CAIR: POLL ON ANTI-ISLAM BIAS SHOWS NEED FOR U.S. MUSLIM OUTREACH - TOP
Survey says 4 in 10 Americans admit to anti-Muslim prejudice, most have little knowledge of Islam
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/21/2010) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that a new poll showing that more than 4 in 10 Americans admit to anti-Muslim prejudice demonstrates the need for increased educational outreach efforts by U.S. Muslims.
The survey by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, called "Religious Perceptions in America: With an In-Depth Analysis of U.S. Attitudes Toward Muslims and Islam," also shows that almost two-thirds of Americans say they have little or no knowledge of Islam. Respondents who did not personally know a Muslim exhibited a greater level of bias.
SEE: In U.S., Religious Prejudice Stronger Against Muslims
“The Gallup poll and CAIR’s previous research on this subject clearly demonstrate that American Muslims must step up ongoing efforts to educate their fellow Americans about Islam,” said CAIRNational Executive Director Nihad Awad.
He said a 2006 CAIR survey indicated that just two percent of Americans said they were “very knowledgeable” about Islam.
SEE: American Public Opinion About Islam and Muslims (2006)
Awad noted that CAIR has undertaken a number of such educational initiatives, including its current “Explore the Quran” campaign to distribute free copies of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, to 100,000 local, state and national leaders. To date, tens of thousands of copies of the Quran have been sponsored and are being delivered to leaders nationwide.
Previous CAIR educational campaigns have included “Explore the Life of Muhammad,” which offered books and DVDs about the Prophet Muhammad to Americans of all faiths, and the “Explore Islamic Civilization and Culture” campaign that distributed materials about Islam to more than 8,000 public libraries nationwide.
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, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
-----
CAIR APPLAUDS DECISION TO DROP BIBLE REFERENCES FROM GUN SIGHTS - TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/21/2010) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a decision by a manufacturer of gun sights to stop putting references to Bible verses on the products it makes for the U.S. military.
Trijicon, Inc. said it would also provide modification kits to the military to enable the removal of the references that are already on sights currently in use.
Yesterday, CAIR expressed concerns that the gun sights inscribed with Biblical references are a “potential recruiting tool for anti-American forces” and asked the Pentagon that they be withdrawn.
CAIR said the continued use of the sights with religious references would send a negative message to the Muslim world.
CAIR Video: U.S. Military Rifle Sights Have Coded Biblical References
Muslims Angry Over U.S. Military 'Jesus' Rifles
“This is a responsible move by Trijicon that will help reduce or eliminate a potential danger to our nation's military,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
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.
- END -
CONTACT: 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
-----
ALDERDEN'S SPEECH RACIST, THREATENING - TOP
Coloradoan, 1/21/2010
In a recent speech to a U.S. Marine Corps event, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden read off some bumper stickers to add humor to his message. Some of the bumper-sticker statements were:
> U.S. Marines are travel agents to Allah.
> U.S. Marines are certified counselors to the 72 virgins club.
> The only thing I feel when I kill a Muslim terrorist is a little recoil. (More)
SEE ALSO:
SOMALI STUDENTS, LEADERS RALLY AGAINST SYSTEMIC RACISM - TOP
By Mark Sommerhauser, St. Cloud times, 1/21/2010
The recent posting of offensive anti-Islamic cartoons in St. Cloud was part of a pattern of hatred toward people of color in this area, some said Wednesday at a rally at St. Cloud State University.
The university's Somali Student Association sponsored the rally, which drew comment from city and university leaders, students and one gubernatorial candidate.
The session was a response to last month's cartoon incident, in which sexually explicit drawings of the Prophet Muhammad and a swastika were posted around St. Cloud, including near a mosque and a Somali-owned store. (More)
---
MUSLIM SECURITY GUARD WHO WORKS AT FBI HEADQUARTERS SAYS HE GETS HARASSED BECAUSE OF BEARD: SUIT - TOP
BY John Marzulli, DAILY NEWS, 1/21/2010
A Muslim security guard at the Manhattan FBI headquarters claims he's being forced to carry around proof of his religion because he has a beard.
Daoud Ibraheem, 72, was granted a religious exception for facial hair when he was hired in 2007 by Wackenhut Services, but says the special treatment has triggered harassment by supervisors.
In a $3 million discrimination suit filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, Ibraheem says he is subjected to daily spot-checks by officers from the Federal Protective Service.
They repeatedly insist he must produce a letter written by the imam of his Brooklyn mosque vouching for his faith, the suit says. (More)
-----
CAIR-WA: 500 WASHINGTON STATE MUSLIMS MEET WITH LAWMAKERS - TOP
Muslim voters discuss Islamophobia, need for low-income housing
(OLYMPIA, WA 1/21/10) Almost 500 Washington Muslims met with legislators on Monday as part of the “2010 Washington State Muslims Day” at the capitol. The event was organized by theWashington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA).
Muslim voters provided information on local instances of anti-Muslim hate promotion and hate crimes and urged their legislators to speak out against Islamophobic rhetoric and bias incidents, and to increase funding for low-income housing.
They also presented legislators and their staff a DVD on the basic tenets of Islam and a translation of the Quran. The event was held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
“This successful event provided an opportunity for Muslims from the majority of our state’s legislative districts to learn more about the political process and to meet their elected representatives,” said CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari. “Legislators learned that the increase in Islamophobic rhetoric and bias incidents is an issue of great concern to the state’s Muslim community.”
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, 206-367-4081 or 206-931-3655,abukhari@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
-----
CAIR JOB OPENING: D.C. CIVIL RIGHTS COORDINATOR - TOP
The nation’s largest civil rights advocacy organization for Muslims seeks a civil rights coordinator. We seek a high energy, assertive individual to handle a wide range of responsibilities and to be come an integral part of our advocacy team.
Duties:
This full-time position involves handling civil rights cases, which includes interviewing and counseling complainants, and communicating with offending individuals, companies and organizations.
This person should have a law degree (Juris Doctor/“JD”), paralegal certificate, or a Bachelor’s degree in related field. Applicant should also have working knowledge of the Microsoft applications, particularly Excel and database applications.
Qualifications:
- Experience advocating for individuals who have faced discrimination.
- Experience in client counseling, litigation, mediation, and/or arbitration.
- Ability to multitask and to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
- Effective writing and communication skills, the ability to establish positive working relationships with colleagues, and sound judgment are of utmost importance.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
- High degree of responsibility and dedication.
- Willingness to travel.
Minimum of four years experience required.
Salary Range: Based on education, skills and experience
CAIR offers an excellent retirement, health and dental benefit packages for its full time employees.
All those interested and eligible to work in US (Citizens or proper work visa holders) are encouraged to apply in confidence by sending your resume, cover letter and the contact information of three references via e-mail to: civilrights@cair.com, or by fax 202-488-0833. When applying via email please add “Civil Rights Coordinator” in the subject line of the e-mail.
-----
HOW U.S. CAN KEEP ITS MUSLIMS MODERATE - TOP
By David Schanzer, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/21/2010
…tensions between Muslim Americans and law enforcement need to be addressed, especially in regard to the use of informants within Muslim American communities to build criminal cases. Some Muslim Americans view many of the cases brought against members of their community as instances of entrapment. A clearing of the air on this issue is urgently needed.
Law enforcement should develop a policy on when to use informants, especially when they are infiltrating sacred spaces such as mosques. This policy should be discussed with Muslim American organizations and strictly enforced. For their part, Muslim Americans must realize that the use of informants is a traditional, accepted law enforcement tactic that is appropriate in some cases.
Policies that alienate Muslim American communities in an effort to crack down on terrorism are likely to exacerbate, not reduce, the threat of homegrown terrorism. Those that treat Muslim Americans as part of the solution are far more likely to be successful. (More)
No comments:
Post a Comment