: MUSLIM GROUP HEADS TO TALLAHASSEE; ANTI-MUSLIM GROUP STOKES FEAR - TOP
Thomas Francis, New Times, 3/10/10

A group of about 50 Muslims from South Florida is embarking this morning on a trip to Tallahassee, where it will have secret meetings with state policymakers. It's called "Muslim Day," and the Lake Worth-based Florida Security Council says we freedom-loving Americans should be very afraid.

Summoning my courage, I placed a phone call yesterday to one of the organizers of the trip, Muhammed Malik, the new executive director of this region's Council on American-Islamic Relations. In short order, Malik confessed his nefarious plan: the group, consisting mostly of Muslim middle school, high school, and college students, wanted to talk to state officials about tuition costs at Florida universities, about health care and immigration.

Wait. That's not nefarious at all! According to the Florida Security Council, CAIR's mission is to "Islamicize" America.

Malik told me that the doctrine he knows forbids people of the faith from pressuring non-Muslims to convert. The idea that CAIR aims to "impose sharia law" on the United States, as Florida Security Council claims, is "ridiculous," says Malik. He adds: "They're marginalizing Muslim people and using fear to whip up unjustified anger." (More)

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BRANDEIS PROBES VANDALISM AT MUSLIM CENTER - TOP
Jason Woods, Boston Globe, 3/10/10

Brandeis University is investigating a report of vandalism at the Muslim Student Associations recently renovated center after a computer and other appliances were found unplugged, silverware bent, and a Koran missing.

The Waltham Police Department has been advised of the universitys investigation into the incident last Friday, said Brandeis spokesman Dennis Nealon. He said the center remains open...

"We dont know the motives, but given the situation and circumstances, it needs to be investigated with a biased motive in mind," Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for The Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in an interview today. "According to the imam on campus, a sign promoting the renovated center might have prompted the incident. We see this often, that signs for Muslim presence draw attacks." (More)

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CAIR-SACRAMENTO: APPLY FOR MANZANAR INTERNMENT CAMP TRIP - TOP

A rare chance to see, hear, and experience the Japanese American community's World War II internment at Manzanar Relocation Center, the best preserved of the 10 prison camps, awaits you April 23 - 25, 2010 sponsored by the Florin Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Council on American Islamic Relations - Sacramento Valley (CAIR-SV). After four years of successful pilgrimages, this year is expected to book up early.

Early bird payment of $210 each double occupancy is due by March 25th. After March 25th the cost will be $235.

CONTACT: JACL's Andy Noguchi, Tel: 916-978-6121, E-Mail: andynoguchi@sbcglobal.net, or CAIR-SV Civil Rights Coordinator Adel Syed,
Tel: 916-441-6269 x102, E-Mail: asyed@cair.com

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CAIR-SAN DIEGO OFFERS DIVERSITY TRAINING TO FUTURE EDUCATORS - TOP

(SAN DIEGO, CA, 3/10/10) - The San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) yesterday provided diversity training to students at San Diego State University (SDSU) who are studying to become educators.

The training offered information about basic Islamic beliefs and etiquettes, demographic information of the Muslim community in the San Diego County area, and discussed issues of religious accommodation required by federal and state law. This was part of the Introduction to Multicultural Education course that is a prerequisite for all students pursuing a credential or degree in Teacher Education.

We welcome such opportunities to train future educators and to promote religious andcultural diversity in San Diego, said CAIR-San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida.

He said CAIR publishes a booklet, An Educators Guide to Islamic Religious Practices, designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.

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-San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida, 619.913.0719 or858.278.4547, E-Mail: ehopida@cair.com

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INTENSIVE ARABIC IMMERSION PROGRAM IN CAIRO - TOP

Cordoba University, Al-Azhar University and Al-Ameen Associates are offering an Intensive Arabic Immersion Program in Cairo, Egypt, from June 23rd through July 28th, 2010. Applications are due today.

For more information, visit: http://www.alameen4arabic.org