Thursday, September 27, 2012


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Video: CAIR Releases 2nd Arabic Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/27/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released a second video appeal in Arabic to those protesting an anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims."
[NOTE: This is the third in a planned series of such videos in various languages to be released by CAIR.]
In the CAIR video, Imam Dr. Syed Abu Abdullah of the Islamic Center of Cleveland tells Arabic-speaking viewers that the U.S. government does not support and did not authorize the film. The imam also says that Muslims should not fall into the "trap" set by the film's producers. (NOTE: The appeal was produced for CAIR by Take1Media of Cleveland, Ohio.)
Earlier this month, CAIR released a similar video appeal in Arabic. In it, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad tells viewers in the Middle East that ordinary Americans and the U.S. government should not be blamed for the religious hatred expressed in the film.
CAIR also released a video appeal in Yoruba, a language spoken by more than 20 million people, to those protesting the anti-Islam film in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
In a news conference with national American Muslim leaders, CAIR condemned the killings of American diplomats in Libya and said that extremists must not be allowed to control the political and religious discourse worldwide.
CAIR had previously called on Muslims in the Middle East to ignore the distribution of the "trashy" anti-Islam film that resulted in the attacks in Libya, Egypt and other nations throughout the Muslim world.
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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com


Please help support our work.
DONATE


Posted by at No comments:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism of NY Mosque
Graffiti included 'RIP US Ambassador' and 'The War Will Rise'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/2012) –- The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the FBI to investigate vandalism of a New York mosque as a hate crime.
Suffolk County police are investigating hate graffiti, including "RIP US Ambassador" and"The War Will Rise," spray-painted on the outside wall of the North Bay Shore Masjid Darul Quran mosque. The vandalism is believed to have occurred sometime between September 12th and 13th, in response to the recent killing of America's ambassador to Libya.
CAIR and other American Muslim organizations have condemned the ambassador's killing and have issued appeals for calm to the Muslim world.
"No American house of worship should be targeted by hate because of events overseas and no American should face fear or intimidation because of their faith or ethnicity," saidCAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We urge the FBI to join in the investigation of this apparently bias motivated attack and we ask our nation's leaders to speak out against those who promote or exploit anti-Muslim hate."
He expressed concern about potential backlash from anti-Islam advertisements that are being put up in New York area subway stations by the head of a designated hate group.
Hooper noted that earlier this week, CAIR submitted written testimony for a Senate hearing on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism.
The hearing was prompted by the national string of violent and deadly attacks targeting Sikhs and American Muslims and their institutions and houses of worship.
The testimony, submitted for the hearing by CAIR and published online, includes information on the rise of "107 anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2009 to 160 in 2010" and the "thirteen days in August, the days immediately after the shocking murders of Sikh worshippers in Wisconsin, [when] there were 8 incidents in which Muslim places of worship were targeted."
CAIR's testimony also provides a listing of active anti-Muslim groups and individuals in the United States and recommendations on how to put an end to "the full range of threats posed by individual and organized perpetrators of violent hate crimes and criminal acts of domestic extremism."
In advance of the hearing, CAIR issued "Thirteen Days in Ramadan 2012," a preliminary report on a spike in anti-mosque incidents that occurred in late August.
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-NY Executive Director Muneer Awad, 347-296-7966, E-Mail:mawad@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Please help support our work.
DONATE


Posted by at No comments:

CAIR ACTION ALERT
Wis. Sikh Temple, Mo. Mosque to Receive Awards at CAIR Banquet
Action: Reserve your tickets TODAY for CAIR's banquet and Leadership Skills Training Conference Sept. 29 in Arlington, Va.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/24/12) –- On Saturday, September 29, during CAIR's annual banquet at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., a representative of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will receive the "2012 Solidarity Award," while a representative of a burned Missouri mosque will receive the "2012 Courage Award."
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remaining tickets for CAIR's banquet and Leadership Skills Training Conference are selling out FAST. No tickets will be sold at the door, so reserve your spot for the banquet and conference RIGHT AWAY.
The Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., was the site of an August shooting spree by a white supremacist that left six worshipers dead. It will receive the award for "friendship and solidarity with the American Muslim community."
The Islamic Society of Joplin, Mo., was destroyed by a suspicious fire that same month after an unsuccessful arson attempt in July that was caught on a surveillance camera. Its award is for "courage in the face of adversity."
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad recently visited both sites during a multi-state tour of communities targeted by hate.
Preceding the banquet, CAIR's day-long Leadership Skills Training Conference will be held in the same hotel (Crystal Gateway Marriott), and includes workshops such as"Community Emergency Preparedness," in which leaders and activists will learn what practical steps they can take to protect mosques and other Islamic institutions from the growing number of hate crimes targeting Muslims and how to respond in a crisis.
Other workshops include "Answering Tough Questions About Sharia," "Strategies for Challenging Anti-Islam Legislation and Campaigns," and "Maximizing the Muslim Vote in the 2012 Elections."
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
Register online TODAY for CAIR's leadership training conference and annual banquet on September 29 in Arlington, Va.
Registration for the banquet and the leadership skills training conference CLICK HERE.

Banquet tables for a family, business, mosque, or other group, may be reserved by calling 202-488-8787 or by emailing banquet@cair.com.


Please help support our work.
DONATE

Posted by at No comments:

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY:
Dr. Jamal al-Barzinji to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at CAIR Banquet
American Muslim pioneer to be honored for 'dedication to community service'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/25/12) –- On Saturday, September 29, Dr. Jamal al-Barzinji will receive the "2012 Lifetime Achievement in Community Service Award" atCAIR's annual banquet at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
CAIR's award to Dr. al-Barzinji is for "a lifelong dedication to community service and for pioneering the development of Islamic thought in the United States and worldwide."
"Dr. al-Barzinji has been a groundbreaking pioneer in a number of fields that have advanced beneficial knowledge in our nation and in the world community," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We are honored to be in a position to recognize his many positive achievements."
Dr. al-Barzinji is a founding member and vice president of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in Virginia. He has more than 40 years of experience in the development and leadership of diverse business, educational, political, and charitable organizations such as Mar-Jac Poultry, Amana Mutual Funds and Bank Islam Malaysia. Dr. al-Barzinji also holds leading positions with the International Islamic University Malaysia and North American Islamic Trust (NAIT).
He is a founding member of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS) and the Association of Muslim Scientists & Engineers (AMSE) and has served as advisor and consultant to various educational, charitable and professional organizations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remaining tickets for CAIR's banquet and Leadership Skills Training Conference are selling out FAST. No tickets will be sold at the door, so reserve your spot for the banquet and conference RIGHT AWAY.
With the theme "Upholding Our Constitution, Defending Our Faith," the September 29th evening banquet will feature the Rev. Al Sharpton as the keynote speaker.
Preceding the banquet, CAIR's day-long Leadership Skills Training Conference will be held in the same hotel (Crystal Gateway Marriott), and includes workshops such as"Community Emergency Preparedness," in which leaders and activists will learn what practical steps they can take to protect mosques and other Islamic institutions from the growing number of hate crimes targeting Muslims and how to respond in a crisis.
Other workshops include "Answering Tough Questions About Sharia," "Strategies for Challenging Anti-Islam Legislation and Campaigns," and "Maximizing the Muslim Vote in the 2012 Elections."
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
Register online TODAY for CAIR's leadership training conference and annual banquet on September 29 in Arlington, Va.
Registration for the banquet and the leadership skills training conference CLICK HERE.

Banquet tables for a family, business, mosque, or other group, may be reserved by calling 202-488-8787 or by emailing banquet@cair.com.


Please help support our work.
DONATE

Posted by at No comments:

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, September 20, 2012


MEDIA ADVISORY
CAIR Rep to Speak at Interfaith Open House for Vandalized Va. Mosque
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/16/12) -- Later today, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) National Executive Director Nihad Awad will speak at an interfaith open house scheduled in response to recent hate vandalism targeting a mosque in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.
Event organizers say some 600 people have confirmed through Facebook that they will attend the open house. Other speakers include a representative of a local Christian school also targeted by vandals.
WHAT: Interfaith Open House at Vandalized Va. Mosque
WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 4:30-6 p.m.
WHERE: Islamic Association of the Shenandoah Valley, 1330 Country Club Rd. Harrisonburg Va.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com
The Islamic Center of the Shenandoah Valley in Harrisonburg, Va., was vandalized sometime Thursday night with obscene hate graffiti, including racial slurs against African-Americans and vulgar references to Iraqis. The FBI has been contacted about the incident.
On Friday, CAIR called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the vandalism at the mosque as a possible hate crime.
CAIR's Washington state chapter recently held a news conference in Seattle to call for a bias crime investigation of hate graffiti, including the slurs "sand n**gers," "doon [sic] coons," scrawled on a rental vehicle used by a group of Seattle-area Muslims on a recent vacation trip to Chelan, Wash.
[NOTE: "Sand n**ger" is a slur used to target those perceived to be Muslim or Arab-American. "Doon coon" is an apparent reference to the stereotypical belief that all Muslims originate in deserts, therefore the misspelled reference to "dunes."]
CAIR's Minnesota chapter recently called for an investigation of a suspicious fire outside a mosque in South Minneapolis. Muslim graves in Illinois were also desecrated with hate graffiti for the second time in one month.
CAIR: Muslim Grave Site Vandalized Again (Chicago Trib)
CAIR has seen an increase in hate incidents targeting American Muslims in the aftermath of the deadly attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
Recent incidents included shots fired at a mosque in Morton Grove, Ill., an acid bomb thrown at an Islamic school in Lombard, Ill., a mosque burned to the ground in Joplin, Mo., vandals spraying an Oklahoma mosque with paintballs, pig legs thrown at a mosque site in California, and a firebomb thrown at a Muslim family's home in Panama City, Fla.
Muslim individuals and institutions are being asked to review advice on security procedures in CAIR's "Community Security and Safety Tips."
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.



Please help support our work.
DONATE

Posted by at No comments:

CAIR
CAIR Asks Feds to Consider Charges in Harassment of Conn. Muslim
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/17/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is today calling on the FBI to consider federal charges against a Connecticut man who allegedly threatened to assault a Muslim woman in that state because of her religious heritage.
GOOD NEWS ALERT:
Learn Crisis Management Skills at CAIR's Leadership Conference
Massive turnout of interfaith support for vandalized Virginia mosque
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/17/12) -- Yesterday, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad spoke at an interfaith rally in support of a mosque in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley targeted by hate vandalism. Hundreds of people turned out at the event in Harrisonburg, Va. Following a CAIR request, the FBI is now investigating the hate incident.
WHAT CAIR HAS DONE: Since the crisis over the anti-Islam film began, CAIR's staff nationwide has conducted hundreds of media interviews in which they condemned the violent protests and called for calm. CAIR's statements were heard by millions of people in the United States and the Muslim world on media outlets such as Al Jazeera, Associated Press, the BBC, CNN, NBC, and many others. CAIR was the first organization to issue a statement urging that the anti-Islam film be ignored. We also held a news conference with national Muslim leaders in Washington, D.C., to condemn the killing of our ambassador in Libya issued a video appeal in Arabic clarifying that the American government should not be blamed for the film.
Other speakers at the rally in support of the Islamic Center of the Shenandoah Valley included public officials and a representative of a local Christian school also targeted by vandals.
In the last two months, a number of local Muslim communities were forced to respond quickly to similar incidents.
CAIR has seen an increase in hate incidents targeting American Muslims in the aftermath of the deadly attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Recent incidents included shots fired at a mosque in Morton Grove, Ill., an acid bomb thrown at an Islamic school in Lombard, Ill., a mosque burned to the ground in Joplin, Mo., vandals spraying an Oklahoma mosque with paintballs, pig legs thrown at a mosque site in California, and a firebomb thrown at a Muslim family's home in Panama City, Fla.
With each of these incidents came the urgent need for a coordinated and pro-active community response. While CAIR can and does help communities during times of crisis, it is also important that community leaders have the necessary crisis communications skills to deal with such incidents when they occur.
On September 29, CAIR will host a day-long Leadership Skills Training Conference at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., which includes workshops such as "Community Emergency Preparedness," in which leaders and activists will learn what practical steps they can take to protect mosques and other Islamic institutions from the growing number of hate crimes targeting Muslims and how to respond in a crisis.
Other workshops include "Answering Tough Questions About Sharia," "Strategies for Challenging Anti-Islam Legislation and Campaigns," and "Maximizing the Muslim Vote in the 2012 Elections."
In the evening after the leadership conference, Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the nation's most respected civil rights leaders, will offer the keynote address at CAIR's annual banquet.
With the theme "Upholding Our Constitution, Defending Our Faith," the evening banquet will also feature Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Imam Siraj Wahhaj. Comedian Azhar Usman will provide entertainment.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: In past years, CAIR's leadership conference and banquet were both sold out. No tickets will be sold at the door, so reserve your place right away.]
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
Register online today for CAIR's leadership training conference and annual banquet on September 29 in Arlington, Va.
Posted by at No comments:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Issues Report on August Spike in Anti-Mosque Incidents
Report comes in wake of new mosque vandalism, one day before Senate hearing on hate crimes
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/2012) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today issued a preliminary report on a spike in anti-mosque incidents that occurred in late August following a massacre of Sikh worshippers in Oak Creek, Wis.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports that in the 13-day period between August 6 and August 18, there were eight incidents in which Muslim places of worship were targeted. As a comparison, in the first seven months of 2012 there were 10 such incidents.
CAIR's report comes one day before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights plans to hold a hearing on hate crimes and domestic extremism. It comes just after a mosque in Virginia was vandalized in an apparent bias incident.
CAIR's Chicago chapter is hosting a public viewing of the Senate hearing chaired by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).
In the report, CAIR observes that an apparent tolerance of anti-Muslim discourse in mainstream society was "comfortably on display" in the weeks preceding the spike. As evidence, CAIR cites comments from mosque opponents in Tennessee, significant financial support for a candidate for Congress based on her anti-Islam stance, Islamophobic remarks by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), and a private meeting between Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Islamophobe Gen. Jerry Boykin.
CAIR also notes that, in addition to the tragic massacre of Sikhs in Oak Creek, a guard at a conservative Christian organization was wounded and an Arab Christian church in Michigan was vandalized during the same time period.
"Attacks on churches, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, or any other places of spiritual reflection are anathema to a nation built on a foundation of free religious expression," said report author Corey Saylor, CAIR's national legislative director. "Our nation would be well served if our political leaders repudiate Islamophobic fear-mongering in the same way they reject white supremacist and anti-Semitic rhetoric."
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 National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857,csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com


Please help support our work.
DONATE


Posted by at No comments:

CAIR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Video: CAIR Releases Yoruba Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims' Protests
English subtitles added to re-release of Arabic anti-Islam film appeal
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released a video appeal in Yoruba, a language spoken by more than 20 million people, to those protesting an anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
[NOTE: This is the second in a planned series of such videos to be released by CAIR. See below.*]
In the CAIR video, Imam AbduSemih Tadese of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh tells viewers in West Africa that the U.S. government has described the film as "distasteful" for its offensive caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. (NOTE: The appeal was produced for CAIR by Take1Media of Cleveland, Ohio.)
The imam states:
"It is clear that the motive behind the film is to enrage Muslims and to display a hatred of Islam. However, Muslims need to demonstrate good behavior as our Prophet (peace be upon him) dealt harmoniously with people. I hereby appeal to our scholars to calm down the youth and encourage people to cultivate exemplary behavior as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches."
He goes on to say: "I want to remind you of the words of God in the Quran: 'Hold to forgiveness; enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.'" [The Holy Quran 7:199]
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO.
*On Saturday, CAIR released a similar video appeal in Arabic. In it, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad tells viewers in the Middle East that ordinary Americans and the U.S. government should not be blamed for the religious hatred expressed in the film.
Today, CAIR released an updated version of that Arabic video with English subtitles.
Last week, CAIR condemned the killings of American diplomats in Libya and said that extremists must not be allowed to control the political and religious discourse worldwide.
CAIR made that statement at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at which representatives of CAIR and other Muslim organizations condemned both the killings of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other diplomats in that nation and the attack on the American embassy in Egypt.
CAIR had previously called on Muslims in the Middle East to ignore the distribution of the "trashy" anti-Islam film that resulted in the attacks in Libya, Egypt and other nations throughout the Muslim world.
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.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)