• CAIR Welcomes Court Ruling Striking Down Okla. Anti-Islam Amendment
  The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today welcomed a federal court ruling permanently striking down an Oklahoma state constitutional amendment that would have banned state courts from consider "Sharia law" (Islamic principles) and "international law." 
• CAIR: 'Not in Mulberry' Group Protests Planned Quran Burnings
  Local protests can go a long way toward making sure a city doesn't earn a reputation for a small group's actions and put them in perspective, said the spokeswoman for CAIR, Amina Rubin ... CAIR, a national Islamic advocacy group that promotes mutual understanding, generally tries to ignore Jones and others like him, Rubin said.
• CAIR: PBS 'Life of Muhammad' Explores Diverse Opinions of Prophet (RNS)
  CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper said he welcomed educational materials about the prophet's life, though he hasn't seen the series. "Our research has consistently shown that a knowledge about Islam and Muslims in general is very low in our society," he said. "The corollary to that is that as people know more about Islam and Muslims from objective, fact-based sources, prejudice and stereotyping goes down."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Issues Video Appeal in Arabic for Release of Priest Held in Syria

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/15/13) -- Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), today issued a video appeal in Arabic calling for the release of Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, who has been missing and presumed kidnapped in Syria.

Video: CAIR Appeal for Release of Father Paolo Dall'Oglio

In his video appeal, Awad said: (Translation from the Arabic.)

"May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

"In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

"On behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and American Muslims, we call on the kidnappers of Father Paulo Dall'Oglio -- the 'priest of the revolution' as the Syrians have been calling him -- we call on his kidnappers to release him as soon as possible. And we call on them to spare the life of Father Paulo Dall'Oglio and to treat him well, in accordance with Islamic and Muslim ethics.

"I have known Father Paulo Dall'Oglio through his constant efforts supporting the Syrian people. I met him in Washington, D.C., in the United States during his distinguished panel discussion in support of the Syrian people and their revolution.

"We remind Paulo Dall'Oglio's kidnappers that he was among the first to stand against the oppression of the Syrian people and that he supported their revolution and risked his life for the sake of the Syrian people. He was among the first to call for freedom for this injured nation, which led the Syrian regime to expel him from Syria for several years, and he did not return to Syria until the revolutionaries had freed parts of Syria.

"Father Dall'Oglio was and is among the strongest people and voices who rejected the partition of Syria. He called for the unity of the Syrian people.

"Father Dall'Oglio is not an enemy to anyone. He is a friend to the Syrian people and a supporter of their revolution and legitimate rights. Therefore I repeat my appeal and call for his release as soon as possible. And I call on those who watch this video to distribute it widely in a collaborative effort to save Father Dall'Oglio's life and secure his release.

"May God reward you with good, and peace be upon you."

SEE: Hopes for Jesuit Priest Paolo Dall'Oglio Fade

Last year, CAIR and the Syrian American Council (SAC) sponsored a discussion on the situation in Syria with Father Dall'Oglio, the patron of Mar Musa monastery and a leader in interfaith dialogue in Syria.

Video: CAIR Rep Speaks at Va. Iftar Featuring Priest Expelled from Syria

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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com

---

• Good News Alert: Illinois Police Depts. Cancel Events with Anti-Muslim Trainer
  CAIR-Chicago today announced that the Lombard Police Department has joined the Elmhurst and Highland Park police departments in cancelling previously scheduled trainings featuring controversial anti-Islam trainer Sam Kharoba. 
  
  • CAIR-Chicago: Islamic Group Protests Anti-Muslim Police Trainer (Herald)
    CAIR spokeswoman Maryam Arain said the council has sent letters about Kharoba to participating police agencies, urging them to withdraw their support. "It's quite obvious this guy is a notorious anti-Muslim bigot, so to call him in as an expert on Islam is highly problematic," she said. "We could help facilitate something so things like this aren't happening."
• CAIR: Muslim Advocacy Group Objects To Anti-Islam Trainer (Sun-Times)
• CAIR: No-Fly-List Challenge Back in Court; Va. Muslim Still Barred From Travel (AP)
  Gulet Mohamed, 21, left, leaves the federal court in Alexandria, Va., Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, with his attorney, Gadeir Abbas, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after a hearing challenging his placement on the government's no fly list. Mohamed sued more than two years ago after getting stuck in Kuwait, and recently had his lawsuit reinstated by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
• CAIR-St. Louis: Mo. Legislature May Override Governor's Veto of Anti-Islam Bill
  Faizan Syed, executive director of the local CAIR chapter, said his group applauds the governor "for his courageous action in vetoing the bill on Sharia Law." He said the bill is bad for adoptive families, bad for St. Louis companies doing international business and bad for Missouri. 
  
  • CAIR: U.S. Judge Permanently Bans Oklahoma Islamic Law Vote (AP)
• CAIR: Federal Judge Throws Out Oklahoma's Ban on Sharia Law (Tulsa World)
• CAIR: Okla. Anti-Sharia Amendment Struck Down By Judge (Huffington Post)
• CAIR: Sharia Law and Double-Standard Double-Talk
  When Congress debated health care reform, such exemption demands came from Christians, not from Sharia or other faiths' laws. (In fact, Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told Factcheck.org that he'd never heard of Muslims objecting to health insurance. "I have health insurance," he said. "We give health insurance to our employees. Every Muslim group I know of does the same thing.")
• CAIR‬: Oklahoma Anti-Shariah Amendment Struck Down (RNS)
• ‎CAIR-Texas: No Malice Behind 'No Muslim' Parking Sign (Houston)
  Radio Interview with Mustafaa Carroll, Executive Director of CAIR Texas on KPFT 90.1FM Radio.
• CAIR-WA Welcomes Largest Class of Summer Interns 
• CAIR: Christians, Muslims Pray for Jesuit Priest Abducted in Syria
  On Thursday, the largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization in the United States pleaded with Syrian rebels to spare Father Dall’Oglio’s life. "We call on the kidnappers of Father Paulo Dall’Oglio -- the priest of the revolution as the Syrians have been calling him -- we call on his kidnappers to release him as soon as possible," said Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, speaking in Arabic.
  
  • Video: CAIR Appeal for Release of Father Paolo Dall'Oglio
• CAIR: Brother of Tampa Bay Muslim Activist Killed in Egyptian Violence
  
  • Video: Brother of Fla. Muslim Leader Killed in Egypt Massacre
  • CAIR-CT: Rally Planned Today in Connecticut to Condemn Violence in Egypt

• Video: CAIR-FL Challenges Hate Event with Anti-Muslim Prof 
  
  • Background: Brevard County Commission Urged to Deny Taxpayer-Funded Platform for Hate Speech
  • Freedom of Speech Does Not Mean Accepting Voices of IncivilityI believe that Spencer has the fundamental right to speak hatefully about fellow Americans. I also know that people of goodwill have the right not to engage him in his rhetoric. Moreover, we have the right to challenge his bigotry by not granting him dignified platforms.
  • Idaho Repubicans to Hold Anti-Islam Event
• Hijab Incident Prompts Mass. Bar Examiners to Review Religious Clothing Rules
  Marilyn Wellington, executive director of the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners, said the board may consider revising its rule requiring prior authorization for religious headwear.
• CAIR-FL: Muslim Father Demands Answers in FBI Shooting Death of Son
  
  • Ibragim Todashev Was 'A Very Good Boy Who Wanted to Live' Dad Says of Son Killed by FBI in Orlando
    The father of a Chechen man fatally shot by an FBI agent in Orlando in May said his son was a conscientious and responsible young man who did not deserve to die and has retained two Tampa law firms to represent his family in possible civil action against the federal agency.
• CAIR-FL: Attorney for Ibragim Todashev's family divulges details in FBI shooting death
  "It is never good when an unarmed individual is shot multiple times by FBI agents in his own home after hours of questioning," said Shibly, who was hired by the Todashev family.
  

• CAIR: Violence Against Muslims Advocated at Anti-Islam Event in Fla.
  There were a variety of questions from the audience, including many concerned about the imposition of Islamic law and the Obama administration's policies. One audience member stood up and advocated violence against Muslims. 
• Video: Rachel Maddow Reports on CAIR News Conference with Father of Fla. Muslim Shot by FBI
• CAIR-CA Capitol Ramadan Resolutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Says Obama Must Act Against Massacre of Pro-Democracy Protesters in Egypt

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/14/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today called on the Obama administration to take concrete steps to end the ongoing massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt and to seek the restoration of democracy.

In a statement, CAIR said:

"CAIR joins all those who value freedom in strongly condemning today's massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt and calls for lifting the newly-imposed state of emergency and its inevitable denial of basic human rights. Those responsible for these horrific attacks on peaceful sit-ins must be held accountable and brought to justice.

"As we condemn the killing of peaceful protesters, we also condemn the reported attacks on Christian properties in Egypt and call for calm and national unity in the face of concerted campaigns to divide Egyptian society along religious and political lines.

"We welcome our own government's condemnation of the violent suppression of democratic rights, and we urge President Obama to move beyond condemnations to take concrete steps to help restore democracy and the rule of law in Egypt through dialogue. The first steps in creating an atmosphere conducive to dialogue would include the release of all political prisoners and respecting the right to peaceful protest.

"President Obama should follow existing law by ending the flow of American taxpayer funds to Egypt's military, which is using brute force to impose its will without regard to the results of the first free elections in that nation's history."

CAIR noted that Mohamed ElBaradei, one of the coup leaders, has resigned as vice president because of the attacks on the protesters.

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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CAIR Career Opportunity: Legal Counsel
CAIR is seeking a qualified individual to serve as legal counsel for the organization, including as corporate counsel and legal director of its civil rights department. (Details)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Welcomes Ruling Against NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Program

(New York, N.Y., 8/12/13) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed a federal court ruling that the New York Police Department's stop-and-frisk program has violated the constitutional rights of tens of thousands of the city's residents.

The judge's ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought against the city by the Center for Constitutional Rights challenging the constitutionality of the police practice. NYPD documents reveal that between 2004 and 2012 police had detained, questioned, and searched some 4.43 million people, and that 80 percent of those stopped were minorities.

Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled that the stop-and-frisk program violates the Constitution's Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, which protect against unreasonable searches and promise equal protection under the law. She also ordered that an independent monitor be appointed to oversee immediate changes in some police procedures.

SEE: NYPD's 'stop-and-frisk' practice is unconstitutional, judge rules (Reuters)
Stop-and-Frisk Practice Violated Rights, Judge Rules (NY Times)

Judge Scheindlin reached her decision in part because of New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly's statement that "the NYPD focuses stop and frisks on young blacks and Hispanics in order to instill in them a fear of being stopped." She also chastised the NYPD for "repeatedly turn[ing] a blind eye" to its officers' racial profiling, which Judge Scheindlin noted was a "deeply flawed way of identifying the criminal population."

SEE: Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, et al. liability opinion

In a statement responding to today's ruling, CAIR-New York said:

"We welcome the court's decision against the NYPD's racially biased and unconstitutional stop-and-frisk program. Judge Scheindlin and the Center for Constitutional Rights helped us mark a milestone today in balancing the power between the people and the state and moving the civil rights movement one important step forward.

"We hope that today's rebuke of the NYPD's stop-and-frisk program will end any discussion of the potential nomination of New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly has called this unconstitutional program 'essential' and said 'you can't police without doing it.'

"We repeat our call for increased oversight and investigations of the NYPD's continued surveillance of American Muslim communities, houses of worship, and student clubs across the mid-Atlantic region. This unconstitutional spying program has interfered with lawful religious practice, cost taxpayers too much, and strained relations between the NYPD and one of the many diverse communities it is meant to serve.

"We still have a long way to go, and the Community Safety Act and other similar legislation is also key to ensuring the rights of New Yorkers of all colors.

"Additionally, we urge other courts to follow Judge Scheindlin's lead in striking down law enforcement practices that rely on the profiling of minority communities."

CAIR-NY has joined members of Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) to advocate ending discriminatory policing through the Community Safety Act. CAIR-NY has also advocated for the passage of bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate that would create independent oversight of the NYPD.

SEE: CAIR-NY Urges City Council to Pass Community Safety Act

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-NY Operations Coordinator Sadyia Khalique, 212-870-2002, skhalique@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 202-742-6410, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Manager Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, 

• CAIR: Civil Rights Groups Oppose NYPD Chief Kelly to Head DHS
  "It's pretty clear that the Muslim and civil rights community would oppose this nomination," Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for [CAIR], told India-West. "We want someone who's going to make our nation safer, but also assure civil liberties at the same time," he stated.
• Editorial: Transit Board Should Accept CAIR Ad (Tampa Bay Times)
  An effort to promote diversity on the side of a bus should not turn into a controversy. Yet the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority has denied an advertisement sponsored by the Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations in support of diversity. HART should reconsider infringing upon free speech and its shaky legal standing.
• CAIR: Anti-Muslim Speaker Draws Criticism (Florida Today) 
  "Our position is that anti-Islam hatemongers have a right to freedom of speech but when it's in a school or a taxpayer-funded government facility, it creates the impression of endorsement," said CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper.
  • CAIR: UCF Prof Accused of Anti-Muslim Teachings(Orlando Sentinel)
    Hassan Shibly, an attorney and executive director of CAIR of Tampa, said he supports freedom of speech. "But this individual makes statements to incite violence against the Muslim community, so I think that the line has been crossed," Shibly said. "ACT! is an extremist group no different than the KKK. And if the KKK wanted to use that room, there would be a protest."
• CAIR-FL Asks Officials to Drop Hate Group's Event with Anti-Muslim Prof 
• ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE and respectful.) Contact Commissioner Mary Bolin Lewis, Email: D4.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, COPY TO: D1.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D2.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D3.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D5.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, info@cair.com, Tel: (321) 633-2044
• Video: Fla. Prof Says Muslims 'Procreate Like Mushrooms'
• Islamophobia Watch: Fox News Guest Calls Keith Ellison's Tax Idea 'Sharia Creep'
  • 'Radical Islamists' Pretend to Be Hispanic, Claims Rep. Louie Gohmert
• CAIR-MI: Debaters Spar Over Whether Islam Promotes Violence
• CAIR: LA Pastor Cheers 'Positive First Step' in NSA Reforms
• CAIR: State Attorney to Investigate FBI Shooting of Fla. Muslim (Boston Globe)
  [CAIR-FL], which is aiding Todashev's father with his lawsuit, hailed the investigation and said they hoped Ashton's review will "shed light as to why a cooperative, unarmed Florida resident was shot multiple times during interrogation by federal agents in his home."
• MO: Muslim Inmates File Discrimination Suit
• Detroit Chaplain Program Graduating More Muslims (Detroit News)

• TX: 'No Muslim' Parking Signs Seen as Offensive 
  In black letters, the signs read, "No Muslim parking in the Westview Shopping Center. Your car will be towed."
• Video: CAIR Rep Sees Increased Media Coverage of Ramadan in U.S. (KSA2)
• CAIR: Muslims Across U.S. Mark End of Ramadan (VOA)
  For Muslim-American groups, every year Eid brings an opportunity to educate the American public about the religious observance and the Islamic faith in general. Nihad Awad, the executive director of CAIR says, "The Council sends out information relating to Eid to our non-Muslim constituency and friends." The mailing, he says, is intended to serve as a reminder for all Americans that Muslims are an integral part of U.S. society.
• CAIR-LA: Breaking Bread to Break the Fast (OC Register)
• CAIR-FL: Ashton to Review Shooting of Muslim During FBI Interrogation
• North Carolina, Your Anti-Sharia Law Takes the Cake
• NY Mayoral Candidate Courts Muslim Votes (NY Times)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR-FL Asks Brevard Co. Officials to Drop Hate Group's Event with Anti-Muslim Prof
Brevard County Commission urged to deny taxpayer-funded platform for hate speech

(TAMPA, FL, 8/9/13) - The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today called on the Brevard County Commission not to provide a taxpayer-funded platform for the anti-Muslim hate group ACT! for America and for University of Central Florida (UCF) professor Jonathan Matusitz, who claims Muslims "procreate like mushrooms after the rain" and that "the problem is Islam."

Video: Fla. Prof Says Muslims 'Procreate Like Mushrooms After the Rain,' 'The Problem is Islam' 
Video: University of Central Florida Professor Spews Anti-Islam Hate

ACT! for America will host Matusitz at an August 13 event in the County Commission's meeting room in Viera, Fla. Matusitz is scheduled to speak about "The Islamic Threat to America" and why Islam is "not a religion of peace."

"ACT! for America and Mr. Matusitz are free to spew their anti-Muslim hate in any private venue they choose, but offering them a taxpayer-funded platform creates the perception that county officials endorse their extremist views," said CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze.

[ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE and respectful.) Contact Commissioner Mary Bolin Lewis, District 4, Viera, Fla., Email: D4.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, COPY TO: D1.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D2.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D3.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D5.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, info@cair.com, Tel: (321) 633-2044]

In June, CAIR-FL called on UCF to review the accuracy and objectivity of information taught to students in courses taught by Matusitz, an associate professor in the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and "membership director" for ACT! for America.

Among Matusitz's bizarre claims is that Germany will "become an Islamic republic by 2050." Public outcry recently forced Florida Republicans to cancel a scheduled lecture by Matusitz.

SEE: Pinellas GOP Wisely Cancels Speech by Controversial Anti-Islam Professor

Hamze noted that ACT! for America leader Hanah Kahwagi Tudor, who goes by the pseudonym "Brigitte Gabriel," says an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen" and that Islam is the "real enemy." She once told the Australian Jewish News: "Every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim." Tudor also claimed that "Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct word ... it's the vehicle for Islam ... Islam is the problem." The New York Times describes Gabriel as a "radical Islamophobe" who in the past has made statements like "Arabs have no soul" and "Arabs are barbarians."

When asked whether Americans should "resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation," Gabriel said, "Absolutely."

Backgrounder: Brigitte Gabriel and ACT! for America 

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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