Saturday, May 12, 2012


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CAIR, FLA. MUSLIMS MEET U.S. ATTORNEY, FBI ON CIVIL RIGHTS, BULLYING - TOP
(MIAMI, FL, 5/2/12) -- Representatives of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) and the South Florida Muslim community met Monday with U.S. Attorney Wilfredo A. Ferrer, Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Heming and an FBI official to discuss issues of mutual concern, including civil rights and school bullying.
The meeting was part of an ongoing outreach effort by the Department of Justice to strengthen relations with the American Muslim community.
At the meeting, CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze related reports by members of that state's Muslim community of alleged civil rights violations by law enforcement authorities. Members of the Florida Muslim Congress also shared reports of Muslims being profiled during travel, allegedly because of their race, religion or ethnicity.
During the meeting, Muslim participants also highlighted ongoing cooperation with state and national law enforcement authorities.
"We are encouraged by the working relationship the Department of Justice has established with the Muslim community in South Florida," said Hamze. "Being able to meet face-to-face is the best way to address issues such as profiling and the bullying of Muslim and other minority students in our state's schools."
"Meetings such as this one provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the need to protect the constitutional rights of all those who interact with state and federal law enforcement authorities," said CAIR-South Florida Legal Counsel Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, who also took part in Monday's meeting.
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 South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze, 954-673-9459, E-Mail:nhamze@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com
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CAIR-MN OFFERS RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION WORKSHOP TO EMPLOYERS - TOP
'Positive Interactions' addresses legal obligations to workers
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 5/2/12) -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today hosted its "Positive Interactions" employer workshop to address issues of religious accommodation in the workplace.
More than 20 managers from Twin Cities metro-area companies, including several large corporations, attended the day-long workshop to better understand the legal obligation of religious accommodation and to learn about customs and practices of Muslim employees.
"CAIR-MN offers a positive, multi-pronged methodology to resolving civil rights conflicts and a big part of that approach is education," said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Coordinator Munazza Humayun. "Our goal is to avoid any problems that may arise due to misunderstandings about Islam or religious accommodation laws."
Humayun added that employment discrimination cases amount to more than 40 percent of the total civil rights cases reported to CAIR-MN.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
In addition to the 'Positive Interactions' workshop, CAIR-MN offers several customized trainings.
CAIR offers a booklet, called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties 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-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR-MN Civil Rights Coordinator Munazza Humayun, Esq., 763-227-7650, E-Mail: mhumayun@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MN REP HONORED WITH FACING RACE AMBASSADOR AWARD - TOP
Charles Hallman and Vickie Evans-Nash, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, 5/2/12
On Monday, April 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, The St. Paul Foundation held its Sixth Annual Facing Race Ambassador Awards ceremony. Award recipients are nominated by people in their community for their efforts in working to create a more equitable society. Three award recipients received honorable mentions and a $1,000 donation, and two received Ambassador Awards and $10,000 donations. All donations will be given in their name to the organization of their choice.
Civil rights director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota Chapter, Taneeza S. Islam, Esq., works toward equal justice for her Muslim clients in resolving discrimination complaints.
"I guess it was the right time for me to go to law school and graduate, because unfortunately the discrimination against Muslims is real...whether it's...being profiled at the border [while traveling] or whether it's a refusal for services in public spaces, or whether it's a refusal to [let someone] pray at work." (More)
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CAIR-LA: JOY, REFLECTION AT 43RD MANZANAR PILGRIMAGE - TOP
Gwen Muranaka, Rafu Shimpo, 5/2/12
This year marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Manzanar National Historic Site.
How far the pilgrimage movement has come since its beginnings in 1969 was evident in the diverse gathering of approximately 1,000. Among the attendees were many former internees and their children and grandchildren. Groups joining in the pilgrimage included the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, Council on American Islamic Relations, Florin Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese Business Association of Southern California, Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California, Pomona College, UCLA, USC, the City of Monterey Park and the United Teachers of Los Angeles. (More)

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