Monday, January 7, 2013


CAIR
CAIR-MI: Editor and Activist Marianna Kay Siblani Dies at 64
Besides her work at The Arab American News, Ms. Siblani also co-founded The Muslim Observer newspaper and was instrumental in establishing a local office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Dawud Walid, the executive director of CAIR-Michigan, said "our hearts are heavy today." Walid said Ms. Siblani was working at CAIR Michigan's office during the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2011, which was a difficult time for the local Arab-American and Muslim communities.
CAIR GOOD NEWS ALERT #687:
Good News: CAIR Welcomes Arrest in Fla. Walmart Shooting
8 tips came in within one hour of CAIR reward offer
(TAMPA, FLA., 1/4/13) -- The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today welcomed the arrest of 25-year-old Daniel P. Quinnell, a suspect in the apparently bias-motivated shooting of a man outside a Walmart in Lutz, Fla., on Wednesday.

The alleged victim and his female companion were walking to their car in the Walmart parking lot when a man approached them and asked the man if he was Muslim or from the Middle East. Surveillance video shows the man being shot at close range with a pellet gun. The perpetrator reportedly shouted the racial slur "n**ger with a white girl" during the attack.
Following release of the surveillance video and still photographs of the alleged attacker, law enforcement authorities received several tips. Quinnell has been charged with aggravated battery.
Yesterday, CAIR-FL offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the shooting. Authorities say eight tips came in within one hour of CAIR's reward offer.
"We welcome the arrest of a suspect in this troubling case and thank local law enforcement authorities for their prompt and professional actions," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly.
Shibly also thanked the media for publicizing the surveillance video and the community for responding with information about the suspect.
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad noted that the group national office offered a $10,000 reward last year for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the arson fire that destroyed the Islamic Society of Joplin in Joplin, Mo.
"We hope that successes similar to that of the arrest in the Walmart shooting incident can be achieved in cases such as the Joplin mosque fire," said Awad.
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization has initiated educational efforts to challenge growing Islamophobia nationwide.
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-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly, 813-541-4321,hshibly@cair.com; CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze, 954-673-9459,nhamze@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,ihooper@cair.com

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