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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Distributes Muslim Voter Registration Toolkit, State Voting Guides
Muslim civil rights group announces partnership with American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee to empower voters

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/22/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR) today released a Muslim voter registration toolkit and state-specific voting guides as part of its ongoing campaign to empower Muslims and increase their political capacity and presence in the 2012 elections.

CAIR also announced the formation of a national partnership with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) to coordinate voter empowerment and election activities. The two national organizations will work together on hosting voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, phone banks, town hall meetings, and candidate forums.

"CAIR is proud to partner with ADC in helping to strengthen the political voice of the diverse American Muslim and Arab-American communities in the November elections," saidCAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw. "The political empowerment of minority communities can only be accomplished through positive civic engagement and by building coalitions with other Americans who seek social justice."

ADC Legal Director Abed Ayoub said: "ADC welcomes the partnership with CAIR and is committed to strengthening the voice of our respective communities and constituents. The past few weeks have shed light on the discrimination and hate which still exists in this country. It is only through such partnerships and coalitions that a united voice can rise against the hate and bigotry."

McCaw said CAIR's voter registration toolkit offers step-by-step instructions for carrying out voter registration drives in mosques, Islamic centers and community gatherings.

CAIR's state-specific voting guides are designed to inform American Muslim voters about polling times and locations, how to register to vote, how to cast an absentee ballot, and about voter rights in each state. The Washington-based organization also released an updated presidential voter guide to ensure that Muslims are knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions on a variety of issues.

CAIR's year-long political empowerment campaign focuses on ensuring that American Muslims are actively participating in the 2012 election cycle and are connecting with candidates, volunteering in campaigns, registering to vote, hosting candidate forums, and mobilizing community members to vote.

SEE: CAIR's Rock the Vote-Sponsored Online Voter Registration Tool 
CAIR National Twitter Account (We're using the hashtag #MuslimsVote)

In July, ADC relaunched its Voter Protection Unit (VPU), a special unit dedicated to protecting Arab and American Muslims from attempts to intimidate or prevent their right to vote. To increase ADC-VPU's reach, CAIR will advertise ADC's voter protection services throughout the election.

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.

ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage.

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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, E-Mail: rmccaw@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, arubin@cair.com

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