Monday, July 9, 2012



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MEDIA ADVISORY
Another Calif. Muslim Placed on No-Fly List, Stuck in Bahrain
Civil rights group to hold news conference seeking man's return to U.S.
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 7/3/12) -- On Tuesday, July 3, the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) will hold a news conference to call for the return to the United States of another local Muslim stranded overseas after being placed on the no-fly list.
CAIR-San Diego says the college student, who is of Somali heritage, is stranded in Bahrain after being denied boarding on flights back to the United States.
WHAT: News Conference for San Diego Muslim Stuck in Bahrain After Being Placed on No-Fly List
WHEN: Tuesday, July 3, 1 p.m. (Pacific)
WHERE: Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Diego Chapter, 8316 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 203, San Diego, CA 92111
CONTACT: CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Hanif Mohebi, 858-774-9991, E-mail:hmohebi@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 202-742-6410, 720-251-0425, E-mail: gabbas@cair.com
In a letter sent yesterday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote: "His placement on the No-Fly List without due process of law, and his corresponding inability to fly back home to the United States, constitute grave violations of his civil rights and liberties."
Last month, CAIR advocated on behalf of a San Diego Muslim citizen stranded in Costa Rica after being placed on the no-fly list. The man was later allowed to re-enter the United States by land through the Mexican border.
SEE: Calif. Student Takes Long Way Home After 'No-Fly' Designation (MSNBC)

Earlier this year, CAIR called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate acts of "coercion and intimidation" allegedly used by the FBI to pressure Muslim citizens into giving up their constitutional rights if they wished to return to the United States from overseas.
Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the DOJ and the FBI seeking a court order to allow a Virginia Muslim teenager who had been detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government no-fly list to return to the United States.
CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.
CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
CAIR Video: FBI Prevents Va. Muslim from 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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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of 'Suspicious' Fire at Mo. Mosque
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/5/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for state and federal hate crime investigations of what officials are calling a "suspicious" fire at a Missouri mosque.
CAIR said the fire occurred early Wednesday at the Islamic Society of Joplin in Joplin, Mo. A passer-by noticed the fire just before 4 a.m. and it was extinguished before causing major damage to the mosque. The FBI has been called in to investigate and tapes from security cameras are being reviewed by authorities.
An official with the Islamic Society of Joplin told CAIR that the mosque's sign was burned and shot in the past and that passengers in cars cruising by the mosque periodically shout anti-Muslim slurs at worshippers.
"Given the suspicious nature of the fire, and the past incidents targeting this mosque and Missouri's Muslim community, state and federal officials should investigate this case as a possible hate crime," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Hooper said that because of this and other incidents targeting American mosques, CAIR is urging Muslim individuals and institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
Last year, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a "terrorist threat" and desecrated religious texts that were used to target a Springfield, Mo., mosque. Earlier that year, hate graffiti was written on outer walls of the threatened mosque. The graffiti included obscenities, a Star of David and the words, "You bash us in Pakistan, we bash you here."
In June of this year, the FBI said there have been "positive developments" in the investigation.
CAIR's Minnesota chapter recently called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a possible bias motive for a city's rejection of a proposed Islamic center.
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, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
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- MEDIA ADVISORY -
CAIR: Calif. Muslim on No-Fly List to Return to U.S. 
Ali Ahmed scheduled to arrive Monday at San Diego International Airport
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 7/8/12) –- On Monday, July 9, representatives of the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) will meet a local Muslim who has been stranded overseas after being placed on the no-fly list when he arrives at San Diego International Airport.
Ali Ahmed, a U.S. citizen of Somali heritage, is scheduled to travel on United Airlines flight 229, due to arrive at 10:25 a.m. on Monday. He was stranded in Bahrain after being denied boarding on flights back to the United States.
WHAT: CAIR-San Diego Reps to Meet Muslim Stranded in Bahrain by No-Fly List
WHEN: Monday, July 9, Following Scheduled 10:25 a.m. (Pacific) Arrival
WHERE: San Diego International Airport (Contact CAIR-San Diego for exact location.)
CONTACT: CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Hanif Mohebi, 858-774-9991, E-mail:hmohebi@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 202-742-6410, 720-251-0425, E-mail: gabbas@cair.com
Last week, CAIR sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in which the civil rights group's attorney wrote: "[Ali Ahmed's] placement on the No-Fly List without due process of law, and his corresponding inability to fly back home to the United States, constitute grave violations of his civil rights and liberties."
Last month, CAIR advocated on behalf of a San Diego Muslim citizen stranded in Costa Rica after being placed on the no-fly list. The man was later allowed to re-enter the United States by land through the Mexican border.
Earlier this year, CAIR called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate acts of "coercion and intimidation" allegedly used by the FBI to pressure Muslim citizens into giving up their constitutional rights if they wished to return to the United States from overseas.
Last year, CAIR filed a lawsuit against the DOJ and the FBI seeking a court order to allow a Virginia Muslim teenager who had been detained in Kuwait and placed on a U.S. government no-fly list to return to the United States.
CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions.
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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Monday, June 25, 2012


BREAKING NEWS
D.C. Event with Assad Regime Figure Canceled
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/25/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced tonight that a Washington, D.C. event featuring Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, who has been a source of threats against America's national security and a key supporter of the brutal Syrian regime, has been canceled.
Earlier today, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad contacted the U.S. State Department asking them not to allow Hassoun entry to the country because he has threatened the United States and Europe with suicide attacks and because of his supportive role in the brutal regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
In an October 2011 speech, which is available on YouTube, Hassoun said, "I say to all of Europe, I say to America, we will set up suicide bombers who are now in your countries, if you bomb Syria or Lebanon."
CAIR also asked the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), which was to host the event, not to include a supporter of violence like Hassoun in the event. This evening, Philip Wilcox, president of FMEP, told CAIR in an email:
"We have canceled the Thursday program because the Mufti's You Tube comments, of which [we] were not informed, were entirely incompatible with the theme we were led to believe he would project, 'Coexistence and Dialogue.'"
"We would like to thank the Foundation for Middle East Peace for their prompt response to our call to rescind the invitation to this Assad regime figure," said Awad. "Special thanks to the Syrian American organizations and all other activists who worked on this issue."
From earlier today:
CAIR Urges Denial of U.S. Visa for Assad Regime Figure
Religious leader provides religious 'veneer' for dictator's brutality
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/25/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asking that Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, a key supporter of the brutal Syrian regime and a source of threats against America's national security, be denied a visa to enter the United States for a speaking event later this week in Washington, D.C.
Hassoun, a loyalist and appointee of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, is scheduled to speak at a June 28 forum on "Coexistence and Dialogue in Syria" sponsored by the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP).
Hassoun has threatened the United States and Europe with suicide attacks. In an October 2011 speech, he said, "I say to all of Europe, I say to America, we will set up suicide bombers who are now in your countries, if you bomb Syria or Lebanon."
Last year, Hassoun praised Assad, saying the Syrian president is a leader "who wants to guide Syria to victory, put the Syrian people on the path to victory, and give the homeland's sons the opportunity to be proud of their values, religion and Arabism." The mufti told a German publication, "It is well known that I generally support [Assad's] policies."
According to an FMEP official, Hassoun's visa may be granted today.
In a letter to Secretary Clinton, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:
"We urge you to deny entry to Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, who has threatened our nation's national security with calls for suicide attacks and whose state-appointed function is to provide a religious veneer for a brutal regime that has killed and tortured thousands of its own people...
"Hassoun's entry into the United States would only serve to provide credibility for his false claim that the ongoing revolution against the Assad dictatorship is inspired by foreign interests, instead of the Syrian people's clear desire for peace, freedom and the rule of law.
"By allowing Hassoun entry to the United States, we would send a contradictory and counterproductive message to the beleaguered people of Syria at time when they are suffering such hardships at the hands of the regime's forces."
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, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR Urges Denial of U.S. Visa for Assad Regime Figure
Religious leader provides religious 'veneer' for dictator's brutality
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/25/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asking that Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, a key supporter of the brutal Syrian regime and a source of threats against America's national security, be denied a visa to enter the United States for a speaking event later this week in Washington, D.C.
Hassoun, a loyalist and appointee of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, is scheduled to speak at a June 28 forum on "Coexistence and Dialogue in Syria" sponsored by the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP).
Hassoun has threatened the United States and Europe with suicide attacks. In an October 2011 speech, he said, "I say to all of Europe, I say to America, we will set up suicide bombers who are now in your countries, if you bomb Syria or Lebanon."
Last year, Hassoun praised Assad, saying the Syrian president is a leader "who wants to guide Syria to victory, put the Syrian people on the path to victory, and give the homeland's sons the opportunity to be proud of their values, religion and Arabism." The mufti told a German publication, "It is well known that I generally support [Assad's] policies."
According to an FMEP official, Hassoun's visa may be granted today.
In a letter to Secretary Clinton, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:
"We urge you to deny entry to Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, who has threatened our nation's national security with calls for suicide attacks and whose state-appointed function is to provide a religious veneer for a brutal regime that has killed and tortured thousands of its own people...
"Hassoun's entry into the United States would only serve to provide credibility for his false claim that the ongoing revolution against the Assad dictatorship is inspired by foreign interests, instead of the Syrian people's clear desire for peace, freedom and the rule of law.
"By allowing Hassoun entry to the United States, we would send a contradictory and counterproductive message to the beleaguered people of Syria at time when they are suffering such hardships at the hands of the regime's forces."
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, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


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