• CAIR-OK: Inaugural Ramadan Dinner Focuses on Community, Safety 
• CAIR-St. Louis: Joplin Mosque Members Encouraged by Support
• Detroit Muslim's Van Vandalized
• Reward Offered in Rhode Island Mosque Sign Vandalism Case
• CAIR: Teens Arrested for Lobbing Lemons at Mosque During Prayer Time
• Video: 4 Teens Arrested for Hate Crimes Against Calif. Mosque
  
• CAIR: NJ Gov Jabs at NYPD Again Over Spying on Muslims
• CAIR-PA Sues Whole Foods for Alleged Discrimination
• Reminder: CAIR Seeks Applicants for Rosa Parks Scholarship
  
  • Reminder: CAIR Seeks Nominations for Community Service Award
  • Save the Date: Join Rev. Al Sharpton at CAIR Banquet 9/29 in Arlington, Va.

UPDATE: A CAIR team yesterday visited the site of a burned Missouri mosque to meet with Muslim leaders and law enforcement officials. The team also took part in an interfaith Ramadan fast-breaking meal (iftar) at a local church on Wednesday evening.

Video: CAIR Asks for Help in Finding Possible Mo. Mosque Arsonist 
Video: CAIR Co-Sponsors Interfaith Iftar for Burned Missouri Mosque 
CAIR: Muslim Group Seeks to Rekindle Spirit of Joplin After Tornado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR-MN PSA Campaign to Challenge Candidate's Anti-Islam Ads
Public service announcements feature Muslim 9/11 first responders, interfaith leaders

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 8/9/12) -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) said today that it will run public service announcements (PSAs) in response to anti-Islam campaign advertisements airing on local television stations. The anti-Islam ads are being run by controversial Tea Partier Gary Boisclair.

Video: Why TV Stations Are Running Grisly Political Ads (WCCO)

In a statement, the Muslim civil rights organization said:

"Attacks against American minorities are nothing new. In America's history, we have seen Mormons, Catholics, and people of the Jewish faith also accused of plans to subvert or damage America. Gary Boisclair seeks to marginalize an entire community and fails to understand American history, Islam and basic principles of decency.

"As we've witnessed in the recent Wisconsin Sikh shootings, this kind of rhetoric is dangerous for our country. It fuels hatred and creates fear and suspicion.

"Bosclair cannot win an election by engaging in fear-mongering, as this tactic does not represent Minnesotans or their values. Minnesota has one of the best interfaith environments in the nation. Just this month, Muslims and Christians in Minnesota worked together to organize Sharing Ramadan dinners in every major mosque in the state. We urge Minnesotans to learn about Islam, not from anti-Islam extremists like Gary Bosclair, but directly from their Muslim neighbors."

The PSA campaign features Muslim 9/11 first responders and interfaith leaders, and is designed to challenge the growing anti-Muslim bigotry in American society.

You can watch all the PSAs at www.cairmn.com

Broadcast-quality versions of the PSAs will be delivered to public service directors at local stations.

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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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail:lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com