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CAIR Action Alert #635

Action: Challenge Anti-Muslim Bias in Congressional Hearings
Congressman who believes there are 'too many mosques in America' targets Muslim community

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/7/11) -- CAIR today released an online toolkit designed to help leaders and members of the American Muslim community challenge potential anti-Muslim bias in hearings on "radicalization" announced by U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY).

Read the entire toolkit here.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization also launched a new website, called "Capturing the Facts," to gather data on the Muslim community's efforts to challenge violent extremist ideology and partner with law enforcement authorities.

SEE: Capturing the Facts

Rep. King has a long history of troubling rhetoric and baseless claims about American Muslims, which raise reasonable concerns about the form his hearings may take.

In 2004, Rep. King said "85 percent" of American Muslim community leaders are "an enemy living amongst us." He has recently said he will "stand by" the 85 percent number. In 2007, Rep. King said "we have too many mosques in this country." In early 2010, he implied that American Muslims are not true "Americans."

Rep. King's planned hearings are opposed by a many fair-minded individuals and organizations.

SEE: Letter from Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) to Rep. King
Letter from 51 Groups Seeking Objective Hearings on Muslim 'Radicalization'

CAIR's online toolkit, called "Teachable Moment Community Response Guide: Guidance for Local Communities to Respond to Possibly Biased Congressional Hearings on 'Radicalization' in the American Muslim Community," includes background information on Rep. King's anti-Muslim rhetoric, recommended community actions such as contacting committee members or writing letters to the editor, expert resources on the American Muslim community, and advice on how Islam's Prophet Muhammad dealt with defamation.

An introduction to the toolkit by CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad states:

"CAIR's policy of constitutionally-informed cooperation with law enforcement is reflected in our simple advice for Americans: 'If you know of any criminal activity taking place in your community, it is both your religious and civic duty to immediately report such activity to local and federal law enforcement agencies' and 'Under the law, you have the legal right to have a lawyer present when speaking with federal law enforcement agencies.' If Rep. King has a problem with that advice, his issue is with America's constitutional and legal protections, not with American Muslims."

To read or print out the entire toolkit, go here.

The toolkit also includes a link to a website that solicits both testimonials on community efforts to prevent violent extremism and examples of positive interactions between American Muslims and law enforcement agencies. That site, www.capturingthefacts.com, will gather factual information to refute Rep. King's baseless claims.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1) Read and/or print out CAIR's new teachable moment community toolkit. Put your faith into action by following the suggestions it contains. Make sure any Muslim groups or institutions with which you are affiliated also act on the recommendations in the toolkit.

Go to: http://tinyurl.com/4bdceg2

2) Visit the "Capturing the Facts" website to contribute to replacing Rep. King's rhetoric with facts: http://www.capturingthefacts.com/

CAIR is gathering testimonials to provide substantive push back to King's unsubstantiated assertion that "85 percent" of American Muslim community leaders are "an enemy living amongst us."

3) Forward this alert to your friends and family.

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