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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks Reprimand for ICE Official Who Forwarded Islamophobic Email
Muslim civil rights group says incident is further evidence of need for reform in training

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/9/11) – A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called for disciplinary action to be taken against a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official in Montana who forwarded an Islamophobic email to a Muslim attorney.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also called for a review of ICE training on issues related to Islam and the American Muslim community.

CAIR said a Muslim immigration attorney in Montana received the notorious "You Worry Me" email from that state's top U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ICE official, Bruce Norum. Norum wrote "Good read" in the forwarded message.

The Islamophobic email, the origins of which are in doubt, has been circulating on the Internet since the 9/11 terror attacks. Its contents suggest a loyalty test for Muslims and Arabs before they are granted constitutional rights.

It states in part: "I want to know, I DEMAND to know and I have a right to know, whether or not you love America. . .Do you pray in your many daily prayers that Allah will bless this nation; that He will protect it and let it prosper? Or do you pray that Allah with (sic) destroy it in one of your Jihads?"

SEE: Immigration Officer Forwards Racially Charged Email to Muslim-American Lawyer(Great Falls Tribune)

"This incident is yet another example of why our nation's security and counterterrorism agencies need to completely review and reform training and educational materials dealing with any issue related to Islam or American Muslims," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "The fact that such a senior official would re-distribute materials questioning the loyalty of American Muslims is evidence of an internal breakdown in training and suggests that an atmosphere of intolerance may be present in the agency."

Hooper said the official in question should be reprimanded and that ICE training should be reviewed and reformed.

Last week, CAIR called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to thank Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) for raising the issue of anti-Muslim training during questioning today of FBI Director Robert Mueller by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

SEE: CAIR Asks Muslims to Thank Ill. Rep. for Questions on Anti-Islam Training

CAIR had called for a "top to bottom" government review of training following a number of reports that security personnel have been trained to view mainstream American Muslims with suspicion and to view the faith of Islam itself as the source of terrorism and extremism.

SEE: CAIR Calls for 'Top To Bottom' Reform of Training on Islam

CAIR has in the past called on DHS, the Obama administration, the Department of Defense, and Congress to provide oversight for apparently widespread anti-Muslim bias in the training of law enforcement, security and military personnel nationwide.

SEE: CAIR Asks Sec. Napolitano to Probe Use of Islamophobic Trainers
Video: CAIR Decries Anti-Muslim Police Trainers

Trainers for American military personnel have included Islamophobes such as Robert Spencer, co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA). SIOA has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

CAIR: Muslim-Basher Trains U.S. Military Personnel in Kentucky
SPLC: Active Anti-Muslim Groups

CAIR noted the release of an 80-page report by Political Research Associates (PRA), titled "Manufacturing the Muslim Menace: Private Firms, Public Servants, & the Threat to Rights and Security," which details a systemic failure to regulate content in counterterrorism training.

Washington Monthly magazine also published a major investigative article showing similar anti-Islam attitudes by private trainers of law enforcement agencies.

A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
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Breaking: NYPD Spied on City's Muslim Partners Video: Comedian Dean Obeidallah to Perform at CAIR Banquet CAIR-San Diego: Muslim Files Bias Suit Against Southwest Airlines CAIR: Protests Planned at GMU Law for Anti-Islam Speaker Pamela Geller's New Book: 'Secret Halal Meat' Spencer, Geller Disavow Anti-Muslim Activist's Call for Violence FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CAIR: DOJ Analyst Claims Muslims Threaten 'Our Values' Muslim civil rights group calls for 'top to bottom' reform of government training on Islam (WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/5/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today call for "top to bottom" reform of reportedly biased government training on the topic of Islam. The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued that call following new revelations of biased training by a government official -- this time an intelligence analyst with the U.S. Department of Justice -- who claimed Muslim "civilians, juries, lawyers, media, academia and charities" threaten "our values." "We are seeing more cases like this, which shows why we must all work to foster greater interaction and cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the American Muslim community," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Senior government officials should pay serious attention to this disturbing and apparently growing trend that is eroding the trust needed to build sound and productive community partnerships." Awad said this trend is the result of allowing biased groups and individuals to "poison the minds" of government personnel about an entire American faith community and its leadership. "This latest revelation of anti-Muslim bias in the training of our nation's security personnel demonstrates the need for top to bottom reform of government training on Islam," saidCAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "This process of reform should also include a re-examination of federal funding for biased training at the state and local levels." He cited DHS funds used to pay for state-level training by "ex-terrorist" Walid Shoebat, who was exposed by CNN as an anti-Islam fraud. Video: CNN Exposes Walid Shoebat's Terror Training Scam View Part 1 and Part 2 Hooper said CAIR and the other civil rights groups recently expressed concerns about persistent reports that FBI agents are trained to view mainstream American Muslims with suspicion and to view the faith of Islam itself as the source of terrorism and extremism. Video: FBI Trainer Says Forget Irrelevant al-Qaida, Target Islam CAIR: F.B.I. Chided for Training that was Critical of Islam (NY Times) Video: Wash. State Muslims Ask for Probe of FBI Bias (CAIR) CAIR-San Diego: Civil Liberties Groups Concerned Over Anti-Muslim Training CAIR sent a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller calling for swift action to reform the agency's use of anti-Muslim instructors and Islamophobic materials during counterterrorism training. Following similar revelations in March, the head of the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) said that he "imagined" that a review of how instructors and curriculum are vetted would take place. Seven months later it is unclear if such a review ever occurred. SEE: Federal Funds For Counterterrorism Training Pay For Anti-Muslim Instructors The Justice Department and the FBI say they are conducting a comprehensive review of all training and reference materials, but Muslim and civil liberties groups question the impact of the review and seek further corrective measures and reforms. CAIR has in the past called on the Obama administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and Congress to provide oversight for apparently widespread anti-Muslim bias in the training of law enforcement, security and military personnel nationwide. SEE: CAIR Asks Sec. Napolitano to Probe Use of Islamophobic Trainers Video: CAIR Decries Anti-Muslim Police Trainers Trainers for American military personnel have included Islamophobes such as Robert Spencer, co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA). SIOA has beendesignated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. CAIR noted the release of an 80-page report by Political Research Associates (PRA), titled "Manufacturing the Muslim Menace: Private Firms, Public Servants, & the Threat to Rights and Security," which details a systemic failure to regulate content in counterterrorism training. Washington Monthly magazine also published a major investigative article showing similar anti-Islam attitudes by private trainers of law enforcement agencies. A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide. CAIR: Same Hate, New Target Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc. Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism 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; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook Follow CAIR on Twitter Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel Please help support our work.

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CAIR Employment Opportunity: Director of Chapter Development
CAIR: Muslim Woman Sues Southwest After Being Taken Off Flight
CAIR-MI Commentary: Executed Without Due Process

- MEDIA ADVISORY -

CAIR Rep to Testify on NYPD Surveillance of Muslims

(NEW YORK, NY, 10/6/11) -- Later today, a representative of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) will testify at a (1 p.m.) city council oversight hearing on the New York City Police Department's (NYPD) anti-terrorism tactics and security initiatives.

WHAT: CAIR Rep to Testify on NYPD Surveillance of Muslims
WHEN: Thursday, October 6, 1 p.m.
WHERE: New York City Hall
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick, call/text: 203-206-6883, 212-870-2002, Email: cmcgoldrick@cair.com

CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick's testimony will focus on reports that the NYPD, with help from the CIA, conducted widespread monitoring and surveillance of the Muslim communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut without evidence of wrongdoing on the part of those monitored.

SEE: City Officials Call for More NYPD Oversight After Muslim Surveillance Operation Exposed

New revelations indicate that the NYPD even spied on Muslim leaders who figured prominently in community outreach efforts.

SEE: NYPD Even Spied on the Muslim Leaders Who Were Helping Them

Just before the New York City Council Public Safety Committee oversight hearing, McGoldrick will join New York City Council members, community groups and civil rights advocates at a news conference to call for more oversight over the NYPD's intelligence operations. The noon news conference is sponsored by the New York City Council Progressive Caucus, the New York City Council Black, Latino & Asian Caucus and the Brennan Center for Justice.

An ongoing investigation by the Associated Press revealed that undercover NYPD officers in a so-called "Demographics Unit" targeted Muslim communities and houses of worship with the assistance of individuals linked to the CIA.

NYPD officials initially denied the Demographics Unit existed, despite the AP's publication of an NYPD presentation that described the mission and makeup of the unit.

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 -

• DC: Workshops at CAIR Oct. 15 Leadership Conference
• Video: Wash. State Muslims Ask for Probe of FBI Bias (CAIR)
  • CAIR-WA: Investigation Sought in FBI Training About Islam
  • CAIR-San Diego: Groups Concerned Over Anti-Muslim Training
• Video: CAIR Rep Defends Muslim in SCOTUS GPS Tracking Case
  • Review of NYPD Monitoring of Muslim Communities Sought
• CAIR-MI Rep on 'Defeating Hate Legislation' Panel

- MEDIA ADVISORY -

CAIR: Va. Law Students to Challenge Speaker Who Says 'Annihilate' Islam

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/4/11) –- On Wednesday, October 5, a representative of theCouncil on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will take part in an event at Virginia'sGeorge Mason University School of Law designed to challenge the hate-filled views ofNonie Darwish, a notorious Islamophobe who has stated that Islam is a "poison to a society" that is "based on lies" and must be "annihilated."

WHAT: GMU Law Students Challenged Speaker's Hate-Filled Views
WHEN: Wednesday, October 5, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Hazel Hall, Room 225, 3301 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Va.
CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com

The event, called "Combating Islamophobia: Protecting Freedom of Religion from Intolerance and Bigotry," is scheduled just prior to an appearance by Darwish at the law school. Sponsors of the anti-hate event include the American Constitution Society, the Muslim Law Students Association and the Arab Law Students Association.

CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas and Haris Tarin of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) will offer presentations on the rising level Islamophobia in American society and how to promote tolerance and mutual understanding.

CAIR recently released a video of Darwish speaking at a protest in Florida earlier this year in which she states:

"Islam is a poison to a society. It's divisive. It's hateful. Look what Islam is doing on our college campuses. It's full of anti-Semitism. It's going to turn us against one another. It's going to produce chaos in society. Because Islam should be feared, and should be fought, and should be conquered, and defeated, and annihilated, and it's going to happen. Ladies and gentlemen, Islam is going to be brought down. . .Because Islam is based on lies and it's not based on the truth. I have no doubt whatsoever that Islam is going to be destroyed."

[The rally at which Darwish spoke was sponsored by the hate group Stop Islamization of America (SIOA). SIOA, which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, is headed by two of the nation's leading Islamophobes, Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer.]

Video: Nonie Darwish Says Islam Should be 'Annihilated'
SPLC: Active Anti-Muslim Groups
Pamela Geller Associate John Jay Openly Calls for Mass Murder

Darwish is scheduled to speak at the law school on October 5. [5 p.m., Room 121]. Her address, titled "The West's Clash with Radicalism," is sponsored by the Federalist Society and the Jewish Law Students Association. She will be introduced by ProfessorMichael Krauss.

Darwish, a self-styled "former Moslem," has written that "Islam is cruel, anti-women, anti-religious freedom and anti-personal freedom in general." A review of her book, "Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law," states: "For Darwish, Islam is a sinister force that must be resisted and contained."

She told the New York Times: "A mosque is not just a place for worship. It's a place where war is started, where commandments to do jihad start, where incitements against non-Muslims occur. It's a place where ammunition was stored."

Darwish's group, Former Muslims United, once put up a billboard stating "Stop theMurfreesboro Mosque" in an attempt to block the construction of a mosque in Tennessee.

Video: Nonie Darwish Says Mosques are 'Where War is Started'
Across Nation, Mosque Projects Meet Opposition (NY Times)

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.

FL: Judge Backs Schools in Suit Over 'Islam is of the Devil' Shirts

- MEDIA ADVISORY –

CAIR: Seattle FBI Class Handout Linked Arabs, Islam to Nazism
Community coalition to challenge anti-Muslim bias in FBI training

(SEATTLE, WA, 10/2/11) -- On Monday, October 3, the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) will join a coalition of community groups at a news conference in Seattle to express concerns about persistent reports that FBI agents are trained to view mainstream American Muslims with suspicion and to view the faith of Islam itself as the source of terrorism and extremism.

SEE: How Did Anti-Muslim Bias Seep Into FBI Training? (NPR)

The news conference will feature a community leader who attended the 2011 FBI Citizens' Academy class in Seattle, during which literature seeming to link Arabs, Muslims and Islam to Nazism was distributed.

The document, signed by a local FBI agent and distributed to the class, stated in part: "A careful comparison of Arab/Islamist propaganda and Nazi propaganda reveals the closeness of these links. . .I would suggest that the current conflicts are a continuation of Nazi policies carried out by Arabs. . ." The community leader will provide copies of the handout.

At the news conference, CAIR-WA will also release a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) signed by a coalition of at least 16 community, labor and interfaith organizations requesting an investigation into the pattern of biased and inaccurate trainings provided by the FBI.

WHAT: News Conference at CAIR-WA Seattle Office to Express Concerns about FBI use of Anti-Muslim Training and Literature
WHEN: Monday, October 3, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: CAIR-WA Seattle Office, 671 South Jackson Street, Suite 207, Seattle, WA 98104
CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206-367-4081, 206-931-3655, E-Mail: abukhari@cair.com

The coalition news conference is scheduled following new revelations that the FBI apparently continues to employ an analyst who tells counterterrorism and security personnel to go after Islam itself and to undermine the validity of key Islamic scriptures and key Muslim leaders.

Video: FBI Trainer Says Forget Irrelevant al-Qaida, Target Islam
CAIR: F.B.I. Chided for Training that was Critical of Islam (NY Times)

That same FBI analyst recently told FBI agents that mainstream American Muslims are likely to be terrorist sympathizers, that the Prophet Mohammed was a cult leader, and that Islamic charitable giving is a funding mechanism for combat.

CAIR recently sent a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller calling for swift action to reform the agency's use of anti-Muslim instructors and Islamophobic materials during counterterrorism training.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Swift FBI Action on Revelations of Anti-Muslim Training

The FBI says it is "conducting a comprehensive review of all training and reference materials that relate in any way to religion or culture," but Muslim and civil liberties groups question the impact of the review and seek further corrective measures and reforms.

CAIR: Letter to Calif. Community Leaders from FBI

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
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- END -

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

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CAIR Commentary: Uphold America's Founding Principles (USA Today)
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad -- "Our nation's war on terror will not be won through force of arms. It will be won when we are shown to be a nation in which respect for the law transcends fear, and hostility toward today's enemies does not cause us to forget our founding principles."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Files Supreme Court Brief in GPS Monitoring Case
Muslim civil rights group petitions U.S. Supreme Court to uphold warrant requirement

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/3/2011) -- The nation's largest Muslim civil liberties organization today announced the filing of an amicus (friend of the court) brief in United States v. Jones seeking the court's support for the requirement that law enforcement authorities obtain a warrant before placing a GPS tracking device on any individual's vehicle.

The entire CAIR brief is available here.

In Jones' case, police officers attached a GPS tracking device to his car and tracked his movements 24-hours-a-day for four weeks without obtaining a prior search warrant.

SEE: US v Jones

The brief, filed by the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), asks the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the D.C. Circuit Court's decision that "prolonged warrantless use of a GPS tracking device violates the Fourth Amendment."

CAIR's interest in the case stems from a lawsuit it is litigating on behalf of Yasir Afifi, a Santa Clara, Calif., resident who discovered a GPS tracking device placed on his vehicle inOctober 2010. FBI agents went to Afifi's home two days after the GPS device was discovered to retrieve it and interrogate him.

In March 2011, CAIR filed suit on behalf of Afifi against Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Mueller. The suit seeks an injunction against any future attempts by the FBI to attach a tracking device to Afifi's vehicle and calls for an end to the policy of using tracking devices without a warrant. In September 2011, that case was stayedpending the Supreme Court's decision in Jones.

CAIR's brief alleges that the government's authority to undertake expansive surveillance during times of heightened national security concerns have led to dragnet targeting of various minority communities for the last century.

The brief states in part:

"For the reasons set forth in Respondent's brief, warrantless GPS tracking violates the privacy rights of American Muslims. In addition, unchecked GPS surveillance restricts Muslims' First Amendment rights of association, speech, and free exercise of religion. The most significant harms have been a chilling effect on American Muslims' mosque attendance and charitable giving. To mitigate these harms, the Court should hold that prolonged warrantless GPS tracking of a vehicle and warrantless installation of a GPS device on a vehicle both violate the Fourth Amendment."

CAIR has heard from several American Muslims over the last year who have discovered GPS tracking devices on their vehicles. In each of these cases, there has not been a warrant.

"The impact of warrantless GPS tracking is an inevitable chilling of the First Amendment rights of American Muslims," CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo.

Billoo said CAIR offices across the nation also continue to receive reports from American Muslims of harassing and intimidating visits from law enforcement personnel.

"The ruling the Supreme Court makes in this case will affect not only Muslims, but all Americans," said CAIR Legal Counsel Nadhira Al-Khalili, the attorney of record on the amicus brief.

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.