FOX RECEIVES OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO ‘SIMPSONS’ EPISODE ON ISLAMOPHOBIA - TOP

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 12/4/08) Following an action alert sent out yesterday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Fox television network reported receiving an overwhelming positive response from community members about a recent episode of “The Simpsons” that challenged anti-Muslim stereotypes.

The episode, which aired Sunday evening and is titled "Mypods and Boomsticks," highlights anti-Muslim sentiment by featuring a young Muslim character named Bashir and his family who face prejudice after moving to Springfield. In the program, Homer Simpson wrongly suspects that Bashir's family is involved in a terror plot. Bart Simpson befriends Bashir and defends him from bullies.

To view the entire episode, click here:


SEE: Thank Fox for 'Simpsons' Episode Challenging Islamophobia


To view CAIR’s letter to “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, click here.


Because of the number of positive e-mails Fox is receiving, CAIR is asking community members to send notes of appreciation to a new e-mail address that has been set up by the network’s diversity department.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Send future messages expressing appreciation for the episode to:

Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co.; Dana Walden, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television; Gary Newman, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television.

E-mail: diversity.quest@fox.com
COPY TO: info@losangeles.cair.com
Fax: (310) 969-0210

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CAIR REFUTES WIESENTHAL CENTER’S ‘FALSE CLAIMS’ ON MUSLIM CEMETERY - TOP

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 12/4/08) The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) said today that it has sent a letter to the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center addressing what the Islamic civil rights group called “false claims” the center is using to justify building a museum of “tolerance” on a Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem.

According to historians, the planned museum site was once the largest Muslim cemetery in Palestine. Companions of Islam's Prophet Muhammad and Islamic jurists and scholars are said to be buried there. The Israeli government go-ahead on Oct. 29 for construction of the museum came only after a lengthy court battle.

The Wiesenthal Center has falsely claimed that the land it is building on is a parking lot and that there have been no protests regarding building on the cemetery in the past 50 years.

SEE: An Intolerable Spot for a Museum (Forward)


In the letter to the Wiesenthal Center, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush stated in part:

“As stated in our initial letter, the cemetery land, along with other property in the waqf Islamic trust, was designated as ‘absentee property’ when West Jerusalem came under Israel’s control after 1948. The land was ruled no longer sacrosanct in 1964 by a body called the ‘Islamic Sharia Court,’ whose members were appointed by Israel and largely distrusted by the Muslim population. In violation of international law, the land was then designated by Israel as public open space, and the municipality built a parking lot over it.

“Your additional claim that there has not been any opposition to the building of the parking lot ignores the fact that Israel imposed martial law on Palestinians from 1949 to 1966. Under this martial law, Israel ensured that any indications of national spirit or identity among Palestinians were quickly and forcefully crushed. Despite this, Muslims in Israel did legally oppose the designation of waqf land as absentee property in the 1960s, lobbied to rebuild and maintain the Ma’manullah graves after the 1967 war, protested the desecration of the graves in the 70s and 80s, and have been opposing the building of the Center for Human Dignity on the cemetery land. One cannot blame Muslims in Israel for sounding their claims upon deaf ears.

“…the land on which you plan to build is the site of a Muslim cemetery, a historic landmark, and a place revered by many. The Israeli Supreme Court’s decision cannot erase the fact that more than 150 skeletons have been unearthed at the cemetery, under the Wiesenthal Center’s supervision. Neither can the Court’s ruling erase the historic and religious value of the cemetery. You may claim the legal power to build the museum on the cemetery, but you do not possess the moral right to carry out such plans.”

SEE: CAIR-LA Response to Wiesenthal Center’s Letter


CAIR-LA has launched an online petition drive to halt the desecration of the Muslim cemetery.

SEE: Urge Wiesenthal Center to Halt Construction of Museum on Muslim Cemetery

In November, CAIR-LA and three American Jewish groups called for a halt to the Wiesenthal Center’s building plans.

SEE: Joint Letter from U.S. Muslims and Jews to the Wiesenthal Center
SEE ALSO: U.S. Muslims, Jews Ask Wiesenthal Center Not to Build on Muslim Cemetery


CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847 or 714-851-4851, E-Mail: info@losangeles.cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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CAIR-FL: HERE'S A CHANCE TO KNOW YOUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS - TOP
Altaf Ali, Miami Herald, 12/4/08


Over the past several years, the image of Islam and Muslims has plummeted to the deepest depths of misunderstanding. The Muslims who have hijacked our faith and taken front and center stage do not demonstrate the desire for peace shared by most believers, and for the most part have offended and harmed not only people of other faiths but also followers of Islam.

This trend continues unabated and those who truly adhere to Islam and try to speak out against terrorism have been sidelined. Their voices, although loud and clear, were not covered in the mainstream press.

Last week's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital, which left at least 174 people dead and many more injured, have added to our collective despondency.

It is high time that Muslim Americans make sure our voices are heard and define our faith for ourselves. As Muslims and as Americans, we should never let terrorist groups falsely claim to represent us or Islam. In addition to repudiating and condemning all forms of terrorism and religious extremism, we have to take a proactive stance in accurately portraying our faith.

We Muslim Americans owe it to our fellow Americans to put their fears at ease. It is our moral and ethical obligation to let our friends, neighbors and colleagues know the truth. We can no longer afford to be sidelined.

Two years ago, the fear-inducing documentary Obsession infiltrated the synagogues in South Florida, and just before this year's presidential election they were distributed to newspaper subscribers in swing states in an attempt to prey on fear and foster guilt by association.

Responding to the stereotyping and misunderstanding fostered by such initiatives, on Nov. 25 the Muslim community in South Florida embarked on a historical project and launched the Bus Ad Campaign. This initiative offers fellow Americans the opportunity to learn the truth about Islam.

For eight weeks, the Miami-Dade and Broward counties' transit systems will display colorful banners about Islam on the sides of 120 local buses. Floridians of all faiths are invited to call 1-888-ISLAM-55 or visit www.CallingIslam.com to discover accurate information about Islam and Muslims.

Even though we have been speaking out, many of our fellow Americans have not heard us; now they can. This project creates an avenue for dialogue and friendship. Through a direct line of communication, all Americans will be able to make an informed decision about Muslims and Islam.

Already on the second day of the campaign, an upset individual, whose call ended up in my queue, asked why Muslims wanted to dominate the world by converting everyone to Islam. After a 20-minute discussion we parted as friends: a Christian and a Muslim who found we had more in common than differences. Stereotypes were dispelled and the truth was told.

With all good things come challenges. Not only will there be success stories but also difficult stories. For example, the first caller I talked to was so livid about the campaign that his language was littered with profanity.

We will not change the mind of every caller, but we will create bridges with those interesting in exchanging views.

We hope that Floridians will gain exposure to the true essence of Islam and better understand their Muslim neighbors through this campaign, setting the foundation for a more harmonious society and fostering respect and understanding. Most important, our fellow Americans will know that the voices of extremism run contrary to the sentiments of the hundreds of thousands of Muslim Americans and the millions of Muslims worldwide.

Ninety-nine percent of the funds used for this campaign came directly from donations from Muslims in Florida. The way the Muslim community in South Florida embraced this project and supported it wholeheartedly demonstrates that the majority of Muslims want to reach out in understanding. The inauguration of the Bus Ad Campaign is a step in the right direction.

Altaf Ali is executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The article was written for Common Ground News Service.

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CAIR-NJ SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR ITS MUSLIM YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - TOP

CAIR-NJ’s Muslim Leadership Program (MYLP) is designed to empower American Muslim youth and to help develop and nurture skills to become Muslim leaders/activists. This program is designed to help youth to better face the challenges they encounter in post 9/11 America and to encourage them to explore careers in Communications/Media, Civil Rights and Politics/Public Office.

WHAT: Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP)
WHEN: Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
WHERE: Princeton University
REGISTRATION FEE: There is a $25 registration fee per participant to cover lunch and seminar materials.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to high school and college students (will also consider recent graduates)
ENROLLMENT: To be considered for the MYLP, please submit a 2 page essay on: "The challenges that Muslims face in America and how I propose to overcome them."
DEADLINE: Essays must be submitted by Monday, December 15, 2008 to Afsheen Shamsi at ashamsi@cair.com.

Overview of the MYLP:

Perception of Islam & Muslims: How do we affect change? What is the current public perception of Islam & Muslims? How do we ensure accurate & fair representation of Muslims in America? How do we successfully challenge public expressions of bigotry? How do we deal with Media effectively, blogging, U-tube, other? Encourage youth to explore internships at NJ papers / news outlets.

Know Your Rights: Learn about the Law. Discuss actual incidents that arise in schools or colleges. How to respond to religious discrimination and your rights per constitution and law.

Political Activism: How do we successfully influence political decisions? Why is it important for Muslims to become politically active? Structure of Congress and how to get your message across effectively. Encourage Muslim Youth to explore internship opportunities at the offices of NJ Congressmen.

Social Activism: How do Muslims affect positive change in society and thereby demonstrate that we are contributing members of American society?

Group Projects: The students will be divided into groups and will work on developing projects to impact change in our society.

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NJ: CENTRAL JERSEY MUSLIMS PREPARE FOR SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE - TOP
Bob Makin, Courier News, 12/3/08


For 10 years, Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in South Brunswick has led a pilgrimage to Mecca during the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha in celebration of Abraham's call to sacrifice Ishmael.

Known as Hajj, the pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are commanded to make Hajj at least once in a lifetime.

Chebli said he feels blessed to have been many more times than that as spiritual leader of the Monmouth Junction mosque. This year, he is traveling with a group of 20, including two families from the Piscataway-based Muslim Center of Middlesex County. They left Nov. 26 from Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va. Eid will take place sunset Dec. 7 through the following day. . .

CHARITABLE CAUSE

For those not making Hajj this year, Bridgewater-based Muslims Against Hunger is offering an opportunity to fulfill another pillar of Islam: charity.

In honor of Eid al-Adha, as well as a variety of other faiths' winter holidays, the local hunger organization will launch its 1,500 Meals in 15 Days campaign from Dec. 13 to Jan. 3 at soup kitchens throughout New Jersey, as well as in New York and Maryland. Local stops will include Plainfield, New Brunswick, Rahway and Morristown. (MORE)

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HOW DOES YOUR RELIGION GIVE THANKS?: ISLAM - TOP
Zakariya Dehlawi, The Daily of the University of Washington, 12/4/08


The concept of thanks in Islam is very important. Our gratitude is always directed toward God, since it increases our taqwa, or God consciousness, reminding us that God is the creator and sustainer of everything. Even when we thank other people, we tie it back to God.

There are several different phrases Muslims use when thanking God, and some of them depend on the context; I will try to illustrate a few. I offer my usual disclaimer and apologize in advance for any mistakes I might make, while any benefit is thanks to God. (See, I already showed some gratitude.)

When a Muslim is asked, “How are you?” the response usually concludes with “Alhamdulillah” whether they are in a positive state, or just finished complaining about the midterms they failed that day. Alhamdulillah means, “All praise and thanks belong to God.” It denotes the idea that we are grateful to God for everything given to us, and that even negatives will benefit us in the long run — as well as the thought that things could be much worse.

The Quran reminds us: “And (remember) Job, when he cried to his Lord, ‘Affliction has befallen me, but You are the Most Merciful of those that are merciful’” (chapter 21, verse 83). So even in his terrible state, he recognized all the other blessings God provides. (MORE)

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ADC: ARAB-AMERICAN HATE CRIMES DOWN SINCE 9/11 - TOP
Andy Sullivan, Reuters, 12/4/08


Hate crimes against Arab Americans have decreased steadily since the September 11 attacks but are still more common than they were before the hijackings, a civil rights group said on Thursday.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said it received an average of 120 to 130 reports of ethnically motivated attacks or threats each year between 2003 and 2007, a sharp decrease from the 700 violent incidents it documented in the weeks following the 2001 attacks.

But that figure is still higher than the 80 to 90 reports it received in the late 1990s, the civil rights group said. (MORE)