HADITH OF THE DAY: LOVE THE POOR - TOP

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "O God, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man and resurrect me in the company of the poor." His wife asked him why he said that, and he replied: "Because (the poor) will enter Paradise (before) the rich. Do not turn away a poor man ... even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you ... God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection."

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376

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CAIR-OK ASKS GOP TO CONDEMN REP.'S RACIST, SEXIST REMARKS - TOP

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 4/29/11) -- The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today called on the Oklahoma State GOP to condemn Rep. Sally Kern for racist and sexist remarks she made Wednesday on the Oklahoma House floor.

During a debate, Kern said: "We have a high percentage of blacks in prison, and that's tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don't want to study as hard in school? I've taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn't study hard because they said the government would take care of them."

After the racist comments, Kern went on to allege that women do not work as hard as men "because women tend to think a little bit more about their families, wanting to be at home more time (and) have a little more leisure time."

SEE: Rep. Kern Apologizes, Won't be Disciplined

"Sally Kern's history of racist, sexist and bigoted remarks about members of this community has embarrassed all Oklahomans," said CAIR-OK Executive Director MuneerAwad. "This is not an ideology to simply disagree with -- as State GOP Officials claim -- but rather it is an ideology that must be publicly condemned and rejected."

He noted that Kern recently introduced a bill that Muslims say targets their faith and religious practices.

SEE: Sally Kern Bill Unconstitutional, Bad for Business, Critics Say
Sally Kern Uses White Supremacist Attorney to Draft Anti-Muslim Bill

Awad added: "Oklahomans should not be satisfied with 'disagreement' among the OKGOP when it comes to the issues of racism and sexism. An official condemnation and rejection of racist politics must be demanded to make clear where the OKGOP stands on bigotry, and to make clear that our legislatures do not use bigotry to guide their decisions in lawmaking. By simply disagreeing with Kern and accepting her explanation, the OKGOP has chosen to tolerate her racism and sexism. Oklahomans should demand more than an agreement to disagree when it comes to bigotry."

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-OK Executive Director Muneer Awad, 405-415-6851 Email:info@ok.cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, 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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CAIR-OH: MUSLIM, CATHOLIC TEENS TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECT - TOP

(CINCINNATI, 4/29/11) --- On April 30, the Cincinnati chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cincinnati), the Institute for Youth Development and Excellence and Mother of Mercy High School will work together on a community service project at Imago Earth Center in Price Hill. The project will bring together Muslim and Catholic youth in a volunteer project to help prepare the Earth Center's gardens for spring planting. The service project will be followed by an interfaith discussion between the two groups of teens.

"This is an important opportunity for Cincinnati area youth to connect on the level of community service," said CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub. "There will also be time for fun, pizza and conversation which is where the most direct exchange is likely to take place."

Dabdoub was a guest speaker at Mercy as an interfaith project that allowed students a chance to meet and get to know the Muslim community. In addition, each year Mother of Mercy seniors in the comparative religion class visit and tour the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester.

"We both share strong religious faiths in our highly secular culture," said Bob Bonnici, chairperson of Mercy's religion department. "Our student's are looking forward to participating in Mercy's first collaborative effort with a different faith."

CAIR-Cincinnati has organized and taken part in many interfaith programs and community service projects since its founding in 2004. Examples include the annual Sharing Ramadanin Over-the-Rhine feeding project, the School Supplies for Needy Students, and the Feeding Our Neighbors food basket project.

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: Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-mail: kdabdoub@cair.com; Roula Allouch,rallouch@cair.com; Jenny Kroner Jackson, jackson_j@motherofmercy.org

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CAIR-NJ: MUSLIMS RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION AND RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH - TOP
By James Yee, Star-Ledger, 4/29/11

James Yee is executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

Last year, NJ Transit fired employee Derek Fenton for his public burning of the Quran near Ground Zero on the anniversary of Sept. 11, characterizing the behavior as a violation of the agency's "code of ethics."

Fenton responded with a lawsuit. In a settlement reached April 21, NJ Transit agreed to reinstate Fenton to his $86,110-a-year position, with back pay.

The state's decision to rehire Fenton is a reversal of action, but what does not change is that Fenton's desecration of a sacred text, revered by more than a billion worldwide, was blatantly offensive and highly insensitive.

As a Muslim from New Jersey, I was extremely hurt by Fenton's actions, but saddened more so by the brazen religious intolerance displayed by a fellow American. I find the torching of any religious scripture deplorable -- be it the Quran, Bible, Torah or other. I am especially disgusted when it is done in order to provoke tempers.

However, as a citizen of this country, I respect the Constitution of the United States and Fenton's right to free speech. Everyone has the right to express his views, as vile or as hateful as those views might be. (More)

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CAIR: MUSLIMS, JEWS TO CHALLENGE BAN ON CIRCUMCISION IN SAN FRANCISCO -TOP
Hannah Dreier, Associated Press, 4/29/11

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) -- Activists who want to ban male circumcision in San Francisco have taken a step toward putting the issue to a popular vote, sparking outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups ... .

Circumcision is also a common rite among Muslims. Council on American-Islamic Relations spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said his group would join with Jews to protect their religious freedoms. (More)

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CAIR: MUSLIM, JAPANESE-AMERICAN YOUTH EMPOWERED BY HISTORY - TOP
Jody Godoy, Kyodo News, 4/28/11

''Have you ever been called a racist name?'' Mustafah Hawari, 17, asks Yuka Ogino, 23, a Japanese-American coordinator at the Bridging Communities Program.

''Yes, I have,'' she tells Hawari and the small group of students sitting on the floor at a mosque in Anaheim, California.

The students, most of them Muslim or Japanese American, spent five Saturdays throughout the spring of 2011 talking about tolerance and identity in the program organized by the Japanese American Citizens League, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress. (More)

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NJ: BULLYING TARGETS MUSLIMS, ARABS, SAY ACTIVISTS - TOP
Hannan Adely, The Record, 4/29/11

"Terrorist," "towel head," "camel jockey" -- those are some of the taunts that bullies have used to put down Arab, Muslim and South Asian students in what some community leaders say is a growing epidemic.

The students have become frequent targets of bullies since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with reports of name-calling, intimidation and physical violence in schools, community andcivil rights leaders said Thursday at a forum about bullying. With the rise of anti-Islamic sentiment, the problem has grown worse, they said.

"When public officials and media commentators propagate these ideas, it gets into the main discourse, and schools are a ripe environment for these feelings," said Aref Assaf, president of the American Arab Forum, a Paterson-based think tank specializing in Arab and Muslim affairs. (More)

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CAIR: Va. Muslim Teen Held in Kuwait Seeks to Clear His Name Missouri U.S. Attorney: Feds Could Challenge Sharia Ban A Mosque Zoned Out: Old Tricks to Legalize Discrimination FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Charges for Attack on Fla. Worker Driver allegedly ran down man he thought was Middle Eastern 'terrorist' (TAMPA, FL, 4/29/11) -- The Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR-Tampa) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to add hate crime charges to those already brought against a man who allegedly ran down a Clearwater, Fla., road worker he thought was a Middle Eastern "terrorist." CAIR said Gerald Christopher Prebe, 35, allegedly tried to kill the city employee Thursday afternoon by running him down with his truck. He reportedly told investigators he "thought the worker was a terrorist, possibly of Middle Eastern descent, and wanted to kill him." The alleged attacker was charged with attempted murder and is being held on $100,000 bond. The 53-year-old African-American victim was hospitalized due to a fractured neck and internal bleeding. SEE: Was Clearwater Hit-and-Run a Hate Crime? Police: Clearwater Man Thought City Employee was 'Terrorist' "Because of the apparent bias motive in this case, state and federal law enforcement authorities should consider adding appropriate hate crime charges," said CAIR-Tampa Communications Director Ramzy Kiliç. "We believe these types of incidents are an inevitable result of the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in American society." Kiliç noted that CAIR recently called for a hate crime investigation of two apparently bias-motivated attacks on a Georgia mosque. Vandals twice this month shattered doors and windows of the Islamic Center of Cartersville with rocks, one of which was reportedly painted with "Muslim murderers." VIDEO: Vandals Target Mosque With Painted Rocks Earlier, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a "terrorist threat" and desecrated religious texts that were used to target a Missouri mosque. SEE: Islamic Center Reports Threat CAIR: Missouri Mosque Vandalized with Hate Graffiti Kiliç said American Muslim individuals and institutions are being urged to review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit." 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. - END - CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Communications Director Ramzy Kiliç, 813-486-2529, 813-766-2745, E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin,202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

MOSQUE FIRE INVESTIGATORS NOT RULING OUT HATE CRIME - TOP
KCRA, 4/25/11

STOCKTON, Calif. -- KCRA spoke with fire officials Monday morning who said work crews will be at the scene of a mosque fire on Pershing Avenue by the afternoon.

The mosque was part of a strip mall that caught on fire early Saturday morning. ...

Two places of worship were involved in a Saturday morning fire, so fire officials said they cannot rule out that this was a possible hate crime. (More)

SEE ALSO:

CALIF. MOSQUE FIRE PROBE GETS FEDERAL AGENCY'S ATTENTION - TOP
Daniel Thigpen, Record, 4/25/11

STOCKTON - Federal arson investigators will assist the Stockton Fire Department today as officials probe a Saturday strip mall fire that gutted a mosque and damaged a church.

Stockton Fire Battalion Chief Robert Tuitavuki said agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were requested to join the investigation. Tuitavuki said the ATF is often available for assistance on "high-interest" cases.

The early morning fire in the 4200 block of North Pershing Avenue gutted the shop-front Masjid al Emaan and also destroyed the adjacent Reliance Real Estate office. The Living Water Ministries & Christian Center housed at the building had smoke and water damage. (More)

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TENN. MUSLIMS TO DENOUNCE ANTI-ISLAM BILL - TOP

When: Tuesday, April 26, 9:00 am

What: Hundreds of Muslims and their allies from across the state will start off the day with a press conference as they gather to denounce the anti-Muslim bill (SB1028/HB1353) and anti-refugee bill (SB1670/HB1632), and will then walk to Legislative Plaza.

Where: Downtown Presbyterian Church, 154 5th Ave N (corner of 5th and Church)

Why: This Tuesday, the House and Senate Judiciary committees will consider House Bill 1353 and Senate Bill 1028. Muslim leaders, other faith leaders, and civil liberties organizations will gather to warn of the dangers of this legislation, questioning its necessity and constitutionality on several grounds. Also on Tuesday, the House State and Local Government committee will hear House Bill 1632, a bill that would encourage local governments to hold public hearings on the desirability of refugee community members and declare "moratoria" on any new settlement activity.

Who: Hundreds of Muslim leaders, other faith leaders, civil rights leaders, and community members joined by Representative Johnny Shaw, House District 80, of Bolivar, TN.

Visuals/Audio: Ethnically and culturally diverse group of people, some families with kids, members of new immigrant communities not often seen walking to Legislative Plaza.

Contact: Remziya Suleyman, 615-498-8847, remziya@tnimmigrant.org; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

TN: ANTI-ISLAM LAW IS UNNECESSARY, COULD DEMONIZE INNOCENT PEOPLE - TOP
Ted Rayburn, Tennessean, 4/24/11

Could you, one day in the near future, be subject to arrest in Tennessee simply because the faith you were born into and believe in contains principles that state officials disagree with?

The answer, sadly, is yes -- if legislators and the governor approve Senate Bill 1028/House Bill 1353, formerly known as the "anti-Shariah law bill'' and newly worded to quash concerns over its potential to stir up discrimination against Muslims in Tennessee.

The rewording did not work. This bill, now presented as an anti-terrorism measure, manages through its broadened vagueness to demonize not only Muslims -- its prime target -- but any group because of its ideology, even if its conduct is exemplary and its members break no laws. (More)

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TN: MUSLIM CRIES FOUL OVER REP'S COMMENTS - TOP
Skyler Swisher, Daily Herald, 4/24/11

A Columbia Muslim says a state lawmaker's e-mail response to a constituent's criticism is further proof his faith is under attack on Capitol Hill.

State Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, called Islam in the e-mail a "political-militaristic-religion" responsible for 10 out of the last 11 terrorist attacks on Americans.

Womick wrote he has studied Islam and its code known as Shariah for nine years, and he advised others to do the same before turning a blind eye and accusing others of intolerance.

"Ignorance is bliss, and stupidity can get you killed," Womick wrote. "I suggest you educate yourself on both sides of the issue."

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would authorize the governor and attorney general to designate an entity "a domestic terrorist" or "a foreign terrorist organization." Initially, the measure mentioned Islam and Shariah by name, but it was later amended to strip any reference to a religion.

Daoud Abudiab, a Columbia Muslim whose mosque was torched by white supremacists in 2008, said Womick's written remarks show lawmakers are really wanting to target the state's Muslims, despite their assurances that is not the case.

"He's a state representative and he holds this view, and he wants me to trust another state representative to designate us as a terrorist organization or not. ... It's terrifying to think people of his stature believe that," Abudiab said.

Aaron Nuell, a second-grade teacher from Murfreesboro, wrote the critical letter to Womick, asking him to "stop attacking your Muslim constituents." (More)

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VIDEO: RALLY SUPPORTS MISSOURI MUSLIMS TARGETED BY HATE (CAIR) - TOP
Jeremy Stevens, Ozarks First, 4/25/11

(Springfield, MO) -- Hundreds of people held a demonstration at the Springfield Islamic Center to send a message of support for the Muslim community in the Ozarks.

Earlier this year vandals spray painted derogatory terms on the side of the Islamic Center of Springfield's building.

And just a couple weeks ago, someone found a threatening letter and several burned Qurans on the property.

Saturday, the message was clear: this will not stand in our community.

"Be inclusive, be attentive, listen , respect other views, speak out with courage, act with compassion," said Francine Pratt, the local NAACP president.

"And our place is open to everyone to come and visit us," said Dr. Mostafa Galal with the Islamic Center.

City leaders, ministers, peace activists were all joining together for one reason. (More)

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VIDEO: ISLAMIC LEADER REACTS TO VERDICT IN TERRY JONES CASE (CAIR-MI) -TOP

Watch the video.

Dawud Walid, executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan, gives his thoughts on the trial of pastor Terry Jones and his assistant Wayne Sapp.

SEE ALSO:

CAIR: N.J. TRANSIT WORKER FIRED FOR BURNING KORAN GETS BACK JOB - TOP
Paul Vitello, New York Times, 4/23/11

A New Jersey Transit worker who was fired after burning pages of a Koran during a demonstration in Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11 last year has been reinstated, reimbursed for lost wages and benefits, and awarded $25,000 in compensation for the pain and suffering caused by his dismissal.

The reinstatement of the worker, Derek Fenton of Bloomingdale, N.J., was announced on Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, which sued the transportation corporation on his behalf, arguing that his actions were protected by the First Amendment. The reinstatement was part of a settlement agreement, filed this week in Federal District Court in Newark, in which Mr. Fenton dropped his suit in exchange for getting his job back.

"In America, we have the right to burn all kinds of things -- letters, flags, books, Bibles and Korans," Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the New Jersey group, said Friday. ...

Ibrahim Hooper, the spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights advocacy group, said his organization had not sought Mr. Fenton's firing. "We have always believed," he said, "that somebody should not be punished in their employment for actions taken -- no matter how reprehensible -- in their private lives." (More)

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CAIR SUPPORTS UNION BARGAINING AND FAIR PAY RIGHTS - TOP
Associated Press, 4/23/11

The involvement of religious leaders highlighted the intersection between faith and the marketplace as policymakers debated union and spending issues woven into the fabric of American society. ...

In Wisconsin, the Muslim community spoke out against union restrictions, with theChicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations taking an active role, said Julia Shearson, executive director of the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio. She said Muslims are generally socially conservative but have religious values that support the right to bargain and fair pay for teachers and other public servants. (More)

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-OH: MUSLIMS THANK A BRIDGE-BUILDER - TOP
Robert L. Smith, The Plain Dealer, 4/24/11

At its upcoming annual banquet, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations will say goodbye and wish peace upon Isam Zaiem, the Westlake man who founded the local chapter to forge friendships and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslim in Northeast Ohio.

Zaiem is stepping down after eight years at the helm of the civil rights organization but he plans to stay involved as president emeritus.

CAIR's 9th Annual Civil Rights Banquet will feature Kareem Irfan, the first Muslim president of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, delivering a keynote address. It begins at 5 p.m. May 7 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Independence. For reservations, call 216-830-2247.

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CAIR: MUSLIMS ASKED TO PRAY FOR RAIN IN TEXAS - TOP
Hajer Naili, Illume, 4/23/11

The Texas chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) has called on mosques across the state to offer prayers for rain.

The state is affected by the worst drought since the 1930s, which has resulted in extreme wildfire danger.

CAIR-TX issued its call for prayers in response to a proclamation issued by Texas Governor Rick Perry declaring a three-day period of "Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas."

Gov. Perry's declared, "I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life."

More than 8,000 wildfires have resulted in the loss of several lives, destruction of 400 homes with over 1.8 million acres devastated. (More)

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CAIR-CA: ISLAMIC CENTER TO OPEN IN SACRAMENTO AREA - TOP
Stephen Magagnini, Sacramento Bee, 4/25/11

This Saturday, a $5.5 million Moorish-style mosque and Islamic center will open to the public across from American River College.

The 21,000-square-foot, two-story, ochre-colored center features arched entrances and a 54-foot-high green dome with a crescent on top.

"The architecture is a mixture of what's in the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina (in Saudi Arabia) and the Moorish mosque in Cordoba, southern Spain," said project director Javed Iqbal. "It blends well with California Spanish architecture."

The new Masjid and Center for Higher Islamic Learning was built by SALAM, the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims.

SALAM, which began as a P.O. box in 1987, now holds Friday prayer for 800 people from 25 nations, including about 40 converts to Islam, said founder Metwalli Amer.

The new center houses a gift shop, school and educational programs, with an 8,000-volume library planned. It will be open "to all members of the community, regardless of religion or gender," said Amer. "This will truly be an American Islamic center – it's moderate, it reaches out, it works with others." ...

Rashid Ahmed, a Pakistani American who founded the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), said that while there's no doubt that Islamophobia fueled by Glenn Beck and other talk show hosts is rising, "SALAM has done a wonderful job of maintaining a moderate, tolerant path showing we can live together with others. It's easy to fall into the extremes." (More)