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MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR-LA: Calif. Muslim to Detail No-Fly List 'Nightmare' Pomona med student stranded for two weeks in Bangkok after asking for attorney during questioning

(ANAHEIM, CA, 6/28/13) -- Later today, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will hold a news conference with Rehan Motiwala, a 29-year-old medical student from Pomona, Calif., who returned to California today after he was barred from the United States by being placed on the no-fly list.

WHAT: CAIR-LA to Hold News Conference with Calif. Muslim Stranded by No-Fly List
WHEN: Friday, June 28, 4:30 p.m. (Pacific)
WHERE: CAIR-LA Office, 2180 W. Crescent Avenue, Suite F, Anaheim, CA
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh, 714-776-1847 or 714-851-4851, or info@losangeles@cair.com

CAIR-LA took up the case after Motiwala, an American citizen, was stranded at the Bangkok airport when he declined to answer the questions of U.S. officials without a lawyer present. He was finally granted permission to fly out of Bangkok this morning. 

Motiwala was detained for several hours earlier today on his arrival at LAX. He will outline his two-week ordeal at the CAIR-LA news conference.

CAIR: Secret No-Fly List Blamed for Bangkok Nightmare (LA Times)

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.

Video: CAIR Rep Discusses Muslim Citizens on No-Fly List with MSNBC's Chris Hayes
CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from Returning to U.S.
CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.

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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