BASHING MUSLIMS PROMOTES FEAR FOR ALL - TOPHussam Ayloush, Desert Sun, 3/18/09
In a post-Sept. 11 America, inciting Islamophobia and attempting to marginalize Muslims is a lucrative business. Extremists like Steven Emerson seek to polarize our nation and world to continue profiting from the industry of fear.
Emerson uses methods of distortion, exaggeration and outright falsehood to demonize Muslims and urge fellow Americans to fear Islam.
He borrows terminology and tactics once employed by Nazi Germany to justify anti-Semitic hate to help create similar hatred of American Muslims in America.
In his talk, titled “The Islamic Threat,” Emerson is quoted by The Desert Sun as saying that “Islam's ‘leadership and organizational superstructure' threaten Western values” and that (radical) Muslims “want to conquer the United States. They want to conquer Europe.”
Try replacing the word “Islam” or “Muslims” with the word “Jews,” “Latinos,” “Catholics” or “blacks” in his quotes and note how repulsive and hateful those comments sound. So, why have we become desensitized to anti-Muslim bigotry?
Why are agenda-driven propagandists such as Emerson allowed to disregard the more than 1 billion peaceful Muslims who are hard-working, family-oriented people seeking a better life for their children? Why are the positive contributions of 6 million to 7 million American Muslims substituted with guilt by association and fear-mongering that places the local Muslim community at risk of discrimination and hate crimes?
True Islamophobe
A leading national media watch group, Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, listed Emerson as one of the top 12 Islamophobes in America. These Islamophobes, together, “form a network that teaches Americans to see Islam in fearful terms and their Muslim neighbors as suspects,” (www.smearcasting.com).
It is no wonder Emerson attempts to marginalize American Muslims and their leading organizations and label them as terrorist-sympathizers. It is puzzling that Emerson gets to promote his bigotry, unchallenged, at the invitation of an esteemed institution such as the World Affairs Council or in the pages of The Desert Sun.
CAIR is one of the most respected Muslim advocacy organizations in America. We work closely with our nation's interfaith leaders, elected officials, media professionals and law enforcement agencies to provide them with the Muslim community's perspective on issues varying from national security to civil rights and to promote tolerance and mutual understanding.
CAIR and the Muslim community repeatedly and unequivocally condemn all forms of terrorism because Islam teaches us to value life - every life.
Emerson is entitled to free speech, including hate speech.
But residents of the desert cities deserved better than hate-mongering.
As our country and world face the challenges of polarization, extremism and terrorism, we need voices of understanding, peace and moderation from all faith communities.
[Hussam Ayloush is executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area office.]
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CAIR: MUSLIM GROUPS CONSIDER BREAKING FBI TIES OVER IRVINE CASE - TOPMatt Coker, OC Weekly, 3/18/09
Citing the highly publicized case involving an undercover informant who spied on an Irvine mosque, a coalition of U.S. Muslim organizations has announced it may suspend relations with the FBI.
"Muslim communities throughout the United States have made significant advances in promoting and contributing to a fair, free and pluralistic society," reads the statement from the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT). "Through civil rights advocacy, civic and political engagement, and the promotion of dialogue with interfaith leaders and law enforcement agencies, Muslim Americans continue to be a positive and stabilizing force in keeping our nation safe and secure from acts of violence and foreign threats."
Muslim Americans are productive, law-abiding citizens who have naturally been allied with law enforcement, reads the AMT statement, but "recent incidents targeting American Muslims lead us to consider suspending ongoing outreach efforts with the FBI."
"In California, the FBI sent a convicted criminal to pose as an agent provocateur in several of that state's mosques. An FBI agent allegedly told one of the mosque attendees that the agency would make his life a 'living hell' if he did not become an informant."
The mosque attendee is 34-year-old Afghan native Ahmad Niazi, who was arrested at his Tustin home on Feb. 20 on five fraud and perjury counts. At his Feb. 24 bail hearing, Niazi was alleged to have talked in an unnamed informant's e-mails and recordings of initiating jihad, getting weapons, blowing up buildings, sending money overseas to the Afghan mujahedin and even calling Osama bin Laden "an angel." At the hearing, Irvine fitness instructor Craig Monteilh (pictured in this John Gilhooley portrait) filed court documents identifying himself as the informant.
Monteilh had arrived at the Islamic Center of Irvine in 2006 and befriended members, including Niazi, who informed mosque leaders that Monteilh was talking about jihad or holy war. The leaders turned to the Anaheim office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which contacted the FBI while the mosque got a restraining order against Monteilh. At CAIR's behest, an FBI official later came to the Irvine mosque to reassure members the government was not spying on them. (More)
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CAIR-ORLANDO HELPS FAMILY OF GAZA EVACUEES - TOPPalestinian mother and two children find safe haven in Florida
(ORLANDO, FL, 3/18/09) - The Orlando chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Orlando) announced today that a Palestinian mother and her two American-born children have moved into a new donated residence in Sanford, Fla., after being evacuated by the U.S. State Department from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
During and following the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, CAIR sought the evacuation of American citizens and their family members who were trapped under Israeli bombardment. The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy group also called for American sponsors willing to assist families of U.S. citizens who were evacuated.
SEE: CAIR Seeks Sponsors for Gaza Evacuees (Video)
In response to CAIR’s appeal, United Muslim Foundation (UMF) of Lake Mary, Fla., agreed to sponsor one family from Gaza. According to the family, a niece was injured and the homes of close relatives were destroyed by Israeli attacks.
CAIR-Orlando and UMF are working to help the family get acclimated to their temporary home. Both organizations are seeking continued support from volunteers to prepare the family for a successful future in the Orlando area.
“Considering the harrowing experience that just this one family has gone through, CAIR and the Florida Muslim community are honored to help in any way we can,” said Hasan Hboubati, president of the CAIR-Orlando Executive Committee.
“It’s been a long and emotional journey for all of us, and we look forward to making the transition as easy as we can for them,” said Masuma Virji, executive director of UMF.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy 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.
CONTACT: Hasan Hboubati, president of CAIR-Orlando’s Executive Committee, 407-687-9204, hhboubati@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
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CAIR: MUSLIM ADVOCATES GET SOFT-SPOKEN LEADER - TOPYonat Shimron, News & Observer, 3/15/09State Sen. Larry Shaw takes pride in keeping a low profile.
"I fly beneath the radar," he says. "That suits my style."
It's an odd claim for a man who until three years ago was the highest-ranking Muslim elected official in the United States. (U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota snagged that distinction in 2006.)
At 59, Shaw remains the longest-serving Muslim elected official, and recently added another badge: The Democratic senator representing Cumberland County was elected chairman of the nation's leading Muslim civil rights advocacy group, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Shaw, who lives in Fayetteville, is soft-spoken. His voice is barely audible as he walks the hallways of the state legislature, a broad-shouldered former football player with a wide smile and a thinning tuft of white hair.
But as chairman of CAIR, which has a reputation of being one of the more aggressive Muslim advocacy groups, he may be forced into a higher-profile role. For several years, the group's financing has been under scrutiny, and a small group of critics has made a determined, but so far unsuccessful, effort to link it to Hamas, the ruling political group in the Gaza strip, which the U.S. government labels a terrorist organization.
More recently, CAIR was one of hundreds of Muslim individuals and groups named as unindicted co-conspirators in a terrorism-financing trial wherein a Texas charity was accused of helping to finance Hamas. CAIR rejects the accusation, and Shaw says his first order of business will be to clear the group's name.
"It's straight out of the playbook they use for all the civil rights groups," Shaw says, noting that Martin Luther King Jr. and many other civil rights movement leaders were investigated by the government. "This is nothing new. If they had anything, they would have acted on it and shut us down."
Shaw says he has already asked to meet with top officials in the FBI and Department of Justice.
And he makes it clear he does not back Muslims reflexively. A keen observer of the Middle East and its conflicts, he is willing to criticize dictatorial Muslim countries as well as Hamas' practice of firing rockets into Israel.
"If they have grievances, this is not the way to get them addressed," Shaw says of Hamas. "Taking actions that endanger the lives of many is irresponsible." (MORE)
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ANTI-ISLAM COMEDIAN USES RACIST SLUR AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA - TOPFuror Over Jackie Mason's Obama RemarkMyFoxNY.com, 3/18/09Comedian Jackie Mason may be in hot water over a racially charged remark about President Obama, according to TMZ.com.The Web site reported that Mason referred to Obama as a "schwartze." It's a word that some claim is equivalent to the "n" word… (More)EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2004, CAIR called on the nation's largest radio network to apologize for anti-Islam remarks by Jackie Mason, who called “the whole Muslim religion” a “murderous organization” that teaches “hate, terrorism and murder.” CAIR said Mason, who is also known for his right-wing and pro-Israel political commentaries, made the remarks as guest host on a recent broadcast of the Jim Bohannon Show, syndicated nationally by Westwood One. During the broadcast, New York lawyer Raoul Felder, who is a frequent co-author of Mason’s commentaries, attacked the character of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. He also said: “This (Islam) is a religion of hate; this is a religion of murder.”Mason responded by amplifying Felder’s bigotry. He said: “This is amazing information that almost nobody is aware of...everyone thinks that it’s a legitimate religion that preaches love and brotherhood…the truth of the matter is (that terrorists) are reflecting the religion and following the religion…they are following the orders of the religion directly from the Quran…in plain English, the whole Muslim religion is preaching and teaching hate, terrorism and murder, and nobody knows it, and its about time they found out about it…The Quran…is 50 versions of hate, venom, hostility, and murder…dedicated to terrorism…I don’t know how we can call it a religion in the traditional sense. It should be called a murderous organization that’s out to kill people.” In a letter to Westwood One, CAIR demanded a public apology to the Muslim community and an opportunity to refute Mason’s Islamophobic smears. The letter stated: “It is this type of hate-filled propaganda that was used by the Nazis as justification for their persecution of the Jewish community in Germany.”
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TREATMENT OF IMPRISONED MUSLIMS AT TERRE HAUTE'S COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT UNIT (CMU) - TOPStephen Lendman, OpEd News, 3/18/09
In February 2007, it was learned that Washington had a secret new facility for so-called "high-security risk" Muslim and Middle Eastern prisoners in violation of federal law that prohibits severely limiting or cutting them off entirely from other inmates as well as outside contacts and communications. Segregating prisoners by race, national origin, or language violates the Supreme Court's February 2005 decision in Johnson v. California that affirmed 14th Amendment protection against racial discrimination. Specifically, the Court:
"rejected the notion that separate can ever be equal-or 'neutral' - 50 years ago in Brown v. Board of Education (this Court repudiated it and) refuses to resurrect it today."
US Prison Bureau regulations also stipulate that "staff shall not discriminate against inmates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or political belief (including) administrative decisions (involving) access to work, housing and programs." Nonetheless, the Bush administration instituted these practices, and they continue under Barack Obama at the Terre Haute federal prison's Communications Management Unit (CMU). Perhaps at other federal and state facilities as well at a time Muslims are vilified and persecuted.
September 11, 2001 events unleashed a torrent of fear, repression, and a war on Islam, henceforth targeting innocent Muslims as terrorists, Islamofascists, and criminals for their faith, ethnicity, prominence, and/or charity.
Ever since, numerous innocent men and some women have suffered grievously. Besides "unlawful enemy combatants" in global "torture prisons," they've been unfairly harassed, arrested, prosecuted, and interned as political prisoners for being Muslims at the wrong time in America. Most end up in federal facilities like the CMU at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Terre Haute, Indiana, established to segregate and discriminate against Muslims and Middle Eastern internees. (More)
[Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Center for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net]
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TX: IMAM ASKING FOR BAIL HEARING - TOPLindsay Wise, Houston Chronicle, 3/17/09
Sheikh Zoubir Bouchikhi put his palm to the glass separating him from his 18-month-old daughter at a Houston immigrant detention facility and blew her kiss after kiss, his eyes brimming with tears.
The bewildered toddler touched the window as her older sister picked up a telephone handset to talk to their father for the first time since his arrest at their home three months ago.
“Baba,” said 7-year-old Bushra, using the Arabic word for Daddy. “Are you ever going to come back?”
Bouchikhi, the popular spiritual leader of a southeast Houston mosque, has been held without bail at the facility since Dec. 17. In an interview this week, the 39-year-old imam of Houston’s Abu Bakr Siddqui mosque said he planned to start a hunger strike today to protest the government’s refusal to release him on bail while he awaits a deportation hearing.
“I feel that this is an injustice,” Bouchikhi said. “It’s absolutely outrageous what they are doing, so if they don’t release me I will bring the attention of the whole world to my case.”
The imam said he has faith in the American justice system, “but I think certain government agencies are not really doing justice to themselves, let alone to me.”
Bouchikhi is a native of Algeria who came to America 11 years ago as a student. He later obtained a religious worker visa and applied for permanent residency status for himself, his wife and oldest child. Bouchikhi’s other three children are American-born citizens. (More)
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PLAN WOULD LIMIT PRISON CHAPEL BOOKS - TOPSolomon Moore, New York Times, 3/17/09
A broad swath of religious organizations and civil liberties groups — often on opposite sides of contentious issues — have joined together to condemn a proposed rule that they say would prohibit some religious texts in federal penitentiary libraries.
The Bureau of Prisons in January proposed that “materials that could incite, promote, or otherwise suggest the commission of violence or criminal activity” may be excluded from chapel libraries. An alliance of groups — Christian, Muslim and Jewish, conservative and liberal — opposed the rule during the open comments period, which ended Tuesday.
The word “could” is at the center of a two-year dispute between the agency and these groups over which religious texts should be banned from prison libraries.
The American Civil Liberties Union and several other civil rights and religious groups argue that the agency is going beyond the provision of the Second Chance Act of 2007, which included a restriction on materials that “seek” to incite violence.
They argue that the act was meant to prohibit only books that intend to suggest violence, and that the agency’s new rule would expand that ban to all books that could possibly lead to violence.
“Those one or two words have incredibly broad significance because of what they do to the scope of what books can be taken away,” said David Shapiro, an A.C.L.U. lawyer. “They could remove texts that are critical to prisoners’ ability to practice their religion.” . . .
Other groups opposing the rule change include Muslim Advocates, the Seventh-day Adventists and various Jewish organizations. (More)
-----MD: CREDIT UNION SUSPENDS NO-HAT POLICY - TOPMatt Zapotosky, Washington Post, 3/16/09
Navy Federal Credit Union has told employees to stop enforcing its "no hats, hoods or sunglasses" security policy while officials decide how it can be applied fairly, according to an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post.
The memo tells employees not to approach anyone wearing a hat, hood or sunglasses, but also not to take down the signs prohibiting such items. Tom Lyons, senior vice president of security for Navy Federal, said the new instructions will give credit union officials time to determine what additional training is needed to ensure the policy is enforced consistently. He said the memo is not an indication that the policy, implemented in December to stem robbery and identity theft, will be abandoned.
The memo was issued days after employees at a Navy Federal in St. Mary's County asked a Muslim wearing a head scarf to leave the line and conduct her business in a back room. Lyons said those employees' actions were inappropriate because the woman was clearly identifiable.
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NAVY FCU DENIES SERVICE TO MUSLIM WOMEN - TOPFinancial Brand, 3/18/09
Earlier this year, an employee of Navy FCU pulled a Muslim immigrant from Somalia out of line for wearing her traditional head scarf.
The Muslim woman, Amal Hersi, has been a long time member of the credit union as well as an employee of the U.S. Navy.
When news reporters came asking about the incident, Navy FCU was predictably defensive: no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses. Unfortunately for Navy FCU, that policy does not apply to religious apparel.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a prominent Muslim civil rights advocacy group, called on the Department of Justice to investigate what it is calling Navy FCU’s “illegal and unconstitutional” behavior. (More)
-----SD: MUSLIMS SLOWLY EMERGING AS ACTIVE AMERICAN CITIZENS - TOPMary Garrigan, Rapid City Journal, 3/18/09
American Muslims have been political late bloomers, said a Muslim political science professor, but collectively the group is slowly but surely coming of age in the United States.
Isolated from American politics by language, culture and religion, migrant American Muslims have faced huge obstacles to their political engagement and advancement, most recently the domestic and foreign policy implications of the worldwide war on terror, Black Hills State University professor Ahrar Ahmed said Monday.
Ahmed spoke on “Muslims in the U.S. and American Foreign Policy” to about 50 people at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, sponsored by the Muslim Student Association.
Hamzeh Jaradat, president of Mines’ MSA chapter, said the group invited Ahmed to speak about the history and current political status of American Muslims to help correct the “terrible” image that many Americans have of Muslims. Jaradat plans to return to his native Jordan after earning a doctorate in engineering, but the American Muslim community now stands at about 5.8 million and is expected to double in the next 20 years, Ahmed estimated. (More)
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U.S. IS URGED TO LIFT BAN ON FOREIGN SCHOLARS - TOPJohn Schwartz, New York Times, 3/17/09
Tariq Ramadan, a respected Swiss academic and Muslim scholar, had a job all lined up at the University of Notre Dame in 2004, but the Bush administration prevented him from entering the country. Government officials said he had contributed to a charity believed to have connections to terrorism.
A federal judge supported the government’s position in December 2007, and an appeal will be heard next Tuesday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New York.
Now, in a move leading up to that hearing, a coalition of academic and civil liberties groups is calling on the Obama administration to break with the Bush administration’s policies on blocking visas of some foreign scholars, writers and activists. (More)
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VT: MUSLIM WOMEN TAKE THE YMCA PLUNGE - TOPPaula Routly, Seven Days, 3/18/09
The Islamic Society of Vermont rented the YMCA lap pool for two hours last Saturday night so local Muslim women could have a private place to dip — or take a first-ever swimming lesson.
It was no routine rental: Since the locker room couldn’t be properly secured, the women entered through the back entrance and changed clothes in the pool area. Only female lifeguards and instructors were permitted to watch over the aquatic action.
Caroline Comley, a senior at the University of Vermont who teaches swimming at the Y, said about 20 women took the plunge. Only two bikini-clad teens actually knew how to swim; the others, all non-swimmers, varied from “comfortable in the water” to “really nervous.” She said some of the adult women kept their heads covered, and most wore long pants in the pool.
But “they weren’t shy,” Comley insists, noting they listened to music supplied by the Y. “They were all really friendly and outgoing.” (More)