HELEN THOMAS TO BE HONORED AT 2 BANQUETS - TOP
By Niraj Warikoo, Free Press, 9/22/10

Helen Thomas, a Detroit native and noted journalist, is to be honored this fall with two banquets in the Arab-American and Muslim communities.

Thomas, 90, will be given an award next month at the annual banquet in Virginia of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. And in November, Thomas will be honored in Washington, D.C., at a separate dinner in her honor by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Both groups have active chapters in metro Detroit. (More)

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REGISTER TODAY FOR CAIR'S ANNUAL BANQUET AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONFERENCE - TOP

GO TO: http://www.cair.com/banquet/

CAIR is also holding an intensive day-long critical leadership skills training conference on Saturday, October 9 in Arlington, Va.

The conference will include training sessions for public speaking, on-camera interviews, using social media, political engagement, challenging Islamophobia and knowing your legal rights with law enforcement agencies.

You can find details, including session descriptions, here.

Whether you are an imam, president or board member of a mosque, a young business leader, a student leader, an activist, or just someone who wants to help the community, this is the conference you must attend.

Islamophobia has become a growing threat to American Muslims and must be challenged vigorously, methodically, and comprehensively. You, the Muslim grassroots, are a key player in this organized effort. During the conference, we will also present a strategic vision for the American Muslim community for the next 20 years.

As a community, we will stand firm to defend the ideals of civil rights and equality. Empower yourself to take an active role by joining us at the leadership conference. We have only 200 spaces available for the workshops, so reserve your place right away.

We're looking forward to a day of practical trainings and an evening of celebrating our community. Please join us on Saturday, October 9, by making your reservations today.

Join us at CAIR's October 9 Leadership Skills Training Conference in Arlington, Va.

Go to https://www.cair.com/banquet/ to register, or click here to learn more about the training sessions.

To make a reservation over the phone, call 202-742-6454, or you can e-mail banquet@cair.com

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CAR FIRE AT LA. MOSQUE INVESTIGATED AS POTENTIAL HATE CRIME - TOP
Rachel Slajda, Talking Points Memo, 9/22/10

A car in the parking lot of an Islamic community center in Lafayette, La., was lit on fire Monday night in what authorities are calling an arson and potential hate crime.

"It is arson," a fire department spokesman told The Advertiser. "Someone set fire to the exterior."

The car, a 1995 Camry which belongs to a member of the Islamic Center of Lafayette, was set on fire near the trunk but didn't suffer much damage, fire officials told The Advocate.

The fire department, police department, Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, and the local FBI are investigating the crime.

"We're looking into a possible civil rights violation involving a possible hate crime," Special Agent Sheila Thorne told the Advocate.

The president of the Islamic center, Hesham Tellawi, told the Advertiser it was too soon to call it a hate crime. (More)

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CAIR: CHICAGO MUSLIMS CONDEMN VANDALISM OF LOCAL SYNAGOGUE - TOP

(CHICAGO, IL, 9/22/10) -- The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today condemned the vandalism of a Chicago synagogue as "reprehensible."

Yesterday, members of Temple Menorah on California Avenue found two broken windows and the canvas panels of a sukkah, a temporary hut for prayer, slashed with a sharp object.

SEE: West Rogers Park synagogue vandalized (Chicago Breaking News)

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR-Chicago reached out to the Menorah Congregation today to express the Muslim community's sympathy and support in the wake of the attack and to offer assistance.

"The reprehensible attack against this Jewish congregation is an insult to all of us," said Rehab. "An attack against one house of worship is an attack against every house of worship."

"We will not sit idly by while the values that made this country great are trampled upon by hatemongers and criminals. Enough intolerance, enough hate. We call on law enforcement, public officials, and the media to show zero tolerance to such acts."

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-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 312.212.1520 or 202.870.0166, E-Mail: arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator, Amina Sharif, 312.212.1520 or 630-935-5562, E-Mail: asharif@cair.com

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CAIR-MI SEEKS FEDERAL CHARGES FOR BURNED QURAN LEFT AT MOSQUE - TOP

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 9/22/10) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on federal law enforcement authorities to consider bringing charges against an individual who has allegedly confessed to leaving a burned Quran at the front door of the Islamic Center of East Lansing on September 11.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart J. Dunnings III announced yesterday that his office "saw no basis to file state charges" against a suspect who confessed to placing the burned Quran at the mosque. The City of East Lansing today announced that it would not be filing any trespassing charges against the suspect.

SEE: Case Closed on Quran Burning Incident (Lansing State Journal)

"We call on federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the burned Quran left at the mosque door as they would investigate and appropriately charge someone who would leave a burned cross at a African-American church or who left Nazi symbols at a synagogue," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "Not to prosecute this hate crime would send a terrible message to bigots that there will be no legal repercussion against those who intimidate Muslims at their houses of worship."

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 Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Outreach Coordinator Raheem Hanifa, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: rhanifa@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com

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REPORT: HATE CRIMES SPIKE AGAINST MUSLIMS, JEWS - TOP
By Deepa Bharath, Orange County Register, 9/22/10

African Americans are the most frequent targets of hate crimes while Jewish and Muslim communities experienced the most dramatic increases in hate crimes in 2009, according to a report released by the Orange County Human Relations Commission Wednesday. (More)

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STANDOFF OVER: THREATS TO PRESIDENT, MUSLIMS LEAD FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS MAN TO TAKE HOSTAGES WITH FAKE SUICIDE BELT - TOP
By Jacqueline Lee, Belleville News-Democrat, 9/22/10

A 50-year-old man with a suicide belt wrapped around his waist, with wires coming out of it and attached to a curling iron he claimed was a triggering device, surrendered to FBI and Secret Service agents Wednesday morning after a standoff that was sparked by his alleged threats to Muslims and President Barack Obama.

The man surrendered at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after releasing his wife and son.

Roman Conaway, 50, of 9030 Summit Drive in Fairview Heights, was arrested on suspicion of threatening the president and law enforcement with an explosive device, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Stu McArthur The drama began unfolding Tuesday on Summit Drive as well as on the social networking website Facebook. Conaway posted vague threats against Muslims, and later his family members pleaded for him to end the standoff.

Conaway on Tuesday called members of the Muslim community in St. Louis, making wild threats against them and against President Obama, McArthur said. Those community members called the FBI about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The seven-hour standoff started after the FBI and Secret Service went to Conaway's home at 9030 Summit Drive about 7 p.m. and were greeted by him outfitted with the belt packed with blocks of what looked like C4 explosives, wires and a curling iron. He pointed to two 55-gallon drums and said the curling iron was a remote triggering device that would activate if he were shot or attacked. (More)

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IMAM BEHIND N.Y. ISLAMIC PROJECT IS GETTING POLICE PROTECTION - TOP
By Anthony M. DeStefano, Newsday, 9/22/10

The Muslim cleric behind the controversial Manhattan Islamic community center has received police protection because of threats and has been avoiding the city, according to law enforcement sources and other religious leaders.

Imam Feisal Rauf, who is planning to build the center on Park Place blocks north of the Sept. 11 ground zero, has received threats, which the New York Police Department has been investigating, police spokesman Paul Browne said Tuesday.

Browne did not know the specific nature of the threats and wouldn’t comment on any security measures adopted by police as a result.

Rauf was conspicuously absent Sunday from a closed-door meeting of Muslim leaders in Queens called to deal with the subject of anti-Islamic sentiment, which has erupted over the proposed Park Place project. A spokesman for the clerics said Monday that Rauf stayed away from the meeting out of "security" concerns and didn’t elaborate.

A law enforcement source who didn’t want to be identified said Rauf, who lives in New Jersey, had been receiving some NYPD protection.

The last known public appearance by Rauf was last week when he addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in Manhattan. (More)

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GOP HOUSE CANDIDATE INVOKES IDEA OF 'VICTORY MOSQUE' IN CAMPAIGN AD - TOP
By Shane D'Aprile, The Hill, 9/21/10

A Republican House candidate claims in new ad that Muslims want to build "victory mosque" near Ground Zero.

The building of an Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero has faded from the midterm campaign conversation over the past week, but here's an ad that might change that.

It's the first offering from the campaign of Republican Renee Ellmers, who is challenging Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), and the message is a provocative one.

"After the Muslims conquered Jerusalem and Cordoba and Constantinople, they built victory mosques," the ad's narrator says. "And now, they want to build a mosque by ground zero. Where does Bob Etheridge stand? He won't say." (More)

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CONTROVERSIAL EXPERTS AUTHORED ‘SHARIAH’ REPORT HAILED BY BACHMANN - TOP
By Ed Brayton, The Minnesota Independent, 9/22/10

Last week, Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan and Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona held a press conference in Washington, D.C. to promote a new report by the Center for Security Policy called “Shariah: The Threat to America.” Rep. Michele Bachmann, reported to be attending, didn’t show up, but she sent a letter praising the report. (Franks reads her letter at the 5:30 mark in this video.)

At the press conference, CSP founder and president Frank Gaffney said, in a bit of understatement, that the report was written by “outside experts with a distinctly different point of view” from “the official U.S. government view.” But a look at those experts and their views reveals a controversial track record, to say the least.

Gaffney himself is no stranger to inflammatory accusations, having declared last June that there is “mounting evidence that the president (Obama) not only identifies with Muslims, but actually may still be one himself.” This was shortly after the president’s famous speech in Cairo, Egypt, which Gaffney claimed was full of “code” words that signaled to Muslim extremists that we will submit to their Sharia rule over America. (More)

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BILLBOARDS CAUSING CONTROVERSY IN LAS CRUCES - TOP
Phil Anaya, KFOX 14, 9/21/10

A message on electronic billboards seen by hundreds of motorists in Las Cruces on Monday has some people upset and talking. At certain times on Monday the electronic billboards read "More Mosque, Less Jobs, Vote Democrat??"

On Tuesday the ad was gone and the billboards said, "Dona Ana County, Second Poorest In The Country, Vote Democrat??"

The ads claim they're paid for by Al Perez. Perez did not return messages left Tuesday by KFOX.

Perez did tell KFOX's news partners at the Las Cruces Sun-News that the billboards' message means elected officials in Washington are putting too much emphasis on mosques and not the economy.

But for Muslims like Fateh Hafassa the billboard goes a little too far.

"Religion is a good thing. We should use it the way it's supposed to be. People try to twist it, turn it for their own political gain, which to me only shows the failure of those so-called politicians," said Hafassa. (More)

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U.S. MONITORING 11 SITES FOR POSSIBLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS - TOP
By David Morgan, Reuters, 9/22/10

The U.S. Justice Department has said it is monitoring 11 cases of potential land-use discrimination against Muslims, a sharp increase in cases under a federal law designed to protect religious minorities in zoning disputes.

In a report on discrimination against mosques, synagogues, churches and other religious sites, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said on Tuesday it has monitored 18 cases of possible bias against Muslims over the past 10 years.

Eight of those have been opened since May, around the time when plans for a Muslim community center and mosque near the former site of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan seized media attention and caused a national political uproar. “This fact is a sober reminder that, even in the 21st century, challenges to true religious liberty remain,” the report said.

The report made no mention of the planned Muslim center in New York, known as Cordoba House. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to discuss monitoring activities but stressed that no investigations were under way in those cases. (More)

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TEA BUT NO SYMPATHY FOR MOSQUE - TOP
By Thomas Tracy, The Brooklyn Paper, 9/21/10

More than three dozen self-professed Tea Party members rallied next to the 9-11 memorial at the 69th Street pier on Sunday to condemn controversial mosques near Ground Zero and in Sheepshead Bay.

“Islam has an inherent aggressiveness and the Muslim American Society [the developers of the Sheepshead Bay mosque] are their warriors on the front line,” claimed John Press, president of the Brooklyn Tea Party, which plans to attend a protest outside the Voorhies Avenue mosque site this Sunday. “We have to delay their expansion.”

Press was one of nine speakers during the three-hour rally, where Tea Party members waved flags and held signs reading, “Government which governs least governs best,” a Henry David Thoreau quote that ralliers wrongly attributed to Thomas Jefferson.

At least one woman spent the afternoon in a black burka, carrying a sign reading, “I am Nancy Pelosi,” a reference to the Speaker of the House, a Democratic who has become a lightning rod for conservatives nationwide.

Former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, Blue Collar Corner blogger Andrew Sullivan, Republican congressional candidate Bob Turner and Republican Assembly candidate Nicole Malliotakis all addressed the crowd, although Malliotakis did not take the Brooklyn Tea Party pledge to freeze the budget and reduce capital spending by 15 percent, to fight the so-called Ground Zero mosque and support a divisive Arizona immigration law that allows police to demand immigration papers from anyone they suspect of being in this country illegally. (More)

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CAIR-CT: FORUM LOOKS FORWARD TO PEACE ONE DAY - TOP
By Joe Wojtas, The Day, 9/22/10

A Muslim leader and a Congregational minister sat side by side on the floor of a classroom at Pine Point School Tuesday morning, surrounded by 15 middle-school students from across the region.

The minister, the Rev. David Good of Old Lyme, talked about his trips with people of different faiths to Jerusalem, where he asks those in his group to forgive him and other Christians' for actions that have hurt Jews, Muslims, African Americans, gays and others.

"The ultimate goal of asking for forgiveness is reconciliation. It's trying to bring us back together," he said.

With a copy of the Quran at his side, Mongi Dhaouadi, the executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, likened getting to know a Muslim to discovering a new plant.

"Explore it. Learn about it. See what benefits it has, but take the time to know this creature of God. In the same way, get to know a Muslim. Introduce yourself," he said, adding these things will alleviate a natural fear.

Good and Dhaouadi were among 40 speakers Tuesday during a day-long peace forum at Pine Point that was attended by about 150 students from 13 middle schools.

Called Peace One Day, it was designed to promote peace, whether in a classroom or in a country halfway across the globe.

Dhaouadi said one of the best ways to introduce yourself is to say "salaam" ("peace" in Arabic). (More)

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CAIR-CT: FUNDRAISER PLANNED SUNDAY TO HELP VICTIMS OF PAKISTANI FLOODS - TOP
Linda Conner Lambeck, News Times, 9/21/10

The Bridgeport Islamic Community Center and the Bridgeport Council on American Islamic Relations are also co-hosting the fundraiser.

Most University of Bridgeport students were away when the Pakistani floods came this summer killing more than 2,000 people, leaving hundreds of thousands on the verge of starvation and millions homeless.

As soon as students returned to campus, Omar Abuzaghleh, of Jordan, assistant manager of the Engineering School's computer labs and adviser to the Muslim Student Association, decided not to stand idly by.

The association, working with local Islamic organizations, decided to hold a fundraising dinner to aid flood victims. The three-course dinner will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in the John J. Cox Student Center on campus.

Participants will see a slide show and be treated to entertainment.

"If we all come together, it will help people over there," said Abuzaghleh, who is studying for a doctorate in computer science at UB. As far as he knows, there are no UB faculty or staff directly impacted by the flood. UB has 23 Pakistani students this fall, according to Leslie Geary, a university spokeswoman. (More)

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CAIR: SF BAY AREA MUSLIM, ARAB AND SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITIES REACT TO ISLAMOPHOBIA, PROFILING, AND SURVEILLANCE - TOP

Communities to push for local legal safeguards, transparency & accountability to address civil rights emergency amidst US government & law enforcement targeting & rise in hate crimes

Expert witnesses & individuals victim to FBI, Police & Airport/Border surveillance, discrimination & profiling set to testify

WHAT: A SF Human Rights Commission Public Hearing titled, “Community Concerns of Racial and Religious Profiling, Surveillance of Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian Communities and the Potential Reactivation of SFPD Intelligence Gathering”
WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416
WHEN: 6:00 p.m.., Thursday, September 23, 2010
Confirmed speakers include impacted community members, youth and experts.

• Dr. Hatem Bazian, UC Berkeley;
  
• Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, SF State University;
  
• Imam Zaid Shakir, Zaytuna College;
  
• Julia Mass, ACLU Northern California;
  
• Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred Korematsu;
  
• Michel Shehadeh, LA 8 Case;
  
• Veena Dubal, Asian Law Caucus;
  
• Zahra Billoo, Council on American-Islamic Relations - SF Bay Area
  

WHY: Amidst a notable rise in hate crimes against immigrant communities and the spread of Islamophobia in the United States, the Coalition for a Safe San Francisco (CSSF) is encouraging Muslim, Arab & South Asian community members to testify on personal stories of law enforcement and government profiling at a public hearing before the SF Human Rights Commission.

This evidentiary hearing aims to shed light on ongoing community complaint fielded by legal and advocacy groups to help examine impacts & devise solutions for current and past government and law enforcement practices of profiling, infiltration and surveillance that infringe on the safety, security, civil & human rights of the communities they target.

Dozens of Arab, Muslim, and South Asian community organizations and residents of San Francisco are advocating for the City of San Francisco to explore expanding local legal safeguards to prevent intrusions on the civil liberties of residents, and to ensure the safety of all communities.

Endorsers: Coalition for a Safe San Francisco, a coalition of over twenty SF Bay Area legal groups and Muslim, Arab & South Asian community groups. Partial list of members includes: Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, Arab Cultural and Community Center, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Asian Law Caucus, National Lawyers Guild SF, Bay Area Somali Community, Council on American Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area, OMID Advocates for Human Rights, United States Palestinian Community Network & Arab American Union Members Council.

Contact: Nour Chammas 415.861.7444 or 440.666.2779, Zahra Billoo 408.986.9874 or 626.252.0885

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CAIR-PA SPONSORS 1ST ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INTERFAITH CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL - TOP

(PHILADELPHIA, PA 9/22/2010) - The Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia (MCCP), in partnership with the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - Pennsylvania (CAIR-PA) and other faith based institutions, interfaith groups and community organizations, is sponsoring this year’s Interfaith Children’s Festival (PICF) to be held on Saturday, September 25th and Sunday, September 26th.

The PICF is a free outdoor festival for children and youth that celebrates diverse faith traditions and highlights community programs that enhance the spirits, minds and bodies of young people. The festival themes include faith-based youth activities; health and fitness; nutrition; and urban agriculture, cultural diversity and personal histories.

“This is the perfect opportunity for outreach,” says CAIR-PA Outreach and Communications Director Rugiatu Conteh. “We will have a section were anyone can learn more about the Quran, Islam and Muslims, and will also be holding interactive workshops. Our goal is to create a space for learning and open dialogue.”

WHAT: Philadelphia Interfaith Children’s Festival (PICF)
WHEN: Saturday, September 25th, 11am-5pm and Sunday, September 26th, 12pm-4pm
WHERE: New Covenant Campus, 7500 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119
CONTACT: CAIR-PA Outreach and Communications Director Rugiatu Conteh, 215-592-0509, E-mail: rconteh@cair.com

SPONSORS: The PICF is sponsored by the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia in partnership with New Covenant Church of Philadelphia; Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Convoy of Hope/Hope4Philly; Neighborhood Interfaith Movement; City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives; Philadelphia Sikh Society; CAIR- Philadelphia Chapter; Bawa Muhaiyaddean Fellowship; Church of Latter- Day Saints; Cookman United Methodist Church; Grace Baptist Church of Germantown; White Rock Baptist Church; Zion Baptist Church; Women in Partnership with God; Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation; Philadelphia Leadership Foundation; School District of Philadelphia; Greater Philadelphia Children’s Sabbath Coalition; Body Challenge Fitness Center; Whole Health 4 You; Castle Tech Technologies; and Breaking Barriers, Inc.