Sunday, April 28, 2013


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  • CAIR Action Alert: Tell Congress that Immigration Reform Should Ban All Forms of Profiling
    CAIR welcomes the recent immigration reform bill, S. 744, which provides a pathway to citizenship for the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants. Section 3305 of the bill is a valuable first step that requires expansion to protect the rights of all Americans from racial profiling by law enforcement – a problem that disproportionately impacts immigrant and minority communities. While banning the use of race or ethnicity by federal law enforcement officers, S. 744 fails to prohibit profiling based on religion or national origin and includes troubling exemptions in cases of national security and border protection.
  • CAIR: A Test of Attitudes Toward American Muslims Yields Hopeful Outcome (AP)
    Muslim civil rights leaders say the anti-Islam reaction has been more muted this time than after other attacks since Sept. 11, which had sparked outbursts of vandalism, harassment and violence. Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which monitors bias and hate crimes against Muslims, said his organization has seen no uptick in reports of harassment, assaults or damage to mosques since the April 15 bombings. Leaders noted a larger, broader chorus of Americans warning against placing collective blame.
  • Threat of Jihadist-Inspired Homegrown Terror Remains Small (Boston Globe)
    Put simply, Americans can be reassured that the terrorism threat posed by Muslims residing in the United States remains small.
  • CAIR-California: 2nd Annual "Muslim Day at the Capitol" on Tuesday
    On Tuesday, April 30, members of the California Muslim community will participate in the 2nd Annual "Muslim Day at the Capitol." This event seeks to promote community engagement in local politics and to enable attendees to discuss issues of concern to the Muslim community, including civil rights and immigration, with legislators. The day will include a series of appointments with state representatives and senators. CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo, 626.252.0885, E-Mail: zbilloo@cair.com; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh, 715.851.4851, E-Mail: ynouh@cair.com
  • CAIR: Calif. Muslims to Join Japanese Americans in Manzanar Camp Pilgrimage
    On Friday, April 26th, members of the Japanese-American and Muslim community will participate in the 8th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
  • Internships Available with CAIR-St. Louis
  • CAIR: Not 'Brainwashed' - U.S. Women Who Converted to Islam Speak Out (NBC)
    Schreiber, who is a community outreach and events coordinator for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, says she was drawn to the religion after meeting other Muslims on her trip abroad before graduating from St. Mary's College of Maryland in 2009. 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Okla. Mosque Vandalism as Part of Boston 'Backlash'
(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 4/27/13) -- The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a second incident of vandalism targeting a mosque in that state to determine whether it is backlash from the recent Boston Marathon bombings.
CAIR-OK said the American Muslim Association building in Oklahoma City was vandalized with obscenities early Saturday. The FBI says the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
In 2012, vandals fired numerous paintballs at the doors of mosque. The attack, which the mosque's director first thought was a volley of bullets, was captured on surveillance video.
CAIR said there have been two violent incidents targeting American Muslims following the Boston bombings, including a mother of Middle Eastern heritage wearing an Islamic headscarf (hijab) who was assaulted in Malden, Mass., by a white male shouting anti-Muslim slurs, and a Bangladeshi man who was beaten hours after the Boston Marathon bombing by attackers who called him "a f**king Arab."
"We call on the FBI to determine whether or not there was a bias motive for this vandalism and if it is linked to anti-Muslim backlash resulting from the Boston Marathon bombings," said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani.
He said CAIR-OK, the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Conference of Churches recently sought prayers for those whose lives have been impacted by the bombings in Boston.
CAIR-OK has recently voiced concerns over growing incidences of Anti-Muslim rhetoric at the state capitol and the formation of a counter-terrorism caucus targeted at demonizing the Oklahoma Muslim community.
CAIR-OK also recently called on Muslims and all other Americans who value civil liberties to contact Governor Mary Fallin to ask that she not sign a bill, the sponsors of which admit was designed to attack the religious principles of Islam. Gov. Fallin later signed that bill into law. 
Soltani urged Muslim individuals and Islamic institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
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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Wednesday, April 24, 2013


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hate Crimes in MA, NY Follow Boston Bombings 
Rights group urges Muslims, Islamic institutions to review safety procedures
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/18/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said hate incidents in Massachusetts and New York occurred following the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon.
CAIR reports that a mother of Middle Eastern heritage wearing an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, was assaulted yesterday morning in Malden, Mass., by a white male shouting anti-Muslim slurs.
The victim told CAIR the attack occurred when she was walking with another Muslim woman also wearing hijab, while both were pushing baby strollers. She said the alleged attacker shouted, "F*** you, f*** Muslims, you are terrorists," and struck her forcefully on the shoulder. The man, who appeared to be in his 30s, also reportedly made statements blaming Muslims for the Boston Marathon bombings.
Local police were on the scene within minutes after the woman called 911 on her cell phone. CAIR has been in communication with the Malden Police Department about the attack.
"We thank the Malden Police Department for its swift and professional response to this incident and urge national law enforcement authorities to be aware of the potential for other such attacks," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "American Muslims, along with all other Americans, are grieving the tragic deaths in Boston. Hate incidents are troubling, but have thankfully been isolated."
In a second incident, a Bangladeshi man was beaten hours after the Boston Marathon bombing by attackers who called him "a f**king Arab." The victim was punched in the head and body, resulting in a dislocated shoulder.
Immediately after the Boston bombings, CAIR issued a call for prayers and blood donations for the victims.
Hooper said CAIR is urging Muslim individuals and Islamic institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
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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 U.S. Muslim Leaders to React to Boston Bombing Developments
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/19/13) –- Leaders from the national and Washington-area Muslim community will hold a noon news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to offer reaction to ongoing developments in the Boston Marathon bombings, including the naming of suspects who are apparently Muslim.
WHAT: American Muslim News Conference on Developments in Boston Marathon Bombings
WHEN: Friday, April 19, Noon (Eastern)
WHERE: Lisagor Room, National Press Club, 13th Floor, National Press Building, 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com
"We must remain united as a nation as we face those who would carry out such heinous and inexcusable crimes," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We thank local, state and national law enforcement authorities for their diligence in bringing the perpetrators to justice and offer condolences to the loved ones of the officers killed and injured in efforts to detain the suspects."
Awad reiterated the American Muslim community's consistent condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.
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
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR: Americans Will Remain United in Face of Boston Terror Developments
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/19/13) -- Representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today joined other leaders from the national and Washington-area Muslim community at a news conference in Washington, D.C., to state that Americans will remain united in face of developments in the Boston Marathon bombings that include the naming of suspects who are reportedly Muslim.
Organizations represented at the news conference included: (In alphabetical order.)
  • Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
  • Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
  • Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
  • Masjid Muhammad (Washington, D.C.)
  • Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
In his prepared statement at the National Press Club news conference, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
"Americans are united today in condemning terrorism and in the conviction that those responsible for the terrorist attacks in Boston must face justice. This cowardly attack resulted in the murders of an eight-year-old-boy and two women, and the wounding of many others. As God tells us in the Quran, if you murder one person, it is as if you murdered all of humanity.
"While we are outraged at the terrorists, we have been inspired by the unity of Americans of all backgrounds. We are a resilient people. Now that we know the identity of the perpetrators, this unity is ever more important.
"We will show the terrorists that their plan to sow division and distrust has failed. People of goodwill are not afraid. America will stay united. We will not turn on each other in the acts of false vengeance we have witnessed after other tragedies in the past.
"American Muslims thank law enforcement for their diligent efforts to protect all our nation's citizens. We send our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the MIT police officer killed overnight and our prayers are with the law enforcement official who was wounded.
"We reiterate the American Muslim community's consistent condemnation of terrorismin all its forms."
CAIR is urging Muslim individuals and Islamic institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Decries Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Rhetoric on Boston Bombing 
Muslim civil rights group says Americans have rejected calls to stereotype
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/23/13) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today decried the wave of inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric following the Boston Marathon bombings and the revelation that the suspects in the case are Muslim.
CAIR also noted that Americans of all faiths have rejected the call by a minority of extremists to stereotype Muslims and Islam.
While at least two anti-Muslim hate attacks were linked to the bombings, CAIR says it has not received any reports of violent bias-motivated incidents since the suspects were identified.
"We believe it is a positive sign that the vast majority of Americans have rejected the type of guilt by association advocated by extremist commentators seeking to exploit the tragic events in Boston to further their personal agendas," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "As a nation, we have learned to judge a person based on their actions, not on their faith or ethnicity."
Awad said the recent spike in hate rhetoric comes in the wake of a coordinated long-term effort by Islamophobic activists and groups to demonize Islam and marginalize American Muslims.
Just after last week's bombings, CAIR issued a call for prayers and blood donations for the victims, and CAIR chapters nationwide have organized community events to condemn the attacks and show support for the victims.
CAIR-MI: Muslims Condemn Boston Marathon Bombings (Detroit News)
CAIR also called on Fox News to sever ties with a regular guest who tweeted "Let's kill them [Muslims] all" in response to the blasts.
Thousands of emails were sent to Fox News executives through a CAIR action alert.
CONTACT FOX: (As always, be POLITE and respectful.)
Since the bombings and Friday's arrest of a suspect, Fox News turned to commentators like Frank Gaffney, who claim Muslim cooperation with the FBI weakens national security, and ACT! for America leader Hanah Kahwagi Tudor (a.k.a "Brigitte Gabrie"), who claims an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen" and that Islam is the "real enemy."
Other right-wing commentators have exploited the Boston bombings to promote their own pre-existing political and religious agendas.
Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who is notorious for sponsoring a series of Islamophobic congressional hearings, called for increased law enforcement surveillance of law-abiding American Muslims.
Former congressman Joe Walsh of Illinois called for the profiling of all "young Muslim men."
A New York state legislator called for the torture of the suspect who was apprehended.
Right-wing columnist Ann Coulter said she would like to see the alleged bomber's widow in jail for "wearing a hijab (Islamic head scarf)."
Fox News host Bob Beckel recommended barring all Muslim students from coming to the United States.
Televangelist Pat Robertson even compared Islam to Nazism.
SEE: Controversial Televangelist Compares Islam to Nazism
Comedian Adam Carolla told Fox News that Muslims 'hate our culture' and a radio host called for banning anyone who believes in the Quran, Islam's revealed text, from the United States.
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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Wednesday, April 17, 2013


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Says Torture Report Shows Need to Stop 'Erosion of American Principles'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/17/13) – The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today said that a nonpartisan, independent review of post-9/11 interrogation and detention programs, which concludes that "it is indisputable that the United States engaged in the practice of torture" shows a need to stop the "disturbing erosion of American principles."
The 577-page report by an 11-member panel convened by the Constitution Project and releasedon Tuesday, says the use of torture "damaged the standing of our nation, reduced our capacity to convey moral censure when necessary and potentially increased the danger to U.S. military personnel taken captive." According to the report, there is "no firm or persuasive evidence" that torture produced information that could not have been obtained by other means.
The panel studied how prisoners were treated at the Guantánamo Bay detention center, in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in CIA prisons. Panelists visited a number of detention sites and interviewed dozens of officials and former detainees. An appendix to the report explains why what the United States did was torture and outlines cases in which similar treatment was prosecuted or denounced as torture by American officials when used by other countries.
In a statement responding to the report's conclusions, CAIR National Executive director Nihad Awad said:
"The troubling yet unsurprising conclusions of this nonpartisan report clearly show a disturbing erosion of American principles in the post-9/11 era that must be reversed.
"Our national principles are the force that brought America to the international stature it enjoys today. CAIR and other civil rights organizations have long maintained that our government crossed the line by deciding to torture post-9/11 detainees and that this decision has been a stain on our national honor.
"CAIR appreciates the Constitution Project's willingness to examine an issue that has largely been ignored by official Washington. The panel's findings are sobering, including the conclusion that some techniques used on detainees constitute torture, that our nation's highest officials bear responsibility for this, and that the use of torture appears to have generated little to no information of value.
"This report is not the product of a desire to score political points. It is a methodical and factual examination of how our nation lost its way and what we might do to correct past errors.

"CAIR calls on national leaders to take corrective action, beginning with the renewal of CAIR's call for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and by prosecuting officials who broke our nation's laws and ignored treaties prohibiting detainee abuse."
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Tuesday, April 16, 2013


CAIR Action Alert #691:
Ask Fox News to Drop Contributor Who Tweeted 'Kill' All Muslims
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/16/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Fox News to sever ties with a contributor who tweeted "Let's kill them [Muslims] all" in response to yesterday's deadly Boston Marathon bombings.
CAIR, which issued a call for prayers and blood donations for the victims, says regular Fox News contributor Erik Rush tweeted his "kill them all" comment after being asked, "Are you already blaming Muslims?" He responded, "Yes, they're evil. Let's kill them all." Rush later deleted his tweet, calling it "sarcasm." In subsequent tweets, he called critics of the "kill" comment "idiots," "Islamic apologist worms" and "vermin." [NOTE: After the controversy began, Fox said Rush is not a paid employee, only a guest.]
"No media outlet that wishes to be viewed as objective or credible should employ an individual who calls for religious genocide," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We urge Fox News to signal its rejection of bigotry and hatred by dropping Mr. Rush from its contributor list."
He added: "The actions of an individual or individuals -- no matter who the culprit is -- should never be used to cast racist or bigoted stereotypes on an entire race, ethnicity or religion? Doing so is not only unacceptable in journalism, but unacceptable as Americans."
Awad noted that Rush has written commentaries attacking the faith of Islam. Last year, he wrote an article, titled "Yes, Islam is an enemy," arguing that Islam is incompatible with American society.
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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