Video: CAIR-WA Muslim Lobby Day is Second-Largest in U.S.  Organizer Arsalan Bukhari of CAIR's Washington state chapter said the most important areas of concern are religious freedom, religious holidays and health care for all.  CAIR-WA: Rally Aims to Show that 'Muslims are Just Like Everyone Else' Hundreds Attend CAIR Inauguration Day Open House  Hundreds of people attended an Inauguration Day open house held yesterday at CAIR's Capitol Hill headquarters. (MORE) CAIR-FL: Diverse Paths to Embodying MLK's 'Dream' (Video) "The more time elapses, the more people are educated," said Ruiz, now a Coral Springs resident who serves as legal counsel for the South Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CAIR Receives Civil Rights Award at Muslim Inaugural Event (WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/22/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, received the first-ever Golden Minaret Award for "Excellence in Civil Rights" Sunday night at an event marking President Obama's second inauguration. CAIR National Legal Director Nadhira Al-Khalili received the award at the Muslim American Inaugural Benefit Gala held Sunday at the Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington, D.C. The gala was attended by elected and public officials, community leaders, activists, entertainers, and athletes. According to the event sponsors, the Golden Minaret Awards Program is "similar to the 'ALMA' or 'NAACP Image Awards'" and recognizes a cross section of American Muslims and their organizations and institutions. Areas of recognition include media and entertainment, medicine and civil rights.   Also during Sunday's event, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad presented Golden Minaret awards for education and youth leadership to the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST) and the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta. 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.