BREAKING NEWS

CAIR: Judge Extends Ban on Okla. Anti-Islam Amendment

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/22/2010) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced today that a federal judge in Oklahoma has extended a restraining order barring certification of an anti-Islam state ballot measure (SQ 755) passed in theNovember 2 election.

If certified, SQ 755 would have amended that state's constitution to forbid judges from considering Islamic principles or international law when deciding a case.

Following a hearing this morning in Oklahoma City, U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma ruled that the temporary restraining order she granted November 8 barring certification of the amendment by the Oklahoma State Board of Elections will remain in place until she makes a final decision -- no later than November 29 -- as to whether it should be extended until the case against SQ 755 is resolved.

SEE: Okla. Judge Extends Restraining Order Against Law

The lawsuit seeking to block certification of SQ 755 was filed by Muneer Awad, executive director of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter (CAIR-OK).

In today's hearing, Awad was represented by American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma Foundation attorney Michael Salem, with CAIR attorney Gadeir Abbasacting as co-counsel.

Awad's lawsuit, based on his own faith-based will, says SQ 755 violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that bars government bodies from making laws "respecting the establishment of religion."

SEE: Full Text of Awad's Lawsuit
Oklahoma Surprise: Islam as an Election Issue (NY Times)

"We believe this measure is un-American because it would infringe on the constitutionally-protected right to wear religious head scarves in driver's license photographs, chooseIslamic marriage contracts, implement Islamic wills, or to be buried according to one's religious beliefs," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad (no relation to Muneer Awad). "We are confident this unconstitutional amendment will ultimately be thrown out and the voters of Oklahoma will see that they have been misled by individuals who sought to use the political process to advance their own extremist and intolerant agendas."

CAIR Q&A on Oklahoma Anti-Islam Ballot Measure
CAIR Video: SQ 755 Sponsor Explains Purpose of Amendment on MSNBC

He said CAIR plans an education campaign in Oklahoma to offer state residents accurate and balanced information about Islamic beliefs and practices and about the American Muslim community.

Hate messages have been received by Muslim institutions in Oklahoma following the passage of SQ 755.

Video: Rachel Maddow Details Hate Messages Received by Okla. Muslims

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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Muneer Awad, 405-248-5853, E-Mail:mawad@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, 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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