U.S. MUSLIMS TO MARK ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT'S CAIRO ADDRESS - TOP
National Muslim leaders will assess impact of historic outreach effort, offer policy recommendations
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/3/10) -- On Friday, June 4, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other national Muslim organizations will hold a news conference in Washington, D.C., to offer an assessment of the impact of President Obama's June 4, 2009, Cairo address in which he called for a "new beginning" in relations between the United States and Muslims worldwide.
The American Muslim leaders will also offer policy recommendations based on what has or has not been accomplished in the past year.
WHAT: U.S. Muslims to Assess Impact of President's Cairo Address
WHEN: Friday, June 4, 2010, 11 a.m.
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CALL THE WHITE HOUSE ON JUNE 4TH! URGE THE PRESIDENT TO KEEP HIS PROMISE TO PROTECT ZAKAT - TOP
From Muslim Advocates
American Muslims Ask President to Keep Cairo Pledge, Reform Charitable Giving Laws & Secure Our Future
One year after President Obama pledged in Cairo, Egypt, to ease hurdles to charitable giving, American Muslims are asking President Obama to keep his promise and help them fulfill their religious obligation, while building bridges to Muslim nations for a more secure future.
In his Cairo speech, Obama made the following, important commitment to American Muslims:
"Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat."
On Friday, June 4th, Muslim Advocates is urging Muslims across the country to call the White House (202.456.1111) and tell President Obama to keep his promise and reform the many federal laws complicating our ability to give zakat freely. Download a PDF of the Action Alert!...
WHAT CAN I DO?
On Friday, June 4th, call the White House (202.456.1111). Urge President Obama to keep his promise and reform laws affecting our ability to give zakat freely. For more information, including a guide to what to ask, go here.
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CAIR: MICH. POLICE DEPT. CHANGES POLICY TO ALLOW HIJAB - TOP
(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 6/3/10) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed revisions to the Canton Police Department's religious accommodation policy that allow detainees the option of wearing religious head coverings, such as Islamic head scarves (hijab), during the booking process.
Under the new booking policy, which became effective June 1, detainees are also allowed a similar option for the duration of their confinement in the Canton Holding Facility.
"We welcome the Canton Police Department's proactive policy revisions allowing religious accommodation and hope that these new guidelines will serve as a model for other police departments throughout the state and the nation," said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri.
Masri said CAIR publishes two booklets, titled "A Law Enforcement Official's Guide to the Muslim Community" and "A Correctional Institution's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," which outline basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement agencies.
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-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com; 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, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
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CAIR-SAN DIEGO: CALIF. DMV APOLOGIZES FOR HIJAB INCIDENT - TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 6/3/2010) -- The San Diego office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) announced today that a Muslim woman will be able to have her driver's license photograph retaken with her Islamic scarf, or hijab, after initially being asked to remove the religious head covering.
CAIR-San Diego said that an employee at the Oceanside office of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had insisted that the woman remove her headscarf and show her hair for the driver's license photograph, despite California regulations that allow for religiously-mandated head coverings, requiring only that the whole face be shown.
SEE: Religious Accommodation in Driver's License Photographs
CAIR-San Diego contacted the DMV and arranged for the woman's photograph to be retaken and for the DMV employee to apologize to the woman and be reprimanded for giving her inaccurate information.
DMV authorities were also offered a copy the CAIR report, "Religious Accommodation in Driver's License Photographs: A review of codes, policies, and practices in the 50 states," to remind employees of this regulation.
"We thank the Oceanside office of the DMV for resolving this issue in an expedient manner," said CAIR-San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida. “We hope that other San Diego County offices of the DMV adopt similar measures so we can avoid future incidents.”
Three years ago, a similar incident occurred at the Poway office of the California DMV.
SEE: CAIR Helps Muslim Woman Retake Drivers License Photo
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, Tel: 619-913-0719 or 858-278-4547, E-Mail: ehopida@cair.com
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CAIR VIDEO: SLAIN MICH. IMAM HAD DOG BITES ON FACE - TOP
View the video.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - A Detroit mosque leader killed last fall in a shootout with the FBI had dog bites on his face and hands, according to an independent review of the autopsy released Wednesday by a Muslim advocacy group.
The head of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the bites raise the possibility that Luqman Ameen Abdullah fired a gun trying to defend himself against an FBI dog before he was shot 20 times by agents. (More)
Please help support CAIR's important work.
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CAIR VIDEO: ANTI-ISLAM NEWSPAPER AD STIRS CONTROVERSY IN MINNESOTA -TOP
View the video.
A recent ad in the St. Cloud Times is stirring controversy in St. Cloud.
The ad was bought by a minister, and some say it is Anti-Muslim.
The minister who bought the ad says he's just trying to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. But another minister in St. Cloud disagrees with the message.
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WEST COAST CATHOLIC-MUSLIM DIALOGUE COMPARES SACRED, PIOUS WRITINGS -TOP
USCCB, 6/1/10
WASHINGTON -- Catholics and Muslims compared sacred and pious writings at the 11th meeting of the West Coast Catholic-Muslim Dialogue, in Orange, California, May 19-20. The dialogue is co-sponsored by the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Islamic Shura Council of California, with the cooperation of the Islamic Society of Orange County (an affiliate of the Islamic Society of North America) and the Islamic Education Center of Orange County, which is in the Shia tradition of Islam...
In addition to the Co-chairs, other Muslim participants included Sherrel Johnson, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) - California; Imam Taha Hassane, Islamic Center of San Diego; Mr. Hussam Ayloush, CAIR - Greater Los Angeles Area; and Saideh Khan and Jerrel Abdul Salaam, active members of the local Muslim community. (More)
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GROUPS HOPE FLOTILLA RAID COULD LEAD TO CHANGE IN GAZA BLOCKADE - TOP
Paul Courson, CNN, 6/2/10
Washington (CNN) -- Several Muslim-American groups said Wednesday they hope the Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla will pressure Israel to end its blockade against Gaza...
"It's a national security issue for the United States," said Corey Saylor, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, linking Israel's action to the rise of anti-Americanism and extremist attacks. (More)
SEE ALSO:
ISRAELI RAID ON GAZA FREEDOM FLOTILLA KILLED US CITIZEN FURKAN DOGAN -TOP
Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 6/3/10
An American-Turkish dual citizen killed during an Israeli commando raid on a humanitarian aid flotilla was among activists buried in Turkey on Thursday.
Furkan Dogan was struck by five bullets shortly before dawn on Monday while atop the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara ship, according to friends who were on board at the time of the Israeli raid and attended the funeral for eight of the nine Turks who died. (More)
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MAS FREEDOM RALLY TO END GAZA EMBARGO JUNE 4 - TOP
End the Gaza Embargo Now! Demonstration & March
Where: In Front of the White House
When: Friday June 4th, 5 p.m.
What: "Let Gaza Live"
Solidarity for the Victims on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
For further information, contact MAS Freedom at http://masfreedom.org/ or call 202-552-7414 or 703-642-6165.
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