CAIR, ISNA ANNOUNCE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF U.S. MOSQUES - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/14/10) –- The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) today announced the beginning of a comprehensive study of mosques in America.

Between July and September, a team of researchers will contact mosque leaders throughout the United States to complete a questionnaire that will generate a detailed portrait of the American mosque. The “U.S. Mosque Study 2010” final report is expected to be published in February 2011.

The study aims to provide accurate figures on the number of mosques in America, the total number of Muslims associated with mosques and the involvement of women and young adults in mosque life. It will also gauge mosque leaders' attitudes toward issues such as involvement in American civic life and religious radicalization.

The U.S. Mosque Study 2010 will be led by Dr. Ihsan Bagby, associate professor ofIslamic Studies at the University of Kentucky. The study is sponsored by CAIR and ISNA. Co-sponsors include (in alphabetical order): International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), The Mosque Cares (Ministry of W. Deen Mohammed), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), and Muslim Guide.

The study will be conducted in cooperation with Hartford Seminary, the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB), and FACT (Faith Communities Today).

The research committee for the study includes Bagby, Iqbal Unus (IIIT), Zahid Bukhari(ICNA), Nihad Awad (CAIR), Safa Zarzour (ISNA), David Roozen (Hartford Seminary and FACT), and Rich Houseal (ASARB).

The U.S. Mosque Study 2010 will use a random sample of all mosques in America. Interviews with leaders from the sample mosques will be conducted by telephone. The goal is to have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The questionnaire will seek data on issues such as prayer attendance, social services offered, mosque involvement in society, demographics of mosque participants, organizational structure, and history and location of the building.

Two years ago, CAIR and ISNA conducted a count of American mosques in preparation for this survey.

CONTACT: Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Tel: 859-494-3743, E-Mail: iabagb2@uky.edu

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CAIR VIDEO: OPPOSITION TO NY MOSQUE 'ISLAMOPHOBIA PURE AND SIMPLE' - TOP
CBS, 7/14/10

View the video.

Sept. 11 families turn out to oppose the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero.

City residents that are concerned about plans for a mosque to be built near the World Trade Center site will have to wait to see if it will actually be constructed.

Emotions ran high Tuesday at a meeting of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission. The vote, however, won't be held until later this summer.

At issue: whether to grant landmark status to a building near ground zero, where a Muslim group wants to build a mosque.

"It's called Islamophobia pure and simple and do not allow ... Now, you see, if this is the voice, if this is the voice of reason then we've got a lot to contend with," said ZeadRamadan of the Council on Islamic-American Relations New York. (More)

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MEMO TO MEDIA: PAMELA GELLER DOES NOT BELONG ON NATIONAL TELEVISION - TOP
Media Matters, 7/14/10

Numerous mainstream media outlets have recently hosted right-wing "Atlas Shrugs" blogger Pamela Geller to discuss the controversy surrounding a proposed Islamic community center set to be built blocks away from Ground Zero. However, Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television. . .

MSNBC hosts Geller, who suggests the Islamic center is a "triumphal mosque" on "conquered lands." MSNBC News hosted Geller on July 14 to discuss plans to construct an Islamic community center containing a mosque two blocks away from the ground zero 9/11 site. She speculated that funding for the Islamic center could be "tied to jihad or terror" and asserted that it is "insensitive," "humiliating" and "offensive" to build a mosque at the site. (More)

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CAIR-LA: 'WITH OBAMA IN OFFICE, RACIAL PROFILING ON RISE' - TOP
Press TV, 7/14/10

A campaign to stop racial profiling is gaining momentum across America after experts revealed that discrimination is becoming "increasingly prevalent" in the continent.

Concerted efforts are underway to convince Congress to pass the Racial Profiling Act after statistics revealed an increase in the unlawful use of an individual's race or religion by law enforcement personnel.

Leaders from more than 100 national and local organizations have teamed up in the campaign called Face the Truth to protect human rights.

The US government, however, is undermining these values.

Author and Human Rights Activist, Frederick Alexander Meade and Executive Director ofCouncil on American-Islamic Relations, Hussam Ayloush join Press TV to further discuss the issue.

The following is the transcript of the discussion:

Press TV: It is pretty grim, looking at the United States, a country that preaches human rights, now it is just perceived by many Americans as actually denying them access to American values by racial profiling.

Meade: In order to understand racial profiling, one has to understand the primary function of law enforcement agencies in this country. Their primary function is to protect the safety of white Americans and in so doing, what essentially happens is that black and in particular Hispanic populations are essentially contained in their neighborhoods. When these populations venture out into areas that -- perhaps the larger society believes they don't belong -- oftentimes they are stopped by police officers. They are asked questions in regard to where they are going, why are they in these areas. Often times they are searched, their cars are searched illegally, they are given tickets oftentimes when notraffic violations has occurred. (More)

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SAUDI'S MISTREATMENT AT LA AIRPORT GOES UNEXPLAINED - TOP
By Walaa Hawari, Arab News, 7/12/10

There has been no explanation, apology or refund given to Majed Shattai Al-Dhafairi, a Saudi man who was mistreated by immigration officers in the US and then detained before being flown back to the Kingdom.

Al-Dhafairi left for the US after receiving his passport from the US Embassy with what he believed was a valid visa. However, on arriving at Los Angeles airport, his passport was seized and he was mistreated by immigration officers and held in custody for 24 hours.

When asked for an explanation, Department of Homeland Security officials told him that there were no records of him being issued a visa.

In spite of following up on the incident for the last few months, the US Embassy in Riyadh has offered no explanation, let alone an apology. Nor has Al-Dhafairi been reimbursed his ticket money or visa costs.

In response, the embassy told him it cannot pay for his ticket or visa and that rejected applicants need to bear the costs of any new visa applications if they so choose to apply.

Al-Dhafairi said he received his passport with what he believed was a valid visa in December 2009. The visa had been issued on Oct. 24, 2009 and was valid until Oct. 17, 2011.

“I left for Los Angeles via Dubai on Dec. 27, 2009. When the plane landed in the US and as soon as the gates were opened, I was taken by two officials to a private room where my passport was taken and I was informed that my visa was invalid and that I was not allowed to enter the country,” said Al-Dhafairi, who was then questioned for 10 hours and humiliated. (More)

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CAIR-MI REP SPEAKS ON HEALTH CARE SPIRITUAL SUPPORT PANEL - TOP

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 7/14/10) -- A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) spoke yesterday on a panel discussion at theOakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton focusing on issues relating to end-of-life care needs of Muslim patients.

CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri discussed the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and practical needs of Muslim patients nearing the end of their life. Masri also touched on issues relating to autopsies, blood transfusions and organ transplants.

The panel discussion, which was sponsored by Oakwood Healthcare System Spiritual Support Services, was attended by medical students.

Other panelists included Reverend Tony Marshall and Sister Maria Rios.

“We welcome such opportunities to engage medical students regarding adjusting to the needs of Muslim patients nearing the end of their life,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri.

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, 248-390-9784, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com

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WAS RELIGION BEHIND AREA WOMAN'S FIRING? - TOP
By Chris Brown, Eyewitness News 9, 7/13/10

Kaliyma Jenkins went to work at Onslow Memorial Hospital last Friday, expecting her annual review, what she got, was fired.

The hospital says for violating their attendance policy, Jenkins says not quite.

“I was basically terminated because of my hijab,” said Jenkins.

A hijab, also known as an Islamic headdress, serves as a symbol of her belief in the Islamic faith.

“Remove your head cover or go home,” Jenkins said the hospital told her, “that's black and white discrimination.”

Jenkins says she was sent home from the hospital on June 14th, a few days later she was told she could return to work wearing her hijab. So why wear the head covering in the first place?

“It's a part of what I believe, it's a part of Kaliyma,” Jenkins answered. “So for you to say take it off or go home, basically you're taking my image and saying we can't allow that here.” (More)

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HALAL FACILITY AWAITS USDA APPROVAL - TOP
By Bob Doda, The Queen's Courier, 7/7/10

Two pieces of equipment stand in the way of a father-and-son halal facility in Ozone Parkfrom becoming federally approved by the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA).

By the end of July, Imran Uddin, 32, and Riaz Uddin, 77, hope to begin catering to a growing demand for halal products not only in Queens, but possibly around the globe.

“I'm looking to market to the Muslim community, but also to those who care about what they put in their body,” said Imran, referring to the removal of hormones and blood after an animal is humanely killed in their state-of-the-art slaughterhouse converted from an auto-body shop. With USDA approval, their facility, Madani Halal, can begin to sell their products directly to supermarkets, butcher shops and across state and international lines. (More)