CAIR Good News Alert #596:

Victory for Justice in Six Imams 'Flying While Muslim' Case
Show your support for CAIR’s important work by registering for annual banquet

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/20/09) - CAIR today hailed what it called a “victory for justice and civil rights” in the case of the six imams who said their rights were violated in 2006 when they were removed from a US Airways flight in Minnesota and arrested.

According to the terms of the settlement, the six religious leaders will receive an undisclosed amount in compensation for the incident and that the case was resolved to “the satisfaction of all parties.” CAIR has championed the imams’ rights since they were removed from the plane

SEE: Imams Removed from Flight Agree to Settlement

For background on the case, see: Flying While Muslim

“The settlement of this case is a clear victory for justice and civil rights over fear and the phenomenon of 'flying while Muslim’ in the post-9/11 era,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We thank all those who supported the imams through the lengthy and difficult legal process.”

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 here.

ACTION REQUESTED:

CAIR can only carry out its important civil rights work with your support. Please register TODAY for CAIR’s 15th annual banquet on Saturday, October 24, in Arlington, Va.

Banquet attendees will hear from Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Imam Madhi Bray, Dr. Agha Saeed,Rev. Jesse Jackson, and from former Congressman Paul Findley.

Online registration ENDS SOON. Past dinners have been sold out events and tickets may be hard to come by if you don’t reserve yours today.

Register online today by going to: http://www.cair.com/banquet/

To make a reservation over the phone, call 202-488-8787 (If it is after business hours, leave a message with your daytime and evening phone numbers.), or you may e-mail:banquet@cair.com

CAIR 15th Annual Banquet: “Leading the Change: 15 Years of Service”

WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., Program begins at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Crystal Gateway, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

TICKETS: $65/person; $15/child babysitting (ages 6 months-12 years.)