FLYING WHILE MUSLIM’ WEB SITE LAUNCHED - TOP Site seeks support for six imams removed from US Airways flight (WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/09) – A web site, called “Flying While Muslim,” has been launched to seek support for the six American imams (Islamic religious leaders) who say their rights were violated in 2006 when they were removed from a US Airways flight in Minnesota and arrested. SEE: http://www.flyingwhilemuslim.org/ The “Flying While Muslim” site offers background information and updates about the six imams case and about racial and religious profiling of airline travelers. It also seeks donations to support the legal challenge to the airline. “As this case goes forward, it is important that the six imams have the full support of the community and of all people of conscience who value civil rights and respect the Constitution,” said Omar T. Mohammedi, one of the imams’ attorneys. In July, a judge in Minnesota sided with the imams on key issues in their lawsuit against those involved in their removal from the plane. U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery cleared the way for a trial by denying several motions to dismiss the case and ruling that a law passed by Congress after the incident does not grant protection from lawsuits to those sued by the imams. SEE: Imams Can Pursue Claims Against Police, Judge Rules (Star Tribune) SEE ALSO: Judge Says Imams Booted from Flight Can Sue Police (MPR) Judge Montgomery also ruled that the actions of the imams prior to their flight did not justify their detention. She noted that the imams were subjected to "extreme fear and humiliation of being falsely identified as dangerous terrorists." Read the entire ruling: http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/7-24-09-Judge-Montgomery-Court.pdf PLEASE DISTRIBUTE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA ----- U.S. MUSLIMS TO MARK END OF RAMADAN WITH COMMUNAL PRAYERS - TOP (WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/09) - On Sunday, September 20 (Date may vary, consult local mosques.), the Muslim community in America will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers around the country. (Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset.) The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, in which Muslims exchange social visits and seek to strengthen bonds of brotherhood in the community. During this holiday, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid mubarak” (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning “blessed Eid,” and “taqabbalallah ta’atakum,” or “may God accept your deeds.” Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers. Eid ul-Fitr is the first of the two major Muslim holidays. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha, comes at the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. WHEN: Sunday, September 20 (Date may vary, consult local mosques. Go to:www.islamicfinder.com) Prayers are held early in the morning. Ask local prayer coordinators for exact dates, times and locations. WHERE: The Eid prayers are held either in local mosques or in public facilities designed to accommodate large gatherings. CONTACT: Call local Muslim organizations for details about Eid celebrations. If there are no known contacts in a particular community, go to: http://www.islamicfinder.com/ PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Each year, Muslims come to the prayers in colorful attire representative of different areas of the Islamic world. The prayers themselves are quite visual, with worshipers arranged in neat rows and bowing in prayer in unison. Participants exchange embraces at the conclusion of the prayers. NOTE: Because this is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes should dress modestly. Some communities may ask female reporters and photographers to put a scarf over their hair while in the actual prayer area. Photographers should arrive early to get into position for the best shots. Photographers are also advised not to step directly in front of worshipers and to seek permission for close-up shots. Shots of shoes removed for prayer, and rear-angle shots of prostrating worshipers are considered inappropriate. 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 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 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com ----- CAIR-NY: COALITION TO HOST RALLY TO URGE THE MAYOR TO INCORPORATE MUSLIM HOLIDAYS IN SCHOOLS - TOP NY’ers Continue Advocacy Efforts Following Tonal Shift from Mayor New York, NY – On Monday, September 21, the Coalition for Muslim School Holidays (CMSH), a diverse group of more than 80 community, labor, civil rights, and religious organizations from throughout New York, will host a rally and press conference on the steps of the Department of Education to urge Mayor Michael Bloomberg to incorporate the two Muslim holidays in the New York City public school system. Following the NY City Council’s overwhelming vote in support of recognizing the two Muslim holidays and intense grassroots pressure from New Yorkers across the boroughs, Mayor Bloomberg has indicated he is looking into the community’s request to extend the calendar and add two days. WHAT: Rally Urging Mayor to Incorporate Muslim Holidays in NYC Public Schools WHEN: Monday, September 21, 3 p.m. (Press conference at 4 p.m.) WHERE: Steps of the Department of Education, 52 Chambers St., New York, NY, 10007 WHO: Coalition for Muslim School Holidays Students, Parents, Teachers Interfaith Leaders The Coalition for Muslim School Holidays is a broad inter-faith, inter-ethnic coalition of labor, community, civil rights and religious organizations as well as students, parents and educators. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Aisha Gawad: 703-863-7119, aisha.aaany@gmail.com Faiza N. Ali: 718-724-3041, fali@cair.com ----- CAIR-OH VIDEO: STUDENT CAUGHT BETWEEN RELIGION AND SOCCER - TOP WLWT-TV, 9/17/09 SEE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XVRCh8R9-s CINCINNATI -- When Ryle High School takes to the soccer field, there's more than just athletic drama playing out before the crowd. For one player, religion is also a factor. Essam Elgusain can't eat or drink water during the month of Ramadan. Essam Elgusain is Muslim. He is currently observing Ramadan, which means he can't eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a challenge for Elgusain, who faces dehydration chasing down his opponents in the late summer heat. When asked what the heat does to him, Elgusain said "It just makes me feel really tired and I get really weak. And occasionally I'll get muscle cramps." Elgusain is faithful to his religion. He won't take even a sip of water until the sun goes down, no matter how tempting it might be. He said team water breaks are especially difficult… Elgusain has the support of Cincinnati's Council on American-Islamic Relations. "Muslims have been fasting for 1,400 years. And a lot of people have had manual labor jobs … and in the Middle East, where it's a lot hotter than it is here. And they've managed just fine," said Karen Dabdoub, the council's executive director. (More) ----- CAIR-OK: TEEN AT CENTER OF RIGHTS SUIT - TOP A federal agency alleges that a retailer did not hire her because of her hijab. By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer A popular national chain of clothing stores is being sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for allegedly not hiring a Muslim Tulsa teenager because she wears a hijab, a religiously mandated head scarf. The EEOC filed the lawsuit Wednesday against Abercrombie & Fitch in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, citing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, modified in 1991, as the basis for the action. The suit says that Samantha Elauf, 17, applied in June 2008 for a sales job at the Abercrombie Kids store in Woodland Hills Mall… Elauf went to the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma, which helped her file a complaint with the EEOC in Oklahoma City.