CAIR: INDIANA LAWMAKER WILL NOT INTRODUCE ANTI-SHARIA BILL - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/12/11) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that Indiana State Representative Bruce Borders will not introduce an anti-Sharia bill in the Indiana General Assembly.

Borders had previously been quoted by a local newspaper as saying he "intended to file a bill in the Indiana House to prevent the recognition of Sharia law in Indiana courts." In late December, CAIR's Chicago and national offices sent a joint letter to all state lawmakers asking them not to consider what it termed a "fear-mongering" bill.

SEE: Sharia Law Not an Issue in Indiana
Muslim Group Urges Rejection of Anti-Sharia Bill

In a recent phone conversation with CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, Rep. Borders said that an interview he gave a local newspaper was taken out of context. Rep. Borders says he was merely discussing a "wish list" with the reporter that included a possible bill excluding consideration of foreign laws. He acknowledged discussing Sharia, but only when asked by the reporter.

"I regret being pulled into this issue because I never had the intention of targeting Indiana's Muslim constituents specifically," said Rep. Borders. "I believe all Americans have the right to freedom of religion and that Muslims should not be targeted for discriminatory measures."

"We welcome the opportunity for open dialogue and are happy to help Representative Borders clear the air on the issue of the reported anti-Sharia bill," said Rehab.

Rehab noted that current legislation ensures the supremacy of federal and state laws and that an anti-Sharia bill would have been redundant.

"Contrary to popular misconceptions promoted in some political circles, the observance of Islamic principles by American Muslims pertains to private matters such as marriage and business contracts, and does not impact federal or state laws or affect the affairs of other citizens," said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas.

Abbas added that this private observance of religious principles is in line with the constitutionally-protected rights practiced by Americans of other faiths.

Rep. Borders said that there would be no anti-Sharia bill. Another bill, HB 1078, proposed by Rep. Cynthia Noe would prohibit the application of foreign law by Indiana courts and void portions of contracts calling for the application of foreign law. Rep. Borders said that he had not yet read the bill.

Some legal experts find the language of HB 1078 constitutionally problematic for reasons not related to the practice of the Muslim faith -- such as the bill's potential interference with international business transactions.

"We will continue to monitor the progress of HB 1078 because we are concerned that it will adversely affect the constitutional rights of many citizens of Indiana, regardless of their faith," Abbas said.

Abbas noted that the head of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter was successful in blocking certification of an anti-Sharia amendment to that state's constitution.

SEE: Judge Rules in Favor of Muslim Man on State Question 755

Lawmakers in other states are introducing similar bills.

SEE: Texas Legislator Seeks Ban on Sharia Law

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, 202-870-0166, E-Mail: arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham, 312-212-1520, 847-971-7989: E-Mail: cabraham@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; 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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LAWYER: FBI ILLEGALLY INTERROGATING GULET MOHAMED - TOP
The US government isn't helping an American teenager who says he was tortured in Kuwait. Instead, it's using his time in Kuwaiti prison to question him, his lawyer says.
Nick Baumann, Mother Jones, 1/12/11

FBI agents are taking advantage of an American teenager's detention in Kuwait to illegally harass and interrogate him without counsel, the teen's lawyer said Wednesday.

Gulet Mohamed, a Somali-born American Muslim, says he was tortured and interrogated after he was detained by Kuwaiti security officials last month.

He claims that Kuwaiti interrogators asked him questions about his travels, his past, and his family that he and his lawyer believe were fed to the Kuwaitis by US law enforcement. Kuwait now wants Mohamed deported, but he's been added to the no-fly list.

Meanwhile, FBI interrogators are continuing to interrogate him in detention and ignoring his requests to have an attorney present, his lawyer, Gadeir Abbas, says. (More)

SEE ALSO:

VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH LAWYER OF U.S. MUSLIM TEEN DETAINED IN KUWAIT -TOP
Glenn Greenwald, Salon.com, 1/12/11

Last Thursday, I wrote about and interviewed Gulet Mohamed, the 18-year-old Somali-born American citizen who described how he was abducted in Kuwait by unknown authorities, blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, and then interrogated, beaten and tortured for the next week (he has since turned 19).

After he was moved to a new facility to be deported, he was able to speak with the outside world, including me, only by virtue of a cellphone which a fellow detainee had illicitly smuggled in and allowed him to use; if not for that, it's quite possible that nobody, including his family, would be aware of his detention.

Mohamed -- who has been charged with no crime -- remains in a deportation facility in Kuwait without any idea of when, how or where he will be released. The Kuwaitis are perfectly willing to release him back to the U.S., but the U.S. has prevented this by placing him on a no-fly list, and both his family and his lawyer insist that it is American authorities responsible for his detention, due to a desire to interrogate him.

I spoke today by video to Mohamed's lawyer, Gadeir Abbas of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, about the current status of this case, the strange, emphatic refusal of the U.S. Government to help in any way, and what Abbas plans next in the way of legal action if Mohamed's release is not promptly secured. (More)

Watch the interview here.

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SIGN UP FOR JAN 13. CAIR 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS' WORKSHOP IN D.C. - TOP

Do you ever wonder what your rights are as an American at work, school, or in the airport?

On Thursday, January 13, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will host a "know your rights" workshop for the Muslim community at its national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

WHAT: "Know Your Rights" Workshop
WHEN: Thursday, January 13, 2011, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington, D.C.

Please RSVP on CAIR's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

For questions, call Nadhira Al-Khalili, Esq. at 202-646-6034 or email nalkhalili@cair.com

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CAIR-LA SEEKS PRAYERS FOR SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SHOT ON DUTY - TOP

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 1/12/11) -- The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called on Californians of all faiths to pray for the speedy recovery of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Mohamed Ahmed who was critically injured in the line of duty Tuesday evening.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Deputy Ahmed and his partner were in an unincorporated area of City Terrace when they saw a man acting suspiciously in a parked car. When the deputies went to check on the man, a struggle ensued and the suspect shot Deputy Ahmed in the face. The suspect, an alleged gang member with prior felony convictions, was in return shot by Deputy Ahmed's partner.

The deputy and suspect were transported to the hospital. Deputy Ahmed is reported to be in critical condition; however, his wound does not seem to be life threatening. Deputy Ahmed's partner was injured as well. The suspect is dead.

"We pray that God grants Deputy Mohamed Ahmed full and speedy recovery and for his family to have strength and patience during this particularly challenging time," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. "We further salute Deputy Ahmed, his partner and the many dedicated members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who are working round the clock to protect our communities."

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-Los Angeles Communications Manager Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847, E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com

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CAIR-WA: ALLEGED STALKER OF OREGON MUSLIM ARRESTED - TOP
Hate-crime suspect arrested, placed on immigration hold
Mara Stine, Portland Tribune, 1/12/11

A Gresham man accused of harassing and threatening a local Muslim woman is behind bars for allegedly violating an anti-stalking order.

Gresham police arrested Martin Cervantes-Gracida, 30, of Gresham at his home in the 17400 block of Southeast Stark Street at 6:37 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9.

He also is being held on a United States Immigration hold at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail.

The arrest comes a month after the alleged victim, a 52-year-old woman who lives in the same apartment complex, was granted a protective order against the man.

A Muslim advocacy organization - the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - also requested on Dec. 21 that the FBI investigate a series of alleged hate crimes that led to the anti-stalking order being issued.

FBI Special Agent Craig Mueller is investigating the case after the woman alleged local police did not take seriously her complaints of verbal threats and physical intimidation.

According to court documents, the threats began in early November when the suspect, Cervantes-Gracida, reportedly pushed the woman, trapping her with his body against a wall in their apartment complex's laundry room.

Two weeks later, he allegedly threatened to shoot her dog and rape her "while you pray with your head on the ground," the woman reported. He also reportedly confronted her in the parking lot and threatened to kill her, adding, "You snitch, called the cops on me."

The woman had lived at the complex for a year without any problem until she converted to Islam and began wearing a headscarf.

She also expressed concern that while police helped her, they did not arrest Cervantes-Gracida. She alleges that one police officer told her she should consider not wearing her religious headscarf to avoid angering the neighbor. (More)

SEE ALSO:

IL: HEARING SET FOR BOGUS BOMBER WHO SOUGHT CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM WAR -TOP
Associated Press, 1/12/11

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - A federal judge could decide whether to allow bail for an Army veteran accused of 2 felonies linked to a bogus bomb authorities say he wore during a standoff after threating to "start an apocalypse" and ignite a war between Christians and Muslims. (More)

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MOSQUE AND CHURCH GROUPS WORK TOGETHER TO HELP HUNGRY IN HAITI - TOP
Rose French, Star Tribune, 1/11/11

A number of religious groups in the Twin Cities and beyond are renewing their efforts to help aid Haiti in light of the first anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the impoverished country.

Members of the Ja'afari Islamic Center and the Brooklyn Park Methodist Church will hold a joint volunteer event on Wednesday to pack food for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. (More)

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