Monday, March 17, 2014

CAIR Action Alert
Action: Call on GOP Women's Group to Stop Promoting Anti-Muslim Speakers
National Federation of Republican Women promotes ACT! for America and other hate groups
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/11/2014) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and all those concerned about the proliferation of Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry in our society to contact the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) to ask the group to end its support of anti-Muslim organizations and speakers. [NFRW claims to be "one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the country."]
CAIR's request comes in the wake of a letter it sent to NFRW leaders asking them to institute internal reforms to end the promotion of bigotry and following an announcement that the Lake Federated Republican Women's Club in Leesburg, Fla. -- an NFRW affiliate -- will host Islamophobe Jonathan Matusitz at an event on Wednesday.
In a video released recently by CAIR-FL, Matusitz says:
  • "Coexistence with Islam is not possible."
  • "My colleagues say Islam is a religion of peace. I say it's a religion of pieces -- piece of body here, piece of body there."
  • "When I see those 'coexist' bumper stickers on cars, I laugh because I think it's ridiculous."
  • "Anybody with a fraction of a brain should be afraid of Islam because it's a dangerous doctrine."
On February 12, 2014, CAIR wrote to NFRW President Kathy Brugger to seek clarification of the group's views of American Muslims. In that letter, CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor noted, "CAIR researchers have found a troubling trend of anti-Muslim sentiment in materials on your organization's web site and in activities of NFRW clubs."
In his letter, Saylor also wrote:
"NFRW clubs have a record of hosting speakers associated with anti-Muslim bias. The below events, all from 2013, are offered as an illustration:
  • New York's Nassau County Federation for Republican Women invited key U.S. Islamophobe Pamela Geller to give a presentation.
  • Iowa's Magic Valley Republican Women hosted an event alleging 'financial jihad' and a 'Sharia Effect through Wall Street Banking.'
  • California's Orange County Federation of Republican Women hosted Steve Martel of ACT! For America to lecture on the 'the true history, doctrines and goals of Sharia-compliant Islamists.'
  • When Harmeet Dhillon, a Sikh, ran for the position of vice chair of the California state Republican Party, Vera Eyzendooren, president of the San Bernardino County Federation of Republican Women, wrote, 'I was told by one of Harmeet's friends that because of her religion, her loyalty is to the Muslim religion. 'So she will defend a Muslim beheading two men without any hesitation ... she is not Republican.' In a welcome move, the California Federation of Republican Women opposed Eyzendooren's comments."
Saylor followed up on February 18, saying he had subsequently been informed that the Bainbridge Island Republican Women in Washington state -- another NFRW affiliate -- hosted an anti-Muslim speaker on February 12.

The federation has not acknowledged receipt of CAIR's letter or the emails following it up, and has not taken any visible action to end its promotion of anti-Muslim prejudice.
Contact the National Federation of Republican Women and ask the organization to end its promotion of anti-Muslim speakers and its alliance with hate groups like ACT! for America.
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CONTACT: CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com

  • CAIR-NY Holds 2nd Muslim Day at the Capitol in Albany
    More than 50 members of the New York Muslim community participated in yesterday's 2nd Annual "Muslim Day at the Capitol," a program of that state's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY).
  • CAIR Action Alert: Help Defeat New Anti-Free Speech Resolution in Maryland
    An attempt is being made to by Maryand Delegate Ben Kramer to pass a newly-worded anti-free speech resolution that labels the American Studies Association, human rights advocates and supporters of the international Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement aimed at challenging Israel's occupation of Palestinian Territories as "anti-Semitic."
  • CAIR-CA: Islamic Center Delayed Over 'Environmental Concerns'
    Fatima Dadabhoy of CAIR said project supporters look forward to working through the environmental report process with the county.
  • CAIR: Anti-Muslim Speakers Popular in Law Enforcement Training (RNS)
    While Muslim-American activists and media reports have raised awareness about anti-Muslim trainers, occasionally resulting in curriculum reviews and canceled classes, many say the problem persists because there are too few police administrators to properly vet courses and instructors. The consequences, critics add, go beyond political incorrectness and include undermining public safety and obscuring real dangers as police officers chase bad leads based on profiling.
  • CAIR-FL Says Three Permanent Residents Not Allowed to Return to US
    CAIR-FL says Russian Authorities reportedly told the brothers- Khusen, Umar and Khasan Taramov that '"the American side" had put in a request to keep them off the flight,' when they tried to board a plane to the United States in December.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Major Muslim Groups Launch New Council at D.C. News Conference
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/12/14) – Ten* major national American Muslim organizations held a news conference today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to announce the formation of the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), an umbrella group that will serve as a representative voice for Muslims as that faith community seeks to enhance its positive impact on society.
The new national council's first priority will be to build on Muslim citizenship rights by conducting a census of American Muslims to create a database that will be used to enhance civic and political participation in upcoming elections.
Organizations participating in the initial launch included: (More organizations may be added at a later date.)
The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed), Muslim American Society (MAS), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North American (ICNA), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), The Mosque Foundation (Chicago)
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CONTACT: USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal, 708-288-1914, 202-683-6557, secretary_general@uscmo.org




  • CAIR Protests Closures of Muslims' Bank Accounts (MintPress News)

    According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota chapter, America's largestMuslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, the closure of bank accounts belonging to Minnesota Muslims of Somali, Middle Eastern and South Asian origin, largely occurred between 2012 and 2013. ...

    Though it's not known how many denial-of-banking letters have been issued nationwide, according to CAIR's Michigan office, several members of the Islamic community have had their accounts closed by Chase Bank, which is why Abd Alla says CAIR-MN is "collaborating with other CAIR chapters to bring a national complaint against TCF, Chase and other banks who have violated civil rights laws."


  • CAIR-FL: Muslim Groups say ERAU Guest Spews Hatred (News-Journal)

    Professor Jonathan Matusitz of the University of Central Florida maintains that "coexistence with Islam is not possible," citing extremist groups responsible for mass violence, including attacks in Syria and Egypt in recent weeks. In a recent public appearance he said Islam is "a religion of pieces -- piece of body here, piece of body there." He will be discussing his views and fielding questions Thursday night as part of the annual President's Speaker Series, which covers topics ranging from aviation to education. ...

    Embry-Riddle officials have received a wave of emails over the past few days from people who take issue with his stance. Hassan Shibly, Florida executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil liberties group, described Matusitz's statements about Muslims as "un-American."

  • CAIR-MN: The Shahzaib Bajwa Story - A Family Gives Thanks (Star Tribune)

    The Duluth Muslim community has been very helpful throughout this time, even though it is a small group of people. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota, was very instrumental in making this happen in a short span of time and has guided me at each step.
  • CAIR-MN: Twin Cities Leaders Win Bush Foundation Grants (Pioneer Press)

    Lori Saroya of Blaine is co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota. She will use the money to pursue a master's in nonprofit management.

  • CAIR-OK Commentary: Mandating the Pledge of Allegiance (Oklahoma Gazette)

    Indeed, a true sign of patriotism is to uphold the tenets of the Pledge of Allegiance in ensuring liberty and justice for all and not merely mandating its recital. Upholding our Constitution is the most patriotic thing that we, as Oklahomans of diverse faiths and ethnicities, could possibly do.

  • CAIR-AZ: Anti-Defamation League Exploits Fear of Muslims
    The ADL's comments sparked pushback from the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Arizona.

  • Video: CAIR-MN Rep Interviewed on St. Paul Police Dept. Hijab Policy (TPT)
    Kandra Mohamed is a new community officer for the St. Paul Police Department. She made history this week by becoming the first to wear the departments approved hijab headscarf. Lori Saroya with CAIR-MN explained to us the role of the hijab in Muslim culture.
  • CAIR: Dead Men Tell No Tales (This American Life)
    Last May, a weird story made the news: the FBI killed a guy in Florida who was loosely linked to the Boston Marathon bombings. He was shot seven times in his living room by a federal agent. What really happened? Why was the FBI even in that room with him? A reporter spent six months looking into it, and she found that the FBI was doing a bunch of things that never made the news. 
  • Islamophobia Watch: Fox News Hosts Call Quran a 'Bad Book,' Islam 'Most Intolerant Religion' 
    Co-host Bob Beckel said. "I think Sharia law is a waste of time anyway, it's a goof, and it was handed down in a bad book.
  • A Frat of Their Own: Muslims Create a New Space on Campus (NPR)
  • MO: Islamic Cab Driver in Court Over Clothing
  • Watch CAIR's Latest Video News Update
    Topics Include: CAIR Urges Cancellation of Anti-Muslim Event in Fla. | CAIR Convinces Va. Agency to Drop Accreditation for Anti-Muslim Trainer | CAIR-WA Calls for Hate Crime Probe of hate Vandalism | CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Hate Incidents Targeting Colo. Muslims | CAIR-MI Decries Use of 'A-Word' | CAIR Rep on Chinese TV to Discuss Discrimination Against Muslims | CAIR Rep on Russian TV to Talk About Muslims in the Military | CAIR-FL Rep Interviewed on Growing Number of Hispanic Muslims | CAIR Director Speaks at Capitol Hill News Conference on Persecution of Muslims in Burma

  • CAIR-FL: FIU's Muslim Students Found a Listening Device in Their Mosque
    The students quickly contacted Nezar Hamze, the regional operations director CAIR-Florida. Hamze says he contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Justice, and FIU's campus police. He also says he took the device to a spy store, where a clerk confirmed the gadget was the kind of expensive surveillance device used by the government.
  • CAIR: A Small Town in West Virginia Responds to Anti-Muslim Sentiment (AJAM)
    Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), disagrees with the sheriff's assessment. "This incident is absolutely a hate crime," he said. "You have people writing explicitly anti-Islam statements on a mosque."
MEDIA ADVISORY
U.S. Muslim Groups to Launch New Council with Political Census
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/10/14) -- On Wednesday, March 12, eight* major national American Muslim organizations will hold a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to announce the formation of the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), an umbrella group that will serve as a representative voice for Muslims as that faith community seeks to enhance its positive impact on society.
The new national council's first priority will be to build on Muslim citizenship rights by conducting a census of American Muslims to create a database that will be used to enhance political participation in upcoming elections.
WHAT: Major National Groups to Announce Launch of US Council of Muslim Organizations
WHEN: Wednesday, March 12, 1 p.m. (Eastern)
WHERE: Murrow Room, National Press Club, 13th Floor, National Press Building, 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal, 708-288-1914, 202-683-6557, secretary_general@uscmo.org
In a statement prior to the planned launch, USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal said:
"A national council unifying Muslims in the United States has long been a dream of our community. The goal of the US Council of Muslim Organizations is to help strengthen relationships among the member organizations in order to better serve members of the Muslim community and all Americans.
"A detailed census will allow the larger Muslim community to better participate in our nation's political process."
* Organizations participating in the initial launch include: (More organizations may be added at a later date.)
  • The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed)
  • Muslim American Society (MAS)
  • American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
  • Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
  • Islamic Circle of North American (ICNA)
  • Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA)
  • Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA)
  • Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA)

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR-MN Welcomes New St. Paul Police Hijab Policy

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 3/1/14) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a new St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) policy that allows Muslim employees to wear a police-issued hijab (Islamic headscarf). SPPD recently became the first police department in the state to hire a female Muslim Community Liaison Officer.

SEE: St. Paul Police Now Allow Employees to Wear Hijab (AP)
St. Paul Police Academy Aims To Woo East African Recruits

"We congratulate Chief Smith and the St. Paul Police Department for creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for Muslim employees," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya. "This decision will enable more Muslim women to consider serving their community through a career in law enforcement."

Saroya said that Muslim women who wear the hijab sincerely believe it is their religious obligation and asking them to remove it is akin to asking them to remove a shirt or other piece of clothing.

CAIR publishes a booklet that outlines basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement agencies.
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-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com