CAIR CONDEMNS BIAS ATTACK ON CALIF. RABBI'S HOME - TOP
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 5/6/2010) - The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today condemned an apparently bias-motivated attack on the Northern California home of Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun Magazine.
According to news reports, posters critical of the rabbi were plastered on his home and property on May 2. The posters alleged the prominent rabbi and peace activist was a "friend of terrorism" and supporter of "Islamofascism." The attack was followed by phone calls to his office claiming the rabbi was "dead."
SEE: Home of Tikkun's Rabbi Lerner Vandalized
"We call on law enforcement authorities to investigate this troubling incident and to apprehend the perpetrators so that they may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," said Zahra Billoo, programs and outreach director for CAIR-SFBA. "There can be no excuse for targeting individuals based on their political views, national origin, race, ethnicity, or religion."
She said it is important that community members and activists review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
Billoo added: "It is important that law enforcement authorities send the message that this type of effort to silence activism will not be tolerated."
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-SFBA Programs and Outreach Director Zahra Billoo, 626-252-0885, E-Mail: zbilloo@cair.com
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CAIR: CALIF. CHRISTIANS URGE COUNCILWOMAN TO END ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC - TOP
(ANAHEIM, CA, 5/6/10) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) announced today that Southern California Christian leaders are urging a Lancaster Councilwoman to stop engaging in anti-Muslim rhetoric, and instead support the traditional American values of equality and pluralism.
In a recent Facebook posting, Councilwoman Sherry Marquez promoted the inflammatory "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" event, which was initiated by a Seattle cartoonist who has since backed away from the anti-Muslim sentiment generated by her proposed contest.
SEE: Apologetic 'Draw Muhammad' Cartoonist Urges 'Draw Al Gore' Instead
Earlier this year, Marquez wrote in reference to a murder trial in New York involving a Muslim defendant: "This is what the Muslim religion is all about - the beheadings, honor killings are just the beginning of what is to come in the USA. We are told this is a small majority [sic] of Muslim's [sic] in America, but it is truly what they are all about...You disrespect/dishonor them or their religion and you should die (they don't even blink at killing their own wives/daughters, because they are justified by their religion)..."
SEE: Councilwoman Marquez Faces Criticism Over Anti-Muslim Comments
One of her Facebook postings also features an image of a mosque with a red line across it, accompanied by text stating, "Against Sharia Law."
In response to Marquez's most recent Facebook posting, Christian leaders in the Southland issued statements urging Marquez to stop behaving in a manner unbecoming of an elected official.
"Councilwoman Sherry Marquez appears to delight in provoking needless and destructive religious conflict and mistrust. She has demonstrated in the recent past that she neither understands nor respects the ancient Muslim faith...I join many other people of faith and conscience in calling on Sherry Marquez to stop fanning the flames of Islamophobia and bigotry in our region," said Rev. Peter Laarman, executive director of Progressive Christians Uniting.
"Councilwoman Marquez: not only is your invitation, as an elected official, a violation of our Constitution it is also a violation of a basic tenet of Christianity which is 'love of God and love of neighbor'...As a Christian, I ask you to model the inclusivity, reconciliation, and peace that Jesus brought to our troubled world," said the Rev. Canon Dr. Gwynne Guibord, co-founder and co-chair of the Christian-Muslim Consultative Group.
"At a time when Sherry Marquez should exhibit leadership and courage by engaging in dialogue with her Muslim friends and neighbors as well as creating an atmosphere to help build bridges of understanding, her actions have led to the exact opposite," said Rev. Jerald M. Stinson, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Long Beach.
SEE: Statements by Christian Leaders
"We thank our friends in the Christian community who remain strong advocates for harmony and mutual understanding and a force against fringe elements who seek to divide Americans along religious lines," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR-LA.
Over the past several months, the Antelope Valley area has been marred by a series of religiously divisive incidents.
An Antelope Valley area pastor recently published a newspaper advertisement supporting Councilwoman Marquez, defaming Islam's teachings and calling Muslims the "antichrist." The pastor also quoted Marquez's Facebook posting, saying "we have only seen 'the beginning of what is to come in the U.S.A.'"
Last month, area residents raised concern over the passage of a ballot measure that might encourage sectarian prayers at the start of city council meetings.
Earlier this year, Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris stated in his "State of the City" address: "We're growing a Christian community, and don't let anybody shy away from that...I need (the Lancaster community) standing up and saying we're a Christian community, and we're proud of that." The mayor later apologized for his remark.
SEE: Mayor Apologizes for Remarks
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-Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847 or 714-851-4851, E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com
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CAIR-AZ EVENT: IMPLICATIONS OF SB1070 FOR YOU AND ME - TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 5/6/10) -- On May 15, the Arizona chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) will hold an event at the ASU Tempe campus to discuss the implications of SB1070. The event is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union Building, room 230.
Speakers at the event will include Ed Ableser from the Arizona House of Representatives, Alessandra Soler Meetze, from the Arizona chapter of the ACLU, and Attorney of Law Antonio Bustmante.
"CAIR is a civil rights organization first and foremost. Therefore, we see the immigration debate at the heart of our organization's mission. This controversial bill has created confusion in our community so knowing our rights is vital," said Anas Hlayhel, the chairman of CAIR-AZ.
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-AZ Office Manager Tayyibah Amatullah, 602-312-2223, E-Mail: tamatullah@hotmail.com
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CAIR-CINCINNATI 8TH ANNUAL BANQUET A SUCCESS - TOP
(CINCINNATI, OH, 5/6/10) -- More than 250 people turned out on Sunday for the 8th Annual Banquet and Fundraiser of the Cincinnati office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cincinnati).
The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Hatem Bazian, senior lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley. Other speakers included Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, director of outreach at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR's Michigan chapter.
"This event was a great success and offered us an opportunity to celebrate CAIR's community advocacy work, to share the successes we have had and to outline our plans for the future," said CAIR-Cincinnati President Roula Allouch. "Our guest speakers spoke to the current concerns of the Muslim community and inspired the audience to continue working for the betterment of all."
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.
There are three CAIR chapters in Ohio -- Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
CONTACT: Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-mail: kdabdoub@cair.com; Roula Allouch, rallouch@cair.com
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CAIR-CT: AREA MUSLIMS FEAR BACKLASH - TOP
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, New Haven Register, 5/6/10
The arrest of a Muslim, Pakistani-born U.S. citizen for allegedly trying to detonate a car bomb in Times Square to kill Americans has some Muslims fearing a backlash of prejudice and violence.
Faisal Shahzad, who has lived in Shelton and most recently in Bridgeport, was charged Monday night with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in connection with the failed attack.
Several area Muslim leaders held a press conference Wednesday in Bridgeport.
Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Connecticut chapter, was among the leaders who participated.
"We condemn this act and are asking people for calm and to let the investigation play out," Dhaouadi said. "We are asking people not to paint the Pakistani or Muslim community with one brush. We are confident the perpetrator will be prosecuted to the fullest extent." ...
Area Muslim leaders interviewed Wednesday said they didn't know Shahzad.
Washington, D.C.-based CAIR issued a statement Tuesday condemning the attempted attack. The organization said the alleged actions of the suspect are not representative of the nation's Muslim community, and urged citizens "not to allow the incident to be exploited to advance growing anti-Islam sentiment."
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad issued a statement which said, "American Muslims repudiate all acts of terrorism and will continue to work with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to keep our nation safe and secure." (More)
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NIGHTMARE BORDER CROSSING FOR MUSLIMS - TOP
Paula Wissel, KPLU, 5/5/10
SEATTLE, WA (KPLU) - Crossing the border can be a pain. But one Seattle area couple says what they faced was far worse. Getting back into the United States from Canada became a nightmare. They believe they were targeted, in part, because they are Muslim.
The couple asked that their names not be used. She's Canadian and visibly Muslim, covering herself in the tradition of her faith. He's an American Muslim. His passport indicates he's traveled to Mecca. She says for months they were harassed every time they returned to the U.S. from Vancouver.
On Labor Day weekend, they were waiting in line to cross.
"Our car was surrounded with guns and dogs. We were pulled out, handcuffed and put into a cell," she said. (More)
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MUSLIM HEALTH CLINIC GOES BEYOND MUSLIM IDENTITY - TOP
Natalie Moore, WBEZ, 5/6/10
There's a growing number of Muslim-run free health clinics in the United States. And this includes at least two in Chicago. For the doctors, providing health services is not just about a Muslim identity or only helping Muslim patients. Yet the tenets of Islam do guide the physicians.
The Inner-City Muslim Action Network runs a free medical clinic two days a week out of its storefront space on West 63rd Street.
Adiba Khan is in charge. She says the clinic is based on the Islamic principles of zakat.
KHAN: Zakat is we are obligated as Muslims to make some sort of contribution to mankind because it's very easy to become a physician who takes care of daily, routine mundane things but you may not do things that are free...to selflessly give a part of yourself to a community. Not just your own immediate Muslim community but to give to a community that's apart from your community.
The doctors volunteer their time and see about 30 patients a week. But the clinic isn't just for Muslims. The IMAN clinic is in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood – a predominately black and Latino area. And that's their clientele. Just about 10 percent of the patients are Muslim. (More)
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US SENDS AMERICA'S FIRST MUSLIM COUNTRY SINGER ON MIDDLE EAST TOUR - TOP
James Reinl, The National, 5/5/10
NEW YORK // Singing country music songs from beneath the brim of a cowboy hat with a full-bore Southern drawl, the up-and-coming performer Kareem Salama breaks the expectations audiences may have of an Egyptian-American Muslim.
At least that is the message the US state department hopes to make by sending "America's first Muslim country singer" on a month-long tour from Morocco to Bahrain, designed to improve Washington's dented reputation across the Middle East. (More)
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THE TEENS AND THE VEIL - TOP
Yonat Shimron, News & Observer, 5/6/10
RALEIGH -- In a room at the Islamic Association of Raleigh, teenage Muslim girls sitting around a table rattle off the questions they field daily about their religious head covering:
"Are you bald?"
"It's like a hundred degrees out. Aren't you hot?"
"Do you wear it when you're sleeping?"
"Do you wear it in the shower?"
"Is that a towel on your head?"
"Do you have cancer?"
Fellow teens can be insensitive, even cruel. So when two Duke University undergraduates studying Islam asked Muslim girls what they wanted to talk about, they were more than eager to clear up misconceptions about the veil. ...
Fifteen Duke students - all members of an "Islam and the Media" class - produced eight multimedia projects about the life of teens active at the Islamic Association of Raleigh. The idea was to investigate how others saw the Muslim teens and how they viewed themselves. (More)
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