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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR-FL Thanks Rubio, Scott for Avoiding Event with Hate Group Leader

(MIAMI, FL, 10/27/11) -- The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today thanked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Governor Rick Scott for declining to speak at next week's Florida Tea Party convention, which features a presentation by anti-Islam extremist Pamela Geller and another Islamophobe.

Rubio and Scott are listed as "confirmed speakers" at the convention, but representatives of their respective offices told CAIR-FL that the event is not on the senator's nor the governor's official schedule.

SEE: Fla. Tea Party Convention to Feature Anti-Muslim Extremist
SEE: Florida Tea Party Convention Program

Along with Geller, the convention features an anti-Islam activist who goes by the name "Bill Warner." "Warner" (Bill French) and Geller are identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as members of the "anti-Muslim inner circle."

"We thank Senator Rubio and Governor Scott for avoiding the false perception that they would in any way legitimize anti-Muslim hatred by appearing at an event featuring hard-core Islamophobes," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly.

Shibly said Pamela Geller is co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA), an organization designated as a hate group by the SPLC, and author of a new book offering step-by-step instructions on how to stop mosque construction in American communities.

SPLC: Active Anti-Muslim Groups
Pamela Geller's New Book: Communist Bookstore Clerks and "Secret Halal Meat"

She most recently bragged that she uses a Quran, Islam's holy text, as a doorstop. Two hotels, one in Texas and another in Tennessee, have dropped scheduled events that featured Geller as a speaker. Her hate blog was cited frequently by the terrorist who went on a killing spree earlier this year in Norway.

Another Hotel Turns Away Pamela Geller and Anti-Shariah Group

SIOA is an outgrowth of a similar group in Europe that seeks to block the construction of mosques on that continent. Its sister organization, Stop the Islamization of Europe, "considers Islamophobia to be the height of common sense."

The United States Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant SIOA a trademark because: "The applied-for mark refers to Muslims in a disparaging manner because by definition it implies that conversion or conformity to Islam is something that needs to be stopped or caused to cease."

Geller has claimed that "Hitler and the Nazis were inspired by Islam" and that Islam "mandates" lies and deception.

SEE: Pamela Geller: The Looniest Blogger Ever

She has also posted images on her blog that include a fake photograph of then Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan in a Nazi uniform, another fake image of President Obama urinating on an American flag and drawings purporting to depict Islam's Prophet Muhammad as a pig.

One image posted by Geller, headlined "Piss Be Upon Him," showed one of the controversial Danish cartoons of the prophet covered in urine. ("Piss Be Upon Him" is designed to mock the traditional phrase "Peace Be Upon Him" that Muslims use when mentioning any prophet of God, including Abraham and Jesus.)

Geller has written of President Obama: "[O]ne thing is for sure: Hussein is a muhammadan [sic]." Geller also wrote: "[I]t is well known that Obama allegedly was involved with a crack whore in his youth."

In a 2010 blog entry, Geller posted a video claiming that Muslims engage in bestiality.

According to Geller, Muslim groups "control information and how it is processed at senior levels of the CIA, the FBI, the Pentagon, and the various branches of the military."

Video: TV Host Exposes Pamela Geller's Anti-Muslim Bigotry
SIOA is an Anti-Muslim Hate Group

Another SIOA co-founder, Robert Spencer, has been identified by the independent national media watch group Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) as one of "Islamophobia's Dirty Dozen" who systematically "spread fear, bigotry, and misinformation." In its report, FAIR said, "By selectively ignoring inconvenient Islamic texts and commentaries, Spencer concludes that Islam is innately extremist and violent."

Geller and Spencer also co-founded another hate group, American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), with an individual who says he is an admirer of the founder of two terrorist organizations and advocated mass murder.

SEE: Pam Geller Linked Anti-Muslim Activist Calls for Mass Murder of Congressmen, Muslims, Liberals and Journalists

In an Internet profile, AFDI founder John Joseph Jay named "rabbi meir kahna" [sic] as one of his "heroes and inspirations in life." This is an obvious reference to Rabbi Meir Kahane, the founder of the groups Kach and Kahane Chai, which have been listed as Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. Department of State.

SEE: John Joseph Jay's Page
Terrorist Organizations

Jay has in the past called for the killing of all Muslims. He wrote: "[T]here are no innocent muslims. islam is subject to killing on grounds of political expediency on the same basis as islam kills its victims, and islam cannot ethically and morally claim otherwise." [Note: Grammatical errors in the original text have been maintained.]

SEE: SIOA Co-Founder: Kill Your Liberal Relatives and All Muslims

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Chapters Challenge Islamophobia, Defend Civil Rights

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/27/11) – A number of chapters of the Washington-basedCouncil on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) around the nation today once again demonstrated their commitment to challenging Islamophobia and defending civil and religious rights.

CAIR's Florida chapter thanked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Governor Rick Scott for declining to speak at next week's Florida Tea Party convention, which features a presentation by anti-Islam extremist Pamela Geller and another Islamophobe.

SEE: CAIR-FL Thanks Rubio, Scott for Avoiding Event with Hate Group Leader
CAIR-FL: Muslim Activist Challenges Fla. Republican's Views (NPR)

CAIR's Minnesota chapter (CAIR-MN) called on the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office to grant religious accommodation to prisoners who wear the hijab (religious headscarf).

SEE: CAIR-MN Calls on Sheriff's Office to Grant Hijab Accommodation
CAIR: Allow Hijab at Sherburne County Jail

Tonight, St. Cloud., Minn., school board members are to decide whether they will accept an agreement with the federal government that would end a discrimination investigation prompted by a March 2010 complaint from CAIR-MN.

CAIR-MN: St. Cloud School Board to Decide Tonight on Discrimination Deal

CAIR's San Francisco Bay Area chapter today condemned what it termed "excessive force" used by the Oakland Police Department (OPD) against mainly peaceful Occupy Oakland demonstrators.

SEE: CAIR-SFBA Condemns 'Excessive Force' Used on Occupy Oakland Demonstrators

CAIR's Michigan chapter today wrote a formal complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking a federal probe into the final denial of land usage for an Islamic school inPittsfield Township, Mich.

SEE: CAIR-MI Seeks DOJ Probe Into Denial of Islamic School Zoning Change

"We are extremely proud of the important work carried out by CAIR chapters nationwide that are, on a daily basis, challenging the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in our society and defending the constitutional rights of all Americans," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

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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Photo: Iran Hikers Thank CAIR for Seeking Their Release
Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, the American citizens recently freed after being jailed for more than two years in Iran, met last week with the head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and expressed their appreciation for CAIR's efforts to obtain their release.
CAIR Director Answers Question on Upcoming Hajj (CNN)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Decries 'Slap on Wrist' for Md. Bias Assault on Va. Muslim

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/17/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today decried what it called a "slap on the wrist" for a Maryland man who allegedly took part in a bias-motivated assault on a Virginia Muslim limousine driver earlier this year.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed concern that the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County Maryland today agreed not to prosecute the alleged assailant if he paid the victim $65 in "restitution."

CAIR did welcome an indication that the state's attorney will investigate possible hate crime charges for the other individual who allegedly took part in the bias-motivated assault on the Muslim driver.

CASE INFORMATION: Case Number: 1E00458949, Tracking No:100001347014
(Enter the case number in the search function.)

"We welcome the prosecutor's sudden willingness to investigate possible hate crime charges in this case, but fail to understand how one of the alleged assailants got off with just a slap on the wrist," said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who met today with prosecutors.

The alleged assault occurred shortly after midnight on March 11 when the Muslim limo driver of Moroccan origin reported that he picked up two passengers in Washington, D.C., and was asked to take them to National Harbor.

After learning that the driver's name is Mohammed, one of the passengers asked whether he was Muslim. When the driver said he is Muslim, his admission allegedly prompted both passengers to use religious and ethnic slurs and make threats on his life.

The passengers reportedly called the Muslim driver a "jihadist" and told him they were going to "f**king murder" him.

When the limo arrived at the destination, one of the passengers allegedly punched the driver in the head, knocking him to the ground and fracturing his wrist. Both passengers were subsequently arrested and charged.

Under Article 27, 470A (Religious and Ethnic Crimes) of Maryland state law, it is illegal to harass or commit a crime against any person because of their "race, color, religious beliefs or national origin." The statute provides an extra sentencing enhancement for crimes motivated by hate.

SEE: Maryland's Response to Hate Crimes

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 Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks Md. Hate Crime Charges for Assault on Va. Muslim
Limo driver allegedly called 'jihadist,' assaulted, threatened with death

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/14/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization has called on the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County Maryland to bring hate crime charges against a Prince Frederick man scheduled to go to trial on Monday, October 17 for allegedly assaulting a Virginia Muslim limousine driver.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says the alleged assault took place on March 11 of this year when the Muslim limo driver of Moroccan origin reported that he picked up two passengers in Washington, D.C., shortly after midnight and was asked to take them to National Harbor.

After learning that the driver's name is Mohammed, one of the passengers asked whether he was Muslim. When the driver said he is Muslim, that admission allegedly prompted both passengers to use religious and ethnic slurs and make threats to the life of the driver.

The passengers reportedly called the Muslim driver a "jihadist" and told him they were going to "f**king murder" him.

When the limo arrived at the destination, one of the passengers allegedly punched the driver in the head, knocking him to the ground and fracturing his wrist. Both passengers were subsequently arrested and charged.

One of the passengers is scheduled for trial on Monday for second degree assault, theft and disorderly conduct. (Case Number: 1E00458949, Tracking No:100001347014 -- You may have to click twice or enter the case number.) It is not known why the other passenger's case has not come up for trial.

"The State of Maryland should pursue this incident for what it is -- a hate crime," saidCAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who is representing the alleged victim. "There have been too many American Muslims who have borne the brunt of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in our nation. These crimes will stop only when those responsible for enforcing the law make it clear that perpetrators of hate crimes against American Muslims will be held to account."

He noted that under Article 27, 470A (Religious and Ethnic Crimes) of Maryland state law, it is illegal to harass or commit a crime against any person because of their "race, color, religious beliefs or national origin." The statute provides an extra sentencing enhancement for crimes motivated by hate.

SEE: Maryland's Response to Hate Crimes

Abbas noted another apparent bias-motivated attack that took place recently in New York.

NY: 'All you Pakistanis and Indians are going to be killed! Go home!'

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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"While challenges persist for Muslim troops when it comes to practicing their faith and avoiding discrimination, those problems tend to occur at the small unit level, according to Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks DOJ Probe of NYPD Violation of Muslim Students' Privacy
NYPD reportedly infiltrated Muslim student groups, obtained student records without warrants

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/11/11) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate apparent violations of the privacy rights of Muslim students by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and several colleges and universities.

CAIR-NY said an Associated Press report published today indicates that NYPD informants infiltrated Muslim student groups at local colleges and universities, monitored their Internet activity and placed undercover agents in their ranks. NYPD officers and several educational institutions may have also violated U.S. privacy laws by accessing and sharing students' records without warrants.

Report: NYPD Spying on Muslim Students

According to the Associated Press:

"The infiltration was part of a secret NYPD intelligence-gathering effort that put entire Muslim communities under scrutiny. ... In a few instances, NYPD detectives approached campus police for help, saying they were working narcotics or gang cases to win their cooperation and sometimes even access to records, the official said. Police used the records to identify students they were observing and get contact information, the official said. The colleges may have broken the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal statute, if they handed over student records without the students' consent. ... The punishment for such disclosures is severe: a school can lose all of its federal funding."

SEE: NYPD Infiltrated Muslim Student Groups for Intel (AP)

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:

"Rather than pursuing criminal behavior, this program targeted adherents of a minority religion with no apparent predicate other than their faith. This raises significant questions about the government's willingness to unreasonably intrude into law-abiding people's lives. It is incumbent on the Department of Justice to ensure that all American's uphold existing laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. ...

"I respectfully request that your department investigate apparent NYPD and university violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and similar violations of the constitutional rights of American Muslims through the NYPD's systematic use of racial, ethnic and religious profiling."

Based on past Associated Press revelations of NYPD spying on Muslims, CAIR called on the New York City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to enforce a law that prohibits the use of racial or ethnic profiling by law enforcement officers.

Last week, a CAIR representative offered testimony at a city council oversight hearing on the NYPD's anti-terrorism tactics and security initiatives.

CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick's testimony focused 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

Associated Press reports 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

The 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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: ICE Official Who Forwarded Islamophobic Email Relieved of Duties
Muslim civil rights group welcomes action, urges further disciplinary steps

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/13/11) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take action against an agency official in Montana who forwarded an Islamophobic email to a Muslim attorney.

[BREAKING NEWS: In a similar case, a veteran officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Chicago is being disciplined after posting hundreds of racist and anti-Islam comments on Facebook. SEE: CAIR-Chicago: TSA Officer Faces Termination Over Anti-Islam Rants (Video)]

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

CAIR: Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Official Relieved of Duties (Great Falls Tribune)

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.

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

"We welcome the prompt action taken by ICE as a clear indication that the incident is being taken seriously at the highest levels in the agency," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Once a thorough investigation has been completed, we hope that further disciplinary steps will be taken to send the message that Islamophobic attitudes and actions will not be tolerated by ICE officials."

Earlier this week, CAIR called for disciplinary action against Norum and for a review of ICE training on issues related to Islam and the American Muslim community.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Reprimand for ICE Official Who Forwarded Islamophobic Email

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.

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.

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