CAIR-WA MEETS WITH DHS, CBP ON BORDER PROFILING - TOP
Local Muslims testify to mistreatment when returning to U.S.

(SEATTLE, WA, 8/20/09) - A representative of the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) met yesterday with U.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to discuss allegations of racial and religious profiling at border checkpoints.

To file a report of alleged border profiling, go here.

During Wednesday’s meeting, CAIR’s representative outlined the Muslim community’s concerns and five local Muslims told of being handcuffed, pinned to the ground, having guns pointed at them, hearing alarms sound when approaching a checkpoint, and reported anti-Muslim slurs from CBP agents.

"Numerous local Muslims who are U.S. citizens, professionals and active volunteers in their communities have reported disturbing treatment at the border when returning home,” said CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari.

Bukhari says reported treatment included being detained for up to eight hours, being handcuffed and kept in holding cells, having the contents of their wallets and purses photocopied, and having data from their electronic devices downloaded and retained by border officers.

“It is unconscionable that government officials treat upstanding citizens as if they are criminals,” said Bukhari.

The officials taking part in the Wednesday meeting offered to continue the dialogue about community concerns relating to claims of racial and religious profiling by border security personnel.

Those taking part in the meeting also included representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), several congressional offices, the San Juan County Council, the Friday Harbor City Council, Colville Tribes, Community to Community, and Jefferson County Democrats.

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.

CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206-931-3655, E-Mail:abukhari@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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MUSLIM AMERICANS FIND THEIR VOICE THROUGH ADVOCACY, ENGAGEMENT - TOP
Howard Cincotta, America.gov

…Razi Hashmi, born to a Pakistani father and American mother, struggled with his identity when he was a child. He found one answer in Islam. "Faith transcends race and culture," he said in an online profile.

But he also became politically active and organized a branch of the Muslim Students Associationat his college. Hashmi is now head of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations…

The Muslim Public Affairs Council is part of a growing constellation of national organizations that are making Muslim voices and views heard. They include the large and influential Islamic Society of North America, the advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the New York-based American Society for Muslim Advancement, which stresses its work in interfaith activities and cultural exchanges. (More)

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CAIR-AZ HOSTS OFFICIALS AT PRE-RAMADAN EVENT - TOP

(PHOENIX, AZ, 8/1709) - The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) held a dinner on Saturday in Phoenix to mark the upcoming Islamic holy season ofRamadan.

At the event, elected representatives, public and law enforcement officials and key business people all received a gift of a copy of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text.

SEE: CAIR’s Share the Quran Campaign

Dinner guests heard from the leaders of several Muslim and community organizations, including the Arizona Cultural Academy, the Cultural Food Bank, the Arab American Association, the Albanian Masjid (mosque), the Islamic Center of North Phoenix, and the Almahdi Center.

Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other activities from daybreak to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. During Ramadan, Muslims end their fasts with a meal after sunset prayers. They also invite friends and family to their homes and mosques to share meals together at this special time of the year.

Ramadan is expected to begin later this week.

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.

CONTACT: adaniels@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

SHARING RAMADAN - TOP
Plain Dealer, 8/19/09

A day of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Saturday, is leavened by an evening meal celebrated with family and friends.

Non-Muslims are invited to experience a traditional iftar, or fast-breaking meal, at the sixth annual Sharing Ramadan Community Dinner sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The dinner program begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Joseph Cole Center at Cleveland State University. For reservations, call 216-830-2247.

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CAIR POSITION STATEMENT - ISLAM AND APOSTASY - TOP

Islamic scholars say the original rulings on apostasy were similar to those for treasonous acts in legal systems worldwide and do not apply to an individual's choice of religion. Islam advocates both freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, a position supported by verses in the Quran, Islam's revealed text, such as:

• "If it had been the will of your Lord that all the people of the world should be believers, all the people of the earth would have believed! Would you then compel mankind against their will to believe?" (10:99)
• "(O Prophet Muhammad) proclaim: 'This is the Truth from your Lord. Now let him who will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it.'" (18:29)
• "If they turn away from thee (O Muhammad) they should know that We have not sent you to be their keeper. Your only duty is to convey My message." (42:48)
• "Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2:256)

Religious decisions should be matters of personal choice, not a cause for state intervention. Faith imposed by force is not true belief, but coercion. Islam has no need to compel belief in its divine truth. As the Quran states: "Truth stands out clear from error. Therefore, whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks." (2:256)

Before issuing this position statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) consulted with members of the Fiqh Council of North America, an association of Islamic legal scholars that interprets Muslim religious law.

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.