiced "Shariah law."

The msnbc.com report noted: "The question about Shariah law was especially tricky. To Tarhuni, an observant Muslim, Shariah means a set of rules for praying, marrying, parenting and generally conducting a good life, which would be a subject for discussion at any mosque, but not -- as some people interpret it -- as a set of rigid and punitive rules that Muslims are obliged to impose on others."

Tarhuni said he agreed to take a lie-detector test, but changed his mind when an FBI agent asked him to sign a waiver of his constitutional rights.

SEE: American Aid Worker in Libya: US Bars My Return (MSNBC)

It a letter sent today to Secretary Clinton, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote in part:

"An inquiry into whether Mr. Tarhuni practices 'Shariah Law' -- a term that refers to the religious traditions of Islam -- is not relevant. Mr. Tarhuni’s religious beliefs and practices are simply not a lawful basis upon which to deny him his fundamental right to return to the United States.

"This incident raises broader concerns that the anti-Muslim training given to FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel in recent years is having an effect on the actions agents are taking in the field. It is counterproductive and unconstitutional for FBI agents to equate belief in Islam with a propensity to commit acts of violence -- as they seem to have done with Mr. Tarhuni. ...

"Whatever questions American officials have for Mr. Tarhuni, no one should be barred from his or her country of citizenship without so much as a court hearing. It is immoral and unlawful for the United States to separate an American citizen from his children, his family and his country."

Abbas noted that, following recent revelations that law enforcement and military personnel received biased training about Islam and Muslims, CAIR called for a "top to bottom" reform of that training.

CAIR: DOJ Analyst Claims Muslims Threaten 'Our Values'

Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the FBI seeking a court order that would allow a Virginia Muslim teenager detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government "no-fly" list to return to the United States.

CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.
CAIR Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.

CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from Returning to U.S.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Posted by at 9:07 AM 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks Sec. Clinton to Allow U.S. Citizen to Return from Libya
Oregon businessman barred from flight, questioned by FBI about religious beliefs

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/3/12) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene in the case of a American citizen of Libyan origin barred from returning to the United States and interrogated by the FBI about his religious beliefs, including his belief in "Shariah" (Islamic principles).

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Jamal Tarhuni, a 55-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Portland, Ore., was denied boarding for a flight to the United States in January when he tried to return home from Libya. He was reportedly told that an "unspecified federal agency" wanted to interview him.

Tarhuni said he was questioned by the FBI on January 23 about his religious beliefs and about his work overseeing delivery of relief supplies sent to Libya by a Portland-based Christian non-profit group. His daughter told msnbc.com that FBI agents asked her father whether he practiced "Shariah law."

The msnbc.com report noted: "The question about Shariah law was especially tricky. To Tarhuni, an observant Muslim, Shariah means a set of rules for praying, marrying, parenting and generally conducting a good life, which would be a subject for discussion at any mosque, but not -- as some people interpret it -- as a set of rigid and punitive rules that Muslims are obliged to impose on others."

Tarhuni said he agreed to take a lie-detector test, but changed his mind when an FBI agent asked him to sign a waiver of his constitutional rights.

SEE: American Aid Worker in Libya: US Bars My Return (MSNBC)

It a letter sent today to Secretary Clinton, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote in part:

"An inquiry into whether Mr. Tarhuni practices 'Shariah Law' -- a term that refers to the religious traditions of Islam -- is not relevant. Mr. Tarhuni’s religious beliefs and practices are simply not a lawful basis upon which to deny him his fundamental right to return to the United States.

"This incident raises broader concerns that the anti-Muslim training given to FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel in recent years is having an effect on the actions agents are taking in the field. It is counterproductive and unconstitutional for FBI agents to equate belief in Islam with a propensity to commit acts of violence -- as they seem to have done with Mr. Tarhuni. ...

"Whatever questions American officials have for Mr. Tarhuni, no one should be barred from his or her country of citizenship without so much as a court hearing. It is immoral and unlawful for the United States to separate an American citizen from his children, his family and his country."

Abbas noted that, following recent revelations that law enforcement and military personnel received biased training about Islam and Muslims, CAIR called for a "top to bottom" reform of that training.

CAIR: DOJ Analyst Claims Muslims Threaten 'Our Values'

Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the FBI seeking a court order that would allow a Virginia Muslim teenager detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government "no-fly" list to return to the United States.

CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.
CAIR Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.

CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from Returning to U.S.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Posted by at 9:06 AM 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks Sec. Clinton to Allow U.S. Citizen to Return from Libya
Oregon businessman barred from flight, questioned by FBI about religious beliefs

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/3/12) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene in the case of a American citizen of Libyan origin barred from returning to the United States and interrogated by the FBI about his religious beliefs, including his belief in "Shariah" (Islamic principles).

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Jamal Tarhuni, a 55-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Portland, Ore., was denied boarding for a flight to the United States in January when he tried to return home from Libya. He was reportedly told that an "unspecified federal agency" wanted to interview him.

Tarhuni said he was questioned by the FBI on January 23 about his religious beliefs and about his work overseeing delivery of relief supplies sent to Libya by a Portland-based Christian non-profit group. His daughter told msnbc.com that FBI agents asked her father whether he practiced "Shariah law."

The msnbc.com report noted: "The question about Shariah law was especially tricky. To Tarhuni, an observant Muslim, Shariah means a set of rules for praying, marrying, parenting and generally conducting a good life, which would be a subject for discussion at any mosque, but not -- as some people interpret it -- as a set of rigid and punitive rules that Muslims are obliged to impose on others."

Tarhuni said he agreed to take a lie-detector test, but changed his mind when an FBI agent asked him to sign a waiver of his constitutional rights.

SEE: American Aid Worker in Libya: US Bars My Return (MSNBC)

It a letter sent today to Secretary Clinton, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote in part:

"An inquiry into whether Mr. Tarhuni practices 'Shariah Law' -- a term that refers to the religious traditions of Islam -- is not relevant. Mr. Tarhuni’s religious beliefs and practices are simply not a lawful basis upon which to deny him his fundamental right to return to the United States.

"This incident raises broader concerns that the anti-Muslim training given to FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel in recent years is having an effect on the actions agents are taking in the field. It is counterproductive and unconstitutional for FBI agents to equate belief in Islam with a propensity to commit acts of violence -- as they seem to have done with Mr. Tarhuni. ...

"Whatever questions American officials have for Mr. Tarhuni, no one should be barred from his or her country of citizenship without so much as a court hearing. It is immoral and unlawful for the United States to separate an American citizen from his children, his family and his country."

Abbas noted that, following recent revelations that law enforcement and military personnel received biased training about Islam and Muslims, CAIR called for a "top to bottom" reform of that training.

CAIR: DOJ Analyst Claims Muslims Threaten 'Our Values'

Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the FBI seeking a court order that would allow a Virginia Muslim teenager detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government "no-fly" list to return to the United States.

CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.
CAIR Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.

CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from Returning to U.S.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Posted by at 9:06 AM 0 comments
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