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MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR to Unveil D.C. Anti-Muslim 'Savage' Ad Counter Campaign
Campaign designed to raise level of public discourse on Islam, Muslims

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/11/12) -- On Friday, October 12, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference at its Capitol Hill headquarters to unveil an advertising campaign designed to counter anti-Muslim "savage" advertisements sponsored by a designated hate group now on display in Washington, D.C., metro stations.

Video: CAIR Rep Says DC Anti-Muslim Ads Promote Bigotry

WHAT: CAIR to Unveil Anti-Muslim 'Savage' Ad Counter Campaign
WHEN: Friday, October 12, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

"Hate speech must be challenged wherever it appears, not with censorship but with more civil speech promoting mutual understanding," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Left unchallenged, hate of any kind harms our nation and can lead to bias crimes."

Awad recently took part in a multifaith rally in support of an Ohio mosque targeted by an armed arsonist.

Video: CAIR Director Speaks at Interfaith Rally for Burned Ohio Mosque

Today, CAIR called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for a fire at a Pennsylvania business owned by an Iranian-American. The building had allegedly been spray-painted with "Iran" and "terrorist."

SEE: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Fire at Pa. Business Tagged with 'Iran'

Pamela Geller, the sponsor of the hate ads, was recently the subject of a CAIR "Islamophobe profile" documenting the individuals and organizations involved in spreading anti-Muslim bias in the United States.

CAIR's profile of Geller states in part:

"Geller's organization Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA) is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which also named Geller as a member of the 'anti-Muslim inner circle.'"

Earlier this week, a broad-based coalition of 127 organizations -- led by CAIR, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Jewish Voice for Peace – DC Metro (JVP), and the Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace (WIAMEP) -- sent a letter to the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority (WMATA) expressing concern about Geller's advertisements.

SEE: Coalition Letter to WMATA Board Chair Catherine Hudgins

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