FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Chapters Challenge Islamophobia, Defend Civil Rights

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/27/11) – A number of chapters of the Washington-basedCouncil on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) around the nation today once again demonstrated their commitment to challenging Islamophobia and defending civil and religious rights.

CAIR's Florida chapter thanked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Governor Rick Scott for declining to speak at next week's Florida Tea Party convention, which features a presentation by anti-Islam extremist Pamela Geller and another Islamophobe.

SEE: CAIR-FL Thanks Rubio, Scott for Avoiding Event with Hate Group Leader
CAIR-FL: Muslim Activist Challenges Fla. Republican's Views (NPR)

CAIR's Minnesota chapter (CAIR-MN) called on the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office to grant religious accommodation to prisoners who wear the hijab (religious headscarf).

SEE: CAIR-MN Calls on Sheriff's Office to Grant Hijab Accommodation
CAIR: Allow Hijab at Sherburne County Jail

Tonight, St. Cloud., Minn., school board members are to decide whether they will accept an agreement with the federal government that would end a discrimination investigation prompted by a March 2010 complaint from CAIR-MN.

CAIR-MN: St. Cloud School Board to Decide Tonight on Discrimination Deal

CAIR's San Francisco Bay Area chapter today condemned what it termed "excessive force" used by the Oakland Police Department (OPD) against mainly peaceful Occupy Oakland demonstrators.

SEE: CAIR-SFBA Condemns 'Excessive Force' Used on Occupy Oakland Demonstrators

CAIR's Michigan chapter today wrote a formal complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking a federal probe into the final denial of land usage for an Islamic school inPittsfield Township, Mich.

SEE: CAIR-MI Seeks DOJ Probe Into Denial of Islamic School Zoning Change

"We are extremely proud of the important work carried out by CAIR chapters nationwide that are, on a daily basis, challenging the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in our society and defending the constitutional rights of all Americans," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

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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