cair-net Digest of: get.1601_1700
Topics (messages 1601 through 1700):
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Urged to Offer Condolences/Imams Called on to
Condemn Terror/Mosques Asked to Increase Security
1601 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Meet U.K. Ambassador to Offer Condolences
1602 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FBI Probes Indiana Mosque Fire
1603 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Hoping to Be Heard/Islamic Mutual Fund/U.S.
Readying Iraq Withdrawal?
1604 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Feds Rearrest IL Man for Anti-Muslim Attack/OH Pastor Open
About Disdain for Muslims
1605 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CA National Guard Under Fire for Anti-Islam Display
1606 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims to Release Anti-Terror TV Ad
1607 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: We Must Face the Enemy Together/Muslims Care/Lutheran
Hospital Builds Mosque
1608 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Help Muslim Anti-Terror Message Air on Local TV Stations
1609 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.K. Muslim Leader Denied Entry to U.S./American Muslims
Issue TV Ad
1610 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Commentary in USA Today/Positive Reaction to Anti-Terror
PSA
1611 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Call Now to Impact Patriot Act Renewal
1612 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CO Muslims Seek Mtg With Tancredo Over 'Bomb Mecca'
Remark/The Quran's Influence on Western Civilization
1613 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Rep. Tancredo: No Apology for 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
1614 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Canadian Imams to Issue Statement Condemning Extremism
1615 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Urge Republicans to Repudiate 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
1616 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: First Live Broadcast from CA Mosque/NY Muslims Offer
Condolences/Statement by Canadian Imams
1617 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Anti-Muslim Hate is Not Patriotic/Talk-Show Hosts Meet CA
Muslims/Tancredo Accuses Colleague of 'Pandering' to MI Muslims
1618 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Condemns Egypt Bomb Attacks
1619 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Don't Quote Quran Out of Context/'Middle Eastern With a
Camera'/Muslim Inmate Not Allowed to Pray
1620 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: DC Radio Host Says 'Islam is a Terrorist Organization'
1621 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: 'Suspicious' Fire Destroys Would-Be NJ Islamic Center/FL
Anti-Muslim Church Sign Draws Criticism/Hispanic, Islamic Groups Want
Tancredo Out
1622 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Poll: Fewer Americans Link Islam to Violence
1623 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: 'Hate-Filled' Comments by DC Radio Host/CA Anti-Muslim
Incidents Increase/ACLU Sues Over NC Quran Oaths
1624 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslim Religious Council to Issue Fatwa Against Terror
1625 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Homeowner Removes Quran 'Flushing' Display/DC Radio Host
Calls Islam 'Terror Organization'/CAIR-CT On Guard Against Prejudice
1626 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Backs Fatwa Against Terror
1627 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: DC Radio Station Advertiser Rejects Anti-Muslim Bigotry
1628 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: DC Radio Host Suspended Over Anti-Islam Remarks
1629 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Southern California Mosque Vandalized
1630 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Those Who Accuse Muslims of Silence Aren't Listening/Latino
Muslims/Muslim-Bashing Sign/FBI Visits Mosque
1631 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Find Room to Grow in DC Suburbs/PA Anti-Arab Game
Raises Concern/AZ Cartoon Shows Bombs Given to Kids at Mosque
1632 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Asked to Pray for Rain in Niger
1633 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Probe Eyes Interrogation of U.S. Muslims/Positive 'Explore
the Quran' Feedback
1634 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: DC Radio Host Claims Quran Teaches Muslims to Lie
1635 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NY Politicians Call for Racial Profiling/Muslims Speak Out
Against Terror
1636 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NY Sued Over Subway Searches/Iranian-Americans Targeted by
FBI?
1637 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Condemns Bus Attack by Israeli Terrorist
1638 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MI County Imposes Fines for Fake Halal Ads/NY Muslim Cabbie
Returns Lost Diamonds
1639 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: IL Man Arrested for Threatening CAIR, U.S. Mosques
1640 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: RI Fire Probe Urged/Post-9/11 Work Bias Persists/Boucher
Meets CA Muslims
1641 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: VA Muslim Attacked by Men Shouting Racist Slurs
1642 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MI Muslims Meet with Paper Over Offensive Cartoon/No Group
Holds Patent on Terror
1643 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Profiling a Blessing to Terrorists/Police Investigate Attack
on Muslim Woman
1644 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Islam, Democracy and American Muslims/Links Between Israeli
Extremists, Americans
1645 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: AZ Muslim Dies Helping Police Officer/Muslims in the
Workplace/Islam and Non-Violence
1646 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Where is the Quran on Violence?/African-American Muslims
1647 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Quranic Passages on War Misinterpreted/Halal Law Protects
Muslim Customers
1648 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Imams, Mosques Urged to Endorse Anti-Terror Fatwa
1649 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: No U.S. Tax Dollars for Israeli Settlers/Muslim Actor's Life
as the Bad Guy
1650 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Work with Mainstream Muslims to Defeat Extremism/Single
Muslims Look for Love, With Chaperones
1651 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CA Muslims Will Respond to Arrests/AZ Muslims Offer Free
Qurans/NY Muslims Meet ICE Officials
1652 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Moderate Muslim Way to Counter Terror/CA Mosques Hold Open
Houses
1653 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Calls on JPMorgan Chase to Probe Racist Letter
1654 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: DC Radio Host Fired Over Anti-Islam Remarks
1655 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Condemns Robertson's Assassination Remarks
1656 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Religious Base in Classrooms Adds to Lessons
1657 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CA Man Finds No Joke with 'Mr. Bomber' Letter/U.S. Muslim
Leader Seeks Bush's Support
1658 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Don't Judge Islam, Christianity by Extremists/A New Welcoming
Spirit in the Mosque
1659 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FBI Urged to Probe Racist Attack in Missouri/U.S. Muslims Put
Faith in Political Arena
1660 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-FL to Launch Anti-Terror, Free Quran Billboard/U.S.
Muslims Feel Sidelined in Terror Fight
1661 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Urged to Aid Hurricane Victims/CAIR Offers
Condolences on Iraqi Civilian Deaths
1662 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims to Hold 9/11 Vigil at U.S. Capitol
1663 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Designate Friday as 'Hurricane Relief Day'
1664 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Pledge $10 Million for Hurricane Relief
1665 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Mosques Vandalized in NE, CA and NY
1666 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Respond to Katrina/CAIR Presents Award to Imam
W. D. Mohammed
1667 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Muslims to Air Anti-Terror TV Ads on 9/11 Weekend
1668 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force Launches Website
1669 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Texas Muslims to Feed Hurricane Evacuees on 9/11
1670 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Hughes Working to Ease Perceptions/More Students Choose
Religion as Major
1671 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslim Groups Help Hurricane Victims/Christians, Muslims Plan
Joint 9/11 Projects/Youths Return to Islam
1672 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Serve Katrina Evacuees/Christians, Muslims Worship
Together/Muslim Message Decries Terror
1673 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Register Today for Nasr Lecture on Shia, Sunni, U.S.
Relations
1674 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Tancredo Seeks Publicity with 'Crescent' Comments/Vandals
Target TX Islamic Center/Muslims 'Loud and Clear' on Hurricane Aid
1675 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Florida Muslims React to Vandalism at Islamic Center
1676 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Michigan Mosque Vandalized
1677 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Gov Suggests Wiretapping Mosques/Columnist Fired Over
Profiling Op-ed
1678 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Mosques Urged to Host 'Sharing Ramadan' Iftars
1679 by: CAIR
Re: Musharraf Urged to Advocate Just Resolution to Mideast Conflict
1680 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MA Gov Criticized for Call to Wiretap Mosques/FL Police Probe
Hate Crime at Mosque
1681 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: David Frum, CAIR-CAN Settle Defamation Suit/1,800 Turn Out
for CAIR-LA Banquet
1682 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Change Face of S. Florida/Bias Threatens Muslim
Careers
1683 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Meet with King Abdullah in DC/OH Muslims to Feed
the Needy in Ramadan
1684 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-Philly Offers to Mediate Firefighter Beard
Dispute/CAIR-Houston Dinner Postponed Due to Hurricane Rita
1685 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Quran Requests Top 20K - Sponsors Needed
1686 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-LA to Announce Housing Discrimination Suit
1687 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Urge Your House Rep to Sign Ramadan Resolution
1688 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslim Doc Awarded $2.45 Million in 9/11 Search Suit/PA
Muslims Report Highway Attack
1689 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NE Muslim Workers Halt Strike Over Prayers/Hijab Unfairly
Adds to Job Interview Stress
1690 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Asks States to Check Databases for Muslim Profiling
1691 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Troops Use Photos of Iraqi Corpses to Access Porn
1692 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FBI Asked to Probe MD Mosque Vandalism/Army Ends Probe on
Porn Site Photos of Iraq Corpses
1693 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: 30K Soldiers Registered on Porn-Corpse Site/FDNY to Swear in
Muslim Chaplain
1694 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Boeing, Bell Asked to Pull 'Mosque Attack' Ad
1695 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Boeing, Bell, National Journal Apologize for 'Mosque Attack'
Ad
1696 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Islam Gains Hispanic Converts/Latino Women Find a Place in
Islam
1697 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Are Part of America's Social Fabric/Who Are American
Muslims?
1698 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FBI Builds Ties with Muslims/Muslim Chaplain at Gitmo Tells
of Abuses
1699 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Help CAIR Raise $1 Million During Ramadan
1700 by: CAIR
---------------------------------
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in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
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--0-1244465291-1171825557=:64709--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/7/05
*
Hadith:
Murder is a Great
Sin
*
American
Muslims Respond to London Attacks:
-
CAIR Condemns
'Barbaric' London Terror Attacks
-
Letters to Editor
Should Condemn Terrorism
-
U.S.
Muslims Urged to Offer Condolences
-
CAIR Calls on Imams to
Condemn Terror
-
American
Mosques Asked to Step Up Safety Measures
*
U.S., Canadian
Muslims Condemn Attacks (UPI)
-
US Muslim
Groups Condemn London Terror Attacks (AFP)
*
CAIR-CA
Asks FBI to Probe
Bogus Mosque Mail
-
CAIR-LA:
Know
Your Rights Workshops
*
CAIR-CA
Offers
Diversity Training for Police Cadets
*
CAIR-CA:
Mosque to Offer
Free Korans (SJ Mercury News)
-
Feedback:
'Thank You for
My Beautiful Quran'
*
FL:
Arson May
Delay Islamic Cemetery (Orlando Sent)
-
FL:
Arson
at Muslim-Owned House (WFTV)
*
CAIR:
MN
Muslims Say Celestica Doesn't Allow Prayer
*
DC:
Kashmir Peace
Conference
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY:
MURDER IS A GREAT SIN -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said one of the worst sins a
person can commit is "to murder a human being."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 10
-----
AMERICAN MUSLIMS
RESPOND TO LONDON ATTACKS -
TOP
CAIR
CONDEMNS 'BARBARIC' LONDON TERROR ATTACKS -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1647&theType=NR
SEE ALSO:
LETTERS TO
EDITOR SHOULD CONDEMN TERRORISM -
TOP
CAIR is recommending that American Muslim groups and individuals use the
points outline in the above condemnation of the London attacks to write
letters to the editor for publication in local newspapers. The letters
should outline the Muslim community's repudiation of terrorism.
To locate media outlets in your area, go to:
http://www.capwiz.com/cair/dbq/media/
---
U.S.
MUSLIM URGED TO OFFER CONDOLENCES AT U.K. EMBASSY -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/7/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today called on U.S. Muslims to offer condolences in response to
this morning's terror bombings in London by contacting British diplomatic
offices in Washington, D.C., and around the nation.
Send condolence by e-mail through:
http://www.britainusa.com/functions/feedback/enquiry.asp
British diplomatic offices outside Washington, D.C., include: Atlanta,
Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Dallas,
Denver, Miami, Seattle, Orlando, and Phoenix
SEE:
http://www.britainusa.com/consular/embassy/
---
CAIR CALLS ON IMAMS
TO CONDEMN TERROR -
TOP
CAIR today echoed a call by British Muslim groups for prayer leaders
(Imams) at mosques around the nation to dedicate their Friday sermons
(khutbas) to condemn terrorism and promote peace and interfaith
harmony.
The Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group recommended
that sermons be based on CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam"
petition designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few
Muslims.
The "Not in the Name of Islam" petition states:
"We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who
commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not
only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the
faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever
justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever
serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any
Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts.
We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions
of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him."
SEE:
http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=169&page=AA
-----
AMERICAN
MOSQUES ASKED TO STEP UP SAFETY MEASURES -
TOP
At times of international crisis, the number of anti-Muslim incidents
nationwide tends to go up. CAIR is asking that American Muslim community
leaders read and implement safety measures outlined below:
MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* Report Suspicious Activity in Your Community
* Developing Positive Relationships with Law Enforcement Agencies
* Meet with Elected Representatives to Discuss Community Concerns
* Building Coalitions with Interfaith and Minority Groups
* Meet with Local School Principals to Discuss Student Safety
* Building an Emergency Contact List
* Hold a Community Meeting to Inform Others of Safety Guidelines
* Build a Community Support Network
* Reacting to Incidents of Anti-Muslim Hate
*
Mosque Safety
Guidelines
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Muslims must do their part to ensure the safety and security of our
nation. If anyone notes suspicious persons or activities in their
community, they should report it immediately to the local Field Office of
the FBI. SEE:
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Community leaders should immediately coordinate meetings between
representatives of the Muslim community and local state and national law
enforcement agencies. These meetings should focus on ways in which the
community can help national security and on how authorities can protect
Muslims and Arab-Americans from harassment and discrimination.
MEET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Delegations of Muslim representatives should schedule meetings with
local, state and national elected representatives or their key staff to
discuss community concerns. To find out who represents your area on the
local and national level, go to:
http://www.capwiz.com/cair/home/
BUILD COALITIONS WITH INTERFAITH AND MINORITY GROUPS
Similar meetings should be coordinated with representatives of local
interfaith and minority groups. These meetings should focus on building
lines of communication and support, and hearing from these groups how
they deal with discrimination and bigotry.
MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT SAFETY
Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local school
administrators to discuss safety plans for students and to sensitize the
administrators to harassment of Muslim students.
BUILDING AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Community leaders should develop emergency e-mail and phone contact lists
to be used in case of an incident that threatens the community's safety.
Local imams, Islamic center board members, and Muslim activists should be
on the lists.
A second list should be developed containing contact information for all
local law enforcement agencies.
HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING TO INFORM OTHERS OF SAFETY GUIDELINES
Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to discuss the
information outlined in this kit. The meeting should take place at a
local mosque or Islamic center and should be advertised using the
emergency contact list.
ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK
Establish a network of community members who can offer emotional and
material support to those who may be the victims of hate crimes or
discrimination. Victims should not be left alone to deal with the
negative impact of such incidents.
REACTING TO INCIDENTS OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE
If you believe you have been the victim of an anti-Muslim hate crime or
discrimination, you should:
1. Report the incident to your local police station and FBI office
IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be treated as a hate crime. Ask
witnesses to give you their name and contact information.
2. Inform CAIR even if you believe it is a "small" incident.
TEL: 202-488-8787, FAX: 202-488-0833, E-MAIL:
cair@cair-net.org
3. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by
the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.
4. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not
when convenient.
5. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a
statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a
protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing
campaign.
6. Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local mosque or
organization.
7. Stay on top of the situation.
8. Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make an announcement
to the same people and organizations originally contacted.
CAIR MOSQUE SECURITY
GUIDELINES -
TOP
Areas of Vulnerability:
* Mosques located in isolated areas.
* Mosques left unattended for extended periods of time.
* Mosques with unsecured doors and/or windows.
* Absence of a burglar alarm system.
* Heavy exterior vegetation (shrubs, etc.) in which criminals may
hide.
* Absence of exterior lighting.
Take the following safety measures:
* Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque. Invite them to
visit your center.
* Try to have people attend the mosque as much as possible. Activity
deters perpetrators.
* Make an appointment with the community relations officer of your local
police department to tour your center and make suggestions on improving
mosque security.
* Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of your center.
Special attention should be paid to times of darkness and during
prayers.
* Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
* Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas during prayer
times.
* Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch them.
* Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
* Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
* Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid doors.
* Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents. (Note - Research
local ordinances before beginning security renovations. For example,
window bars should not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
* Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
* Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
* Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.
* Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and
records.
* Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris.
* Consider installing security cameras.
-----
U.S., CANADIAN
MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTACKS -
TOP
United Press International, 7/7/05
http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20050707-024337-3980r.htm
U.S. and Canadian Muslim groups condemned Thursday's subway and bus
bombings in London, which killed at least 33 people.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," said a statement issued by the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations. "American
Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who
were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift
apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."
The Islamic Circle of North America, based in Oakville, Ontario, also
issued a strong condemnation.
"This is an inhumane crime and a devastating blow against
humanity," a statement from the group said.
Similar statements were issued by other Muslim groups in Britain, which
urged Muslims in the U.K. to aid in recovery efforts.
SEE ALSO:
US-BASED
MUSLIM GROUPS CONDEMN LONDON TERROR ATTACKS -
TOP
Agence France Presse, 7/7/05
The three leading US-based Muslim groups roundly condemned the deadly
terror attacks in London, expressing sympathy for the victims and
criticizing the use of Islam in the attacks.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," read a statement from the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which describes itself as
the largest US-based Muslim civil liberties group.
"American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones
of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the
swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators," the
statement read.
Another US-based group, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, issued a
statement in which it "unequivocally condemns" the
attacks.
"Islam considers the use of terrorism to be unacceptable for any
purpose," the statement read. "Any individual or group that
claims that these heinous actions serve as a redress for legitimate
grievances is dreadfully mistaken."
Group members "extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of
the victims and the British people."
A third group, the Burbank, California-based Islamic Relief and
development group, "condemns categorically" the London terror
attacks.
"A crime of this nature is a crime against all of humanity,"
the group said in a statement. "In order for good to prevail we must
continue to be united."
-----
CAIR-LA ASKS
FBI TO PROBE BOGUS MOSQUE MAIL -
TOP
(ANAHEIM, CA, 7/7/05) - The Southern California office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has called on the FBI to investigate
letters sent to people across the United States that appear to come from
a local Islamic center, but in fact originate from unknown parties in
another part of the state.
According to Sajid Mahmud, acting president for the Islamic Center of
Northridge - Tampa Mosque, several returned envelopes were received at
the center on Friday. The envelopes contained materials that would lead
recipients to believe that Islam does not support friendly relations with
people of other faiths. Mosque officials said that no one known to them
sent out the letters.
"The person or group of people who sent these bogus letters is
obviously trying to divide Americans along religious lines," said
CAIR-LA Communications Director Sabiha Khan. She called on Islamic
centers and Muslim organizations in California and around the nation to
report similar returned letters they may receive to CAIR-LA and to local
law enforcement authorities.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, Sabiha Khan, 714-776-1847 or 714-390-0334, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-LA
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOP AT ISLAMIC CENTER OF CLAREMONT -
TOP
WHAT: On July 10, the Islamic Center of Claremont and CAIR-LA will
present a "Know Your Rights Workshop" to learn from experts
about immigration issues, civil rights and social activism.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
* Janna Evans, Director of Community Liaison, U.S. Citizenship and
Department of Homeland Security
* James Lafferty, Executive Director, National Lawyers Guild (NLG)
* Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director, CAIR-LA
WHEN: Sunday, July 10, 2005, 11 - 1 p.m.
WHERE: Islamic Center of Claremont, 3641 N. Garey Ave. Pomona, CA
91769
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, 714-776-1847, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com or ICC (909)
593-1865
---
CAIR-LA
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOP AT ISLAMIC INSTITUTE OF ORANGE COUNTY -
TOP
WHAT: On July 22, the Islamic Institute of Orange County Public Relations
Committee, in coalition with CAIR-LA, will present: "Activism 101:
Learn the Skills and Tools Used to Engaged the Media and Protect Civil
Rights."
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
* Sabiha Khan, Communications Director, CAIR-LA
* Ra'id Faraj, Public Relations Director, CAIR-LA
WHEN: Friday, July 22, 2005 7-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Islamic Institute of Orange County 1220 N. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92806
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, 714-776-1847, E-Mail: socal@cair.com or IIOC
714-533-6271,
publicrelations@masjidomar.com
-----
SACRAMENTO
POLICE CADETS RECEIVE DIVERSITY TRAINING ON ISLAM -
TOP
CAIR-Sacramento Valley offers presentation on Muslim beliefs and
practices
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 7/7/05) - The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) recently conducted diversity
training for 46 graduates at the Sacramento Police Training
Academy.
The CAIR-SV representative offered a presentation designed to make the
graduates aware of issues that they might face when dealing with the
diverse Muslim community in Sacramento.
"From speaking to the staff and recruits, the training was well
received. . .The recruits appreciated the information," said Academy
Commander Sergeant Floyd Harvey. "Diversity training is important
for our staff so that they can learn about other cultures and religions.
Muslims form a big part of the Sacramento Community and the Police
Department represents and works for all."
Topics addressed in the presentation included the basic tenets of the
Islamic faith, the status of women in Islam, the diversity of the
American Muslim community, and ways in which area Muslims can have better
relations with law enforcement authorities. A question-and-answer session
followed the presentation.
CAIR-SV also distributed a booklet, "A Law Enforcement Official's
Guide to the Muslim Community," designed to familiarize the law
enforcement community with Islamic beliefs and practices. The booklet
covers issues such as religiously-sensitive techniques for body searches,
proper etiquette for entering Muslim homes and advice on outreach to the
Islamic community.
"With more than 45,000 Muslims living in the greater Sacramento
area, law enforcement officials need to be aware of issues related to
Islamic beliefs and practices," said CAIR-SV President Hamza
EL-Nakhal
CONTACT: CAIR-SV, 916-441-6269, E-Mail:
sacval@cair.com
-----
CAIR-CA: MOSQUE
TO OFFER KORANS AT NO COST -
TOP
Lisa Fernandez, Mercury News, 6/7/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/12073347.htm
Responding to reports of the Koran being abused in detainee camps, and in
an effort to enlighten Americans about Islam, the Bay Area's largest
mosque will hold a two-hour open house Sunday and give away copies of the
faith's holiest book.
Program coordinator Amina Ansari said there will be 500 copies of the
text available. The event is co-hosted by the Council on American Islamic
Relations and the Muslim Community Association, and is part of a
nationwide campaign that began May 17 as a response to a recent Newsweek
report, since retracted, about Guantanamo Bay prison guards flushing a
Koran down the toilet.
Ansari said 15,000 copies of the Koran have been distributed nationally
so far, and most of the recipients have been non-Muslims.
"We were concerned," she said, "about how to respond, and
we wondered what we could do without proselytizing. We wanted the general
public to gain more familiarity with Islam."
The open house will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at MCA Community Hall,
3003 Scott Blvd. in Santa Clara. Contact Ansari at (408) 986-9874 or
click on
www.cair-net.org/explorethequran/
for more information.
ALSO SEE:
'EXPLORE THE QURAN' FEEDBACK: 'THANK YOU FOR MY BEAUTIFUL QURAN' -
TOP
CAIR RECEIVED the following e-mail from a recipient of a free Quran:
"I wanted to thank you for the gift of my beautiful Quran, which
arrived today and now holds an honored place in my desk with other
revealed scriptures of the world."
Another e-mail stated: "Thanks for the information and for this
opportunity for those of us who are not Muslims to learn and understand
more about the faith of Islam. Peace be with you."
To obtain or sponsor a FREE Quran, go to:
www.explorethequran.org
-----
FL: ARSON MAY DELAY ISLAMIC CEMETERY -
TOP
Willoughby Mariano, Orlando Sentinel, 7/7/05
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-locvarson07x070705jul07,0,298891.story
These eight acres of oak hammocks and horse pasture in east Orange
County are a landmark for area Muslims. The land is the planned site of
the area's first Islamic cemetery. For the first time, Muslims will be
able to bury their own.
Then early Wednesday morning, someone forced open a door of a house on
the property. They lit a broom in the kitchen and set the empty house
aflame.
Investigators concluded that the fire was arson. Now they and leaders
of the Islamic Society of Central Florida wonder whether the motive is
anti-Islamic hate.
"It's a heartbreak," said Muhammad Musri, Imam of the Islamic Society
of Central Florida, as he walked through the charred remains of the
home. Society volunteers had spent hours painting it, and used their
own trucks and chain saws to clear away overgrown brush. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ARSON BLAMED FOR FIRE AT HOME OWNED BY ISLAMIC SOCIETY -
TOP
WFTV, 7/6/05
http://www.wftv.com/news/4688841/detail.html
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Fire marshals are investigating a suspicious
house fire in Orlando. The Islamic Society of Central Florida owns the
home.
The fire started in the kitchen of the vacant house and was so fierce
it burned right through the roof, more than 30 feet into the air.
Investigators say they have no doubt it was arson and the house's owner
says he has little doubt it was a hate crime.
"This only shows the hate and anger of whoever did it," said Imam Muhammad Musri, Islamic Society of Central Florida.
Musri had such high hopes for the house. He runs the Islamic Society of
Central Florida, which has gone years without a proper burial ground
for Orlando's 30,000 Muslims. They bought the eight-acre property next
to the Chapel Hill Cemetery a few months ago. It would have been a
caretaker's house. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS SAY THEIR EMPLOYER HASN'T MADE ROOM FOR PRAYER -
TOP
Myron P. Medcalf, Star Tribune, 7/7/05
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5494010.html
Five times a day, Ahmed Elmi removes his shoes and moves into position
to worship and pray to Allah. Five times a day, he pleads for
forgiveness and future fruitfulness.
Elmi, 30, of Minneapolis, has a routine that is symbolic, sacred and mandatory to his spiritual integrity.
But Elmi and more than a dozen Muslim employees at Celestica Inc. in
Arden Hills alleged at a news conference Wednesday that their sacred
routine is being threatened by managers who are requiring that they
pray only during scheduled work breaks.
They contend that the company has terminated or suspended 15 Muslim
employees since May and threatened others with the possibility of
discipline because of their prayer schedules.
Pam White, a spokeswoman at Celestica headquarters in Ontario, Canada,
said Wednesday that the company has always embraced diversity and
accommodated religious practices.
The company has even provided its Arden Hills employees with a separate prayer room, she said.
White also said that no employee has been terminated or suspended for religious reasons.
"Celestica does not believe that we are in violation of any laws," she said.
Elmi and other current and former Muslim employees have asked that the
company change its policy to respect religious diversity and reinstate
those who were suspended or fired.
As of Wednesday, 35 of them -- most of whom are Somali -- had retained
the legal help of Arsalan T. Iftikhar, national legal director of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Iftikhar, who appeared with employees at the news conference at the
Brian Coyle Community Center in Minneapolis, said his clients are not
asking for additional break time. (MORE)
CONTACT: Arsalan Iftikhar at 202-415-0799, E-Mail:
arsalan@cair-net.org
-----
KASHMIR PEACE CONFERENCE -
TOP
WHAT: Fifth International Kashmir Peace Conference
WHERE: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Rayburn House Office Building
(Gold Room #2168)
{Independence Avenue & First Street}
WHEN: Thursday, July 14th-Friday July 15th,
Registration begins at 8.00 a.m.
CONTACT: Misbah: Tel: 202-628-6789; Fax: 703-295-8683; E-Mail:
kashmirconference@yahoo.com
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
------
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. MUSLIMS MEET U.K. AMBASSADOR TO OFFER
CONDOLENCES
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/8/05) - Local and national representatives of
the American Muslim community met today with the British ambassador in
Washington, D.C., to offer condolences for the deaths and injuries
suffered in yesterday's bomb attacks in London.
The Muslim delegation included representatives of the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Coordinating Council
of Muslim Organizations in the Washington, D.C., area.
Prior to meeting with Ambassador David Manning, CAIR Board Chairman
Parvez Ahmed signed the embassy's book of condolences set up following
Thursday's bombings. In the meeting, Ahmed and the other Muslim leaders
reiterated their community's condemnation of the attacks and expressed
solidarity with the people of Britain.
Ambassador Manning told the Muslim visitors that the bombings targeted
every segment of his nation's multicultural population and that the
attacks should not be linked to Islam, which he described as a faith of
"peace, reconciliation and tolerance."
Yesterday, CAIR called the subway and bus bombings "barbaric crimes
that can never be justified or excused." (SEE:
www.cair.com) The group also called on
Muslims to offer condolences at British diplomatic offices nationwide and
urged prayer leaders (Imams) in American mosques to condemn terrorism in
their Friday sermons. (Friday is the day of congregational prayer in
Islam.)
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FBI PROBES INDIANA MOSQUE FIRE
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/9/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) said today that the FBI is investigating an apparent
arson attack on an Indiana mosque as a possible hate crime.
Local Muslim leaders and law enforcement officials told CAIR that a rock
was thrown through a window of the Islamic Center of Bloomington sometime
last night. Liquid "accelerant" was then poured through the
window and ignited. The fire was extinguished before if could do major
damage to the facility. A burned Quran, Islam's holy text, was also found
outside the mosque.
Investigators from the Bloomington police and fire departments are
working with FBI agents to apprehend the perpetrators.
"We thank the FBI and local law enforcement agencies for their swift
and professional response to this disturbing incident," said CAIR
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We can only hope that the
vandalism and fire were not prompted by the tragic events that occurred
in London on Thursday."
Hooper said CAIR is also investigating reports that an Islamic prayer
area in a Houston, Texas, medical center was vandalized and defaced with
racist anti-Muslim graffiti on Friday.
In response to similar incidents and to the recent controversy over
alleged desecrations of the Quran in Guantanamo Bay, CAIR launched a
campaign, called
"Explore the Quran," designed to
provide free Qurans to Americans of all faiths. More than 15,000 people
have already taken advantage of that offer. To obtain or sponsor a free
Quran, go to:
http://www.explorethequran.org/
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/10/05
*
Verse:
Pray
and Remember God
*
CAIR-DC:
Muslims Hoping
to be Heard This Time (Newsday)
-
CAIR-FL:
U.S. Muslims
Decry Terror Attacks (FL Today)
-
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Condemn
Blasts (Miami Herald)
-
CAIR-OH:
True
Muslims Denounce Terrorism
-
CAIR-CA:
Local
Muslims Decry Attacks (Sac Bee)
-
CAIR-CA:
London Bombings
Condemned (OC Register)
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslim,
Groups Condemn London Bombings
-
NM:
Muslims
Appalled by Terrorism (Abq. Trib)
-
NJ:
Muslims Slam
London Attacks (AP)
*
IN:
Fire at
Mosque Probed As Hate Crime (Indy Star)
-
Six New Zealand Mosques
Vandalized (TVNZ)
-
Arsonists Target Mosque
in UK (ITV)
*
MI:
Center
Invites All to Learn About Islam (Flint Jrnl)
-
IA:
Islamic Center
Holds 'Ice-Breaker' (DM Reg)
*
CA:
Woman Plays
Cupid for Pakistani Muslims
*
Mutual Fund Complies With
Laws of Koran (Bloomberg News)
*
US, UK
Readying Iraqi Withdrawal-Report (Reuters)
*
US Army
Struggles to Grasp Foreign Cultures (Reuters)
-
Wall to Cut
Off 55,000 Palestinians (Reuters)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY:
PRAY AND REMEMBER GOD -
TOP
"Prayer restrains (mankind) from shameful and unjust deeds, and
remembrance of God is surely the greatest of all deeds."
The Holy Quran, 29:45
-----
HOPING TO BE HEARD THIS TIME -
TOP
Ellis Henican, Newsday, 7/10/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-nyhen104338161jul10,0,3857674,print.column
It was one of the ugliest myths of 9/11, repeated so many times some
people actually started to believe it.
The myth was that large numbers of American Muslims danced and cheered
when the planes hit the towers, celebrating a vicious attack on innocent
civilians as some kind of twisted victory for Islam.
This was always a lie.
Oh, sure, a couple of knuckleheads here and there might have clowned for
a TV camera. And every group has its evil zealots on the fringe. But they
didn't speak for the vast majority of American Muslims any more than Eric
Rudolph, the Olympic Park bomber and Christian Identity nut-job, speaks
for American Christians.
Similarly, reports of thousands of high-fiving American Muslims in the
9/11 aftermath were always a vicious, damaging slander, pounded by a few
race-baiting demagogues, spread by testosteronic talk-radio hosts,
repeated so many times it finally became impossible to say where the
claims originally came from.
Actually, we didn't get quite as much of that talk in New York as they
did in a lot of places. Mostly, we knew better.
I'm like a lot of people here, I guess. I can't get to work in the
morning without having at least casual contact with a Muslim or six,
starting with the Pakistani guy at the newsstand and the Syrian woman at
the coffee place.
And I'm pretty sure neither one of them wants to see me incinerated on
the No. 6 train platform.
Do you, Mohammed?
I hope not, Hala!
Good.
Militant jihadists have struck again, in London this time - and the
sweeping generalizations are about to erupt again.
Or are they?
Having learned a few lessons from last time, American Muslim leaders
sprang into action Thursday morning, putting out loud and clear
denunciations of the latest terror attacks. No words were
minced.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Public Affairs
Council, the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Association of North
America - every major group had put a statement out by the time their
leaders headed to their mosques on Friday afternoon.
And it wasn't just the big, national groups. They were joined by the
Islamic Association of North Texas, the American Moslem Society of
Dearborn, Mich., and just about every group with a letterhead and an M in
its name.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," the Council on American-Islamic Relations
declared. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-FL:
AMERICAN MUSLIMS DECRY TERROR ATTACKS -
TOP
Ahmed Bedier, Florida Today, 7/10/05
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/OPINION/507100309/1004
On behalf of the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations and the Muslim community we join Americans of all faiths -- and
all people of conscience worldwide -- in unequivocally condemning
Thursday's bomb attacks in London as barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of
those who were killed or injured in the attacks and call for the swift
apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.
Muslim scholars, clergy and organizations worldwide continue to condemn
violent acts of terror committed against humanity.
In 2004, our organization launched an online petition drive, called
"Not in the Name of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from
the violent acts of a few Muslims.
The petition states in part: "We refuse to allow our faith to be
held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside
the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad."
To view or sign the petition, go to:
www.cair.com.
Ahmed Bedier is the Central Florida director for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
-----
MUSLIMS CONDEMN BLASTS, HATE -
TOP
Trenton Daniel, Miami Herald, 7/9/05
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12090328.htm
Leaders of South Florida's Muslim community met Friday to convey their
sympathy and to denounce the bloody London bombings believed to be the
handiwork of Islamic terrorists.
Hailing from West Palm Beach to Kendall, almost a dozen members of area
Islamic groups gathered at the Miami Gardens Masjid to offer words of
support and a call for justice, a day after explosives ripped through
three subway trains and a double-decker bus, killing more than 50 and
wounding more than 700.
''Florida Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of
those who were killed or injured in yesterday's attack and call for the
swift arrest and punishment of the criminals responsible for these
bombings,'' said Altaf Ali, executive director of Florida's Council on
American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy group also known as
CAIR.
But the news conference aimed to serve another purpose: to spread the
word that Islam is a peaceful religion and to call for police protection
in the event of a local anti-Muslim backlash.
''At the same time, we urge law enforcement officials to ensure the
safety of all people, including members of the Muslim community who may
be targeted by vigilantes,'' Ali said.
On Friday, news organizations reported that a mosque in England was
attacked.
Muslim leaders at the news conference reported that South Florida has
seen no serious incidents, though there were a few troubling cases, they
said. (MORE)
---
CAIR-OH: TRUE
MUSLIMS DENOUNCE TERRORISM -
TOP
Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), 7/9/05
http://www.dispatch.com/
The London bombing act of terrorism is inexcusable and unjustifiable.
Muslims join Americans of all faiths and all people of conscience
worldwide in condemning this heinous crime.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to
the victims, as well as their families and loved ones, of Thursday's
terrorist attacks.
These are moments of sadness. These evil deeds make all of us victims.
Those who claimed responsibility have no regard for human life, which is
cherished by Islam.
God said in the holy Quran: "On that account: We ordained for the
Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person, it would be as if he
slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he
saved the life of the whole people." (Quran 5:32) (MORE)
AHMAD AL-AKHRAS
President
Ohio chapter
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Columbus
---
CAIR-CA: LOCAL MUSLIMS
DECRY ATTACKS -
TOP
Cameron Jahn, Sacramento Bee, 7/9/05
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13202389p-14045438c.html
Sacramento-area Muslim leaders denounced terrorism Friday, calling the
London attacks a major setback after four years of outreach to the
non-Muslim community.
"We are still guilty by association," said Irfan Haq, spokesman
for the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations. "For the
Muslim community who worked hard to reach out to Muslims and people of
all faiths, it is a direct hit on all of them."
Attendance at Friday prayers was down 20 percent at the Sacramento Area
League of Associated Muslims mosque in east Sacramento, as people stayed
home to grieve, Haq said.
The SALAM center will host a community meeting to discuss terrorism and
its impact on the local Muslim community at 7 p.m. next Friday.
"As Muslims, we utterly deplore these heinous and horrific acts that
contradict all laws of Islam and civilization," the Council on
American Islamic Relations' Maren Shawesh said at the news conference at
Masjid Annur Islamic Center.
---
LONDON BOMBINGS CONDEMNED -
TOP
Ann Pepper, Orange County Register, 7/8/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/08/sections/news/news/article_590002.php
Orange County groups and religious leaders have joined prominent national
Muslim organizations in issuing condemnations of the terrorist bombings
Thursday in London.
"American Muslims join other Americans of all faiths and people
around the world in condemning these horrific and barbaric crimes which
can never be excused," said Sabiha Kahn, spokeswoman for the Council
on American Islamic Relations, which represents an estimated 170,000
Muslims in Orange County.
Her group is the largest advocacy and civil rights organization for
Muslims in North America.
"We offer our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones
and to those who have been injured in the attacks," she
said.
Kahn said she did not recognize the name of the organization that has
tentatively been named in connection with the attack.
"But it doesn't matter who they are," she said. "They need
to be brought to justice."
Unlike the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in this country when
CAIR's Anaheim office faced an influx of e-mails and hate calls, Khan
said she received positive communication after Thursday's
attacks.
"We did get several phone calls already today thanking us for our
swift and unequivocal condemnation of the London terror. I think the
difference is that here in Orange County people are probably more aware
of the Muslim community. We've been building relationships through our
work and through the American Muslim community in general. We've been
trying to educate others about Islam, and people here are generally
open-minded and want to learn. It shows how far we've come as a community
in understanding one another," she said Thursday. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM,
INTERFAITH GROUPS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS -
TOP
Momo Chang, Inside Bay Area, 7/9/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_2848821
SAN FRANCISCO - Muslim and interfaith groups from across the Bay Area
gathered at the Islamic Society of San Francisco Friday to send a clear
message to those responsible for the "heinous" and
"barbarous" London subway bombings Thursday.
"We're joining Americans of all faiths to condemn the attacks in
London," said Imran Maskatia of Hayward, a member of the Islamic
Networks Group. "Those who are responsible for the acts are
distorting and defaming the name of Islam."
Many from Islamic organizations felt that a quick response to Thursday's
bombings was necessary to prevent any misunderstandings about
Muslims.
"Those who committed these crimes act in their own name only,"
said Amina Ansari of the Washington, D.C.-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations, and added that the Quran condemns
violence.
Ansari said her organization has received over 100 hostile e-mails over
the last 24 hours. "There have been no threats of violence, but
there is an environment of hostility," she said, who works for the
Bay Area chapter of CAIR in Santa Clara. "We've gotten 3-4 calls in
the office with people saying 'Muslims are terrorists, go back to your
country, we don't need you here.'"
---
LOCAL
MUSLIMS APPALLED BY TERRORISM, MARRED BY PREJUDICE -
TOP
Phill Casaus, Albuquerque Tribune, 7/9/05
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_columnists/article/0,2565,ALBQ_19865_3913518,00.html
Less than 12 hours after terrorists blew up trains and a bus and about
700 lives in London Thursday morning, a man named Abdul Rauf
Campos-Marquetti felt compelled to issue the following news release to
New Mexico's media outlets:
On behalf of the Muslim community here in New Mexico and around the
world, we strongly condemn the act of terrorism that claimed the lives of
innocent people today in London. Our prayers and condolences are with
them and their families. The terrorists who are hiding behind the
peaceful religion of Islam shall never prevail and are not representative
of the over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. (MORE)
---
N.J. MUSLIMS SLAM LONDON
ATTACKS -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/9/05
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS03/507090340/1007/BUSINESS
NEWARK - Muslims across the United States are denouncing the bombing of
London's transit system and bracing themselves for a renewed wave of
harassment that has continued since the Sept. 11 attacks.
As Muslims gathered for Friday prayers, some New Jersey mosques posted
guards at entrances to check bags, peered into garbage cans and circled
buildings to make sure no suspicious packages were nearby.
The attacks Thursday killed dozens and injured more than 700, and
authorities have said they had the signatures of the al-Qaida terror
network.
Aref Assaf, president of the Paterson-based Arab American Forum, urged
people to refrain from blaming the entire Arab and Muslim community for
the attacks.
Leaders of New Jersey's Muslim community have not asked police to
increase patrols near mosques as they did in 2001.
This time, they're doing it themselves, said Sohail Mohammed, a Clifton
lawyer who has tracked security issues for the community since Sept.
11.
-----
FBI: FIRE AT
MOSQUE PROBED AS HATE CRIME -
TOP
Rob Schneider, Indianapolis Star, 7/9/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS01/507090489/1006/NEWS01
A fire at a Bloomington mosque early Saturday is being investigated as a
hate crime by the FBI and members of its Joint Terrorism Task
Force.
The incident took place at the Islamic Center of Bloomington, where a
ground-floor window was broken and an incendiary device was used to start
a fire, an official of the mosque said.
FBI Agent Wendy Osborne confirmed that the FBI "received information
on an attempted arson or some type of fire that occurred in
Bloomington."
"The FBI did respond, and we are investigating and treating this
incident as a hate crime, which we take very seriously," Osborne
said.
Task force members are officers from local police departments. The force
is used to assist the FBI in investigating any domestic or international
terrorist act, she said.
A member of the mosque who stopped by between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. to use
the restroom at the two-story brick building, located at 1925 E. Atwater
Ave., discovered the fire before it caused extensive damage, said Nathan
Ainslie, president of the mosque's executive board.
A burned Quran, Islam's holy text, was found near the broken window, and
fire damage inside the building was limited to a wall, Ainslie
said.
When asked if the mosque had received any messages or threatening calls,
he said, "Not to my knowledge. I can't comment on some of this
stuff, because the investigation is ongoing."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., released a
statement Saturday saying, "We can only hope that the vandalism and
fire were not prompted by the tragic events that occurred in London on
Thursday."
On the day terrorists set off explosions in London, the council issued a
statement advising mosques in the United States to step up safety
measures, noting that at times of international crisis, anti-Muslim
incidents nationwide tend to increase. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
SIX AUCKLAND MOSQUES
VANDALIZED -
TOP
TVNZ, 7/10/05
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411415/596900
Auckland's Muslim community found six mosques vandalised and walls tagged
in graffiti with the message "Londoners RIP" following the
terrorist bombings in London that killed more than 50 people.
In what appeared to be a co-ordinated series of attacks in central, south
and west Auckland, vandals smashed glass windows and doors and left
variations of the same message in black paint on walls facing the
street.
Muslim leaders and government ministers condemned the attacks.
New Zealand Federation of Islamic Associations president Javed Khan said
it was the first time an attack on this scale had occurred against the
country's 40,000 Muslims, about 25,000 of whom live in
Auckland.
---
ARSONISTS TARGET
MOSQUE IN MERSEYSIDE -
TOP
ITV, 7/9/05
http://www.itv.com/news/britain_1460219.html
Arsonists have targeted a Mosque in the north of England, sparking fears
it may have been in retaliation to the bomb attacks in London.
Fire broke out at the Wirral Islamic Cultural Centre, Shahjalal Mosque,
on Birkenhead, Merseyside in the early hours of the morning.
Although the building was empty at the time, one man who lives in a flat
above the mosque was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Chief Superintendent Alan Jones, of Merseyside Police, described the
attack as "senseless and very dangerous".
He added: "It is of great importance in the current climate that
Merseyside sees itself as one community, and we must be united in our
condemnation of those that would target people based on their age, race,
religion or gender.
-----
CENTER INVITES ALL
TO LEARN ABOUT ISLAM -
TOP
Joe Lawlor, Flint Journal, 7/9/05
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1120918808263600.xml
CLAYTON TWP. - Dr. Abdelmajid Jondy preached a message of peace Friday at
the Flint Islamic Center, while condemning the terrorist attacks in
London.
"Islam is a peaceful religion," Jondy said. "Those who
kill innocent people are not Muslim."
Jondy, president of the center, said he's concerned about terrorists
using Islam for political reasons and giving the religion a bad
reputation. A group tied to al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the
bombings that have killed about 50, although authorities Friday were
still gathering evidence.
Jondy said the truth is that Muslims are good citizens who don't commit
crimes.
"All of you are decent people," Jondy told attendees at
Friday's service at the center. "You don't break into people's
homes. You don't rob banks. You don't shoot people at McDonald's. Society
is ignoring these facts about you."
Mustafa Ghannoun of Flint Township said Muslims are "under the
microscope" in the United States, and as a gas station owner, he's
already heard negative comments from customers about the London
bombings.
"One man said a word to me that I cannot repeat in this place,"
Ghannoun said, pointing to the spacious center.
ALSO SEE:
ISLAMIC CENTER HOLDS
'ICE-BREAKER' -
TOP
Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 7/10/05
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/LIFE05/507100333/1039/LIFE
Last week, while preparing for Saturday's open house at the Islamic
Center of Des Moines, one of the Muslim organizers received a disturbing
phone call.
"Tell me, when are you going to blow up another bus?" asked the
male caller, making an apparent reference to last week's terrorist
attacks in London.
The imam of the center, Ibrahim Dremali, says the call is indicative of
some people's lack of understanding when it comes to Islam and the Muslim
people. Some Americans still equate peace-loving Muslims with foreign
terrorist extremists, forgetting that there are at least 2 million
Americans of the Islamic faith.
Saturday's open house was intended to help "break the ice between
Muslims and non-Muslims," Dremali said. About 70 people attended a
morning presentation at which Dremali and a panel of guest speakers
sought to dispel some of the more common myths associated with
Islam.
----
FREMONT
WOMAN PLAYS CUPID FOR PAKISTANI MUSLIMS -
TOP
Jonathan Jones, Inside Bay Area, 7/10/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_2850347
FREMONT - Think it's hard finding a mate to settle down with? For Muslim
immigrants looking for a traditional marriage arrangement, the
considerations go way beyond whether a potential spouse likes country
music or hip-hop.
In Pakistan, as in other Muslim countries, families play an important
role throughout the marriage process. Typically, parents find spouses for
their children. A boy's mother usually will contact a girl's family to
arrange a meeting for a potential couple.
In determining whether two people are a good match, families often take
into account caste, ethnicity, native province and religious
sect.
But as Islamic practices continue to evolve in American culture, some
Pakistani Muslims are turning to matchmaking services as a way to
maintain some resemblance to traditional marriage arrangements.
Firdous Kamran, a Pakistani-born woman who has lived in Fremont on and
off for more than two decades, knows all about it.
She is a 5-foot-2 Kashmiri who describes herself as a moderate Sunni
Muslim. Her hobbies include reading, social work and writing short
stories. She is an Aries who has been married since 1973.
She is also the founder of Family Connections, a matchmaking matrimonial
service for Pakistani Muslims living in North America. (MORE)
-----
AMANA COMPLIES WITH LAWS
OF KORAN -
TOP
Ludwig Marek, Bloomberg News, 7/10/50
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/09/AR2005070900122.html
Nicholas Kaiser's Amana Income Fund is outperforming the U.S. stock
market this year by following the laws of the Koran. Managed in
compliance with Islamic principles known as sharia law, the fund was the
best performer of 19 U.S. mutual funds tracked by Bloomberg that are
governed by social or religious principles.
The fund can't own shares of financial institutions such as banks that
charge interest. Banking stocks are trailing the Standard & Poor's
500-stock index in 2005. Energy stocks, the benchmark's top performers,
aided by record oil prices, are among its largest holdings.
"Under the current circumstances, the restricted selection helps us
to look for good stocks," Kaiser, 59, said from his office in
Bellingham, Wash. The $41.6 million fund owns shares of Exxon Mobil Corp.
and BP PLC, the world's two largest publicly traded oil
companies.
Amana Income, named for an Islamic term meaning "to have
faith," gained 25 percent in the past 12 months, almost triple the
S&P 500's 9 percent return.
The assets of the Amana Income Fund and the Amana Growth Fund, also run
by Kaiser, increased 64 percent in the 12 months ended May 31 to a
combined $95 million. The growth fund climbed 24 percent in the past
year.
Inflows into so-called socially responsible funds rose 40 percent faster
than net investments in professionally managed funds between 1995 and
2003, according to a study released by the Social Investment Forum, a
Washington-based trade group. Updated figures are due in
November.
"There is still very strong interest in socially responsible
investing," said Amy Domini, chief executive of Domini Social
Investments LLC in New York. Her firm oversees the Domini Social Equity
Fund, the category's largest, with $1.26 billion in assets.
Kaiser, a Bellingham native, doesn't practice Islam, has never been to
the Middle East and doesn't speak any Arabic. Kaiser said he was
approached in 1984 by the North American Islamic Trust, a Burr Ridge,
Ill., group that oversees assets of the Islamic Society of North America,
the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada, and
other organizations.
"I had no idea about Islamic funds then," he said.
Two years later, after working with the trust's directors and scholars to
form an investment strategy based on Islamic law, he helped start the
Amana Mutual Trust Fund. (MORE)
-----
UK
MEMO SAYS US, UK READYING IRAQI WITHDRAWAL-REPORT -
TOP
Reuters, 7/9/05
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09407645.htm
LONDON - A leaked document from Britain's Defence Ministry says the
British and U.S. governments are planning to reduce their troop levels in
Iraq by more than half by mid-2006, the Mail on Sunday newspaper
reported.
The memo, reportedly written by Defence Minister John Reid, said Britain
would reduce its troop numbers to 3,000 from 8,500 by the middle of next
year.
"We have a commitment to hand over to Iraqi control in Al Muthanna
and Maysan provinces (two of the four provinces under British control in
southern Iraq) in October 2005 and in the other two, Dhi Qar and Basra,
in April 2006," the memo was reported to have said.
The memo said Washington planned to cut its forces to 66,000 from about
140,000 by early 2006.
"Emerging U.S. plans assume 14 out of 18 provinces could be handed
over to Iraqi control by early 2006," the memo said.
The United States is training Iraqi forces to take over the country's
defence in the face of an insurgency involving allies of former Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein and foreign militants allied to al Qaeda
operative Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
But critics say Iraqi troops are not ready to take charge of security in
their country.
"There is, however, a debate between the Pentagon/Centcom, who
favour a relatively bold reduction in force numbers and the
multi-national force in Iraq, whose approach is more cautious," read
the memo. (MORE)
-----
US ARMY
STRUGGLES TO GRASP FOREIGN CULTURES -
TOP
Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters, 7/10/05
http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_international.asp?id=82905
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army plans to train its officers to think like
their enemies and better understand foreign cultures after an Army report
found that no one could have envisioned the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks.
Small groups of officers soon will take classes in cultural anthropology
and cross-cultural communication as U.S. troops continue to battle
insurgents daily in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Academic experts welcomed the move, but said reshaping the U.S. military
would be difficult, given continuing reports of religious intolerance at
military institutions and charges of detainee abuse abroad.
The Army's report, released last month, concludes that even seasoned
analysts failed to predict a strike of the magnitude of the 2001 attacks
because they based their assessments on U.S. culture, values and
reasoning. . .
Lobna Ismail, who has done hundreds of cross-cultural training sessions
for FBI officials, said the military's failure to understand Arab
concepts of honor -- for instance by entering a house where women are
alone -- had already fueled perceptions in Iraq of American arrogance,
costing the United States potential supporters.
Yvonne Haddad, professor of history at Georgetown University's Center for
Muslim-Christian Understanding, faulted U.S. officials for alienating
people in Islamic countries with speeches geared to appeal to the U.S.
Christian right.
"Every time President Bush speaks, he creates more enemies,"
she said. "People think he has declared a war on
Islam."
Haddad said she remained worried the military would use its newly
acquired knowledge to "subjugate people rather than in trying to
work with them."
The Council on American Islamic Relations welcomed efforts to better
understand other cultures, but said it was continuing to monitor the U.S.
military after reports of inappropriate proselytizing by evangelical
Christians at the Air Force Academy, said spokesman Ibrahim
Hooper.
An Air Force report last month faulted the academy for failing to
accommodate "adherents to minority beliefs," but concluded
there was no "overt religious discrimination."
SEE ALSO:
BARRIER TO
CUT OFF 55,000 JERUSALEM PALESTINIANS -
TOP
Matthew Tostevin, Reuters, 7/10/05
JERUSALEM, July 10 (Reuters) - Some 55,000 Palestinian residents of
Jerusalem will be separated from work, schools and hospitals in the holy
city by Sept. 1 when Israel's barrier is completed, according to an
Israeli cabinet decision on Sunday.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called for workers to speed up building
the barrier, which Israel says stops suicide bombers and Palestinians
call a grab for West Bank land even as the Jewish state quits settlements
in the occupied Gaza Strip.
The cabinet on Sunday set Sept. 1 as completion date for the barrier
around Jerusalem, which will separate more than one-fifth of the
Palestinian residents of the city they want as the capital of a future
state. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/11/05
*
Hadith:
God's
Love
* CAIR Rep on
C-SPAN'S
'Washington's Journal'
*
CAIR-DC Forum:
'Muslims and Free
Markets'
*
CAIR:
Feds
Rearrest IL Man for Anti-Muslim Hate Crime
-
Feds Indict Two Men for 2003
Attack
*
Incitement:
Ohio Pastor Open About
Disdain for Muslims
*
CAIR-MO:
Solidarity
with London on Terror Bombings
-
CAIR-DC:
Condolences for Bomb
Victims (Seattle Times)
-
CAIR-OH:
Muslim
Community Condemns London Acts
-
CAIR-MD/VA:
Terror in
London (Washington Times)
*
CAIR-CA:
Muslims
Hold Open House (Mercury News)
*
CAIR-MI:
Hundreds
Gather to Remember Bosnian Killings
*
For Muslims, Charity
Can Carry Risks (Chicago Trib)
*
Israel
Seeks $2.2 Billion from US for Gaza Pullout
-
Israeli Barrier Meant
to Ensure Jewish Majority (AP)
*
'Catholic
Terror' was Never Used for IRA (Guardian)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: GOD'S LOVE
-
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) quoted God as saying: "My
love is obliged to those who love each other for My sake, who sit with
each other for My sake, who visit each other for My sake, and who give to
each other generously for My sake."
Al-Muwattah, Volume 51, Hadith 15
-----
CAIR REP ON
C-SPAN'S 'WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL' -
TOP
CAIR Communication Director Ibrahim Hooper appeared on C-SPAN's
"Washington Journal" on Saturday, July 9, to discuss the recent
terrorist attacks in London and other issues.
To view the interview, go to:
rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/ter/ter070905_wjhooper.rm
-----
CAIR-DC FORUM:
'MUSLIMS AND FREE MARKETS' -
TOP
* Are there enough Muslims in business?
* What do Muslims in business contribute to community and society?
* How do business people relate to the concerns of equity and
justice?
An Address by
* Fakhri Al-Barzinji, President, International Graphics and Amana
Publications
* Rehan Dawer, Senior Vice President, Guidance Financial Group
WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 2005, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Office, 453 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington,
D.C.
Seating is limited. Refreshments are provided
To R.S.V.P please e-mail
mnimer@cair-net.org by July
11
-----
CAIR: FEDS REARREST
MAN IN HATE CRIME -
TOP
NATASHA KORECKI, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/11/05
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/hate11.html
In 2003, Eric Nix was charged with a hate crime after he hurled a
fireworks-type mortar into a Muslim family's van in Burbank.
But months later, Nix got off with what the Muslim community called
"a slap in the face"--two years probation and anger management
classes. That case was in state court.
Today, in a rare move, federal authorities have stepped in and rearrested
Nix, 26, and charged him in the same incident.
This time though, Nix faces up to 10 years in prison on a federal civil
rights charge.
The feds also charged his friend, Daniel Alba, 31, with lying to
authorities and leading the investigation astray. . .
Nix also served a month in prison in 2001 after an Oak Lawn Police
officer saw him throw a brick through the window of an Arab-owned
furniture store in Burbank, the southwest suburb where Nix and Alba live.
The incident happened two days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks.
"When you have a situation where somebody brings what could have
been deadly force against a family and then gets off with anger
management classes, we obviously don't believe that was
appropriate," said Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy
group.
"I think the original case did not take into account the seriousness
of this person's actions. I think it's entirely appropriate to bring
federal charges against him."
SEE ALSO:
TWO BURBANK MEN INDICTED ON
FEDERAL CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED BOMBING OF VAN BELONGING TO
ARAB FAMILY IN 2003 -
TOP
CHICAGO - Two south suburban men were arrested today on federal charges
in connection with the alleged bombing of a van in Burbank in 2003, the
Justice Department and the United States Attorney's Office announced
today.
One defendant was charged with violating the civil rights of the owner of
the van and her family, all of Arab descent, and the second defendant was
charged with lying to investigators.
The defendants were charged in separate grand jury indictments that were
returned last Thursday and unsealed today following their arrests,
announced Brad Schlozman, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil
Rights Division; Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the
Northern District of Illinois; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge
of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Andrew
L. Traver, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The defendants, Eric K. Nix, 26, of Burbank, and Daniel R. Alba, 31, also
of Burbank, were arrested this morning. Nix was charged with one count of
violating the victims' civil rights, specifically interfering with their
housing rights by using an explosive. Alba was charged with one count of
making false statements to ATF agents.
Defendant Nix has an initial appearance scheduled before Magistrate Judge
Levin at 11:00 a.m. today, and defendant Alba is scheduled for his
initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Nolan at 3:00 p.m. today. Both
defendants will appear in U.S. District Court.
The Nix indictment alleges that on March 21, 2003, Nix detonated a
commercial aerial explosive shell inside a van belonging to Victim A,
which was parked in front of the residence of Victim A and her family in
the 7700 block of South Mayfield in Burbank. Nix allegedly violated the
family's civil rights by force and threat of force involving the use of
an explosive, and interfered with Victim A and her family, all of whom
were of Arab descent, because of their race and national origin and
because they occupied the single-family dwelling where the van was
parked.
The Alba indictment alleges that four days later, on March 25, 2003, Alba
lied to ATF agents investigating the bombing when he said that he did not
know who had caused an explosion in the van, when, in fact, he allegedly
did know the identity of the individual who caused the
explosion.
The explosion, which occurred just days after the beginning of war in
Iraq, caused extensive damage to the van.
"During periods of global tension, residents of this country must
obey the law and refrain from engaging in hostile action toward any
individuals on account of their race or national origin," Mr.
Fitzgerald said. "We are committed to protecting the civil rights of
all people by prosecuting anyone who breaks the law by depriving others
of their right to live free from harassment and violence."
If convicted, Nix faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a
maximum fine of $250,000. Alba, if convicted, faces a maximum of five
years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Court, however, would determine
the appropriate sentence to be imposed.
The government is being represented in court by Michael K. Khoury, a
trial attorney with the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S.
Attorney Rick Young.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is
not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are
entitled to a fair trial at which the United States has the burden of
proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CONTACT: AUSA Rick Young, (312) 886-7660, PIO Kim Nerheim, (312)
353-5318, DOJ Public Affairs, (202) 514-2007
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: PROMINENT OHIO CHRISTIAN
RIGHT LEADER SURPRISINGLY OPEN ABOUT HIS DISDAIN FOR MUSLIMS -
TOP
Anastasia Pantsios, Cleveland Free Times, 7/11/05
http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=21076
Ohio Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Blackwell has
made no secret of his ties to Ohio's Christian conservatives.
He seems to be especially tight with the Rev. Rod Parsley, whose World
Harvest Ministries in suburban Columbus is headquarters for a growing
religious empire. The sprawling campus is home to a congregation of
12,000, a Bible college, kindergarten-through-12th grade school, and an
international TV ministry.
Parsley's ties to Blackwell are close and many. The two stumped Ohio
together last October in support of the anti-gay-marriage Issue 1.
Blackwell spoke at the World Harvest Church during a weekend in April
celebrating Parsley's latest book, "Silent No More," whose
jacket boasts the following endorsement from Blackwell: "This book
should inspire men and women of faith ... and make 'values voters' a
force that politicians can no longer ignore." Parsley returns the
favor in the acknowledgments: "Ohio's Secretary of State, the
Honorable Kenneth Blackwell: thank you for your courageous and outspoken
support of moral value... Character like yours is instrumental in
restoring honor to public service."
Parsley clearly aspires to greater political influence: his Center for
Moral Clarity is part of the Ohio Restoration Project, a thinly veiled
"Christians for Blackwell" movement. So their heaping praise on
each other is not surprising.
But it will be interesting to see how Blackwell handles the tricky parts
of such alliances. For example, Parsley's blunt attacks on
Muslims.
Take, for example, these quotes from chapter five of "Silent No
More," titled "The Deception of Allah":
"The God of Christianity and the god [sic] of Islam are two separate
beings."
"Muhammad received revelations from demons and not from the true
God."
"Islam is an anti-Christ religion that intends, through violence, to
conquer the world."
Parsley goes on to argue that "America was founded, in part, with
the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed," and that
"Islam is responsible for more pain, more bloodshed and more
devastation than nearly any other force on earth at this moment." He
speaks of the "persecution" of Christians by Muslims, and
dismisses the latter as deluded illiterates. . .
Ahmad Al-Akhras, president of the Ohio chapter of the Council of
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) said: "It is disturbing that
someone in the cloak of religion and supposedly a follower of the great
faith of the peaceful Jesus Christ would spew such venom. This is
ignorance what he is saying. This same exact type of claim [about
propagating violence] can be prepared about any other religious or ethnic
group. Just collect the crimes committed by people who claim to be
followers of such groups, whether like Christians or Jews or otherwise.
You can put them together and create the impression that this group or
that group is responsible for all the crimes of humanity.
"The message of Jesus is the message of peace and the message of
embracing other people. Apparently, [Parsley] does not seem to understand
this. I think those politicians who are being courted by him need to be
called upon and they should denounce his hatred."
The Free Times asked Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo to comment on
Parsley's writings. LoParo responded by forwarding the text of a speech
that Blackwell made to the American Muslim Council three years
ago.
Among general thoughts on freedom and fighting terrorism, he said:
"Already I have seen many instances of our shared moral code
overshadowing our differences, as citizens of all races, religions, and
ethnicities form alliances to make sure our national security is
preserved within the framework of the Constitution... and to fight
bigotry."
Asked again for a response to Parsley's words, LoParo did not
reply.
CONTACT: CAIR-OH, Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, 614-989-5916, E-Mail:
ahmad@cair-ohio.com
-----
CAIR-ST.
LOUIS: SOLIDARITY WITH LONDON ON TERRORIST BOMBINGS -
TOP
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/10/05
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/editorialcommentary/story/823A6E4CE60757B68625703900318E1E?OpenDocument
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, St. Louis Chapter, joins
Americans of every faith and people of conscience across the world in
condemning Thursday's bomb attacks in London.
We offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who
were killed or injured in these attacks. We also call for swift action in
apprehending and punishing the perpetrators.
No injustice done to Muslims can justify the massacre of innocent people,
and no act of terror will serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and
dissociate ourselves from any group or individual who commits, condones
or justifies such brutal and un-Islamic acts, whatever name they give
themselves. These acts violate the Islamic principles of preserving the
sanctity of life and protecting the safety and security of innocent
civilians.
We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions
of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of the Quran and the
teaching of Prophet Muhammad.
Kamal Yassin Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations,
St. Louis Chapter
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-DC: THIS MEANS PEACE -
TOP
The Seattle Times, 7/8/05
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=frilets08&date=20050708
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joins Americans of all
faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning Thursday's
bomb attacks in London as barbaric crimes that can never be justified or
excused.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of
those who were killed or injured in the attacks, and call for the swift
apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.
In 2004, CAIR launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the
Name of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts
of a few Muslims. The petition states in part: "We refuse to allow
our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority
acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet
Muhammad."
To view or sign the petition, go to:
www.cair.com
Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director, CAIR, Washington,
D.C.
---
CAIR-OH:
MUSLIM COMMUNITY CONDEMNS LONDON ACTS -
TOP
Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/10/05
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/EDIT0202/507100313/-1/all
On Thursday the world witnessed the bombing and terrorizing of innocent
people in London. The Muslim community in Cincinnati, the United States
and around the world joins people of all faiths in condemning these
inexcusable acts of terror. The killing of innocent people is a heinous
crime no matter their nationality or faith. Those who have claimed
responsibility for these crimes have no regard for human life. This is a
sad moment for all of humanity.
The Quran, the book of scripture for Muslims, is very clear that the
taking of innocent human life is forbidden. Justice is one of the main
themes of Islam. Those who commit acts of terror and murder and claim
that they do it in the name of Islam are betraying the most basic
teachings of the very faith they claim to uphold.
The Muslim community categorically disassociates itself from those whose
criminal actions are perpetrated in contradiction to the teachings of the
Quran and the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him.
The Muslim community grieves and prays for those killed and we send our
heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We pray that peace
will soon prevail in our world.
Karen Dabdoub is the Director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations chapter in Cincinnati.
---
CAIR-MD/VA: TERROR IN LONDON -
TOP
Washington Times, 7/11/05
http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20050710-100558-1152r
As people of conscience, American Muslims unequivocally condemn
Thursday's barbaric attacks against innocent civilians in London
("Terror in the heart of London," Page 1, Friday). These crimes
can never be justified or excused. We offer our sincere condolences to
the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in these attacks and
call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the
perpetrators.
No legitimate cause can ever be furthered by such criminal behavior. Any
Muslim who commits such acts in the name of Islam is in fact defiling its
essence.
In 2004, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest
Muslim civil rights advocacy organization, launched an online petition
drive called "Not in the Name of Islam," designed to
disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. The petition
states in part: "We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by
the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of
both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad."
SHAMA FAROOQ
Director of Civil Rights
Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland & Virginia
Bethesda
-----
CAIR-CA: MUSLIMS HOLD OPEN
HOUSE -
TOP
Andrea Chang, Mercury News, 7/11/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/the_valley/12104446.htm
An effort to educate the public about the Muslim faith gained a new
urgency Sunday in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks in
London.
The Bay Area's largest mosque held a two-hour open house Sunday,
distributing free copies of the Koran for the first time and educating
visitors on a religious faith that Muslim program coordinators said is
too often misunderstood.
The event, hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Muslim
Community Association, was part of a nationwide campaign that began May
17 in response to reports of the Koran being mishandled in detainee
camps.
"Education is the key to understanding between all
communities," said Amina Ansari, CAIR program manager.
The program began with a welcome address that denounced Thursday's
attacks in London and terrorism in general. The open house at the MCA in
Santa Clara also targeted misconceptions of Islam by providing
information on women in the Koran and freedom of religion.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR-MI:
HUNDREDS GATHER TO REMEMBER BOSNIAN KILLINGS -
TOP
Norman Sinclair, Detroit News, 7/11/05
http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0507/11/B01-243159.htm
HAMTRAMCK -- With a backdrop of national flags, white carnations and a
haunting poster of a grieving war victim, several hundred people gathered
at City Hall on Sunday, marking the 10th anniversary of the massacre of
an estimated 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Serbs in Srebrenica during the
Bosnian war.
The somber crowd, including children and teenagers in colorful national
dress, also observed a minute of silence in tribute to the American
military -- and their adopted country -- for ending that
conflict.
"This was the greatest tragedy in the history of Bosnia, and the
largest atrocity in Europe since World War II," Sead Camo said.
"This was not a civil war where both sides could be faulted. This
was genocide."
Camo, of the Bosnian American Islamic Center of Detroit, and other
speakers also praised the U.S. Congress for a resolution last month that
recognized the killings as an act of genocide against the Bosnian
Muslims.
Also on hand was Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council of
American Islamic Relations, who said Sunday's memorial highlights more
than the tragedy of a decade ago.
"It is significant for all Muslims, especially in the light of what
happened in London, to remember the collective suffering of all and to
stop killings based on ignorance and hate," Walid said.
(MORE)
-----
FOR MUSLIMS, CHARITY
CAN CARRY RISKS -
TOP
John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 7/11/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/north/chi-0507110112jul11,1,2715621.story
Here's the dilemma: Your religion, like most others, demands that you
give to charity. In fact, it's one of the central tenets of your
faith.
But giving to the wrong charity, even unbeknownst to you, might put you
on the wrong side of the War on Terror.
"We want to live under the command of our faith, but how can we if
we fear arrest and deportation, profiling, persecution or
intimidation?" said Zaher Sahloul, vice president of the Council of
Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
Now, almost four years after the Sept. 11 attacks and a federal crackdown
on charities allegedly linked to terrorists soon thereafter, steps are
being taken to alleviate the fear and anxiety many Muslims feel when they
attempt to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam--Zakat, which compels
them to donate 2.5 percent of their annual income to the needy.
In May, the Illinois General Assembly passed bipartisan resolutions
calling on the federal government to create a list of Muslim charitable
organizations to which one can safely donate, legislation that Muslim and
immigrant groups said was the first of its kind. It was natural that such
an effort would begin in Illinois because it is home to a sizable and
well-organized Muslim population, as well as some of the most prominent
charities shut down after the attacks. (MORE)
-----
ISRAEL
SEEKS $2.2 BILLION FROM US FOR GAZA PULLOUT -
TOP
Dan Williams, Reuters, 7/11/05
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-07-11T184029Z_01_N11496735_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-MIDEAST-DC.XML
JERUSALEM - Israel will ask the United States for $2.2 billion, one of
the largest aid requests by the Jewish state, to pay for its planned
withdrawal from the occupied Gaza Strip, Israeli political sources said
on Monday.
They said the special funding would be used to pay for the pullout from
Gaza and a corner of the West Bank slated to begin in the middle of next
month, and to relocate some 9,000 evacuated Jewish settlers to
underpopulated areas of Israel.
A senior Israeli political source said the U.S. aid request was the
biggest in recent years, "which is hardly surprising given the
unprecedented scale of the Disengagement Plan".
Israel's Haaretz daily said the request would be made by aides to Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon in talks with U.S. National Security Council
official Elliot Abrams on Monday evening.
The Bush administration has agreed in principle to help fund the Gaza
plan, Haaretz said. Washington wants the withdrawals to consolidate a
five-month-old truce and spur talks on a U.S.-led "road map"
for a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
BARRIER MEANT TO
ENSURE JEWISH MAJORITY -
TOP
Karin Laub, Associated Press, 7/11/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/07/11/international/i073139D24.DTL
Israel's separation barrier in and around Jerusalem is meant to ensure a
Jewish majority in the disputed city, a Cabinet minister acknowledged
Monday, contradicting government claims that the divider is solely a
temporary security measure.
Israel's Cabinet on Sunday approved final details of the 40-mile
Jerusalem barrier, which is halfway built and will eventually cut off
some 55,000 Arab residents in four neighborhoods from their city, while
including some 30,000 Jewish West Bank settlers on the Jerusalem
side.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al Kidwa on Monday urged more street
protests of the barrier, saying Palestinians should organize for a
"higher level of daily confrontations against the
wall."
Visiting EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the Jerusalem barrier
raises humanitarian problems for Palestinians.
Also Monday, Israeli officials said they would seek $2.2 billion in
additional U.S. aid for the summer's withdrawal from Gaza and four West
Bank settlements. The request was to be made later Monday in a meeting
between Israel and U.S. officials in Washington.
Palestinians fear Israel is unilaterally drawing its borders by pulling
out of Gaza, beefing up large West Bank settlement blocs and building the
barrier around Jerusalem. The terms of Palestinian statehood, including
the fate of Jerusalem and the settlements, are to be determined in talks
on a final peace deal.
-----
THE
LABEL OF CATHOLIC TERROR WAS NEVER USED ABOUT THE IRA -
TOP
The Guardian, 7/11/05
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9115,1525903,00.html
Last year I attended a conference in the US about security and
intelligence in the so-called war on terror and was astonished to hear
one of the more belligerent participants, who as far as I could tell had
nothing but contempt for religion, strongly argue that as a purely
practical expedient, politicians and the media must stop referring to
"Muslim terrorism". It was obvious, he said, that the
atrocities had nothing to do with Islam, and to suggest otherwise was not
merely inaccurate but dangerously counterproductive.
Rhetoric is a powerful weapon in any conflict. We cannot hope to convert
Osama bin Laden from his vicious ideology; our priority must be to stem
the flow of young people into organisations such as al-Qaida, instead of
alienating them by routinely coupling their religion with immoral
violence. Incorrect statements about Islam have convinced too many in the
Muslim world that the west is an implacable enemy. Yet, as we found at
the conference, it is not easy to find an alternative for referring to
this terrorism; however, the attempt can be a salutary exercise that
reveals the complexity of what we are up against.
We need a phrase that is more exact than "Islamic terror".
These acts may be committed by people who call themselves Muslims, but
they violate essential Islamic principles. The Qur'an prohibits
aggressive warfare, permits war only in self-defence and insists that the
true Islamic values are peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. It also
states firmly that there must be no coercion in religious matters, and
for centuries Islam had a much better record of religious tolerance than
Christianity.
Like the Bible, the Qur'an has its share of aggressive texts, but like
all the great religions, its main thrust is towards kindliness and
compassion. Islamic law outlaws war against any country in which Muslims
are allowed to practice their religion freely, and forbids the use of
fire, the destruction of buildings and the killing of innocent civilians
in a military campaign. So although Muslims, like Christians or Jews,
have all too often failed to live up to their ideals, it is not because
of the religion per se. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
------
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/12/05
*
Verse:
God's
Countenance
*
CAIR-CA:
National
Guard Under Fire for Anti-Islam Display
*
ISLAM-OPED:
The
Blame Islam Game
*
CAIR-MI:
No
Room for Terror in Islam (Free Press)
-
CAIR-CA Condemns London Attacks (Daily
News)
-
CAIR-DC:
British
Ambassador Meets with Muslims (WT)
-
CAIR-FL:
Bombs
Spread Malice, Mistrust (Sun-Sent)
-
CAIR-SC:
Muslims Abhor
Terrorist Attacks (The State)
-
CAIR-FL:
Muslims
Condemn Bombing (Bradenton Herald)
*
CAIR-IL:
Charges
in 2003 Anti-Muslim Attack (Chicago Trib)
*
N.C.
Courts May Ask Legislators to Decide Quran Issue (AP)
*
More Say Iraq Has
Reduced U.S. Safety (CNN)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD'S
COUNTENANCE -
TOP
"To God belong the East and the West, and wherever you turn, there
is God's countenance."
The Holy Quran, 2:115
-----
CAIR-CA:
NATIONAL GUARD UNDER FIRE FOR ANTI-ISLAM DISPLAY -
TOP
Dion Nissenbaum, San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/12108904.htm
SACRAMENTO - Already under scrutiny for setting up a controversial new
intelligence unit and keeping tabs on a Mother's Day anti-war protest,
the California National Guard is taking new heat for an anti-Islamic
flyer that was hanging in its Sacramento headquarters.
Islamic groups and anti-war activists criticized the Guard on Monday
after learning that one Guard soldier had a historically suspect flyer
touting World War I General John J. Pershing as a hero for executing
Muslim terrorists with bullets dipped in pig's blood to deny them entry
to heaven.
"Maybe it is time for this segment of history to repeat itself,
maybe in Iraq?" states the flyer that was posted outside a cubicle
in the Guard's Civil Support Division. "The question is, where do we
find another Black Jack Pershing?"
The flyer, which has circulated since Sept. 11 as a hard-line tale for
fighting Islamic terrorists, raised concerns for some activists about the
mind-set of Guard soldiers.
"It's troubling to see a governmental organization dedicated to the
security of our country promoting culturally and religiously insensitive
ideas," said William Youmans, media relations manager for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations in Santa Clara. "It's very
possible to combat terrorism without offending the cultural values of a
major world religion."
Initially, a Guard spokesman defended the flyer Monday as
"historically accurate," but called back later to say that it
had been removed because of concerns raised by the activists.
(MORE)
-----
ISLAM-OPED: THE BLAME
ISLAM GAME -
TOP
ISLAM-OPED is a national syndication service of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designed to offer an American Muslim
perspective on current political, social and religious issues. ISLAM-OPED
commentaries are offered free-of-charge to one media outlet in each
market area. Permission for publication will be granted on a
first-come-first-served basis.
CONTACT:
ihooper@cair-net.org
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)
Please consider the following commentary for publication.
---
THE BLAME ISLAM GAME
By Parvez Ahmed
WORD COUNT: 556
[Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D., is board chairman of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy group. He may be contacted at:
pahmed@cairfl.org. For a photo of
Parvez Ahmed, go to:
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=Board&person=Parvez
]
When asked whether the recent bus and subway bomb blasts were acts of
Islamic terror, London Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair responded that
the culprits were certainly not "Islamic terrorists" because Islam and
terrorism do not go together.
He was echoing the sentiments of Prime Minister Tony Blair who earlier
said, "The vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims both here and
abroad are decent and law abiding people who abhor this kind of
terrorism every bit as much as we do."
During a private meeting with American Muslims, British Ambassador to
the U.S., Sir David Manning was emphatic in distancing the London
terror bombings from Islam, which he described as a faith of "peace,
reconciliation and tolerance."
Despite this sentiment, it is quite common to see terrorism committed
by Muslims be referred to as "Islamic terrorism." Yet efforts to find
an alternative to this false assertion have often proven inconclusive.
As author Karen Armstrong recently noted in the Guardian newspaper,
"Incorrect statements about Islam have convinced too many in the Muslim
world that the West is an implacable enemy." She also pointed out that
acts of terrorism by the Irish Republican Army are not referred to as
"Catholic terrorism."
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian
Muslims in Srebrenica. That act of barbarism was never attributed to
any religion, despite the religious roots of the conflict.
Columnist Thomas Friedman recently promoted another damaging stereotype
by writing in the New York Times, "the Muslim village has been derelict
in condemning the madness of jihadist attacks....To this day - to this
day - no major Muslim cleric or religious body has ever issued a fatwa
condemning Osama bin Laden."
Juan Cole, a professor of history at University of Michigan, debunks
this myth by cataloging numerous condemnations from prominent Muslim
religious figures who have not only called the "jihad" of Osama bin
Laden un-Islamic but also pointed out Islam's emphatic rejection of
terrorism.
Following the bombings in London, every major Muslim group in America
and abroad issued clear condemnations, dissociating the barbarism of a
few from the peaceful practices of the mainstream majority.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," declared the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR).
"Attacking civilians who are going about their daily business is a
criminal act that violates Islamic principles, and must be condemned by
all Muslims," was the response from the Islamic Society of North
America, one of America's largest Muslim groups.
Misperception about Islam's position against terrorism is making an
already jittery American public even more suspicious. More importantly,
it is also preventing meaningful dialogue between American Muslims and
policy makers. Lack of dialogue also leads to very little discussion
about the "underlying issues" of terrorism, which Tony Blair asserted
must be dealt with if terrorism is to be eradicated.
However, this important step cannot be achieved so long as the American
public remains misinformed about Islam in general and Muslim positions
related to terrorism in particular. Only when the blame game stops can
meaningful dialogue begin.
American Muslims should rightfully undertake the mission of building
bridges of understanding between America and the Muslim world. This can
happen when mainstream American Muslim groups are constructively
engaged by policy and opinion makers.
-----
CAIR-MI: THERE'S NO ROOM FOR TERROR IN OUR RELIGION, AREA MUSLIMS SAY -
TOP
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 7/12/05
http://www.freep.com/news/religion/bombs-bar112e_20050712.htm
Several Muslim leaders from across metro Detroit gathered Monday in Dearborn to condemn last week's attacks in London.
Speaking in front of the Islamic Center of America, they said that those who set off the bombs have nothing to do with Islam.
"They are criminals. They are terrorists," said Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi
of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights. "They may claim
that they are Muslims, but we do not recognize that. ...There is no
room for terrorism in Islam."
Both Sunnis and Shi'ites, the two main sects of Islam, attended.
"We join Americans of all faiths and people of good conscience
worldwide in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Walid also condemned cases of backlash against Muslims and mosques in
Britain. He said he has no reports of attack-related backlash against
local Muslims.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR CARES -
TOP
Daily News, 7/11/05
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E21663%257E2959701,00.html
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR, joins Americans of all
faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning
Thursday's bomb attacks in London as barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of
those who were killed or injured in the attacks and call for the swift
apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.
In 2004, CAIR launched an online petition drive, designed to dissociate
Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. The petition states in
part: "We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal
actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the
Quran and the Prophet Muhammad."
To view or sign the petition, go to:
www.cair.com.
Hussam Ayloush
Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations
Anaheim
---
CAIR-DC: MEETING WITH MUSLIMS -
TOP
James Morrison, Washington Times, 7/11/05
http://washingtontimes.com/world/20050711-120423-6870r.htm
American Muslims offered condolences to British Ambassador David Manning and called the London bombings "barbaric crimes."
Mr. Manning told them the bombings should not be linked to Islam, which
he described as a religion of "peace, reconciliation and tolerance."
Representatives of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations and the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations met with
Mr. Manning on Friday at the British Embassy.
CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed signed the book of condolences and called
the attacks "barbaric crimes that can never be justified of excused."
---
CAIR-FL: BOMBS SPREAD MALICE, MISTRUST -
TOP
Ralph De La Cruz, Sun-Sentinel, 7/12/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-ralph12jul12,0,2801117.column
The day after Elian Gonzalez was snatched by federal agents, a couple
hundred Cuban-Americans took to the streets, overturning dumpsters and
setting tires on fire.
It was a tough day to be Cuban in America.
Feeling, on one hand, outraged by the heavy-handedness of my
government. And on the other, frustrated at the undisciplined response
by protesters. Angry that the moment had been hijacked by thugs who
happened to be Cuban like me.
And then there were the uneasy looks from people who should have known
me, but suddenly weren't so sure. I went from Ralph the friend, the
columnist, to Ralph the Cuban. And it wasn't Ricky Ricardo they saw.
More like Tony Montana.
Tell the truth. How many of you were so repulsed the moment you read
"Elian" in the first sentence that you almost stopped reading?
See what I mean? Some of the negatives probably won't fade for a generation.
And that was a conflict over where a boy should live. There were no bombs. No wars.
Imagine what it must be like to be Muslim in America today.
"At this point, Muslims are really fed up. We're sick and tired of the senseless violence."
I was speaking to Altaf Ali, executive director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations in Florida (CAIR). It was the day after
terrorists detonated four bombs in London -- apparently in the name of
a religion.
Ali's religion.
"It's an injustice not only against people of other faiths, it's an
injustice against other Muslims. Because it's Muslims who are suffering
the consequences of these people who have hijacked our religion," he
continues, sounding like many Christians must feel every time there's a
bombing or burning of an abortion clinic -- supposedly in Jesus
Christ's name.
Friday was a busy day for Ali. There would be a press conference later
in the day with local Islamic leaders condemning the violence. And he
had spent the morning with two FBI agents talking about the vandalism
of an Islamic center in Miami-Dade last month.
"It's been a few years since Sept. 11 and we were thinking, `Things
should be getting better,'" he said. "Now, there's a high level of
anxiety in the Muslim community again." (MORE)
---
CAIR-SC: MOST MUSLIMS ABHOR TERRORIST ATTACKS -
TOP
The State (Columbia, SC), 7/12/05
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/editorial/letters/12110562.htm
I express my sincere condolences to the families of the loved ones who
were killed or injured in the London attacks on Thursday. As a Muslim,
I am outraged as well as sad to see those committing this heinous crime
in the name of Islam. They not only are destroying innocent lives, but
also are betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent.
The national office of Council on American Islamic Relations sent out a
release on Thursday condemning the attacks. As media relations director
for the S.C. chapter of CAIR, I have sent out releases to all local
media condemning these attacks as well. These barbaric crimes can never
be justified or excused. We hope those who committed these acts are
swiftly apprehended and punished.
Because a few Muslims conduct these violent crimes, CAIR launched an
online petition drive in 2004 called "Not in the name of Islam,"
designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.
There are 689,000 signatures on the petition, which includes my
signature as well.
I hope non-Muslims will understand these acts don't represent the true
teachings of Islam and don't let the acts of a few stereotype all
Muslims as terrorists.
SABRINA KIDWAI
Media relations director, CAIR-SC
---
CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS CONDEMN BOMBING -
TOP
Bradenton Herald, 7/12/07
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/12111744.htm
On behalf of the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations and the Muslim community, we join Americans of all faiths and
all people of conscience worldwide in unequivocally condemning
Thursday's bomb attacks in London as barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences
to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in the attacks
and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.
Muslim scholars, clergy and organizations worldwide continue to condemn
violent acts of terror committed against humanity. In 2004, CAIR
launched an online petition drive called, "Not in the Name of Islam,"
designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.
The petition states in part: "We refuse to allow our faith to be held
hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the
teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad." To view or sign
the petition, go to:
www.cair.com
Ahmed Bedier, Central Florida Director Council on American-Islamic Relations - Tampa
-----
CAIR-IL: MAN FACES NEW CHARGES IN 2003 VAN EXPLOSION -
TOP
Tom Rybarczyk, Chicago Tribune, 7/12/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0507120177jul12,1,6719103.story
A Burbank man was arrested Monday on federal charges he violated the
civil rights of a Muslim family when he allegedly tossed a fireworks
explosive into their unoccupied van.
Eric K. Nix, 26, has been convicted in Cook County of misdemeanor charges stemming from the same 2003 incident.
Shortly after his arrest at 8:30 a.m. Monday, he pleaded not guilty to
the federal charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ian Levin.
Nix was performing community service as part of his sentence for the
misdemeanor conviction when U.S. deputy marshals arrested him.
His punishment in September 2003 in Cook County Circuit Court, 200
hours community service and two years' probation, was criticized as a
"a slap on the wrist" by Muslim civil rights groups and the victim,
Abbas Salmi.
"We are definitely pleased with the fact that justice is taking its due
course," said Fadi Farhan, director of governmental relations for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"The punishment in any case should fit the crime, and this charge fits the act more than the previous [charges]." (MORE)
-----
N.C. COURTS MAY ASK LEGISLATORS TO DECIDE QURAN ISSUE -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/12/05
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/12110165.htm
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Legislators may be asked to decide if the Quran and
other religious texts can be used for courtroom oaths, said a spokesman
for the agency that manages state courts, as the ACLU pressed for a
response on the texts' use.
The legal foundation of the ACLU of North Carolina has called on the
state Administrative Office of the Courts to adopt a policy allowing
the Quran and other religious texts for oath-taking in North Carolina
courtrooms.
The request came after Guilford County's two top judges decided that Muslims could not legally take an oath on the Quran.
"We think they are dragging their feet," said Jennifer Rudinger, the state ACLU's executive director.
In addition, a Washington-based Islamic civil rights organization and
Greensboro-area religious leaders have called on the AOC to act. The
ACLU wrote a formal letter to the state agency June 28 but has not
received a response.
An AOC spokesman said Monday a judicial conference last month and
vacation schedules have kept key decision-makers from working on the
issue. (MORE)
-----
MORE SAY IRAQ HAS REDUCED U.S. SAFETY -
TOP
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/11/bush.terror/index.html
(CNN) -- The number of Americans who believe the war in Iraq has made
the United States less safe from terrorism spiked sharply after last
week's terror attacks in London, according to the latest CNN/USA
Today/Gallup poll.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
------
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
U.S. MUSLIMS TO RELEASE ANTI-TERROR TV AD
'Not in the Name of Islam' PSA says terrorism violates
faith
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/13/05) - On
Thursday, July 14, the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference
in Washington, D.C., to launch a nationwide television public service
announcement (PSA) campaign, called "Not in the Name of Islam,"
designed to highlight the Muslim community's condemnation of terrorism
and rejection of those who carry out terror attacks. The PSA will be
distributed by satellite feed to television stations on Thursday
afternoon and will be re-broadcast next Tuesday. An Arabic-subtitled
version of the PSA will also be distributed.
WHAT: "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA Campaign Launch
News Conference
WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, Zenger Room, 529 14th Street NW (13th
Floor), Washington, D.C.
SATELLITE DISTRIBUTION: The PSA will be distributed by C-Band
satellite on Thursday, July 14 at 2:00-2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m.
(PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2,
6.8 RE-FEED: Tuesday, July 19, 2:00-2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m.
(PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2,
6.8 (The PSA will also be available on CAIR's web site,
www.cair.com, following Thursday's news
conference.)
At the National Press Club news conference, CAIR will present the
30-second PSA featuring American Muslims stating: "We often hear
claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones violence.
As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror
in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Quran and the
Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who commits such
brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals.
Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice." BETA copies of the PSAs, produced by West Glen
Communications, will be available at the news conference.
The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam"
online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from
the violent acts of a few Muslims. SEE:
http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=1071&page=NR
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/13/05
*
Hadith:
The One
God Favors
*
Muslim Leaders
Condemning Terror to Deaf? (Times-Union)
-
CAIR-CAN:
We
Must Face the Enemy Together
*
Muslims Care:
DC Muslims
Join Clean-Up Initiative
-
CAIR-OH to
Launch
Food Drive
-
CAIR-CA:
Forum
on Psychological Impact of Terror
*
MN:
Muslim Girl Scouts
(MPR)
-
MI:
Visitors Laud Arab
Museum (Det News)
-
CA:
New
Pakistani-American Play Gets Under the Skin
*
NY:
Bronx
Muslims Wary of Retaliation for London Attacks
*
NY:
Mosque
Constructed in Lutheran Hosp (NY Daily News)
*
128,000 Iraqi Civilian
Casualties (UPI)
*
UK:
Islamophobia
Blamed for Beating Death of Muslim
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY:
THE ONE GOD FAVORS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) quoted God as saying:
"Truly of those devoted to Me, the one I most favor is a believer
who is of meager means and much given to prayer, who has been particular
in the worship of his Lord and has obeyed Him inwardly, who was obscure
among people and not pointed out, and whose sustenance was just
sufficient to provide for him, yet he bore this
patiently."
Hadith Qudsi 26
-----
MUSLIM LEADERS
CONDEMNING TERROR TO DEAF? -
TOP
MARK WOODS, Times-Union, 7/13/05
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/071305/woo_19226307.shtml
Why don't we hear Muslim leaders condemning terrorism?
In the wake of the London bombings, I called Parvez Ahmed, a Jacksonville
resident who three months ago became chairman of perhaps the best-known
Muslim organization in America, and asked him that.
And there was silence.
Well, just when the phone cut out.
Once I got him back on the line, the University of North Florida
professor who is the new chairman of the Washington-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations, did what he has been doing ever since he woke
up Thursday, logged onto his computer and saw the news.
He condemned the bombings.
He condemned the people behind them.
He did it immediately and unequivocally.
"This is just absolute madness," he said. "It does not
make any sense whatsoever. No ideology can even remotely justify what's
going on."
You want a Muslim condemnation of terrorism?
How would you like it delivered?
In the past week, Muslim groups have been condemning the attacks via
e-mail blasts to the media, through news conferences, during a personal
meeting with the British ambassador, in prayer services all over the
country and, coming soon to television stations, with a public service
announcement.
This hardly is new. After Sept. 11, Muslim leaders issued statements,
prayed for the victims, encouraged relief efforts and, in some cities,
took out a full-page newspaper ad signed by 40 groups that said: "We
condemn in the strongest terms possible the use of terror to further any
political or religious cause."
Nearly 700,000 Muslims have signed a "Not in the Name of Islam"
petition on CAIR's Web site that begins: "We, the undersigned
Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror,
murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent
lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to
represent."
Yet when Ahmed speaks in public, the most common question is: Why don't
Muslims denounce terrorism? (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CAN: WE MUST
FACE THE ENEMY TOGETHER -
TOP
Sheema Khan, Globe and Mail, 7/13/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050713/COSHEEMA13/TPComment/?query=sheema+khan
[Sheema Khan is chair of CAIR-CAN. SEE:
http://caircan.ca/ ]
On Monday, Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan sounded the warning
bells. "I don't believe that Canadians are as psychologically
prepared for a terrorist attack as probably we all should be," she
said, adding that we have a misguided sense of complacency.
According to Ms. McLellan, lack of participation in the Iraq war does not
render Canada immune from the madness of terrorism. The New York Times
reported on Sunday that an operative of a Moroccan terrorist network
(connected to al-Qaeda) has told investigators of sleeper cells prepared
to mount synchronized bombings in Britain, France, Italy, Belgium and
Canada. And Ward Elcock, former director of the Canadian Security
Intelligence Service, has warned that a terrorist strike on Canadian soil
is not a question of "if," but "when."
Perhaps these snippets should snap us out of our imagined cocoon of
safety. Yet, if there is one segment of Canadian society that has lived
with the constant fear of terrorist attacks, it is Canadian Muslims and
Arabs. They know they will bear the brunt of the fallout.
Already, the fear-mongering is in full swing, with columnist Margaret
Wente warning us yesterday that "your average terrorist is likely to
look and sound a lot like the guy next door." Some have placed the
onus solely on Muslims to rein in extremists in their midst or risk
retribution. If they don't, writes Thomas Friedman in The New York Times,
"the West will do it in a rough, crude way -- by simply shutting
them out, denying them visas and making every Muslim in its midst guilty
until proven innocent. . ."
We can only wonder what legislative and policy changes are in the works
should an attack occur in Canada. Given Mr. Friedman's comments, Muslims
have every right to fear the impact. Is internment in the works? Mass
deportations of non-citizens? Limits placed on individual rights and
freedom of movement? Are there plans to protect Muslims against the
ensuing backlash? Our government has been conspicuously silent on its
contingency plans.
Poll after poll has shown that Canadian Muslims are viewed with suspicion
by their fellow Canadians, more than any other group. And yet, no level
of government has drawn up a plan to lessen this invisible division, let
alone acknowledge this fact. It's worth mentioning that Ms. McLellan
herself has been dismissive of concerns about racial profiling. When our
Public Safety Minister is in denial, what else can this lead to except
alienation on the part of Canadian Muslims and Arabs? Left unchecked,
this alienation will not help in our common fight against extremism.
Prime Minister Tony Blair set an example by affirming his support for
British Muslims and Islam. Our leaders, meanwhile, have for the most part
been silent.
Our security agencies have done little to reach out to the Muslim
community. Even Jim Judd, the new CSIS director, has acknowledged that
his agency could do more by way of outreach. And while the RCMP has
initiated community round tables, the Arar affair has left many
distrustful of the Mounties. Yet, it is in the best interest of all to
engage in frank discussions, and to work toward effective means of
co-operation. It won't be easy, but it is necessary. Our common security
depends on it.
The Muslim community must also look within, and exercise vigilance
against hateful rhetoric that masquerades as religion. Greater emphasis
must be placed on the universality of Islamic teachings, and the duty
before God to work for the welfare of humanity -- first locally, then
globally. Finally, all members of the community must contribute toward
building an ethic of citizenship based on a foundation of civic
responsibility. Islamic teachings emphasize that Muslims are to be a
source of security and safety for their neighbours. And, of course,
repeat our faith's prohibition against the killing of innocent civilians
time and time again at community events.
We live in an age of fragile security. But the Muslim community should
not be seen as part of the problem, but as partners in the fight against
a common enemy -- extremism. We have unanimously condemned last week's
bombings in London, joined in interfaith prayers and offered condolences
to the families of victims. And yet, the burden we face is greater,
because we are a community under suspicion.
We are part of the Canadian fabric, choosing to live in a land envied by
many. We are professionals, students, workers, parents trying to raise
families. We are your neighbours and co-workers. Any terrorist attack,
God forbid, will not differentiate between me and you, between Muslim and
not. We are not the "other." Let us join together in our common
humanity to stop this madness.
-----
MUSLIMS
CARE: DC MUSLIMS JOIN CLEAN-UP INITIATIVE -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, DC, 7/13/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today announced that local Muslims will participate in clean-up
initiative in southeast Washington, D.C., as part of the summer-long
"Muslims Care" volunteerism campaign. SEE:
www.muslims-care.org
WHEN: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10 a.m.
WHERE: Islamic Information Center, 301 L St, SE Washington,
D.C.
CAIR's "Muslims Care" campaign offers American Muslims the
resources and information they need to help improve the communities in
which they live.
The first month of the campaign focused on health awareness issues.
Muslim communities in Ohio, Florida, California, Michigan, New York,
Texas, and Washington, D.C., organized blood drives, health fairs and
participated in the Relay for Life.
July's theme is "Helping the Needy." Muslims nationwide are
being encouraged to coordinate clothing or food drives and to organize or
participate in efforts to feed the homeless.
Visitors to the "Muslims Care" website may submit local
volunteer opportunities, see what activities are available in their
state, and share their own volunteer experiences.
"We need to build on the successful beginning of the 'Muslims Care'
campaign to do whatever we can to help those who can benefit from our
individual and collective efforts," said CAIR Communications
Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go
to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org; Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-CINCINNATI TO
LAUNCH FOOD DRIVE -
TOP
(CINCINNATI, 7/13/05) - The Cincinnati office of Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced the launch of a food
collection drive to benefit the needy of the Cincinnati community. The
effort is part of a larger, national effort initiated by CAIR called
"Muslims Care" (SEE:
www.muslims-care.org).
CAIR-Cincinnati is asking local Muslims to donate canned and dry food
items as well as personal care items at their local mosque to benefit the
needy families. All items donated during this CAIR event will be given to
local food banks to be distributed to those in need.
CAIR-Cincinnati also holds an annual event, called "Feed the
Hungry," during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in which
approximately 500 people in Over-the-Rhine are fed a hot meal. This event
has taken place for the past two years and is planned again for this
coming October.
CAIR, America s largest Islamic civil liberties group, is headquartered
in Washington, D.C., and has 31 regional offices and chapters nationwide
and in Canada.
- END -
CONTACT: Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-mail:
karen@cair-ohio.com; Brent
Meyer, 513-276-1600, E-mail:
meyer_brent@hotmail.com
---
CAIR-CA HOLDS FORUM
ON IMPACT OF TERROR -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, 7/13/05) - The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV), the Council of Sacramento Valley
Islamic Organizations (COSVIO) and the Sacramento Region chapter of
Muslim American Society (MAS) announced plans to hold a panel
presentation at 7:00 pm Friday, July 15, 2005, to discuss the
psychological impact of terrorist acts on local communities.
WHEN: Friday, July 15, 2005 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: SALAM Community Center, 4541 College Oak Dr., Sacramento, CA 95841
(across from the American River College)
SPONSORS: The panel is organized by Sacramento Area League of Associated
Muslims (SALAM) and sponsored by the Sacramento Valley office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV), the Council of
Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations (COSVIO) and the Sacramento
Region chapter of Muslim American Society (MAS)
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-SV: (916) 441-6269 or EMAIL:
sacval@cair.com
-----
THE NEW GIRL SCOUTS -
TOP
Bianca Vazquez Toness, Minnesota Public Radio, 7/11/05
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/06/30_tonessb_girlscouts/
Minneapolis, Minn. - A group of Girl Scouts gather at a community center
in Minneapolis. Like many Girl Scout troops, these young girls start each
meeting with the Girl Scout promise. The girls face each other, holding
their three middle fingers in the air, and recite their pledge. But this
troop does it a little differently than most.
"On my honor," they start, "I will try to serve Allah and
my country, to help people and live by the Girl Scout
law."
Substituting Allah for God is one of a few tweaks the Girl Scouts of
America have made to the traditional scouting rituals and practices to
include Muslim girls. These girls wear traditional head scarves, called
the hijab. They earn some badges unique to their faith. Islamic merit
badges are rewards for learning prayers or teaching non-Muslims about
their religion. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
VISITORS LAUD ARAB MUSEUM -
TOP
Eric Lacy, Detroit News, 7/12/05
http://www.detnews.com/2005/wayne/0507/12/B03-244363.htm
DEARBORN -- The Arab American National Museum, which opened May 5, has
earned rave reviews among its more than 600 weekly visitors from Metro
Detroit and beyond.
With activities for families, education programs for children, projects
for college students and partnerships with other museums, this cultural
center wants to branch out and tell the world the story of
Arab-Americans.
Visitors like Mohamed Bantahar, 35, of Dearborn already have embraced
it.
Bantahar enjoys the museum's creative design and historic
exhibits.
"All the culture that's on display is what I like," Bantahar
said. "This museum is good for the city and really good for my
children. It makes you proud." (MORE)
---
NEW
PAKISTANI-AMERICAN PLAY GETS UNDER THE SKIN -
TOP
Eric K. Arnold, East Bay Times, 7/13/05
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2005-07-13/calendar/billboard3.html
After 9/11, a lot of people who look a certain way have been profiled ...
we're seen as terrorists or threats," says Wajahat Ali, a native
Californian of Pakistani descent. "I wanted to peel away those
layers and show who these people really are." The first-time
playwright and first-year law student, who was elected social chair of UC
Berkeley's Muslim-American Student Association just in time for 9/11,
experienced the hypocrisy and hatred of bigotry firsthand, which made him
critical of both the right-wing and left-wing point of view.
"Everybody thought Berkeley was a den of [Islamic] radicalism,"
he recalls.
-----
MUSLIMS
IN THE BRONX WARY OF RETALIATION FOR LONDON TERROR ATTACKS -
TOP
Dean Meminger, NY1 News, 7/11/05
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=12&aid=52069
Muslim children from the Baitul Aman Islamic Center enjoyed Monday's
sunny weather, but adults from the center know this is a dangerous time
after the subway and bus bombings in London.
"We are very nervous. Every time we walk around in the street with
Muslim dress, those people look at us like we are terrorists," says
Muslim Jami Chowdhury.
There has been violence and arson attacks against mosques in London and
others cities around England in revenge for the terrorist bombings.
That's disturbing news for Muslims here.
The leader of the Islamic Leadership School says no one should want to
kill another human being.
"When you attack a mosque you attack innocent people. This is
exactly what the terrorist are doing - they are attacking innocent
people," says Sheikh Moussa Drammeh of the Islamic Leadership
Center.
The Baitul Aman Islamic Center had its windows broken last year. Now,
security gates and cameras have been placed on the building.
Muslims are fearful it could happen again, but they say they won't be
forced out.
"We respect this country, we love this country," says
Chowdhury. "My generation and future generations, they will be
here." (MORE)
-----
SMALL MOSQUE
CONSTRUCTED IN LUTHERAN HOSP -
TOP
Joyce Shelby, NY Daily News, 7/14/05
http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/327457p-279920c.html
Patterns in the turquoise rug point toward Mecca.
Copies of the Holy Koran line the shelves on beige walls.
A closet holds rugs for use during prayer. A partition separates male and
female worshipers.
Behind the door next to a storage case for shoes is a room where
worshipers may do ritual washing before they begin their time of prayer
or meditation.
Welcome to the brand-new masjed at Lutheran Medical Center in Sunset
Park.
To meet the needs of Muslim patients and staff, Lutheran has just opened
the masjed, or small mosque, in the main hospital building, a few doors
from a Christian chapel.
"You can't find a better place for all religions to serve together
than in a hospital," said the Rev. Don Stiger, the hospital vice
president. "We serve the needs of all our neighbors."
Lutheran has had two small rooms for Muslims to pray, but neither was big
enough, said hospital officials.
"When we saw people in the halls, the stairways, anywhere, making a
place to pray, we thought, 'Why not make a place where they could
practice their religion when they needed to, especially in an atmosphere
where people are sick?'" said Lutheran obstetrician-gynecologist Dr.
Ahmad Jaber.
When a first-floor room became available, the hospital put together a
team of staff members, imams from Brooklyn's Islamic community,
volunteers and fund-raisers to plan the new masjed.
"It means a great deal to have a place that you can come to here in
the hospital," said Imam Adel Barhouma of the Beit Al Maqdis Islamic
Center in Bay Ridge, who helped establish the masjed.
"We believe that medicine doesn't cure by itself. Prayer and reading
from the Koran are also part of your healing." (MORE)
-----
IRAQI CIVILIAN CASUALTIES -
TOP
World Peace Herald, 7/12/05
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050712-122153-5519r
BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi humanitarian organization is reporting that 128,000
Iraqis have been killed since the U.S. invasion began in March
2003.
Mafkarat al-Islam reported that chairman of the 'Iraqiyun humanitarian
organization in Baghdad, Dr. Hatim al-'Alwani, said that the toll
includes everyone who has been killed since that time, adding that 55
percent of those killed have been women and children aged 12 and
under.
'Iraqiyun obtained data from relatives and families of the deceased, as
well as from Iraqi hospitals in all the country's provinces. The 128,000
figure only includes those whose relatives have been informed of their
deaths and does not include those were abducted, assassinated or simply
disappeared.
The number includes those who died during the U.S. assaults on
al-Fallujah and al-Qa'im. 'Iraqiyun's figures conflict with the Iraqi
Body Count public database compiled by Geneva-based Graduate Institute of
International Studies. According to the Graduate Institute of
International Studies' database, 39,000 Iraqis have been killed as a
direct result of combat or armed violence since March 2003. No official
estimates of Iraqi casualties from the war have been issued by the
Pentagon, which insists that it does not do "body counts."
(MORE)
-----
ISLAMOPHOBIA BLAMED FOR
ATTACK -
TOP
Vikram Dodd, The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1527288,00.html
A Muslim man has been beaten to death outside a corner shop by a gang of
youths who shouted anti-Islamic abuse at him, the Guardian has
learned.
Kamal Raza Butt, 48, from Pakistan, was visiting Britain to see friends
and family. On Sunday afternoon he went to a shop in Nottingham to buy
cigarettes and was first called "Taliban" by the youths and
then set upon.
Nottinghamshire police described the incident as racially aggravated, not
as Islamophobic, angering Muslim groups and surprising some senior
officers.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #459
HELP MUSLIM ANTI-TERROR MESSAGE AIR ON LOCAL TV
STATIONS
'Not in the Name of Islam' PSA rejects terrorism as
un-Islamic
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/14/05) - CAIR is calling on Muslim community
leaders and activists nationwide to urge local television stations to air
a CAIR public service announcement (PSA) released today that is designed
to highlight Islam's rejection of anyone who carries out terror attacks
such as those witnessed recently in London.
The "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA is now online and will be
distributed by satellite feed to television stations this afternoon and
re-broadcast next Tuesday. (Arabic and Urdu-subtitled versions of the PSA
will also be distributed.)
To view the PSA online, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
At today's news conference, CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said:
"Defeating terrorism is in everyone's interest. That is why we are
launching one more effort to make the Muslim community's condemnation of
terrorism crystal clear. . .This PSA also serves another purpose. It
communicates to Muslims, whether here or abroad, Islam's clear position
on this matter. Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal
activities under the mask of religious piety is being categorically and
unequivocally rejected by mainstream Muslims."
CAIR's 30-second PSA features American Muslims stating: "We often
hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts
of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Quran
and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who commits
such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice."
The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam"
online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from
the violent acts of a few Muslims. SEE:
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=169&theType=AA
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Muslim activists and community leaders should contact all local TV
stations and ask for the name and contact information of the "Public
Service Director" or, if the station does not have such a position,
ask for the person who handles "public service
announcements."
2) Call that person to ask that they record the PSA when it is broadcast
on the satellite. Give them the satellite times and coordinates. (If they
miss today's broadcast, recommend that they downlink the PSA next
Tuesday.)
PSA SATELLITE COORDINATES: C-Band Satellite, Thursday, July 14 at
2:00-2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m. (PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L
Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2, 6.8
RE-FEED: Tuesday, July 19, 2:00-2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m.
(PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2,
6.8
Hard copies of the PSA are also available for delivery to TV
stations.
CONTACT: Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441,
E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/14/05
*
Verse:
God's
Countenance Will Remain Forever
*
U.K. Muslim Leader
Denied Entry to U.S. (AP)
*
ISLAM-OPED:
Terror
Not in Faith of Muslims (LA Daily News)
*
CAIR:
American Muslims
Issue TV Ad (AFP)
- View
the
'Not in the
Name of Islam' PSA Online
-
CAIR Urges
Broadcast of Anti-Terror Ad (OC Register)
-
MD:
Muslim Council
Condemns London Bombings (Wash Post)
-
We Need to
Listen More to Muslims (Toronto Star)
*
CAIR
Rep Discusses Anti-Islam Guard Flyer on MSNBC
*
Employers
Must Accommodate Religious Needs (VOA)
*
FBI
E-Mails Shed Light on Arrest of Oregon Attorney (AP)
-----
VERSE
OF THE DAY: GOD'S COUNTENANCE WILL REMAIN FOREVER -
TOP
"All that exists on the earth is bound to pass away, but the
countenance of your Lord will remain, full of Majesty and
Glory."
The Holy Quran, 55:27
-----
BRITISH MUSLIM
LEADER DENIED U.S. ENTRY -
TOP
Robert Barr, Associated Press, 7/14/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5141343,00.html
LONDON (AP) - One of Britain's most senior Muslim leaders said Thursday
that he was denied entry to the United States without explanation, nearly
a week after the deadly subway and bus attacks in London.
Dr. Zaki Badawi, head of the Muslim College, had been invited to speak at
the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y., where he planned to give
a talk under the title ``The Law and Religion in Society.''
But Badawi told The Associated Press that he was detained for about six
hours upon arrival Wednesday in New York and questioned.
"America is a lovely country. There is no reason why it should
behave like that," Badawi said in a telephone interview.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Washington and New
York City did not return calls seeking comment. The U.S. Embassy in
London also did not respond to a request to discuss the case.
On Sunday, Badawi joined other British religious leaders in condemning
the July 7 bombings that killed at least 53 people in London. He appeared
with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Free Churches
Moderator David Coffey and Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. . .
Badawi said authorities didn't give him a reason for denying him entry to
the United States. (MORE)
-----
ISLAM-OPED:
TERRORISM NOT IN FAITH OF MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS -
TOP
Parvez Ahmed, Daily News, 7/14/05
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~24781~2963573,00.html
When asked whether the recent bus and subway bomb blasts were acts of
Islamic terror, London Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair responded that
the culprits were certainly not "Islamic terrorists" because
Islam and terrorism do not go together.
He was echoing the sentiments of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who earlier
said, "The vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims, both here and
abroad, are decent and law-abiding people who abhor this kind of
terrorism every bit as much as we do."
During a private meeting with American Muslims, the British ambassador to
the United States, Sir David Manning, was emphatic in distancing the
London terror bombings from Islam, which he described as a faith of
"peace, reconciliation and tolerance."
Despite this sentiment, it is quite common to see terrorism committed by
Muslims referred to as "Islamic terrorism." Yet efforts to find
an alternative to this false assertion have often been
inconclusive.
As author Karen Armstrong recently noted in the Guardian newspaper,
"Incorrect statements about Islam have convinced too many in the
Muslim world that the West is an implacable enemy." She also pointed
out that acts of terrorism by the Irish Republican Army are not referred
to as "Catholic terrorism."
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian
Muslims in Srebrenica. That act of barbarism was never attributed to any
religion, despite the religious roots of the conflict.
Columnist Thomas Friedman recently promoted another damaging stereotype
by writing that "the Muslim village has been derelict in condemning
the madness of jihadist attacks. ... To this day -- to this day -- no
major Muslim cleric or religious body has ever issued a fatwa condemning
Osama bin Laden."
Juan Cole, a professor of history at the University of Michigan, debunks
this myth by cataloging numerous condemnations from prominent Muslim
religious figures who not only have called the "jihad" of Osama
bin Laden un-Islamic, but also have pointed out Islam's emphatic
rejection of terrorism. (MORE)
Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D., is board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. Write to him by e-mail at
pahmed@cairfl.org.
-----
AMERICAN MUSLIMS ISSUE TV AD -
TOP
Agence France Presse, 7/14/05
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15936488%255E1702,00.html
MUSLIMS must not let extremists hijack their faith, a prominent American
Islamic group has warned in a television public service announcement
issued in the wake of the London bombings.
Stung by criticisms that Islamic leaders have not done enough to condemn
the blasts blamed by police on British Muslims, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent the spot to television stations
across the United States.
"We will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals," said
one of the speakers on the advertisement, which features shots of Muslims
speaking directly to the camera.
"Islam is not about hatred and violence; it is about peace and
justice," says another of the featured speakers, a young
woman.
Parvez Ahmed, CAIR board chairman, said the new TV spot was needed
because persistent efforts by US Muslim leaders to condemn terrorism in
the name of Islam had failed to penetrate public perceptions.
"We don't know why we are not breaking through that. Maybe the
rising level of anti-Muslim rhetoric is drowning out our
condemnation," said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's national communications
director.
The group quickly condemned the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US,
and published a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post offering
condolences to victims' families.
SEE ALSO:
VIEW THE
'NOT IN THE NAME OF ISLAM' PSA ONLINE -
TOP
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
---
U.S.
MUSLIM GROUP URGES BROADCAST OF ANTI-TERROR AD -
TOP
Vik Jolly, Orange County Register, 7/14/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/14/sections/news/news/article_596699.php
A U.S. Muslim organization began urging broadcasters Wednesday to air a
30-second announcement against terrorist violence.
"We hope that the managers see the importance of letting the larger
community know about the true feelings of Muslims regarding
terrorism," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Southern
California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in
Anaheim.
"The noise of the false accusations that Muslims do not condemn
terrorism have overwhelmed any voice of Muslims that condemn terrorism.
We're trying to overpower those false accusations," he
said.
The announcement shows two women and one man, an imam of a Washington,
D.C.- area mosque, voicing different parts of this statement:
"We often hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam
condones violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who
commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of
the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone - of any faith - who
commits such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice."
One of the women ran for office in Virginia, while the other is a college
student, said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for CAIR in
Washington.
---
MUSLIM
COUNCIL CONDEMNS FATAL LONDON BOMBINGS -
TOP
Irfan Malik, Washington Post, 7/14/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071301002.html
The Howard County Muslim Council condemns the bombing attacks on
civilians in London on July 7 and extends deep, heartfelt condolences to
all those who have sustained injuries and those who have lost their loved
ones.
This attack was a heinous crime against humanity.
Such appalling acts of violence against innocent civilians as we have
seen in London are condemned both in the revealed words of the Quran and
in the received wisdom from the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him).
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost
loved ones in this horrific act. The council joins hands with people of
faith and conscience to work for a just and peaceful world. We condemn,
oppose and overcome those who try to spread fear, hatred and
death.
Irfan Malik is with the Howard County Muslim Council of the Ellicott
City.
---
WE NEED TO
TALK LESS, LISTEN MORE, TO MUSLIMS -
TOP
Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star, 7/14/05
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1121291412240&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795
Germany has been as vociferous as France among the G 8 nations in
opposing the American invasion and occupation of Iraq. It has also been
increasingly skeptical of Washington's war on terrorism.
Germany also has a sophisticated understanding of, and good relations
with, the Muslim world. In addition, it considers itself the closest
European ally of Israel.
The German perspective on terrorism, especially on young European
jihadists, is, therefore, useful.
"We need a dialogue with the Muslim world but there's too much
distrust," said a very senior policy official in Berlin in a lengthy
and candid interview, given on condition of anonymity, and conducted
before last week's bombings in London. (MORE)
-----
CAIR
REP ON MSNBC DISCUSSING ANTI-ISLAM NATIONAL GUARD FLYER -
TOP
Tucker Carlson with Sabiha Khan, Communication Director for the Council
on American-Islamic Relations. 7/13/05
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8063292/
CARLSON: Welcome back. A curious situation tonight from the West Coast
where Islamic leaders are criticizing the California National Guard for a
flyer posted by a guardsman at its Sacramento headquarters. The flyer
suggested the U.S. execute Islamic terrorists with bullets dipped in
pigs` blood.
Muslims, of course, are forbidden by their religion from eating pork or
having any contact with pigs. One of the outraged is the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. Their communications director in Southern
California, Sabiha Khan, joins us now.
Ms. Khan, thanks a lot for joining us. I should say at the outset, we
asked the California National Guard for a statement about this flyer,
where it came from, and I want to read it to you first off.
Quote: "The flyer was a personal item that was posted in a soldier`s
work area. It does not reflect the policies or the viewpoints of the
California National Guard. The flyer was inappropriate for the workplace,
and it has been removed."
The point, of course, is this was not an official flyer posted by the
National Guard, U.S. government, anyone else. It was one guy's. Anything
to be upset about here?
SABIHA KHAN, COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS: Well, and we
appreciate that point, but the fact of the matter is, people who were
visiting the base saw it. And so if they saw it, other members of the
National Guard as well saw it.
I think the most important thing why people are upset is that it
unfortunately sends a message that this is a religious war and that
unfortunately that American Muslims are not welcome to defend our own
country. And there are about 15,000 in the Armed Forces today and
that...
CARLSON: Oh whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm sorry, Ms. Khan. Hold on. Slow
down.
It says in no place in this flyer, that I think we've characterized
accurately, that American Muslims aren't welcomed to serve, and many
serve very honorably in the Armed Forces, as you just pointed
out.
It merely says that terrorists ought to be executed with bullets coated
with pigs` blood because that would be extra offensive to terrorists and
they deserve to die in an extra offensive way. You must agree with
that.
KHAN: Well, about this specific story, first of all, it's a historical
myth that Blackjack Persian did such a thing. But secondly, it basically
talks about what the myth is out there that Islamically speaking that
something that happens to your body bars you from going to heaven. And
that points to a religious context, unfortunately.
And anybody who is, you know, smart enough will take that as something
against -- going against the Muslim religion, saying something very
unfair and very unfortunate against Muslims.
CARLSON: But wait a second. It's not against -- hold on, I want to be
absolutely clear. This flyer does not attack Muslims. It attacks Islamic
terrorists. The two, as you often point out correctly, are completely
different.
Most Muslims in the world are lawful, and law-abiding, and peaceful
people. These are Islamic terrorists. So as I understand it, you're not
allowed to insult your enemies? It's OK to kill terrorists, but it's not
OK to insult them when you kill them? Is that what you're
saying?
KHAN: Well, our enemies are people who have no moral or normal value. It
doesn't matter what religion they are. And we need to go after them
because of what they've been doing.
But the fact of the matter is, this story is one that's been circulating
but unfortunately also has religious context, somehow pointing that Islam
says that, if you have pigs` blood, then you cannot go to
heaven.
And, you know, we can still -- we can say, you know, the terrorists are
horrible. We can say a whole bunch of things, but leave it out of
religious context because people, unfortunately, will take it. And not
just...
(CROSSTALK)
CARLSON: Well, wait a second. But the terrorists themselves put their
terrorism in a religious context. They say we're doing this because of
our religion. We're inspired by our understanding of Islam.
It's a perverted understanding, I think we all agree. But they're the
ones who put it in the religious context. So a very simple question, what
would be wrong with putting pigs` blood on bullets and using them to kill
terrorists?
KHAN: Well, our own President Bush has said this is not a religious war.
And Tony Blair and the high commission in England have made a distinction
between Islam and the terrorists attacks. Then why are we falling into
the terrorist rhetoric? That's what Usama bin Laden wants. He wants to
divide us. And he wants to make our soldiers increasing targets in the
Muslim world.
CARLSON: But, wait, hold on.
KHAN: So why are we following them and not our president?
CARLSON: Here's where I'm confused. When you see a flyer that attacks
terrorists, people who take life indiscriminately, who kill civilians,
who are fighting the United States, why do you see an attack on
terrorists as an attack on you?
KHAN: Well, that's the whole thing. The whole point of the poster -- I
mean, you can read it the way you want. But people who do see it often
see the story as pointing to the religion. And you know, the more
important thing, really, is the fact of the matter that, as well it puts
our armed soldiers in danger overseas when we have rhetoric like that,
because people can see through that, unfortunately...
(CROSSTALK)
CARLSON: Ms. Khan. Ms. Khan, our soldiers are already in danger overseas.
There are fighting people who want to kill them. Seventeen hundred of
them have already been killed in Iraq, even before this poster became
public. You're not suggesting that the terrorists kind of like us, but
this is going to -- you know, this is going to tip the scales, and now
they're really going to be mad? They're already really mad. They already
hate us.
KHAN: No, there are people -- what I'm trying to say is there are people
out there who are trying to increasingly make it a religious war,
including those terrorists like Usama bin Laden and other extremists. And
we have to keep our eye on the ball that, in fact, it is a war against
terrorists, regardless of their religion.
CARLSON: OK, OK, well, to some extent, I think you're right. That reminds
me of a fascinating column by Tom Friedman the other day in the "New
York Times" in which he pointed out that no Muslim group in the
world -- and I think you researched this -- has issued a fatwa against
Usama bin Laden yet.
There was one, of course, issued against Salman Rushdie for writing a
novel that supposedly insulted the prophet Mohammed, but not yet against
Usama bin Laden. Why do you think that is? It sounds like cowardice to
me.
KHAN: That actually is untrue. Thomas Friedman has twisted facts once
again. Basically every religious leader since September 11th has
denounced Usama bin Laden and terrorism...
(CROSSTALK)
CARLSON: No, hold on, excuse me. That's different -- denouncing is
different, as I understand it, from issuing a fatwa, which is a decree,
right, that could only be issued by people of a certain rank in the
religion, is that right?
I mean, I could not issue a fatwa. I could denounce. There's been no
official fatwa issued by any religious leader? Has there been, or is that
wrong? Do you know of one?
KHAN: There has. There has been fatwas against what Usama bin Laden has
done and that anybody following him, from high people like Sheikh Yusuf
al-Qaradawi, Sheikh Tantawi. Recently, in Spain, they've done the same
thing. So really, Friedman ignores those facts. And I don't know how he
even got published in the newspapers.
CARLSON: Interesting. OK, thank you, Ms. Khan, Sabiha Khan, we appreciate
it very much.
KHAN: You're welcome.
-----
EMPLOYERS
MUST ACCOMMODATE RELIGIOUS NEEDS IN THE WORKPLACE -
TOP
Chana Joffe-Walt, Voice of America News, 7/12/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2005-07-12-voa33.cfm
Federal law says employers in the United States may not discriminate on
the basis of religion. While this seems to be a straightforward rule,
practically speaking, employers appear to be having trouble following it.
As religious diversity increases in U.S. society and the workplace, so do
the number of religious discrimination charges filed with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission. Employers are being asked to be more
accommodating.... and more knowledgeable.
During Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims are
required to fast during the daylight hours and pray at sunrise and
sunset. So when the Oberto Sausage Company made a change in its workers'
shifts, 6 Muslim employees on the processing line became worried. It was
Ramadan and the women, all Somali refugees, needed to pray and break
their fast at 5 o'clock. After their requests to take a break at sunset
were denied, the women sought help from the Refugee Support Services
Coalition in Seattle. Its director, Suldan Mohammoud, a Somali refugee
himself, wrote a letter to the company in English on the women's behalf.
(MORE)
-----
FBI
E-MAILS SHED LIGHT ON ARREST OF OREGON ATTORNEY IN MADRID TRAIN BOMBINGS
-
TOP
Rukmini Callimachi, Associated Press, 7/13/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-spain-bombings-lawyer,0,978914.story
PORTLAND, Oregon - The day before a Portland attorney was wrongly
arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Madrid train bombings, an FBI
official stated in an e-mail that the agency did not have enough evidence
to arrest the man on criminal charges.
The recently declassified e-mail, written by Portland FBI spokeswoman
Beth Anne Steele in May 2004, also noted that the attorney, Brandon
Mayfield, was a Muslim convert. And it said the FBI had a plan to arrest
Mayfield ``if and when'' his supposed link to the March 2004 terrorist
attack ``gets outed by the media.''
Mayfield was arrested a day later under the material witness law, which
allows the arrest and detention of witnesses who might flee before
testifying in criminal cases. The FBI said at the time that fingerprints
found on a bag of detonators near the bombings had been matched to
Mayfield. (MORE)
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/15/05
*
HADITH:
The Best
People
*
CAIR 'Explore
the Quran' Requests Top 16,000
-
Letter from Quran
Recipient in Ohio
*
CAIR Commentary in USA Today:
'Not In the Name of
Islam'
* Positive Reaction to
CAIR Anti-Terror
PSA
-
CA:
Muslim
Group Takes Stand Against Violence (CBS)
-
GA:
Muslim Groups
Assail London Attacks (AJC)
-
IL:
PSA
Reminds that Muslims Condemn Terror (ABC)
*
CAIR-CA:
Blaming
Islam is Wrong Way to Fight Terror
-
CAIR-CA:
Leaders
Say Bombings Violated Islam
-
WI:
Attacks
Frustrate Madison's Muslims (NBC)
-
PA:
Muslims
at this Mosque Disdain Violence (Times)
*
NC:
Judges
Look to Legislature on Use of Quran (RM News)
-
OR:
Muslim
Lawyer Sues Gov't for False Arrest (AP)
*
VA:
Three
Years After Raids, Still No Charges (Connection)
*
DC:
MSN
Lecture on Islam and African-Americans
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE
BEST PEOPLE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you who
are the best (people)?. . .The best of you are those who, when you look
at them, you remember God."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1302
-----
CAIR 'EXPLORE
THE QURAN' REQUESTS TOP 16,000 -
TOP
www.explorethequran.org
UPDATE: More than 16,000 people have requested free copies of the Quran
since the launch of CAIR's "Explore the Quran" campaign on May
17.
ACTION REQUESTED: CAIR has pledged to cover the costs of shipping Qurans
to all those who submit request, but we need your support to fulfill that
pledge.
1) SPONSOR a free copy(s) of the Quran so that people of other faiths may
learn the truth about Islam and Muslims. To sponsor one or more Qurans
online, go to:
http://www.explorethequran.org
To sponsor a Quran by phone, call 1-800-78-ISLAM (1-800-784-7526). (In
order to ease the pressure on CAIR's switchboard, those sponsoring a
free Quran may also send a donation to: Explore the Quran, CAIR, 453
New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003)
2) IMAMS and COMMUNITY LEADERS should ask congregations to support this important project.
3) FORWARD this alert to your Muslim friends, family and colleagues.
4) Join CAIR-NET. CAIR offers an e-mail list designed keep American
Muslims informed about efforts such as "Explore the Quran." To
SUBSCRIBE to CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
CAIR is willing to respond, inshallah, to every request received. We
ask every Muslim to help cover the cost of at least one Holy Quran.
SEE ALSO:
LETTER FROM QURAN RECIPIENT IN OHIO -
TOP
CAIR received the following e-mail message from an Ohio recipient of a
free Quran. It contained a letter to the editor that person sent to
their local newspaper. The following are excerpts from the letter:
I recently received my free copy of the Quran from CAIR (Council on
American-Islamic Relations). I expected a little pocket size version of
the text. Instead I received a full size leather bound volume, with
gold embossed lettering.
I wish to thank Nihad Awad, and CAIR for funding this effort. They
obviously care deeply for their cause, and are sincere in their efforts
to spread understanding and tolerance. Mr. Awad's accompanying letter
requested that I treat the Quran with respect. I assure him that I
honor his generous gift.
I have read through the text and was surprised to find that the Quran
and the Bible share many of the same stories and characters. Mary,
Joseph, Moses, The story of David and Goliath, Noah's flood, and many
other familiar teachings are found all throughout the Quran. Jesus is
referred to 22 times. . .
Instead of fighting over our differences, I suggest we explore our
commonalities. May the reward of the fruit from the tree of life go to
CAIR, and everyone who extends the olive branch of, mutual respect,
diversity and peace.
-----
CAIR COMMENTARY IN USA TODAY: 'NOT IN THE NAME OF ISLAM' -
TOP
Ibrahim Hooper, USA Today, 7/14/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-07-14-oppose_x.htm
[Ibrahim Hooper is national communications director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.]
The question I am asked most often in media interviews and on radio
call-in programs is: "Why don't Muslim leaders condemn terrorism?"
As a person who writes frequent statements condemning terrorism in all
its forms, it is frustrating to hear that question come up in interview
after interview.
After all, it was a broad coalition of American Muslim groups that
issued what was perhaps the first condemnation of the 9/11 attacks. My
own organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),
published a full-page advertisement condemning those attacks and
offering condolences to the victims.
Muslim organizations and leaders in this country and around the world
have consistently condemned violence against civilians, whether it is
suicide bombs in the Middle East, attacks on Christian churches in
Pakistan or the bombing of London's transportation system. Those
condemning terrorism ranged from the Grand Shaykh of Al-Azhar
University in Egypt to ayatollahs in Iran.
Following the latest terrorist outrage in Britain on Thursday, CAIR
echoed a call by British Muslim groups urging all Islamic prayer
leaders, or imams, to condemn terrorism in their Friday sermons.
Ordinary Muslims contacted British diplomatic offices to offer
condolences. A delegation of Muslim leaders also met with the British
ambassador to show solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.
In 2004, CAIR launched a petition drive, called "Not in the Name of
Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few
Muslims. The petition, signed by some 700,000 Muslims, states in part:
"We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal
actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the
Quran and the Prophet Muhammad." (MORE)
-----
POSITIVE REACTION TO CAIR ANTI-TERROR PSA -
TOP
To view the PSA online, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
CA: AMERICAN MUSLIM GROUP TAKES STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE -
TOP
Sherry Hu, CBS 5, 7/15/05
http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_195211704.html
American Muslims from New York to the Bay Area are taking a stand against violence in the name of Islam.
The campaign follows growing complaints that mainstream Muslims could
do more to combat terrorism. It was launched Thursday in Washington,
D.C. In the public service announcement, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, condemns the London bombings.
"We reject anyone of any faith who commits such brutal acts," says one woman in the ad.
"We will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals," another man says.
CAIR is the largest Muslim organization in the United States. While
CAIR works on a national level, the Bay Area will be just as vocal.
Ameena Jandali says it's important that local Muslim leaders go public.
"It is up to the mainstream community to say this is not our religion,
you don't have the right to misrepresent our religion," Jandali said.
"That voice has been lacking for a long, long time."
Many Muslims in Britain are spreading the same message. A young woman
at a memorial service in Leeds held a sign reading "Islam wants peace."
"We are talking to other nations, Muslims and non-Muslims, as to how to
mobilize internationally the moderate and true voice of Islam," said
British Prime Minister Tony Blair. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM GROUPS ASSAIL LONDON ATTACKS -
TOP
Eunice Moscoso, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/15/05
http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/news_247dc55a32b821f100f5.html
Washington --- A week after deadly attacks in London, a U.S. Muslim
group launched a public service announcement Thursday that condemns the
hijacking of Islam by terrorists.
In Atlanta, a Muslim leader said he agreed with the message of the ad,
and local Muslims scheduled a news conference today to express
condolences to the British people and to the families of the victims in
the attack.
The ad, to be distributed to television stations in the United States
and abroad, is designed to fight the public perception that mainstream
Muslims have been silent on terrorism, said Parvez Ahmed, board
chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil
liberties group.
"Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the
mask of religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally
rejected by mainstream Muslims," Ahmed told a press conference.
The 30-second spot, which features American Muslim men and women,
states that people who commit acts of terrorism in the name of Islam
are betraying the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad.
"We reject anyone --- of any faith --- who commits such brutal acts and
will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals. Islam is not
about hatred and violence. It's about peace and justice," the
announcement says. (MORE)
---
IL: PSA REMINDS AMERICANS THAT MUSLIMS CONDEMN TERRORISM, TOO -
TOP
Sarah Schulte, ABC, 7/14/05
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/071405_ns_muslim_psa.html
Muslim-Americans are airing a new public service announcement on the
heels of the London terrorist attacks. The PSA is an effort to show
that Muslims are just as outraged by terrorism as any other religious
group.
Muslim-American groups say they have been blamed for not publicly
condemning terrorism. So, in an effort to change that perception, the
Council on American-Islamic relations is launching a nationwide public
service campaign. The goal is to make it clear that Islam is not about
hatred or violence.
Exactly one week after suicide bombers attacked London, America's
largest Muslim group says now is the time to reach as many people as
possible to remind them that Muslims condemn terrorism.
"Even though Muslims have been condemning terrorism persistently and
consistently over the past months and years, the message has not been
received by certain members of the open community," Ahmed Rehab,
Council American-Islamic Relations.
By using different faces of Islam, the Council on American-Islamic
relations is hitting the airwaves to get their message across. (MORE)
-----
BLAMING ISLAM IS THE WRONG WAY TO FIGHT TERRORISM -
TOP
William Youmans, San Francisco Gate, 7/15/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/07/15/EDG2IDOBG61.DTL
British officials deserve praise for their responsible remarks
following the attacks in London last week. By embracing the views of
Islam's moderate majority, they steered clear of the trap American
commentators often fall into -- holding Islam and Muslims accountable
for the acts of an extreme fringe. It is not only factually accurate to
dissociate Islam from these horrendous crimes, but also an important
strategic step in the war on terrorism.
Asked whether the bus and subway bomb blasts were acts of Islamic
terrorism, London Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair responded that the
culprits were certainly not "Islamic terrorists." He stated that Islam
and terrorism are incompatible. The commissioner echoed the sentiments
of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said, "The vast and overwhelming
majority of Muslims both here and abroad are decent and law-abiding
people who abhor this kind of terrorism every bit as much as we do."
During a private meeting with American Muslims, Sir David Manning,
British ambassador to the United States, was emphatic in distancing the
London terror bombings from Islam, which he described as a faith of
"peace, reconciliation and tolerance." British officials recognize that
promoting these views undermines the aims of extremist groups.
This important outlook is largely absent in political rhetoric on this
side of the Atlantic Ocean, however. It is quite common to see
terrorism committed by Muslims referred to as "Islamic terrorism."
Similarly, pundits and military leaders often depict Islam as a
religion with members more prone to violence than others. The
California National Guard recently stirred a controversy over a flyer
in its offices suggesting that dipping bullets in pig's blood and
burying dead terrorists with pig entrails could be tactics in the war
on terrorism. This rests on the notion that U.S. Armed Forces should
demean Islam's sacred values. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM LEADERS SAY BOMBINGS VIOLATED ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES -
TOP
Union Tribune, 7/14/05
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050714/news_1c14relbrief.html
U.S. Muslim groups and leaders have been swift to condemn last week's
terrorist bombings in London - and in urging people not to blame Islam.
"The entire Muslim community of San Diego is united in complete
condemnation of the criminal and barbaric acts of terrorism," Imam
Sharif Battikhi, a longtime San Diego Islamic representative, wrote in
a statement.
"To the grieving families of those who perished, and to the persons who
have been so seriously injured by these horrible attacks, we Muslims
pray that the persons responsible for these crimes are found and
brought swiftly to justice," wrote Battikhi, who heads the American
Islamic Services Foundation, an education and outreach group in San
Diego.
In Anaheim, representatives of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations of Southern California, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern
California and the Muslim Public Affairs Council expressed their
outrage.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," said Hussam Ayloush of the American-Islamic
relations council. (MORE)
---
ATTACKS FRUSTRATE MADISON'S MUSLIMS -
TOP
Justin Williams, NBC, 7/15/05
http://nbc15.madison.com/home/headlines/1697852.html
The effects of London's recent terrorist bombings are being felt here
at home. Some local Muslims say they are now experiencing a recurrence
of the harassment they experienced in the weeks following 9/11.
Thursday, a new effort designed to combat what many Muslims say are
inaccurate stereotypes was launched nationwide. Local Muslims hope it
relieves their harassment, and results in a healthier community for
everyone.
It took place in what's billed as one of America's most livable cities -- Madison, Wisconsin.
"There was a car full of teenage boys, and they yelled out the window
at me, 'Go home!' As if America is not my home." But Aisha Robertson is
home. Born and raised in the States, the woman of Scottish and English
decent, converted to Islam 14 years ago.
"I realized that that young man who said that was actually just very ignorant," Robertson explains.
To stem the rising tide of ignorance, Robertson says she's taken it upon herself to educate others about Islam.
And she has some help--in the form of a new public service announcement
from the Council on American Islamic Relations. Released to media
outlets nationwide, the PSA is called, "Not in the name of Islam," and
it rejects terrorism as un-Islamic. (MORE)
---
PA: MUSLIMS AT THIS MOSQUE DISDAIN VIOLENCE -
TOP
Gil Spencer, Times, 7/15/05
http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?BRD=1675&dept_id=18168&newsid=14864578&PAG=461&rfi=9
It is 12:55 p.m. Thursday and I am standing in front of the Masjid
Al-Madinah mosque in Upper Darby, waiting for someone, anyone, to show
up for 1 p.m. prayers.
The mosque is a converted house on the corner of Ludlow and Kent
streets, white with green trim. There is a portable basketball hoop in
the driveway but its backboard is broken off. It sits upside down,
propped up against the building. And that's it. Not a car to be seen.
The president of the mosque is Abu Rahman. He lives in Broomall. I
called him earlier in the day and he told me the mosque would be open
for afternoon prayers.
Rahman is kind of our go-to guy when any Muslim in the world does
something awful. We call him to reassure our readers that the Muslims
who attend his mosque are peace-loving and condemn violence.
Last week's suicide bombings in London committed by four young Muslim
men require condemnation, especially by other Muslims. Some 50 innocent
people were slaughtered.
In Iraq the other day, a suicide terrorist drove an SUV packed with
explosives into a crowd of kids taking candy from American soldiers.
Some 18 children, all Muslim, were blown to bits.
It is an odd thing to have to ask the mothers and fathers of Muslim
children here in America whether they approve of these sorts of
killings. But we do. Not so much because we don't know the answers
we're going to get, but because it is important to allow Muslims the
opportunity to decry and condemn murder committed in the name of Allah.
(MORE)
-----
JUDGES LOOK TO LEGISLATURE FOR GUIDANCE ON USE OF QURAN IN COURT -
TOP
J. Eric Eckard, Rocky Mount Telegram, 7/15/05
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/07/15/071505rmtquran.html
Without clearer legislative guidelines over using the Quran and other
religious texts for courtroom oaths, judges across the state probably
will make different rulings, said N.C. Superior Court Judge Quentin
Sumner.
"We've never had a request like that (in Nash County) - ever," Sumner said. "At this point, I don't know what I'd do.
"The legislature needs to address the issue because different judges will decide differently."
Court officials in Edgecombe County said they've never had a request to
swear to tell the truth on a Quran, either. At present, courtroom
witnesses, defendants and jurors in the Twin Counties take oaths on the
Bible or they affirm - or promise - to tell the truth.
The issue has come to light after two judges in Guilford County decided
that oaths taken on the Quran were not legal. Muslims in Greensboro had
tried to donate copies of the Quran last month to the courthouse there,
but Senior Resident Superior Court Judge W. Douglas Albright and
Guilford Chief District Court Judge Joseph E. Turner turned down the
donation, saying that taking an oath requires someone to lay hands on
the "Holy Scriptures." (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
LAWYER SUES U.S. GOV'T FOR FALSE ARREST -
TOP
Rukmini Callimachi, Associated Press, 7/15/05
PORTLAND, Ore. - Just over a year ago, a bespectacled lawyer sat in a
holding cell inside Portland's federal courthouse, suspected of being
involved in the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
Brandon Mayfield's fingerprints, the FBI said, were found on a bag of
detonators near the scene - prints that three senior agents analyzed
and vetted.
But their analysis was wrong. On Friday, Mayfield returns to the
courthouse for a pretrial hearing in his civil lawsuit against the U.S.
government.
A convert to Islam, Mayfield argues he was singled out because of his
faith. He also charges that key sections of the Patriot Act, which he
says were used to install wiretaps and conduct secret searches of his
home, are unconstitutional.
Legal experts agree that Mayfield, who has never been to Spain, was
wronged. He was released two weeks after his May 2004 arrest and the
FBI apologized for bungling the fingerprint examination.
But experts are divided over whether he will be successful in
challenging portions of the Patriot Act, which is at the center of a
heated debate in Congress. The law expanded the government's
intelligence-gathering powers after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
``Because the Patriot Act is up for renewal, Mr. Mayfield's case is
important because it shows how the government can secretly avoid the
civil rights and civil liberties of Americans - and leave no one secure
from secret government spying and investigations,'' said Elden
Rosenthal, one of Mayfield's lawyers. (MORE)
-----
THREE YEARS AFTER RAIDS, STILL NO CHARGES -
TOP
Brian McNeill, Connection Newspapers, 7/14/05
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=53160&paper=0&cat=109
When federal agents raided properties in Northern Virginia and Georgia
in March 2002 as part of an investigation into suspected financial ties
to terrorist groups, the investigators enjoyed new powers granted to
them under the Patriot Act.
The Patriot Act, which had been signed into law just a few months
earlier, allowed the investigators to obtain a search warrant in a
jurisdiction other than where the search would take place. Critics say
this provision allows prosecutors to "shop" for a friendly judge when
seeking permission to search private property.
In this case, the search warrant was obtained from federal court in
Virginia. The Patriot Act permitted the agents to search not only the
Virginia properties, but also a poultry plant in Georgia and other
undisclosed properties.
A collection of Islamic-American businesses and non-profit entities
have been under federal investigation for allegedly bankrolling
terrorist organizations.
But more than three years later, no charges have been filed.
The group of organizations - which U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement officials call the "Safa Group" - has been under
investigation since at least March 2002, when federal agents raided
their Herndon offices at 555 Grove St. and eight homes in Herndon and
Loudoun County.
"All I can say is that the investigation is ongoing," said Dean Boyd, a
spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the
Department of Homeland Security. The groups are being scrutinized for
allegedly funding Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, according to
court documents.
Through their attorney, members of the Safa Group denied any connection
to terrorist groups. None of them have been charged with any illegal
activity.
Over the last four years, the Safa Group entities have contributed nearly $63,000 to candidates for the General Assembly.
But the Safa Group's campaign contributions have nothing to do with the
federal investigation. Instead, the contributions are intended to back
candidates who reflect a traditionally conservative political ideology
- specifically those who oppose same-sex marriage, vote to further
restrict abortion, according to their attorney and three General
Assembly candidates who have enjoyed their support.
Mukit Hossain, chairman of the Herndon-based Muslim American PAC, which
supports candidates from both parties, said the 2002 raids prompted
fear and confusion in the Northern Virginia Muslim community.
Three years later, he said, many Muslim-Americans are outraged the
investigation appears to have been fruitless and the Safa Group's
reputation was destroyed. (MORE)
-----
MSN LECTURE ON ISLAM AND THE BLACK AMERICAN -
TOP
WHAT: Muslim Student Network Presents "Islam and the Black American"
with Dr. Sherman Abdul-Hakim Jackson, University of Michigan Professor
of Arabic and Islamic Studies and author of Islam and the Black
American.
WHEN: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday July 16, 2005
WHERE: Blackburn Auditorium Blackburn Center
Howard University
2397 Sixth Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Free and open to the public. For more info call Malika Bilal at 773 350-6428; e-mail:
mbilal@ameritech.net
For more information about MSN, please visit
www.muslimstudentnetwork.org
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #460
CALL NOW TO IMPACT PATRIOT ACT RENEWAL
(WASHINGTON, DC, 7/18/2005) - CAIR today called on all people of
conscience to ask their elected officials to support common sense changes
to the USA Patriot Act that would protect both national security and
civil liberties. Sixteen provisions of the act are slated to expire at
the end of this year and Congress is considering modifications.
A bill that permanently extends many controversial sections of the
Patriot Act was considered by two House committees last Wednesday. It is
expected to go to a vote on the House floor this week. Hundreds of CAIR
supporters have already taken action by contacting or meeting with their
elected representatives to express their concerns. They asked that
Congress:
* Pass the Security and Freedom Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2005 (H.R. 1526
and S. 737) and the Protection of Civil Liberties Act (H.R.
1310)
* Set any renewed provision to sunset again in 2007 and add a similar
sunset provision to Section 213, which does not sunset. This ensures that
measures undertaken in times of great need do not endure longer than
necessary.
Two of the Patriot Act's provisions in particular raise major civil
liberties concerns.
* Section 215 allows law enforcement to acquire a search warrant for
"any tangible thing." This can include: library records,
medical records, and travel records. Additionally, it places a gag order
on the person who must turn over records. Under this provision, a
librarian could not tell his or her lawyer that they had to turn over
someone's library records.
* Section 213 replaces traditional "knock and announce" search
warrants with "sneak and peek." searches, delaying notice of
the execution of a search warrant for a "reasonable time." This
can mean never informing the subject of the warrant that their
possessions were searched. In substantive cases involving international
or domestic terrorism, investigations conducted in secret are reasonable.
However, Section 213, as written, is not limited to terror cases. It can
be applied to any federal investigation, such as an examination of
delinquent student loans.
"Congress hears the concerns of constituents," said CAIR
Governmental Affairs Director
Corey
Saylor, "Already, a positive modification disallowing funds for
law enforcement searches of bookstores and libraries has passed the
House."
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Contact your Representative in the U.S. Congress and ask them to
support greater limitations and oversight of the Patriot Act. Go to:
http://capwiz.com/cair/callalert/index.tt?alertid=7847926&type=CO
2) Get your friends and family to put their faith into action.
(You will automatically be asked to do this after you send your message
from the above site.)
3) You may also call your representatives through the Capitol
Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. (Have your ZIP Code ready.)
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$___________. Enclosed is my check, payable to "CAIR." (You may
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NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 7/18/05
*
VERSE:
God is with
You
*
Reminder of CAIR PSA Satellite
Re-Broadcast
-
New
PSA Says Terror Against Islam (State Dept)
-
Muslims Launch TV Ad
Against Terrorism (Reuters)
*
CO
Muslims
Seek Mtg With Tancredo Over 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
*
CAIR-ST. Louis
Takes Part in
Highway Clean-Up
-
CAIR-CA:
Friedman Tarred Islam Without Facts
-
CAIR-SC: Non-Muslims Invited to Explore Islam
-
CAIR-IL: Patriot Act Topic of Town Hall Meeting
*
ISLAM-OPED: The Quran's Influence on Western Civilization
*
INCITEMENT:
Hating Christians, Jews is Part of Islam
*
British Muslim Leader Gets Apology from U.S. (AP)
*
KY:
What It's Like to Wear Hijab in Bluegrass State
-
NC:
Legislators Mixed On Quran Law (News Record)
*
Plan Called For Covert Aid in Iraq Vote (NY Times)
-
Did Washington Manipulate Iraq's Election? (New Yorker)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD IS WITH YOU -
TOP
"It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, then
firmly established Himself on the throne of authority. He knows all
that enters the earth and all that emerges from it, all that comes down
from Heaven and all that ascends to it; and He is with you wherever you
are."
The Holy Quran, 57:4
-----
REMINDER OF PSA RE-BROADCAST -
TOP
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
The CAIR "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA is now online and will be
re-distributed by satellite feed to television stations on Tuesday. To
view the PSA online, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
SATELLITE RE-FEED: C-Band Satellite, Tuesday, July 19, 2:00-2:15 p.m.
(EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m. (PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H)
93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2, 6.8
CAIR's 30-second PSA features American Muslims stating: "We often hear
claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit
acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the
Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who
commits such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice."
The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online
petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the
violent acts of a few Muslims. SEE:
http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=1071&page=NR
ACTION REQUESTED:
Contact the Public Service Directors at local TV stations to request that they downlink the PSA on Tuesday.
ALSO SEE:
NEW PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT SAYS TERRORISM IS AGAINST ISLAM -
TOP
Mercedes L. Suarez, Washington File, 07/14/05
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/terror579.html
Washington -- The largest Islamic civil rights group in the United
States, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), is releasing
a nationwide public service announcement making it clear that terrorism
violates the tenets of Islam.
The announcement, called "Not in the Name of Islam," is "a rejection of
those who carry out terror attacks in the name of our faith," said
Parvez Ahmed, the board chairman of the Council, at a July 14 press
conference where the 30-second video of the announcement was shown.
Two Muslims, an African-American imam and a woman wearing a head
covering are featured in the video, which is being distributed via
satellite feed to television stations around the United States.
"We often hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism," says the woman
in the video. "Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about
peace," continues the announcement, with subtitles in Arabic and Urdu,
the dominant language of Pakistan. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS LAUNCH TV AD AGAINST TERRORISM -
TOP
Reuters, 07/15/05
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2005-07-15T222933Z_01_N15166761_RTRIDST_0_USREPORT-SECURITY-USA-MUSLIMS-DC.XML
WASHINGTON - American Muslims have launched an advertising campaign to
denounce acts of terrorism after bombers believed to be British Muslims
killed at least 54 people in attacks on London.
"Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the
mask of religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally
rejected by mainstream Muslims," said Parvez Ahmed, chairman of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations.
He said the television ad, which will air nationwide by July 19, is an
attempt to detach Islam from the "heinous" acts of a few Muslims.
Police believe the attacks are linked to al Qaeda, the Islamic militant
group behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and the
Madrid train bombings last year.
"Backlash is a concern ... but it's not our main motive," said CAIR
spokeswoman Rabiah Ahmed. "Our main motivation lies with making sure
our position is clear where Islam stands on terrorism."
The 30-second public service spot, called "Not in the Name of Islam,"
features two American Muslim women and religious leader Imam Johari
Abdul-Malik. (MORE)
-----
CO MUSLIMS SEEK MTG WITH TANCREDO OVER 'BOMB MECCA' REMARK -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/18/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) said today that it is working with leaders of the Colorado
Muslim community to set up a meeting with Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) over
his recent remarks suggesting support for bombing Mecca, Islam's
holiest site.
Tancredo made the remarks during an interview on the Pat Campbell Show
in Florida last Thursday discussing what should be done in response to
an attack on this country by "extremist fundamentalist Muslims."
Tancredo said one possible response would be to "take out their holy
sites." When Campbell asked if the congressman was "talking about
bombing Mecca," Tancredo replied, "Yeah."
To listen to an excerpt of the interview, go to:
http://www.cairfl.org/audio/Tancredo_comments_071405.mp3
On Sunday, Tancredo released a statement saying he was just trying to
figure out how the United States could deter future attacks. The
statement said: "Among the many things we might do to prevent such an
attack on America would be to lay out there as a possibility the
destruction of these sites."
"I do not advocate this," said Tancredo in his statement. "Much more
thought would need to be given to the potential ramifications of such a
horrific response."
SEE: "Tancredo Clarifies 'Ultimate Response'"
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3934448,00.html
CAIR said local and national Republican leaders should repudiate the
congressman's remarks and Tancredo himself should apologize immediately
to the people of Colorado and to the American Muslim community.
The Washington-based council asked Muslims and other people of
conscience to contact the Republican Party to ask for an apology and
repudiation of the offensive statements. (E-Mail: info@gop.com, Copy
to: cair@cair-net.org )
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441,
E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-ST. LOUIS TAKES PART IN HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP -
TOP
(ST. LOUIS, MO, 7/18/05) - On Saturday July 16, a group of volunteers
from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) St. Louis chapter
worked on cleaning highway 40/64 through the Adopt A Highway Program.
The Missouri Department of Transportation put a sign carrying our name
on both sides of the highway. (You can see the sign on both the north
and the south side of the highway in that area.)
Farooq Uraizee, a CAIR-St. Louis board member and organizer of the event thanked everyone who helped cleanup.
For more information, contact Kamal Yassin at 314-477-8407.
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-CA: FRIEDMAN TARRED ISLAM WITHOUT FACTS -
TOP
Fouad Khatib, OC Register, 7/17/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/17/sections/commentary/READER%20REBUTTALS/article_599221.php
The Alhambra resident is board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman makes the claim, "[t]o this
day - to this day - no major Muslim cleric or religious body has ever
issued a fatwa condemning Osama bin Laden" ["What can we do to limit
the fallout?" Commentary, July 10]. His claim is absurd.
On Oct. 13, 2001 Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-Pa., informed the House of
Representatives that the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Tantawi,
denounced bin Laden. Rep. Pitts was clear in characterizing Sheikh
Tantawi as "the highest and most respected Islamic authority in the
world."
Within days after 9/11, Talgat Tajuddin, the high mufti of Russian
Muslims, called for the extradition of bin Laden from Afghanistan. The
high mufti stressed that a man who advises to kill cannot be God's
counselor, however much he may quote the Quran.
The North American Fiqh (jurisprudence) Council issued a formal fatwa
on Sept. 27, 2001, that condemned bin Ladin's actions of 9/11 and
sanctioned Muslim participation in the United States' military response
in Afghanistan.
On April 3, 2002, an extraordinary session of the Organization of
Islamic Conference foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur adopted a stark
resolution condemning the brutal terror attacks of Sept. 11. Although
the OIC is not a religious body, it is an umbrella organization of 57
Islamic countries.
On March 12 of this year, Spain's leading Muslim clerics issued a
religious order condemning bin Laden and declaring that he had violated
Islam by backing attacks such as the Madrid train bombings. The order
was issued after consultations with North African religious scholars in
Morocco, Algeria and other countries. (MORE)
---
CAIR-SC: SEMINAR INVITES NON-MUSLIMS TO EXPLORE ISLAMIC FAITH -
TOP
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3601410&nav=0RaPcDpT
(Columbia) July 16, 2005 - Responding to the July Seventh terrorist
attacks in London, Muslim leaders from around the world are speaking
out.
Many of them are trying to teach tolerance through education, and
separating the Islamic faith from terrorist violence. Imam Muhammad
Adly is the head of Columbia's Islamic Center, "Everyone including the
media, non-Muslims, and Muslims alike are trying to explain to the
public what Islam is. It's time for the people to hear if from the
horse's mouth."
In the Midlands, Muslims from Columbia's Islamic Center opened their
doors to the public on Saturday night. Adly says the seminar by The
Council on American Islamic Relations gave non-Muslims a chance to
better understand the Islamic faith, "We don't have bombs, we don't
have mass destruction weapons. We're not about that. We're about
educating ourselves, we're about worshiping the almighty God and being
a part of the community."
Adly says that the recent attacks by a few make it difficult for the
many keep an open mind to Islam, "Islam is not about terror, and you
shouldn't judge all Muslims by what some people may do."
Methodist Tiffany Ginn says she learned a lot and now has different
perceptions about Islam, "Before I came tonight I looked at Muslim
women as obeying and being outside of a man, that the man was superior,
and today I learned they are equal."
Outside the Muslim mosque, a couple of protestors chanted and held signs during the seminar.
---
CAIR-CHICAGO: PATRIOT ACT DISCUSSED AT LOCAL TOWN HALL MEETING -
TOP
(Chicago, IL, 7/18/05) - The Chicago chapter of the nation's largest
Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-Chicago), in participation with the Civil Liberties
Coalition of Illinois (CLCI), held a town hall meeting yesterday with
guest speaker, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, to encourage Illinois'
elected representatives to vote "NO" to the reauthorization of the
expiring provisions of the Patriot Act.
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago, Fadi Farhan, 773-220-4715 or 312-212-1520, E-mail: gov.relations@cairchicago.org
-----
ISLAM-OPED: THE QURAN'S INFLUENCE ON WESTERN CIVILIZATION -
TOP
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
ISLAM-OPED is a national syndication service of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designed to offer an American Muslim
perspective on current political, social and religious issues.
ISLAM-OPED commentaries are offered free-of-charge to one media outlet
in each market area. Permission for publication will be granted on a
first-come-first-served basis.
CONTACT: ihooper@cair-net.org
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)
Please consider the following commentary for publication.
---
THE QURAN'S INFLUENCE ON WESTERN CIVILIZATION
By Fouad Khatib
WORD COUNT: 625
[Fouad Khatib is a board member of the Washington-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and board chairman of CAIR's
California offices.)
News of religious humiliation of detainees in Guantanamo Bay's Camp
X-Ray has introduced into contemporary American discourse the
significance of the Quran in the lives of Muslims.
While some on the political and religious fringe have attacked the
Quran, most Americans have exhibited curiosity, not hostility. In fact,
more than 16,000 people of all faiths have already requested a free
Quran through the Council on American-Islamic Relations' "Explore the
Quran" program. (See: www.explorethequran.org )
Those who study the Quran for the first time might also reflect on the
positive influence that Islam's holy text has had on Western
civilization.
The Quran has the unique distinction of causing an ancient Semitic
language, Arabic, to thrive as the language of learning for the better
part of a millennium. While most ancient languages have either perished
or been confined to the hallways of academia, Arabic continues to be a
living language in more than two dozen countries. Arabic also formed
the linguistic cornerstone of one of the greatest civilizations mankind
has experienced.
The Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, which gave Muslims a
complete code of life, stimulated a belief in the importance of
learning and inspired Arab-Muslim civilization to direct its creative
energies into literary and scientific pursuits. Muslim science,
mathematics, literature and medicine became the best in the world.
To understand how the Quran influenced civilizations, one should study
the evolution of the Renaissance, the great revival of learning in 14th
century Europe that had its origins in the interactions between the
"Christian" West and the lands of Islam. For centuries preceding the
Renaissance, Islamic Spain offered fertile intellectual ground from
which sprang an enormous wealth of knowledge.
The famous libraries of Baghdad preserved in Arabic translations great
Latin works of literature that were banned by the Church. Muslim Spain
preserved the intellectual content of the Greco-Roman civilization that
was later rediscovered by the West.
This vast knowledge base became the springboard for the Renaissance.
The genesis of the Renaissance lies in the translation into Latin of
books in all branches of knowledge then extant in the Arabic language.
Some precepts of law familiar to us today were also inspired by the
Quranic code. Its influence on the international law is characterized
by strict limitations on warfare, prohibition of harming of civilians
or destruction of trees and crops, and adherence to treaties.
Distinguishing criminal intent from criminal action was first advanced
by Islamic law. Consequently, children and the insane could not be
prosecuted as they were deemed incapable of harboring criminal intent.
The Magna Carta and English common law were also influenced by the
Quranic code. Pope Sylvester II graduated from a Spanish university
with a degree in Islamic Law. He went on to translate Islamic legal
texts into Latin and called it the "New Roman Law." This code became
the basis for the French legal system as well as that of Louisiana.
On the social and civic front, a profound contribution of the Quranic
code was the explicit banning of racism, which provided a practical
framework for thriving multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies
exemplified by the peaceful coexistence of different peoples in Muslim
Spain.
In the 8th century Iraq, entire schools of grammarians in Baghdad,
Basra and Kufa minutely scrutinized the Quran in an effort to elucidate
its meanings. This led to the formal scrutiny of the Arabic language
itself. Some significant outcomes of this intense linguistic
exploration were the development of lexicography, rules of grammar and
cryptology.
Only a serious study of the Quran and its influence on history can help
one truly understand why more than a billion human beings revere this
book as their revealed scripture. Polemics and hostile rhetoric, apart
from being distasteful, do little to further understanding or mutual
respect.
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: HATING CHRISTIANS, JEWS IS PART OF ISLAM'S DOCTRINE -
TOP
Professor Samuel Ablemanbr, Northwest Indiana Times, 7/17/05
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2005/07/17/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/97b79f01ec6b4bbd8625703f0000a13c.txt
The world community is blind to the heart of Islam and what it teaches.
It seems that the majority of the world's terrorists are Muslims.
Islam has a fundamental series of teachings, starting with Muhammad and
going throughout history, indoctrinating Muslims to hate Christians and
Jews.
Look at the history of Islam. Islam is a religion of bloodshed. The
current examples of what Muslims are doing to further their evil plight
is a part of their religion. There are no liberal or open-minded
Muslims.
Muslims have been oppressive to all non-Muslims living under their
rules. Talk to the Christians in Egypt. Ask the Christians in Jordan,
Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan and rest of the world.
Today, Christians and Jews suffer at their hands. (MORE)
ACTION REQUESTED:
Send polite comments to: letters@nwitimes.com
Copy to: cair@cair-net.org
-----
BRITISH MUSLIM LEADER GETS APOLOGY, VISA FROM U.S. EMBASSY -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/16/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--britain-muslimlea0716jul16,0,3295370.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. - The British Muslim leader who was denied entry to
the United States this week said he has received an apology and
assurances of a visa from the U.S. Embassy in London.
Dr. Zaki Badawi, the chief imam at London Central Mosque and head of
the Muslim College, had been scheduled to speak Thursday at the
Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y.
On Thursday, Badawi told The Associated Press he was detained and
questioned for about six hours upon arrival in New York on Wednesday.
Badawi said authorities didn't give him a reason for denying him entry
to the United States.
Thomas Becker, president of the institution, said Badawi told him by phone Friday of the embassy's apology.
Badawi said he was told he would be receiving a visa from the embassy
and that he was encouraged to resume his travels to the United States.
(MORE)
-----
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WEAR A HEAD COVERING IN THE BLUEGRASS -
TOP
Samieh Shalash, Lexington Herald Leader, 07/17/05
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/12153227.htm
Most 5-year-old girls run from the bully on the playground who wants to
yank their pigtails. As a kindergartner, I ran from the bully who
wanted to tug off my hijab, the Islamic head cover.
"Is Saddam Hussein your daddy?" I was asked in fourth grade. Seventh
grade brought frequent taunts of "towelhead" from a gang of boys.
High school and college at the University of Kentucky were better -- more curiosity and polite inquiry than anything.
As a 21-year-old Muslim woman, I've worn hijab -- pronounced hee-JAHB
-- for nearly 16 years. My six sisters, ages 11 to 29, and mother also
wear it. Images of women dressed like us in war-torn countries have
been splashed across the media since 9/11.
Strangers often ask where we're from, expecting "Saudi Arabia" or
"Iraq." The answer -- born and raised in Lexington -- usually surprises
them. A saleswoman once complimented my language skills: "Wow, you
speak really good English."
A sweet older gentleman was shocked when I answered "I'm Muslim" after
he asked why I cover my hair. "You can't be Muslim, young lady. You've
got freckles," he said earnestly.
He's not the first to think all Muslims are Arab -- or that all Arabs
have darker skin than mine. But only 20 percent of Muslims are Arab;
the largest Islamic population is in Indonesia. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NC: LEGISLATORS MIXED ON QURAN LAW -
TOP
Eric Collins and Mark Binker, News Record, 7/17/05
http://beta.newsrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050717/NEWSREC0101/507160330
Two local legislators say state law should be changed to resolve a
controversy over the use of the Quran for courtroom oaths. But other
legislators say the General Assembly doesn't need to get involved.
Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat, and Sen. Stan Bingham, a
Davidson County Republican, said the law should allow people to swear
on holy texts other than the Christian Bible.
To do otherwise defeats the intent of the process, Jones said. The oath
is a tool the court uses to tap people's inner spiritual beliefs to
enhance the likelihood they won't lie, he said.
"(An oath) is meant to guarantee that the person will not commit
perjury and will tell the truth," Jones said last week. "It doesn't
serve any purpose if he's made to swear on something he doesn't believe
in."
The issue arose last month after Muslims from the Al-Ummil Ummat
Islamic Center in Greensboro tried to donate copies of the Quran to
Guilford County courtrooms. The county's two top judges turned down the
gift after determining that an oath on the Quran is not a legal oath.
(MORE)
-----
PLAN CALLED FOR COVERT AID IN IRAQ VOTE -
TOP
Douglas Jehl and David E. Sanger, New York Times, 07/17/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/politics/17elect.html
WASHINGTON, July 16 - In the months before the Iraqi elections in
January, President Bush approved a plan to provide covert support to
certain Iraqi candidates and political parties, but rescinded the
proposal because of Congressional opposition, current and former
government officials said Saturday.
In a statement issued in response to questions about a report in the
next issue of The New Yorker, Frederick Jones, the spokesman for the
National Security Council, said that "in the final analysis, the
president determined and the United States government adopted a policy
that we would not try - and did not try - to influence the outcome of
the Iraqi election by covertly helping individual candidates for
office."
The statement appeared to leave open the question of whether any covert
help was provided to parties favored by Washington, an issue about
which the White House declined to elaborate. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
DID WASHINGTON TRY TO MANIPULATE IRAQ'S ELECTION? -
TOP
Seymour M. Hersh, The New Yorker, 7/18/05
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050725fa_fact
The January 30th election in Iraq was publicly perceived as a political
triumph for George W. Bush and a vindication of his decision to
overturn the regime of Saddam Hussein. More than eight million Iraqis
defied the threats of the insurgency and came out to vote for
provincial councils and a national assembly. Many of them spent hours
waiting patiently in line, knowing that they were risking their lives.
Images of smiling Iraqis waving purple index fingers, signifying that
they had voted, were transmitted around the world. Even some of the
President's harshest critics acknowledged that he might have been
right: democracy, as he defined it, could take hold in the Middle East.
The fact that very few Sunnis, who were dominant under Saddam Hussein,
chose to vote was seen within the Administration as a temporary
setback. The sense of victory faded, however, amid a continued
political stalemate, increased violence, and a hardening of religious
divides. After three months of bitter sectarian infighting, a
government was finally formed. It is struggling to fulfill its primary
task: to draft a new constitution by mid-August.
Whether the election could sustain its promise had been in question
from the beginning. The Administration was confronted with a basic
dilemma: The likely winner of a direct and open election would be a
Shiite religious party. The Shiites were bitter opponents of Saddam's
regime, and suffered under it, but many Shiite religious and political
leaders are allied, to varying degrees, with the mullahs of Iran. As
the election neared, the Administration repeatedly sought
ways-including covert action-to manipulate the outcome and reduce the
religious Shiite influence. Not everything went as planned.
The initial election plan, endorsed in late 2003 by Paul Bremer, the
head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, involved a caucus system
in which the C.P.A. would be able to exert enormous influence over the
selection of a transitional government. Each major ethnic group-the
Shiites, who represent sixty per cent of the population; the Sunnis,
with twenty per cent; and the Kurds, with around fifteen per cent-would
have a fixed number of seats in a national assembly. The U.S. hoped to
hold the election before the transfer of sovereignty, which was
scheduled for June 30, 2004, but the lack of security made the deadline
unrealistic. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the spiritual leader of
one of the Shiite parties, the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution in Iraq, or sciri, agreed to accept a delay, as the U.S.
wanted, in return for the White House's commitment to hold a direct
one-man, one-vote election. President Bush agreed. It was a change in
policy that many in the Administration feared would insure a Shiite
majority in the new assembly. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/19/05
*
VERSE:
God's
Love
*
CAIR-DC:
Muslims Join
Clean-Up Initiative
-
1.3
Million View CAIR Anti-Terror PSA
-
CAIR 'Explore the
Quran' Requests Top 17K
*
CAIR-MI:
U.S.
Muslims Don't Pose Threat to America
-
The Border Mentality (Boston
Globe)
*
ISLAM-OPED:
A Muslim
Perspective on Church and State
*
Tancredo Says No Apology for 'Bomb
Mecca' Remark (RM News)
-
Action:
Urge
Republicans to Repudiate Comments
-
DNC
Chairman Condemns Tancredo's Remarks
-
Tancredo Won't Back Down (Denver
Post)
-
Tancredo's
'Off-Cuff' Talk Off The Wall (Denver Post)
-
Turkish Official
Condemns Tancredo's Remarks (AP)
*
CAIR:
Swear
to Tell the Truth on the Koran? (CS Monitor)
*
UPN, WWE Arab-American
Character 'Insensitive' (TV Week)
-
CAIR-CA:
'Smackdown!' Story
Line Shameful
*
Patriot
Act Wrong Then, Worse Now (KC Star)
*
PA:
City Can't
Ask Muslim Firefighter to Shave Beard
-
Halal Food Options Common
(Dallas Morning News)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD'S LOVE -
TOP
"(God) the Most Gracious will bestow love on those who believe and work deeds of righteousness."
The Holy Quran, 19:96
-----
CAIR-DC: MUSLIMS JOIN CLEAN-UP INITIATIVE -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C. 7/19/05) - On Sunday, July 17, a group of volunteers
from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) helped clean up
the neighborhood surrounding the Islamic Information Center in
southeast Washington D.C. The effort was part of the summer-long
"Muslims Care" volunteerism campaign. SEE:
www.muslims-care.org
CAIR's "Muslims Care" campaign offers American Muslims the resources
and information they need to help improve the communities in which they
live.
July's theme is "Helping the Needy." Muslims nationwide are being
encouraged to coordinate clothing or food drives and to organize or
participate in efforts to feed the homeless.
CONTACT: Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 ext 3243, 202-439-1441
ALSO SEE:
MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY VIEWED CAIR PSA -
TOP
More than 1.3 million people nationwide have already viewed CAIR's
"Note in the Name of Islam" television public service announcement
(PSA) since it was release last week. This is an amazing number of
viewers, given the fact that it usually takes up to a month for a PSA
to be aired by a station.
CAIR's 30-second PSA features American Muslims stating: "We often hear
claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit
acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the
Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who
commits such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice."
To view CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online
petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the
violent acts of a few Muslims.
---
CAIR 'EXPLORE THE QURAN' REQUESTS TOP 17K -
TOP
http://www.explorethequran.org
More than 17,000 Americans of all faiths have ordered a FREE Quran since CAIR launched its "Explore the Quran" campaign in May.
-----
CAIR-MI: U.S. MUSLIMS DON'T POSE THREAT TO AMERICA -
TOP
Dawud Walid, Detroit News, 7/19/05
http://www.detnews.com/2005/editorial/0507/19/A10-252131.htm
[Dawud Walid is the Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Lathrup Village.]
Since the London attack on July 7, condemnations and condolences from
the international community have been extended to the victims of the
London attack and the British population.
And although Islamic scholars from across the globe have denounced the
London attack and Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that this attack
is not indicative of Islam, the perception of many is that Islam is
directly responsible for the barbarism of July 7th.
Within days of the London attack, Muslims residing in Western nations
have reported an increase in arson attacks and vandalism of mosques and
a renewal of slurs based upon their religion and ethnicities. The
suspicions, which Muslims are subjected to, however, may be a more
serious problem than these overt attacks.
The majority of Muslims, who are moderate and abhor the destruction of
life and nature, have had their religion hijacked by the horrific
schemes of people, whose exact background and motives are unclear.
Thus, a cloud of evil Muslims has been conjured, and this cloud has
come to represent the biggest enemy to the American way of life since
the cloud of communism in the 1950s through the 1980s. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
THE BORDER MENTALITY -
TOP
James Carroll, Boston Globe, 7/19/05
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/07/19/the_border_mentality
ONE TIME, a US Customs official sent a chill through me, and I feel it
still. We were returning from a ski trip to Canada. At the border, the
official was brusque as he interrogated me. To my horror, I realized
that I had neglected to declare a purchase made at the ski resort, and
he seemed to sense it. He began a rough search of our car. His rudeness
prompted me to say at one point: "You can't treat me like this. I have
rights. I am an American."
He looked at me coldly. "You're not in America yet, Bub. You don't have
rights until I say you do." I felt humiliated, but instructed. A border
by definition is the territory of absolute power, and such power by
definition demeans.
I thought of that encounter last Thursday when I learned that a
distinguished leader of the Islamic community in London was refused
admittance into the United States at John F. Kennedy Airport in New
York.
Zaki Badawi is an Egyptian-born scholar, the principal of the Muslim
College in London, which trains imams and Islamic leaders, emphatically
preparing them to build bridges with British culture. Holding a
doctorate from the University of London, Badawi has been knighted by
Queen Elizabeth, has served as an adviser to Tony Blair, and is
co-editor of an interfaith magazine with an archbishop and a chief
rabbi. He is in his 80s.
Badawi was en route to the Chautauqua Institution in western New York,
where he was to give a major address on the compatibility of Islam and
Western culture. But on Wednesday evening, US border officials at JFK
detained the elderly scholar for six hours, then put him on a plane
back to England. Rejected.
As it happened, I was at Chautauqua as part of a program exploring the
common roots of the three Abrahamic religions. Those waiting to welcome
Badawi included Muslims, Jews, and Christians. All were stunned by news
of his banishment. I do not know what, precisely, prompted the border
officials' action, but I am certain that the humiliation Badawi
suffered will be felt by every British Muslim who learns of it. Power
at the border demeans, and in today's context, resentment, too, can be
absolute. (MORE)
-----
ISLAM-OPED: A MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE ON CHURCH AND STATE -
TOP
ISLAM-OPED is a national syndication service of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designed to offer an American Muslim
perspective on current political, social and religious issues.
ISLAM-OPED commentaries are offered free-of-charge to one media outlet
in each market area. Permission for publication will be granted on a
first-come-first-served basis.
CONTACT:
ihooper@cair-net.org
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)
Please consider the following commentary for publication.
---
A MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE ON CHURCH AND STATE
By Parvez Ahmed
WORD COUNT: 567
[Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D., is board chairman of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy group. He may be contacted at:
pahmed@cair-net.org. For a photo of Parvez Ahmed, go to:
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=Board&person=Parvez ]
The U.S. Supreme Court's yes-and-no decision on the public display of
the Ten Commandments and the loss of Sandra Day O'Connor swing vote has
refocused the debate over the line separating of church and state. In
that debate, we may wish to consider redrawing that line.
The First Amendment clearly states that that government shall not make
any laws "respecting an establishment of religion," but it fails to
offer a precise definition of what role religion may play in the public
arena. The establishment clause is a key pillar of American society and
an idea the Bush administration tried to introduce into the Iraqi and
Afghan constitutions.
But before this or any subsequent administration tries to promote
separation of church and state abroad, particularly in the Muslim
world, it is first necessary to get it right at home.
American Muslims, like other religious minorities in this country, are
among the beneficiaries of the establishment clause and thus are among
its biggest supporters. Like other minority groups, American Muslims
remain concerned that the next Supreme Court nominee may very well
redefine the church-state relationship.
The new court will determine not just the future of religious discourse
in America, but will send a strong signal to the rest of the world. Are
we going to continue to provide leadership on this question of
separating church and state? Are we willing to recalibrate this
principle that has helped religious life flourish in America?
Noah Feldman writing in the New York Times Magazine posits the
redrawing of the church-state line to allow the display of religious
symbols on public property while banning government funding of
faith-based programs. Ten Commandments are in and voucher programs for
private religious schools are out, essentially reversing the Supreme
Court's direction over the past decade.
Feldman argues that public displays of religious symbols are by and
large non-threatening to minorities. Any religious occasion for the
majority will bring with it overt displays of their religious symbols
all around.
During Christmas, overt Christian decorations may make some
uncomfortable, even feel left out, but such displays do not reduce the
citizenship rights of any minority. Invoking God in a prayer before the
opening of a congressional session or mentioning God in the pledge of
allegiance or on a coin may make atheists uncomfortable, but does not
reduce their rights.
Moreover, this change in policy will provide minorities opportunities
to educate others about their religious views. Displays of religious
symbols of minority communities can be placed side by side with symbols
from majority faiths. Thus the Ten Commandments can be displayed next
to verses from the Quran. Religion will find a space in public life and
yet the state will not endorse any particular religion.
In contrast, government funding of religious institutions may infringe
upon the citizenship rights of minorities. Majority religious
institutions, often because they are the best organized, have an unfair
advantage in receiving public funds. Majority faith-based institutions
receiving public funds will invariably have close proximity to public
offices, thus creating an environment for a particular religion to gain
influence over government.
This proposed reinterpretation of church and state makes common sense.
It has a chance of not only winning wide support in this country but
also seems very "exportable," providing America a chance to claim the
high ground on an issue that is likely to influence politics for
generations to come, both here and abroad.
To SUBSCRIBE to ISLAM-OPED, go to: http://cair.biglist.com/islam-oped/
-----
TANCREDO: NO APOLOGY -
TOP
M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, 07/19/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3937059,00.html
WASHINGTON - The remarks were hypothetical but the outrage was real.
Facing mounting criticism, Rep. Tom Tancredo on Monday refused to
apologize for suggesting the United States could target Muslim holy
sites if radical Islamic terrorists set off multiple nuclear attacks in
American cities.
"It's a tough issue to deal with," Tancredo told reporters at a Capitol
Hill news conference. "Tough things are said. And we should not shy
away from saying things that need to be said."
Tancredo is known for his fiery rhetoric on immigration and other
issues, but his words are coming under more scrutiny because he has
started traveling to test the waters for a possible presidential
candidacy in 2008.
A spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Tancredo's remarks irresponsible.
"They do nothing to advance our national security and protect Americans
from terrorists," Pelosi spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which calls itself the
largest Islamic civil rights group in the United States, demanded an
apology Monday, after the Rocky Mountain News published an account of
his Friday interview with WFLA radio in Florida. . .
CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper called Tancredo's remarks irresponsible, inflammatory and "unworthy of an elected official."
"These kinds of . . . comments just serve to fuel negative perceptions
of the United States in the Muslim world that create a downward spiral
of hostility," Hooper said.
"He needs to go far beyond a clarification and apologize, not only to
the people of Colorado, but to the American-Muslim community."
Tancredo rejected the idea of apologizing at his news conference, where
the controversy overshadowed the topic he wanted to address, his
introduction of comprehensive immigration reform legislation. His bill
would create a limited guest worker plan for immigrants but only after
beefing up border security.
Last week in Iowa, home of the nation's first presidential caucuses, he
pressed his immigration reform agenda to members of the Christian
Coalition. At each stop, he also spoke briefly about what he sees as a
clash of civilizations and war against "radical Islam."
Hooper said it was a "quantum leap" for Tancredo to go a step further
and suggest destroying Muslim holy sites that are at the center of a
faith for one-fifth of the world's people.
"Unfortunately, there's a veritable cottage industry of anti-Muslim
rhetoric now in our society, and it seems to be growing," Hooper said.
"I don't know where it's taking us, because if people really do believe
we're in conflict with the faith of Islam, what does that mean? What
are the implications of that? Unending civilizational and religious
war? It's too much to contemplate. . ."
Late Monday, CAIR officials said they were trying to arrange a meeting
between Tancredo and Colorado Muslim leaders. Tancredo spokesman Will
Adams said he had not received the invitation but that the congressman
would be willing to meet with moderate Muslims. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ACTION REQUESTED: URGE REPUBLICANS TO REPUDIATE COMMENTS -
TOP
Contact state and national Republican Party leaders to ask (politely)
that they repudiate Tancredo's inflammatory and irresponsible remarks.
Mr. Bob Martinez
State Chair, Colorado Republican Party
E-mail:
BobMartinez@coloGOP.org
Phone: 303-758-3333
Republican National Committee
E-mail:
info@gop.com
Phone: 202.863.8500
President George W. Bush
E-mail:
president@whitehouse.gov
Phone: 202-456-1111
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org,
http://tancredo.house.gov/contacttom.asp
---
DNC CHAIRMAN STATEMENT ON REP. TANCREDO'S EXTREMIST REMARKS -
TOP
CO Congressman Suggests Bombing of Holy Muslim Sites
Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean
issued the following statement regarding U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo's
(R-CO) refusal to apologize for comments suggesting that the United
States should bomb Muslim holy sites, including Mecca.
"Tancredo's statements go against the very message America is trying to
send to the world, that the war against terrorism is not a war on Islam.
Remarks threatening the destruction of holy sites akin to the Vatican
or Jerusalem do nothing to win the hearts and minds of Muslims in the
United States and abroad.
Congressman Tancredo certainly owes Muslims around the globe an
immediate apology for his offensive remarks. At the same time, he also
owes Americans an apology for projecting a message that goes against
our values. With these remarks, Tancredo has been utterly careless with
his responsibility for shaping our foreign policy. Tancredo's continued
refusal to apologize poses a very real danger to our troops. President
Bush should strongly condemn Tancredo's statement."
Contact: Karen Finney - 202-863-8148
---
TANCREDO WON'T BACK DOWN -
TOP
Mike Soraghan and Anne C. Mulkern, Denver Post, 07/19/2005
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_2869419
Washington - Rep. Tom Tancredo refused Monday to back down from his
statement Friday suggesting that the United States might respond to a
radical Islamic terrorist attack by bombing Muslim holy sites.
Muslim groups earlier Monday called on Tancredo to apologize and said they want to meet with the Colorado Republican.
"I'm not suggesting we do it. I have nothing to apologize for in that
respect," Tancredo said. "I'm simply saying to have a good discussion
on this issue, a thorough discussion on what is perhaps the most
serious kind of possible situation we could face as a civilization,
that you cannot simply take things off the table because they are
uncomfortable to talk about."
Tancredo, a Littleton Republican, made the statement about bombing
Muslim holy sites, including the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, on a
Florida talk-radio show. (MORE)
---
TANCREDO'S "OFF-CUFF" TALK OFF THE WALL -
TOP
Diane Carman, Denver Post, 07/19/2005
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2869468
Colorado U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo was just talking "off-cuff." It was "an
extremely hypothetical situation." Everybody knows he's the kind of guy
who "thinks out loud."
I was positively dizzy from the spin.
It was as if press secretary Will Adams was channeling Scott McClellan.
"You're talking about bombing Mecca," the WFLA-AM talk-show host in
Florida said to Tancredo on Friday. "Yeah," said the Littleton
Republican, who's never been accused of sensitivity.
Adams tried to equivocate: There's a "widespread misconception about
what he said. Congressman Tancredo is not advocating bombing Mecca or
Medina or anybody's holy site."
Next up: a discussion of what the meaning of "yeah" is. (MORE)
---
TURKISH OFFICIAL CONDEMNS TANCREDO'S REMARKS -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/19/05
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3937678,00.html
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul today condemned
comments by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., that the United States could
"take out" Islamic holy sites if there were a nuclear attack on America
by Muslim fundamentalists.
Gul, whose nation is officially 99 percent Muslim, commented on the
congressman's remarks at a news conference with Irish Foreign Minister
Dermot Ahern in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
Gul said that he didn't think the people or the government of the
United States shared Tancredo's view. "The United States has a Muslim
population," the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying. . .
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a U.S. group, demanded an
apology. Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper called Tancredo's remarks
irresponsible, inflammatory and "unworthy of an elected official."
"These kinds of comments just serve to fuel negative perceptions of the
United States in the Muslim world that create a downward spiral of
hostility," Hooper said. (MORE)
-----
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH ... ON THE KORAN? -
TOP
Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 7/19/05
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0720/p02s02-usju.html
RALEIGH, N.C. As Muslim-Christian relations are under the spotlight
around the world, US judges sometimes face a vexing question: Can
witnesses raise their right hand and swear to tell the truth ... on the
Koran?
The recent refusal by a Guilford County, N.C., judge to allow a Muslim
woman to swear upon Islam's holy text before testifying is, in part, a
new First Amendment challenge. And here in the Tar Heel state, the idea
of swearing on books other than the Bible has reinvigorated a debate on
the relationship between faith and truth that goes back to the founding
documents of both the Carolinas and the country&
Muslims say the judge may be tapping into a post-9/11 ferment, with
unspoken inferences to terrorism. "This shows there's a lot of
anti-Muslim sentiment, especially here in the United States," says
Arsalan Iftikhar, legal director for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations in Washington.
-----
UPN, WWE SHOWED A LACK OF SENSITIVITY -
TOP
TV Week, 7/18/05
http://www.tvweek.com/lockland.cms?articleId=28402
Only hours after terrorists' bombs exploded July 7 in London, an
episode of World Wrestling Entertainment's "SmackDown!" aired on UPN
that included a story line focusing on Arab American "bad guys" and
featuring a mock terrorist attack. Characters involved in the story
line in recent weeks have made statements that play directly to
cultural stereotypes, such as, "I see sand people."
That such dialogue, which is dangerously close to hate speech, has been
allowed at any time is alarming. That the "terrorist" episode was
allowed to air that particular evening was a mistake on the part of UPN.
The network did add a "parental discretion" crawl to the show, a
warning to parents that in light of the day's events the content might
not be suitable for children. That move by UPN seemed to imply that the
program material was suitable for adult viewers and suitable to air
without disclaimers on any day in which terrorist bombings did not
occur.
The network's approach reflects insensitivity to the real nature of the
problem with this "SmackDown!" story line. As Americans, Iraqis and
others-both combatants and civilians-continue to die in Iraq and
terrorism remains prominent in the nation's consciousness on a daily
basis, programming that is clearly anti-Arab without any nuance,
context or balance fuels the flames of cultural hatred.
Keeping in mind that much of the audience for "SmackDown!" is made up
of impressionable young people, UPN and WWE share responsibility for
presenting material that might inspire hatred or even violence toward
Arab Americans. The unfortunate timing of the broadcast merely
underscored the inappropriateness that already existed.
UPN and WWE need to put some serious thought into how far they will
allow this story line to go and where they will take future
"SmackDown!" story lines. We understand that the show is one of UPN's
most successful and that the network for commercial or contractual
reasons might be reluctant to tinker with a formula that succeeds in
part by courting controversy. But we also know that both the network
and the producers have to be responsible for what they put on the air.
That also goes for Spike TV's two WWE shows, "Raw" and "Raw Zone." And
it is something the USA Network should keep in mind as it begins
running programming from the WWE later this year.
We defend the right of any network to carry programming like the WWE
shows, but we call on all who make or televise such shows to display
greater sensitivity toward the cultural climate. In today's world,
every program distributor must be aware of the potential for its
programming to do harm and must act responsibly.
ALSO SEE:
LETTERS: 'SMACKDOWN!' STORY LINE SHAMEFUL -
TOP
Baraa Kahf, TV Week, 7/18/05
http://www.tvweek.com/lockland.cms?articleId=28402
It is refreshing to see that "WWE SmackDown!" has worked into its story
line the character of a patriotic Arab American, loyal to his country.
It is a shame, however, that it chose to do this while reinforcing
negative stereotypes of Arabs to further its ratings goal.
In a statement posted on its corporate Web site, the WWE claims that
its aim behind the Hassan story line is to debunk stereotypical images
of Arab Americans. It is difficult, however, to see how it will achieve
such a noble goal with a sketch that includes images of masked Arab men
carrying their fallen brethren after he had "sacrificed" himself-amid
boos and chants of "U-S-A" from the crowd-or with a character that
wears Arab garb that is stereotypically associated with uncivilized
camel-riding Arabs, or with Palestinian terrorists.
As a popular entertainment program, "WWE SmackDown!" has a
responsibility toward its viewers not to exploit real-life tragedies
for material gain and not to promote extreme stereotypes of Arab and
Muslim Americans, as much as they may be more cinematically interesting
to portray.
Baraa Kahf is with the Southern California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Anaheim, Calif.
-----
PATRIOT ACT LEGISLATION WAS WRONG THEN AND WORSE THIS TIME AROUND -
TOP
Rhonda Chriss Lokeman, Kansas City Star, 7/19/05
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/opinion/12151053.htm
In the name of "homeland security," government officials can access
your credit history, library and medical records, voice-mail messages
and search your home without probable cause. It's part of the USA
Patriot Act. Parts of the bill expire this year.
Some in Congress now realize the error of their post-Sept. 11 haste.
Last week Senate and House lawmakers tried to modify sections under
reauthorization bills. One Senate Intelligence Committee proposal,
however, seeks to expand government powers.
Why should the government, which claims not to know the whereabouts of
Osama bin Laden, believe it has a right to know if a man takes Viagra,
a woman reads mystery novels or a deacon watches porn during hotel
stays? Under the Patriot Act, your private life could be part of a
government database without you knowing.
It's no wonder author Ray Bradbury, speaking recently to the American
Library Association, found similarities to the Bush administration and
the fictional police state in his "Fahrenheit 451."
You can't get the Bush administration to talk freely about prisoner
abuses at Gitmo, about underwear-draped detainees at Abu Ghraib, about
what White House insider(s) illegally exposed CIA operative Valerie
Plame, or who sat on the vice president's covert energy task force.
Yet, the government wants to know everything about you even if you've
committed no crime.
"I think there is clearly a campaign to fan people's fears, but there's
no demonstration that we are safer today because of the Patriot Act,"
said John Simpson, acting interim director of the American Civil
Liberties Union of Kansas and Missouri. (MORE)
-----
CITY CAN'T ASK MUSLIM FIREFIGHTER TO SHAVE BEARD -
TOP
Asher Hawkins, The Legal Intelligencer, 07/19/2005
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1121690085963
A Philadelphia firefighter who is a practicing Muslim should not have
to shave his beard in order to stay on the job, a common pleas judge
has ruled in a decision that is apparently the first to interpret
Pennsylvania's Religious Freedom Protection Act.
In DeVeaux v. City of Philadelphia, Judge Joseph A. Dych argued that
the Commonwealth Court should affirm his decision to grant Curtis
DeVeaux a preliminary injunction.
According to Dych's opinion, DeVeaux has been suspended since February
without pay for refusing to shave his beard as required by Fire
Department Directive No. 13.
"It appears to be undisputed, and in any event the record clearly
establishes, that Fire Department Directive #13 imposes a substantial
burden upon plaintiff's free exercise of religion by, inter alia,
forcing him to chose between his religion and his job," Dych wrote.
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
HALAL FOOD OPTIONS BECOME COMMON -
TOP
Michael Kress, Dallas Morning News, 07/19/05
http://www.freep.com/features/food/halal19e_20050719.htm
When Shaheda Sayed was growing up in southern California in the 1960s,
her father would occasionally drive 100 miles to slaughter animals so
his family could have meat. That's because the family, devout Muslims,
ate only food that was halal -- permitted for Muslims. And, in those
days, it could not be found in U.S. stores.
Halal, the Muslim rules governing (among other things) food preparation
and consumption, bear similarities to the kosher laws of Judaism.
Here's a look at where they overlap, and where they don't.
Similarities:
All pork products are forbidden.
Meat and poultry must be slaughtered in prescribed ways.
Blood cannot be consumed and must be drained from animals after slaughter.
Differences:
Halal laws forbid alcohol; kosher laws allow it.
Kosher laws forbid shellfish; halal laws don't.
Kosher laws forbid any combination of dairy and meat products; halal laws have no such restriction.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning "permitted." It's used to describe
acceptable behavior under Muslim law. When applied to food, the term
refers to dietary laws that require meat to be slaughtered in a
prescribed manner. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/20/05
*
VERSE:
Good and
Evil
*
CAIR-CAN:
Imams
to Issue Statement Condemning Extremism
-
CAIR-MI:
Attack
Victimized Muslims Too (LSJ)
-
DC:
State
Department Officials Speak at CAIR Seminar
*
CO:
Congressman's Remark
Stirs Up Muslim World (Denver Post)
-
ACTION:
Urge
Republicans to Repudiate Comments
-
Trancedo's
Threats Spark Criticism (RM News)
-
U.S., Turkey
Condemn Congressman's Remarks (AP)
-
A Season for Hating
Those Who Aren't Us (RM News)
-
Norwegian Politicians
Played at Shooting Muslims
*
FL:
Enlist
Muslims to Combat Islam's Fringe (Tampa Trib)
*
GA:
Somali
Airplane Cleaners Faced Discrimination (AP)
*
PA:
Muslims Shun
Men Who Abuse Wives (KR)
-
PA:
Arab-American, Like Me
(Post Gazette)
-
WA:
Preserving Modesty, in the Pool (Seattle Times)
*
Group:
25,000 Civilian Deaths in Iraq (AP)
-
British Troops Face Iraq Abuse Charges (AP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOOD AND EVIL -
TOP
"Whoever recommends and helps a good cause will have a share in its
blessings, and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause will share in
its burden."
The Holy Quran, 4:85
-----
CAIR-CAN: CANADIAN IMAMS TO ISSUE STATEMENT CONDEMNING EXTREMISM -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA, 7/20/05) - On Thursday, July 21, a national statement
denouncing terrorism and confronting religious extremism signed by some
120 Canadian Imams, or Islamic religious leaders, will be released at a
news conference in Toronto.
The declaration, coordinated by the Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), has been signed by Imams from
across Canada. CAIR-CAN Executive Director Riad Saloojee will join
Imams from Calgary, Newfoundland and Toronto at the news conference
following prayers in a Toronto mosque.
WHAT: News Conference Announcing Imams' Statement Against Extremism
WHEN: Thursday July 21, 2:15 p.m. (Prayer begins at 1:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Masjid Toronto, 168 Dundas St. West, Toronto
CONTACT: For more information, contact Halima Mautbur (CAIR-CAN) at 613-254-9704 or by cell: 613-795-2012,
www.caircan.ca
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: The mosque is situated in Toronto's
downtown business core. The noon-time prayer will start at 1:30 p.m.
and is attended by many
Canadian Muslims in the downtown area. Those wishing to photograph or film the prayer should arrive by 1 p.m.
This is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes
are requested to dress modestly, such as no shorts for men or short
skirts for women. Photographers are also advised not to step directly
in front of worshipers and to seek permission for close-up shots. Shots
of shoes removed for prayer, and rear-angle shots of prostrating
worshipers are considered inappropriate.
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is an
Ottawa-based, nonprofit organization with a grassroots membership.
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-MI: ATTACK VICTIMIZED MUSLIMS, TOO -
TOP
Dawud Walid, Lansing State Journals, 7/20/05
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050720/OPINION02/507200335&SearchID=73214744483652
Since the barbaric attack in London on July 7, news reports have
described the alleged perpetrators of these attacks as "radical Muslim
extremists." Numerous Islamic scholars and leaders across the world and
the Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Washington, D.C.,
have denounced the London bombings, and unequivocally state that such
attacks cannot be justified by religion.
According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims are those who live their
lives based upon the principle of moderation. In fact, Muhammad, the
last prophet of Islam, warned his community, "Beware of extremism in
religion."
The vast majority of Muslims heed this advice, although their voices
are not given the same attention as those who commit atrocities in the
name of Islam. Consequently, these hard-working, tax-paying citizens
also have been victimized by the London attacks.
The Muslims are victims because through the intense media attention,
the seeds of distrust are created amongst people. Some of this distrust
already has translated into hate-based attacks.
Numerous reports from across the world have been coming in of
hate-based crimes against Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims.
Several mosques have been burned in England, a Pakistani man was beaten
to death in London, and several mosques have been vandalized in the
United States.
Indeed, CAIR reports that hate activity and vandalism has increased by
52 percent since 2003. The London bombing is sure to compound the
effect.
It is the hope of American Muslims, that through improved understanding
and dialogue, the public will be able to distinguish between the
sentiments of a majority of Muslims and those of a fringe element.
Fringe elements are found in all religions and ideologies. It is
unfortunate Muslim fringe elements receive so much focus at this time.
It is incumbent on the American-Muslim community to vociferously
condemn these acts of terror, and remind their neighbors that we have
the same concerns and aspirations as all Americans of goodwill.
As American Muslims make it a priority to interact with the broader
society, we will enhance all of our communities with a sense of peace
and security. By using these tragic events to bring our communities
closer together, the very aim of those who commit terror would be
thwarted.
Dawud Walid is executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan branch
---
DC: STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPEAK AT CAIR SEMINAR -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C. 07/20/05) - Two State Department officials spoke
today at a seminar hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) in Washington, D.C. The seminar, titled "U.S. Outreach to the
Muslim World," took place at CAIR's Capitol Hill headquarters.
David Abramson, from the State Department Office of International
Religious Freedom, and David Staples of the Bureau of Near Eastern
Affairs spoke to CAIR interns, staff and members of the community.
Abramson discussed the history and objectives of the Office of
International Religious Freedom, focusing on the annual report on
religious freedom that characterizes the status of religious tolerance
around the world.
Staples discussed the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and its promotion
of international security, economic participation and democratic reform.
A short question and answer session followed the seminar.
-----
REMARK STIRS UP MUSLIM WORLD -
TOP
Mike Soraghan and Manyy Gonzales, Denver Post, 7/20/05
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_2872009
Washington - Turkey's foreign minister Tuesday condemned Rep. Tom
Tancredo as a "fanatic" as the Colorado Republican's comments about
bombing Muslim holy sites in retaliation for a terrorist nuclear strike
echoed around the world.
"This was nothing but a fanatic speaking completely personally,
irresponsibly and without thought of how far his statements would reach
or what kind of problems they would create," Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul said, according to Turkey's Anatolia news agency.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department labeled Tancredo's remarks Friday
on a radio talk show "insulting to Islam," and Democratic National
Committee chairman Howard Dean joined the chorus of those calling on
the Littleton Republican to apologize.
Tancredo's 6th District constituents interviewed Tuesday mostly criticized their congressman's comments.
"Tancredo's stirring up a lot of trouble that doesn't need to be
stirred," said Melinda Pride, 39, a Douglas County resident who said
she is a Bush supporter. "Just to say we'll attack one group of people
if we're attacked is dumb." (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
ACTION REQUESTED: URGE REPUBLICANS TO REPUDIATE COMMENTS -
TOP
Contact state and national Republican Party leaders to ask (politely)
that they repudiate Tancredo's inflammatory and irresponsible remarks.
Mr. Bob Martinez
State Chair, Colorado Republican Party
E-mail:
BobMartinez@coloGOP.org
Phone: 303-758-3333
Republican National Committee
E-mail:
info@gop.com
Phone: 202.863.8500
President George W. Bush
E-mail:
president@whitehouse.gov
Phone: 202-456-1111
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org,
http://tancredo.house.gov/contacttom.asp
---
TANCREDO'S THREATS AGAINST MUSLIM HOLY SITES SPARK CRITICISM -
TOP
M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, 7/20/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3939704,00.html
WASHINGTON - From Turkey, from Russia and from the desk of Howard Dean
- angry reaction to Rep. Tom Tancredo's threat against Muslim holy
sites came from around the world Tuesday.
In Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul blasted Tancredo's
comments suggesting the United States could "take out" holy sites,
including Mecca, if Islamic terrorists detonated nuclear bombs in U.S.
cities.
"This was nothing but a fanatic speaking completely personally,
irresponsibly and without thought of how far his statements would reach
or what kind of problems they would create," Gul said, according to an
Anatolia news agency report quoted by The Associated Press.
Despite an international outcry, the Colorado Republican continued to
stand by his comments Tuesday, saying he did not intend to offend
moderate Muslims during last week's interview with Florida radio talk
show host Pat Campbell.
During the WFLA broadcast, Campbell referred to a report that Islamic
terrorists hoped to strike several U.S. cities with nuclear weapons and
he asked Tancredo how the United States could respond. (MORE)
---
U.S., TURKEY CONDEMN CONGRESSMAN'S REMARKS -
TOP
Benjamin Harvey, Associated Press, 7/19/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/19/AR2005071900989.html
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Top U.S. and Turkish officials on Tuesday condemned
comments made last week by Rep. Tom Tancredo that the United States
could "take out" Islamic holy sites if there was a nuclear attack on
America by Muslim fundamentalists.
The Colorado Republican refused to apologize Tuesday, telling The
Associated Press that his comments had been taken out of context.
U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli called the statements
Tancredo made Friday "insulting and offensive." He said Americans
"respect the dignity and sanctity of other religions."
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul labeled them irresponsible.
"This was nothing but a fanatic speaking completely personally,
irresponsibly and without thought of how far his statements would reach
or what kind of problems they would create," Gul said, according to the
Anatolia news agency. The Foreign Ministry confirmed Gul's remarks.
On Friday, Tancredo was asked by a radio talk show host how the United
States should respond if terrorists struck several of its cities with
nuclear weapons.
"Well, what if you said something like _ if this happens in the United
States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist,
fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy sites,"
Tancredo answered. (MORE)
---
A SEASON FOR HATING THOSE WHO AREN'T US -
TOP
Bill Johnson, Rocky Mountain News, 7/20/05
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_3939335,00.html
We clearly are in the mean season now, our fears having taken firm
hold, a time when even the horrific is justifiable if there is even the
slightest chance of saving our American skins.
Of course I am talking about U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, and the
nuclear-strike-on-Mecca silliness he spouted over the weekend. Someone
really needs to toss a net over the man and get it over with.
When I say mean season, I am talking, too, of the absurdities being
played out in the streets of Denver, Boulder and elsewhere locally the
past few days - those perpetrated by the Operation Save America
loonies. They're lambasting Muslims and gays, while making just about
everyone vomit with their bloody abortion photos - all in the name of
Jesus Christ.
It is enough to make the sane pull the covers up and remain in bed. But
that would eliminate all the fun of encountering and talking to these
freaks.
I know them, or at least their kind.
The woman from Fullerton Road in Southern California is here this week. At least I am almost certain it is her.
I used to pass her every morning on my way to work, a woman who stood
on a street corner outside an abortion clinic virtually in the shadows
of Disneyland holding high these same pictures of aborted fetuses.
She stood there with her large glossies every day. I finally stopped.
"Jesus loves you," she told me when I approached and asked about her
dedication to the street corner and her message. She repeated this with
every question I would pose.
Finally, though, she'd had enough. It was, maybe, after the eighth
question I asked that she softly intoned that she would "kill" me if I
didn't get away from her.
When I wrote of her then, of her threat, in my column, she hounded me for two years with similar threats.
I know that was her on the 16th Street Mall. A decade of living changes
facial features, but I am certain it was her. She spoke the same
Jesus-loving lines.
And she stared at me with the same thinly veiled malice. It was her.
I believe the last thing Jesus ever spoke about was killing. Yet here
were these self-proclaimed "Jesus-loving" fruits going about their
Jesus-loving business, spouting malice for everything and everyone who
was not one of them.
They picketed, of all places, the mosque on South Parker Road a couple
of days ago. "Abortion, Islam and Homosexuality. What do these three
have in common?" read a sign outside the mosque.
I couldn't even hazard a guess.
Yet I get it. I had to work hard, but I got it. Those who are not us are to be held at arm's length and reviled.
Examining our own actions and what those actions might provoke, well, that's never part of the equation.
It is why we have Tom Tancredo contemplating on the radio the bombing
of the holiest of Muslim sites - holding that out as a potential
preventative to a terrorist group setting off a nuke in the good ol'
USA.
The congressman is never shy when it comes to his opinions. And this is
a good thing, as long as what he says includes a modicum of sense. And
let's just say he will not be indicted this time for using good sense.
He is a man, too, who needs to speak with just one of the military men
and women the government has dispatched to Iraq to seek out and destroy
the radical Islamists who hate us so.
"I can't believe he said that," more than one soldier serving in Iraq wrote to me.
"He might as well have gone on the radio and told every American to buy
a Quran and flush it down the (toilet)," a lifelong friend now serving
in Iraq e-mailed. (MORE)
---
POLITICIANS PLAYED AT SHOOTING MUSLIMS -
TOP
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1083258.ece
Politicians from one of Norway's small parties played at shooting
Muslims when they gathered for a summer meeting on the Hurum Peninsula.
The event has drawn fire from anti-racists.
It all started when members of The Democrats (Demokratene), along with
some of their supporters, held a paintball competition at what they
called an "informal" summer meeting. The politicians divided themselves
into two groups, one of them dressed up like Muslim terrorists.
"This was both fun and useful, and we hope to have more competitions
like this in the future," John Arntsen, leader of the Hurum chapter of
the Democrats, told Aftenposten.no.
When asked what he meant by "useful," Arntsen said that "if the world
keeps developing like it is now, with terrorism especially in Muslim
circles, people can quickly have a need for knowledge about
self-defense."
He claims it wasn't planned in advance that one of the teams in the
paintball competition would be Muslim. "It just happened that the one
team dressed up like terrorists," he said. "This was innocent stuff."
Svein Otto Nilsen, deputy leader of The Democrats, stressed to
Aftenposten.no that the party isn't racist. "Everyone is welcome to
join and we'll help everyone, also Muslims," he said.
The Hurum chapter of the party, however, continues to have a note on
its web site that it's a "Muslim-free zone." And when asked why he
thinks The Democrats of Hurum chose to let their terrorist team be
Muslims, Nilsen said: "Most terrorists are Muslims today."
Reaction was swift to news of the paintball shooting against Muslims.
"When it becomes sport to shoot Muslims, it's going way too far," said
Tor Bach of the anti-fascist magazine Monitor. (MORE)
-----
DON'T ANTAGONIZE, BUT ENLIST MUSLIMS TO COMBAT ISLAM'S FRINGE -
TOP
Saleh A. Mubark, Tampa Tribune, 7/20/05
http://tampatrib.com/opinion/MGBB7XVRCBE.html
In the wake of the recent terrorist bombings in London, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair said that if we want to win this war against
terrorism, we have to win mainstream Muslims to our side.
Blair cannot be more correct, and I hope he will make true on his
words. It is in the best interest for the British government as well as
the large Muslim community in the United Kingdom to unite against
extremism and terrorism.
Every religion has fringe groups that act on their own agendas and
against the majority's interests and beliefs. They pick and choose from
their holy book to justify their actions.
The question that Blair, Bush and other leaders have to answer is this:
Are we at war with the religion of Islam and 1.5 billion Muslims or
with a small renegade group that gives more trouble to Muslims than to
non-Muslims? If the answer is the latter - and I hope it is - then they
must work with mainstream Muslim leaders and organizations toward the
common goal.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration has missed this point. After the
9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bush made statements similar to
Blair's, but his administration's actions contradicted him. The
government alienated most American Muslims, including moderate leaders
who unequivocally denounced terrorism. Many renowned scholars who
actively battled extremist groups were denied entry to the United
States; the latest was the British Muslim leader Zaki Badawi.
Even the office President Bush created to improve the U.S. image in the
Muslim world, headed by his former aide Karen Hughes, did not include a
single Muslim in its top posts.
I believe there is a lot American and British Muslims can do to help
the authorities, but it takes teamwork to do the job. A team member
cannot work efficiently if he is distrusted, disrespected or unfairly
treated.
I hope the British authorities have learned this lesson well from the failure of our own government.
Saleh Mubarek of Tampa is an American Muslim of Syrian descent.
-----
EEOC: SOMALI AIRPLANE CLEANERS FACED DISCRIMINATION -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/20/05
ATLANTA: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that
Delta Air Lines Inc., Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
and a company that manages airplane cleaners discriminated against
Somali airplane cleaners because of their national origin and religion.
An airport rule, created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,
requiring cleaners take a test in English to get a security badge was
discriminatory, the Atlanta EEOC office said. In the past, the Somali
cleaners could use a translator to take the multiple-choice test.
In addition, the agency ruled that a supervisor for Aramark Aviation
Services, which manages the cleaners, acted inappropriately by
complaining about the Muslim headscarves female Somali cleaners wore.
"We used to wear the uniform, but we used to cover our hair, and they
didn't like us to do that," said Safio Mohamed, 41, one of a dozen
Somali women and two men who lost their jobs cleaning planes. The
Somali refugees had cleaned planes for seven years at the airport
before they were dismissed in January 2004.
The agency, in its June 28 determination, ruled that the supervisor "made disparaging remarks towards employees."
The commission sent letters to Delta Air Lines, the airport and Aramark
Aviation Services explaining the discrimination ruling. An Aramark
manager at Hartsfield-Jackson did not return phone calls seeking
comment. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS IN PHILADELPHIA SHUN MEN WHO ABUSE WIVES -
TOP
Kristin E. Holmes, Knight Ridder Newspapers, 7/20/05
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/12177340.htm
PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - The veil shrouding spouse abuse in Muslim
families is being torn away by some mosque leaders - putting them at
the forefront of efforts by American Muslims to stem domestic violence.
The Philadelphia clergy council - known as the Majlis Ash'Shura of
Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley - has adopted a tough policy of
public shunning of Muslims who abuse their spouses or abandon their
families.
Under the initiative, adopted in May, offenders will go on a list
circulated among area Muslims. They will be banned from future
marriages in communities that adhere to the policy. Fellow Muslims will
be discouraged from patronizing any businesses they own.
"We need to take a public stand," said Imam Isa Abdul-Mateen, secretary
of the Majlis Ash'Shura, an association of 30 imams. "We want people to
know that this will not be tolerated."
In coming months, the council will address issues such as the criteria
for putting names on the list and safeguards to protect spouses who
step forward. (MORE)
-----
ARAB-AMERICAN, LIKE ME -
TOP
Moustafa Ayad, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 7/20/05
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05201/540408.stm
Local News Editor Tom Birdsong has never had to verify a reporter's
affiliation with the Post-Gazette to a district justice's office before.
Young, chubby, blessed with thick eyebrows that weigh heavy on his dark rimmed glasses and oh, he's an Arab.
I mean A-raab. Haji as the soldiers in Iraq like to call us. Or, if
you're the sporting type, Camel Jockey. There are a few others - sand
flea, that's a good one. The list goes on forever. I've come up with a
few myself, for instance: Jumping Jihadis.
If you decide to use that one though, think twice, I'm planning on
turning it into a Middle Eastern restaurant chain. The jingle would get
customers through the doors with ease: "Jumping Jihadis, home of the
explosive Tahini Tamales."
Being a first-generation Arab-American Muslim with a long,
funny-sounding name to most Americans means I've been through all sorts
of interesting encounters. (MORE)
-----
PRESERVING MODESTY, IN THE POOL -
TOP
Lornet Turnbull, Seattle Times, 7/19/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002389078_muslimswim.html
It's Saturday evening, the end of a hot day, and a group of women and
children have gathered at North Seattle's Meadowbrook Pool for their
monthly swim.
Most of the pool staff has left, except for two female lifeguards, who on this day will be on duty for the next two hours.
The women and children - all Muslims - have been swimming in private
once a month at Meadowbrook as part of a program organized by the North
Seattle Family Center.
Because Islam requires Muslim women to fully cover themselves in
public, swimming in pools or the ocean is largely off-limits for many.
But across the Puget Sound area, that's starting to change as public
and private pools at times are sending home their male staff members,
covering up their windows and allowing women of faith to swim alone and
in private.
It's occurring here as it has elsewhere across the country, as the
Muslim population increases and families seek more ways to stay active.
(MORE)
-----
GROUP: 25,000 CIVILIAN DEATHS IN IRAQ -
TOP
Michael McDonough, Associated Press, 7/19/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/07/19/international/i164107D63.DTL
LONDON (AP) - A British research group said Tuesday that about 25,000
civilians died in violence in Iraq in the two years after the start of
the U.S.-led invasion.
Iraq Body Count compiled its figures of killings that occurred between
March 20, 2003 and March 19, 2005 from reports by the major news
agencies, including The Associated Press and British and American
newspapers.
The results could not be independently confirmed. U.S. and coalition
authorities say they have not kept a count of such deaths and Iraqi
accounting has proven to be haphazard.
"There are no wholly reliable figures for civilian deaths," Britain's
Foreign Office said. "It is recognized by everybody that statistics are
very hard to collect under these circumstances." (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
3 BRITISH TROOPS FACE IRAQ ABUSE CHARGES -
TOP
Michael McDonough, Associated Press, 7/19/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/12171255.htm
LONDON (AP) - Three British soldiers face war crimes charges for the
inhumane treatment of detainees in Iraq, the government said Tuesday.
One soldier is also charged with manslaughter in the death of an Iraqi
civilian.
It was the first time British troops have faced war crimes charges
stemming from the Iraq war, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense
said.
The troops will face a British court martial under the International
Criminal Court Act in connection with events surrounding the death of a
hotel receptionist who was arrested in September 2003 along with other
Iraqi civilians and taken to a British military base, said Attorney
General Lord Goldsmith.
Cpl. Donald Payne, 34, is charged with manslaughter in the death of
26-year-old Baha Mousa and with the war crime of treating him
inhumanely, according to a charge sheet released by Goldsmith's office.
Payne is also charged with inhumanely treating eight other Iraqi
detainees and with perverting the course of justice by urging anyone
questioned about Mousa's death to say he banged his head and died
accidentally.
The government offered no further details on Mousa's death and did not say what happened to the other detainees. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #461
URGE REPUBLICANS TO REPUDIATE TANCREDO'S 'BOMB MECCA'
REMARK
(WASHINGTON, DC, 7/21/2005) - CAIR today called on all people of
conscience to contact Colorado and national and Republican Party leaders
and urge them to repudiate Rep. Tom Tancredo's (R-CO) remarks suggesting
that America could bomb Mecca.
Tancredo made the remarks during an interview on a Florida radio talk
show last Thursday during a discussion of what should be done in response
to an attack on this country by "extremist fundamentalist
Muslims." Tancredo said one possible response would be to "take
out their holy sites." When Campbell asked if the congressman was
"talking about bombing Mecca," Tancredo replied,
"Yeah." Despite condemnation of those remarks by Muslim in this
country and worldwide, Tancredo has refused to apologize.
"While the rest of America seeks to win the war on terror, isolate
extremists and improve our nation's international image, Rep. Tancredo is
busy handing rhetorical ammunition to those who would do us harm,"
said CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor.
SEE: "Muslims Keep Up Criticism of Tancredo"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/20/AR2005072001699.html
Saylor urged the Republican Party and its leadership to clearly distance
America and the GOP from Tancredo's inflammatory and irresponsible
remarks. Yesterday, CAIR sent letters to President Bush and to the
chairmen of the national and Colorado Republican Parties asking that they
repudiate Tancredo's remark.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be
POLITE.)
1) Contact the Republican Party and urge them to publicly repudiate
Tancredo's remarks.
Mr. Ken Mehlman
Chairman
Republican National Committee
Phone: (202)863-8500
Fax: (202)863-8820
E-Mail:
info@gop.com
Mr. Bob Martinez
State Chair
Colorado Republican Party
Phone: (303)758-3333
Fax: (303)753-4611
E-Mail:
BobMartinez@coloGOP.org
President George W. Bush
E-Mail:
president@whitehouse.gov
Phone: 202-456-1111
2) Contact Representative Tancredo and insist that he apologize for his
remarks
Washington Office: Phone: (202) 225-7882 Fax: (202) 226-4623
Main District Office: Phone: (720) 283-9772 Fax: (720) 283-9776
3) Copy all correspondence to:
cair@cair-net.org
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/21/05
*
HADITH:
Remember God at
All times
*
CAIR-CA:
First Live
Broadcast from U.S. Mosque
*
CAIR PSA:
`Not
in the Name of Islam' (Tampa Trib)
-
CAIR-NY:
Muslims
Offer Condolences to U.K. Consul-General
*
CAIR-CAN:
Canadian Imams
to Condemn Terrorism
-
Statement by Canadian
Imams on Extremism
*
CO:
Lawmaker
Creates Firestorm with 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
-
Tancredo
Voicing Views Of Public, Radio Host Says
-
Rep.
Dingell Condemns Tancredo's Remarks
*
INCITEMENT:
Author
Threatens Anti-Muslim 'Holocaust'
-
CA:
Islam Not About
Freedom
-
CA:
Muslims
Have Forfeited Rights as Citizens
-
FL:
Islam Itself
is at Root of Terror
*
MA:
Boston Muslims
Condemn Terror
-
WI:
American Muslims Ache,
Too (Milwaukee Journal)
*
In U.S.,
No
Mirror Image of Muslims of Leeds (NY Times)
-
FL:
Curious
Hear Muslim Explain 'Lifestyle'
-
MI:
Muslims
Reach Out to Dispel Myths
*
DC:
Muslims in American
History
-----
HADITH OF THE
DAY: REMEMBER GOD AT ALL TIME -
TOP
A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said:
"The laws of Islam seem to be a lot for me (to remember), so tell me
something that I should stick to." The Prophet replied: "Let
your tongue never cease to be moist with the remembrance of
God."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 437
-----
CAIR-CA:
FIRST-EVER LIVE BROADCAST FROM U.S. MOSQUE -
TOP
(ANAHEIM, CA - 7/21/05) - On Thursday, July 21, the Southern California
office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will help
coordinate the first-ever live radio broadcast from an American mosque.
Radio station KFI 640 AM will broadcast the "John and Ken Show"
on location at the Orange County Islamic Foundation (OCIF) in Mission
Viejo, Calif.
The show can be heard live from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 640 AM radio. It can
also be heard on the internet at
www.kfi640.com. The
community is encouraged to call in or visit OCIF during those hours.
[OCIF address: 23581 Madero Dr., Suite 101, Mission Viejo CA 92691; KFI
listener call-in line: (800) 520-1KFI or (800) 520-1534 (MORE)
"We thank the Orange County Islamic Foundation for opening its doors
to the public and allowing them to learn more about Islam and the Muslim
community," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam
Ayloush.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, Sabiha Khan, 714-776-1847 or 714-390-0334, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
-----
CAIR PSA: `NOT IN THE
NAME OF ISLAM' -
TOP
http://www.tampatrib.com/News/MGBQL33AEBE.html
American Muslims have produced a powerful 30-second video that plainly
condemns terrorist attacks. In some parts of the country, it is being run
as a public service announcement on TV.
The message, which confirms Islam's intolerance for violence, will be
especially useful if it reaches the defiant young radicals who think a
suicide attack would make them religious martyrs. They are dead
wrong.
Parvez Ahmed, chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
producer of the video, says there is no room for argument: ``Any effort
by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the mask of
religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally rejected by
mainstream Muslims.''
Meanwhile, Britain's largest Sunni Muslim group has condemned the
bombings in London on July 7, saying they are based on ``perverted
ideology.'' The group's chairman, Mufti Muhammad Gul Rehman Qadri, put it
bluntly: ``Anyone who commits suicide will be sent to hell.''
The U.S. video, featuring everyday Muslims defending their religion
against terrorists trying to hijack it, can be viewed on the Internet at
www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
SEE ALSO:
NY
MUSLIM LEADERS OFFER CONDOLENCES TO BRITISH CONSUL-GENERAL -
TOP
(NEW YORK, NY, 7/21/05) - The New York office of the Council on American
Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) organized a meeting today between British
Consul-General in New York Sir Philip Thomas and New York Muslim
leaders.
The Muslim leaders met with Sir Philip and signed the book of condolences
for the recent terror attacks in London. They discussed Muslim
condemnation of the attacks and expressed solidarity with the British
people.
"Muslims around the world stand in sympathy and solidarity with all
those affected by this tragedy," said CAIR-NY Executive Director
Wissam Nasr, who participated in today's meeting.
Groups expressing their condolences included CAIR-NY, and:
Arab Muslim American Federation
ICNA-Relief
Arab American Association
Masjid Abideen
Masjid Beit Al-Jannah
Islamic Cultural Center of New York
Mid-Manhattan Mosque
Masjid Alhamdulilah
Masjid Rahman
Bosnian-Herzogovinian Muslim Center
Muslim American Society-NY
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow
National Association of Muslim Lawyers
The Sikh Coalition,
United American Muslim Association
CONTACT: CAIR-NY, Wissam Nasr (917) 751-1017
-----
CAIR-CAN:
CANADIAN IMAMS TO CONDEMN TERRORISM -
TOP
Marina Jiménez, Globe and Mail, 7/21/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050721/MUSLIM21/TPNational/Canada
In an unprecedented move, 120 Canadian imams and other Islamic religious
leaders from across the country will release a statement today denouncing
terrorism and vowing to confront religious extremism.
The declaration, coordinated by the Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN), will be released at a news conference at a downtown
Toronto mosque following noontime prayers. Imams from Calgary,
Newfoundland and Toronto will attend.
The planned statement comes several days after Britain's largest Sunni
Muslim group issued a fatwa -- a binding religious edict -- condemning
the July 7 bombings on the London Underground and a double-decker bus
that killed at least 56. The attacks were carried out by four suicide
bombers, three British-born men of Pakistani origin and a
Jamaican-Briton.
Organizations representing Canada's 600,000 Muslims have struggled to
articulate a co-ordinated response to jihadi Islam, and today marks the
first time such a large group of imams from diverse ethnic backgrounds
will issue what is expected to be a similar fatwa or declaration
condemning the bombings as un-Islamic. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
STATEMENT BY
CANADIAN IMAMS ON EXTREMISM -
TOP
"We are Canadian Muslims. The first of us came to this country in
the 1800's. We have journeyed from six continents to make Canada our
home.
"Our life in Canada has been one of positive contribution and near
seamless integration. It has not been a clash of cultures or of
civilizations.
"Canada has offered us a new life with untold opportunities. It has
offered us a hope that can only be repaid with thankfulness and
sacrifice. We care deeply about Canada's prosperity, its growth and its
safety and security.
"Those who would use violence for their twisted acts betray the most
basic value of the sanctity of human life. We have opposed, and will
continue, to oppose all extremism, hate and terrorism.
"Any one who claims to be a Muslim and participates in any way in
the taking of innocent life is betraying the very spirit and letter of
Islam. We categorically and unequivocally reject such acts. We will
confront and challenge the extremist mindset that produces this
perversion of our faith.
"We remind Canadian Muslims that no injustice done to Muslims
anywhere can ever justify the taking of innocent life. All life, whether
here or abroad, is sacred: 'And whoever saves a life it is as though he
had saved the lives of all humankind.'
"As religious leaders, we echo the exhortation of the Koran for
Muslims to be firm advocates for justice, even if it be against their
families, their communities or themselves and to insist on Islam as a
lived reality that is compassionate, tolerant, just and life
sanctifying."
-----
LAWMAKER
CREATES FIRESTORM WITH CALL TO BOMB MUSLIM HOLY SITES -
TOP
Agence France Presse, 07/20/05
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050720/pl_afp/usislampolitics_050720201844
A conservative US lawmaker has stirred up controversy by advocating that
Washington respond to a future Islamic terror attack by bombing Muslim
holy sites.
"If this (terror attack) happens, and if, in fact, we can prove that
it was perpetrated by some fundamentalist Islamic --
"Islamo-fascist" is really I think what we should call them --
then you might think about this as a threat, the retaliation on their
holy sites," said US Representative Tom Tancredo on US television on
Tuesday, reprising remarks he made on a Florida radio station last
week.
"We are talking about a situation where our very lives are at stake,
not just the life of the United States, but of Western civilization,
Tancredo told Fox television.
In last week's radio interview about Muslims and the war on terror,
Tancredo said US bombs could "take out their holy
sites."
When asked if he was "talking about bombing Mecca," Tancredo
reportedly replied, "Yeah."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the remarks this
week, and called for a retraction and an apology.
The group issued a statement saying it is working with leaders of
Colorado's Muslim community to set up a meeting with Tancredo.
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
TANCREDO
VOICING VIEWS OF PUBLIC, RADIO HOST SAYS -
TOP
M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, 7/21/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3942200,00.html
WASHINGTON - Back when Pat Campbell was a math teacher, he never imagined
he'd see his name in Pravda, Al Jazeera and media outlets around the
globe.
That's what happened this week, when the self-made radio talk show host
in Florida guided U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo into some dicey talk about
deterring terrorism that triggered an international backlash.
During an interview last week on Orlando-based WFLA, Campbell asked
Tancredo, a Littleton Republican, how the United States should respond if
Islamic terrorists set off nuclear attacks in U.S. cities.
"Well, what if you said something like - if this happens in the
United States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist,
fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy
sites," Tancredo answered.
"You're talking about bombing Mecca," Campbell said.
"Yeah," Tancredo responded.
Campbell and a producer said they knew the comments were "powerful
stuff."
"We've heard this from a lot of callers," Campbell said.
"What's significant here is you have an elected official saying what
people have said themselves." (MORE)
---
DINGELL
CONDEMNS REMARKS ATTACKING ISLAM BY REP. TANCREDO -
TOP
Calls on Republican Leadership, President to Denounce Comments as
Anti-Religion and Un-American
Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), the Dean of the House of
Representatives, condemned the recent comments made by Representative Tom
Tancredo (CO-06) as "ignorant" and "inexcusable" for
a Member of Congress. During a recent interview on Tampa radio station
WFLA-AM, Mr. Tancredo said that the US might "take out (Muslim) holy
sites" in response to another terrorist attack on the US. When asked
if he meant Mecca, Congressman Tancredo responded
"yeah."
Said Dingell, "First of all, suggesting the bombing of a holy site
of any religion is simply inexcusable for an elected official in the
United States Congress and an anathema to the millions of people of faith
across our nation. To even suggest an attack on Mecca shows Congressman
Tancredo has no understanding of the true nature of Islam and the
peaceful Muslims living in the Arab world. The holy sites of all
religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and all
others - are the most sacred and hallowed places for their respective
followers and to suggest that any one of these sites be bombed is clearly
an attack on that religion and its followers. Mr. Tancredo's
reprehensible attack on Islam is ignorant and offensive.
"We must stand united and strong against terrorism, but these are
exactly the kind of careless comments that Muslim extremists feed off of
and use to recruit new terrorists. To suggest that we hold an entire
religion responsible for the actions of a minority of religious
extremists - in effect declare a holy war against Islam - is outrageous
and plays right into the hands of those very radicals. There is no better
motivation to get someone to fight an apparent enemy than to threaten
what they love most and are willing to defend at any cost - whether it is
their family, homeland, or their holy land. I only hope that his
statement won't be used on extremist websites as justification for a
'holy war' against the United States and our allies.
"America was founded by people who believed strongly both in God and
in the free expression of religion; that solid foundation remains and is
part of what makes us the greatest nation in the world. Mr. Tancredo's
comments --while he has the absolute right to make such remarks-- are
contradictory to freedom and the values of this nation. I call on the
Republican Leadership in Congress and the President to condemn these
comments and make clear that this is an action that the United States
would never lower itself to."
-----
INCITEMENT
WATCH: AUTHOR THREATENS ANTI-MUSLIM 'HOLOCAUST' -
TOP
Hal Lindsey, WorldNetDaily, 7/21/05
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45367
We are tired of the "peaceful" Muslims sitting by and doing
nothing to expose the disciples preaching hate and jihad in their
mosques. . .Our intelligence forces all warn that it is only a matter of
time before Islamic terrorist will attack our cities with weapons of mass
destruction. This includes everything from nuclear to biological
bombs.
When one of these attacks happens, a flood of rage will burst forth, and
nothing or anyone will be able to stop it. The law of the jungle will
take over. Muslim communities who did nothing to stop the radicals among
them will be the first targets. . .Help your fellow Americans stop them
before a catastrophe strikes us all and ignites an unstoppable
holocaust.
(Please do not reply to this web site.)
SEE ALSO:
ISLAM IS NOT ABOUT FREEDOM -
TOP
Kirstin Muhm, Ventura County Star, 7/21/05
http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/opinion/article/0,1375,VCS_125_3941755,00.html
Re: Frank Moraga's July 15 essay, "Voices of moderation": As a
world traveler who just returned from Egypt, I can tell you that America
is the most tolerant nation in this world. We have more freedom in this
country, and that is why so many immigrants desire to come
here.
But one thing that Americans will not tolerate is our freedom being taken
from us.
I quote from Mr. Moraga's essay: "Islam is not about hatred and
violence. It's about peace and justice."
Any Muslim who tries to convince us of that is trying to whitewash Islam.
We are not stupid. We can read the Quran for ourselves. To be Muslim and
not follow the Quran is blasphemy. It is full of violence and hatred, and
it suppresses the rights of all women.
Look at recent history and see what is happening to countries that are
dominated by Islam. Freedom is taken away, and seventh century Arab
culture becomes the law.
If that isn't enough, the Quran says in Sura 8:30 to fight them
(non-Muslims) until persecution is no more, and religion is all of Allah.
In other words, keep up the terrorist activities until Islam dominates
the world.
To try to convince us that this is not true, show me an Islamic nation
that loves and enjoys freedom as much as we do.
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---
MUSLIMS
HAVE FORFEITED THEIR RIGHTS AS U.S. CITIZENS -
TOP
Contra Costa Times, 7/21/05
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/
In my view, adherents of the Muslim religion have forfeited their right
to be accepted as loyal citizens of the United States.
At the very least, they should expect to be granted citizenship only
after being interrogated as to their intentions after being granted such
status.
Our nation is not obligated to welcome persons who belong to a group
whose membership includes many who have no intention to embrace this
nation's fundamental principles as sent forth in the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution.
The violence-prone Muslims, it is now clear, are not just a tiny fraction
of the billion or so Muslims scattered about the earth.
No, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida, the Taliban, the Wahabis, and other such
militant factions within Islam are a substantial portion of the whole.
(MORE)
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---
ISLAM ITSELF IS AT
ROOT OF TERRORISM -
TOP
Earle Greene, Tallahassee Democrat, 7/21/05
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/editorial/letters/12180325.htm
Re: "To crush terror, find its cause" (column, July
18).
I could not agree more with Eugene Robinson's column, but it was
disappointing that he did not offer any insight into understanding the
cause.
Unlike Tony Blair's assertion after the London bombings that the cause is
linked to promotion of "a perverted and poisonous misinterpretation
of Islam," politicians should stop trying to whitewash Islam and
recognize that it is the root cause.
Any individual who will take the time to read the entire Quran will find
that it provides a clear ideology supporting and encouraging terrorist
activity. The terrorists are nothing more than Muslims who are taking
their religion seriously. As long as we continue to allow our thirst for
oil and commitment to tolerance to keep us in denial of this dirty truth,
we will continue to live with the bombs.
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-----
LETTER: ALL PEOPLE OF
CONSCIENCE -
TOP
Dr. Malik M.A. Khan, Tewksbury Advocate, 7/21/05
http://www2.townonline.com/tewksbury/opinion/view.bg?articleid=290122
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
The members of the Islamic Center of Boston join their fellow Americans
and all people of conscience every where in the world in unequivocally
condemning the senseless acts of violence that were committed in London
on July 7, 2005.
No cause or excuse can be used to justify the taking of innocent lives
and causing of wanton destruction and injury. The Holy Qur'an teaches us
that the killing of one innocent human being is as if one has killed the
whole of humanity. As followers of the Islamic faith all of us repudiate
this barbarism in the strongest possible terms and ask that every thing
possible be done to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to
justice and punishment.
As members of the American Muslim community in the Greater Boston area,
we offer our sincere condolences to those whose loved ones were killed or
injured in this random act of terrorism. May Allah (swt), the same God as
the God of Jesus, Mosses and Abraham, grant them patience and courage to
deal with this calamity.
ALSO SEE:
AMERICAN MUSLIMS ACHE, TOO -
TOP
Farha Tahir, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/19/05
http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/jul05/342111.asp
You see us walking down the street every day. We are your doctors, your
lawyers and your shop owners. We are your neighbors, your students and
your everyday acquaintances. Who are we?
We are your fellow Americans, but we are also Muslims.
However, we are the Muslims no one ever hears about. The Muslims who
contribute positively to our societies every day but whose efforts are
often overshadowed by a radical political faction twisting our religion
to justify atrocities committed for nationalistic political
motives.
Every day, we turn on our televisions and read our newspapers only to see
that the strides we have made no longer matter. And what seems like every
day, we are forced to start at square one because of people who cannot
understand the dignity of each human life.
But we are not deterred. Sept. 11 brought an attack not only upon
America, but also upon Islam. Because of that, as well the subsequent
attacks in Spain and England, we have been given the task of teaching
everyone what Islam truly is: a religion of peace.
The men who claimed to be fighting in the name of Islam were only
corrupting it. Instead of looking at the essence of Islam, they
disregarded our religion's call to peace and equality to advance their
own political agendas. (MORE)
-----
IN
AMERICAN CITIES, NO MIRROR IMAGE OF MUSLIMS OF LEEDS -
TOP
Nina Bernstein, New York Times, 7/21/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/nyregion/21immigration.html
After the four suicide bombers in London were identified last week, news
accounts focused on life in the old mill town of Leeds, where they grew
up: the immigrant enclaves, the high unemployment, the rising anger and
alienation of Muslim residents. Some Britons grasping for an explanation
pointed at those conditions, however tentative their link to homegrown
terrorism.
That rough sketch of Leeds had a familiar ring for many residents of the
Northeastern United States, where old mill towns in New Jersey and
upstate New York have also drawn many immigrants to faded neighborhoods
teetering between blight and renewal.
Three of the suspects were raised in immigrant families from Pakistan and
one from Jamaica. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are now home to at
least 20 percent of the nation's 219,000 Pakistani immigrants, and more
than half of the 513,000 immigrants from Jamaica.
But the differences between the suspects' hometown and the depressed
cities around New York are actually stronger than the similarities.
Social conditions among British immigrants, for example, appear to be
considerably worse than they are in the United States. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
CURIOUS HEAR
MUSLIM EXPLAIN HIS 'LIFESTYLE' -
TOP
Sherry Boas, Orlando Sentinel, 7/21/05
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/southwest/orl-swswclub21072105jul21,0,1293661.story
CLERMONT -- A typical meeting of the South Lake Philosophy Club usually
lasts about 90 minutes, and usually no more than a dozen local residents
attend.
That was not the case July 13 when a crowd of about 30 people from
throughout Lake and Polk counties assembled in Clermont's Kehlor Building
to hear Bassem Chaaban, director of the Islamic Center for Peace in
Orlando.
Three hours later, attendees were still plying Chaaban with
questions.
"If you were the president of the United States, would you pull our
troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq?" posed Nick Jones of
Clermont,
"Right now, we're stuck," Chaaban responded. "If we pull
troops out, there'll be civil war. If we stay, there's
quagmire."
Chaaban, 28, is an American citizen born in Lebanon. For the past 16
years, he has lived in Central Florida. He attended Apopka High School
and graduated from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte
Springs.
As director of the center, Chaaban's mission is to dispel stereotypes and
misconceptions about Islam and the Muslim community. The center is the
educational arm of the Islamic Society of Central Florida in Orlando.
(MORE)
---
MUSLIMS
REACH OUT IN EFFORT TO DISPEL MYTHS ABOUT ISLAM, ARAB TRADITIONS -
TOP
Naomi R. Patton, Detroit Free Press, 7/21/05
http://www.freep.com/news/cfp/2/mosque21n_20050721.htm
Asmaa Ibrahim's business card says that she will be the first woman
president.
But Saturday she was simply a precocious 9-year-old girl enjoying the
10th annual Muslim Community of the Western Suburbs Mosque Summer
Festival in Canton.
Scattered rain failed to deter about 1,000 people from attending the
festival at the mosque on Palmer Road.
"I still knew people would come," said Asmaa, a soon-to-be
fifth-grader at Crescent Academy International, which adjoins the mosque.
"You get to buy stuff . . .and you're spending time with your own
religious community."
Few would argue either point, but festival organizers say their goals for
the festival are shifting. They want to include non-Muslims in western
Wayne in an effort to further dispel misconceptions about Islam and
Muslims. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS IN AMERICAN HISTORY -
TOP
The Washington Post, 7/21/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/Search?keywords=DISTRICT%20COMMUNITY%20EVENTS
MUSLIMS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, historian Amir Muhammad discusses highly
educated Africans who lived in the American South during the 1700s and
1800s, including Job Ben Solomon, a slave acknowledged for his literacy
and knowledge of the Koran, and Ben Ali Muhammad, an Islamic law scholar
and Georgia plantation manager who organized a group of Muslims to defend
the United States against Britain during the War of 1812, 3 p.m.,
Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. Free; reservations required.
202-633-4870.
-----
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Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
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E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/22/05
*
HADITH:
Seek
God's Guidance
*
INCITEMENT WATCH:
Islam
Does Not Mean Peace
-
Anti-Muslim Hate is
Not Patriotic (Wichita Eagle)
*
CAIR-LA:
Talk-Show Hosts Meet
Muslims (OC Reg)
-
CAIR-CAN:
Canadian Islamic
Leaders Denounce Terror (AP)
-
American Muslims
Condemn London Bombings (State Dept)
-
CAIR
Welcomes Call for Conference on Extremism
-
CAIR-FL Condemns London Terror Scare
*
CO/MI:
Tancredo Accuses Colleague of 'Pandering' to Muslims (AP)
-
ACTION:
Urge GOP To Repudiate 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
-
Congressman Sounds Foolish (Miami Herald)
-
And then what? Bomb the Vatican? (AZ Republic)
-
Interfaith Alliance Condemns 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
*
MD:
Islamic Art Museum to Open in Baltimore (Balt Sun)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: SEEK GOD'S GUIDANCE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to teach his companions
to perform a specific prayer, called "Istikhara," whenever they had to
make an important decision. He recommended offering two units of the
normal Islamic prayer, and after finishing, saying in part: "O God! If
you know that this matter is good for me in my faith, my livelihood and
for my life in the Hereafter, then make it (easy) for me. And if you
know that this matter is not good for me in my faith, my livelihood and
my life in the Hereafter, then keep it away from me and take me away
from it, and choose what is good for me wherever it is and make me be
pleased with it."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 487
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: TRUTH IS ISLAM DOES NOT MEAN PEACE -
TOP
Hernando Today, 7/22/05
http://www.hernandotoday.com/letters/MGB2QU7PFBE.html
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, President Bush declared:
"These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental
tenets of the Islamic faith."
But the Muslim murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh knows better
than our president, and recently explained in court: "I acted purely in
the name of my religion." So did the Sept. 11 highjackers and the
terrorists that bombed Madrid and London.
Consider the Koran, for example, which Muslims believe is the word of
Allah revealed to Muhammad, his prophet. There is no shortage of
passages in the Koran that, taken literally, demand just that kind of
savagery; e.g., "And slay them wherever you catch them . . . and fight
with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only
for Allah."
In fact, no fewer than 36 different verses sprinkled throughout the
Koran call on Muslims to wage war against non-Muslims, e.g., "Fight and
slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them,
and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war."
It is easy to see how Muslim fanatics who believe that these verses are
the literal truth feel justified in their evil actions. They hear in
these verses the demanding voice of Allah calling on them to act. And
they seem willing to oblige.
If we want to understand the enemy and win this war, we must take these
terrorists at their word and stop pretending that, in President Bush's
characterization, "Islam is peace."
The truth is that "Islam" does not mean peace, as President Bush and
many others would like to believe. Literally and existentially, "Islam"
means surrender. Surrender to Allah -- by the word or by the sword.
David Holcberg
Irvine, Calif.
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SEE ALSO:
E-MAILERS' DEEP HATRED IS TRULY SHOCKING -
TOP
Mark McCormick, Wichita Eagle, 7/22/05
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/local/12194226.htm
I'm not sure which group scares me more: foreign terrorists or some of
the domestic wackos crawling out from under rocks in response to the
terrorists.
Take this latest batch of e-mail sent to Eagle religion writer Joe
Rodriguez after he wrote about the completion of a new mosque ("With
mosque, dream is reality," July 14).
I'd ordinarily ignore such e-mail, but it traveled so far beyond civil
discourse into hate speech that I felt compelled to sound a critical
social alarm.
I apologize to anyone of the Islamic faith who is offended by what
follows. I use it only because people need to know that such disgusting
attitudes exist here in our community of faith.
"We don't need this blood thirsty Religion in America," read one e-mail, signed "Semper Fi. USMC Vietnam Combat Veteran."
Another seemed to advocate internment camps for Muslim Americans.
"All jihadists are Muslims, but not all Muslims are jihadists. But how
are we supposed to distinguish between the ones who are plotting
attacks and the ones who are just selling pitas and fatoush?" the
writer said.
"Whether or not Muslims actually want to blow us up is irrelevant
simply because the average citizen can't tell the good from the bad,
therefore all are suspect."
Wow. What about all the people resembling Eric Rudolph and Tim McVeigh? Should we start locking them up too?
Muslims, says another writer, have "infiltrated our lands, multiplied
their numbers, slowly used our own constitution against us, the same
constitution that they will love to do away with so that we all can
'submit' to a Muslim theocracy...."
In response to a photo of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in the new mosque with
her head covered, another person wrote, "It was really nice to see
Sebelius wearing the mark of a 7th century slave."
Under the heading of "dream of mosque opening" still another wrote,
"More like a... nightmare. I say to our military, bomb the mosques."
Another writer wanted to go beyond bombing mosques.
"I don't give a tinker's damn about their mosques, their warlord's
religion or their phony god. If I were President there would no longer
be an Arab world. These people understand nothing but death."
There was much more, but you get the point.
Sometimes crazy e-mails such as these waft in from the fringe. This
time, though, there are so many of them, and fringe folk ordinarily
don't leave a name and address. These folks did. That's what's so scary.
The people who wrote these screeds didn't appear to feel any shame
about the racist sentiments in the e-mails. In fact, they seemed imbued
with some sort of twisted patriotism.
It's not patriotism. It's sick. (MORE)
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-----
CAIR-LA: TALK-SHOW HOSTS MEET MUSLIMS -
TOP
KFI's John & Ken hold panel with Islamic leaders on faith and terrorism.
ANN PEPPER, Orange County Register, 7/22/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/22/sections/local/local/article_606561.php
MISSION VIEJO - Fan- proclaimed "talk-radio heroes" John & Ken gave
the microphone to Muslims on Thursday as they took their afternoon show
to the Orange County Islamic Foundation.
For four hours, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, both known for being
quick, confrontational and sometimes sarcastic, questioned local Muslim
leaders on such subjects as whether Islam forces women to cover their
hair to why U.S. Muslims don't speak out more against terrorism.
By the end of the show on KFI/640 AM, the two had made it clear they
felt they had heard a sincere expression of opposition to terrorism
from Orange County's Islamic community.
Chiampou said young Muslim "jihadists in the Middle East" behave
"almost like they had joined a gang." And Kobylt acknowledged that
terrorists have left the local Muslim community in a tough spot.
"Islam in America was defined by 9/11, and. . .now you guys are
fighting an uphill battle trying to explain that you are not all
terrorists, that you don't all want to kill us."
The show's timing couldn't have been more appropriate, after the report
of a second, though unsuccessful, bomb attack on London's public
transportation system.
The packed audience of more than 100 was split between members of the Muslim community and non-Islamic fans of John & Ken.
Many, such as Don Black, 59, of Lake Forest thought Muslims should make a greater effort to show their stance against terrorism.
"Why don't they hold some kind of major event and have Muslim imams
publicly denounce terrorism in a way that would catch the attention of
the press?" he asked.
Imam Yassir Fazaga, foundation board member Mohanad Malas and Hassam
Ayloush, executive director of the Southern California chapter of the
Council on American Islamic Relations, took turns condemning terrorism
and urging others not to identify terrorism with their faith. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CANADIAN ISLAMIC LEADERS DENOUNCE TERROR -
TOP
JANIE GOSSELIN, Associated Press Writer
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-canada-bombings-muslims,1,3632493.story
TORONTO -- More than 120 Islamic religious leaders from across Canada
issued a declaration Thursday denouncing acts of terrorism as a
perversion of their faith.
"Anyone who claims to be a Muslim and participates in any way in the
taking of innocent life is betraying the very spirit and letter of
Islam," said the statement, which was read by Imam Ahmad Kutty of the
Islamic Institute of Toronto after midday prayers at a mosque.
The declaration was organized by the Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations and signed by imams representing Muslim
communities across the country. It was intended as a response to the
first London bombings on July 7, but wound up being made public on
another day of attacks in the British capital.
"We categorically and unequivocally reject such acts. We will confront
and challenge the extremist mindset that produces this perversion of
our faith," said Kutty, who read the declaration to the media and about
50 worshippers.
"It is our religious duty as imams to confront this evil," Kutty told
reporters after his statement. "It is our duty to preach against all
kinds of extremism." (MORE)
---
AMERICAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS -
TOP
Islamic groups speak out against terrorism, condemn the taking of innocent life
The Washington File, U.S. Department of State
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=July&x=20050721173921xbtterrets0.2144586&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
Washington -- Muslim organizations across the United States have
condemned the terror attacks that hit London July 7 and July 21 with
strong statements that violence runs counter to the tenets of Islam.
"To those who seek to divide us through fear or hatred, we will not
allow the voices of hate to defeat the voices of unity and goodwill,"
the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) said in a statement after
the July 7 London bombings.
ISNA, a nongovernmental organization that promotes Islamic civil rights
in North America, has condemned terrorism and emphatically stated that
such violence violates the principles of Islam. Along with other
prominent Muslim groups, ISNA is working to eliminate the perceived
association of Islam with terrorism that exists in some parts of the
world.
The organization's statement said the attacks also "betrayed Islamic
teachings that members of a community have a duty and obligation to
protect, safeguard and uphold the laws of that community."
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), an organization affiliated
with ISNA, said in a statement released July 7, "Islam holds the
sanctity of human life at the highest regard, and shedding the blood of
innocent people is considered a most heinous crime."
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee issued a similar
statement saying it was "horrified by the series of bombings that
rocked London's public transportation" on July 7. The committee
encouraged all Americans to come together to support the British people.
Mohamed Sheibani, the president of the Muslim Students Association of
the United States, said, the "bombings were not only attacks against
the innocent people of London, but attacks against God's divine
revelations, which condemn indiscriminate violence and the targeting of
innocents."
Likewise, the Coalition of Islamic Organizations of Chicago, a group
that organizes Muslims in the Chicago area through cultural and civil
rights events, "unequivocally condemned the attacks" of July 7. Council
Chairman Abdul Malik Mujahid said, "These attacks are an affront to
Islam and to Muslims all over the world including Muslims in America.
They are in no way a reflection of Islamic teachings, which order
Muslims to preserve and protect life."
Mujahid called for Muslims to pray for the victims of the attacks.
In a statement released immediately after the July 7 bombings, the
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), another group affiliated with
ISNA, condemned "the exploitation of people and issues, regardless of
the perpetrators and their justifications."
"This assault is unmistakably an act of terrorism, an attack against humanity," the council said.
After the July 21 incidents, MPAC issued a statement that said, "As a
representative of mainstream American Muslims, MPAC reminds the
international community during this sensitive time that Islam does not
tolerate the use of terrorism for any purpose, regardless of who the
aggressors are and what their justifications might be."
The council is working with other Muslim groups in the National
Grassroots Campaign to Fight Terrorism. (Additional information is
available on the organization's Web site.)
The campaign focuses on raising religious awareness "to create a strong
Islamic environment that does not allow terrorism to be considered as a
form of struggle in Islam," according to the mission statement. It also
works to prevent intruders in mosques and teaches skills to detect and
thwart possible terrorist activity.
Additionally, one of the largest Islamic civil rights groups in the
United States, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said
its members "join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience
worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be
justified or excused," according to a statement released July 7. CAIR
is also releasing a public service announcement called "Not in the Name
of Islam," which denounces the terrorist attacks in London and
elsewhere.
Smaller, local Muslim organizations have also condemned the attacks.
The Islamic Center of North America, located in Michigan, said after
the first attacks in July, "Islam considers the use of such brutality
to be totally unacceptable. No cause could ever be justified by such
immoral acts --. We are all one humanity and we will continue to pray
for safety and peace in America and throughout the world."
The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California spoke out on July 7,
saying that it condemns "these horrific acts and all forms of terrorism
that target innocent lives."
Numerous other Muslim organizations have released statements similar to
those quoted above, most of which highlight the peaceful nature of
Islam and call for Muslims to unite in prayer for the victims of the
"barbaric" attacks. Full statements of condemnation can be found on the
ISNA Web site.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
---
CAIR WELCOMES CALL FOR CONFERENCE ON EXTREMISM -
TOP
BLAIR TAKES ON ISLAMIC EXTREMISM
David Sands, Washington Times, 7/21/05
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050721-090831-9804r
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the District-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said the group welcomed Mr. Blair's idea
for an international gathering on Islamic extremism.
He said leading Muslim groups around the world have condemned the
London bombings, including in a statement to be released today by
leading Canadian imams condemning religious-inspired terrorism.
"It clearly shows that we are all fed up with any violence that claims to be motivated by religious belief," Mr. Hooper said.
---
CAIR-FL CONDEMNS LONDON TERROR SCARE -
TOP
LATEST TERROR SCARE REVIVES FEARS, AND ANGER
Michael Mayo, Sun-Sentinel, 7/22/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pcmayo22jul22,0,7602517.story
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, but the
similarities to the July 7 bombings will lead many to conclude it is
the work of al-Qaida, its affiliates or sympathizers.
Altaf Ali, head of the Florida chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, condemned Thursday's incident and said,
"When is this nonsense going to stop, when is sanity going to come? I'm
disturbed people can twist our religion in such a violent way by
committing these atrocities." (MORE)
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TANCREDO ACCUSES COLLEAGUE OF 'PANDERING' TO MUSLIMS -
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CRITICISMS OF CONGRESSMAN'S COMMENTS KEEP COMING
Associated Press, 7/21/05
http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw118769_20050721.htmhttp://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw118769_20050721.htm
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Comments by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo that
suggested the United States could "take out" Islamic holy sites if
Muslim attackers targeted America in a nuclear strike are "careless"
and could be used to recruit terrorists, U.S. Rep. John Dingell of
Michigan said Thursday.
Dingell, a Democrat whose Detroit-area district includes thousands of
Arabs and Muslims, called on Republicans in Congress and President Bush
to join him in condemning the Colorado representative's statement.
The Detroit area has an estimated 300,000 Arab-Americans, though not
all are Muslim. About a third of the nearby city of Dearborn, Mich.,
where Dingell has a district office, are of Arab descent. . .
His response to criticism Thursday was a dig at Dingell, who has served almost 50 years in the U.S. House.
"Dingell was in Congress when Mecca was built," Tancredo said in a
statement. "He has a large Muslim constituency in his district to
pander to. I understand why he'd attack me."
SEE ALSO:
ACTION: URGE REPUBLICANS TO REPUDIATE TANCREDO'S 'BOMB MECCA' REMARK -
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http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=260&theType=AA
---
CONGRESSMAN SOUNDS FOOLISH -
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LEONARD PITTS JR., Miami Herald, 7/22/05
http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/pitts22e_20050722.htm
It is probably not a good idea in terms of job security to publicly
call your boss a horse's ass. So have some sympathy for Will Adams,
spokesman for Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo. He was asked by reporters to
explain the asinine thing the congressman said last week. Adams told
them Tancredo is just a "free thinker."
Or haven't you heard? Tancredo thinks maybe the United States should bomb Mecca. . .
Tancredo has refused to apologize, but he did issue a written
"clarification," which said in part, "I do not advocate this. Much more
thought would need to be given to the potential ramifications of such a
horrific response."
You don't need to give any thought to the ramifications of such an action, because they should be self-evident.
In other words, the same situation we have now, except worse.
And I wonder: Am I the only who feels that since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation seems overrun by yahoos? (MORE)
SEND A NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO:
lpitts@herald.com
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
---
AND THEN WHAT? BOMB THE VATICAN? -
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Arizona Republic, 7/22/05
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0722frilets228.html
How do we define extremism?
Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado asserts that if a
terrorist attack were to occur in the USA by Muslim extremists then our
response could be to bomb Mecca.
OK, let me get this straight: Does that mean if an Irish Catholic
radical group goes off the deep end and hurts Americans, then we should
level the Vatican?
Yup, that's it.
Punish a small group of extremists by doing something so off-the-wall
extreme that it would horribly scar millions upon millions of innocent
people?
Maybe Rep. Tancredo is just suffering Washington burnout and doesn't
want to be re-elected. I'm sure there must be a better way to drop out
of the running than to paint a target on the USA by uttering such
extremist views.
- Salli Nelson, Mesa
---
TIA CALLS ON TANCREDO, BUSH TO REPUDIATE ANTI-MUSLIM REMARKS -
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http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=490355&content_id={2365D0A4-853D-418E-B882-5F20F578A826}¬oc=1&tr=y&auid=1005319
Washington, July 19 --- Today, the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President
of The Interfaith Alliance, called on Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO)
to apologize to all Muslims and all Americans and emphatically retract
his recent radio remarks suggesting that the United States should
consider a nuclear strike against Mecca, Islam's most holy site, as a
possible response to a hypothetical attack on American cities by
radical fundamentalists.
Gaddy also called on President Bush to assure the world that
Congressman Tancredo does not speak for the United States government or
for the American people, and that the United States will never consider
using nuclear weapons on a holy site.
"Military action against a religious target would violate American
values honoring religions and religious liberty," Gaddy said. "Together
we must work toward mutual understanding and education about the
central role religion plays in American culture and around the world.
(MORE)
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ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM SET TO OPEN IN DOWNTOWN -
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Glenn McNatt, Baltimore Sun, 7/22/05
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.islam22jul22,1,7667749.story
A new museum of Islamic art and culture will open in December in
downtown Baltimore as part of an effort by Maryland Muslims to promote
greater understanding of their religion in the aftermath of attacks
such as this month's bombing of the London subway.
Plans for the museum, to be called the American Museum of Islamic Arts,
will be announced during a launch today of a new Islamic community
center inside a former bank building at 240 N. Howard St. Mayor Martin
O'Malley is expected to be on hand for the 1:45 p.m. ceremony.
The center will serve as a mosque for Muslims who live or work
downtown, as well as house the museum and a library where the public
can learn more about the Islamic faith.
"We want to build a positive image of Islam and Muslims," said Ghazal
Chughtai, the center's executive director. "It's clear we still have a
lot of work to do." (MORE)
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR CONDEMNS EGYPT BOMB ATTACKS
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/23/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today condemned bomb attacks in the Egyptian
resort of Sharm el-Sheik early Saturday (local time) that left at least
45 people dead and many more wounded.
In its statement, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) said:
"It is with great sadness and revulsion that we once again witness
senseless attacks on innocent civilians. American Muslims condemn these
brutal attacks, offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of
those who were killed or injured and call for the swift apprehension and
punishment of the perpetrators.
"To prevent the terrorists from achieving what seems to be their
goal of sparking an apocalyptic conflict, people of all faiths should
react to these crimes by redoubling their efforts to promote interfaith
understanding and to challenge mindless hatred, whatever its
source."
In 2004, CAIR launched a petition drive, called "Not in the Name of
Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a
few Muslims. The petition, signed by some 700,000 Muslims, states in
part: "We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the
criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both
the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad."
Last week, CAIR turned that petition into a television public service
announcement that is being distributed nationwide. Arabic and Urdu
subtitled versions will also be made available to television stations in
Muslim countries. (To read the petition or to view the PSA, go to
www.cair.com )
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/24/05
*
HADITH:
The Best
Jihad
*
CAIR-DC:
Demand Depletes
Free Quran Supply
-
CAIR-LA:
Don't Quote Quran
Out of Context (PE)
-
CAIR-OH:
Muslims
Are Speaking Out Against Terror
-
CAIR-DC:
No Religious
Profiling in NY/NJ Transit Searches
* CAIR Rep Discusses
'Why Do They
Hate Us' on CNN
*
VA:
Muslim
Inmate Not Allowed to Pray (Roanoke Times)
*
Vigilance Urged for
American Muslims (AP)
*
CO:
Frustrated
Muslims Fight 'Ignorance' (Denver Post)
-
Misstep, Hubris are
Double Offenses (Denver Post)
-
Tancredo's Reckless Rhetoric
(Press-Enterprise)
-
Tom Tancredo Eyes White House Run (AP)
-
Tancredo Responds to Critics of 'Bomb Mecca' Remark
-
ACTION:
Urge GOP to Repudiate Tancredo's Comments
*
CAIR-DC:
Growing Ties Between U.S., Israeli Law Enforcement (NYT)
-
M.E.W.C. -
Middle Eastern With a Camera
-
UK:
Israeli 'Procedure' in Shooting of Innocent Man
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE BEST JIHAD -
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The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The best (Jihad) is (to speak) a word of justice to an oppressive ruler."
Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 2040
-----
CAIR-DC: DEMAND DEPLETES FREE QURAN SUPPLY -
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RENEE K. GADOUA, Post Standard, 7/24/05
http://www.syracuse.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1122108031325370.xml
According to an e-mail and a postcard received this week, my free
English translation of the Quran will be in the mail in the next eight
to 10 weeks. The notification comes about a month after the request,
via the Web site of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"Due to the overwhelming response to our campaign, we have temporarily
depleted our existing supply of Qurans and are waiting for the arrival
of a new shipment," CAIR said in its note, addressed "Dear Friend."
According to the Washington-based civil liberties group, more than
17,000 Americans of all faiths have ordered free copies of Islam's holy
text since CAIR launched its "Explore the Quran" campaign in May. The
group started the educational program shortly after news reports that
the Quran was improperly treated at a prison for suspected terrorists
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Order the book or learn more about Islam at
www.cair-net.org
ACTION REQUESTED:
Sponsor a free Quran by going to:
www.explorethequran.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-LA: QUOTING THE QURAN -
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HUSSAM AYLOUSH, Press-Enterprise, 7/22/05
http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/editorials/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_D_op_22_quran.8a0801c.html
Editor's note: When a reader recently wrote to us with a provocative
question about the nature of Islam, we sought a response from a Muslim
leader from the Inland region. The query and answer are published here.
Peaceful precepts?
Parvez Ahmed's commentary ("Blame Islam game misguided pastime," July
15) states that the bombings in London were committed by "Islamic
extremists" and were universally condemned by major Muslim groups
throughout the world as being totally against the precepts of Islam.
I have a simple, straightforward question and I'd like a simple,
straightforward answer. The Quran, sura 47:4, states, "When you meet
the unbelievers, strike off their heads; then when you have made wide
slaughter among them, carefully tie up the remaining captives."
How do Parvez Ahmed and the others reconcile their statements with the
command of Allah as recorded in the inerrant word of Allah by Muhammad,
His prophet?
WALTER MARTIN CLARK, Riverside
Imagine a letter to the editor asking Christians or Jews to reconcile
Christianity or Judaism in light of an out-of-context verse from the
Bible, such as: "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that
they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and
suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." (1 Samuel 15:3)
Or this verse: "The people of Samaria must bear their guilt because
they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword;
their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women
ripped open." (Hosea 13:16)
This is certainly not a fair or scientific way to understand the Bible
nor the peaceful message of Christianity or Judaism. The Quran, like
all other scriptures, cannot be understood except within its context.
Taking a verse out of its theological or historical context can lead to
misinterpretations, often the hallmark of extremists. Just as the Bible
has been abused by fanatics to justify slavery and holocaust, so have
Muslim fanatics abused the Quran to further their murderous agenda.
The verse that the writer referred to, verse 4 from chapter 47,
specifically refers to Muslim armies involved in a battle encounter.
Here is a more authentic -- and less sensational -- translation:
"So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks
until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and
afterward either set them free as a favor or let them ransom
(themselves) until the war terminates."
Islam forbids wars of aggression and, like Christianity, sets strict
conditions for just warfare. Those conditions are limited to
self-defense or removing injustice against other people, as stated in
the following verses in the Quran.
"Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin
not hostilities. Lo! God loves not aggressors." (2:190) (MORE)
Hussam Ayloush is the executive director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, Southern California (for more information,
see
www.cair.com). He is a resident of Corona.
---
CAIR-OH: MUSLIMS ARE SPEAKING OUT TO CONDEMN TERRORIST ACTS -
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Columbus Dispatch, 7/23/05
http://www.dispatch.com
In a Tuesday editorial ("The solution within"), The Dispatch
erroneously suggested that Muslim scholars need to declare "that murder
and suicide are sins" and that Muslims are not doing enough, especially
within their communities.
In fact, Muslims all over the world have condemned acts of terrorism wherever they occur, from Bali to the Middle East.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations recently released a national
television public-service announcement called "Not in the name of
Islam," designed to highlight the Muslim community's condemnation of
terrorism and rejection of those who carry out terror attacks. Arabic
and Urdu-subtitled versions of the spot are being distributed to media
outlets in the Muslim world.
The council's online petition drive of the same name was signed by more
than 700,000 Muslims around the world. To view the "Not in the name of
Islam" public-service announcement and the petition, go to
www.cair.com.
In addition, the council has a section on its Web site that has a large
document that compiles condemnations and fatwas, or religious edicts,
against terror acts.
Muslim scholars have taken a strong stand against terrorism. Just this
week, 120 Canadian imams, or Islamic religious leaders, signed a
statement condemning religious extremism.
Dr. Juan Cole, a University of Michigan history professor, has compiled
an extensive list of such condemnations. Cole shows that almost all
Muslim jurists have issued statements against terrorism and terrorists.
See
www.juancole.com.
In a recent interview about whether Muslims' condemnations were enough,
the council's board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said: "That trap needs to be
avoided. The breadth of Muslim voices against terrorism is as broad as
it can be, from the most conservative to the most liberal and
everything in between."
One more thing, the war against terrorism can never be won without
winning mainstream Muslims, as British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
So why don't we hear Muslim leaders and scholars condemning terrorism? Maybe we're not listening.
AHMAD AL-AKHRAS
President
Ohio chapter
Council on American-Islamic Relations
---
N.J. TO BEGIN TRANSIT SEARCHES -
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SHANNON D. HARRINGTON and ERIC HSU, North Jersey, 7/23/05
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NzI4ODUzJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==
New York City police officers search passengers, chosen at random,
before they pass through turnstiles at the Lafayette Avenue subway
station in Brooklyn.
Police will start randomly checking bags and packages of New Jersey rail and bus riders Monday morning.
The announcement by NJ Transit and Port Authority officials came a day
after New York city police adopted the same measures at subway stations
and bus lines - the most visibly aggressive mass transit security
efforts yet after this month's attacks on London's transit system, the
commuter train bombings in Madrid last year and the terrorist attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001. . .
Still, civil libertarians have expressed skepticism that officers in New Jersey and New York will refrain from profiling.
"If it's truly random, if it's done before people get on the bus or
train, that's one thing," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington. "We'll know soon
enough if we start getting reports that people feel they are being
singled out based upon their perceived religion or ethnicity." (MORE)
-----
CAIR REP DISCUSSES 'WHY DO THEY HATE US' ON CNN -
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http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0507/23/stn.01.html
CNN SATURDAY NIGHT
July 23, 2005
HOST: Carol Lin
GUESTS: Ibrahim Hooper, Michael Swetnam
LIN: At this hour, police in London continue to search for the team of
would-be killers, whose bombs failed on Thursday. And Egypt is seeking
clues to the bombings that killed scores of people at a Red Sea resort.
So now we ask the question we asked on 9/11 and many times since, why
is this happening? Joining us now with some insights, Ibrahim Hooper,
communications director of the Council on American Islamic Relations
and Michael Swetnam, CEO and president of the Potomac Institute for
Policy Studies. They are both in Washington tonight.
Good evening, gentlemen to both of you.
IBRAHIM HOOPER, COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS: Good evening.
LIN: Ibrahim, let me start with you. Is it fair or overly simplistic to
say that the reason why the terrorists hate us is because the United
States supports Israel, the United States in the last two years has
attacked two Muslim countries. And that the perception is that the U.S.
would stop at nothing short of some form of world domination?
HOOPER: Well, you know, ever since 9/11 and all of these terrorist
attacks began, I've asked myself the same question. Why -- what could
possibly motivate somebody to do such things?
I mean, obviously, they're not bringing any kind of credit to Islam.
They're damaging the image of Islam. They're damaging the situation of
Muslims around the world. And they're also harming legitimate causes,
like justice for the Palestinian people or these various causes.
They're being damaged.
So the only answer I could come up with is that they're trying to do a
Timothy McVeigh. They're trying to spark some kind of apocalyptic
conflict. And at the end of all of it, somehow their particular
ideology will come out on top.
LIN: Yes. Well, who wins in a situation like that?
Michael, what do you think?
MICHAEL SWETNAM, POTOMAC INST. FOR POLICY STUDIES: I think that Ibrahim
is quite correct. It is driven by the very fringe radicals
characterized by Osama bin Laden, who is spouting this venom that
Western civilization, secular Western civilization, is a threat to
Islam, which is absolutely not the truth.
But he's able to convince a segment of the young population and incite
them to do horrible things, which is not at all in keeping with their
religion.
And until we're able to counter that terrible inciteful ideology that
he's preaching around the world. We won't be able to stop this.
LIN: So what kind of policy, what kind of United States policy works
against that? I mean, is it crush them until they beg for mercy? Or is
it to try to build democracies as is allegedly being the case in a
place like Iraq, Michael?
SWETNAM: Well, I think that building democracy and living up to what we
preach, not just having a good democracy here, but helping to spread
democracy around the world is a very, very good thing.
But we have to do more than that. We have to also spread the good news,
the ideology for too long, for at least a decade, as the press and the
media has proliferated around the world. We've allowed those who have
evil messages to dominate that media, instead of being very aggressive
ourselves about putting out the good ideology.
LIN: All right, well...
SWETNAM: We need to tell the story better.
LIN: All right. Speaking of ideology in the media, Ibrahim, what
responsibility does the Arab media play in this? What is their role in
spreading the hatred against Iraq?
HOOPER: Well, I think not only the Arab and Muslim media, but American
Muslims and Muslims around the world have a responsibility to challenge
extremism and hatred whenever they...
LIN: You see that being done?
HOOPER: I see it being done, and increasingly so in recent days. And we
also need to challenge home grown extremists. When Congressman Tancredo
in Colorado suggests that Islamic holy sites be bombed in response to
an attack on America, that harms our image in the world. It makes it
tougher for us to do what we need to do to fight the war on terrorists.
LIN: Michael?
SWETNAM: That's exactly right. Couldn't have said it better myself. We
have to not just say the words of freedom and equal opportunity. We
have to live them. That means here, as well as around the world.
And it's only when we can counter the evil ideology with a proper
ideology that will win this war. We can't kill all the terrorists. You
can kill a terrorist, but you can't kill the ideal that inspired him.
We have to counter that ideal with our good ideals.
LIN: All right. Thanks very much, gentlemen.
-----
VA: INMATE SAYS GUARDS WON'T LET HIM PRAY -
TOP
An inmate's sister said a Wallens Ridge prison correctional officer threatened to kill Muslims who kept praying.
Laurence Hammack, Roanoke Times, 7/24/05
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke%5C28112.html
Ever since two high-security prisons opened in far Southwest Virginia,
critics have complained of a culture clash between minority inmates
from metropolitan areas and a predominantly white correctional staff
drawn from the surrounding countryside.
For the most part, the tension has shown up in excessive-force complaints made by prisoners.
Lorenzo McLean's case is different.
McLean is a Muslim inmate who claims that correctional officers at
Wallens Ridge State Prison are violating his right to pray in his cell.
The inmate says he has encountered problems with one particular
correctional officer who recently returned from military duty in Iraq.
The correctional officer has said he hates Muslims and has threatened
to kill them if they did not stop praying, teaching Islam and
congregating, according to McLean's sister, Tyana Arawole of Maryland.
"These allegations have been brought to our attention and are currently
under investigation," Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman
Larry Traylor said last week. "Because there is an investigation and
because DOC employees are involved, we cannot comment further."
McLean, 27, is serving two life sentences on convictions of murder, robbery and malicious wounding in Norfolk.
"As a prisoner without much freedom, he should at least be able to pray if he so chooses," his sister wrote in an e-mail.
A spokeswoman with the Council on American-Islamic Relations in
Washington, D.C., confirmed that the organization has been contacted
about the case. (MORE)
-----
VIGILANCE URGED FOR AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
RACHEL ZOLL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/entertainment/12210245.htm
American Muslim leaders say they have already taken up the challenge
facing British Muslims after this month's deadly suicide bombings --
helping law enforcement root out extremists. But their efforts face a
similar problem: getting support from all the faithful.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council, an advocacy group based in Los
Angeles, last year started the "National Anti-Terrorism Campaign,"
urging Muslims to monitor their own communities, speak out more boldly
against violence and work with law-enforcement officials.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based civil
rights organization, is running a TV ad and a petition drive called
"Not in the Name of Islam," which repudiates terrorism.
And Muslims in New York and several other cities have joined FBI
advisory committees to resolve complaints about law enforcement and
educate government agents about the religion.
"It's a proactive way to deal with this problem, rather than waiting
for catastrophic events to happen, then pick up the pieces afterward,"
said Salam Marayati, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
But winning broader support for these undertakings among the nation's
more than 2 million Muslims has been difficult. Hostility toward Islam
after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has discouraged participation,
leaders say.
Muslims have felt unfairly targeted by antiterrorism measures adopted
after the four suicide hijackings, such as the Patriot Act, which gave
law enforcement broad new powers. The Bush administration considers the
law essential to national security.
"I used to talk about internal policing two years ago after 9/11, and
people used to get really upset," said Muqtedar Khan, a political
scientist and author of "American Muslims." "They said, 'Are you asking
us to turn in our brothers?' "
Muslims have also been discouraged by American leaders who consider the
entire community suspect, and dismiss condemnations of terrorism from
major Muslim organizations as a public relations-ploy, said Ibrahim
Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"The assumption by people outside our community is that we're overrun
with extremists," Hooper said. "The new thought of the Islamophobes is
you can't be a good person if you're a practicing Muslim. The only good
Muslim is one who doesn't follow the faith." (MORE)
-----
CO: FRUSTRATED MUSLIMS FIGHT "IGNORANCE" -
TOP
Diane Carman, Denver Post, 7/24/05
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2883827
When U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., suggested that bombing Mecca
might be an appropriate response to the terrorist threat, he sent shock
waves around the world.
And he thrilled many of his supporters.
I heard from dozens of nuke-happy Tancredo fans, though not all of them had the courage to sign their names.
From Don MacEwan: "Islam was and is the religion of terror. ... Putting
forth a warning to Islam that mutually assured destruction means their
holy city of Medina is nuked if they do not curb their terrorist urges
seems to be a prudent step."
From Cynthia J. Starks: "The problem is with the religion of Islam. ... These people are EVIL!!"
From John M. Conway: "I think Mr. Tancredo is right. ... These people
are barbarians and it's bed-wetting cowards such as yourself who
somehow think they can be reasoned with."
From Margaret Wilmott: "Tancredo hit a nerve. Good for him. I'd prefer a first strike. Why wait?" . . .
All religions have extremists who ration alize violent behavior through
some distorted interpretation of their faith, he said. "Eric Rudolph is
one of those radicals who went out and started bombing places because
he thought he had a religious duty to do that. You don't go out and
bomb the Vatican to stop that."
He said the misunderstanding of Islam among Americans - especially people in positions of power - is appalling.
"That someone in Congress on the International Relations Committee is
able to make such statements ... and have no shame whatsoever, no
understanding whatsoever of the emotions of the more than 7 million
Muslims in the U.S., that's what shocks us, that's what angers us and
scares us," he said.
"It's such a high level of ignorance of our beliefs," he said. "It's such a message of hate."
SEND A NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO:
dcarman@denverpost.com
Copy to:
cair@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
MISSTEP, THEN HUBRIS ARE DOUBLE OFFENSES -
TOP
Gail Schoettler, 7/24/05
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_2880545
Congressman Tom Tancredo has plenty of political experience, but not
much political savvy. He wants to strut on a big stage, but he talks
like a novice, seeming not to understand that national politics is a
vastly different platform from a backyard political fundraiser. Since
the congressman has the hubris to think he's a credible presidential
candidate, he'd be smart to figure that out, fast.
One hard-learned political lesson is taking personal responsibility for
your mistakes, especially one as dim-witted as Tancredo's suggestion
that the United States consider a retaliatory bombing of holy sites of
a religion that isn't his and a country that is an ally (and, not
incidentally, a major supplier of oil to the United States). But
Tancredo hasn't reached that level of astuteness. He refuses to admit
he said something remarkably foolish or to apologize for insulting 20
percent of humanity.
One thing we Americans hope for in our president is common sense. We
don't expect a candidate to know everything required for the most
important job in the world. But we do expect that person to meet a
reasonable standard of knowledge and restraint. We don't want someone
who, in a fit of arrogance and anger, pulls the wrong trigger and kills
countless innocent people - and puts us at greater risk than necessary.
Rash commentary has no place in the Oval Office, nor in the remarks of a potential presidential candidate. (MORE)
---
RECKLESS RHETORIC -
TOP
Pres-Enterprise, 7/22/05
http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/editorials/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_D_op_23_ed_tancredo2.146d207.html
How irresponsible of Rep. Tom Tancredo to say that the United States
should retaliate to a nuclear detonation on American soil by bombing
Islamic holy sites, including Mecca. The Colorado Republican would do
well to apologize for his intemperate remarks. . .
There may be a thin line between "tough" and "reckless." If the
culprits are fringe extremists, why declare war on the entire religion?
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam. Bombing it would inflame 1 billion
Muslims, many of whom deplore the terrorists who kill in their name.
The global war on terrorism is not a war against Islam. It is a war
against a small number of extremists who believe their faith compels
them to kill non-believers -- and the nations that nurture these
murderous activities.
U.S. policy recognizes this fact. As President Bush said in the days
following 9/11, "any nation that continues to harbor or support
terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."
The proper response is to retaliate forcefully and decisively against
the regimes that support terrorism, not to lash out recklessly against
symbolic targets and slaughter innocent people.
The latter is what our enemies do.
---
TOM TANCREDO EYES WHITE HOUSE RUN -
TOP
STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press, 7/22/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/22/AR2005072201277.html
DENVER -- Tom Tancredo has been called a one-trick pony of a
politician, a man out of step with his party, a bigot. The Republican
congressman vehemently opposes illegal immigration, and he created an
uproar last week when he talked about nuking Muslim holy sites.
No matter, Tancredo is pressing on and even hinting at a long-shot presidential bid in 2008.
Tancredo has already visited New Hampshire and Iowa this year, and says
he found a welcome audience among voters who are fed up with the
nation's immigration policies, including proposals by President Bush.
"Unless I misread the political tea leaves, there is a great deal of support for what I say," Tancredo said.
Tancredo raised eyebrows last week by telling a radio talk show host
that "you could take out" Islamic holy sites should terrorists ever
launch a nuclear attack against the United States.
"You're talking about bombing Mecca," asked the host.
"Yeah," Tancredo responded, saying he was "just throwing out some
ideas." He later said his comments were taken out of context and
refused to apologize.
Few consider Tancredo a serious challenger for the GOP presidential
nomination, but his stance resonates with some in a post-Sept. 11 era
when volunteer groups like the Minutemen have been patrolling the
border for illegal immigrants. (MORE)
---
BIGGER SINS THAN OFFENDING -
TOP
Rep. Tom Tancredo
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_2880546
By now, many people in America - and likely around the world - are
familiar with my statements regarding a possible response to a nuclear
attack on U.S. cities by fundamentalist Islamic terrorists.
Without question, my comments have prompted strong reactions from many
quarters, but they have also served to start a national dialogue about
what options we have to deter al-Qaeda and other would-be Islamic
terrorists.
Many critics of my statements have characterized them as "offensive,"
and indeed they may have offended some. But in this battle against
fundamentalist Islam, I am hardly preoccupied with political
correctness, or who may or may not be offended. Indeed, al-Qaeda cares
little if the Western world is "offended" by televised images of
hostages beheaded in Iraq, subway bombings in London, train attacks in
Madrid, or Americans jumping to their death from the Twin Towers as
they collapsed.
Few can argue that our current approach to this war has deterred
fundamentalists from killing Westerners - nor has it prompted
"moderate" Muslims and leaders of Muslim countries to do what is
necessary to crack down on the extremists in their midst who perpetuate
these grisly crimes.
That being the case, perhaps the civilized world must intensify its approach.
Does that mean the United States should be re-targeting its entire
missile arsenal on Mecca today? Does it mean we ought to be sending
Stealth bombers on runs over Medina? Clearly not.
But should we take any option or target off the table, regardless of
the circumstances? Absolutely not, particularly if the mere discussion
of an option or target may dissuade a fundamentalist Muslim extremist
from strapping on a bomb-filled backpack, or if it might encourage
"moderate" Muslims to do a better job cracking down on extremism in
their ranks. (MORE)
---
URGE REPUBLICANS TO REPUDIATE TANCREDO'S COMMENTS -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=260&theType=AA
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be POLITE.)
1) Contact the Republican Party and urge them to publicly repudiate Tancredo's remarks.
Mr. Ken Mehlman
Chairman
Republican National Committee
Phone: (202)863-8500
Fax: (202)863-8820
E-Mail:
info@gop.com
Mr. Bob Martinez
State Chair
Colorado Republican Party
Phone: (303)758-3333
Fax: (303)753-4611
E-Mail:
BobMartinez@coloGOP.org
President George W. Bush
E-Mail:
president@whitehouse.gov
Phone: 202-456-1111
2) Contact Representative Tancredo and insist that he apologize for his
remarks Washington Office: Phone: (202) 225-7882 Fax: (202) 226-4623
Main District Office: Phone: (720) 283-9772 Fax: (720) 283-9776
3) Copy all correspondence to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
SUICIDE BOMBINGS BRING URGENCY TO POLICE IN U.S. -
TOP
SARAH KERSHAW, New York Times, 7/25/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/national/nationalspecial3/25bombings.html
SEATTLE, July 22 - Inside a former Starbucks warehouse, this city's
bomb squad headquarters, the police chief and 15 captains and sergeants
- accompanied by a robot that can extract explosives from packages and
pin down a suspect - huddled the other day to tackle a topic suddenly
urgent to the police across the nation: suicide bombers.
"Now it's really time," the chief, Gil Kerlikowske, told his
commanders. "It almost seems to be a question of when in this country,
not a question of if, after London."
Across the country, police departments large and small are preparing
for a possibility once thought improbable and now feared to be
inevitable. On Thursday, the day of four attempted explosions in the
London subways, the New York City police began randomly searching bags
and backpacks at subway stations and other travel hubs.
In Miami, the police chief returned recently from a conference in
England and Scotland that included a long session on suicide bombers.
Several officers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
returned last Thursday after spending a week with the British
authorities studying terrorism responses, department officials there
said.
A growing number of police departments, including ones in Seattle;
Boston; Los Angeles; Washington; Suffolk County, N.Y.; and Sterling
Heights, Mich., a small city north of Detroit, are also turning for
guidance to the place many police officials consider the pinnacle of
terrorism training. They are sending groups of officers to Israel and
bringing Israeli officers to the United States to train the police on
the harrowing science of suicide bomber intelligence gathering and
apprehension.
Several American police officials said advice from the Israelis had
included looking out for suicide bomber "handlers," who scout bus
stations or other crowded areas for deadly attacks. And although the
police are typically told to aim for the chest when shooting because it
is the largest target, the Israelis are teaching officers to aim for a
suspect's head so as not to detonate any explosives that might be
strapped to his torso.
But the growing relationship between Israeli and United States law
enforcement, expanding now after the London bombings, has prompted
criticism among some Muslim groups, who say they fear that American
police officers will engage in religious or ethnic profiling.
Some officials talk about receiving reports from
the public about what the police refer to as "M.E.W.C.'s" - Middle
Eastern with a camera - perhaps taking pictures of a bridge, a
hydropower plant or a reservoir.
"Israel's antiterror tactics are largely based on profiling, whether
it's on airlines or at checkpoints," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman
for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Washington.
"And they've produced tremendous resentment and hostility in the
Palestinian population through humiliating tactics and through abuses
on a daily basis. And I don't think that's something we want to
replicate." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MAN SHOT DEAD BY BRITISH POLICE WAS INNOCENT BRAZILIAN CITIZEN -
TOP
Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, 7/24/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/23/AR2005072300987.html
LONDON, July 23 -- The man shot dead by police in front of terrified
passengers inside a subway car Friday was an innocent Brazilian
bystander mistaken for a suspect in the abortive bomb attacks the day
before, police officials acknowledged Saturday.
The officials said the man emerged from the same South London apartment
complex as a prime suspect in the failed bombings of three subway
trains and a double-decker bus, and was followed by armed plainclothes
officers to a nearby subway station.
They gave chase fearing the man was preparing to attack a train, police
officials said. The officers pushed him to the floor of the car and
shot him five times in the head at close range, according to witnesses,
who gave searing accounts broadcast on television and radio. Under
guidelines adopted in recent years, officers are advised to shoot
suspected suicide bombers in the head to prevent them from setting off
explosives.
Police identified the man as Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, a Brazilian citizen.
The mistaken shooting set off a new wave of alarm and criticism from
leaders of Britain's minority Muslim community, who expressed concern
that police are singling out men with certain physical characteristics
or ethnic backgrounds in their pursuit of the would-be bombers,
believed to be Muslims of South Asian or North African origin. . .
The shooting took place under shoot-to-kill guidelines adopted after
the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States under the name
"Operation Kratos" to deal with the threat of suicide bombers. While
officials would not publicly discuss the guidelines, sources told
British reporters that a senior officer is authorized to deploy special
armed units to track and, if necessary, shoot dead suspected suicide
bombers. The officers are advised to shoot such assailants in the head
to keep them from setting off explosives.
The guidelines are based in part on procedures used by the Israeli authorities in intercepting suicide bombers. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #462
DC RADIO HOST SAYS 'ISLAM IS A TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION'
Ask WMAL to reprimand Michael Graham for 'hate-filled'
remarks
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/25/05) - CAIR today called on a Washington,
D.C., radio station to reprimand a talk show host who states repeatedly
that
"Islam is a terrorist organization." American
Muslims are also being urged to contact the station's advertisers to
express their concerns about the host's Islamophobic views.
CAIR says it has received complaints today from Muslim listeners who
heard WMAL-AM's Michael Graham state: 1.
"Islam is a terrorist
organization." 2. "Islam is at war with America." 3.
"The problem is not extremism. The problem is Islam." 4.
"We are at war with a terrorist organization named
Islam."
When contacted by CAIR, WMAL's Program Director Randall Bloomquist
said he stands behind Graham. He said that while WMAL would not permit
the use of the "N-word" or anti-Semitic slurs, Graham's remarks
about Islam do not require disciplinary action.
"Such hate-filled and inflammatory remarks only serve to encourage
those who would turn bigoted views into violent or discriminatory actions
against ordinary American Muslims," said CAIR Communications
Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Reasoned discussion on issues related to
terrorism should be encouraged, but extremist anti-Muslim rhetoric harms
our nation's image worldwide and serves as a recruiting tool for
terrorists."
Hooper said CAIR is asking American Muslims and other people of
conscience to contact WMAL advertisers and express their concerns about
Graham's remarks.
Last year, CAIR challenged on-air remarks by Graham that seemed to make
an implicit call for violence against Muslims. He said: "I don't
wanna say we should kill 'em all [Muslims], but unless there's reform
[within Islam], there aren't a lot of other solutions that work in the
ground struggle for survival." (Graham later claimed he was only
referring to so-called "Islamists," but the context of the
quote indicated otherwise.)
Graham also said: "Would you hire an Arab-Muslim group for a
friend's daughter's Bat Mitzvah, I wouldn't, if you would you're a dope,
that's not bigotry, that completely reasonable smart
discrimination." Graham's remarks were highlighted in the
announcement of CAIR's "Hate Hurts America" campaign designed
to counter anti-Muslim hate on radio talk shows. SEE:
http://www.cair.com/hatehurtsamerica/
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be
POLITE.)
1.
CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham be reprimanded for his
anti-Islam statements.
CONTACT:
Mr. Randall Bloomquist
Program Director
WMAL
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100,
Direct: 202-895-2327
To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, Toll Free
888-630-WMAL.
E-Mail:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
2.
CONTACT the first of WMAL's advertisers:
Mr. Dan Testa
President
TCI - Telcept Holdings, LCC
5554 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22151,
TEL (703) 321-3030, 1-800-824-1001
Fax: (703) 321-5046,
E-Mail:
testad@tcicomm.com,
routhierd@tcicomm.com,
tcimail@tcicomm.com COPY
TO:
cair@cair-net.org
(Other advertisers will be listed as required. To see a list of all
WMAL's advertisers, go to:
http://wmal.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=332139
Please copy this list as it may be taken down later.)
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
--- CLIP AND MAIL/FAX/E-MAIL ---
YES, I would like to support CAIR's important work by donating
$___________. Enclosed is my check, payable to "CAIR." (You may also
donate online at:
https://www.cair-net.org/asp/donate.asp )
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
TEL:
FAX:
E-MAIL:
Payment: ___Check ___VISA ___MasterCard ___Discover ___Money Order
Credit Card Number:
Exp. Date:
Name as on Card:
Signature: ________________________________________________
SEND TO: Membership Dept., CAIR, 453 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003 FAX: 202-488-0833 E-MAIL:
membership@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/25/05
*
VERSE:
God
Loves the Equitable
*
1.7 Million View CAIR
Anti-Terror PSA
*
CAIR-FL:
Anti-Muslim
Church Sign Draws Criticism
*
NJ:
'Suspicious'
Fire Destroys Would-Be Islamic Center
*
CO:
Hispanic, Islamic
Groups Want Tancredo Out (AP)
-
Rally Targets Tancredo (Rocky
Mountain News)
*
PA:
When Our Fears
Lead To Prejudices (Phil Inq)
*
OH:
Muslim
Moms Take a Stand Against Violence (Enquirer)
-
CA:
Murder
Not Sanctioned in Islam (LA Daily News)
-
VA:
Muslims Discourage
Violence (Wash Times)
-
Popes Won't Condemn
Islam Over Bombings
-
NY:
Muslim
Chaplain Decries Terror (Buffalo News)
-
TX:
Irving Mosque
Makes Outreach a Matter of Faith
*
Cheney's Plan: Nuke Iran
(Antiwar)
-
Iraq:
This is
Now an Unwinnable Conflict (Indep)
-
Quote
Raises Iraq PR Questions (CNN)
-
War on Terror Can't
Be Won by Steel Alone (AJC)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY:
GOD LOVES THE EQUITABLE -
TOP
"God does not forbid you to be kind and equitable to those who have
neither fought against your faith nor driven you out of your homes. In
fact God loves the equitable."
The Holy Quran, 60:8
-----
1.7 MILLION VIEW CAIR
ANTI-TERROR PSA -
TOP
UPDATE: Some 1.7 million people nationwide have already viewed CAIR's
"Note in the Name of Islam" television public service
announcement (PSA) since it was release two weeks ago.
CAIR's 30-second PSA features American Muslims stating: "We often
hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts
of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Quran
and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who commits
such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice."
To view CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam"
online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from
the violent acts of a few Muslims.
-----
FL
RELIGIOUS LEADERS ASKED TO REPUDIATE ANTI-MUSLIM CHURCH SIGN -
TOP
(JACKSONVILLE, FL, 7/25/05) - The Florida office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today called on religious leaders in
that state and throughout the nation to repudiate a Jacksonville Baptist
church road-side display that says, "Islam is Evil and Believes in
Murder, Surah 9-29, Jesus Teaches Peace..."
To see a photo of the display, go to:
http://www.cairfl.org/images/jaxchurch1.JPG
See Also: "Anti-Muslim Sign Draws Strong Reaction"
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=41164
This not the first such display at the First Conservative Baptist Church
in Jacksonville, Fla. In January of 2003, CAIR-FL called on religious
leaders to condemn a similar anti-Muslim message falsely claiming that
Islam's Prophet Muhammad approved of murder.
"Leaders of all faiths should condemn hate speech designed to divide
our nation along religious lines," said CAIR National Board Chairman
and Jacksonville resident Parvez Ahmed. "The religious texts of any
faith can always be read out of historical context to create a distorted
picture of that faith."
Ahmed noted that both the Quran, Islam's revealed text, and the
traditions (hadith) of Islam's Prophet Muhammad condemn murder. In fact,
the Prophet Muhammad said murder is one of the greatest sins a person can
commit.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ahmed Bedier 813-731-9506,
abedier@cair-florida.org;
Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214,
altaf@cair-florida.org;
Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
-----
FAST-MOVING
FIRE DESTROYS WOULD-BE MUSLIM CENTER -
TOP
EMAN VAROQUA, The Record, 7/25/05
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0NSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjczMTkxMiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=
PATERSON - It was to be a Muslim youth center, a place for people to meet
and mingle, but after a fire ravaged the building Sunday, it was nothing
more than a toppled pile of charred bricks.
A fast-moving blaze broke out around 4 p.m. and within 30 minutes had
destroyed the historic warehouse at West Railway and Genessee avenues.
The outer walls did not buckle under pressure, but everything inside
succumbed. Three stories collapsed into one, and the wooden interiors fed
the fire's fury even more.
The Islamic Center of Passaic County purchased the abandoned warehouse in
June 2003 for $1.25 million - money raised entirely from local donations.
Community members wanted to build a place for their children to spend
time after school and on weekends.
Tucked away inside South Paterson, across the street from the city's
outdoor produce market, the youth center would have been in the heart of
North Jersey's Muslim community. Nearly 25,000 Muslims live in a
four-mile radius.
But since there was nothing inside the building, and no utilities hooked
up, some were left wondering if this was arson. The building's windows
were nailed shut with boards, and the doors locked. A wooden 8-foot-tall
fence used to hug the perimeter.
"It's very suspicious," said Sohail Mohammed, a community
member. "Things are pointing in that direction. I hope not, but I'm
afraid that it is."
Others on the scene said this could be a backlash because of deadly
bombings in London this month, believed to be set off by Islamic
extremists. Many said they would reserve judgment until an investigation
was concluded. (MORE)
-----
HISPANIC,
ISLAMIC GROUPS WANT TANCREDO OUT -
TOP
Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press, 7/25/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5165883,00.html
DENVER -- Hispanic and Islamic groups called on Rep. Tom Tancredo to
resign Monday, saying he has embarrassed Colorado by suggesting bombing
Islamic holy sites if terrorists launch a nuclear attack on the
U.S.
They also criticized the GOP congressman's staunch advocacy of tougher
immigration controls.
"Enough is enough. We're here to say 'Stop,'" Hispanic activist
Manolo Gonzalez-Estay told a crowd of about 200 at the state
Capitol.
Abdur-Rahim Ali, imam of a Muslim shrine in Denver, said Tancredo's
statement that "you could take out" Islamic holy sites in a
retaliatory attack was unacceptable.
"What would happen if a prominent Muslim made that statement about
Catholic holy places like the Vatican?" asked Ali.
Tancredo was traveling and unavailable for comment. His spokesman, Will
Adams, said the four-term congressman has no intention of apologizing or
resigning.
"They are a lot more upset about what he stands for, our nation's
security and border policy, than anything else," Adams
said.
SEE ALSO:
RALLY TARGETS TANCREDO -
TOP
John Aguilar, Rocky Mountain News, 7/25/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3951234,00.html
A rally will be held at the state Capitol today to decry Rep. Tom
Tancredo's suggestion that the U.S. could deter terrorist attacks inside
its borders by threatening to bomb Islamic holy sites.
The group, led by political activists Manolo Gonzalez-Estay and Leroy
Lemos, will gather on the west steps of the Capitol building at noon
today for what it is calling an "Enough is Enough"
rally.
"It will be a demonstration to the world that Congressman Tancredo
is an embarrassment to Colorado and that he doesn't speak for all of
us," Gonzalez-Estay said Sunday. (MORE)
-----
WHEN OUR FEARS LEAD TO
PREJUDICES -
TOP
John Grogan, Philadelphia Inquirer, 07/25/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/columnists/john_grogan/
The sin of prejudice paid me a little visit last week.
No, I'm not proud of myself.
I was visiting New York City and arrived at the Port Authority late in
the afternoon to grab an express bus back to Pennsylvania. On my way into
the terminal, I passed a knot of National Guardsmen in camouflage,
automatic rifles slung over their shoulders. They chatted among
themselves as the masses streamed by, many like myself toting packages
and suitcases. It occurred to me that there was little they could do to
stop someone whose bag just might hold a bomb.
The bus was nearly full. Just as it was about to pull out, a last-minute
passenger clambered aboard carrying a large rectangular package wrapped
in a black trash bag. He kept his eyes down and sat in the only remaining
seat, directly in front of me.
I felt an immediate, visceral response to his presence. My heart began to
race, my stomach to tighten. I could feel the blood coursing through my
temples.
The man was young, probably 19 or 20, with short black hair and a closely
trimmed beard. He appeared to be of Middle Eastern ancestry.
Oh God... a suicide bomber. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM MOMS TAKE
A STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE -
TOP
Karen Vance, Enquirer, 7/23/05
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050723/NEWS01/507230391/1056/NEWS01
WEST CHESTER - They're mothers; they're Muslim. Now, after the terrorist
attacks in London, they've joined to take a stand against violence,
abroad and at home.
"We're all feeling that sense of helplessness, that we want to do
something, but aren't sure what to do," said Shakila Ahmad, one of
the organizers of a new Muslim Mothers Against Violence group.
"We decided we just needed to stop talking and do something after
the London bombings," she said. "There's always been education,
talks, press releases condemning the actions of these terrorists, but we
wanted to do more."
As a mother of three and a member of the Greater Cincinnati Islamic
community for 30 years, Ahmad of Mason decided to tackle that sense of
helplessness by bringing other mothers together to form the group at the
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
WIDESPREAD
MURDER IN THE NAME OF ISLAM NOT SANCTIONED -
TOP
Charles F. Bostwick, L.A. Daily News, 07/23/05
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20943~2978798,00.html
PALMDALE -- Antelope Valley's Islamic leaders say terrorists are trying
to hijack the religion's name.
Scores of Muslims from two local mosques gathered Friday night at
Palmdale's business intersection to condemn London terror bombings,
waving American and British flags and carrying signs that said "Not
in our name" and "Terrorists are not jihadists."
"It is the duty of every Muslim in the United States and around the
world to show their disdain for terrorists and their actions," said
rally organizer Abdul-Wahab Omeira.
Passing motorists honked and waved Friday evening as men in ties, sport
shirts and traditional garb, youngsters in baseball caps and women in
head scarves and skirts stood along Rancho Vista Boulevard across 10th
Street West from the Antelope Valley Mall.
Participants included members of the American Islamic Institute of
Antelope Valley in Palmdale and the Islamic Center of North Valley in
Lancaster, where the rally had been announced at Friday services. The
rally drew non-Muslims as well.
Omeira, who is the Muslim chaplain at the state prison in Lancaster as
well as a board member of the Lancaster mosque, said the rally was in
response to people who ask why Muslims don't speak out more against
terrorism&
The Antelope Valley Muslims' approach is one advocated by the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, which launched a
petition drive, called "Not in the Name of Islam," designed to
disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.
(MORE)
---
POPE WON'T CONDEMN
ISLAM OVER BOMBINGS -
TOP
Associated Press, 7/25/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5165042,00.html
LES COMBES, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he did not see an
anti-Christian motive in the recent wave of terrorist attacks blamed on
Islamic extremists, attributing them instead to "a much more general
intention."
The pontiff also told reporters it was important to seek dialogue with
the best elements of Islam.
He spoke while on vacation in the Italian Alps after visiting a church,
brushing off a question about whether he believed Islam was a religion of
peace.
"I wouldn't want to label (it)," he said. "Certainly there
are elements that favor peace. It also has other
elements."
Benedict said last week that terrorism is not the result of a clash
between the West and Islam but the action of
"fanatics."
The pope's spokesman said Sunday that Benedict was placing immense
importance on a meeting with Muslims in Cologne, Germany, while he is in
his homeland next month to lead the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth
Day.
Benedict, who is approaching 100 days in the papacy, also was asked if he
found it difficult being pontiff.
"In a certain sense yes, because I never thought about this
ministry," he said. "But it has gone well, also because the
people have been good with me."
---
MUSLIM CHAPLAIN
DECRIES TERROR ATTACKS -
TOP
Jay Tokasz, Buffalo News, 7/25/05
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050725/1072288.asp
Wearing a kufi on his head and a flowing linen shirt and pants, instead
of his usual crisp Army uniform, Maj. Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad launched
into a condemnation of the London bombings and other deadly attacks by
terrorists claiming to act on faith.
"Who gave them the authority to randomly kill human beings,
supposedly in the name of Islam?" Muhammad preached during a recent
service inside Masjid Nu'Man, the mosque at Fillmore and Box
avenues.
Muhammad, a Buffalo native and graduate of Lafayette High School, became
the nation's first Muslim military chaplain in 1993.
Muhammad's appointment opened the door for 11 other Muslim chaplains in
the Army, Navy and Air Force, and his distinction as the first remains a
point of pride in the local African-American Muslim community.
He also has been a frequent subject of media interviews, with the
approval of his Army superiors, including a recent Memorial Day feature
story on National Public Radio.
Muhammad's success "cuts through the myth that as an
African-American and as a Muslim, you can't rise through the ranks and
you can't be effective," said Zaid Islam, a congregant at Masjid
Nu'Man.
Muhammad said the military needs more Muslim chaplains.
---
IRVING
MOSQUE MAKES OUTREACH A MATTER OF FAITH -
TOP
Eric Aasen, The Dallas Morning News, 07/23/05
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/dn/religion/stories/072405dnmetirvislam.26ec18f.html
IRVING - Muslims have been too introverted for too long, says Imam Zia
Sheikh, the prayer leader at the Islamic Center of Irving. He believes
it's time to get out of the mosque and into the community.
"We have to be a little more outgoing," he says. "We're
not a threat to people in society. We are positive
contributors."
Concerned about how Muslims are perceived, the center is reaching out. In
the past year, fueled in part by their new mosque, members are raising
their voices and playing a more prominent role in city affairs.
Worshippers were active last year in opposing and defeating an election
that would have allowed beer and wine sales in Irving stores. The center
invited political candidates to mingle with worshippers last spring. And
members are meeting residents, city officials and community
leaders.
By interacting with neighbors, the center hopes to dispel myths, said
Jason Black, an Islamic Center leader. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS DISCOURAGE VIOLENCE -
TOP
Robert Redding Jr., Washington Times, 07/23/05
http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20050722-112719-3561r.htm
The organizer of a regional, midday-prayer service yesterday for Muslims
hopes that the event encourages participants, especially youths, to
engage in "productive, meaningful programs to eliminate
hatred."
"We must get to our youth before someone else does," said Imam
Mohammed Magid, executive director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society
Center in Sterling, Va. "We must respond to their needs and their
questions so that we don't leave room for individuals with false and
dangerous ideologies to lead them astray."
The gathering of about 300 Muslims at the center in Sterling follows
terrorist bombings in London this month. Muslims claiming to be working
with the al Qaeda terrorist network have taken credit for the July 7 and
July 21 attacks. At least 56 persons, including four suicide bombers,
were killed and over 700 injured on July 7. No casualties were reported
in the failed July 21 bombings.
"We would like to see this notion of suicide bombing stopped,
whether it takes place in Israel, Palestine, the Middle East or
Iraq," Mr. Magid said. "We would like to give the youth a
message of hope, a message of peace." (MORE)
-----
CHENEY'S PLAN: NUKE IRAN -
TOP
Justin Raimondo, Antiwar.com, 7/25/05
http://antiwar.com/justin/
A recent poll shows six in ten Americans think a new world war is coming:
the same poll says about 50 percent approve of the dropping of the atomic
bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World
War II. Somewhat inexplicably, about two-thirds say nuking those two
cities was "unavoidable." One can only wonder, then, what their
reaction will be to this ominous news, revealed in a recent issue of The
American Conservative by intelligence analyst Philip Giraldi:
"The Pentagon, acting under instructions from Vice President Dick
Cheney's office, has tasked the United States Strategic Command
(STRATCOM) with drawing up a contingency plan to be employed in response
to another 9/11-type terrorist attack on the United States. The plan
includes a large-scale air assault on Iran employing both conventional
and tactical nuclear weapons. Within Iran there are more than 450 major
strategic targets, including numerous suspected nuclear-weapons-program
development sites. Many of the targets are hardened or are deep
underground and could not be taken out by conventional weapons, hence the
nuclear option. As in the case of Iraq, the response is not conditional
on Iran actually being involved in the act of terrorism directed against
the United States. Several senior Air Force officers involved in the
planning are reportedly appalled at the implications of what they are
doing - that Iran is being set up for an unprovoked nuclear attack - but
no one is prepared to damage his career by posing any objections."
(MORE)
---
IRAQ: THIS IS NOW
AN UNWINNABLE CONFLICT -
TOP
The Independent, 7/24/05
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article301250.ece
The Duke of Wellington, warning hawkish politicians in Britain against
ill-considered military intervention abroad, once said: "Great
nations do not have small wars." He meant that supposedly limited
conflicts can inflict terrible damage on powerful states. Having seen
what a small war in Spain had done to Napoleon, he knew what he was
talking about.
The war in Iraq is now joining the Boer War in 1899 and the Suez crisis
in 1956 as ill-considered ventures that have done Britain more harm than
good. It has demonstrably strengthened al-Qa'ida by providing it with a
large pool of activists and sympathizers across the Muslim world it did
not possess before the invasion of 2003. The war, which started out as a
demonstration of US strength as the world's only superpower, has turned
into a demonstration of weakness. Its 135,000-strong army does not
control much of Iraq.
The suicide bombing campaign in Iraq is unique. Never before have so many
fanatical young Muslims been willing to kill themselves, trying to
destroy those whom they see as their enemies. On a single day in Baghdad
this month 12 bombers blew themselves up. There have been more than 500
suicide attacks in Iraq over the last year. (MORE)
---
'ENEMIES
OF HUMANITY' QUOTE RAISES IRAQ PR QUESTIONS -
TOP
CNN.com, 7/24/05
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/07/24/military.release/index.html
Following a car bombing in Baghdad on Sunday, the U.S. military issued a
statement with a quotation attributed to an unidentified Iraqi that was
virtually identical to a quote reacting to an attack on July
13.
After questioning by news media, the military released the statement
without the quotation.
Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, spokesman for the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry
Division, said use of the quote was an "administrative error."
He said the military was looking into the matter.
The car bomb killed 25 people and wounded 33 others near the al-Rashad
police station, Baghdad emergency police said. (MORE)
---
WAR ON TERROR
CAN'T BE WON BY STEEL ALONE -
TOP
Jay Bookman, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 07/25/05
http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/auto/epaper/editions/monday/opinion_244ee869f5aa327400e4.html
It's been almost four years since those airplanes crashed into the towers
of the World Trade Center, yanking us out of our blissful naiveté and
into the cold, hard reality we call the global war on terror.
At least, that's what we'd like to believe. We'd like to believe that
while we might have been caught napping, today we understand the stakes
and the problem and are fully committed to solving it. We've invaded two
countries, we've compromised our civil liberties, we've at least flirted
with torture, we've gotten tough with allies and enemies alike --- what
more could we possibly do to prove our new seriousness?
Well, I don't buy it. Personally, I think we've merely exchanged one form
of blissful naiveté for another. We still don't understand the true
nature of the threat against us, and we still don't have an effective
strategy for fighting it, and someday we're going to pay for that
failure. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLL: FEWER AMERICANS LINK ISLAM TO VIOLENCE
CAIR says Muslim anti-terror message is being
heard
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/26/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today welcomed the results of a new survey showing that
the public's concerns over recent terror bombings do not translate into
less favorable opinions of either American Muslims or Islam.
The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults by the Pew Research Center for the
People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
also indicates that the number of Americans who believe Islam is more
likely than other religions to encourage violence fell significantly to
36 percent from 44 percent two years ago. SEE:
http://pewforum.org/docs/index.php?DocID=89
According to the survey, which was conducted between the day of the first
terrorist attacks in London and July 17, a majority of Americans (55
percent) say they have a favorable opinion of American Muslims. That
figure is significantly higher than the 45 percent holding favorable
views in March 2001, prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"The results of this survey may be an indication that, while more
work needs to be done, the American Muslim community's anti-terror
message is finally being heard," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad
Awad. "Ordinary Americans seem to understand that Islam, like
Christianity, should not be defined by the acts of a tiny minority of
extremists." He said that Muslims are increasingly becoming part of
the fabric of American society, despite the rise in Islamophobic
rhetoric.
Awad added that CAIR recently released a nationwide television public
service announcement (PSA), called "Not in the Name of Islam,"
designed to highlight the Muslim community's condemnation of terrorism
and rejection of those who carry out terror attacks. Almost two million
people have already viewed the PSA. (To view the PSA online, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
)
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/26/05
*
HADITH:
Love One
Another
*
CAIR-CT:
Muslims on
Record Condemning Terror
*
CAIR-LA:
Report
to Show Jump in Anti-Muslim Incidents
-
NJ:
Bias
Feared in Islamic Center Blaze (Herald News)
-
CA:
Muslim
Name a Basis for Bias (Recorder)
-
Airline Passengers 'Uneasy' With
Pakistanis (ABC 7)
-
NY Mayor Apologizes For Bus
Raid (BBC)
-
Arab-American
Written Out of Wrestling (Free Press)
*
CAIR-DC:
'Hate-Filled'
Comments by DC Radio Host (Wash Post)
-
ACTION:
Contact WMAL's
Advertisers
*
ACLU
Sues N.C. to Allow Quran for Oaths (AP)
*
CO:
'Tancredo Does Not
Speak For Me' (Denver Post)
-
CO:
Resign
From Congress? (RM News)
-
CO:
Preventing Wars,
the Tancredo Way (Denver Post)
-
CO:
Tancredo
Just Playing to Faithful (RM News)
*
Latino Muslims
Growing in Number (VOA)
*
IL:
Imam W. Deen
Mohammed Calls for Unity (Chicago Trib)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: LOVE
ONE ANOTHER -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "You will not believe
as long as you do not love one another."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 19
"It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and
those whom you (now) hold as enemies."
The Holy Quran, 60:7
-----
CAIR-CT:
MUSLIMS ON RECORD AS CONDEMNING TERRORISM -
TOP
Sarah Azis, The Day, 7/26/2005
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=44FB1DBD-BEE7-4BA2-A544-7D180591CD8E
Letters to the Editor:
Regarding The Day's editorial titled, "Muslims must speak out,"
published July 20, you fail to recognize that Muslims worldwide have
condemned the London attacks. This has not just included the Muslim
laity, who has always condemned such attacks, but also the Islamic
religious establishment.
Recently, Britain's largest Muslim group issued a fatwa condemning the
London attacks.
In fact, just hours after the attack, the Connecticut chapter of the
Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), sent The Day a news
release condemning the attack. However, your paper did not publish it.
It's unfortunate that the media consistently fails to report Muslim
condemnations of these horrific atrocities, further polarizing the Muslim
and non-Muslim communities and thus handing a victory to those that wish
to divide us.
Sarah Aziz is the director of media relations for CAIR-CT.
-----
CAIR-LA:
REPORT TO SHOW SHARP JUMP IN ANTI-MUSLIM INCIDENTS -
TOP
WHAT: On Wednesday, July 27, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations - Southern California (CAIR-LA) will hold a news conference at
its office in Anaheim to release its 2nd annual report on discrimination
against the California Muslim community, titled "The Status of
Muslim Civil Rights in California 2005." The report will show a
significant increase in the reported discrimination complaints during
2004.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Council on American-Islamic Relations - Southern California
(CAIR-LA), 2180 W. Crescent Ave. Suite F, Anaheim, CA 92801
According to the report, at least some of the sharp rise in the reported
incidents is due to the ongoing and lingering atmosphere of fear since
the 9/11 attacks against American Muslims, Arabs and South
Asians.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, began documenting
anti-Muslim incidents following the 1995 attack on the Murrah Federal
Building in Oklahoma City .
CAIR has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision
Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Sabiha Khan, 714-776-1847 or 714-390-0334, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
HISTORIC
BUILDING WAS OWNED BY COUNTY ISLAMIC CENTER -
TOP
MAYA KREMEN, HERALD NEWS, 7/26/05
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzNTcmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY3MzIyMjEmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz
PATERSON - Fire officials on Monday started demolishing a historic
building destroyed by a Sunday fire to aid them in an arson
investigation.
The building, at West Railway and Genessee avenues, was owned by the
Islamic Center of Passaic County, and mosque leaders worried that it
might be a bias attack. But authorities said on Monday that it was still
too early to determine the cause of the fire.
Arson investigators from the city Fire Department and the county
Prosecutor's Office weren't able to venture very far into the building
because of the precariousness of the structure, according to Passaic
County Prosecutor James Avigliano.
"We haven't ruled out anything," Avigliano said. "There's
nothing to indicate at this point in time how this fire started. If it's
an accidental fire, there's no bias."
The fire started late Sunday afternoon and ripped through the three-story
building's wooden rafters and floors. Within the first hour, the building
partially collapsed onto itself. The blaze was mostly extinguished by
Sunday evening, but on Monday afternoon, firefighters were still wetting
down hot spots. All that was left were charred beams and a few sections
of wall sticking up from a pile of bricks.
The mosque bought the property, a 110-year-old former lighting factory,
for nearly $1.2 million in 2003. It was planning to use it for a
community center, with a pre-school, after-school programs and a food
market. The mosque hadn't purchased fire insurance, because it wasn't
sure whether the building would be demolished or salvaged, said Nabil
Abbassi, head of the Islamic Center's development committee, and a former
mosque president. Mosque officials had been waiting to hear from the
city's Historic Preservation Commission about whether the building had to
be preserved.
On Monday morning, Abbassi stood in front of the charred remains of the
building. He glanced at the pile of bricks, then looked away.
"I'm very sad - sad only because if it was arson in any way, it's
not good," he said. "If it's an act of God, though, we take it
in stride."
Mosque leaders increased security at the Islamic Center on Sunday night
after news of the fire. Men stood guard outside the doors, and will
continue to do so during busy prayer sessions, said Abbassi.
Leaders of the mosque were already on high alert before the fire. Reports
of hate crimes against Muslims have increased nationwide in the last few
years, according to the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group CAIR, the
Council of American Islamic Relations. The number of New Jersey incidents
reported to CAIR climbed from one in 2002 to seven in 2004.
(MORE)
---
WHAT'S
IN A NAME? A BASIS FOR DISCRIMINATION, SAYS 9TH CIRCUIT -
TOP
Justin Scheck, Recorder, 7/26/05
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1122294926971
"A good name," wrote Cervantes, "is better than
riches."
Mamdouh El-Hakem would agree. After spending years fighting a former
employer who thought his name wasn't good enough, El-Hakem was vindicated
by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week with a modest amount
of money -- and an opinion that reaffirms the value of his
name.
In a ruling that bolsters plaintiff arguments that discrimination can
take many forms, the 9th Circuit said that Gregg Young, the CEO of BJY
Inc. should not have insisted on calling El-Hakem "Manny." Or,
for that matter, "Hank."
"Young intended to discriminate against El-Hakem's Arabic name in
favor of a non-Arabic name," Judge Johnnie Rawlinson wrote for a
three-judge panel, "first by altering Mamdouh to 'Manny' and then by
changing Hakem to 'Hank.'"
The ruling is the latest to reinforce the view that a wide range of
behavior can create a hostile work environment, along with liability for
employers who allow harassment.
"It's a broadening of the application of pre-existing law,"
said Barbara Lawless, a partner with the plaintiff firm Lawless &
Lawless. "Definitely, there's a trend of applying the law more
liberally."
The trend, she said, was also clear in last week's California Supreme
Court decision that sexual favoritism was a form of workplace
discrimination. That ruling came in a case that Lawless brought in the
trial court.
Employment defense lawyers agreed with Lawless -- and with the court --
that imposing a name change amounted to discrimination, even if racial or
ethnic epithets were never used.
"It's a message to employers that these kinds of actions, which may
seem insignificant or trivial to some people, will lead to
liability," said Richard Curiale, a partner at Curiale Dellaverson
Hirschfeld & Kraemer who represents employers. (MORE)
---
LAX TO LONDON PLANE DIVERTED -
TOP
Kathy Vara, ABC 7, 7/25/05
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/072605_nw_plane_diverted.html
LOS ANGELES - Three Pakistani businessmen -- passengers on a flight from
Los Angeles to London -- have been checked out and cleared to
travel.
United Airlines Flight 934 made an unscheduled landing today in Boston,
because other passengers complained the three men were acting
suspiciously. The flight was diverted to Logan International Airport,
where the men were questioned and then released. They said they were
traveling for business.
An FBI spokeswoman says passengers were uneasy because the men were
walking back and forth between first class and coach. It turns out their
pacing was because they'd been seated in different sections.
Massachusetts State Police say the plane was also searched and nothing
suspicious was found. It was cleared to continue on to
Heathrow.
---
NY MAYOR APOLOGISES FOR
BUS RAID -
TOP
Laura Trevelyan, BBC News, 7/25/05
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4718793.stm
The mayor of New York has apologised to five British tourists who were
removed from a bus by police and forced to kneel on the
pavement.
Michael Bloomberg said the men represented no threat
whatsoever.
The men, who are all members of the Sikh religion, were on a tourist bus
on Sunday when a worker became suspicious.
Security in the city has been increased since the London bombings and
residents have been urged to report anything out of the ordinary to the
police.
'No hard feelings'
The double decker bus was evacuated in Sunday's incident.
Armed police handcuffed the men with their arms behind their backs and
ordered them to kneel on the pavement by Times Square.
However, the police later decided they represented no threat and released
them.
Mayor Bloomberg warned the police to use common sense and avoid
pigeon-holing people such as South Asian-looking Britons.
However, the mayor defended the police's show of force, saying they did
not have any option based on what the bus tour operator had reported to
them.
One of the five men from Birmingham told the New York Daily News there
were no hard feelings. He said the incident had not ruined the men's
trip.
---
MAJOR WRESTLING
SHOW RUBS TERROR WOUNDS RAW -
TOP
DETROIT CHARACTER A VILLAIN TO MANY - TOP
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 7/26/05
http://www.freep.com/news/metro/wrestle26e_20050726.htm
He is an Arab American born and raised in Detroit.
But after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Muhammad Hassan was treated
like an outsider: profiled at airports, ethnically insulted and shunned
by a cold America. And so he transformed into a raging fiend bent on
revenge.
That story -- complete fiction -- is the basis of a controversial
pro-wrestling character watched by millions across the country over the
past several months. Scowling, he enters arenas with an Arab headdress to
the thump of Middle Eastern music and cries of "Allah Akhbar,"
the Arabic phrase for "God is great." Despite the baying
crowds, he usually wins.
But late Sunday night, Hassan was beaten bloody in a match that may be
his last. After protests from viewers, TV stations and Arab-American
groups, Hassan's character has been written out of the fantasy world of
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS
CALL COMMENTS BY WMAL HOST 'HATE-FILLED' -
TOP
Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 07/26/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501649.html
A local radio talk show host touched off complaints from an Islamic civil
rights organization yesterday after repeatedly describing Islam on the
air as "a terrorist organization" that is "at war with
America."
The organization, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR), asked the station to take disciplinary action against
Michael Graham, who hosts WMAL-AM's late-morning call-in program &
CAIR denounced the comments yesterday as "hate-filled" and
"Islamophobic" and asked its members to contact the station's
advertisers to express their dismay.
"It's amazing," said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's communications
director. "I talked with Mr. Bloomquist and asked him if he would
reprimand someone who used the n-word on the air. He said yes. I asked
him if he would reprimand someone who read [approvingly] from the
[anti-Semitic] 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion.' He said yes. So I asked
him if he would do the same if someone had called Islam a terroristic
organization. Well, he said, it's all about context, but he never quite
explained it to me."
Added Hooper, "The First Amendment allows people to be idiots and
bigots. All you can do is embarrass people and have them defend their
reputation. If WMAL doesn't feel embarrassed and doesn't want to defend
its reputation in the face of anti-Muslim bigotry, then there's not much
we can do about it." (MORE)
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
(As always, please be POLITE.) -
TOP
1. CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham be reprimanded for his
anti-Islam statements.
CONTACT:
Mr. Randall Bloomquist
Program Director
WMAL
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100
Direct: 202-895-2327
To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free
888-630-WMAL
E-Mail:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
2. CONTACT WMAL's advertisers to express your concerns about their
support for a station that promotes anti-Muslim bigotry.
E-MAIL: testad@tcicomm.com, routhierd@tcicomm.com, tcimail@tcicomm.com,
sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com, mandelle@pepperlaw.com,
bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com, jcreech@melwood.com, fedgov@1igsi.com,
info@fairoakschurch.org, admissions@regent.edu,
emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu, combsa@fmmc.army.mil,
redelman@ricedelman.com, rmalone@fbw.com, cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com,
trock@erols.com, crricchi@aol.com, chef47@msn.com, fodebbie@aol.com,
midatlantic@basements.com, Roofdog@aol.com, sales@solatubeskylight.com,
sales@sjroof.com, info@heartcheck.com, tony1winkler@yahoo.com,
pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com, sfrazier@bgf.org, bill@1031.us,
StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com, info@annhand.com,
cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com, pottenritter@jordankitts.com,
jmack@gutterhelmetsystems.com, vabeach@procraftcoatings.com,
info@thompsoncreek.com, smiles@bethesdasedationdentistry.com,
info@theeyecenter.com, jay@rosenbergmedia.com, customerservice@tni.com,
info@tonyandjoes.com, pr@1800gotjunk.com, gloriag@manorworks.com,
fodebbie@aol.com, suggestions@merrifieldgardencenter.com,
schapman@offenbachers.com, info@regionalpestmanagement.com,
info@cabinetdiscounters.com, info@getstyle.com,
etessel@croppmetcalfe.com, out2dry@nomorewater.com,
jwingert@alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com, mcarroll@brownscar.com,
ernie@smithgifford.com, ehill@cherner.com, gsm@cowlesford.com,
jeffdoughty@moorecadillac.com, elliot@roiadvertising.com,
wanda@radialtire.com
-----
ACLU
SUES N.C. TO ALLOW VARIOUS RELIGIOUS TEXTS FOR OATHS -
TOP
Emery P. Dalesio, Associated Press, 7/25/05
http://newsobserver.com/news/ncwire_news/story/2628558p-9065090c.html
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The religious texts of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and
faiths other than Christianity should be allowed in North Carolina courts
for oaths promising truthful testimony, the ACLU argued in a lawsuit
filed against the state Tuesday.
State law allows witnesses preparing to testify in court to take their
oath either by laying a hand over a "Holy Scripture," by saying
"so help me God" without the use of a religious book or by
using no religious symbols.
"We hope that the court will issue a ruling that the phrase
"holy scripture" includes the Quran, Old Testament, and
Bhagavad-Gita in addition to the Christian Bible," said Jennifer
Rudinger, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of
North Carolina.
A spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office, which represents
the state in lawsuits, did not immediately return a call seeking
comment.
The ACLU last month called on the state Administrative Office of the
Courts to adopt a policy allowing use of the Quran and other religious
texts in North Carolina courtrooms. The request came after the two top
judges in Guilford County decided that Muslims could not legally take an
oath on the Quran.
AOC director Ralph Walker replied in a letter July 14 that his office
would not sanction use of religious texts other than the Bible until the
General Assembly or the courts settled the matter.
The language of the state's law on court oaths is already broad enough to
include other religious texts, so the Legislature need not clarify it,
Rudinger said.
"The lawsuit is seeking a declaration by the court that this is what
Holy Scripture means in the law," she said.
The issue surfaced after Muslims from the Al-Ummil Ummat Islamic Center
in Greensboro tried to donate copies of the Quran to Guilford County's
two courthouses last month.
Guilford Senior Resident Superior Court Judge W. Douglas Albright and
Guilford Chief District Court Judge Joseph E. Turner decided not to
accept the texts for courtroom use.
Both said an oath on the Quran is not a legal oath under state law, which
refers to someone laying his hands on the "Holy Scriptures."
The two judges interpreted that to mean the Christian Bible.
In response, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations
asked for a statewide policy allowing oaths to be taken using the Quran.
(MORE)
-----
"TANCREDO
DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ME" -
TOP
Elizabeth Aguilera, Denver Post, 07/26/05
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2890395
Garrett Weekly brought his children to the state Capitol on Monday to
protest U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, saying the Colorado congressman crossed
the line with his recent remarks about bombing Islamic holy
sites.
"He is wrong for Colorado. Colorado is the most racially mixed
state," said Weekly, 35, a social-studies teacher in Cherry Creek
Schools. "I learned at an early age that people are based on
character and not on looks."
The rally attracted more than 150 people.
Protesters said Tancredo's fierce anti-illegal-immigration stance already
has foes accusing him of racism, and his recent bombing remarks added
fuel to the fire. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
RESIGN FROM
CONGRESS? TANCREDO'S NOT BUYING -
TOP
David Montero, Rocky Mountain News, 7/26/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3953519,00.html
Steve Nash wants U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo to resign from office, but he
admitted he isn't prone to fantasy, either.
Tapping the back of a poster that read "Tom Tancredo Needs a Time
Out" at a rally against the congressman Monday afternoon, he
extolled the thickness of his homemade placard.
"We tried to make the sign out of heavy-duty stuff because we figure
he will be around for quite some time," Nash said. "A man who
would say it's a good idea to bomb holy sites isn't likely to step down
anytime soon."
Quite right, Tancredo spokesman Will Adams said. (MORE)
---
PREVENTING WARS, THE
TANCREDO WAY -
TOP
Ed Quillen, Denver Post, 7/26/05
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_2889836
Tom Tancredo, a Republican who represents Colorado's 6th Congressional
District in the U.S. House, markedly improved his national name
recognition recently. That's important because Tancredo might run for
president in 2008, and before his remarks on a Florida talk-radio
program, he was getting about as much traction as an empty
two-wheel-drive pickup with bald tires on Floyd Hill after a February
blizzard.
Not that he hasn't tried. Twice already this year, he has visited New
Hampshire, site of America's first presidential primary. He railed
against illegal immigrants, telling his audience that "They need to
be found before it is too late. They're coming here to kill you, and you,
and me, and my grandchildren."
He has scheduled a trip to a Super Tuesday primary state, South Carolina,
for an Aug. 2 speech. He appeared in Iowa, home of the first presidential
caucus, earlier this month. And for all of his time away from his
$158,100-a-year day job of representing Coloradans, he wasn't even a blip
on the national radar.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. That may explain his
statements while conversing with radio talk-show host Pat Campbell in
Florida on July 15. Tancredo theorized that illegal immigrants could
smuggle in a nuclear weapon, then detonate it in an American city.
Campbell asked Tancredo how the United States should respond.
"You could say something like, 'If this happens in the United States
and we determine that it is the result of extremist, fundamentalist
Muslims,' you could take out their holy sites." (MORE)
---
TANCREDO JUST
PLAYING TO HIS FAITHFUL FANS -
TOP
Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News, 7/26/05
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_3954064,00.html
Tom Tancredo is not a serious person.
And yet, there are many people who take him seriously. You can see them
scribbling those campaign checks every time Tancredo's lips
move.
Let's call it the Tancredo Paradox.
He has a serious job. He discusses serious issues.
But, in fact, he is about as serious as a carnival barker.
(MORE)
-----
LATINO MUSLIMS
GROWING IN NUMBER IN THE US -
TOP
Greg Flakus, Voice of America, 7/13/05
http://author.voanews.com/english/2005-07-13-voa49.cfm
Over the Fourth of July weekend, several hundred American Muslims came
together in Dallas, Texas for the south-central regional conference of
the Islamic Society of North America. Among them were many
Spanish-speaking people who have embraced Islam.
Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States and
Latinos represent one of the fastest-growing minorities. Increasingly,
the two trends are meeting in the form of Hispanic converts to
Islam.
San Antonio native Juan Galvan says the transition to Islam is made easy
for many Hispanics because of historic and cultural traditions dating
back to the time when Muslims ruled much of Spain.
"Islam was in Spain for over 700 years. Spanish, as we speak it
today, has been highly influenced. There are over a thousand words which
have Arabic roots," says Mr. Galvan. "Muslims and Latinos have
a lot of similarities. Both appreciate family, both appreciate religion
and I think that is one of the reasons that a lot of Latinos are coming
to Islam." (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
MUSLIM LEADER, GEORGE
CALL FOR UNITY -
TOP
Margaret Ramirez and Manya A. Brachear, Chicago Tribune, 07/26/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0507260241jul26,1,7243393.story
Cardinal Francis George and Imam W. Deen Mohammed called on Catholics and
Muslims in Chicago to unite for the common causes of ending racism and
strengthening families.
On Monday, nearly 600 invited guests from the Roman Catholic and Muslim
communities gathered in the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Auditorium,
adjacent to Holy Name Cathedral, to witness a conversation between the
two leaders about the impact of their respective faiths on the common
good.
George challenged the audience to befriend their Catholic and Muslim
neighbors and become a catalyst for positive change.
"If we don't know someone personally, we can easily stereotype a
whole class of people," George said. "When we get to know each
other by creating neighborhoods, diverse in many ways--economically,
racially, culturally--then it is less easy to put people into
boxes." (MORE)
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
U.S. MUSLIM RELIGIOUS COUNCIL TO ISSUE FATWA AGAINST TERROR
CAIR to release English, Arabic, Urdu radio versions of
anti-terror PSA
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/27/05) - On Thursday, July 28, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference at the
National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to release a fatwa (Islamic
religious ruling) against terrorism and extremism. The fatwa is being
issued by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and endorsed by major
U.S. Muslim groups.
Representatives of the Fiqh Council, an association of Islamic legal
scholars that interprets Muslim religious law, and leaders of several
leading American Muslim organizations will take part in the news
conference. (The term "fiqh" refers to Islamic
jurisprudence.)
WHAT: Release of Fatwa Against Terror and Extremism/Release of
CAIR Radio Anti-Terror PSA
WHEN: Thursday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club (13th Floor), Murrow Room, 529 14th
Street NW, Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787
or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
At Thursday's news conference, CAIR will also release radio versions of
its 30-second "Not in the Name of Islam" television public
service announcement (PSA) in English, Arabic and Urdu. The PSA campaign
ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition
drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts
of a few Muslims. To view the television PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET, receive news
releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on
issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS -
7/27/05
*
HADITH:
The Just will be
Near God
*
CAIR-FL:
Homeowner
Removes Quran 'Flushing' Display
-
FL:
Anti-Muslim
Sign at Church Causes Debate
*
CAIR:
Muslims Did Condemn
9/11 Attacks (Newsweek)
-
CAIR Rep on ABC's
'Nightline'
*
CAIR-CT:
Constant
Watch for Muslim Rights (Bay)
-
CAIR-CT:
On Guard
Against Prejudice (Bay)
*
DC:
Radio
Host Calls Islam 'Terror Organization'
-
ACTION:
Contact WMAL's
Advertisers
*
CO:
Tom Tancredo as the
Fonz (Denver Post)
-
CO:
Calling All Moderates
(Rocky Mountain News)
-
OR:
'Jihad' Reference Prompts Complaint
-
KS:
Religious Rally Around Muslims (Wichita Eagle)
*
U.K. Blasts Didn't Boost Anti-Muslim Views (Star-Ledger)
*
TX:
Muslim Sues Bexar, Guards Over Detainment
*
NY:
Profile of Muslim Woman - Debbie Almontaser
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE JUST WILL BE NEAR GOD -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Dispensers of justice will be seated on pulpits of light beside God."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 844
VERSE OF THE DAY: SPEAK FOR JUSTICE
"Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant."
The Holy Quran, 7:199
-----
GOOD NEWS: FL HOMEOWNER REMOVES QURAN 'FLUSHING' DISPLAY -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/27/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) said today that one of its representatives helped
convince a Florida man to remove a toilet in his yard with a sign
attached that read: "Koran flush 1 p.m." SEE:
http://www.cairfl.org/images/flush02.JPG
The owner of the toilet said it was designed to honor those who died in
the 9/11 attacks and in Iraq. It was also retribution, he said, for
what he believed to be a failure of Muslims to object to the terrorism
of extremists.
SEE: "Now Toilet Makes a Statement"
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/27/Neighborhoodtimes/Cited_by_Pinellas_Par.shtml
After CAIR-FL Central Florida Director Ahmed Bedier learned of
complaints about the display, he went to the home to take a picture.
When he noticed that the owner was home, he knocked on the door to
inquire about the motivation for the display.
Bedier, who happened to have his laptop computer with him, showed the
homeowner some of the Muslim condemnations of terrorism and CAIR's "Not
in the Name of Islam" public service announcement. After about an hour
of discussion, the homeowner offered to take down the toilet display.
SEE:
http://www.cairfl.org/images/flush03.JPG
http://www.cairfl.org/images/flush05.JPG
"This incident proves that anti-Muslim prejudice decreases whenever
ordinary people are given accurate information about Islam and have
personal interactions with Muslims," said CAIR Communications Director
Ibrahim Hooper. Hooper thanked the homeowner for his willingness change
his preconceived ideas about Islam and Muslims.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506,
abedier@cair-florida.org; Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214,
altaf@cair-florida.org
SEE ALSO:
SIGN OUTSIDE OF MANDARIN CHURCH CAUSING DEBATE -
TOP
WTEV.com, 7/26/05
http://www.wtev.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=62B9A952-9B9F-46F3-A309-1341BF7C50D1
A sign outside of a Mandarin church is causing some commotion within
the religious community. The sign reads, "Islam is evil and believes in
murder. Jesus believes in peace."
The man behind the sign, Dr. Gene Youngblood, says the message comes
straight from the pages of the Koran. But Muslim leaders disagree.
Youngblood has harsh words for the religion.
"If there's any religion on the globe that's evil, it's Islam," he
says. "If you're not a Muslim, you're an infidel. Muhammed mandates
that all infidels be put to death."
Muhummad Zaid Malik is a religious leader at the local Islamic Center,
and says that Dr. Youngblood is taking the words out of context. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: RESPONDING WITH STOICISM AND RESOLVE -
TOP
Parvez Ahmed, Newsweek, 8/1/05
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8681529/site/newsweek/
Fareed Zakaria writes that after 9/11, "it was sad and disturbing that
Muslims were reluctant to condemn the attacks." Muslims did so in
unequivocal terms. Within hours of the attacks the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, America's largest Muslim civil liberties
and advocacy group, along with most other major American Muslim groups,
released a statement that read, in part, "American Muslims utterly
condemn the vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent
civilians. We join. . .in calling for the swift apprehension and
punishment of the perpetrators." We followed this with a full-page ad
in The Washington Post. After the London blasts, we released a TV
public-service announcement with Arabic and Urdu subtitles that in part
read, "As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts
of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the
Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. We. . .will not allow our faith to be
hijacked by criminals." Why have such condemnations not stemmed the
tide of terrorism being committed in the name of our faith? A partial
answer is found in Zakaria's column as he remarks, "such condemnations.
. .will not solve the problem."
Parvez Ahmed is Chairman of the Board for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Washington, D.C.
SEE ALOS:
CAIR REP ON ABC'S 'NIGHTLINE' -
TOP
ABC Nightline, 7/25/05
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/
HEADLINE: TERROR TIES - WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ISLAM?
CHRIS CUOMO, ABC NEWS
Police in London made two more arrests in the probe of the botched
bombings there and released new images of the suspects still at large.
Police also say they found a fifth bomb device in a west London park.
In Egypt, the death toll now stands as high as 88. Police surrounded
two Bedouin villages near the resort that was attacked, searching for
suspects. You should know, it remains unclear if there is any
connection between Egypt and London at all.
CHRIS CUOMO
But this much is clear, the new global focus on terror is undeniable.
So, too, for many, is the role of Islam in the recent attacks. Is that
reasonable? Is it wrong? There are some very tough questions to ask
tonight. So, let's get right to it. I'm joined now by Irshad Manji, a
Canadian television host and author of "The Trouble With Islam," a
Muslim's call to reform her faith. And Nihad Awad, executive direct of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The motivations of recent
terrorists are unclear. One thing that is clear is that these men have
all been Muslims. Irshad, is it time that we start taking a look at the
faith, at the religion of Islam, for an answer to whether or not it is
breeding terror?
IRSHAD MANJI, JOURNALIST / AUTHOR
Oh, I certainly believe so, Chris. But, you know, in your opening
set-up there, you suggested that -the role of Islam is undeniable.
Quite the opposite. In Britain itself, the Muslim council of Britain is
saying flat out that religion plays absolutely no part in these
bombings. They're pointing to factors like alienation and segregation.
And I'm saying, look, even if those factors play a role, and clearly
they do, how can you be so sure that Islam itself is an innocent
bystander in all of this? Indeed, the British Muslim Council is steeped
in its own denial.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) So, what do you propose? If you agree that it is
undeniable that there is a relationship between the religion and the
acts of those who believe in it, what do you propose?
IRSHAD MANJI
I'm proposing, first of all, that mainstream Muslim leaders own up to
the verses in the Koran that could conceivably be perverted and twisted
in order to support this kind of violence. And I know that many
moderate Muslims argue that there are no such verses in the Koran. That
is simply not true. I have pointed out in many of my own writings that
such verses exist. But here's why it's so important to own up to them,
Chris. It's that, unless we do, we are telling the rest of the world
that we have something to hide. And that means that we're not building
trust. And until we build trust with the wider communities in the West,
we are never going to be able to garner the support to actually
implement the kind of reforms that mainstream Muslim leaders want.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) Mr. Awad, how does that sound to you? The proposal that
you need to somehow change the perception of your religion? That
moderate Muslims need to come out and say what that means. Is that what
the US should be espousing, some type of idea that we need to change
the way Muslims see themselves?
NIHAD AWAD,
COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS
First of all, if you would like to examine Islam, you have to look at
1,400 years of prosperity, civilization, tranquility, and peace and
development. But I think to suggest that Islam is the problem, I think
this is a, an unfair approach to a worldwide religion, adhered to by
1.2 billion people, living in peace from Morocco to Malaysia. What I
agree with is, yes, we have to look deeper into the issues. Nobody can
cite a single verse from the Koran, or the - which is the tuition of
the prophet, to justify the killings of innocent people. This is
criminal behavior, criminal attacks, and they have been condemned.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) Yes - go ahead, Irshad.
IRSHAD MANJI
But, Chris, with respect -with respect, this is exactly the sort of
denial that I'm referring to. Mr. Awad says that there is simply no
verse in the Koran that could even be manipulated to support these
kinds of bombings. That is not true. There is a verse, for example,
that says that whoever kills a human being, except as punishment for
murder or other villainy in the land, shall be regarded as having
killed all mankind. That clause, beginning with the word except, is
conveniently sanitized, erased out of the Koran by moderate Muslim
leaders. But in fact, it is a loophole that is used consistently by
those who wish to justify their violence on the basis of the Koran. I'm
simply saying, Mr. Awad, that we can no longer deny this, that we have
to confess this. Indeed, I'm asking us, as Muslims, to do what moderate
Jews and moderate Christians are already doing about their holy books,
which is admit what one Episcopalian bishop in the US calls "the sins
of scripture." This is about trust-building and it's about being honest.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) But let me ask you this, in the vain of being honest,
Irshad, you're saying as with all of the big three religions, you can
look at things that are in the Bible, in the Torah, that can be taken
out of context. Certainly the same thing would be with the Koran.
However, is that really something that the US or the West in general,
wants to be in the business of proposing? That Muslims needs to go back
and critique their own religion? Won't that just engender more
animosity than we have already? Is that really a solution?
IRSHAD MANJI
Well, I think one of the solutions is for self-defined moderate Muslims
to be challenging other moderate Muslims to be doing that. Exactly what
I'm doing on this show with Mr. Awad. And this is why my challenge goes
out to you, sir. Do you at least admit that such verses exist in the
Koran?
NIHAD AWAD
I believe that Ms. Manji is trying just to exploit misunderstanding of
this verse in the Koran. Anybody can misquote the Bible, the Torah, the
Koran. And this very specific verse that she's citing, apparently she
does no understand it herself, because in it, nobody has the authority
to take the innocent life, except government for justifiable, you know,
cause. And I think that verse has been cited by mainstream Muslims
worldwide. And that's the basis for them to condemn innocent -the
taking of innocent lives.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) Mr. Awad, leaving the scholarship to the side for a
moment, is it true that you believe this is an unfair criticism of just
Muslims and their clerics, that you believe the same scrutiny should be
applied to Christianity and to see whether or not they speak out when
there are atrocities committed in the name of their religion?
NIHAD AWAD
You know, let me just cite you an example. Just a few days ago in the
news, Eric Rudolph, you know, an abortion clinic bomber who in his
testimony used Christianity and Christian text, you know, as a
religion, as a political dimension in his work. But we have not seen
-clergy or Christian leaders need to come out to condemn him as a
Christian terrorist. You know, or they did not have to say that
Christianity stands apart from what he did. Why? Because the general
public understands the teachings of Christianity stands away and alone
and apart from what Eric Rudolph and many others have done. Now, that
-understanding, unfortunately, has not been granted to Islam and
Muslims. Mainstream Muslims worldwide in their societies, do not also
have to come out everyday to condemn the suicide bombing in Iraq, here
and there. Because they understand that the teaching of Islam do not
condone such criminal behavior.
CHRIS CUOMO
(Off Camera) I appreciate very much the points and perspectives from
both of you. Miss Manji, Mr. Awad, thank you very much for joining us
on "Nightline."
-----
CAIR-CT: COUNCIL ON CONSTANT WATCH FOR MUSLIM RIGHTS -
TOP
Bethe Dufresne, The Day, 7/27/05
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=927A4DF1-FC2E-4108-BFFF-A58C8DC5037F
Like most special interest groups, CAIR routinely compiles pertinent
news items from around the world, e-mailing them to subscribers.
Frequent topics are a Muslim woman's right to wear the hijab, or head
scarf, in public life; time and space to pray at work or at school;
accommodating Muslim holidays; and opposition to the Iraq war, Israeli
settlements in Palestinian territory, and parts of the Patriot Act.
Lately CAIR has followed a court controversy in North Carolina, where
Muslims have refused to swear an oath on the Bible, seeking to replace
it with the Quran. CAIR offers free Qurans to those in need, reporting
that 16,000 have been distributed so far.
The organization also keeps tabs on images of Muslims in the culture,
criticizing a terrorist character in Fox TV's "24," and lauding the
movie portrayal of 12th-century Muslim general Saladin in "The Kingdom
of Heaven."
CAIR also liked a recent segment of Morgan Spurlock's reality TV show,
"30 Days," in which a Christian insurance salesman lived for a month
with a Muslim family, observing all their customs, food and dress - and
fending off the same suspicions. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-CT: ON GUARD AGAINST PREJUDICE -
TOP
Bethe Dufresne, The Day, 7/27/05
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=4FE0BD92-0EA5-4FF4-AABC-256313A4D181
Norwich -- As America and its allies seek protection from terrorists
claiming to act in the name of Islam, Hamza Ismail Joel Collins has the
unenviable job of protecting fellow Muslims from stereotyping and
discrimination.
The 50-year-old New York native thought hard before accepting the title
of civil rights director for the only New England branch of the
nation's leading Islamic civil rights organization, the Council for
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
"I told my wife it's going to be a lot of work," he said in an interview at his home in Norwich earlier this month.
And on the morning of July 7, his job got tougher. Muslim suicide
bombers murdered 56 civilians in London. That afternoon the Connecticut
CAIR council joined branches nationwide in condemning the London
attacks as "barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused" and
calling for "swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."
(MORE)
-----
RADIO TALK SHOW HOST DRAWS IRE FOR CALLING ISLAM 'TERROR ORGANIZATION' -
TOP
Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Belief Net, 7/26/05
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/171/story_17168_1.html
A national Islamic civil liberties organization and a conservative
radio talk show host are squaring off over the host's on-air reference
to Islam as "a terrorist organization."
Michael Graham made his remarks on his Monday (July 25) show, which
airs on WMAL-AM in Washington, D.C. The problem is not extremism, the
problem is Islam," Graham said. "We are at war with a terrorist
organization named Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based
group, called on the station to reprimand Graham for the comments.
"Such hate-filled and inflammatory remarks only serve to encourage
those who would turn bigoted views into violent or discriminatory
actions against ordinary American Muslims," said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's
communications director, in a statement urging "people of conscience"
to contact the station and demand an apology or disciplinary action.
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be POLITE.) -
TOP
1. CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham be reprimanded for his anti-Islam statements.
CONTACT:
Mr. Randall Bloomquist
Program Director
WMAL
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100
Direct: 202-895-2327
To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL
E-Mail:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
2. CONTACT WMAL's advertisers to express your concerns about their support for a station that promotes anti-Muslim bigotry.
E-MAIL: testad@tcicomm.com, routhierd@tcicomm.com, tcimail@tcicomm.com,
sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com, mandelle@pepperlaw.com,
bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com, jcreech@melwood.com, fedgov@1igsi.com,
info@fairoakschurch.org, admissions@regent.edu,
emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu, combsa@fmmc.army.mil,
redelman@ricedelman.com, rmalone@fbw.com, cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com,
trock@erols.com, crricchi@aol.com, chef47@msn.com, fodebbie@aol.com,
midatlantic@basements.com, Roofdog@aol.com, sales@solatubeskylight.com,
sales@sjroof.com, info@heartcheck.com, tony1winkler@yahoo.com,
pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com, sfrazier@bgf.org, bill@1031.us,
StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com, info@annhand.com,
cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com, pottenritter@jordankitts.com,
jmack@gutterhelmetsystems.com, vabeach@procraftcoatings.com,
info@thompsoncreek.com, smiles@bethesdasedationdentistry.com,
info@theeyecenter.com, jay@rosenbergmedia.com, customerservice@tni.com,
info@tonyandjoes.com, pr@1800gotjunk.com, gloriag@manorworks.com,
fodebbie@aol.com, suggestions@merrifieldgardencenter.com,
schapman@offenbachers.com, info@regionalpestmanagement.com,
info@cabinetdiscounters.com, info@getstyle.com,
etessel@croppmetcalfe.com, out2dry@nomorewater.com,
jwingert@alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com, mcarroll@brownscar.com,
ernie@smithgifford.com, ehill@cherner.com, gsm@cowlesford.com,
jeffdoughty@moorecadillac.com, elliot@roiadvertising.com,
wanda@radialtire.com
-----
TOM TANCREDO AS THE FONZ -
TOP
Denver Post, 7/27/05
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_2892073
Like the Fonzie character on "Happy Days," U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo can't bring himself to say, "I was wrong."
Ten days after Tancredo suggested on a Florida talk radio show that
bombing Islamic holy sites might be considered if jihadists ever set
off nuclear weapons in U.S. cities, he's still defending his foolhardy
remark.
Tancredo delights in provocative statements, but raising the idea of an
attack on Mecca - a site sacred to 1.3 billion Muslims, one-fifth the
world's population - was positively Talibanesque.
He was wrong to make such a suggestion, and we'd like to see him use some of his media airtime to admit it. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CALLING ALL MODERATES -
TOP
Rocky Mountain News, 7/27/05
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_3956254,00.html
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo used the phrase " 'moderate' Muslims" three
times in his commentary in The Sunday Denver Post, each time with
"moderate" in quotation marks. He also referred to the " 'mainstream'
Muslim world" and " 'mainstream' Islam" - again, notice the skepticism
regarding "mainstream" - in defense of his suggestion that we consider
bombing Mecca in the event of a devastating terrorist attack in the
United States.
In short, Tancredo is one of those who believe we are at war with the
Islamic world, not with a radical segment of it. That's a serious
argument worth debating, but not in the context of bombing Mecca. (MORE)
---
"JIHAD" REFERENCE PROMPTS COMPLAINT -
TOP
Niki Sullivan, Seattle Times, 7/27/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002404398_jihad27m.html
SALEM, Ore. - A Portland Muslim leader is asking a pesticide-industry
lobbyist to retract a statement in which she warned that Senate
Democrats had declared "jihad" against Republicans over an
environmental dispute.
Shahriar Ahmed, president of the Bilal Mosque in Beaverton, said use of
the term in an e-mail dealing with a controversy over a pesticide-use
reporting program perpetuates negative stereotypes about Muslims.
"The term 'jihad' here was used intentionally to aggravate the situation," Ahmed said during a news conference yesterday.
The word has been used by Muslim extremists to describe holy war, but
Ahmed said mainstream Muslims use the Arabic word to describe a
person's internal struggle to do good. (MORE)
---
RELIGIOUS RALLY AROUND MUSLIMS -
TOP
Joe Rodriguez, The Wichita Eagle, 7/27/05
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/12232163.htm
More than 50 people of various faiths gathered Tuesday to condemn
recent anti-Muslim comments, calling them examples of hatred, racism
and a "festering problem."
Leaders of local interfaith and peace groups spoke out after learning
of remarks that were e-mailed to The Wichita Eagle earlier this month.
About a dozen e-mails were sent to the paper after a story was
published about the recent opening of a mosque in north Wichita. Eagle
columnist Mark McCormick wrote about the responses and used some of the
e-mails as examples.
Eleven people -- including interfaith leaders, a Christian pastor and
local Muslims -- spoke at the gathering at Inter-Faith Ministries, 829
N. Market.
They condemned the anti-Muslim comments, encouraged people to learn
more about Islam and reminded them not to let fear guide their actions
and words. (MORE)
-----
POLL: BRITISH BLASTS DIDN'T BOOST ANTI-MUSLIM VIEWS -
TOP
Jeff Diamant, Star Ledger, 7/26/05
http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1122442728258600.xml?starledger?ntop&coll=1
Though this month's London subway bombings raised fears in the United
States about more terrorist attacks here, they did not result in an
increase in anti-Muslim feelings among Americans, according to a poll
released yesterday.
A higher percentage of those polled reported favorable views of Muslims
than in the past and said they were less likely to believe Islam
encourages violence more than other religions do, the poll found.
The telephone poll of 2,000 adults was conducted by the Pew Forum on
Religion and Public Life from July 7to July 17, after the initial
bombings, for which British-born Muslims are believed responsible. . .
Many American Muslims have felt unfairly discriminated against since
the 9/11 attacks -- all 19 hijackers were Muslims -- and Muslim leaders
interviewed yesterday said they were heartened by the poll's results.
"I think it's encouraging that fewer people are linking Islam to
violence even as we've seen horribly violent acts around the world
associated with Muslims," said Ibrahim Hooper, executive director of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It's an indication that
ordinary Americans can differentiate between the violent acts of a few
Muslims and the faith of Islam itself." (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM SUES BEXAR, GUARDS OVER DETAINMENT -
TOP
Guillermo Contreras, Express-News, 7/27/05
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA072705.03B.inmate_suit.128f43fd.html
A Muslim man incarcerated in 2003 at the Bexar County Jail sued the
county and several guards Tuesday over his detention, claiming he was
denied medication and was taunted, beaten and had his beard shaved
forcibly in violation of his religion.
The Texas Civil Rights Project and the Texas Lawyers' Committee for
Civil Rights filed the suit in federal court here on behalf of
Moeineddin Ghavami, 47, a U.S. citizen born in Iran.
"We are seeking individual relief for Ghavami in the form of damages,
but more importantly we're also bringing this case to inform and
hopefully reform the way the Bexar County Detention Facility treats
individuals who are Muslim and/or who suffer from a disability," said
attorney Javier N. Maldonado of the Texas Lawyers' Committee.
Jail officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Ed
Schweninger, chief of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office Civil
Division, said he had not seen the suit.
"I can't comment without looking into the facts of the case," Schweninger said.
Ghavami, a former teacher who was pursuing his master's degree,
suffered from schizophrenia. In 2003, he was picked up by police on
suspicion of criminal trespass and booked into the jail, but the
charges were dropped, according to the lawsuit. (MORE)
-----
NY: PROFILE OF MUSLIM WOMAN: DEBBIE ALMONTASER -
TOP
Sheila McKenna, Newsday, 7/27/05
http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-nypro274359784jul27,0,1178360.story
Coordinator of external programs, Region 8, Brooklyn, for the
Department of Education. Coordinator of first Arab-American Heritage
Week celebration (July 9-16). Member of boards of Park Slope-based
Dialogue Project and of Women in Islam Inc. Co-founder of Brooklyn
Bridges and founding member of We Are All Brooklyn Coalition.
BIOGRAPHY
38; native of Yemen. Raised in Buffalo; bachelor's from St. Francis
College and master's in multicultural education from Adelphi
University. Also received master's in leadership and administration
from Baruch College. Has worked for the Department of Education for 14
years. Married, three children and lives in Midwood section of Brooklyn.
COMMITMENT
"My passion is to bring people together, to develop understandings and
to be a bridge of understanding for all. One of things I did recently
is take people from the Peace Boat - a Japanese NGO [non-governmental
organization] - to the Arab and Muslim communities in New York so that
they will have a better understanding of the grass-roots community in
the post-9/11 era. For the past three years, I've toured with them to
Downtown Brooklyn to meet with Arab-American leaders and to have a
discussion about what the issues are and how the community has moved
forward ."
IMPACT
"At the Department of Education, I worked as a para-professional,
teacher and principal. Then September 11th happened and my whole
perspective on the world changed. I felt that I needed to be in a
capacity where I could work 9 to 5 but have the flexibility and time to
do my community work. My work is all about empowerment and building
bridges between the Arab and Muslim and South Asian community, and the
broader world. I also do a lot of interfaith work. In June, on
Brooklyn-Queens Day, I helped organize the second annual Children of
Abraham Peace Walk. We had over 300 people who joined us and walked
from Brooklyn to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge to Trinity Church
in lower Manhattan."
PROUD OF
"I am a Muslim woman and wear a hijab. I was selected to become a
Revson Fellow and finished this past May at the International Center
for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution at Teachers College. I was very
proud of getting such a rare and privileged opportunity. Now I plan to
continue on for a doctoral degree in international and peace education."
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR BACKS FATWA AGAINST TERROR
English, Arabic, Urdu radio anti-terror PSAs released
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/28/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today offered its support for a fatwa, or Islamic
religious ruling, against terrorism and extremism issued by the Fiqh
Council of North America (FCNA) and endorsed by more than 120 U.S. Muslim
groups, leaders and institutions. (The term "fiqh" refers to
Islamic jurisprudence.)
The fatwa, released during a news conference this morning at the National
Press Club in Washington, D.C., states in part:
"Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence
against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism
or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide
bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden - and
those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not 'martyrs'. . .In
the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly and
strongly state: 1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram
(forbidden) in Islam. 2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any
individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law
enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians. We issue
this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the
teachings of our Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him."
SEE THE FULL TEXT AT:
http://www.cair-net.org/downloads/fatwa-english.txt
SEE ALSO:
"U.S. Muslim Scholars to Forbid
Terrorism"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/27/AR2005072702082.html
"From Muslims in America, a New Fatwa on Terrorism"
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/28/national/28fatwa.html
In a statement read at the news conference, CAIR Executive Director Nihad
Awad said: "United, we can confront the terrorists and frustrate
their goal of sparking an apocalyptic war between faiths and
civilizations. . .The presence here today of American Muslim leaders
indicates the willingness of our community to strengthen national
security and to work with policy-makers to gain victory over this
international menace to humanity." CAIR urged that the fatwa be read
by Imams, or Islamic prayer leaders, at Friday prayers across the United
States.
Awad also announced the release of radio versions of CAIR's 30-second
"Not in the Name of Islam" television public service
announcement (PSA) in English, Arabic and Urdu. The PSA campaign ties
into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition drive
designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts of a
few Muslims. To listen to the PSAs, go to:
English:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/english.mp3
Arabic:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/arabic.mp3
Urdu:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/urdu.mp3
TV:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET, receive news
releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on
issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS -
7/28/05
*
HADITH:
A
Trustworthy Merchant
*
DC:
WMAL
Advertiser Rejects Anti-Muslim Bigotry
-
Contact
Other WMAL Auto-Related Advertisers
*
CA:
Muslims
Report More Hate Incidents (OC Register)
*
FL:
Baptist
Preacher Defends Anti-Islam Sign (Times-Union)
-
PA:
Diversity
of Faiths Tests Our Character (Phil Inq)
-
MI:
Living
Together in Arab America (Indy Star)
*
U.S. Muslim
Scholars Issue Edict on Terror (AP)
-
Islamic
Scholars Issue Fatwa Against Terror (VOA)
-
U.S.
Muslims Issue Anti-Terror 'Fatwa' (Reuters)
-
Truly Muslim, Fully American
(CSM)
*
NJ:
Muslims Vow to Fulfill Plan for Burned Center
*
FBI Seeks to Probe Israeli Diplomat in AIPAC Spy Case
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: A TRUSTWORTHY MERCHANT -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "A truthful and
trustworthy merchant is associated with the prophets, the upright and
the martyrs."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 850
-----
WMAL ADVERTISER REJECTS ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY -
TOP
UPDATE: CAIR recently called on a Washington, D.C., radio
station to reprimand Michael Graham, a talk show host who states
repeatedly that "Islam is a terrorist organization." We also urged
American Muslims to contact the station's advertisers to express their
concerns about the Graham's Islamophobic views.
SEE: "Muslims Call Comments by WMAL Host 'Hate-Filled'
Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 07/26/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501649.html
In response to a CAIR action alert, many people contacted those
advertisers. One advertiser responded with the following e-mail message:
"Thank you for contacting our company regarding the comments made by Michael Graham on the WMAL Radio Station.
"I can assure you that we at Moore Cadillac Hummer agree with you
totally. Anyone that paints a negative picture of an entire segment of
society based on the actions of a few is shortsighted and ignorant.
That type of broad-brush stereotyping is detrimental to the extensive
progress this country has made in the battle against prejudice and
bigotry.
"WMAL programming features two other personalities that have come out
against Michael Graham in Chris Core and Fred Grandy. Their views are
much more in line with ours and we support them fervently. . ."
Sincerely,
Jeff C. Doughty
General Sales Manager
8595 Leesburg Pike ~ Vienna, VA 22182
Direct: 703 448-6250
Fax: 703-448-6240
703-906-3407
jeffdoughty@moorecadillac.com
CONTACT OTHER WMAL ADVERTISERS TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS -
TOP
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be POLITE.)
1. CONTACT other WMAL auto-related advertisers to ask that they reject
anti-Muslim bigotry in a manner similar to that of Moore Cadillac
Hummer.
Alexandria Buick, Pontiac & GMC
499 South Pickett Rd
Alxandria VA
phone: 703-370-7211
www.alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com
Brown's Buick
10245 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: 703-934-4900
fax: 703-934-4957
http://ffxbuick.brownscar.com
Brown's Lincoln Mercury
10287 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: 703-352-5500
www.brownsautomotive.com
Cherner Lincoln Mercury
8550 Leesburg Pike
phone: 703-893-0800
fax: 703-898-8559
www.cherner.com
Cowles Parkway Ford
13779 Noblewood Plaza
Woodbridge VA
phone: 800-730-8203
www.cowlesford.com
Fairfax Automile
Route 50 Fairfax--21 different dealers
www.fairfaxautomile.com
Manassas Chrysler
8100 Centreville Rd.
Manassas, VA.
phone: 703-368-5300
fax: 703-392-0457
www.manassaschrysler.com
Moore Cadillac/Hummer
The Choice is yours Moore or less
8595 Leesburg Pike
phone: 703-790-0950
www.moorehummer.com
New Car Network
3273 Blue Heron Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
phone: 703-534-SAVE
fax: 703-241-8861
Ourisman World of Ford
Why Go Anywhere Else?
6129 Richmond Hwy.
Alexandria, VA.
phone: 703-660-9000
www.OurismanWorldofFord.com
Pohanka Lexus
13909 Lee Jackson Highway
Chantilly, VA 20151
phone: 800-399-0681
fax: 703-968-7725
email:
sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com
www.pohankalexus.com
Radial Tire
9101 Brookville Road
Silver Spring MD 20910
phone: 301-585-2740
www.radialtire.com
Safford Lincoln Mercury
It's Saffordable
3110 Automobile Blvd
Silver Spring, MD 20904
phone: 301-890-3900
fax: 301-890-7817
www.saffordlm.com
WANADA
Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association
5301 Wisconsin Avenue
Washington DC NW 20015
phone: 202-237-7200
www.wanada.org
2. CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham be reprimanded for his
anti-Islam statements. CONTACT: Mr. Randall Bloomquist Program
Director, WMAL, 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100 Direct: 202-895-2327 To be on a WMAL talk
show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL. E-Mail:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
------
CAIR-LA: STATE'S MUSLIMS REPORT MORE HATE INCIDENTS -
TOP
Ann Pepper, Orange County Register, 7/28/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/28/sections/local/local/article_613542.php
Hate incidents reported by California Muslims increased by about 38
percent in 2004 over the previous year, the highest number of annual
cases ever reported to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a
7-year-old Muslim civil-rights group.
At the same time, CAIR's annual report, released Wednesday in Anaheim,
showed that, overall, the state's Muslims felt the law was more fairly
applied to them in 2004.
Complaints of racial or religious profiling, verbal harassment or
denial of service dropped from 32 percent of the cases reported in 2003
to 15 percent last year.
"We in no way want to portray, by sharing this information, that
California Muslims feel under siege," said Ra'id Faraj, a CAIR
spokesman.
"We view this report in many ways as positive," Faraj said. "That
discriminatory application of the law has decreased is a tremendously
positive thing." (MORE)
-----
BAPTIST PREACHER DEFENDS CHURCH'S ANTI-ISLAM SIGN -
TOP
Jeff Brumley, Times-Union, 7/28/05
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072805/met_19354060.shtml
The sign may be controversial, but the Rev. Gene A. Youngblood said it is researched and speaks the truth.
"Islam is evil and believes in murder," reads the sign at the entrance
of First Conservative Baptist Church and the Conservative Theological
Seminary on St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. "Jesus teaches peace."
References to specific Quranic and biblical verses accompany the
statement, which Youngblood said are meant to serve as a warning to
society.
"I am of the opinion, based on enormous research of the Muslims' own
books, that Islam is the most vile, wicked, evil danger facing the
world today," Youngblood said. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
DIVERSITY OF FAITHS TESTS OUR CHARACTER -
TOP
Jane Eisner, Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/28/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/12240234.htm
"Wanna know how hot it is?" the man on the radio asked in the expectant tone that precedes a punch line.
"It's so hot the Muslim men are taking the towels off their heads to wipe their faces!"
The bigotry in that remark was matched by its ignorance. Not all
Muslims are Arab, and not all Arabs wear the headdress known as the
keffiyeh. And it's an entirely different faith, Sikhism, whose
adherents wear turbans.
Such subtleties are too often lost on the average American, and despite
all the fine words and noble intentions uttered since the 2001
terrorist attacks, the continued lack of knowledge about and respect
for Islam and other religions is appalling.
This was underscored in a poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research
Center and the Forum on Religion & Public Life. The headline struck
a vaguely cheerful note - fewer Americans now say that Islam is more
likely than other religions to encourage violence - but the data showed
how stuck this nation remains in its insularity and prejudice. (MORE)
---
LIVING TOGETHER PEACEFULLY IN HEART OF ARAB AMERICA -
TOP
Pierre M. Atlas, Indianapolis Star, 7/28/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050728/OPINION/507280383/1002
DEARBORN, MI- I traveled to Dearborn with my friend Charlie Wiles, a
third-generation Hoosier and Lebanese American, to soak in what might
be called America's "Arab street."
About 300 miles northeast of Indy, Dearborn is home to the largest
concentration of Arabs outside the Middle East. Thirty percent of
Dearborn's residents are of Arab origin, as are half the kids in its
public schools.
Storefronts have signs in Arabic as well as English and shopkeepers bid
goodbye to customers with "Allah Ma'ak" or "God be with you." Arab
markets, bakeries and halal butcher shops line West Warren Street, and
many shops display large inventories of narghilas, the traditional
water pipe smoked in the Middle East.
The sights, sounds and smells reminded me of my visit to Jordan last
summer. But Dearborn is unlike any city in the Arab world -- because it
is also American. (MORE)
-----
U.S. MUSLIM SCHOLARS ISSUE EDICT ON TERROR -
TOP
RACHEL ZOLL, Associated Press, 7/28/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5173914,00.html
Following deadly bombings in Britain and other nations, American Muslim
scholars issued an edict Thursday condemning religious extremism and
calling terrorists "criminals, not `martyrs.'"
The 18-member Fiqh Council of North America said Muslims were barred
from helping "any individual or group that is involved in any act of
terrorism or violence. . ."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is running a TV ad and a
petition-drive called ``Not in the Name of Islam,'' which repudiates
terrorism. In New York and other cities, mosque leaders have joined
advisory committees created by the FBI to build relations between law
enforcement and their local communities.
"We have been speaking repeatedly, clearly, unequivocally for years,
even before 9/11," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights organization based in
Washington. "But apparently some people have just started to hear us."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
AMERICAN ISLAMIC SCHOLARS ISSUE FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM -
TOP
Meredith Buel, Voice of America, 7/28/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-28-voa63.cfm
A council of Muslim scholars in the United States has issued a religious ruling, or fatwa, against terrorism and extremism.
The Muslim scholars released the ruling during a press conference in
Washington, saying that Islam condemns terrorism, religious radicalism
and the use of violence.
The scholars serve on the Fiqh Council of North America, an association of Muslim jurists who interpret Islamic law.
---
U.S. MUSLIMS ISSUE ANTI-TERRORISM "FATWA" -
TOP
Romney Willson, Reuters, 7/28/05
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28360873.htm
WASHINGTON- Top U.S. Muslim scholars issued a "fatwa," or religious
edict, against terrorism on Thursday and called on Muslims to help
authorities fight the scourge of militant violence.
The fatwa was part of efforts by U.S. Muslims to counter perceived
links between Islam and terrorism and avert any negative backlash after
this month's bombings by suspected Islamic extremists in London and
Egypt.
"Having our religious scholars side by side with our community leaders
leaves no room for anybody to suggest that Islam and Muslims condone or
support any forms or acts of terrorism," said Esam Omeish, president of
the Muslim American Society, one of the groups which announced the
fatwa.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, said it was the first time Muslims in North America had
issued an anti-terrorism edict, although they had repeatedly condemned
such acts of violence. (MORE)
---
TRULY MUSLIM, FULLY AMERICAN -
TOP
Fatina Abdrabboh, Christian Science Monitor, 7/28/05
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0728/p09s01-coop.html
"I condemn terrorism." Lately, because I'm a Muslim, these are the only
three words people seem to want to hear come out of my mouth. Beyond
the words themselves, the way I proclaim them is measured for
sincerity. Perhaps even more than the days immediately after 9/11, I as
a Muslim feel now that many of my fellow Americans believe that Islam
and its adherents are evil, pure and simple.
I can't help wondering if the fact that I'm identifiably Muslim through
my hijab, or scarf, is so potent that the only response I evoke is
anger.
Thinking through recent incidents, I try to assess the validity of my feelings - am I overreacting, or paranoid?
Last month, while driving home from the airport, I managed to get lost
in construction detours. I rolled down my window and asked a woman in
the car next to me for directions: "Will this road take me into
Cambridge?" I couldn't believe my eyes when she ignored my question and
rolled up her window. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS VOW TO FULFILL PLAN FOR CENTER -
TOP
Eman Varoqua, NorthJersey.com, 7/28/05
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY3MzI4OTcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz
PATERSON - Muslim community members vowed Wednesday to establish a
community center even as investigators sought the cause of a fire that
destroyed a historic building proposed as the center's home.
Plans had been in the works to convert the abandoned warehouse on West
Railway and Genessee avenues into a community center with a focus on
youth, but the unexplained fire ravaged the three-story building in
less than an hour Sunday.
"The cause is undetermined," said Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano. "We are continuing with our investigation."
Staff from the county's arson unit and city Fire Department have
searched the site for clues and sent items to the state police
laboratory for analysis. Avigliano said authorities have interviewed
many people, and are seeking others. (MORE)
-----
FBI SEEKS TO PROBE SENIOR ISRAELI DIPLOMAT IN PENTAGON SPY CASE -
TOP
Aluf Benn, Haaretz, 7/28/05
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/605551.html
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is demanding that Naor Gilon, head
of the political department at the Israeli embassy in Washington, be
interrogated in connection to the Pentagon spy case.
It is possible the FBI will also want to interrogate other Israeli
diplomats in connection with Pentagon analyst Lawrence Franklin, an
Iran expert under investigation for allegedly passing classified
documents to Israel via the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC).
The American request was discussed a few weeks ago at an
interministerial meeting in Jerusalem. The consensus was that neither
Gilon nor other officials should be allowed to undergo investigation by
the FBI but that Israel would be prepared to respond in writing to
questions.
According to accepted practice, Israeli civil servants have immunity
and cannot be investigated by foreign countries about actions taken in
their work capacity, and it appears that Israel would like this
immunity applied in the current affair. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
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-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #463
DC RADIO HOST SUSPENDED OVER ANTI-ISLAM REMARKS
Contact WMAL to ask that Michael Graham be
fired
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/29/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today applauded a Washington, D.C., radio station's
decision to suspend without pay a talk show host who stated repeatedly
that "Islam is a terrorist organization."
CAIR said WMAL-AM morning host Michael Graham should be fired for his
Islamophobic remarks, for other statements made before and after the most
recent controversy and for his refusal to apologize for those
comments.
The Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group this week
initiated a campaign against WMAL and the station's advertisers after
receiving complaints from Muslim listeners who heard Graham state: 1.
"Islam is a terrorist organization." 2. "Islam is at war
with America." 3. "The problem is not extremism. The problem is
Islam." 4. "We are at war with a terrorist organization named
Islam."
Other listeners said that Graham even encouraged a public
"backlash" against Muslims. (Graham later claimed he meant a
backlash of social pressure, not violent attack on Muslims.) In response
to his suspension, the Washington Post quoted Graham as saying, "I
will not recant."
When first contacted by CAIR, WMAL stood behind Graham, but changed its
position after hundreds of people responded to the group's action alerts
by contacting the station and its sponsors. In a statement, WMAL
President and General Manager Chris Berry said that Graham would be
suspended for statements that "crossed the line." "We do
not condone his position and believe his statements were
irresponsible," said Berry. (WMAL is owned by the Walt Disney
Co.)
SEE: "WMAL Suspends Talk-Show Host for Comment on
Islam"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802241.html
"We believe the station's actions are appropriate, if long
overdue," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "It is time
for WMAL to distance itself and its advertisers from bigotry by making
Graham's suspension permanent."
Last year, CAIR challenged on-air remarks by Graham that seemed to make
an implicit call for violence against Muslims. He said: "I don't
wanna say we should kill 'em all [Muslims], but unless there's reform
[within Islam], there aren't a lot of other solutions that work in the
ground struggle for survival." (Graham later claimed he was only
referring to so-called "Islamists," but the context of the
quote indicated otherwise.)
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be
POLITE.)
CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham's suspension be made
permanent.
CONTACT:
Mr. Chris Berry, President & General Manager, TEL: 202-895-2333
Mr. Randall Bloomquist, Program Director, TEL: 202-895-2327
WMAL
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC, 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100
FAX: (202) 537-0009
To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free
888-630-WMAL.
E-MAIL:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
--- CLIP AND MAIL/FAX/E-MAIL ---
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOSQUE VANDALIZED
CAIR-LA calls for FBI probe of possible bias
motive
(ANAHEIM, CA, 7/29/05) - The Southern California office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called on the FBI
to investigate vandalism at the Ahlul Bayet Mosque in Pomona as a
possible hate crime.
Mosque spokesman Basam Alhussaini contacted CAIR-LA and reported that the
vandalism took place sometime before Wednesday evening. Alhussaini told
CAIR-LA that the vandals destroyed the walls, carpet, windows, and doors
of five classrooms in the mosque. Pornographic pictures were also posted
in the prayer area.
SEE: "Area Mosque Defaced"
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~12588~2986309,00.html
"We urge the FBI and other law enforcement agencies working on the
case to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime," said
CAIR-LA Communications Director Sabiha Khan. "We pray that the
perpetrators are caught and brought to justice, whatever their
motive."
Khan said a series of similar incidents has been reported in recent
months by Muslim individuals and institutions nationwide.
SEE: "Muslims' Reports of Bias Rose in 2004"
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-me-cair29jul29,1,6491645.story
As a response to these and other anti-Muslim incidents, CAIR published a
"Muslim Community Safety Kit." The safety kit may be
obtained free of charge by e-mailing pubs@cair-net.org. (Include name,
address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.) It may also be
ordered at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1021
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Sabiha Khan, 714-776-1847 or 714-390-0334, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 7/31/05
*
HADITH:
Moderation in All
Things
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslim-Bashing Sign
Retracted (St. Pete Times)
*
CAIR-NY:
FBI
Counterterror Agent Visits Mosque (AP)
-
CAIR San Francisco Bay Area
Appoints New Director
-
CAIR-CAN and
Imams Meet Prime Minister
*
CO:
Latino Muslims Face Kin's Fears Over Islam (Denver Post)
-
WA:
Muslim Magazine Treads Carefully (Seattle Times)
-
IL:
Muslims' Teen Center Reopens (Chicago Tribune)
*
DC:
Judge to Resolve Debate Over Muslim Firefighters' Beard
*
CAIR-DC: Suspended Radio Host to Miss TV Show (Wash Times)
-
Contact WMAL to Urge Firing of Michael Graham
*
You Can't Fight Terrorism With Racism (Wash Post)
-
CAIR Rep Discusses Profiling on CBS News Early Show
-
CA:
Muslims Feel Targeted at Mosque (LA Times)
*
MN:
Those Who Accuse Muslims of Silence Aren't Listening
-
Being Muslim in a Mad, Sad World (Washington Post)
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslim Campaign Rejects Terror, Extremism (PB Post)
-
CAIR-FL:
Muslim Leaders Join National Fatwa (Sun-Sent)
-
CAIR-IL:
Muslims Decry Religious Extremism (Sun-Times)
-
CAIR:
Muslims Work to Get Anti-Terror Message Heard (RNS)
*
FL:
Muslim-Jewish Wedding Has Lessons for Today (SP Times)
*
CO:
Muslims Not Satisfied with Tancredo 'Apology' (Denver Post)
-
Bangladeshis Protest Tancredo's Mecca Remark (Reuters)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: MODERATION IN ALL THINGS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked a companion: "(Is
it true) that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?" The
companion replied that the report was indeed true. The Prophet then
said: "Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave (it)
at other times; stand up for prayer at night and also sleep at night.
Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and
your wife has a right over you."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127
-----
MUSLIM-BASHING SIGN RETRACTED FOR NOW -
TOP
ANNE LINDBERG, St. Petersburg Times, 7/31/05
http://www.sptimes.com
PINELLAS PARK - Ahmed Bedier went to photograph the anti-Muslim display
that stood boldly last week in a front yard on 62nd Avenue N.
But when the Central Florida director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations realized the property owner was home, he
made a bold move.
"I knocked on the door and had a conversation with him," Bedier said.
"I asked him why he was doing it and why he had the display."
Mike Allen's display featured a toilet with a red-lettered sign that read, "Koran flushing. 1 p.m."
Allen said he explained that the tableau was his way of protesting what
he saw as the failure of Muslim clerics to condemn terrorism and the
actions that resulted in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Allen was a bit surprised by Bedier's response.
"He said, "I feel the same way about those terrorists you do,' " Allen said.
Bedier went out to his car and brought back his laptop computer. Then
he showed Allen the press releases and articles that CAIR had issued to
condemn terrorism and explain Islam to U.S. citizens. He also showed
Allen a video of a public service announcement that CAIR recently
released. The video, like the press releases, condemns terrorism.
"He was surprised to see those different things and that we're actually taking action," Bedier said.
Bedier also showed Allen pictures of his wife and child.
Then Bedier asked Allen to remove the display.
Allen said he agreed because Bedier had been "so nice."
"We took pictures of me removing the sign," Allen said. "I took it back
over to the trash cans . . . and I put that sign in the trash can."
He also got rid of the toilet.
Allen said, "I told him I wished I had some bread in the house. We'd break bread."
Instead, the two ate grapes and cantaloupe. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-NY: FBI COUNTERTERROR AGENT VISITS N.Y. MOSQUE -
TOP
MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press, 7/29/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/12258512.htm
NEW YORK - The burly FBI agent in the pinstriped suit stepped to the
front of the mosque and looked out over a sea of Pakistani men in white
kufi caps and women in brightly colored headscarves.
"A-salaam aleikum," said Charles Frahm, special agent-in-charge of the
FBI's New York counterterrorism division. "It's a great honor to be
here today in the capacity of a friend."
Frahm has become a frequent presence in the mosques and social clubs of
New York's Arab and Muslim neighborhoods, trying to ease tensions where
law-enforcement scrutiny has spawned some anger and much anxiety. On
Friday, he joined leaders of the nation's largest Pakistani community
in a declaration of mutual respect and abhorrence of terrorism in the
wake of the London terror attacks.
Pakistani New Yorkers have reported increased pressure from
law-enforcement since three young men of Pakistani descent helped carry
out the July 7 bombings of London's transit system. Concerned calls
about FBI requests for interviews have doubled, from about two a week,
since the London attacks, said Faiza Ali, civil rights coordinator for
the New York office of the Council of American-Islamic Relations. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR -
TOP
(SANTA CLARA, CA, 7/31/05) - The San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) chapter
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has announced the
appointment of a new executive director, Safaa Ibrahim.
"I am thrilled to be entrusted with this position and given an
opportunity to realize the vision I have for this chapter," said Ibrahim
Together with the executive committee of CAIR-SFBA, Ibrahim will help develop and execute strategies that meet CAIR's vision.
Ibrahim has been on the CAIR-SFBA Board and Executive Committee as well
as volunteering on a part-time basis for the past two years, having
been involved in many areas of the organization, from creating an
internal civil rights case management system to producing promotional
campaigns.
She holds a Bachelor s of Science degree in International Business.
CONTACT: E-Mail:
safaa@cair.com or at (408) 986-9874
---
CANADIAN IMAMS AND CAIR-CAN MEET PRIME MINISTER -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA 28/07/05) Prime Minister Paul Martin held a
roundtable discussion with 19 Imams from across Canada and the Canadian
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) earlier tonight. The
meeting, which took place in Toronto, was arranged after the Imams
released a declaration condemning extremism last week.
After the discussion, the Imams released a statement, which read in part:
". . .We have challenged, and will continue to challenge, extremism in
all its forms, and affirm Islam as a lived reality that is
compassionate, tolerant, just and life-sanctifying.
"We also stand ready to embrace the challenge of ensuring that our
country does not compromise its longstanding commitment to the values
of justice, embodied in the rule of law, equity, transparency and
accountability. To that end, we will continue to take a principled
position on Canada's national security legislation and policy, and our
nation's role in addressing the difficult challenges that face our
world. . ."
The full statement, which includes proposals by the Imams on areas the
government and Canadian Muslims can work together, can be read here:
http://www.caircan.ca/downloads/CCPMOM-IS-072805.pdf
The Imams' declaration condemning extremism, released last week, can be read here:
www.caircan.ca/downloads/PC-IS-072105.pdf
CONTACT: For more information, please contact Halima Mautbur at 613-254-9704 or 613-795-2012.
-----
LATINOS FACE KIN'S FEARS OVER ISLAM -
TOP
Virginia Culver, Denver Post, 7/31/05
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2902407
Latino Muslims say it's a lot easier to convert to Islam than to convince family members it's a good idea.
Some Latino Muslim converts gathered in Denver on Saturday to discuss
problems they have in adjusting to their new religion, keeping up
family relationships and putting up with rejection from people who fear
Muslims.
Misunderstandings about Islam are rampant, said the converts, many of whom were reared as Catholics.
Juan Galvan of San Antonio said that after the 2001 terrorist attacks,
his sister asked: "Who's your pope? Is it Osama bin Laden? He started a
holy war."
Galvan tried to explain to her that Muslims have no central leader, and if they did, it wouldn't be bin Laden.
Galvan, who is with the Latino American Dawah Association, the
organization for Latino Muslims, said no one knows the number of Latino
Muslims, but estimates are from 25,000 to 75,000 in the United States.
There are only a handful in Denver.
But Dilsher Nawaz, a board member of the Colorado Muslim Society, said Latino Muslims are not unusual.
"They are absolutely welcome in our mosque," Nawaz said.
A Pakistani, Nawaz said there are Chinese and South Asian and even American Indian Muslims.
Judith Martinez said her mother was "shocked" that she had become a Muslim.
"My family thinks it's a phase I'll snap out of," she said.
But the Denver-area converts, ranging in age from 24 to 38, said Islam
isn't something they're going to leave anytime soon. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM MAGAZINE TREADS CAREFULLY IN DIVERSE FAITH -
TOP
Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times, 7/31/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002412423_risingstar31m.html
By 5:30 on a recent Sunday morning, when most people in his suburban
Issaquah neighborhood were still asleep, the unpaid publisher of
Washington's largest Muslim magazine was already hard at work in his
tidy den.
After morning prayers, Nazeer Ahmed Basheer, who on weekdays works for
a cellphone company, sat at the computer doing his other job:
publishing Our Rising Star.
An English-language publication that was founded here 10 years ago as a
Muslim newspaper with an academic and international bent, Our Rising
Star has since morphed into a family-oriented magazine. It features
articles, for instance, on whether it's OK to let Muslim kids read
Harry Potter books, and reviews of movies such as "Kingdom of Heaven."
(MORE)
---
MUSLIMS' TEEN CENTER REOPENS TO FUN, FAITH -
TOP
Manya A. Brachear, Chicago Tribune, 7/31/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0507310283jul31,1,7112319.story
A Muslim youth center shuttered in 2003 for building and fire code
violations has been given new life and a renewed mission: to guide
Muslim teens away from worldly temptations and toward moderate Islam.
The Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview reopened the area's only Muslim
recreation center Friday with fanfare that included politicians,
clerics and scores of children.
The renovated space, which will be open after school to children 13 and
older, houses a fitness center; equipped with treadmills, stationary
cycles, benches and weights; a library with books and movies in English
and Arabic; and a cafe and lounge with a big-screen TV.
Colorful calligraphy spray-painted above the basketball court conveys
the center's guiding philosophy: "The hearts will have peace once they
find the Lord" and "In your Lord you will believe."
"We wanted something the kids could understand," said counselor Ahmed
Aduib, 19, a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "The
beauty is the design. Words make it even better." (MORE)
-----
JUDGE COULD RESOLVE DEBATE OVER FIREFIGHTERS' FACIAL HAIR -
TOP
Del Quentin Wilber, Washington Post, 7/31/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/30/AR2005073001554.html
To D.C. fire officials, beards are a safety hazard -- interfering with
the seal between the firefighter's skin and oxygen mask. The department
wants to bar firefighters from growing any facial hair that affects the
fit of the protective gear.
To firefighter Calvert Potter and others on the force, beards are an
expression of their faith. Potter, who converted to Islam a decade ago,
has a two-inch beard, and he refuses to clip it.
"Basically, what they are saying to me is that a Muslim can't be a
fireman," said Potter, 43, who joined the department 14 years ago.
"This is part of my religion."
At a hearing tomorrow, a federal judge could settle the dispute over
whether the department can force firefighters to shave their beards.
The issue has been mostly dormant since 2001, when the department first
tried to restrict beards and hair length of firefighters. (MORE)
-----
RADIO HOST IN EYE OF STORM TO MISS TV SHOW -
TOP
Chris Baker, Washington Times, 7/30/05
http://www.washingtontimes.com/business/20050729-102055-7291r.htm
Talk-show host Michael Graham, suspended by radio station WMAL-AM (630)
this week for calling Islam a "terrorist organization," will not appear
this weekend on "Eye on Washington," the syndicated television show
where he has been a regular panelist
Darryll J. Green, president and general manager of WUSA-TV (Channel 9),
the CBS affiliate that produces and distributes "Eye on Washington,"
did not return telephone calls yesterday, and it was not clear if Mr.
Graham's absence was linked to his statements on Islam.
On Monday, Mr. Graham -- who hosts a midmorning show weekdays on WMAL
-- told listeners that "Islam is at war with America." He also said
that "Islam is a terrorist organization," "We are at war with a
terrorist organization called Islam," and "The problem is not
extremism. The problem is Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on WMAL to discipline
Mr. Graham and urged its members to contact WMAL advertisers. At least
one, Moore Cadillac Hummer, wrote to the group to denounce Mr. Graham's
statements but did not say it would pull its ads.
The station initially refused to discipline Mr. Graham, but it relented
Thursday by pulling him off the air without pay while it investigates.
(MORE)
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be POLITE.) -
TOP
CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham's suspension be made permanent.
CONTACT:
Mr. Chris Berry, President & General Manager, TEL: 202-895-2333
Mr. Randall Bloomquist, Program Director, TEL: 202-895-2327
WMAL
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC, 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100
FAX: (202) 537-0009
To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL.
E-MAIL:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
YOU CAN'T FIGHT TERRORISM WITH RACISM -
TOP
Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 7/3/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072901626.html
During my day job I work under the title of deputy editorial page
editor. That entails paying more than passing attention to articles
that appear on the op-ed page. Opinion writers, in my view, should have
a wide range in which to roam, especially when it comes to edgy,
thought-provoking pieces. Still, I wasn't quite ready for what appeared
on the op-ed pages of Thursday's New York Times or Friday's Post.
A New York Times op-ed piece by Paul Sperry, a Hoover Institution media
fellow ["It's the Age of Terror: What Would You Do?"], and a Post
column by Charles Krauthammer ["Give Grandma a Pass; Politically
Correct Screening Won't Catch Jihadists"] endorsed the practice of
using ethnicity, national origin and religion as primary factors in
deciding whom police should regard as possible terrorists -- in other
words, racial profiling. A second Times column, on Thursday, by Haim
Watzman ["When You Have to Shoot First"] argued that the London police
officer who chased down and put seven bullets into the head of a
Brazilian electrician without asking him any questions or giving him
any warning "did the right thing."
The three articles blessed behavior that makes a mockery of the rights to which people in this country are entitled. . .
Reportedly, after Sept. 11, 2001, some good citizens of California took
out after members of the Sikh community, mistaking them for Arabs. Oh,
well, what's a little political incorrectness in the name of national
security. Bang, bang -- oops, he was Brazilian. Two young black guys
were London bombers: one Jamaican, the other Somalian. Muslim, too.
Ergo: Watch your back when around black men -- they could be, ta-dum,
Muslims. . .
What the racial profilers are proposing is insulting, offensive and --
by thought, word and deed, whether intentional or not -- racist. You
want estrangement? Start down that road of using ethnicity, national
origin and religion as a basis for police action and there's going to
be a push-back unlike any seen in this country in many years.
SEND NOTES OF APPRECIATION TO:
kingc@washpost.com
COPY TO:
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SEE ALSO:
CAIR REP DISCUSSES PROFILING ON CBS EARLY SHOW -
TOP
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?channel=earlyshow&clip=/media/2005/07/29/video712660&sec=500202&vidId=500202&title=Racial$@$Profiling$@$'Terrorists'&hitboxMLC=earlyshow
CBS News Early Show
7:00 AM EST CBS, July 29, 2005 Friday
Ira Mehlman and Ibrahim Hooper discuss the controversy of racial profiling in the US
JULIE CHEN, co-host:
Following the recent bombings in London, everyone is again on the
lookout for terrorists. Some fear that members of the Muslim community
are being unfairly targeted by authorities, but others believe racial
profiling is the only way to keep us safe from another attack. Two men
with opposing viewpoints are Ira Mehlman, from the Federation for
American Immigration Reform, and Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
Gentlemen, good morning.
Mr. IRA MEHLMAN (Media Director, Federation for American Immigration Reform): Good morning, Julie.
Mr. IBRAHIM HOOPER (Council on American-Islamic Relations): Good morning.
CHEN: Mr. Mehlman, let me start with you. Do you think racial profiling
could be an effective tool in preventing another attack from happening,
protecting us from terrorists?
Mr. MEHLMAN: Yes, it's exactly that, a tool. It's not the answer to the
danger of attacks on the United States, but we use profiling all the
time. The fact of the matter is, you pay less for your auto insurance
than a 20-year-old man because a 20-year-old man is more likely to
cause an accident. It doesn't mean that every 20-year-old man is an
irresponsible driver, but we do assign risk. And certainly, if you look
around the world, if you look at what happened in London, what happened
on September 11th, the attacks in Madrid, attacks on transit systems in
Israel all the time, it does--the people who perpetrate these acts do
meet a certain profile, and we need to be wary of that. We need to do
more than simply check people coming onto the subway. We need to do a
better job controlling who comes into this country, infiltrating the
terrorist cells that we know are here. But there's no reason why we
should be looking at 70-year-old women the same way we're looking at a
22-year-old man from the Middle East.
CHEN: Mr. Hooper, what do you say about racial profiling? We're living
in a time where many people feel that they're willing to give up some
of their, you know, privacy rights in this day that we're living in
now. What do you say?
Mr. HOOPER: Yeah. Well, profiling is one of those things that sounds
good. It sounds like it would make you safer, but it really doesn't
support effective law enforcement. When you think about it, the people
who advocate the profiling for terrorism, they say, `Well, you've got
to profile Muslim men.' Well, I'm a Muslim man. Do I fit that profile?
And what are you going to be looking for? There's no ethnic, racial
profile for an Arab, for instance. There are red-haired, brown-eyed
Arabs. There are Arabs with skin as dark as can be. There's everything
in between. The bombers in England were Indo-Pakistani. So what you'd
end up doing basically is profiling every person of color that wants to
go on a transportation system.
CHEN: What do you see as a solution, Mr. Hooper, if you don't think racial profiling. . .
Mr. HOOPER: A solution is to use real criteria, real suspicious
behavior. If you're--if they're acting suspicious, they look like
they're--you know, looking furtively around, sweating excessively.
There's a whole list of criteria that you can use that are actually
indicators of suspicious behavior that have nothing to do with the
color of one's skin.
CHEN: Mr. Mehlman, what about that?
Mr. MEHLMAN: Well, first of all, if you're looking at people who are
sweating on the New York City subway system in the middle of July, you
are going to target everybody. The fact of the matter is that although
there are people who don't meet a particular profile, the vast majority
of people who perpetrate these acts do meet a certain profile. Just
this week the--they arrested in Newark several Egyptian men who they
thought might be targeting the New York City subway. Those people did
meet a certain profile. Again, this is not. . .
Mr. HOOPER: So are you going to target. . .
Mr. MEHLMAN: This is not the panacea. . .
Mr. HOOPER: . . .every Hispanic?
Mr. MEHLMAN: This. . .
Mr. HOOPER: Are you going to target every Hispanic. . .
Mr. MEHLMAN: Mr. Hooper. . .
Mr. HOOPER: . . .who looks like they might be Middle Eastern?
Mr. MEHLMAN: This is not the panacea. What we need to do is do a better
job controlling who comes into this country. We need to have better
intelligence about who is in this country, the terror cells that
everybody in intelligence tells us are already here and targeting our
subways and other vital institutions.
Mr. HOOPER: Are you going to target every African-American because one
of the alleged bombers in Britain was Somali? I mean, this is the kind
of absurd levels you get to when you start advocating racial profiling.
Mr. MEHLMAN: There's more. Look, race is one factor. Nobody is suggesting that the only. . .
Mr. HOOPER: And why is it the factor that you choose?
Mr. MEHLMAN: Can I please finish my sentence? Nobody says that you
target simply because of race or ethnicity, but you also look at other
factors, the kind of factors that Mr. Hooper was talking about, how
people were acting. You put a combination of factors together, and
those are the people you target, and you could eliminate a large
segment of the people who are entering the subway system that way.
CHEN: Mr. Mehlman, is it a violation of civil rights?
Mr. MEHLMAN: We do it all the time. As I pointed out before, insurance
companies do it. Police departments do it all the time. There's a--you
can take it beyond a certain point where it becomes discriminatory, but
we do have a pretty good sense of who we ought to be looking for out
there.
CHEN: Ira Mehlman, Ibrahim Hooper, we thank you both for joining us for this discussion this morning.
Mr. HOOPER: Thank you.
Mr. MEHLMAN: OK.
---
MUSLIMS FEEL TARGETED AT MOSQUE -
TOP
Andrew Wang, Los Angeles Times, 7/30/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-me-mosque30jul30,1,178428.story
As members of a Pomona mosque gathered for prayers Friday, they tried
to make sense of vandalism at their religious center this week. Some
Muslims suspect the incident was a hate crime, although police said it
was too soon in the investigation to declare it so.
Imam Ridha Hajjar told about 50 people gathered for Friday prayers at
the blockish, split-level building near the San Bernardino Freeway he
was uncertain whether Ahlul-Beyt Mosque was the target of anti-Muslim
sentiment. According to police, vandals broke into several classrooms
and stole a 40-inch flat-screen television and a donation box and pay
phone change box with unknown amounts of money.
I'm not sure about their motivations," the imam said, speaking in
English peppered with Arabic phrases. But "if it was robbery, then why
the destruction?"
But others at the mosque, where worshipers are predominantly Shiite
Muslims from Iraq, were certain the incident was a reaction by those
who blame all Muslims for the recent bombings in London, the bombings
of commuter trains in Madrid last year and the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
"Prejudice and religious hatred are alive and well," said Nabil Shmara,
45, a civil engineer who lives in Anaheim Hills. "This is a normal or
expected backlash."
"We are law-abiding people. Most of us came to this country for the
opportunities for us and our children," Shmara said as he sat on the
green-carpeted floor of the mosque's sanctuary for the noon prayer.
"Those who did this to our mosque are the same as those who did the
bombing in London&. They are also hurting innocent people."
Pomona police found no sign of forced entry nor any clear-cut evidence
of a hate crime, but they have said that an unknown number of people
may have had keys to the mosque. Police said the burglary was
discovered Wednesday and could have taken place several days before
that. (MORE)
-----
THOSE WHO ACCUSE MUSLIMS OF SILENCE AREN'T LISTENING VERY WELL -
TOP
Allie Shah, Star Tribune, 7/31/05
http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/5533865.html
Where are the moderate Muslims?
And why aren't they condemning the terrorist attacks in London and the Middle East?
Is their silence a sign of tacit or even overt support for the killings? Or is it that they're afraid of retaliation?
In short, why aren't Muslims speaking out against terrorism?
Since 9/11, this question in one form or another has been raised by
non-Muslims on talk radio, where the verbal attacks against Islam and
Muslims borders on terrorizing, and in letters to the editor and in
water cooler conversations.
The better question might be: Why aren't you hearing us?
To be fair, most of us are doing the same things you all are doing this
summer: going to school or work, attending weddings, shuttling kids to
summer camps, and trying to get ahead on our never-ending task lists.
We're living our lives, pursuing the American Dream.
What are we supposed to do? Drop everything and walk out to the nearest
street corner with a bullhorn and shout: "I am a Muslim and I love
America and the West and I abhor and condemn the latest suicide bombing
in XYZ country that killed X number of people"?
The fact is that many prominent American Muslim groups have clearly and
publicly denounced acts of terror in the name of Islam as barbaric,
heinous and just plain wrong. Though they religiously send out press
releases and e-mail statements after every attack, somehow their
message doesn't seem to penetrate.
On July 7, as the news broke about the horrific bus and subway bombings
in London that killed 56 people, American Muslim groups scrambled to
issue statements condemning the attacks and expressing sympathy for the
victims' families. Some, including the Muslim Public Affairs Council
based in California and the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) in Washington, D.C., continue to post their statements on their
websites. (MORE)
SSEE ALSO:
BEING MUSLIM IN A MAD, SAD WORLD -
TOP
Sabaa Saleem, Washington Post, 7/31/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072901935.html
Since I began working as an editor in The Post's foreign section a year
ago, I have come into the office every day hoping only one thing:
Please do not let there be another story about a bloody attack
perpetrated by extremist Muslims. Not in Iraq, Britain, Egypt, not
anywhere.
I'm often disappointed.
Raised in the United States, I have felt fear in my heart as an
American treading the vicious new world we all inhabit in the wake of
the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. As the daughter of Pakistani-Muslim
parents, I have ached at seeing an entire faith -- my faith -- often
vilified because of the actions of a few.
The recent bombings in London and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, came as
punishing one-two blows to me, pushing me to ask the question that I
know many Muslims ask: Why do young people who are supposed to be my
brothers or sisters in faith terrorize innocent civilians to make a
point I can scarcely fathom?
Perhaps the reason I cannot find the answer to this question is that it
is rooted in the non-Muslim American reality, a reality that is
categorically rejected by extremist Muslims. This rejection incites an
equally vehement condemnation by Americans of the extremist worldview.
Thus, we have an impasse: Two realities sharply separated. No nuances, no gray area.
Or is there?
Growing up in the United States, I have learned that we Americans
stride across the world's stage with an assured gait, a confidence born
of the belief that we act in the interest of freedom, democracy and an
ineffable yet essential goodness. The images that have pulsed through
me since my youth are of an ascendant America, an icon of liberty and
hope.
These are the reasons my parents immigrated here, the reasons so many
Muslims have come here. Rooted in this reality, I reject everything
extremists say, every excuse they make, and I see only my reality and
their misguided outlook.
But there is some inner voice nagging at me, reminding me that when I
speak with peaceful Muslims from America, Australia, England, Pakistan
and Scotland, I become aware of their reality, which conflicts on some
very deep levels with my own. With fresh eyes, I begin to see their
point of view. And I realize that their voices have been adopted and
warped by Islamic radicals.
I feel that the concerns of moderate Muslims are legitimate when I read
this: According to two British organizations, at least 25,000 Iraqi
civilians have died so far in the war, more than one-third of them
killed by U.S. troops and their allies and more than 1,000 of them
children. Killed in a war that the Muslims I have spoken with found
difficult to justify.
And when I read this: Nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys were massacred
by Bosnian Serb forces in Srebrenica in July 1995, and callously tossed
into mass graves in the surrounding area. They were murdered with U.N.
troops standing by, unable to act. Murdered after the world had vowed
that genocide would never taint Europe again. And while some implicated
in the atrocity have been tried, its two main architects remain at
large. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM PR CAMPAIGN REJECTS TERROR, EXTREMISM -
TOP
Susan R. Miller, Palm Beach Post, 7/30/05
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2005/07/30/s1c_islam_0730.html
PEMBROKE PINES - Florida's Muslim community on Friday launched a public
relations campaign designed to deliver a unified message condemning
terrorism and extremism.
Nearly a dozen South Florida Muslim leaders flanked Altaf Ali,
Florida's executive director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, during a news conference to declare that there is no
justification for violence and that their religion promotes peace.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
SOUTH FLORIDA MUSLIM LEADERS JOIN NATIONAL FATWA TO CONDEMN TERRORISM -
TOP
James D. Davis, Sun-Sentinel, 7/30/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cfatwa30jul30,0,4532672.story
Leaders of most of South Florida's mosques Friday endorsed a national
fatwa, or religious ruling, condemning terrorism in the name of Islam.
"Targeting civilians' life and property . . . is haram, or forbidden,"
said Altaf Ali, Florida director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, in a press conference. "And those who commit these barbaric
acts are criminals, not martyrs.
"We will unite with our brothers and sisters of other faiths to stand
against these barbarians," Ali added during the gathering, at the
council's state headquarters in Pembroke Pines.
His words found agreement from leaders of 18 mosques from Palm Beach,
Broward and Miami-Dade counties, representing many of the area's
estimated 70,000 Muslim residents. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS HERE DECRY RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM -
TOP
EMILY NGO, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/30/05
http://www.suntimes.com/output/terror/cst-nws-fatwa30.html
In light of bomb attacks in London and Egypt, Muslim interest groups in
Chicago on Friday joined Muslims nationwide in publicly decrying acts
of violence performed for religion's sake.
Several Muslim interest groups here officially endorsed the fatwa, or
religious decree, issued by the Fiqh Council of North America against
religious extremism.
According to the teachings of the Quran, acts of terrorism targeting
innocents are forbidden in Islam, the fatwa reads. The decree seeks to
remind Muslims that Islam condemns violence and to assure non-Muslims
that not all of the Islamic world resorts to violent means.
"We believe suicide bombing is criminal and sinful," said Imam Abdul
Malik Mujahid, chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of
Greater Chicago. "Killing civilians, for whatever cause, will result in
God's utter displeasure."
Ahmed Rehab, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Mohammed
Kaiseruddin, president of the Muslim Community Center, and other area
leaders joined Mujahid at the Downtown Islamic Center, 231 S. State, to
announce their support of the fatwa. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM LEADERS WORK TO GET ANTI-TERRORISM MESSAGE HEARD -
TOP
HOLLY LEBOWITZ ROSSI, Religion News Service, 7/30/05
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/religion/12257152.htm
"Why haven't Muslim leaders condemned terrorism?"
This is the most common question that Ibrahim Hooper, communications
director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations, gets on a daily basis from media and other inquirers.
Nearly four years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Muslim
organizations disagree on the best way to battle the perception that
they are soft on terrorists who attack in their religion's name.
At issue is the public-relations strategy of U.S. Muslim groups. At
stake is the way Americans view the world's second-largest religion,
with more than 1 billion adherents, as the United States wages a global
war on terrorism.
While groups hone their media-relations skills and issue immediate
statements in the wake of attacks, lingering criticism remains.
Frustrated, an increasing number of Muslim leaders say they will focus
more on taking concrete actions to eradicate terrorism from their faith
communities than on winning the war of words. (MORE)
-----
ECUMENICAL WEDDING HAS LESSONS FOR TODAY -
TOP
SANDRA THOMPSON, St. Petersburg Times, 7/30/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/30/Columns/Ecumenical_wedding_ha.shtml
In the car on the way to my daughter's wedding I realized I had forgotten a scarf.
I was sitting in the back seat between the bride and the groom. My
husband was driving, and my ex-husband, father of the bride, was in the
passenger seat.
My daughter immediately picked up her cell phone.
"Sarah?" she said. "My mom forgot her scarf. Can you bring one?" She turned to me. "She wants to know what color?"
We met Sarah and her husband in the parking lot of the mosque. She
handed me a piece of beautiful ivory silk with delicate stitching of
flowers. The colors were perfect.
On her way to her car, a woman in a traditional long dress, her head
covered, heard we were having a wedding. She cried out congratulations
and hugged the bride, Sarah, me.
We all introduced each other.
"I'm the Jew," said the father of the bride, who had flown in from New York.
She laughed. "Oh, good, we can duck behind cars and throw rocks at each other!"
There were no rocks thrown.
The wedding party was ecumenical. My daughter is Jewish although I am
not, so some strict interpreters would say neither is she. I was raised
as a Methodist. My husband is Episcopalian. The groom is Muslim. My
daughter's friend, Sarah, is Muslim, and her husband is a recent
convert to Islam.
It may have been the first marriage between a Muslim and a Jew at this mosque. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM GROUPS NOT SATISFIED WITH APOLOGY FROM TANCREDO -
TOP
By Kirk Mitchell, Denver Post, 7/31/05
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2902576
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo's remarks about bombing Islamic holy sites,
including Mecca, were so inflammatory and insensitive that a simple
apology is not enough, Muslim officials said Saturday at a Denver rally.
"He needs to be removed from office," said Gerald Muhammad, a Nation of
Islam minister from Denver. "We're not going to stop pushing until he
is censored. We can't afford to have a man like that in office."
Muhammad, who said Tancredo's comments were racist, was one of several
Muslim leaders who spoke to a crowd of about 200 people at Civic Center
on Saturday afternoon for the "With Justice Comes Peace" rally.
The controversy began July 15 when the Republican congressman, asked on
a Florida talk-radio show how the United States might respond to a
nuclear strike by Islamic terrorists, said, "You could take out their
holy sites."
When host Pat Campbell replied, "You're talking about bombing Mecca," Tancredo answered, "Yeah." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BANGLADESHIS PROTEST U.S. POLITICIAN'S MECCA REMARK -
TOP
Reuters, 7/30/05
http://in.today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-07-29T205720Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-211059-1.xml
DHAKA (Reuters) - Thousands of Bangladeshi Islamic activists staged a
noisy protest in the capital Dhaka on Friday after a U.S. congressman
suggested the United States might consider bombing holy sites,
including Mecca.
"Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)", "Be Aware Bush-Blair", "World
Muslims Unite to Fight U.S.-British Aggressions," protesters chanted.
U.S. Republican Tom Tancredo made the comment on July 14 in answer to a
radio host's question about a possible response to any hypothetical
nuclear terrorist attack on the United States.
"If this happens in the United States and we determine that it is the
result of extremist fundamentalist Muslims, you could take out their
holy sites," the Colorado Republican said.
"You're talking about bombing Mecca?" the host asked.
"Yeah," Tancredo responded, according to an audio excerpt posted online
by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based group.
A spokesman for the congressman confirmed the substance of Tancredo's
remarks.
Moulana Mohammad Hemayetuddin, a leader of the Islamic Constitution
Movement, told protesters in Dhaka: "Such extremist remarks will spark
more fire which will engulf not only the U.S., but the whole world."
(MORE)
-----
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Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/1/05
*
HADITH:
A Similar Place
in Paradise
*
CAIR-CA:
Bay-Area
Mosques to Support Anti-Terror Fatwa
*
CAIR:
Muslims
Find Room to Grow in DC Suburbs (Wash Post)
-
MN:
Mosque Prepares
Doubling of Space (Star Trib)
*
CAIR-IL:
Chicago
Mosques Support Fatwa (ABC)
-
TX:
A
Welcome Statement Against Terror (DM News)
-
KS:
Local
Muslims Condemn Terror (Wichita Eagle)
*
CAIR:
PA
Game Featuring Arab Raises Concern (Patriot News)
-
OH:
Shine
A Bright Light on Those Who Spew Hate
-
Profiling is
Against Our Interests (Wash Post)
*
INCITEMENT:
Cartoon
Shows Bombs Given to Kids at Mosque
*
CAIR-DC:
Govt
Turns to 'Moderate Muslim Outreach' (FT)
-
CAIR-CA:
New
FBI Chief Meets with Muslims (Sac Bee)
*
Prosecutors
Faulted Trials for Detainees (NY Times)
-
Secret Memo: Send to be
Tortured (Newsweek)
-----
HADITH OF
THE DAY: A SIMILAR PLACE IN PARADISE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever builds a
mosque, God will build for him a similar place in
Paradise."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith 441
The Prophet also said: "You may pray wherever you are at the time of
prayer, for all (of the earth} is a mosque."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 2, Number 67
VERSE OF THE DAY: THOSE WHO VISIT AND MAINTAIN MOSQUES
"(Mosques) should be visited and maintained by those who believe in
God and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, spend in charity, and
stand in awe of none but God. It is they who are expected to follow the
true guidance."
The Holy Quran, 9:18
-----
CAIR-CA:
BAY-AREA MOSQUE LEADERS TO SUPPORT ANTI-TERROR FATWA -
TOP
CAIR releases English, Arabic, Urdu radio versions of anti-terror
PSA
(SANTA CLARA, CA, 8/1/05) - On Tuesday, August 2, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (CAIR-SFBA)
will hold a news conference at the South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA)
to endorse a fatwa (Islamic religious ruling) against terrorism and
religious extremism.
The fatwa has been issued by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), an
association of Islamic legal scholars that interprets Muslim religious
law, and has been endorsed by more than 150 Muslim groups, leaders and
institutions nationwide. (The term "fiqh" refers to Islamic
jurisprudence.)
WHAT: Endorsement of Fatwa Against Terror and Extremism/Release of
CAIR
Radio Anti-Terror PSAs
WHEN: Tuesday, August 2, 11 a.m.
WHERE: South Bay Islamic Association at 325 North Third Street,
San Jose, CA
CONTACT: CAIR Executive Director, Safaa Ibrahim, 408-986-9874,
831-246-3702, or E-Mail:
nocal@cair.com
At Tuesday's news conference, CAIR will also release radio versions
of
CAIR's 30-second "Not in the Name of Islam" television public
service announcement (PSA) in English, Arabic and Urdu. The PSA campaign
ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition
drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts
of a few Muslims.
To listen to the PSAs, go to:
English:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/english.mp3
Arabic:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/arabic.mp3
Urdu:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/urdu.mp3
TV:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
-----
CAIR-DC:
MUSLIMS FIND ROOM TO GROW IN D.C.'S OUTER SUBURBS -
TOP
Nikita Stewart, Washington Post, 8/01/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/31/AR2005073101185.html
In the outer suburbs of Washington, long filled with Christian churches,
new and expanding Muslim mosques are changing the religious
landscape.
In Woodbridge, a $1.8 million mosque built to hold 1,000 worshipers will
open in January. Starting in October, Ellicott City Muslims will pray in
a new $2 million mosque large enough to accommodate almost 1,000 people.
Mosques from Annapolis to Manassas are growing as Muslims who have
migrated to the outer suburbs seek places to worship near where they
live.
In the region, two new mosques are under construction in Ellicott City
and in Woodbridge, and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society's new mosque in
Sterling is to be expanded. In addition, from Columbia to Manassas,
dozens of masjids, or informal mosques, have sprung up in office
buildings, homes, even churches . . .
"Like all other segments of society, there's a move to suburbia, and
Muslims are part of that movement," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman
for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Washington.
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
MOSQUE PREPARES DOUBLING
OF SPACE -
TOP
Matt McKinney, Star Tribune, 8/01/05
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5536198.html
An Islamic minaret and shining gold dome will soon rise over a bustling
north Minneapolis neighborhood under plans made by a local Muslim
community to double the size of their mosque.
The $1 million renovation of the Masjid An-Nur at the intersection of
18th and Lyndale avenues marks a significant milestone for the Muslim
community it serves, said Makram El-Amin, the mosque's imam.
"What we're trying to do here is raise the profile in order to bring
a better light to the religion of Islam," he said. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-IL:
AREA MOSQUES SUPPORT RELIGIOUS FATWA CONDEMNING TERRORISM -
TOP
Judy Hsu, ABC News, 7/29/05
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/072905_ns_fatwa.html
Muslims living in the United States are launching a campaign against
terrorism. Scholars are calling on all Muslims in America to help
authorities fight the violence carried out by Islamic extremists. It is
also an effort to end the perception that Islam is linked to
terrorism.
Across Chicago area mosques, Friday services delivered a unified message
condemning terrorism. This follows the recent religious ruling from
American Muslim scholars, called a fatwa.
"The fatwa decidedly states that violence and extremism has no place
in Islam. Muslims have a religious obligation to contribute
constructively to any society in which they live," said Ahmed Rehab,
Council on American-Islamic Relations. . .The Council on American-Islamic
Relations has posted the full text of the fatwa on it's Web
site.
---
A WELCOME
STATEMENT AGAINST ISLAMIST TERROR -
TOP
Dallas Morning News, 7/31/05
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/080105dnedifatwa.7af4269.html
It would be premature to hail a religious statement from American Muslim
leaders condemning terrorism as a seminal moment against Islamist
terrorism. But we certainly hope historians one day will say just
that.
On Thursday, an association of Muslim jurists who interpret Islamic law
and more than 100 Muslim organizations, mosques and leaders stood behind
a religious declaration to denounce people who commit terrorism in the
name of Islam as "criminals, not martyrs." Called fatwa, the
judicial ruling also bars Muslims from helping anyone "involved in
any act of terrorism or violence" and obligates the faithful to
cooperate with law enforcement officials.
This is much more than an expression of regret or sympathy. It is a
potentially powerful interpretation of the tenets of Islam and a
compelling spiritual counterweight to the corrupt extremist doctrines
that inspire terrorists. (MORE)
---
QURAN, LOCAL
MUSLIMS CONDEMN ACTS OF TERROR -
TOP
Nabil Seyam, Wichita Eagle, 7/31/05
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/12265705.htm
The July 7 bombings in London led imams and other Islamic religious
leaders and government officials across the world to release statements
denouncing terrorism and vowing to confront religious extremism. Muslims
went beyond just condemning the attacks; they also took and continue to
take active steps to combat extremism and the exploitation of religion
for violent political purposes.
According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims are those who live their
lives based upon the principle of moderation. According to the Holy Quran
25:70, "One who kills a person will find his place in Hellfire
unless he reaffirms his faith, seeks God and his victims' forgiveness and
lives a life of good deeds."
The Holy Quran clearly declares that killing an innocent person was
tantamount to killing all mankind and, likewise, that saving a single
life was as if one had saved the life of all mankind. This is both a
principle and a command.
The social culture of Islam is based on the principle of inviting people
toward good, courteously and wisely. We are firmly of the view that these
killings had absolutely no sanction in Islam; nor is there any
justification whatsoever in our noble religion for such evil actions.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR-DC:
PAINTBALL GAME FEATURING GENERIC ARAB RAISES CONCERN -
TOP
John Beauge and Mary Warner, Patriot-News, 8/01/05
http://www.pennlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/112288802430810.xml?pennnews&coll=1
Stroll a county fair this summer and you might find Freedom Bunker, where
the staff wears military fatigues and American flags flutter.
Players shoot paintballs at stationary targets, including a likeness of
Osama bin Laden -- and at a man dressed in typical Middle East garb. Some
players shout at him, "Die, terrorist!" . . .
Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Council on American Islamic Relations
in Washington, had not heard of Freedom Bunker but recalled reports of
similar caricatures.
"With Osama bin Laden, no one's going to debate people shooting at a
picture of him," she said. "Our concern is when they see a
figure that's very generic. That is sending a dangerous message that
anyone of this skin type or that dress or that religion is a
terrorist."
Freedom Bunker is being played as Americans react to recent terrorist
attacks in London and Egypt and continued suicide bombings in
Iraq.
At the same time, American Muslims have been calling attention to their
abhorrence of terrorism. Just last week, CAIR and more than 120 other
Muslim groups endorsed a fatwa -- a religious edict -- calling terrorists
criminals and not martyrs.
CAIR released a public service announcement, "Not in the Name of
Islam," with a similar message two weeks ago. No Pennsylvania TV
stations have picked it up, Ahmed said. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
WE
SHOULD SHINE A BRIGHT LIGHT ON ALL THOSE WHO SPEW HATE -
TOP
S. Amjad Hussain, Toledo Blade, 8/01/05
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050801/COLUMNIST12/507310321/-1/NEWS15
In a recent New York Times column, Tom Friedman said that we should shine
a bright light on the spoken and written words that advocate hatred and
incite violence against others. Just as we have annual lists of terrorist
organizations and the countries that abuse human rights, Mr. Friedman
would like a list of hate-mongers as well. To his credit he would also
include those who spew hatred against Muslims. He would also like to
shine light on those who show moderation and condemn terrorism. I could
not agree more. . .
Recently the Fiqh Council of North America, a national organization of
Muslim jurists, came out with a religious edict - a fatwa - condemning
recent acts of terrorism in London and Egypt. This was not a fatwa of
political expediency but a well-thought out and reasoned edict based on
solid religious ground. The Islamic Society of North America and the
Council on American-Islamic Relations among others have endorsed this
fatwa. (MORE)
---
TARGETED
PROFILING IS AGAINST OUR INTERESTS -
TOP
David A. Harris, Washington Post, 08/01/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/31/AR2005073100808.html
Letter to the Editor:
Charles Krauthammer's endorsement of the profiling of "young Muslim
men of North African, Middle Eastern and South Asian origin"
["Give Grandma a Pass," op-ed, July 29] restated the misguided
belief that using racial or ethnic appearance as a factor in deciding who
merits police suspicion makes for good law enforcement. He is mistaken.
Using race or ethnicity this way will not make us safer; it will make us
less safe.
In a war against terrorism, we must train our law enforcement personnel
to watch for the things that terrorists do, no matter what they may look
like. The Israeli aviation security system has made this a guiding
principle. Our certainty about what our enemies "look like"
distracts our security forces from what's important: terrorist behavior.
The result is less accuracy.
In addition, the inclusion of people who "look like" our
enemies results in a huge number of false positives upon which we spend
our precious time and resources.
Perhaps most important, when we focus on Muslims from the Middle East,
North Africa and South Asia, our ability to receive intelligence from
these groups will be corroded because these people will begin to fear law
enforcement. And fear will cut off communication and our best source of
human intelligence on potential sleeper cells in the United States.
(MORE)
-----
INCITEMENT
WATCH: CARTOONIST SHOWS BOMBS GIVEN TO KIDS AT MOSQUE -
TOP
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/benson/
(View 7/31/05 cartoon.)
SEND POLITE COMMENTS TO:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-DC:
BUSH ADMINISTRATION TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO 'MODERATE MUSLIM OUTREACH' -
TOP
Edward Alden, Caroline Daniel and Guy Dinmore, Financial Times,
8/01/05
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/2e43d0c6-0228-11da-9481-00000e2511c8.html
The Bush administration's new, and still evolving, counter-terrorism
strategy stems from the conviction that military might alone cannot win
the war against religious extremists, nor can the US succeed without
traditional allies.
Repairing the transatlantic relationship that was so badly damaged by
disagreements over Iraq has been a priority since the second Bush
administration took office in January. Officials say it reflects a
significant shift in foreign policy under a new team that is
predominantly pro-European in outlook and background.
The change in course is also driven by the realisation that the
administration is losing American public support for the war in Iraq.
Meanwhile, claims that Iraq has become the "central front" in
the war on terror and that the world is a safer place as a result are met
with growing scepticism. . .
Muslim groups in the US say a conscious decision by the administration to
reach out to moderate Muslims would be both welcome and long overdue.
Rabiah Ahmed, of the Council on American Islamic Relations, says its
advocacy group has long promoted this. But it had met with little
response from the administration. "You have to wonder why. There has
been more dialogue in the UK," she said. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
CAIR-CA: LATEST
FBI CHIEF AIMING TO STAY -
TOP
Crystal Carreon, Sacramento Bee, 07/31/05
The walls are bare and the photographs and plaques are still
bubble-wrapped, but Drew Parenti is on the job, keeping tabs on an
88,000-square-mile swath of California.
Parenti, the Sacramento region's new FBI special agent in charge, hasn't
had the chance to unpack the boxes of a 21-year-law enforcement career.
But after a month in Sacramento, he says he hopes to stay longer than
four predecessors who have passed through the office in as many
years.
He understands the value of longevity and connecting to the community he
serves. "Our job is based on relationships," Parenti said.
"You have computers and satellites and all of that, but at the end
of the day it's all about the people."
Last week, he met with members of the local Muslim community in midtown.
Since the June arrests of five Lodi men with suspected ties to al-Qaida,
reports of racial profiling and other alleged wrongdoing have
surfaced.
"He seemed very genuine; he was paying attention to our
concerns," said Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento
Valley Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It was
a good start." (MORE)
-----
TWO
PROSECUTORS FAULTED TRIALS FOR DETAINEES -
TOP
Neil A. Lewis, New York Times, 8/01/05
http://nytimes.com/2005/08/01/politics/01gitmo.html
As the Pentagon was making its final preparations to begin war crimes
trials against four detainees at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, two senior
prosecutors complained in confidential messages last year that the trial
system had been secretly arranged to improve the chance of conviction and
to deprive defendants of material that could prove their
innocence.
The electronic messages, obtained by The New York Times, reveal a bitter
dispute within the military legal community over the fairness of the
system at a time when the Bush administration and the Pentagon were eager
to have the military commissions, the first for the United States since
the aftermath of World War II, be seen as just at home and
abroad.
During the same time period, military defense lawyers were publicly
criticizing the system, but senior officials dismissed their complaints
and said they were contrived as part of the efforts to help their
clients. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
SECRET MEMO-SEND TO BE
TORTURED -
TOP
Michael Isikoff, Newsweek, 8/01/05
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8769416/site/newsweek
An FBI agent warned superiors in a memo three years ago that U.S.
officials who discussed plans to ship terror suspects to foreign nations
that practice torture could be prosecuted for conspiring to violate U.S.
law, according to a copy of the memo obtained by Newsweek. The strongly
worded memo, written by an FBI supervisor then assigned to Guantanamo, is
the latest in a series of documents that have recently surfaced
reflecting unease among some government lawyers and FBI agents over
tactics being used in the war on terror. This memo appears to be the
first that directly questions the legal premises of the Bush
administration policy of "extraordinary rendition"-a secret
program under which terror suspects are transferred to foreign countries
that have been widely criticized for practicing torture. (MORE)
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. MUSLIMS ASKED TO PRAY FOR RAIN IN NIGER
CAIR urges people of all faiths to join in spiritual
effort
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/2/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on U.S. mosques and Islamic centers to
offer prayers for rain in the draught-stricken African nation of Niger
during this week's Friday congregational services, or
"jummah."
CAIR, a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, is also
calling on people of all faiths to offer prayers for rain according to
their own religious traditions.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says drought and a
locust invasion in the predominantly-Muslim nation have pushed several
million people, including 800,000 children, to the edge of starvation.
International donations for food supplies have been slow in
coming.
SEE: "Niger: Famine Warnings Unheeded"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/02/earlyshow/main713303.shtml
CAIR initiated the prayer request to provide a spiritual dimension to
Niger's humanitarian crisis. The special Islamic prayer, called
Salatul Istisqa (sal-
at-al-istis-
ka), was performed
by the Prophet Muhammad and is traditionally offered during times of
drought.
In Salatul Istisqa, the Prophet would offer supplications such as:
"O God, give us a saving rain. . .O God, (Your) servants, land,
animals, and (Your) creation are all suffering and seek protection. . .O
God, remove from us the hardship, starvation and barrenness, and remove
the affliction from us, as no one removes afflictions save
Thee."
"We hope this nationwide spiritual effort will help bring the
humanitarian crisis in Niger to the attention of people of faith and will
prompt policy-makers to address the issue," said CAIR Executive
Director Nihad Awad.
Awad asked that churches, synagogues and other houses of worship
throughout the nation join their Muslim neighbors in praying for rain and
to help the people of Niger by donating generously to groups working to
deliver relief supplies.
For a list of organizations gathering Niger aid, go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/07/29/niger.aidgroups/index.html
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
cair@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed,
202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/2/05
*
VERSE:
The
Book of Guidance
*
Positive 'Explore the
Quran' Feedback
-
Support CAIR's
Free Quran Campaign
*
NY:
Probe Eyes
Interrogation of U.S. Muslims (AP)
-
Backgrounder:
Muslims Sue DHS Over
Detentions
*
TN:
Nashville Leaders
Reach Out to Muslims (Tennessean)
*
CAIR-CA
Condemns Terror
(AP)
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Support Fatwa (Sac Bee)
-
CA:
A Welcome Fatwa (LA Times)
-
Saving Islam from Itself (Wash Times)
*
NJ:
Bias Discounted in Mosque Fire (AP)
*
NY:
Little Pakistan Lost Residents Since 9/11 (Newsday)
-
CA:
Why I Don't Go On Dates (Time)
*
NY:
Profiling Supported, Opposed (Newsday)
*
Pentagon to Increase Domestic Surveillance (FOX)
*
US Keeps Uighurs at Gitmo after Found Innocent (AFP)
-
British Resident Describes Alleged Abuse (AP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: THE BOOK OF GUIDANCE -
TOP
This is the book - let there be no doubt about it - that is (meant to
be) a guidance for all the God-conscious who believe in (the existence
of) that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are
constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them
as sustenance."
The Holy Quran, 2:2-3
-----
POSITIVE 'EXPLORE THE QURAN' FEEDBACK -
TOP
http://www.explorethequran.org
To date, nearly 20,000 people have requested free Qurans through CAIR's
"Explore the Quran" campaign. The following are excerpts from e-mails
received by those who already received their Qurans:
"Dear Muslim friends: My copy of the Qur'an, by Muhammad Asad, arrived
in today's mail. What you sent gives significant witness to your
efforts to encourage greater interfaith understanding and mutual
respect; and to the standing of this Holy Book. Be assured that this
Holy Book will be treated just as you have stated is expected of
Muslims. . ."
"Dear Sir: I received your holy book today. I am a Catholic but mainly
a Christian. I really appreciate your outreach to me and others. I will
treat this book with great respect. . ."
ACTION REQUESTED: SUPPORT CAIR'S QURAN CAMPAIGN -
TOP
CAIR has pledged to cover the costs of shipping Qurans to all those who
submit request, but we need your support to fulfill that pledge.
1) SPONSOR a free copy(s) of the Quran so that people of other faiths
may learn the truth about Islam and Muslims. To sponsor one or more
Qurans online, go to:
http://www.explorethequran.org
To sponsor a Quran by phone, call 1-800-78-ISLAM (1-800-784-7526). (In
order to ease the pressure on CAIR's switchboard, those sponsoring a
free Quran may also send a donation to: Explore the Quran, CAIR, 453
New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003)
2) IMAMS and COMMUNITY LEADERS should ask congregations to support this important project.
3) FORWARD this alert to your Muslim friends, family and colleagues.
4) Join CAIR-NET. CAIR offers an e-mail list designed keep American
Muslims informed about efforts such as "Explore the Quran." To
SUBSCRIBE to CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
CAIR is willing to respond, inshallah, to every request received. We
ask every Muslim to help cover the cost of at least one Holy Quran.
-----
PROBE EYES INTERROGATION OF MUSLIMS -
TOP
ANTHONY M. DESTEFANO, Associated Press, 8/2/05
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/manhattan/nyc-musl0802,0,3715001.story
A criminal investigation has been launched into allegations made by a
group of Muslim Americans that they were illegally interrogated last
December while returning from a religious conference in Canada, their
attorneys said.
The five Muslims filed suit earlier this year in federal court in
Brooklyn to challenge the practices of the Department of Homeland
Security after they were allegedly detained, interrogated,
fingerprinted and photographed because they had attended a religious
conference in Toronto.
In a letter filed last week, attorneys for the New York Civil Liberties
Union said they had been told by homeland security officials in May
that a criminal probe had been started based on the allegations in the
lawsuit. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BACKGROUNDER: AMERICAN MUSLIMS SUE DHS OVER BORDER DETENTIONS -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1549&theType=NR
-----
PURCELL, CITY LEADERS REACH OUT TO MUSLIMS -
TOP
Lee Ann O'Neal, Tennessean, 8/02/05
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050802/NEWS0202/508020337/1009/NEWS
Leaders of the Islamic community met yesterday with Mayor Bill
Purcell's top brass, with one Islamic leader asking them "to open your
hearts to us."
The meeting was one of a series of overtures to Nashville Muslims in recent weeks.
The imam of the Islamic Center of Nashville spoke to the mayor's
regular meeting of department heads, including the police chief and the
executive director of the Metro Human Relations Commission.
Commission director Kelvin Jones has arranged some of the
conversations. Yesterday, Jones and six leaders met with staff from the
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, including president and CEO
Raul Regalado.
The meetings have been the most significant and intense effort by the
city to reach out to the Islamic community, Jones and Islamic leaders
said.
The meetings were spurred by a recent case in which a Quran, the Muslim
holy book, was found covered with flies and mashed into what appeared
to be feces on the steps of an east Nashville apartment. Islamic
leaders criticized the police response as too slow. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: ISLAMIC GROUP CONDEMNS TERRORISM -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/2/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12282210.htm
A chapter of a prominent American Islamic group will meet in Santa Clara today to endorse a ruling condemning terrorism.
The fatwa, or edict, against terror and religious extremism was
recently issued by the Fiqh Council of North America, an association of
Islamic legal scholars that interprets Muslim religious law.
The fatwa has been endorsed by more than 150 Muslim groups and leaders,
and the Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area
Chapter is the latest to approve it.
In the fatwa issued last week, the council wrote that people who commit
terrorism in the name of Islam were ``criminals, not `martyrs.' ''
``There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism,'' the
scholars wrote. ``Targeting civilians' life and property through
suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram -- or
forbidden.''
ALSO SEE:
AREA MUSLIMS SUPPORT RELIGIOUS RULING AGAINST TERRORISM -
TOP
Stephen Magagnini, Sacramento Bee, 8/01/05
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13335121p-14177116c.html
Sacramento-area Muslims, joining Muslim leaders throughout the U.S.,
Canada and Great Britain on Monday, backed a fatwa - or religious
ruling - against terrorism.
At a press conference outside the Capitol, several Muslim and
non-Muslim leaders denounced violence against innocent civilians and
sought to distance patriotic, law-abiding American Muslims from a
handful of extremists.
"We have said this many times in the past - we hate violence, it is not
permitted by Islam," said Irfan Haq, president of the Council of
Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations. "We want our children to be
safe, our neighborhoods to be safe, we want this to be a safe country.
"There are those people who have hijacked our faith by using Muslim
names," Haq said. "They are hated by our community. If we find them we
will be the first ones to turn them in to the FBI."
Since the 9-11 attacks, Muslims worldwide have condemned terrorism
again and again, but Muslim American leaders fear that nobody's
listening.
The fatwa - in the wake of bombings in London and Egypt - was issued
last week by the Fiqh Council of North America, a group of 18 Islamic
jurists who interpret fiqh, or Islamic law. It has been endorsed by
more than 120 U.S. Muslim groups, leaders and institutions, said Basim
Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national civil
liberties group. (MORE)
---
A WELCOME FATWA -
TOP
Los Angeles Times, 8/02/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-fatwa2aug02,0,6577742.story
For most of the last two decades, the West knew the word fatwa through
the death sentence laid by Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on author
Salman Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses," which rather mildly
satirized his own Muslim religion. The novelist survived (though his
Japanese translator was killed in 1991), but had to spend some of those
years in fearful, heavily guarded hiding.
Fatwa arose again, though to less notice, after Sept. 11, 2001.
Fundamentalist preachers in some Arab countries, including Saudi
Arabia, declared the thousands of victims to be culpable infidels.
Now the fatwa is headed for rehabilitation, this time used in a
vigorous backlash against the brand of terrorism that has struck
Britain, Spain, Morocco, Egypt and, over and over again, the civilians
of Iraq. A broad group of U.S. and Canadian Muslim scholars and
religious leaders last week issued a fatwa that is as unequivocally
anti-violence as those of Khomeini or Osama bin Laden were pro-murder:
"All acts of terrorism are haram, forbidden by Islam. It is haram,
forbidden, to cooperate or associate with & any act of terrorism or
violence." The declaration then went beyond familiar condemnations to
demand action: It is the "civic and religious duty of Muslims to
cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of
civilians." (MORE)
---
SAVING ISLAM FROM ITSELF -
TOP
Akbar Ahmed and Susan Bradford, Washington Times, 8/02/05
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20050801-094052-1487r.htm
Muslim groups on both sides of the Atlantic have categorically
condemned suicide attacks made in the name of Islam, leading us to ask
why have they taken so long to address the issue and what needs to be
done henceforth to build on this new momentum and craft a peaceful
conclusion to the war on terrorism.
Following the London attacks, Britain's largest Muslim groups issued a
fatwa condemning suicide missions. Muslim groups in the United States
and around the world have followed suit. As noted by Nihad Awad, the
executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
terrorism is not consistent with Islam, and "those who try to commit
acts of terror in the name of Islam try to misinterpret and misuse
certain issues in Islamic jurisprudence and have no authority or
qualification except their anger." Their anger is rooted in perceived
injustices against Islam, such as the occupation of the Arabian
Peninsula, the disregard of Muslim civilian life throughout the war on
Iraq and the perceived indifference to the Muslim plight in areas such
as Kashmir, Chechnya, and throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
(MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS, OFFICIALS DISCOUNT BIAS AS MOTIVE IN ISLAMIC CENTER FIRE -
TOP
Wayne Parry, Associated Press, 8/2/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--muslimcenter-fire0802aug02,0,477275.story
NEWARK, N.J. -- Investigators and local Muslim leaders are discounting
bias as a motive for the fire that destroyed a vacant building in
Paterson that a prominent mosque planned to use as a community center.
Although the July 24 fire remains under investigation, Passaic County
Prosecutor James Avigliano said he agrees with Muslim leaders that the
blaze does not appear to have been an act of anti-Muslim hatred.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, Avigliano said Tuesday.
The Islamic Center of Passaic County bought the property, a former lighting factory, two years ago.
Sohail Mohammed, the attorney for the Totowa-based American Muslim
Union, said several factors indicate the blaze was not an anti-Muslim
act.
"Nobody in the area knew" that the Islamic Center owned the property
and had planned a community center for the area, he said. "And there
were no signs left at the site that this was an anti-Islamic act, no
graffiti or vandalism like you would find at a site where a mosque was
targeted."
---
PROFILING: SUPPORTED, OPPOSED, COUNTERED -
TOP
Carol Elsenberg, Newsday, 8/2/05
http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-nydov024367900aug02,0,209076.story
When Brooklyn Assemb. Dov Hikind suggested this weekend that the NYPD
use racial profiling to identify terrorists who might blow up the
subways, the reaction was mostly predictable.
Many liberal leaders, including Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando
Ferrer, denounced the proposal as ineffective and un-American.
Conservatives hailed his common sense.
But a handful of religious and political leaders acknowledged that
Hikind, a Hasidic Jew, gave voice to sentiments shared by thousands of
New Yorkers. And they suggested the old liberal-conservative divide
about profiling was obsolete in an age when young men strapped bombs to
their bodies and went out to wreak destruction on civilians.
"We have a right wing who tends to want to use power indiscriminately,
and a left wing who considers any use of power bad," said Rabbi Irwin
Kula, president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and
Leadership in Manhattan. "So the vast majority of us in the middle feel
unsafe."
Kula called for a third way to talk about profiling - an approach that
he said must transcend the potential abuses of power inherent in
Hikind's proposal, as well as the left's unwillingness to face new
dangers.
"Can we imagine a conversation - ideally led by Muslims themselves - on
a new category in a post-Sept. 11 world called 'ethical racial
profiling'?" he asked.
Kula said he doesn't know what such a system might look like, but
believes New York could lead the nation in putting together such a
policy.
But many religious and political leaders yesterday flatly rejected
Hikind's proposals to use Middle Eastern profiles as "inappropriate and
irresponsible." (MORE)
-----
LITTLE PAKISTAN HAS LOST PLENTY OF RESIDENTS SINCE 9/11 -
TOP
Robert Polner, Newsday, 8/2/05
http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-nypaki274367921aug02,0,1488708.story
Along a stretch of Coney Island Avenue, butchered goats hang by their
hooves in the rear of a grocery store, and a meaty white fish arrives
from the home country every Friday for deep frying in the kitchens of
South Asian restaurants. In this part of Brooklyn, lassi, a yogurt
drink served salty or sweet, is at least as popular as Snapple.
While in some ways, life goes on as usual in Brooklyn's Little Pakistan, in many other ways, much has changed.
Probably no ethnic enclave, in a city chockablock with them, has drawn
as much FBI and immigration-service investigation since 9/11. Merchants
say the neighborhood is still staggering from the attention, while many
residents fearfully anticipate a new wave of scrutiny by U.S.
authorities in light of the recent terror attacks in London.
Leaving Little Pakistan
In the tense weeks after 9/11, federal agents began pounding on doors
in the middle of the night and detained hundreds of Pakistanis in the
Little Pakistan area. Thousands of people, gripped with fear, soon
bolted. Many of them went to other states, back to their homeland, to
Canada or even Western Europe.
Few have returned, by all accounts.
"No business anymore - it's dead here," said Pervaiz Saleem, who runs a
South Asian grocery store on the Little Pakistan strip. "My customers,
so many of them did get interrogated, were deported or just fled.
People disappeared." (MORE)
-----
WHY I DON'T GO ON DATES -
TOP
Armaan Rowther, Time Magazine, 7/31/05
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1088731,00.html
My life growing up in California has continually been shaped by the
fact that I'm a Muslim Pakistani American. I'm faced with the same
day-to-day challenges as any other boy my age, but the way I meet them
is very different because of my culture and religion. The way I choose
to live my life often seems unusual to my peers, and as a result, my
principles are sometimes questioned.
One thing that seems to set me the farthest apart is that my culture
and religion do not accept the American concept of dating. Any teenager
living in America knows how big an emphasis is placed on having
boyfriends or girlfriends, both in society and in the media. On
television any show that's meant for a teenage audience covers the
topic of dating nearly a hundred times. At school it's the only thing
kids seem to talk about. Thus you can see how significant the fact that
I don't date is in my life and how hard it makes it just to fit in.
(MORE)
-----
PENTAGON TO INCREASE DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE FOR COUNTERTERRORISM -
TOP
Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, Fox News, 8/01/05
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,164328,00.html
The Department of Defense has developed a new strategy in
counterterrorism that would increase military activities on American
soil, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering.
The move is sparking concern among civil liberties advocates and those
who fear an encroaching military role in domestic law enforcement.
In an argument that eerily foreshadowed the July London terror attacks,
the Pentagon in late June announced its "Strategy for Homeland Defense
and Support," which would expand its reach domestically to prevent
"enemy attacks aimed at Americans here at home."
The strategy, approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England on
June 24, argues that the government needs a multi-layered, preventive
approach to national defense in order to combat an unconventional enemy
that will attack from anywhere, anytime and by any conceivable means.
(MORE)
-----
US KEEPS UIGHURS AT GUANTANAMO AFTER FOUND INNOCENT -
TOP
Agence France Presse, 8/01/05
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050801/pl_afp/usattacksguantanamo_050801221932;_ylt=A86.I1Q6iO9CiPcAuBCsOrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
The US military has kept two ethnic Uighur Muslims from a troubled
Chinese region at its Guantanamo 'war on terror' detention camp even
though they have been found not to be "enemy combatants," a rights
group said.
Lawyers for Abu Bakker Qassim and Adel Abdu al-Hakim went before a
federal court in Washington on Monday to seek the release of the pair.
According to the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a New
York-based legal activist group, a Guantanamo review panel ruled in
March that Qassim and Hakim should not be considered "enemy combatants"
who would face military tribunals.
But the CCR said the men's lawyers were never told about the finding.
"It was not until Friday, July 30, 2005 that the government disclosed
that the men had been cleared on arch 26 this year," said a statement
by the group which has been working on the case of the Uighurs.
"Since (March 26) the government has failed to notify their attorneys,
families or anyone else of the men's innocence, instead allowing them
to remain in detention for an additional six months." (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
BRITISH RESIDENT DESCRIBES ALLEGED ABUSE AS A SO-CALLED 'GHOST DETAINEE' HELD BY U.S. -
TOP
Mara D. Ballaby, Associated Press, 8/2/05
LONDON (AP) - A British resident being held as a terrorist suspect by
U.S. forces claimed he was tortured, beaten and cut with a knife by his
prison interrogators over a three year period, his lawyer said Tuesday.
Benyam Mohammed said he was held for 2 1/2 years at a series of prisons
in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan as a so-called unregistered
``ghost detainee'' by the United States before being transferred to the
Guantanamo Bay prison, according to notes prepared by his lawyer, Clive
Stafford Smith.
Stafford Smith said that he met with Mohammed in June and July at Guantanamo Bay, and his notes are based on those interviews.
``For three years, Mr. Mohammed has been tortured systematically, in an
attempt to coerce him into making false confessions regarding terrorist
plots he had no knowledge of,'' Stafford Smith said.
The U.S. Embassy did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has said that the United States
demands assurances that terror suspects won't be tortured before
handing them over to foreign governments. But he acknowledged that once
a transfer occurs, the United States has little control.
Human rights advocates have condemned the policy, warning that it is
outsourcing torture, and U.S. Republicans are currently pushing for a
bill that would govern treatment of terrorism suspects. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #464
DC RADIO HOST CLAIMS QURAN TEACHES MUSLIMS TO
LIE
Ask WMAL to address incitement of anti-Islam hate by talk show
hosts
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/3/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on a Washington, D.C., radio station to
address the incitement of anti-Muslim hatred caused by its talk show
hosts. CAIR issued that call after a replacement for a talk show host
suspended for anti-Islam remarks made similarly Islamophobic
comments.
On Friday, July 29, WMAL-AM replacement host Geoff Metcalf stated:
"And by the way, let me just add a sidebar here that's significant,
and everybody forgets this, but according to the Quran, believers in
Islam are not required to tell infidels, and that's us, the truth. So
they apparently have permission to lie when it is appropriate." Most
callers to the program expressed similar hostility to Muslims and to the
faith of Islam.
Listen to the quote at:
http://www.cairfl.org/audio/050729wmal-Metcalfe.mp3
The entire program may be heard at:
http://wmal.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=323805&PT=630%20WMAL%20On%20Demand
Click on Michael Graham's Friday program under "Listen
Now."
Metcalf was replacing host Michael Graham, who was suspended without pay
by the station for stating repeatedly that "Islam is a terrorist
organization." Graham was suspended when CAIR initiated a public
campaign against WMAL and the station's advertisers after receiving
complaints from Muslim listeners.
In a statement, WMAL President and General Manager Chris Berry said that
Graham would be suspended for statements that "crossed the
line." "We do not condone his position and believe his
statements were irresponsible," said Berry. (WMAL is owned by the
Walt Disney Co.)
SEE: "WMAL Suspends Talk-Show Host for Comment on
Islam"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802241.html
"We are strong supporters of the First Amendment, but it is
disingenuous to misuse it as a shield for incitement to religious
hatred," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
"WMAL needs to address the promotion of Islamophobia by its talk
show hosts if the station is to maintain credibility with mainstream
listeners and advertisers."
Hooper said CAIR is calling on Washington-area Muslims to contact WMAL
advertisers and express their concerns. He added that people of all
faiths may obtain a free copy of the Quran, Islam's revealed text, by
going to:
www.explorethequran.org
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, please be
POLITE.)
1. CONTACT WMAL to urge that Michael Graham's suspension be made
permanent. CONTACT: Mr. Chris Berry, President & General Manager
(202-895-2333), and Mr. Randall Bloomquist (202-895-2327), Program
Director, WMAL, 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington DC, 20015.
Switchboard: 202-686-3100 FAX: (202) 537-0009 (To be on a WMAL talk show,
call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL.) E-MAIL:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
2. CONTACT WMAL ADVERTISERS to express your concerns about the
anti-Muslim incitement of the station's hosts.
(See list
below.)
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
WMAL ADVERTISERS
AUTOMOTIVE
Alexandria Buick, Pontiac & GMC
499 South Pickett Rd
Alxandria VA
Phone: 703-370-7211
www.alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com
Brown's Buick
10245 Lee Highway
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-934-4900
Fax: 703-934-4957
http://ffxbuick.brownscar.com/
Brown's Lincoln Mercury
10287 Lee Highway
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-352-5500
www.brownsautomotive.com
Cherner Lincoln Mercury
8550 Leesburg Pike
Phone: 703-893-0800
Fax: 703-898-8559
www.cherner.com
Cowles Parkway Ford
13779 Noblewood Plaza
Woodbridge VA
Phone: 800-730-8203
www.cowlesford.com
FairFax Automile
Route 50 FairFax--21 different dealers
www.fairFaxautomile.com
Manassas Chrysler
8100 Centreville Rd.
Manassas, VA.
Phone: 703-368-5300
Fax: 703-392-0457
www.manassaschrysler.com
Moore Cadillac/Hummer
8595 Leesburg Pike
Phone: 703-790-0950
www.moorehummer.com
New Car Network
3273 Blue Heron Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-534-SAVE
Fax: 703-241-8861
Ourisman World of Ford
6129 Richmond Hwy.
Alexandria, VA.
Phone: 703-660-9000
www.OurismanWorldofFord.com
Pohanka Lexus
13909 Lee Jackson Highway
Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 800-399-0681
Fax: 703-968-7725
E-Mail: sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com
www.pohankalexus.com
Radial Tire
9101 Brookville Road
Silver Spring MD 20910
Phone: 301-585-2740
www.radialtire.com
Safford Lincoln Mercury
3110 Automobile Blvd
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Phone: 301-890-3900
Fax: 301-890-7817
www.saffordlm.com
WANADA
Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association
5301 Wisconsin Avenue
Washington DC NW 20015
Phone: 202-237-7200
www.wanada.org
BEAUTY & PERSONAL
Aveda
4807 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-1610
www.aveda-bethesda.com
Skin Zinc
Phone: 800-890-7236
www.skin-zinc.net
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Phone: 1-800-GOT-JUNK
www.1800gotjunk.com
Affordable Creative Services, Inc.
3554 Chain Bridge Road
Suite 306
FairFax,Va 22030
Phone: 703-352-7900
www.acscreative.com
Intelligent Office
Phone: 866-684-1500
www.iowashingtondc.com
Pepper Hamilton
600 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-2004
Phone: 202-220-1200
Fax: 202-220-1665
E-Mail: mandelle@pepperlaw.com
www.pepperlaw.com
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA
Comcast Sports Net
7700 Wisconsin Avenue
Phone: 301-718-3262
Fax: 301-718-3275
E-Mail: bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com
www.comcastsportsnet.com
S Families Magazine
www.familiesmagazines.com
TCI
5554 Port Royal Rd.
Springfield VA
Phone: 800-TCI-1001
www.tcicomm.com
Washington Post
www.WashingtonPost.com
COMMUNITY & ORGANIZATIONS
CAUSE
4601 President's Drive Suite 120
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: 301-731-0330
Fax: 301-731-5343
www.mcamw.org
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
1146 19th street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-207-0185
Fax: 202-207-0191
E-Mail: rwc@defenddemocracries.org
www.defenddemocracies.org
MADD
21991 Sunstone Court
Ashburn VA 20148
Melwood
5606 Dower House Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: 301-599-4519
Fax: 301-599-0180
E-Mail: jcreech@melwood.com
www.melwood.com
NARFE--National Active and Retired Federal Employees
606 N Washington Street
Alexandria VA 22314
Phone: 703-838-7760
www.narfe.org
National Kidney Foundation
5335 Wisconsin Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 202-244-7900
www.kidneywdc.org
Salvation Army
The more you do, the more we can do
6528 Little River Turnpike
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 703-642-9270
Fax: 703-642-3556
Volunteers of America
There are no limits to caring
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 800-948-1818
www.carshelpingpeople.org
COMPUTERS & BUSINESS EQUIPMENT
Geeks on Call
Make the Right Call.
Phone: 800-905-GEEK
www.Geeksoncall.com
IGSI - International Global Systems Inc.
Phone: 1-866-833-IGSI
E-Mail: fedgov@1igsi.com
www.goigsi.com
PC Retro.com
6901 A Distribution Dr. (Corp.)
Phone: 301-937-8440
Fax: 301-937-0601
www.pcretro.com
PlumChoice
Phone: 1-888-plumhelp
www.plumchoice.com
Zeroid Office Machines
5500 Cherokee Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 703-461-8383
Fax: 703-461-0292
www.zeroid.com
EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION
Fair Oaks Church and Academy
4601 West Ox Road
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-631-1112
Fax: 703-378-8139
E-Mail: info@fairoakschurch.org
www.fairoakschurch.org
www.fairoaksacademy.org
Regent University
1650 Diagonal Road
Alexandria, VA 22314-2857
Phone: Admissions Info - 866-734-3688
E-Mail: admissions@regent.edu
www.regent.edu
The College of William & Mary
11111 Sunset Hills Rd
Reston, VA
Phone: 703-547-2224
Fax: 703-935-0307
E-Mail: emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu
http://www.emba.wm.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
Choral Arts of Washington
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 603
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 202-244-3669
www.choralarts.org
Military District of Washington
Fort Leslie McNair
Phone: 202-685-4989
Fax: 202-685-1999
E-Mail: combsa@fmmc.army.milmil
Renditions Golf Course
1380 W Central Avenue
Davidsonville, MD 21035
Phone: 410-798-9798
Fax: 410-798-9788
www.renditionsgolf.com
FINANCIAL
A. Anderson Scott
51 Monroe Street Suite 1901 Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-424-7901
Fax: 301-424-7902
www.aasmg.com
The Collins Firm
7601 Lewinsville Road, Suite 400
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 1-877plannow
Fax: 703-748-3405
www.thecollinsfirm.com
Edelman Financial Services
12450 Fairlakes Circle
Phone: 703-818-0800
Fax: 703-818-1910
E-Mail: redelman@ricedelman.com
www.ricedelman.com
HarVest Bank of Maryland
Let's Us Help You Grow
15005 Shady Grove Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-838-4263
Fax: 301-838-4203
www.harvestbankofmd.com
James Monroe Bank
3033 Wilson Blvd
Arlington ,VA 22201
Phone: 703-524-8100
Fax: 703-524-8101
The Malone Financial Group
11710 Plaza America Drive Tower 2, Suite 20
Reston VA 20190
Phone: 703-796-9300
Fax: 703-796-6443
E-Mail: rmalone@fbw.com
www.fbw.com/branchreston.htm
The Mutual Fund Store
11095 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas
Phone: 913-579-5700
E-Mail: cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com
www.themutualfundstore.com
Mortgage Bankers Assoc
1919 Pennsylvania Ave, NW 8th Floor
Washington DC 20006
New Car Network
3273 Blue Heron Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-534-SAVE
Fax: 703-241-8861
Pinnacle Financial Corp
8230 Boone Blvd Suite 200
Vienna, Va 22182
Phone: 703-738-9358
Fax: 703-991-4524
E-Mail:
www.1800yeshome.net
www.pinnaclefinancial.com
Theirry Roche
4094 Majestic Lane #195
FairFax va 22033
E-Mail: trock@erols.com
West Financial
7315 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-941-9133
Fax: 301-941-9167
FOOD, BEVERAGE & DINING
Blackie's Restaurant
1217 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-333-1100
Fax: 202-331-7850
www.blackiesdc.com
Dante's Restaurant
1148 Walker Road
Great Falls, VA
Phone: 703-759-3131
I Ricchi Ristorante
1220 19th Street
NW Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-872-1220
E-Mail: crricchi@aol.com
NesCafe
Phone: 800-243-1100
www.nescafe.com
Normandie Farm
10710 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: 301-983-8838
Fax: 301-983-0752
E-Mail: chef47@msn.com
www.popovers.com
Outback Steakhouse
www.outback.com
Tahitian Noni Juice
www.tahitiannoni.com/1967216
Tony and Joe's Seafood Restaurant
At Washington Harbor, 3000 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-944-4545
Fax: 202-944-4587
www.dcseafood.com/TAJ/default.asp
Whole Foods
6015 Executive Blvd
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-984-2020
Fax: 301-984-2072
www.wholefoods.com
HOME & GARDEN
Infestation Control
14650 E Rothgeb Drive
Rockville,MD20850
Phone: 301-294-0800
Fax: 301-294-6106
Manor Works
www.manorworks.com
Merrifield Garden Center
8132 Lee Hwy
Merrifield, VA 22116
Phone: 703-560-6222
Fax: 703-222-6959
E-Mail: fodebbie@aol.com
www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
Mid Atlantic Waterproofing
1040 West street
Laurel, MD 20707
Phone: 800-midatlantic
E-Mail: midatlantic@basements.com
www.basements.com
Offenbachers
Phone: 301-340-9404
www.offenbachers.com
Regional Pest Management
Phone: 800-36-5-STAR
www.regionalpestmanagement.com
HOME REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION
Cabinet Discounters
9500 Berger Road
Phone: 1-800-THE-DREAM
www.cabinetdiscounters.com
Architectural Ceramic Paint
Never Paint Again
www.aceramicpaint.com
Courthouse Kitchen's & Bath
Phone: 888-getstyle
www.getstyle.com
Cropp Metcalfe
2816 Dorr Ave.
FairFax, VA 22031
Phone: 1-800-GOCROPP
www.croppmetcalfe.com
DeSantis Desgin
314 Victory Drive
Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: 703-437-0051
Fax: 703-437-0730
www.desantisdesigns.com
Desert Dry
401 East Jefferson Street, Suite 208
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 800-238-8805
Fax: 301-279-7721
www.nomorewater.com
Empire Today
333 Northwest Ave.
Northlake, IL 60164
Phone: 800-588-2300
www.empiretoday.com
Gutter Helmet
1121 Benfield Blvd.
Phone: 888-5-HELMET
Fax: 410-987-4194
www.harryhelmet.com
Procraft Liquid Siding
14702 Flint Lee Rd Suite G
Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 757-687-1700
Long Fence
8545 Edgeworth Dr.
Capital Heights, MD.
Phone: 800-917-LONG
www.LongFence.com
Roof Masters
Avoid Disasters Call Roof Masters
Phone: 301-365-5781
Fax: 301-365-5120
Roofdog@aol.com
Solatube Skylight
Phone: 301-330-2171
Fax: 410-403-4614
E-Mail: sales@solatubeskylight.com
www.solatubeskylight.com
St Josephs Roofing
11825 Waples Mill Rd
Oakton VA
Phone: 703-716-ROOF
E-Mail: sales@sjroof.com
www.sjroof.com
Steadfast Construction
Phone: 703-385-2525
Thompson Creek Window
Phone: 800-886-7274
www.thompsoncreek.com
MEDICAL & HEALTH
Dr. Edward Dougherty in Bethesda
Phone: 866-98-Relax
www.bethesdasedationdentistry.com
The Eye Center: Dr. Boutros
Phone: 888-846-2020
www.theeyecenter.com
Dr. Clinch
2 Wisconsin Circle
Phone: 877-DR-CLINCH
www.drclinch.com
Georgetown Hospital Center
Phone: 202-444-2000
www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org
Heart Check Washington DC
2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite LL-150
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 800-639-8378
E-Mail: info@heartcheck.com
www.heartcheckamerica.com
Hypnosis Wellness Center
1934 Old Gallows Road suite 402
Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: 703-883-9270
Fax: 703-987-3398
tony1winkler@yahoo.com
www.method1.net
McLean Sedation Dental Center and Spa
8270 Greensboro Drive
Phone: 703-827-9250
Fax: 703-845-0257
E-Mail: urchjm@aol.com
www.stepheneburchdds.com
VA. Hospital Center
1701N. George Mason Dr.
Arlington, VA.
Phone: 703-558-5000
www.VirginiaHospitalCenter.com
Washington Hospital Center
Phone: 202-877-DOCS
www.whcenter.org
MISCELLANEOUS
DC Lottery
2101 Martin Luther King Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20020
Phone: 202-645-8000
www.dclottery.com
Maryland Lottey
Let yourself play!
www.mdlottery.com
Pepco
www.pepco.com
Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Homes
Rockville & Bethesda Locations
7557 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-2200
E-Mail: pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com
www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com
Virginia Lottery
www.valottery.com
Virigina State Poilce H.E.A.T.
Phone: 1-800-947-HEAT
www.heatreward.com
Virigina State Police Insurance Fraud
Phone: 1-877-623-7283
www.stampoutfraud.com
REAL ESTATE
Brooke Grove Retirement Village
18100 Slade School Road
Phone: 301-924-2811
Fax: 301-924-1200
E-Mail: sfrazier@bgf.org
www.bgf.org
FairFax Ridge Condominiums
11301 Aristotle Drive
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-995-7000
Fax: 703-995-7001
www.fairFaxridgecondos.com
Palazzo at Park Center
4556 Strutfield Lane
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 703-682-6200
Fax: 703-682-6201
www.palazzoatparkcenter.com
Profitable Property
866-237-1382
www.profitableproperty.com/workshop
Realty Echange
4500 Martinwood Drive
Haymarket, VA 20169
Phone: 800-795-0769
Fax: 703-754-0754
E-Mail: bill@1031.us
www.1031.us
Stewart Agency, Inc. - Eric Stewart
795 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-424-0900
Fax: 301-424-9290
E-Mail: StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com
www.pointingyouhome.com
Th, eExchange At Van Dorn
4840 Eisnhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: 703-682-7600
Fax: 703-682-7601
www.exchangeatvandorn.com
The Marquis at Vienna Station
9480 Virginia Center Boulevard
Vienna, VA 22181
Phone: 703-995-6600
www.marquisatviennastation.com
The Savoy at Reston Town Center
12000 Market Street
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 571-262-8000
Fax: 571-262-8001
www.savoyreston.com
The Virginian
9229 Arlington Boulevard
FairFax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-385-0555
www.thevirginian.org
The Washington Real Estate Investors Assoc. Network
Phone: 866-217-4482
www.washingtonreianetwork.com
WC and AN Miller
now and forever
4701 Sangamore Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
Phone: 301-229-4000
Fax: 301-229-4015
www.wcanmiller.com
RETAIL & SHOPPING
Ann Hand Collection
4885 MacArthur Blvd
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-333-2979
Fax: 202-333-8862
E-Mail: info@annhand.com
www.annhand.com
Colony House
www.ColonyHouse.net
Continental Jewelers
1010 Connecticut Av. NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-833-3366
www.ContinentalJewelersDC.com
Cutting Edge Kiosks Inc
Phone: 888-225-2196
E-Mail: cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com
www.cuttingedgekiosks.com
Direct Jewelry Outlet
101 E. Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-5-DIAMOND
www.djo.com
Hot Spring Spas of Washington
1221 Nebel Street
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-770-1516
Fax: 301-770-3008
Jordan Kitts Music
9520 Baltimore Blvd
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: 301-513-1235
Fax: 301-474-3648
E-Mail: pottenritter@jordankitts.com
www.jordankitts.com
Mattress Discounters
Have a good nite sleep on us.
6808 220th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Fax: 425-774-8499
www.mattressdiscounters.com
Mervis Diamond Importers
1900 Mervis Way
Tysons Corner, VA
Phone: 703-448-9000
Fax: 703-848-2539
www.mervisdiamonds.com
PajamaGram
Phone: 1-800-givePJs
www.pajamagram.com
Select Comfort
What is your sleep Number?
Phone: 800-548-7231
www.selectcomfort.com
Shoppes of Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Phone: 301-881-3090
www.shoppesofbethesda.com
Purina One
Take the Purina One 30 Day Challenge
Phone: 800-630-MEOW
www.purinaone.com
Vermont Teddy Bear
Phone: 800-282-3131
www.vermontteddybear.com
TRAVEL & LODGING
Vacationspot.com
888-317-SPOT
www.Vacationspot.com
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/3/05
*
VERSE:
Bad and Good are
Not Equal
*
CAIR-NY:
Politicians
Call For Racial Profiling (AP)
-
Contact CAIR-NY
*
CAIR:
Muslims
Speak Out Against Terror (SP Times)
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Call
Bombers `Criminals' (SJMN)
-
VA:
Mosque Backs
Ruling Against Terror
*
CA:
LA-Area
Mosque Open Houses (San Bernardino Sun)
- TX:
All Clear at Islamic Center
(WOAI)
*
INCITEMENT:
Islam Hostile to Non-Muslims
-
MA:
Foe Isn't Islam, It's Binladenism (Boston Globe)
*
NY:
Growing Up to be a 'Deportable Alien' (Newsday)
*
Documents Tell of Brutality by GIs (Wash Post)
-
Detainee Alleges Abuse En Route to Gitmo (Wash Post)
*
Israel Seeks $2.2 Billion From U.S. For Pullout (Reuters)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: BAD AND GOOD ARE NOT EQUAL -
TOP
"Say: 'Bad and good are not equal, even though the abundance of the bad
may dazzle you; so be conscious of God, O people of understanding, that
you may prosper.'"
The Holy Quran, 5:100
-----
CAIR-NY: TWO POLITICIANS CALL FOR RACIAL PROFILING IN NY SUBWAY TERROR CHECKS -
TOP
Sara Kugler, Associated Press, 08/03/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5186144,00.html
Middle Easterners should be targeted for searches on city subways, two
elected officials said, contending that police have been wasting time
with random checks in efforts to prevent terrorism in the transit
system.
The city began examining passengers' bags on subways and buses after
the second bomb attack in London two weeks ago. Police Commissioner Ray
Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have said several times that officers
will not engage in racial profiling.
But over the weekend, state Assemblyman Dov Hikind said police should be focusing on those who fit the "terrorist profile."
"They all look a certain way," said Hikind, a Democrat from Brooklyn.
"It's all very nice to be politically correct here, but we're talking
about terrorism."
On Tuesday, Republican City Councilman James Oddo said the Sept. 11
World Trade Center attack by Middle Eastern men in hijacked airplanes
prompted him to publicly declare his support for Hikind's
statements&The director of the New York chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, Wissam Nasr, said their push for racial
profiling is offensive and ignorant.
"Terror comes in all shapes and sizes, and certainly there's no
legislation or system that's going to identify terrorists on the spot,"
Nasr said. (MORE)
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Wissam Nasr, 917-751-1017 or 212-870-2002, E-Mail:
director@cair-ny.org -
TOP
-----
CAIR: MUSLIMS SPEAK OUT AGAINST TERROR -
TOP
St. Petersburg Times, 08/03/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/03/Opinion/Muslims_speak_out_aga.shtml
Last week's religious declaration by a group of U.S. and Canadian
Muslim leaders condemning terrorism sends an important message: Muslims
cannot support or tolerate terrorism and be true to the teachings of
Islam.
North America's leading Islamic scholars and jurists who interpret
Islamic law condemned terrorism in language that was direct and
unequivocal: "Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide
bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden. And
those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not "martyrs' . . .
It is haram, forbidden, for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual
or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence." The
statement was endorsed by leaders of more than 120 U.S. Muslim
groups&
Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is airing radio
and TV ads distancing Islam from extremist violence, with moderate
Muslims declaring they "will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals." Given the number of Muslim civilians killed by suicide
bombers in places like Iraq, the efforts of groups such as CAIR to
marginalize support for martyrdom is an important counterweight to
Islamic extremism. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: MUSLIM LEADERS CALL BOMBERS `CRIMINALS' -
TOP
Lisa Fernandez, Mercury News, 08/03/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12290497.htm
Prompted by the terrorist bombings in London that killed dozens last
month, a group of Bay Area Muslim leaders Tuesday read aloud a fatwa,
or religious ruling, at a San Jose mosque calling the attackers
``criminals'' who violate the letter and spirit of Islam.
As terrorism around the globe continues to harm innocent civilians,
many U.S. Muslim groups are stepping up efforts to condemn these acts
and address criticism that they haven't acted or spoken forcefully to
denounce religious extremism.
Members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Santa
Clara joined about 120 self-described moderate-minded Muslim
organizations nationwide, which began making public and emphatic
proclamations late last week, denouncing terrorism.
In endorsing this fatwa, CAIR and other groups turn the tables on
Islamic extremists who have used religious decrees as a way of rallying
followers to action. Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden issued one to his
troops to kill Americans&
In the last four years, CAIR members have tried to improve the public
image of Islam, insisting that most Muslims are peace-loving people who
value human life. Last month CAIR gave away thousands of free Korans,
and last year it began airing public service announcements called "Not
in the name of Islam,'' 30-second broadcasts denouncing terrorism.
(MORE)
---
VA: ADAMS BACKS RULING AGAINST TERROR -
TOP
The Loudon Times-Mirror, 08/02/2005
http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=14966776&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506035&rfi=6
The Sterling-based All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) last week
offered its support for the fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling, against
terrorism and extremism issued by the Fiqh Council of North America.
"Fiqh" refers to Islamic jurisprudence.
According to the ADAMS Center, the fatwa was endorsed by more than 120
U.S. Muslim groups, leaders and institutions. In addition, almost
700,000 U.S. Muslims and their families have signed a petition
condemning terrorism. (MORE)
-----
NON-MUSLIMS INVITED TO OPEN MOSQUE DAY -
TOP
San Bernardino Sun, 8/3/05
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E2992867,00.html
Scroll down.
Hoping to improve relations with non-Muslims, mosques throughout
Southern California are scheduled to open their doors Aug. 21 to
followers of any faith.
Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., attendees will tour the mosques, meet
Muslims, ask questions of clergy and eat Middle Eastern cuisine.
Local mosques participating in the event are the Islamic Center of
Claremont, 3641 N. Garey Ave., in Pomona; the Islamic Society of
Corona-Norco, 465 Santana Way, in Corona; the Islamic Center of
Riverside, 1038 W. Linden St.; and the Islamic Center of Upland, 525 N.
Central Ave., Ste. 2.
Open Mosque Day is sponsored by the Islamic Shura Council, which
oversees Southern California mosques. For more information, visit
www.shuracouncil.org or call [714] 239-6473.
ALSO SEE:
ALL CLEAR AT ISLAMIC CENTER -
TOP
Jim Forsyth, WOAI, 8/3/05
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=AFAFC3B9-5944-4B6A-B6B1-656BEFBAF4BD
An apparent attempt to make a donation resulted in a bomb scare at a San Antonio mosque Wednesday morning.
Police said a man arrived at the San Antonio Islamic Center to open the
Mosque for morning prayers when he found an open metal suitcase
containing $100 bills on the front step of the building, which is
protected by a tall fence and a locked gate, and is located in a
residential area on the city's southwest side.
Muslim worshipers who arrived for prayers were sent away, the area was
sealed off and the San Antonio police bomb squad was called. Several
dozen people were evacuated from two nearby apartment buildings.
Police Sergeant Gabe Trevino says when bomb squad investigators
investigated, they found the suitcase contained several hundred dollars
in cash and nothing more, apparently a donation to the mosque.
"It appears so," Trevino said. "If somebody wants to come by and claim
the money, we will give it to them. They can turn it back over to the
center if they like, but for now it will remain in the custody of the
police."
Trevino said a high level response like the one this morning is not uncommon for bomb scares involving mosques.
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: ISLAM HOSTILE TO NON-MUSLIMS -
TOP
Charles Morris, York Daily Record, 8/3/05
http://ydr.com/story/letters/79682/
In 1554, after a coalition of European armies turned back Islamic
invaders at the very gates of Vienna, the defeated Muslim leader,
"Sueleiman The Magnificent" vowed that Islam would return to finish the
job "even if it took 500 years."
Do the arithmetic. It's almost exactly 500 years since Pan Arab Islamic
terrorists began attacking western nations - in the first instance by
attacking Israel, then by hijacking airplanes, and each time escalating
the violence on a pre-arranged schedule.
The imbeciles in our country who call Islam a peaceful religion ignore
the very precise words in the Koran, which instruct all faithful
Muslims with respect to "infidels" (non-believers). They are to be
treated in the following order: converted, enslaved or finally, killed
to the very last man, woman or child.
Anyone who claims otherwise has not read the Koran, nor studied
history. The most respected Islamic historian, Ibn Khaldun, who wrote
an extensive text about 1377, made it clear how Muslims should feel
about any non-Muslims. He said that all blacks and westerners (in those
days Europeans), were by nature fit only to be slaves and should not be
permitted self-government. His book "The Muquaddimah" is available on
Amazon.com or through your local bookstore. It's very specific, and is
still referred to extensively by Arab "scholars."
Any of our congressional, media or religious "leaders" who deny the
basic hostile plans of Islam to the West, take note. Not having their
own technology, clever Arabs waited to borrow ours and are using it in
their war of extermination against the West.
SEND POLITE COMMENTS TO: http://ydr.com/forms/letters.php
COPY TO: cair@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
FOE ISN'T ISLAM, IT'S BINLADENISM -
TOP
Abdul Cader Asmal, Boston Globe, 8/3/05
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/08/03/foe_isnt_islam_its_binladenism/
WHETHER WE are American, Nigerian, Indonesian, or British, we look like
them, we dress like them, we speak like them, and we pray like them. We
cannot identify them before they strike. They hate us because we reject
their ideology. They would kill us as ''infidels." We are Muslims. So
are they. But they are terrorists and we are not. That is the
distinction. This is where we must make our stand. (MORE)
-----
GROWING UP TO BE A 'DEPORTABLE ALIEN' -
TOP
Robert Polner, Newsday, 8/3/05
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/newyork/nyc-sid0803,0,416243.story
Kamal Essaheb has completed his second year at Fordham University Law
School, speaks fluent Arabic and counsels South Asian victims of
domestic violence under a paid fellowship.
But Essaheb, a native of Morocco and a resident of Queens since he was
11, also is a "deportable alien," with his childhood visa long since
expired.
"The whole thing is kind of weird. I grew up here. My brothers and I
were Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, Michael Jordan," said Essaheb, 23, whose
classmates have generated more than a 1,100 letters from law school
administrators and students around the New York region to the
Department of Homeland Security, asking that his prosecution be
discontinued.
As Essaheb's case reflects, the children of immigrants whose visas have
expired are hardly immune from deportation proceedings, especially when
it comes to those of Arab and Muslim ancestry since 9/11. Civil
liberties activists contend that beefed-up enforcement of immigration
laws needlessly rips families apart. (MORE)
-----
DOCUMENTS TELL OF BRUTAL IMPROVISATION BY GIS -
TOP
Josh White, The Washington Post, 8/03/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201941_pf.html
Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush was being stubborn with his
American captors, and a series of intense beatings and creative
interrogation tactics were not enough to break his will. On the morning
of Nov. 26, 2003, a U.S. Army interrogator and a military guard grabbed
a green sleeping bag, stuffed Mowhoush inside, wrapped him in an
electrical cord, laid him on the floor and began to go to work. Again.
It was inside the sleeping bag that the 56-year-old detainee took his
last breath through broken ribs, lying on the floor beneath a U.S.
soldier in Interrogation Room 6 in the western Iraqi desert. Two days
before, a secret CIA-sponsored group of Iraqi paramilitaries, working
with Army interrogators, had beaten Mowhoush nearly senseless, using
fists, a club and a rubber hose, according to classified documents.
The sleeping bag was the idea of a soldier who remembered how his older
brother used to force him into one, and how scared and vulnerable it
made him feel. Senior officers in charge of the facility near the
Syrian border believed that such "claustrophobic techniques" were
approved ways to gain information from detainees, part of what military
regulations refer to as a "fear up" tactic, according to military court
documents.
The circumstances that led up to Mowhoush's death paint a vivid example
of how the pressure to produce intelligence for anti-terrorism efforts
and the war in Iraq led U.S. military interrogators to improvise and
develop abusive measures, not just at Abu Ghraib but in detention
centers elsewhere in Iraq, in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Mowhoush's ordeal in Qaim, over 16 days in November 2003, also reflects
U.S. government secrecy surrounding some abuse cases and gives a
glimpse into a covert CIA unit that was set up to foment rebellion
before the war and took part in some interrogations during the
insurgency. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DETAINEE ALLEGES ABUSE EN ROUTE TO GUANTANAMO -
TOP
Kevin Sullivan, Washington Post, 08/03/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201702.html
A 27-year-old Ethiopian man being held at the U.S. military prison at
Guantanamo Bay alleges that interrogators in jails through which he
passed before reaching Cuba repeatedly abused him physically and
psychologically, his attorney said Tuesday.
Benyam Mohammed alleged that the torture took place in Pakistan,
Morocco and Afghanistan and that he was flown between those countries
by American operatives, according to Clive Stafford Smith, a British
human rights lawyer who said he represents about 40 Guantanamo Bay
prisoners.
There is no known independent verification of the allegations made by
Mohammed, who the lawyer said reached Guantanamo in September.
Following standard policy, a Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on
whether Mohammed is at Guantanamo, or on the specifics of his claims.
(MORE)
-----
ISRAEL SEEKS $2.2 BILLION FROM US FOR GAZA PULLOUT -
TOP
Dan Williams, Reuters, 07/11/05
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-07-12T002132Z_01_N11515466_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-MIDEAST-DC.XML
Israel is seeking $2.2 billion from the United States, in one of the
largest aid requests by the Jewish state, to help pay for its planned
withdrawal from the occupied Gaza Strip, Israeli political sources said
Monday.
In a meeting with senior U.S. officials in Washington, an Israeli
delegation gave the White House an assessment of Israel's "needs and
requirements" for relocating military bases from Gaza, and for
developing the Galilee and Negev regions, where many settlers are
likely to be moved, Israeli sources said after the talks.
"U.S. officials will now study the presentation and see what additional
questions we may have," a spokesman for the White House National
Security Council said.
"A number of programs and needs were described and we will, as the
president has said, be working with the government of Israel to
understand the proposal and see how we can assist in making the plans a
reality," the NSC spokesman added.
Both Israeli and U.S. officials described the proposal as initial or preliminary.
Israel is among the largest recipients of U.S. aid, and the $2.2
billion would be in addition to annual aid of around $2.8 billion. Much
of the annual funding comes in the form of grants that are spent on
U.S. military exports. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/4/05
*
HADITH:
Charity and Paying Debts
Encouraged
*
CAIR-DC:
Forum
with Muslim Women Leaders
*
NY City Sued
Over Subway Searches (Newsday)
-
CA:
Iranians
Targeted by FBI? (Contra Costa Times)
*
CAIR-AZ:
Cartoons an Insult to
Muslims (AZ Rep)
-
CAIR-CAN:
'Sheik' Quip
Lands Banker in Training
-
CAIR-DC:
Police
Chiefs and Suicide Bombers (Wash Post)
*
CAIR:
NC
Muslims Will Pray for Rain in Niger (Charlotte Obs)
-
CAIR:
U.S.
Muslims Asked To Pray For Rain in Niger
*
CAIR-TX:
Cash
Left at Mosque Brings Bomb Squad (Express News)
*
WA:
Fatwa Welcome News from
Muslims (Seattle Times)
-
NY:
Muslims Against
Terrorism (Long Island Press)
-
CA:
'Fatwa' Against
Terrorist (Oakland Trib)
-
CA:
Muslim Council Takes a
Stand (OC Register)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: CHARITY AND PAYING
DEBTS ENCOURAGED -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If I had (a mountain
of) gold, I would love that, before three days had passed, not a single
(coin) thereof remained with me if I found somebody to accept it (as
charity), excluding some amount that I would keep for the payment of my
debts."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 334
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD IS AWARE OF THE GOOD THAT YOU DO
"They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend in charity. Say:
'Whatever you spend with a good heart, give it to parents, relatives,
orphans, the helpless, and travellers in need. Whatever good you do, God
is aware of it.'"
The Holy Quran, 2:215
-----
CAIR-DC:
PANEL DISCUSSION ON MUSLIM WOMEN LEADERS IN PUBLIC LIFE -
TOP
WHAT: CAIR's Research Center invites the public to attend "Muslim
Women Leaders in Public Life."
Speakers:
* Aisha Al-Adawiya, Executive Director, Women in Islam
* Asma Mobin-Uddin, M.D., Vice President of CAIR-Ohio
WHEN: Monday, August 29, 2005, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Office, 453 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington,
D.C.
Complimentary copies of "Women Friendly Mosques and Community
Centers" will be available.
Seating is limited. Reservations are required. Refreshments will be
provided.
To R.S.V.P please e-mail
mnimer@cair-net.org by August
26.
-----
NYCLU SUES CITY OVER
SUBWAY SEARCHES -
TOP
Joshua Robin and Dan Johnson, Newsday, 8/4/05
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/crime/nyc-suit0804,0,646390,print.story
The New York Civil Liberties Union will file suit against the city
Thursday to keep police from searching the bags of passengers entering
the subway, organization lawyers said.
The suit, which will be filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, will
claim that the two-week old policy violates constitutional guarantees of
equal protection and prohibitions against unlawful searches and seizures,
while doing almost nothing to shield the city from terrorism.
It argues that the measure also allows the possibility for racial
profiling, even though officers are ordered to randomly screen
passengers.
"While concerns about terrorism of course justify -- indeed, require
-- aggressive police tactics, those concerns cannot justify the Police
Department's unprecedented policy of subjecting millions of innocent
people to suspicionless searches," states the suit, a partial copy
of which was provided to Newsday.
Names of the plaintiffs -- subway riders who object to the searches --
were redacted in the copy, but are expected to be released Thursday
morning.
A city Law Department spokeswoman said that since officials had not yet
received the suit, she could not yet comment. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
IRANIANS FEAR FBI
SEES THEM AS TARGETS -
TOP
Nathaniel Hoffman; Contra Costa Times, 8/4/05
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/world/12300652.htm
SAN FRANCISCO - About seven months ago an Iranian-American called the
American Civil Liberties Union to report that an FBI agent had phoned for
an interview.
The agent mentioned she was part of the "Iran desk," said ACLU
Arab, Muslim and South Asian advocate Dalia Hashad.
That tip and, since October, an increasing number of calls for legal
advice from Iranian-Americans sent up red flags for a coalition of civil
rights organizations monitoring the treatment of Muslims and natives of
two dozen countries in North Africa, the Middle East and South
Asia.
Iranians are increasingly seeking aid after being questioned by the FBI,
put on government watch lists and losing their jobs or security
clearances.
"Over the past year or so there are increasing numbers of
Iranian-Americans who are being discriminated against across the
board," Hashad said Wednesday at a news conference at the offices of
the National Legal Sanctuary for Community Advancement. (MORE)
------
CAIR-AZ: CARTOONS AN
INSULT TO MUSLIMS -
TOP
Arizona Republic, 9/4/05
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0804thurlets047.html
The number of hate crimes against Muslims has risen to disturbing levels.
Cartoons such as those by The Republic's Steve Benson on July 28 and
Sunday will not help this situation.
The cartoons are gross misrepresentations of Muslims and totally
disregarded the countless condemnations made by American Muslims every
day. We are doing our utmost to speak out against terrorism in all
forms.
Part of the work that Council on American-Islamic Relations of Arizona
(CAIR-AZ) is fostering positive relations between the Muslim and
non-Muslim communities. We offer sensitivity training to organizations
here in the Valley, including the airport and police departments. We
engage in interfaith dialogue and raise awareness about Islam.
Islam does not teach hatred. It teaches that there is no justification in
killing innocent people. My wife is Christian. Islam allows Muslim men to
marry from different faiths (Christian or Jewish). Islam prohibits
killing innocent people, regardless of their faith.
We have always been contributors to the American society in many fields -
education, health, business and others - and consider this country to be
our home as well. - Mohamed El-Sharkawy, Phoenix
The writer is CAIR-AZ chairman.
SEE ALSO:
'SHEIK'
QUIP LANDS BANKER IN SENSITIVITY TRAINING -
TOP
Colin Freeze, Globe and Mail, 8/4/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050804/MUSLIM04/TPNational/TopStories
Jeff Rubin, the famously voluble chief economist of CIBC World Markets,
has been sent to sensitivity training after angering Canada's most
prominent Islamic lobby group with language he used in a report on the
oil market.
In April, he predicted that oil prices would double by 2010. Demand will
outstrip supply because "this time around there won't be any tap
that some appeased mullah or sheik can suddenly turn back on," he
wrote.
While Mr. Rubin used the terms to describe the OPEC-induced price shocks
of years past, the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-CAN) found the language offensive. In fact, CAIR-CAN wrote the bank
saying it was "gravely concerned that Mr. Rubin is promoting
stereotyping of Muslims and Arabs."
Two weeks after the complaint, CIBC World Markets chief executive Brian
Shaw responded.
Mr. Shaw said in a letter to CAIR-CAN that the remarks "were not
meant to offend anyone" but "in hindsight, the comments were
insensitive."
Mr. Shaw went on to say that "we will be providing him [Mr. Rubin]
with training to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the
future . . . in addition, Jeff has withdrawn the research report from the
World Markets website [and] redrafted the paragraph in question."
(MORE)
---
POLICE
CHIEFS GROUP BOLSTERS POLICY ON SUICIDE BOMBERS -
TOP
Sari Horwitz, Washington Post, 8/4/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301867.html
The International Association of Chiefs of Police, which represents the
heads of police departments in the United States and across the world,
has issued new guidelines saying that officers who confront a suicide
bomber should shoot the suspect in the head.
The recommendations, the first from a major police organization to deal
with the realities of a post-Sept. 11 world, take a more aggressive
posture than typical lethal-force guidelines. The guidelines were
published July 8 -- about two weeks before the London police, acting on a
similar policy, fatally shot an innocent Brazilian seven times in the
head because they mistook him for a suicide bomber.
The National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board is developing the first
national protocol for response to suicide bombers and is also
recommending to police bomb squads nationwide that if a suspect is
wearing a suicide bomb, an officer who needs to use deadly force should
not shoot near the bomb.
U.S. police officers and federal agents typically have been authorized to
use deadly force if lives are in imminent danger. But since the Sept. 11,
2001, terror attacks, the definition of imminent danger has changed,
prompting law enforcement officials to rethink the rules of engagement .
. .
The Israeli training of British and American law enforcement officials
makes some groups ask whether the police are going too far. The tension
is especially pronounced among Muslim community leaders, who are deeply
suspicious of Israel because of the country's long-standing conflict with
the Palestinians.
"The London situation where an innocent man was shot and killed was
based on Israeli procedure, and I don't think that we want to be
replicating the actions of a foreign government engaged in a brutal
occupation of another people," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for
the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It sends the wrong
message to the Muslim world." (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS
WILL PRAY FOR RAIN IN DROUGHT-STRICKEN NIGER -
TOP
Charlotte Observer, 8/4/05
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/12298542.htm
Charlotte-area Muslims plan to pray Friday for rain in Niger, part of a
national effort encouraging the Islamic community to focus on the
drought-stricken African nation.
Friday's services, or Jummah, at four places of worship in Mecklenburg
will include supplication for the millions in Niger suffering from
drought, famine and locusts. Services are at 1:15 p.m. at the Islamic
Center of Charlotte, 1700 Progress Lane, and Islamic Center of
Charlotte-South, 539 N. Polk St. in Pineville. Services are also at 1:30
p.m. at the Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte, 7025 The Plaza, and
Ash-Shaheed Islamic Center, 2717 Tuckaseegee Road.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington is calling on
U.S. mosques and Islamic centers -- and all other houses of worship -- to
pray for rain in the predominantly Muslim nation, and to donate to relief
efforts. The council said the special Islamic prayer Salatul Istisqa was
performed by the Prophet Muhammad and is traditionally offered in a
drought.
To learn more about the issues or to offer aid, visit these Web sites:
U.N. World Food Program at
www.wfp.org or Oxfam
at
www.oxfam.org.
SEE ALSO:
U.S. MUSLIMS
ASKED TO PRAY FOR RAIN IN NIGER -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1682&theType=NR
-----
CASH LEFT AT MOSQUE
BRINGS BOMB SQUAD -
TOP
Mary Moreno, Express-News, 8/4/05
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA080405.1B.mosque_scare.17a07f06.html
It might have been meant as a gift, but an open briefcase filled with
money and left at the front doors of a Northwest Side mosque Wednesday
morning caused panic.
Imam Yousef Said says the Islamic Center of San Antonio will accept the
money if it was meant as a gift.
Worshippers arriving at the Islamic Center of San Antonio at 5:30 a.m.
for the first of five daily prayers found the silver briefcase with $5,
$10 and $20 bills. They became suspicious and called police.
Given the current atmosphere of hostile feelings toward Muslims in some
parts of the world, Imam Yousef Said said they couldn't just take the
money as a random act of kindness.
"I thought there was something wrong for sure," he
said.
Police also were uneasy with the find and the San Antonio Police
Department's bomb squad asked that several nearby apartment buildings be
evacuated and part of Fairhaven Street be closed to traffic.
Yousef said the mosque at 8638 Fairhaven St. hasn't seen major problems,
but it has received a few hate calls, and the mosque's sign near the road
was hit a few times with paintballs.
"We'd like to think that San Antonio is exempt (from) that, but we
don't want to be naive," police spokesman Sgt. Gabe Trevino
said.
The briefcase had a partition that made it impossible to see all the way
through, Yousef said. And nobody could tell what was lying underneath the
cash.
"It could have been something very innocent," said Sarwat
Husain, chairwoman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"But we didn't know if this was a trap." (MORE)
-----
WELCOME NEWS FROM MUSLIMS -
TOP
Seattle Times, 8/4/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2002419262_fatwaed04.html
The fatwa - a formal message - issued by an association of North American
Islamic scholars last week is welcome clarification in the ongoing battle
to fight terrorism.
Not only does it clearly state Islam denounces the terrorism that killed
more than 3,000 people in the 9/11 attacks, but it helps clarify the
societal debate for non-Muslims tempted to jump to conclusions. Almost
four years after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
and a month after the four London bombings that killed dozens, the enemy
in the war on terrorism still remains murky. It is too easy to define the
enemy by what we know about the culprits: the 9/11 attackers and the
London bombers all are Muslim men.
"There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism.
Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any
other method of attack is haram - or forbidden - and those who commit
these barbaric attacks are criminals not 'martyrs."
But they are more than that. They are fundamentalist radicals, an
aberration, but a formidable one. They do not represent Muslims in
general. That has been the consistent message of many American Muslims
and Islamic scholars.
Last week, the Fiqh Council of North America issued a ruling formalizing
that view. The fatwa carries the weight of an opinion issued by a
recognized religious authority. The ruling reads, in part:
"Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence
against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism
or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide
bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden - and
those who commit these barbaric attacks are criminals not 'martyrs.'
"
The fatwa further forbids Muslims from cooperating with terrorists and
affirms it is their duty to cooperate with law enforcement to protect
innocent civilians. As of Thursday, 163 imams, mosques and Muslim
organizations endorsed the fatwa.
This is not a new position for the council, or most Muslims. It follows a
similar ruling by the Muslim Council of Britain. But it is an important
and responsible affirmation of their faith's principles, which have been
obscured by the terrorists who insist they are something
different.
ALSO SEE:
MUSLIMS AGAINST TERRORISM -
TOP
Lauren Wolfe, Long Island Press, 8/04/05
http://www.longislandpress.com/?cp=162&show=article&a_id=5147
A fatwa against terrorism issued by American Muslim clerics after the
recent London bombings has been roundly applauded across the country.
Yet, along with the applause comes a nagging question: Why has it taken
so long for Muslim leaders to speak out?
Muslims say it hasn't; they just haven't been heard.
"From what I've seen, everybody has been involved and engaged and
we're all trying to grapple with this issue," says Faroque Ahmad
Khan, president of the Islamic Center of Long Island, in Westbury. Khan
says that he and his colleagues discuss terrorism-as they discuss any
major world issue-with their congregations.
The time since 9/11 has been "a double tragedy for Muslims," he
says. Besides the impact the Muslim community felt when hundreds of their
own died in the World Trade Center, there is the cloud of suspicion all
Muslims live under today.
"The purpose of the fatwa is to put on record once and for all where
we stand on this issue," Khan says.
Until now, there has been little in the news of such condemnations of
terrorism by American Muslim groups. Rabiah Ahmed of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit
advocacy group, puts the blame for the silence partly on the media and
partly on her own community's ignorance of PR.
"These are things that have been said since 9/11," Ahmed
explains, "but the community was not media savvy before. We've had
to make up for lost time." Illustrating the spotty understanding of
public outreach, Ahmed Yuceturk, an imam at the United American Muslim
Association of N.Y., in Dix Hills professed complete ignorance of the
fatwa.
CAIR's Ahmed says the fatwa was inspired by a similar one issued by
British clerics. Previously, groups like hers issued press releases
against terrorism, often weekly. A fatwa, which is a legal opinion culled
from Islamic law, however, carries a religious and moral weight that a
press release clearly doesn't.
---
'FATWA' AGAINST TERRORIST -
TOP
Catherine Ho, Oakland Tribune, 8/4/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/searchresults/ci_2912628
A GLOBAL CRY for peace was answered on Tuesday in the halls of San
Bruno's Al Madinah Academy, as Moi Din joined hundreds of Muslim leaders
from California to Great Britain in support of a "fatwa"
condemning terrorism and religious extremism.
"We're totally against terrorism because there is no such thing in
Islam," said Din, president of the Al Madinah Academy and mosque.
"Islam is about peace."
This was precisely the message behind the fatwa, or Islamic religious
ruling, that was issued Thursday by the Fiqh Council of North America, a
group of Islamic legal scholars who interpret Muslim law.
The anti-terror declaration, which comes in the face of a widespread
post-9/11 backlash toward many followers of Islam, is part of the Muslim
community's effort to disassociate the faith from the violent acts of
extremists.
"In all cultures, there are good people and bad people. Some of the
radical Muslims go beyond that, and that's not right," Din said.
"We're not supportive of those kinds of organiza7tions or people at
all."
Sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Islamic
Society of North America, the fatwa has made an international impact,
drawing support from Muslim leaders in the United States, Asia and
Europe. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM COUNCIL TAKES A STAND -
TOP
Benjamin J. Hubbard, Orange County Register, 8/4/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/08/04/sections/commentary/orange_grove/article_621443.php
To some it may seem as too late in coming, but the Muslim Fiqh Council of
North America, under the leadership of Muzammil Siddiqi, took a
significant step July 28 when it declared that "[a]ll acts of
terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in
Islam."
Siddiqi heads the 18-member Council, which decides judicial matters for
Muslims. He is also the longtime spiritual leader of the Islamic Society
of Orange County, and a part-time lecturer in Islamic studies at Cal
State Fullerton, where I teach, and at Chapman University.
The council issued a fatwa or legal ruling that - along with condemning
terrorism and extremism - said it is forbidden "to cooperate with
any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or
violence," and it is "the civil and religious duty of Muslims
to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all
civilians."
Siddiqi's prominent role in the issuance of the fatwa is typical of his
careful but courageous work in the field of interfaith relations over the
last quarter century. (MORE)
-----
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
BREAKING NEWS:
*
CAIR
Condemns Bus Attack by Israeli Terrorist
*
Pro-Israel
Lobbyists Charged with Classified Leaks (AP)
-----
CAIR
CONDEMNS BUS ATTACK BY ISRAELI TERRORIST -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/4/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group today condemned a shooting attack by an Israeli
terrorist that killed four people and wounded many others on a bus in the
Arab-majority town of Shfaram.
SEE: "Gunman Kills 4 on Israeli Bus"
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/04/bus.shooting/
In its statement, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) said:
"This brutal attack on innocent civilians once again demonstrates
that terrorism and extremism can rise out of any faith. We call on
American religious and political leaders to condemn the attack and to
repudiate the extremist views that apparently motivated the perpetrator.
Terror is terror, no matter what faith the terrorist
espouses."
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
FORMER
PRO-ISRAEL LOBBYISTS CHARGED WITH CLASSIFIED LEAKS -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/4/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-08-04-spyingcharges_x.htm
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two former employees of a pro-Israel lobbying
organization were indicted Thursday on charges they conspired to obtain
and disclose classified U.S. defense information over a five-year
period.
An indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria,
Va., names Steven Rosen, formerly the director of foreign policy issues
for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and Keith Weissman, the
organization's former senior Iran analyst.
The five-count indictment also spells out in greater detail the
government's case against Pentagon analyst Lawrence Franklin, who already
is facing charges he leaked classified military information to an Israeli
official and the AIPAC employees.
Rosen and Weissman disclosed sensitive information as far back as 1999 on
a variety of topics that included terrorist activities in Central Asia,
the bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, al-Qaeda and U.S.
policy in Iran, the indictment says. Among their contacts were foreign
government officials and reporters, the indictment says. (MORE)
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/5/05
*
VERSE:
Qualities of the
Righteous
*
WMAL
Advertiser
Drops Spots over Anti-Islam Host
-
2 Million
Americans View CAIR Anti-Terror PSA
*
CAIR-NY
Rep
Discusses Profiling on MSNBC's 'Hardball'
*
MI:
Fines For Fake
Halal Ads (Free Press)
-
MI:
Religious Food Gets
Protection (Detroit News)
*
NY:
Muslim Cabbie Returns Lost
Diamonds
-
INCITEMENT:
Islam is a
Religion of Hate
*
MD:
County's First
Mosque Takes Form
*
DC:
Read
the Indictment Against AIPAC Lobbyists
-----
VERSE OF THE
DAY: QUALITIES OF THE RIGHTEOUS -
TOP
(The righteous are) those who are patient in adversity; who are true (in
word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend (in the way of God); and
who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the
morning."
The Holy Quran, 3:17
-----
WMAL
ADVERTISER DROPS SPOTS OVER ANTI-ISLAM HOST -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/5/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today applauded a decision by an advertiser on a Washington, D.C.,
radio station to drop its commercials from a program that Muslims say
promotes Islamophobic hatred.
CAIR said the advertiser dropped its ads from WMAL-AM's Michael Graham
program after receiving complaints from concerned Muslims. In an e-mail,
a representative of the advertiser stated: "I have asked that our ad
be pulled from this show, I personally agree with your comments although
I also believe the world takes many types of people, some ignorant, some
extreme." (The name of the advertiser is being withheld to prevent a
backlash from Graham's supporters.)
Graham was suspended without pay by the station for stating repeatedly
that "Islam is a terrorist organization." His suspension came
after CAIR urged Muslims to contact WMAL and its advertisers. (A
replacement host for Graham made similarly Islamophobic comments when he
falsely claimed that the Quran, Islam's revealed text, teaches Muslims to
lie.)
SEE: "WMAL Suspends Talk-Show Host for Comment on Islam"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802241.html
"We thank the advertiser for refusing to subsidize religious bigotry
and again urge that Graham's temporary suspension be made
permanent," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper.
Hooper said CAIR is calling on Washington-area Muslims to contact other
WMAL advertisers to urge that they too drop their commercials from the
program. A complete list of WMAL advertisers may be viewed at:
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=275&theType=AA
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go
to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
2 MILLION
AMERICANS VIEW CAIR ANTI-TERROR PSA -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/5/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) said today that more than two million people nationwide have
already viewed the group's "Not in the Name of Islam"
anti-terror television public service announcement (PSA) since its
release last month.
CAIR's 30-second PSA ties into the "Not in the Name of Islam"
online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from
the violent acts of a few Muslims. The PSA has been translated into
Arabic and Urdu for distribution to media in the Muslim world. Radio
versions of these PSAs have also bee produced.
To view or listen to the PSAs, go to:
TV:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
English:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/english.mp3
Arabic:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/arabic.mp3
Urdu:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/urdu.mp3
---
CAIR-NY
REP DISCUSSES PROFILING ON MSNBC'S 'HARDBALL' -
TOP
Ken Allard, Pete Williams, Chris Matthews, Hardball MSNBC, 08/04/05
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8838904/
MATTHEWS: Since those terrifying London subway attacks of July 7, law
enforcement here in New York has begun random bag searches on the subway
in order to ferret out would-be bomber, a policy now being challenged by
the New York Civil Liberties Union. Recently, however, a New York state
assemblyman, Dov Hikind, and City Councilman James Oddo have proposed
legislation to make racially profiling Middle Easterners who fit a young
Arab fundamentalist profile legal.
Both Hikind and Oddo declined HARDBALL`s invitation to join our
discussion tonight.
Former City New York Police Commissioner Howard Safir, however, is a
proponent of this kind of profiling.
How do you -- how do regular beat patrolmen do this, look for the most
obvious suspects in these kinds of cases?
HOWARD SAFIR, FORMER NEW YORK CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER: Well, first you
have to distinguish.
You talked about racial profiling. I don`t consider this racial
profiling. This is terrorist profiling. We know what the 19 hijackers
looked like on 9/11. We know what the London hijackers looked like. We
know what the embassy bombers looked like in Africa. We know what the
Cole bombers looked like.
MATTHEWS: Mr. Nasr, what is wrong with what the former commissioner just
suggested?
WISSAM NASR, AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS COUNCIL: . . .Well, first of all,
the subway structures are fundamentally flawed. You are not going to find
a terrorist doing random searches. You find terrorists doing focused
searches. Another thing is that racial profiling is illegal. So,
everything we even talk about on the show is about an illegal practice.
The fact of the matter is, is that we don`t know what a Middle Eastern
person looks like. You can ask that Brazilian man who was shot to death
in the train station because he looked Middle Eastern. (MORE)
-----
WAYNE CO. LAW
FINES FOR FAKE ISLAMIC DIET ADS -
TOP
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 08/05/05
http://www.freep.com/news/locway/halal5e_20050805.htm
Suehaila Amen and her family relish Mexican food, but because they are
observant Muslims, they were unable until recently to enjoy one of their
favorites dishes, chicken fajitas, when eating out.
The reason? Under Islamic law, all consumed meat must be halal -- the
Muslim equivalent of kosher. And the meat in most restaurants doesn't
meet the strict doctrinal standard.
On Thursday, the Wayne County Commission passed a law to address the
concerns of observant Muslims who want to be sure what they are getting
is really halal. It penalizes those who mislead consumers by falsely
advertising halal or kosher products . . .
The law is similar to statewide statutes passed in New Jersey and
Illinois over the past few years. Meanwhile, Muslims in other states,
such as California, are lobbying elected officials to pass similar laws,
said Rabiah Ahmed of the Council on American-Islamic Affairs in
Washington, D.C.
Growing up in Warren, Ahmed, 28, found it easy to keep a strict Islamic
diet because of the plethora of halal butchers, restaurants and grocery
stores in the area. That has only spread in recent years.
ALSO SEE:
RELIGIOUS FOOD GETS
PROTECTION -
TOP
Joel Kurth, Detroit News, 08/05/05
http://www.detnews.com/2005/religion/0508/05/B01-270537.htm
Wayne County butchers selling bogus blessed meat soon could find
themselves in trouble with the law.
Acting on a string of complaints, the County Commission on Thursday made
it a misdemeanor for food sellers to falsely claim their meat is halal or
kosher. Halal food includes beef, lamb or chicken slaughtered according
to Islamic law. Kosher food is prepared under strict Jewish
rules.
When the ordinance takes effect in 44 days, violations will be punishable
by $500 fines or 90 days in jail.
Although it applies to kosher and halal food, the ordinance was prompted
because of the popularity of halal food. Once hard to find, the blessed
meat now is available at Metro Detroit chain supermarkets, Asian
restaurants and even two McDonald's restaurants in Dearborn.
It's so ubiquitous now that some of southeast Michigan's 100,000 Muslims
have trouble trusting the meat that claims to be halal. (MORE)
-----
24-CARAT CABBIE -
TOP
Jose Martinez, Kansas City Star, 8/05/05
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/334707p-285893c.html
He's a gem of a guy.
An honest Brooklyn cab driver Thursday answered the prayers of a Canadian
jewelry dealer by returning a diamond-stuffed suitcase that had been left
in the trunk of his yellow cab.
"It's like a perfect miracle," said Thierry Delisha, 32, of
Montreal. "I am so proud to meet such an honest
gentleman."
Hossam Abdala made the sparkling discovery Thursday, hours after dropping
off Delisha and two other men at LaGuardia Airport for a flight to Canada
around 7:15 a.m.
In their haste to unload eight pieces of luggage, the men didn't notice
until it was too late that Abdala had driven off with a suitcase loaded
with hundreds of thousands of dollars in bridal jewelry. . .
One call later to Crown Ring, the company Delisha owns in Montreal, and
Abdala tracked down the grateful diamond dealer, who had stayed in New
York hoping for a miracle.
"The guy's lucky," said Abdala, 30. "Usually, I find cell
phones and things like that, but never very heavy bags filled with
diamonds."
Delisha and his partners had been in New York for a jewelry expo at the
Javits Convention Center.
They were on their way to another show in Toronto when they discovered
they might have to show up empty-handed.
"That would have been terrible," Delisha said. "I thought
they were gone for good."
Abdala, whose 12-hour shifts behind the wheel start at 4 a.m., received
what Delisha called a "very nice reward" for his good
deed.
"In New York, with so many people, I never would have believed this
could happen," Delisha said. "I found a very good
man."
For Abdala, he was relieved he was able to track down Delisha. They
reunited last night at LaGuardia.
"It's the right thing to do," said Abdala, a married father of
a 4-year-old girl who immigrated from Egypt in 1997. "I knew I had
to find the owner."
The episode reaffirmed Delisha's belief in the power of prayer.
"I'm Jewish and he's Muslim, so there has to be a message from God
in this," he said. "I wish there could be more people like
him." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
INCITEMENT
WATCH: ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF HATE -
TOP
http://www.lufkindailynews.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2005/08/05/20050805LDNletter.html
SEND POLITE COMMENTS TO:
aadams@coxnews.com
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
COUNTY'S FIRST
MOSQUE TAKES FORM ON RT. 108 -
TOP
Paul Peluso Jr., The View, 8/05/05
http://www.theviewnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=6158&paper=91&cat=193
The Dar al-Taqwa Muslim congregation, formed in 1992, is finally getting
a place they can call home.
The organization is nearing the end of a decade-long process of building
Howard County's first mosque on land that they purchased in 1994 off of
Route 108 across from the Cedar Lane Park entrance.
"It's something that is needed," Anwer Hasan, president of the
Howard County Muslim Council, said. "The Muslim community has grown
in population significantly in Howard County over the last four or five
years." (MORE)
-----
READ THE
INDICTMENT AGAINST AIPAC LOBBYISTS -
TOP
http://www.antiwar.com/rep2/FranklinSupersedingIndictment.pdf
-----
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
BREAKING NEWS
ILLINOIS MAN ARRESTED FOR THREAT AGAINST U.S. MUSLIM
GROUP
CAIR thanks law enforcement agencies for 'swift and
professional' actions
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/5/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today thanked the Department of Justice, the FBI and the
Washington Metropolitan Police Department for "swift and
professional" actions that led to the arrest of an Illinois man who
allegedly threatened to bomb the group's Capitol Hill
headquarters.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest earlier today of Max
L. Oakley, 50, of Toledo, Ill. Oakley allegedly sent e-mailed threats
claiming that he would bomb CAIR's Washington, D.C., office and American
mosques unless the civil rights and advocacy group made a public
announcement that it was ceasing operations. (See the
Department of
Justice news release below.)
"We wish to thank the Department of Justice, the FBI and the
Washington Metropolitan Police Department for their swift and
professional actions in helping to apprehend the alleged
perpetrator," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "This
arrest will send a clear message to Islamophobic bigots that intimidation
of American Muslims and threats against their institutions will not be
tolerated and will be prosecuted vigorously."
Awad added that those who incite anti-Muslim hatred in our society bear a
degree of responsibility for the inevitable consequences of their
inflammatory rhetoric.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-415-0799;
Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
U.S. Department of Justice
KENNETH L. WAINSTEIN
United States Attorney for the
District of Columbia
Judiciary Center
555 Fourth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 5, 2005
ILLINOIS MAN
ARRESTED FOR HOAX BOMB THREAT -
TOP
Washington, D.C. - United States Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein announced
that Max L. Oakley, age 50, of Toledo, Illinois, was arrested by agents
of the Federal Bureau of Investigations today on charges of sending
e-mail threats to bomb the headquarters of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) located in Washington, DC.
The criminal complaint charges Oakley with a violation Title 18, United
States Code, Section 844(e), for willfully making a threat and
maliciously conveying false information knowing the same to be false, in
and affecting interstate commerce, by sending e-mails concerning an
alleged attempt to be made to destroy a building by means of an
explosive. If Oakley is convicted of these charges he faces up to ten
years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning hours on July
29, 2005, CAIR received e-mails advising that everything was in place to
take out the CAIR headquarters and all mosques, and that the only way to
stop these attacks was to make a public announcement on national
television and all cable news stations by 9:00 o'clock p.m. that night
that CAIR was closing down. Officers of the Washington Metropolitan
Police Department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit searched the
building with K-9 dogs, but found no evidence of explosives.
Agents of the FBI quickly determined that the person sending these
e-mails was Max L. Oakley of Toledo, Illinois. When FBI agents
interviewed Oakley prior to the 9:00 p.m. deadline, he admitted that he
had sent e-mails to CAIR and that the email address from which the emails
were sent belonged to him.
In announcing the arrest, United States Attorney Wainstein stated,
"As today's arrest demonstrates, law enforcement shows no tolerance
for those who use e-mail to spread hateful anti-Islamic rhetoric and
threaten violence against innocent persons and
organizations."
Oakley is expected to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge in
East St. Louis or Benton, Illinois for a removal hearing.
For Information Contact:
Public Affairs
Channing Phillips (202) 514-6933
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/8/05
*
HADITH:
Always Tell the
Truth
*
Probe
Urged for Fire at Muslim Home in Rhode Island
*
CAIR-CAN
Urges
Hate Crime Probe of Swastika Vandalism
*
CAIR-FL:
Why
Attackers Haven't Hit U.S. (USA Today)
-
CAIR-FL:
Terrorism
Condemned (Bradenton Herald)
-
CAIR-DC:
Post-9/11
Work Bias Claims Persist (SL Trib)
-
CAIR-CA:
State
Dept. Official Meets With CA Muslims
*
CAIR-DC/IL:
Man
Arrested for Anti-Muslim Bomb Threats
*
Profiling:
A Shameful
Hypocrisy (Wash Post)
-
Targeting Muslim Men Does
Not Work (Ventura Co. Star)
-
Profiling Fears Surface in
Subway (LA Times)
*
NC:
Should the
Quran be in the Courtroom?
-
Fixing N.C.'s Oath (Charlotte
Observer)
*
MI:
Faith,
Finance Forge New Path (Free Press)
-
For Muslims, Loans for
the Conscience (NY Times)
*
KS:
Overcoming the
Islamic Fear Factor (Wichita Eagle)
-
MO:
How I Converted to
Islam (KC Star)
-
MN:
Growing Up Muslim
and American (WCCO)
-
PA:
Muslims Balance
Between Cultures (Phil Inq)
*
U.S.
Troops Demanded 'Rent' From Iraqi Vendors (LA Times)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY:
ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked: "Can a believer
be a coward?" The Prophet said: "Yes." He was then asked:
"Can a believer be a miser?" He replied: "Yes." And
finally, he was asked: 'Can a believer be a liar?" The Prophet said:
"No."
Al-Muwatta, Volume 56, Hadith 19
-----
PROBE
URGED FOR FIRE AT MUSLIM HOME IN RHODE ISLAND
-
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/8/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) said today called on state and national law enforcement
authorities to investigate a recent fire at a Muslim family home in Rhode
Island for the possibility of a bias motive.
CAIR said three members of the North Kingstown, R.I., Muslim family were
injured, one severely, when a fire broke out sometime around 1 a.m. on
Friday, August 5. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the
family believes it began when someone ignited an outdoor grill after
midnight.
SEE: "Overnight House Fire Injures Three in Family"
http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050806_nkfire6.22500737.html
"Given recent incidents targeting Muslims, and a general rise in
Islamophobic rhetoric in our society, it would only be prudent to
investigate this fire with an eye to the possibility of a bias
motive," said CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-488-8787, 202-415-0799, Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-744-7726
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CAN
CALLS FOR HATE CRIME PROBE OF SWASTIKA VANDALISM -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 08/08/05) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN) is calling on police in Windsor, Ontario, to
investigate the recent vandalism of spray-painted Nazi swastikas as hate
crimes.
According to media reports, swastikas and racial slurs were spray-painted
late last week at an elementary school, on street signs and at the homes
of some Jewish residents.
SEE: "Vandals Target Jewish Families"
http://www.canada.com/fortstjohn/story.html?id=1244e5ae-f1bc-499e-ab93-2198b8fb0dfe
A year ago, a Windsor mosque was forced to evacuate after receiving a
bomb threat.
CONTACT: Halima Mautbur at 613-254-9704; Cell: 613-795-2012; E-mail:
Canada@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-FL:
WHY SUICIDE ATTACKERS HAVEN'T HIT U.S. AGAIN -
TOP
Rick Hampson, USA Today, 8/07/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-08-07-suicide-attacks-cover_x.htm
After the bombings in London and Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, the question that
rivets America is one that has no sure answer: Why haven't Muslim
militants executed another suicide terror attack on the U.S. home
front?
If suicide bombers can strike daily in the Middle East and hit the
capitals of Europe, why does 9/11 remain a spectacular
exception?
There are theories about why the United States still hasn't had a
homegrown attack like the ones last month in London. Suicide bombing
isn't that easy. The USA isn't that vulnerable. American Muslims aren't
that militant. Foreign terrorists aren't focused, not yet, on a domestic
strike.
Over the past four years, Jeremiahs as varied as Dick Cheney and Osama
bin Laden have said another attack is inevitable. It could come at any
time, and it could come from within; homegrown suicide terrorists are
notoriously difficult to identify before they strike.
U.S. Muslims want the American dream, not jihad. The United States has
assimilated immigrant Muslims more successfully than Western Europe,
where there is a higher proportion of poor, alienated Muslims, according
to Ahmed Bedier of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. American
Muslims seem to have more of a stake in keeping peace.
"No one wants to attack their own people," Bedier says.
"Muslims here see themselves as Americans more than Muslims in
France see themselves as French."
Last week a council of leading American Muslim scholars issued an edict
condemning those who commit terrorism in the name of Islam as
"criminals, not 'martyrs.' (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: TERRORISM CONDEMNED -
TOP
Altaf Ali, Bradenton Herald, 8/07/05
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/news/editorial/letters/12323737.htm
Scroll down.
On July 29, representatives from several Islamic centers in Florida
gathered at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida office to
officially endorse the recently issued national fatwa (Islamic religious
ruling) against terrorism and extremism. The fatwa was issued by the Fiqh
Council of North America (FCNA) and is being endorsed by more than 150
major U.S. Muslim organizations including CAIR, ISNA, ICNA, Mosque Cares
and MAS.
The Islamic religious ruling states in part, "Islam strictly
condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent
lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism.
Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any
other method of attack is forbidden, and those who commit these barbaric
acts are criminals. In the light of the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah
we clearly and strongly state:
All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in
Islam.
It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that
is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. (MORE)
Altaf Ali, Executive Director
Council on American-Islamic
Relations Florida
Pembroke Pines
---
POST-9/11 WORK BIAS
CLAIMS PERSIST -
TOP
Stephanie Armour, Salt Lake Tribune, 8/07/05
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_2922645
Nearly four years after the terrorist attacks, Muslim, South Asian and
Arab-American employees continue to report discrimination on the
job.
Compared with the first two years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the number
of employees saying they have been discriminated against as a form of
backlash because of the attacks has declined. But charges continue to
come in, indicating that Arab-American and other workers still feel
discriminated against.
''People are being called 'terrorist' at work, things of that sort,''
says Arsalan Iftikhar, national legal director at Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic Relations. ''A lot of cases continue to go
on. People have been called Osama bin Laden, told they are going to
mosque to learn how to build a bomb.'' (MORE)
---
STATE
DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL MEETS WITH CALIF. MUSLIMS -
TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 8/8/05) - The San Diego chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) said today that it helped
arrange a recent meeting between local Muslim leaders and Ambassador
Richard Boucher, former State Department spokesman and current Assistant
Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
The meeting was designed to discuss foreign policy issues and to identify
the Muslim community's views on and concerns about these issues. A dozen
community leaders, including Imams and leaders of local Muslim
organizations, were in attendance.
Ambassador Boucher offered comments on current world events and said he
first came into contact with the Muslim world while on a mission to
Senegal. His comments were followed by an open discussion with the Muslim
leaders.
Topics discussed ranged from foreign and domestic policy issues to why
anti-Americanism seems to be growing worldwide. The discussion continued
the next day with a breakfast meeting at the University of San Diego's
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.
"We thank Ambassador Boucher for his interest in the Muslim
community and its concerns, and hope this is just the beginning of a
productive dialogue," said CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Omar
Hassaine.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-San Diego, 858-344-9352, E-Mail:
cair_sd_pres@yahoo
-----
TOLEDO
MAN ARRESTED FOR ANTI-MUSLIM BOMB THREATS HE ALLEGEDLY E-MAILED -
TOP
NATHANIEL WEST, Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, 8/8/05
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2005/08/08/news/news01.txt
TOLEDO -- Federal authorities arrested a Cumberland County man for
allegedly threatening to bomb American mosques and the national
headquarters of an Islamic civil liberties group.
Max L. Oakley, 50, of Toledo was taken into custody by FBI agents after
an investigation revealed he allegedly sent threatening e-mails to the
Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., according to
the U.S. Attorney's office there.
Oakley later admitted he was responsible for the e-mails, said U.S.
Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein.
"As today's arrest demonstrates, law enforcement shows no tolerance
for those who use e-mail to spread hateful anti-Islamic rhetoric and
threaten violence against innocent persons and organizations,"
Wainstein said in a release Friday.
According to the federal complaint against Oakley, CAIR received several
e-mails on July 29 from an individual claiming the group's headquarters
and all Muslim mosques would be attacked unless CAIR announced on
national television it would shut down its operation. The e-mails
indicated a deadline of 9 p.m. that night.
The U.S. Attorney's office reported that the Washington police department
bomb squad searched the CAIR building, but found no explosives.
FBI agents then determined Oakley was the alleged perpetrator of the
e-mails, according to the federal prosecutor. Oakley was interviewed by
the FBI prior to the 9 p.m. deadline on July 29, when he admitted sending
the messages, Wainstein said.
Oakley has been charged with "willfully making a threat and
maliciously conveying false information ... by sending e-mails concerning
an alleged attempt to be made to destroy a building by means of an
explosive," according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
If convicted, Oakley could receive a 10-year prison sentence and $250,000
fine. He is expected to appear before a magistrate at the federal
courthouse in either Benton or East St. Louis.
Nihad Awad, the executive director of CAIR, said in a release Friday that
the organization thanks federal authorities "for their swift and
professional actions in helping to apprehend the alleged
perpetrator." (MORE)
-----
A SHAMEFUL HYPOCRISY -
TOP
Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 8/06/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/05/AR2005080501437.html
I am mystified by the conservative commentators who voice their support
for racial profiling as a way to catch terrorist suspects. These pundits
support the authorities screening or otherwise keeping a close eye on
mainly young Muslim men of North African, Middle Eastern or South Asian
descent, because an overwhelming number of terrorists hail from those
regions.
But here is where the commentators have me confused. They are well known
for arguing that:
* The Constitution, specifically the 14th Amendment, bars the government
from creating and enforcing laws that treat people differently simply
because of race.
* Individuals should be judged by the same standard regardless of
national origin, race or religion.
* The government should not have double standards based on race,
ethnicity or religious beliefs. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
TARGETING MUSLIM MEN
DOES NOT WORK -
TOP
David A. Harris, Ventura County Star, 8/07/05
http://reg.venturacountystar.com/vcs/web/loginForm?from=www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/opinion/article/0,1375,VCS_125_3984254,00.html
The impulse to use a profile targeting young Muslim men may seem obvious
in light of the bombings in London and elsewhere, but using these kinds
of demographic factors in law enforcement, except as a description of a
known suspect, would be a first-order strategic mistake. We won't be more
safe, we'll be less safe.
Our enemies are not "young Muslim men," and the struggle in
which we are engaged should not be considered a war against
"terror." Our enemies are extremists or fanatics, wherever they
come from and whoever they are, and terror is their tactical approach,
not an enemy we can fight.
What we care about is stopping anyone behaving like a terrorist. When we
ignore these basic facts, we give these murderous fanatics a large
strategic advantage that they have shown themselves clever and flexible
enough to exploit. Security forces must focus on the behavior of
terrorists. Such behavior profiling works; it has worked successfully in
Israel's aviation system for years. When we make sharing the appearance
of "young Muslim men ... of Arab or South Asian origin" one of
the criteria we use to decide who is suspicious, we lose what must be a
total focus on behavior. This makes our law enforcement forces less
accurate in finding what they're looking for, as all of the relevant
studies of the subject have shown. (MORE)
---
PROFILING FEARS SURFACE
IN SUBWAY -
TOP
Josh Getlin, Los Angeles Times, 8/08/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-subway8aug08,1,2834490.story
As subway riders poured into Pennsylvania Station, a police officer
stopped Ahmed Mohammed and asked him to open his backpack. The
Pakistani-born engineer, who was visiting New York with his family,
shrugged and agreed to the search.
He looked embarrassed as the officer quickly examined its contents --
T-shirts and presents purchased at Macy's -- and waved him through the
turnstile. Heading for the rush-hour train, Mohammed was angry.
"We all want to feel safe after what happened in London," the
29-year-old tourist said last week. "And police have to do their
job. But they picked me out of the crowd just because of the way I look.
Not because of anything I have done."
When police began screening subway riders two weeks ago, many New Yorkers
accepted it as necessary. During the first few days, hundreds of
commuters came up to officers and opened their bags for inspection,
prompting reminders from top brass that the searches had to be done
randomly.
Law enforcement has stressed that the policy is not targeting any
particular group. But passenger complaints such as Mohammed's are
becoming more frequent, and critics more vocal. (MORE)
-----
SHOULD THE QU'RAN BE
IN THE COURTROOM? -
TOP
Cash Michaels, Wilmington Journal, 8/06/05
http://wilmingtonjournal.blackpressusa.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=60193&sID=4
"The basic purpose of using sworn testimony is to assure that the
information being provided is truthful and as correct as is
possible.">--Special Agent Dick Searle, Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, so help you God?"
Those who have testified in a court of law anywhere in North Carolina or
across the country recognize these words to be the oath administered to
witnesses prior to their sworn testimony.
As has been procedure for decades, the right hand is raised, and the left
hand is placed on the Holy Bible.
I do.
The courts have long favored the Christian book of faith as the ultimate
symbol of truth. For a Christian, to swear on it means that to tell
anything other than the truth in testimony is a blasphemy and a sin
before God that will be taken into account on Judgment Day.
But what if a witness or juror isn't a Christian? What if he is a Jew or
a Muslim? Both groups have their own books of faith, their own symbols of
religious truth. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FIXING N.C.'S OATH -
TOP
Charlotte Observer, 8/08/05
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/opinion/12328685.htm
If the State of North Carolina wastes a dime defending itself against a
suit recently filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the official
numbskull who decided to do so should be required to pay it.
The suit involves a state law that says persons being sworn in court
proceedings may take the oath on the "Holy Scriptures." Some
judges have interpreted that to mean the Bible but no other sacred text,
such as the Quran, for example.
This law is like those restrictive covenants that still exist in some old
property deeds -- the clauses that say the property can be sold to whites
only. Such restrictions have been so obviously overtaken by the law that
arguing about them would be an exercise in nuttiness.
The same is true of allowing persons to swear on the Bible but no other
religious text. Yes, the law provides other options -- persons may simply
affirm that their testimony is truthful, or they may swear without
putting a hand on the Bible. But a Muslim can't swear on the Quran, a
judge has said, or Jews on the Torah. That's so plainly an
unconstitutional show of preference for one religion over all others that
it's hard to imagine the state's lawyers could argue otherwise with a
straight face. This suit should be ended by a declaratory judgment in
favor of the ACLU. (MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC
MORTGAGES: FAITH, FINANCE FORGE NEW PATH -
TOP
Kim Norris, Detroit Free Press, 8/06/05
http://www.freep.com/money/business/islamic6e_20050806.htm
When Shereen Solaiman and her husband, Brandon Metzger, bought a home in
Ypsilanti eight years ago, they had to make a difficult
compromise.
Solaiman, who was born into Islam, and Metzger, who embraced the religion
13 years ago, took out a conventional mortgage that charged
interest.
By many interpretations, Koranic law forbids the payment or receipt of
interest on the theory it creates a culture of debt slavery, which begets
other evils.
But when Soliaman and Metzger moved to Canton earlier this year, they
found a new way to finance their house that didn't compromise their
principles. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FOR MUSLIMS, LOANS
FOR THE CONSCIENCE -
TOP
Patrick O'Gilfoil Healy, New York Times, 8/07/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/07/realestate/07nati.html
Every time Subhan Khan paid his mortgage, stepped into a mosque or talked
about real estate with friends, he felt the shadow of shame creeping over
him.
To buy his first home, Mr. Khan had quietly but deliberately violated
Islamic laws that bar Muslims from paying or receiving interest on loans.
He had financed a home in Atlanta with a conventional mortgage, and was
pricked by regret whenever he listened to an imam rail against the sin of
money lending.
Never again, Mr. Khan told himself. When he sold the house and moved to
Michigan last year, he vowed he would somehow buy a home for his family
where guilt wasn't part of the purchase price.
In suburban Detroit, home to the country's most concentrated
Arab-American population, thousands of other observant Muslims trying to
move from renting to owning a home face the same quandary: how can they
balance their faith and finances?
"I always felt bad about purchasing a home on a mortgage," said
Mr. Khan, 35, who recently bought a home in Dexter, Mich. "To a
Muslim, it's haram - it's not religiously acceptable. It's the wrong
thing to do." (MORE)
-----
OVERCOMING THE ISLAMIC
FEAR FACTOR -
TOP
Wichita Eagle, 8/06/05
http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/living/religion/12315107.htm
Call it the fear factor: Muslims and terrorists. The two go together in
many people's minds, and little if any distinction is made between
fanaticism and faith.
Before you give in to fear, ask yourself: How much do I know about the
religion of Islam? When I hear the word Muslim, do I immediately think
only of terrorists?
Regardless of your preconceptions -- or misconceptions -- are you willing
to learn more about the religion of more than 1 billion people?
First, take this six-question quiz to give yourself a baseline for
learning: (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
HOW I CONVERTED TO ISLAM -
TOP
Andrea Lorenz, Kansas City Star, 8/07/05
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/12295389.htm
Richard Cramdon, 47, was raised in a Catholic family in New Jersey. He
was involved in the church, but he had questions.
He enrolled in a three-year Bible study class. That didn't appease him
either.
"If God is supposed to be omnipotent, why would he create a human
being as a son?
"If we can go all of our lives and sin and then say, 'I accept
Jesus,' and I'm saved? I can't buy that.
"If you live a bad life and you get the same thing as someone who
lived all their life to do the right thing, why do you both get the same
reward?"
Cramdon, who works as a vendor for Home Depot, had questions but no
answers.
About six years ago Cramdon, of Grandview, would stop by to see a friend
of his and sometimes pick up the friend's Qur'an.
Eventually he asked his friend if he could borrow the book. He did and he
liked it, so he attended Friday night service at the mosque with his
friend.
"What really did it for me was when I heard the call to prayer. I
heard this beautiful, melodic voice that could only come from somebody
who believed in God." (MORE)
---
GROWING UP MUSLIM AND
AMERICAN -
TOP
Karen Leigh, WCCO, 8/07/05
http://wcco.com/seenon/local_story_219112439.html
The recent bombings in London brought back a familiar fear of
uncomfortable questions and dirty looks for four Muslim teens living in
the U.S.
"I'm thinking, 'Oh, here we go again,'" said Shabaz Gyagenda,
16.
"Going to the supermarket with your scarf on, or whatever, people
look at you as, 'Oh, they're out to get us,'" said Yosra Khalisa,
16.
"It's a feeling that they don't want you here, even though you're as
American as anyone else," said Alaya Naim, 15.
"People will ask questions so I have to be prepared to answer and
explain that Islam does not condone such actions," said Nafees Syed,
16. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS BALANCE BETWEEN
CULTURES -
TOP
Gaiutra Bahadur, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/07/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/12320538.htm
Adam Bdeir jigged his shoulders like rapper Jay-Z. Then the 7-year-old
spat out the Arabic alphabet, to the beat of a Middle Eastern drum: Alif,
Baa, Taa.
The so-called Alif Baa rap, concocted at a summer camp among suburban
estates, is a twist on an old story: Immigrants and their children become
part of American society by fusion.
But it also captures - in the weeks after suicide bombings in London
carried out by Britons by birth - why experts say second-generation
Muslims here are less likely recruits for terrorist
organizations.
Though the camp in Whitemarsh, al-Bustan, is not exclusively Muslim or
even Arab American, it is devoted to promoting Arab culture. It is part
of a multicultural mechanism that allows Muslims here to strike a
compromise between two worlds, even in the midst of a post-9/11 backlash
that has made that compromise harder. And its campers mirror the Muslim
population in the United States: They come from middle-class, suburban
families who do not live sealed off in ethnic enclaves. (MORE)
-----
MILITARY
SAYS TROOPS DEMANDED 'RENT' FROM IRAQI VENDORS -
TOP
Scott Gold, Los Angeles Times, 8/05/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-me-guard6aug06,1,6819446.story
California Army National Guard troops charged unauthorized, off-the-books
"rent" to Iraqi-owned businesses inside Baghdad's Green Zone in
Iraq to raise money for a "soldier's fund," military officials
and sources within the troops' battalion said Friday.
The disclosure is the latest to emerge from a wide-ranging investigation
into the conduct of the 1st Battalion of the 184th Infantry Regiment of
the Guard, which is headquartered in Modesto, Calif.
Military officials had confirmed previously that the battalion's
commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Frey, had been suspended and that one of the
battalion's companies, based in Fullerton, Calif., had been removed from
patrol duties and restricted to an Army base south of Baghdad, the
capital.
According to military officials and members of the battalion, soldiers
from the battalion's Bravo Company, which is based in Dublin, an East Bay
suburb of San Francisco, approached several businesses earlier this year
that were owned and operated by Iraqi nationals. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VA MUSLIM ATTACKED BY MEN SHOUTING RACIST
SLURS
Pregnant woman in Islamic dress assaulted, called
'terrorist b*tch'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/9/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today called on law enforcement authorities to
treat an assault this morning on a Virginia Muslim woman as a hate
crime.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
reported that a 23-year-old Muslim woman, who is 8 months pregnant and
wears and Islamic head scarf, said she was out for her morning walk in
Arlington, Va., when three white men in a pick-up truck began screaming
anti-Muslim and racist slurs at her. According to the victim, the men
shouted,
"You terrorist b*tch, go back to your country. . .You
n*gger b*tch." (The woman is African-American.)
The truck drove away and then returned as the woman continued on her
walk. One of the men, who was wearing military-style clothing, allegedly
got out of the vehicle and began shoving the woman and preventing her
from moving away. During the assault, he shouted,
"You terrorist
b*tch. . . We're going to kick you're a*s. . . you're nothing."
The other men then called the attacker back to the truck and it sped
off.
"We believe these types of incidents are the direct result of the
growing level of virulent anti-Muslim rhetoric Americans are exposed to
on the Internet, in newspaper editorial pages and on radio talk
shows," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Our
nation's political and religious leaders must begin to challenge
Islamophobic hate-mongers."
Hooper noted that a Washington, D.C., radio talk show host was recently
suspended without pay for stating repeatedly that "Islam is a
terrorist organization." He added that an Illinois man was arrested
just last Friday for threatening to bomb CAIR's Capitol Hill
headquarters.
In July, a national council of American Muslim religious scholars issued
a "fatwa," or formal Islamic legal ruling, against terrorism
and religious extremism. That fatwa has been endorsed by some 200 Islamic
groups, leaders and institutions. SEE:
http://www.cair.com/includes/Anti-TerrorList.pdf
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org/
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/9/05
*
Verse:
God is Forgiving,
Merciful
*
CAIR-CA:
Youth
Leadership Conference at State Capitol
-
CAIR-MI
Meets with Paper Over Offensive Cartoon
-
CAIR-LA Takes Part in Interfaith Panel Discussion
*
Muslims Care:
IL Muslims Collect Meals for Food Drive
*
Incitement:
Islam's Crusade Against the West
-
No Group Holds Patent on Terrorism (SP Times)
*
CAIR Thankful For Arrest of Man Who Threatened Bombing
-
VA:
FBI Offers Reward for Arson Details
-
PA:
Judge OKs Muslim Woman's Lawsuit
*
AIPAC Scandal:
A Spy Plot Thickens (OC Register)
*
VA:
Muslim Women Achievement Awards
-
DC:
Apply For Arab-American Leadership Training
*
Killings by U.S. Troops Angers Iraqis (LA Times)
-
Detainee Accuses U.S. Jailers of Abuse (NY Times)
*
Islamic Law Aids Tsunami Widows (CS Monitor)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD IS FORGIVING, MERCIFUL -
TOP
"Let not those among you who have been graced with (God's) favor and
ease of life ever become remiss in helping their relatives, the
indigent and those who left their homes for the cause of God - rather
let them forgive and overlook - do you not wish that God should forgive
you? God is Forgiving, Merciful."
The Holy Quran, 24:22
-----
CAIR-CA YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT STATE CAPITOL -
TOP
WHAT: Beginning August 18, the California office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will hold the first Annual Muslim
Youth Leadership and Empowerment Conference in Sacramento.
WHEN: Thursday, August 18 - Sunday, August 21, 2005
WHERE: California State Capitol, Sacramento California
The conference will feature workshops on community organizing and
advocacy, public speaking and media activism. A highlight of the
conference will be a 'Mock Legislature' session, during which
participants will serve as legislators as they debate public policy
issues and prepare bills to be presented on the floor of the State
Senate.
Only 30 scholarships are available to eligible juniors and seniors in high school. Applicants may apply online at:
www.cair-california.org.
Deadline to apply is August 10, 2005.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, Alia Aboul-Nasr, 714-776-1847, E-Mail:
aliaa@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI MEETS WITH PAPER OVER OFFENSIVE CARTOON -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 8/9/05) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today announced that steps have
been taken to resolve Muslim concerns about an offensive newspaper
cartoon.
On July 28, 2005, the Oakland Press located in Oakland County, Mich.,
printed a cartoon portraying Muslims and their symbols as causes of
terror. In the cartoon, a man was sitting on a prayer rug with a
caption over his head saying, "Bless me, Imam, for I have failed to
detonate." Behind the man was a black bag with "failed London bombers"
written on it. A wall separated the man and a slovenly looking Imam
(Islamic prayer leader) who appeared to be hearing confession. The
Imam, wearing a hood over his head, had "Theology of Murder" inscribed
on the front of his garment.
A representative of CAIR-MI, along with other communities leaders
including Shaykh Muhammad Musa, Imam of the Unity Center in West
Bloomfield Hills, Imam Achmat Salie, Imam of the Islamic Association of
Greater Detroit, Dr. Ismail Nakada, President of the Muslim Observer
weekly newspaper, and Ghalib Begg, Steve Spreitzer, and Sharon Buttry
from The National Conference on Community and Justice - Michigan
Chapter, met with the president, executive editor and senior editor of
the Oakland Press on August 4, 2005.
During the meeting, the newspaper agreed to not use the cartoonist
again. The Oakland Press also expressed willingness to meet with
leaders of the Muslim community in October to schedule some form of
sensitivity training, including visiting local mosques in Oakland
County. The editors also expressed a willingness to diversify their
editorial board by adding a Muslim and to allow for more editorial
submissions from the leaders of the Muslim community in Oakland County.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248.569.2203, E-Mail:
dawud07@yahoo.com
---
CAIR-CA: PANEL ON RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE ON TODAY'S HOT-BUTTON ISSUES -
TOP
Associated Press Daybook, 8/09/05
WHAT: A panel will discuss "Religious Perspective on Today's Hot-Button
Issues," with panelists to include Hussam Ayloush, executive director
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Southern California; the
Rev. Stephen Mather of Planned Parenthood's national board of
directors; Rabbi Kenneth Milhander of Temple Beth Tikvah; and the Rev.
Timothy Babcock of Holy Cross Melkite-Greek Catholic Church.
WHEN: Aug. 9. 10 a.m.
WHERE: Mackey Auditorium, Cal State U. Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, California
Contacts: (Public Relations), (714) 278-2446
-----
MUSLIMS CARE: CHICAGO MUSLIMS FOOD DRIVE COLLECTS 22,678 MEALS -
TOP
www.muslims-care.org
As of August 8, 2005, the Chicagoland Muslim community summer canned
food drive has provided 22,678 meals, through the Greater Chicago Food
Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. These numbers are not
final, because food has not yet been picked up from all locations. If
your organization has a barrel of food that has not yet been picked up,
please contact me, so we can update the numbers.
In addition to the food collected, the Muslim community's online food
drive (organized through the Greater Chicago Food Depository website)
collected $4,084 (making it the most successful online food drive ever
conducted by the Greater Chicago Food Depository). These funds paid for
16,791 meals.
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: ISLAM'S CRUSADE AGAINST THE WEST -
TOP
Paul Erdman, Market Watch, 8/08/05
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B6096CB7D%2D85B9%2D47D5%2DADD4%2DF4359DD2A891
What should be apparent to all is that we are not dealing with a few
thousand religious renegades led by the likes of Osama bin Laden. We
are facing the wrath, overt and covert, of a sizable percentage of the
Islamic world -- which totals over a billion people. To think of them
in terms of some sort of radical Islamic cult, as most of us have been
led to do, is to demonstrate ignorance of the Quran, which is to Islam
what the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are to Judaism and
Christianity.
The Quran explicitly states that one of the prime missions of Islam is
the elimination of infidels in a process defined as a jihad, or holy
war. As the world is on the verge of perhaps finding out, the
definition of "infidel" is not restricted to Jews and Christians but
includes Muslims, in this case the House of Saud, who have allied
themselves with the West and thus turned their backs on the "true
believers" of the world of Islam.
In the United States it has become politically incorrect in
intellectual and political circles to even think in terms of a War
between Civilizations. Yet that is precisely what we are talking about
here.
The Quran is the root source of the escalating Islam terrorism.
SEND POLITE COMMENTS TO:
newsroom@marketwatch.com,
tbemis@marketwatch.com
COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
NO GROUP HOLDS PATENT ON TERRORISM -
TOP
Susan Taylor Martin, St. Petersburg Times, 8/09/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/09/Columns/No_group_holds_patent.shtml
JERUSALEM - In resigning Sunday, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
said he feared Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip would leave the
area "a base of Islamic terror." His words came just days after a
rampage by a Jewish army deserter brought to the fore another issue
that has received relatively scant attention - Jewish extremism.
It was a reminder that terrorists aren't unique to any one religion or culture.
Thursday evening, 19-year-old Eden Natan-Zada, a right-wing extremist
who had been AWOL for months, shot and killed four Israeli Arabs on a
bus in northern Israel before being beaten to death by an angry crowd.
Most Israelis were revolted by the killings, which Arab and Jewish
leaders alike branded an act of "Jewish terrorism." It's a phrase you
don't often hear in the Middle East, where terrorism is usually
associated with Palestinians who have killed more than 1,000 Israelis
in five years. (MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC GROUP THANKFUL FOR ARREST OF MAN WHO THREATENED BOMBING -
TOP
Religion News Service, 8/8/05
http://www.religionnews.com/
WASHINGTON - The Council on American-Islamic Relations is thanking the
U.S. Justice Department for the swift arrest of a man who threatened to
bomb CAIR's headquarters if the organization did not disband.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, whose mission
is to "enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect
civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that
promote justice and mutual understanding."
Max L. Oakley, 50, of Toledo, Ill. is accused of sending multiple email
threats to CAIR's headquarters in Washington during the early morning
hours of July 29. Officers of Washington's Metropolitan Police
Department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit searched CAIR's
headquarters with bomb-sniffing dogs but discovered no explosives.
FBI agents traced the origin of the threatening e-mail messages to
Oakley and interviewed him. During the interview Oakley admitted that
he had sent e-mail messages to CAIR and that the address from which the
messages originated belonged to him, according to a Justice Department
report. He was arrested Friday (Aug. 5).
"Law enforcement shows no tolerance for those who use e-mail to spread
hateful anti-Islamic rhetoric and threaten violence against innocent
people and organizations," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein, in
announcing the arrest.
If convicted, Oakley faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
FBI OFFERS REWARD FOR ARSON DETAILS -
TOP
Times Dispatch, 8/09/05
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031784328081
The FBI says it will pay up to $20,000 to learn who set a Chesterfield
County business on fire and left behind profane and anti-Arab graffiti.
The bureau's Richmond office announced the reward yesterday more than
eight months after arson destroyed the Chevron Minimart at 2730 E.
Hundred Road in Enon.
"We're trying to generate some information out there and some
interest," said local FBI spokesman Lawrence Barry. "Somebody may not
have actually witnessed it because it occurred in the early morning
hours, but somebody in the community has probably heard some talk about
who may be responsible."
"We'd certainly love to pay [the reward] if we can get somebody to come forward," he said.
Police believe the person or persons who set the Nov. 24 fire also
scrawled anti-Arab graffiti on a nearby trash container and shed. (MORE)
---
JUDGE OKS MUSLIM WOMAN'S LAWSUIT -
TOP
Shannon P. Duffy, LAW.com, 8/09/05
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1123504530160
A woman who claims she was fired from her job at a maternity clothing
store soon after she converted to Islam and started wearing the
traditional full-length robe and head scarf has the right to take her
case to a jury, a federal judge has ruled, because she can show that
the store tolerated other violations of its dress code, such as an
exposed midriff, and pierced eyebrows and lips
In his 29-page opinion in Davis v. Mothers Work Inc., Senior U.S.
District Judge William H. Yohn Jr. denied a motion for summary judgment
on claims of religious and racial discrimination after finding there
were several key factual disputes in the case.
Although Mothers Work claims that Betty Davis was fired for failing to
show up for a scheduled shift in its Motherhood Maternity store in the
King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, Yohn found that Davis has
evidence that the reason was a "pretext," and that she was "set up" by
a district manager who changed her work schedule without telling her.
(MORE)
-----
AIPAC SCANDAL: A SPY PLOT THICKENS -
TOP
Orange County Register, 8/9/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/08/08/sections/commentary/editorials/article_624664.php
This could turn out to be nothing much, or it could be a major scandal
that ends up affecting U.S. relations with Israel. The emerging Larry
Franklin-AIPAC story bears watching because it could signify an
organized effort to affect U.S. policy in the Middle East - perfectly
legitimate - that veered over the edge of legality.
Last September the FBI let it be known it was investigating Mr.
Franklin, a mid-level employee with the Department of Defense's Office
of Special Plans. The OSP had acquired a reputation for interpreting
intelligence in ways that justified invading Iraq - perhaps
reprehensible but not necessarily criminal.
Then in May Mr. Franklin was charged with passing classified
information to two employees of the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee, the pro-Israel lobbying outfit, and officials of a foreign
government. Perhaps Mr. Franklin, known to be a strong neoconservative
supporter of Israel, had let his enthusiasm lead him to disclose some
classified material.
The indictment Thursday of Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman, the two
AIPAC staffers in question, moves the case to a new level of interest.
(MORE)
-----
AMWA EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS CONFERENCE -
TOP
WHAT: The Association of Muslim Women in America extends an invitation
to you to attend the second annual AMWA Excellence in Achievement
Awards Conference (EIA).
Each year, AMWA solicits the names of Muslim women and other persons
from our communities who have made outstanding contributions in
community service, entrepreneurship, media arts, and education.
WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2005, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Virginia Commonwealth University, Student Commons, Salons I-II, 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.
SEE ALSO:
APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR ARAB-AMERICAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING -
TOP
The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership is now
welcoming applications for its 3rd intensive, 5-day training session
planned for Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2005, in Washington, DC. Applications are
sought from those who wish to be considered for the Nov. 28-Dec.2, or
for other future training sessions. All applications for the Nov.
28-Dec.2 session should be received by Friday, Sept. 9, 2005.
There is no charge for the training sessions, which are held in
Washington, DC, but trainees are responsible for their own travel and
accommodation. The training will be led and coordinated by the Hala
Foundation's Program Director, Dr. Hussein Ibish.
Applicants should be young Arab-American professionals who have
completed their education and have already begun their professional
careers, or those in the final stages of a Ph.D. program. They should
have a demonstrable commitment to advocacy on behalf of Arab-American
concerns, and a desire to devote substantial time and effort to
leadership on behalf of the community.
Applicants should send a letter of interest explaining their desire to
become community leaders or activists, a CV and a writing sample or any
other relevant material to:
The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation
815 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC
20006
Please visit
http://www.halafoundation.org for more details
Email
director@halafoundation.org with any questions
THE TEXT OF THIS APPEAL FOR APPLICATIONS IS ONLINE AT:
http://www.halafoundation.org/leaders.htm
-----
KILLINGS OF CIVILIANS BY U.S. TROOPS ANGERS IRAQI GOVERNMENT -
TOP
Richard C. Paddock, Los Angeles Times, 8/07/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/07/MNGJSE2BCB1.DTL
Baghdad -- Three men in an unmarked sedan pulled up near the
headquarters of the national police major crimes unit. The two
passengers, wearing traditional Arab dishdasha gowns, stepped from the
car.
At the same moment, a U.S. military convoy emerged from an underpass.
Apparently believing the men were staging an ambush, the Americans
fired, killing one passenger and wounding the other. The sedan's driver
was hit in the head by two bullet fragments.
The soldiers drove on without stopping.
Such shootings are far from rare in Baghdad, but the driver of the car
was no ordinary casualty. He was police Brig. Gen. Majeed Farraji,
chief of the major crimes unit. His passengers were unarmed hitchhikers
whom he was dropping off on his way to work.
"The reason they shot us is just because the Americans are reckless,"
the general said from his hospital bed hours after the July 6 shooting,
his head wrapped in a white bandage. "Nobody punishes them or blames
them." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DETAINEE AT BRIG IN CHARLESTON ACCUSES HIS JAILERS OF ABUSE -
TOP
Eric Lichtblau, New York Times, 8/08/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/politics/09enemy.html
Lawyers for an Illinois student from Qatar who has been imprisoned as
an enemy combatant for more than two years charged Monday that his
military jailers had subjected him to inhumane treatment, including
threats against his family and mistreatment of the Koran.
The detainee, Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, 39, challenged the conditions
of his confinement in a federal suit that offered what human rights
activists described as a rare glimpse inside the military operation
used to house enemy combatants at a naval brig in Charleston, S.C.
Responding to the suit, the Defense Department said in a statement:
''This is a legal matter that will be handled through legal channels,
and we will not comment on specific allegations. However, allegations
of this nature have been proven false in the past, and we know that
enemy combatants have been trained to make sensational claims about
their detention if captured.''
Mr. Marri, who American officials say pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda
and attended a terrorist training camp, is one of only two people
apprehended in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks and
declared enemy combatants by President Bush. He and the second man,
Jose Padilla, an American citizen arrested in Chicago, are now housed
at the Charleston brig. A third, Yaser E. Hamdi, an American citizen of
Saudi descent captured in Afghanistan, was held at the same brig for
nearly three years before the United States released him to Saudi
Arabia last October. (MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC LAW AIDS TSUNAMI WIDOWS -
TOP
Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 8/09/05
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0809/p06s01-woap.html
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA - When the tsunami came to sweep away her seaside
home, her three children, and her husband, Yuniarti thought that she
had lost everything she could possibly lose.
She was wrong. After the disaster, the parents of her late husband took
away her car, her motorcycle, and other belongings, telling Yuniarti
that they had more right to inherit their son's property than she did
as a wife.
They were wrong. According to Islamic law, a widow has greater right to
inherit her husband's property. Now, Yuniarti is asserting those rights
under Islamic sharia law, a 1,300-year-old legal system that has some
surprisingly modern notions of women's empowerment.
"The only way I have is to go to sharia court," says Yuniarti, who
claims her husband's family has begun to threaten her after she asked
repeatedly for her property back. "I know that I will win the case in
Islamic court. My husband's parents are religious people, I hope they
will hear the decision of the sharia court and accept it." (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/10/05
*
Verse:
Seek God's Help with Patience
and Prayer
*
CAIR-CA
Hosts 'Know
Your Rights' Session
-
CAIR-Houston Annual Banquet
Sept. 24
-
CAIR-TX
Helps Fight Muscular Dystrophy
*
Quote of the Day:
Profiling a Blessing to Terrorists
-
Calls for Profiling Renewed (SF Chron)
*
VA:
Police Investigate Attack on Muslim Woman (NBC4)
-
Muslim Woman Reports Harassment in Arlington (AP)
-
Possible Hate Crime (Wash Post)
*
RI:
Muslim Groups Call for Probe of Fire (Prov Journal)
*
Religious Leaders Should Reconcile, Not Divide (VOA News)
-
Muslims Respond to 'Islam's Crusade Against the West'
*
CT:
New Country, Same Innocence (Conn Post)
-
Life is Good For Muslim Women (Calgary Herald)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: SEEK GOD'S HELP WITH PATIENCE AND PRAYER -
TOP
"Seek (God's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: and this, indeed, is a hard thing for all but the humble in spirit."
The Holy Quran, 2:45
HADITH OF THE DAY: HUMILITY PREVENTS OPPRESSION
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "God has revealed to me
that you must be humble, so that no one oppresses another. . ."
Sunan of Abu Dawood, Hadith 2294
-----
CAIR-CA HOSTS 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS' SESSION IN TRACY - TOP
WHAT: On Saturday August 13, the Sacramento Valley chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) and the Bay Area
Association of Muslim Lawyers (BAAML) will host a panel discussion,
titled "Know Your Rights," a panel at the Tracy Islamic Center.
Confirmed Speakers include: Shirin Sinnar, Esq. - Lawyers Committee for
Civil Rights; Marwa El-Zankaly, Esq. - McManis, Faulkner and Morgan;
Saad Ahmad, Esq. - Law Offices of Minter and Ahmad; Dina EL-Nakhal,
Director of Communications, CAIR-SV
WHEN: Saturday, August 13, 2005, 3:00-5:00 PM
WHERE: Tracy Islamic Center, 11299 Larch Rd., Tracy, CA 95276
CONTACT: Dina EL-Nakhal, 530-219-2457, E-Mail:
dina@cair.com or Sima Ali, 209-640-7499
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-HOUSTON ANNUAL BANQUET -
TOP
WHAT: On September 24, the Houston chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) will host its annual banquet,
"American Muslims: Partners for Equality, Promoting Community."
WHERE: The Westin Oaks, 5011 Westheimer Road at Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056
WHEN: September 24, 2005
Action Requested:
1) Mark Your Calendars
2) Contact CAIR-Houston to help us promote this important event by phone: 713 838 - CAIR or by email:
info@cairhouston.org
---
CAIR-HOUSTON HELPS FIGHT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY -
TOP
On August 18, 2005, CAIR-Houston Executive Director Iesa Galloway will
participate in a mock arrest to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy
Association (MDA).
This event will feature volunteering business professionals and
community organizations whose executives will be presented with mock
warrants for arrest and held, pending collection of their bail, at
Morton's of Chicago Restaurant, Houston, Texas.
Through this effort, Iesa Galloway will need to raise at least $3,780
for MDA; this money will help support individuals affected by muscular
dystrophy by providing clinic services, support groups, research grants
and the summer camp program for kids. The Association's programs are
funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. MDA seeks no
government grants, United Way funding or fees from those it serves.
CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Executive Director Iesa Galloway, 713-838-CAIR-(2247), E-Mail:
iesa.galloway@cairhouston.org
-----
QUOTE OF THE DAY: PROFILING A BLESSING TO TERRORISTS -
TOP
Issac Bailey, Myrtle Beach Sun News, 8/10/05
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/12345622.htm
Racial profiling reinforces warped thinking, such as the belief that
law-abiding Muslims can or should control Muslim extremists. That would
have been akin to asking the white civil rights worker or Christian in
the 1950s why he was not able to convince the Ku Klux Klan to stop
lynching blacks.
SEE ALSO:
CALLS FOR RACIAL, ETHNIC PROFILING RENEWED AFTER TRANSIT ATTACKS -
TOP
Edward Epstein, San Francisco Chronicle, 8/10/05
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/10/MNG16E5JTC1.DTL
WASHINGTON- In the aftermath of last month's terrorist attacks on
London's subways and buses, some have renewed calls in this country for
authorities to use racial and ethnic profiling to try to identify
terrorism suspects at airports and on the nation's transit systems.
So far the idea has been advanced most forcefully by columnists,
academics and local politicians in New York City, where anti-terror
precautions including random searches of subway passengers' bags were
instituted after the London attacks. Bush administration officials
resist the notion -- which is against federal policy -- but even the
staunchest opponents of profiling admit the idea will gain force if
Islamic extremists begin new attacks.
Emblematic of the proposals were comments by New York Assemblyman Dov
Hikind, a Brooklyn Democrat who said he will introduce legislation to
allow police to zero in on Middle Easterners when they conduct
terrorism-prevention searches in subways or other locally controlled
systems. For the past few weeks, New York City authorities have
randomly searched subway riders' bags and packages and say they're
doing it without regard to ethnicity or race.
"They all look a certain way," Hikind said, referring to Muslim
terrorists responsible for the London attacks and the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "It's all
very nice to be politically correct here, but we're talking about
terrorism." (MORE)
-----
POLICE INVESTIGATE ATTACK ON MUSLIM WOMAN -
TOP
NBC 4, 8/09/05
http://www.nbc4.com/news/4830091/detail.html
ARLINGTON -- Arlington police are investigating a Tuesday-morning attack on a pregnant woman.
Mary Anne Coldia, 23, said she was attacked by three men who shouted
anti-Muslim slurs and called her a terrorist. The Council on
American-Islamic Relations, America's largest Muslim civil liberties
group, is calling on local and federal authorities to treat the attack
as a hate crime.
Coldia, who is 8½ months pregnant, was taking her morning walk along
8th Street and had just turned onto the sidewalk at Walter Reed Drive
when three men in a light green pick-up truck began shouting insults at
her, she said. She continued walking down the block, and one of the men
jumped out of the truck. Coldia said the man walked in front of her and
pushed her around before getting back into the truck.
"The other two guys they were just laughing and screaming at the top of
their lungs like it was a joke, and then they just sped off down the
street," Coldia said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM WOMAN REPORTS HARASSMENT IN ARLINGTON -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/10/05
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=552304
ARLINGTON, Va. - A Muslim woman who is eight and a half months pregnant was allegedly harassed Tuesday morning.
"We're asking the Arlington Police and the FBI to treat this as a hate
crime," says Ibrahim Hooper, spoksman for Council on American-Islamic
Relations, a civil rights group.
Arlington Police spokesman Matt Martin says that's how police are treating the incident.
"These types of crimes are taken very seriously in Arlington," Martin
says. "Arlington is a very diverse community, a very tolerant
community. These type of hate-type crimes are not tolerated."
Martin says the 23-year-old woman told officers she was walking in the
800-block of South Walter Reed Drive when three white men in a pickup
truck drove by shouting anti-Muslim epithets at her. (MORE)
---
POSSIBLE HATE CRIME -
TOP
Washington Post, 8/10/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/09/AR2005080901366.html
Arlington County police said yesterday that they are investigating a
pregnant woman's report that she was attacked while on a morning walk
because she is Muslim and African American, authorities said.
The woman, whose name was not released because she is a witness, told
police she was targeted about 7:30 by three white men in a green pickup
who yelled racial and anti-Muslim slurs at her, said Matt Martin, a
police spokesman. The truck reportedly circled the block and then
returned, and one of the men allegedly exited and shoved her and
continued to yell epithets while the others looked on, Martin said.
"We take these claims very seriously," Martin said of the alleged
assault in the 800 block of South Walter Reed Drive. "We don't tolerate
those kinds of incidents."
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national
Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, called on authorities to treat
the allegations as a hate crime. But Martin said that Virginia has no
separate hate crime law and that the state's hate crime statute can be
applied only to enhance the penalties of another felony or misdemeanor
-- in this case, assault.
Martin said the woman was unable to provide detailed information about
the truck in which the assailants were riding. They were described only
as white men, one of whom was dressed in military-style clothing,
according to a statement released by CAIR.
-----
MUSLIM GROUPS CALL FOR PROBE OF N. KINGSTOWN FIRE -
TOP
Chelsea Phua, Providence Journal, 8/10/05
http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050810_nkmuslim.131933d2.html
NORTH KINGSTOWN -- Two Muslim groups are calling for a thorough
investigation into a fire that severely damaged a Muslim family's house
Friday morning.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim
civil-liberties group based in Washington, D.C., and the Rhode Island
Council for Muslim Advancement, are wondering whether the fire at 84
Greenwood Rd. is motivated by anti-Islamic hate fueled by the recent
global bombings.
The blaze, which started about 1 a.m., appeared to be caused by a gas
grill on the deck, state fire officials and local police officers said.
Deputy State Fire Marshal David W. Scott said the department is
investigating the incident as an accidental fire.
But the grill had not been used for two weeks, said Syed Haque, as he
stood in front of his raised ranch yesterday afternoon. Windows near
the charred deck were boarded up and a towering pine tree beside the
deck was burned on one side.
The 64-year-old engineer, who is also a Muslim chaplain at the
University of Rhode Island, has lived in the neighborhood with his
family since 1987. The Haques emigrated in the 1970s from Bihar, a
Hindu-dominated state in northern India, said Mofiz Haque, 35, a
doctor. Mofiz Haque flew from Ohio as soon as he heard his parents and
sister were hurt in the fire. (MORE)
-----
RELIGIOUS LEADERS SHOULD RECONCILE, NOT DIVIDE -
TOP
Zlatica Hoke, VOA News, 8/09/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/NewsAnalysis/2005-08-09-voa12.cfm
From the crusades to terrorist attacks, from Ireland to the Middle
East, religious conflicts have been a part of human history. But
analysts say most holy scriptures teach love and understanding among
nations. . .
"First of all, all of us believe that God created the individual in his
own image, regardless of race or gender or religion. We are invested
with an inviolability, with a divine potentiality. We all come from
Adam. And Adam, we must remember, was not a Jew. He was not a
Christian. He was not a member of Islam."
Rabbi Harold also says that according to the Bible, God loves all the
people. He quotes Chapter 19, verses 22-25, of the book of Isaiah.
"'Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of may hands and
Israel my heritage.' Each one is loved by God. And I think it is
important that we, who are the children of God, treat each other as
brothers and sisters. To love God, but to hate his creation, is not
only a contradiction, it is the uttermost blasphemy." (MORE)
---
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: ON ISLAM'S CRUSADE AGAINST THE WEST -
TOP
Market Watch, 8/09/05
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?column=Letters+to+the+Editor&siteid=mktw&dist=
I was shocked at the level of ignorance and hatred shown in the
comments. Is this how we are going to fight terrorism! Remember, we can
not win this war against terrorism unless we all work together.
-- A. Hadi Khan, Aug. 9, 2005
What a shame to let someone like Mr. Erdman to write in your network
about Islam and the Moslems in a divisive way, he is a prime candidate
of those who contribute hate out of character flaws or ignorance.
-- A. Bamashmus, Aug. 9, 2005
I am truly disappointed by the inflammatory article in the MarketWatch
edition. This is exactly what promotes hatred. Rather than helping the
situation you are causing to create more problems and issues. I urge
you to please re-look at what you publish and see first if it is the
truth and if it helps mankind.
-- Vaseem Anjum, President & CEO SchoolCity Inc., Aug. 9, 2005 (MORE)
---
NEW COUNTRY, SAME INNOCENCE -
TOP
Edward J. Crowder, Connecticut Post, 8/10/05
http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_2928145
Except for the occasional headscarf or burst of foreign speech, it
could have been any group of American kids frolicking in the shade of a
red maple on Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport.
"Let's play dodgeball; there's enough people!" someone cried in barely accented English.
"Dodgeball! Dodgeball!" came the unanimous response, sparking off a lawless frenzy of tossing and ducking.
What sets these kids apart is that they and their parents come from
places many Americans know only from the news: Afghanistan, Iraq,
Bosnia and Somalia, to name a few.
They're part of a summer program run by the International Institute for refugee and immigrant children.
"They love to throw balls at each other," said Sweety Islam, the program's youth director, herself an immigrant from Bangladesh.
About 40 kids, 5 to 12 years old, are enrolled in the program, which
meets four times a week. All are refugees or immigrants themselves, or
their parents are, Islam said.
The program gives participants a chance to socialize while polishing useful skills such as reading, writing and speaking. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LIFE IS GOOD FOR MUSLIM WOMEN -
TOP
Maureen McCormick, Calgary Herald, 8/10/05
http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=6c1a5632-a376-4ac3-b9b8-3e56b4e8ed91
When I was a non-Muslim, I, too, believed that Islam was misogynistic,
male-dominated and backwards. Imagine my surprise after I read the
Qur'an and learned Islam is diametrically opposed to misogyny and male
dominance, and, in fact, is a very progressive and gentle faith which
protects women.
I have seen a lot of controversy over the last few weeks about the
application of sharia law to resolving family disputes between willing
individuals in Canada. The subject has led to a discussion of the
status of women in Islam.
As a Canadian caucasian woman who recently accepted the Islamic faith, I would like to share my thoughts.
There is good and bad everywhere and it is important to stress that not
every Muslim follows true sharia. Humans are not infallible.
First and foremost, Islam gives a woman more legal rights than she is
afforded using Canadian law -- the right to keep all of her property,
even in a divorce; the right to keep her own money; even the right to
be sexually satisfied, among many other things. Non-Muslim women don't
have those rights; they are just expected to suck it up.
The concept of a dowry might seem odd in Canada, but it has its merits.
Many divorced women in Canada live below the poverty line because their
ex-husbands are unwilling to support them. They pay the least amount of
alimony possible and transfer their assets to their new wives so that
the ex-wife gets nothing.
There are not many divorced women who live at the same standard they
had while married unless they are professional women. To me, a dowry is
like an insurance policy -- the just-in-case part of marriage.
(I thought the concept of men being able to have multiple wives was
also a way for women to be kept safe and protected if their husbands
died or they could not otherwise marry. I'm not sure whether that is as
relevant today; most men don't have enough money to support more than
one wife and family. Moreover, the Qur'an stipulates that what one wife
gets, the others must also be provided with).
Islam gives women more respect than any other faith. My experiences
have shown me (for the most part) that Muslim men really respect women
and like them for who they are. In my opinion, nothing is sexier than a
woman who is covered up. No woman with any amount of self-respect would
walk around looking like she is soliciting sex. Too many people have no
respect for each other at all. It's very sad to see.
Refraining from sex before marriage affords the woman the right to know
a man first and give the man her mind, heart and soul before she
decides to give her body (which is completely backwards to the thinking
here, where a woman has to "put out" in order to get another date).
The woman is never compromised or coerced in any way in Islam. She is
always in control of her body and is always provided a safe
environment. What a concept.
Women are protected in Islam. Men are responsible for the safety,
protection, financial support and well-being of their wives and
families. Perhaps an old-fashioned concept, but it works. Real women
want to be with real men. Moreover, Islam allows for women to be
emancipated and independent.
Islam is easy and fair for both sexes. It is a faith between an
individual and God. In its story about Adam and Eve, Islam did not
mention that Eve encouraged Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. The
original sin concept led to the downgrading of women in the early
Christian culture. Islam actually treats love-making with ease and
Muslims expect to be rewarded for making love to their lawful spouses.
Muslim women can do anything that any other woman in the world can do,
cultural limitations notwithstanding. The only difference is good
Muslim women still have their honour and respect their husbands.
Generally speaking, my experience has been that Muslim women have more
self-respect and confidence than non-Muslim women because Muslim women
know what really counts. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/11/05
*
Hadith:
This World and the
Hereafter
*
CAIR-LA 9th Annual
Banquet
* I
SLAM-OPED:
Islam, Democracy and American
Muslims
-
CAIR Policy Bulletin:
Islam and
Democracy
*
IL:
Man Appears
in Court for Threats Against CAIR
*
Links
Between Israeli Extremists, Americans (Forward)
*
Condemnation of Terrorism
(UPI)
-
DC:
Young
Muslims to Combat Stereotypes (MTV)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THIS WORLD AND THE
HEREAFTER -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "(The significance
of) this world (in comparison) to the hereafter is similar to one of you
dipping his finger in the ocean and then seeing (the amount of water
that) has stuck to it."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1330
-----
CAIR-LA 9TH ANNUAL BANQUET -
TOP
http://www.cair-california.org
WHAT: On September 17, the Los Angeles office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will hold its 9th Annual Banquet,
"American Muslims: Partners for Peace and Justice," in
Anaheim.
WHEN: Saturday, September 17, 2005
WHERE: Anaheim Convention Center Ballroom Conference Room, 800 W. Katella
Ave, Anaheim, CA
Confirmed Speakers include: M. Cherif Bassiouni, Distinguished Research
Professor of Law and President, International Human Rights Law Institute,
DePaul University College of Law; Rodwan Saleh, President of the Islamic
Society of Greater Houston, Omar Ahmad, Founder and Past Chairman of CAIR
National.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA, 714-776-1847,
socal@cair.com,
www.cair-california.org
------
ISLAM-OPED: ISLAM, DEMOCRACY AND AMERICAN
MUSLIMS -
TOP
ISLAM-OPED is a national syndication service of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designed to offer an American Muslim
perspective on current political, social and religious issues. ISLAM-OPED
commentaries are offered free-of-charge to one media outlet in each
market area. Permission for publication will be granted on a
first-come-first-served basis.
CONTACT:
ihooper@cair-net.org
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)
Please consider the following commentary for publication.
---
ISLAM, DEMOCRACY AND AMERICAN MUSLIMS
By Mohamed Nimer
WORD COUNT: 572
[Mohamed Nimer, Ph.D., is research director for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy group. He may be contacted at:
mnimer@cair-net.org ]
In an age of senseless violence and terror, coupled with rising
Islamophobia and anti-Americanism, one of the best things mainstream
American Muslims can do is to help isolate extremists, whatever their
faith.
At the core of the American Muslim experience is a desire to create and
promote a real-life model synthesizing Islam and democracy, despite the
fact that Islamophobes in America and their anti-American counterparts in
the Muslim world may view this task as unachievable or even
undesirable.
Islam favors public structures based on shura, or popular participation
and consultation. In the Quran, Islam's revealed text, God promises a
spiritual reward for those who "conduct their affairs by mutual
consultation." (Quran, 4:38)
The Quran acknowledges differences between people and values diversity.
All those who strive to lead a moral, productive life are given special
honor in the Quran when it states: "Those who believe (in the
Quran), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), the Sabians, and the
Christians - any who believe in God and the Last Day and work
righteousness - on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
(Quran, 5:69)
Furthermore, freedom of religion is enshrined in the Quranic verse that
states, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." (Quran,
2:256) Establishing justice and opposing oppression are also pillars of
good governance in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad said: "The best
(jihad) in the path of God is (to speak) a word of justice to an
oppressive ruler.
In the understanding of mainstream Islam today, these values are
universal and apply to Muslims and people of other faiths
alike.
Islamic scholars in North America have ruled that it is a religious duty
to support equal citizenship rights for all people and all segments of
society.
Muslim scholars consider the principles of freedom and justice outlined
in America's foundational documents as compatible with Islam.
A prevalent misconception in the West is that Islam prohibits its
adherents from following man-made laws. However, much of the Islamic
legal tradition flowing from Islamic scripture is man-made and resulted
from an intellectual effort called "ijtihad," or reaching an
opinion through an examination of religious texts, precedents and the
facts of a given situation.
Long ago, Muslim scholars observed that continuous study is necessary to
find better ways in which Muslims can live in conformity with their
faith, while at the same time meeting the demands of an ever-changing
world.
In America's interconnected civil society, Muslims can be part of any
universal reform agenda that benefits all segments of our nation. In
America's diverse Muslim community, democratic practices are making their
way into the establishment of Islamic institutions, as evident in the
formalization of membership and election procedures.
American Muslim community institutions can build on these important gains
by: (1) devoting more resources to the delivery of tangible community
services; (2) formalizing democratic leadership selection processes based
on mutual consultation; (3) developing transparent management practices;
and (4) including women in leadership positions.
This final point is important because no community can reach its maximum
potential without the enthusiastic participation of 50 percent of it
members.
These steps could give rise to an American Muslim form of institutional
governance, which would demonstrate clearly and in practical terms that
(1) Islam and democracy are compatible; and (2) Muslims are accepted as
part of the fabric of American society.
A functioning democratic American Muslim polity will help marginalize the
extremist vision of a civilizational war between Islam and the
West.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR POLICY BULLETIN: ISLAM, DEMOCRACY
AND AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
This commentary above is based on a longer CAIR policy bulletin,
titled
"Islam, Democracy and American Muslims," which may be viewed
at:
http://www.cair-net.org/pdf/cair_bulletin_july_05.pdf
-----
TOLEDO MAN APPEARS IN
FEDERAL COURT FOR ALLEGED THREATS AGAINST MUSLIMS -
TOP
Nathaniel West, Journal Gazette Time, 8/08/05
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2005/08/08/news/news004.txt
BENTON -- A 50-year-old Cumberland County man accused of threatening to
bomb American mosques and a Muslim civil liberties organization will
remain jailed at least until Thursday morning, a federal judge ruled on
Monday.
Toledo resident Max L. Oakley will then decide whether he wants further
court proceedings to be held at the federal courthouse in Benton or
before the court in Washington, D.C., said an official with the U.S.
Attorney's office in the capital.
Should a federal judge decide there is enough evidence to continue
prosecuting Oakley, he will be transferred eventually to Washington in
the custody of U.S. Marshals, according to Channing Phillips, spokesman
for U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein.
On Monday, Oakley made his first appearance at the U.S. District Court in
Benton following his arrest Friday by FBI agents in Toledo.
Oakley has been charged with sending e-mails to the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic Relations, allegedly claiming he would blow
up the group's headquarters unless they closed down their operations,
according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday at the federal
district court in Washington. (MORE)
-----
BUS
ATTACK HIGHLIGHTING LINKS OF ISRAELI EXTREMISTS, AMERICANS -
TOP
Nathaniel Popper, Forward, 8/12/05
http://forward.com/articles/3794
Last week's terrorist killing of four Israeli Arabs has cast light on a
network of ties linking mainstream American Jewish groups to an extremist
fringe in Israel that nurtured the Jewish gunman.
The killer, Eden Natan-Zada, was a 19-year-old Israeli army conscript who
had gone AWOL with his weapon after refusing to participate in the
upcoming evacuation of Gaza. His attack on a busload of Israeli Arabs was
described by top Israeli officials as a terrorist act aimed at inciting
Arab-Jewish violence and derailing the Gaza withdrawal.
Israel's defense minister this week told a Knesset committee that at
least nine other soldiers were AWOL with their weapons, and defense
sources told the daily Ha'aretz that several of the missing soldiers
appeared to match Natan-Zada's psycho-social
"profile."
Natan-Zada had spent his last months in Kfar Tapuach, a tiny West Bank
settlement that is a stronghold of the banned Kach movement founded by
the late Rabbi Meir Kahane and branded as a terrorist group by the
Israeli and American governments. In April, Natan-Zada participated in a
march to the Temple Mount - banned and blocked by the Israeli police -
that was led by a right-wing Tapuach rabbi, David Ha'ivri. Both men were
among the 30 or so people arrested at the event, according to Israeli
Defense Ministry officials.
Ha'ivri, a student of Kahane, is one of a number of Tapuach residents
with ties to American organizations. He was hosted during a fundraising
tour last fall by a number of Chabad-Lubavitch synagogues in the United
States as well as by Americans for a Safe Israel, the organization that
has led the most prominent anti-disengagement rallies. The tour came just
six months after Ha'ivri was arrested by Israeli authorities for
"incitement to violence."
A few months before Americans for a Safe Israel, or AFSI, hosted the
event in New York, the group mounted its own tour of Israel, during which
members were given a lesson on the use of attack dogs by Ha'ivri and Mike
Guzofsky, who is listed as a contact on the Web site Kahane.org, which is
listed on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of terrorist
organizations.
In terms of ideology and fundraising, "there's a pretty thin line
between the Americans for a Safe Israel and the Kahanists," said
University of Pennsylvania political scientist Ian Lustick, one of the
few scholars who has studied Jewish extremist groups in depth.
The chairman of AFSI, Herbert Zweibon, said his organization had not done
any fundraising for Kahanist groups, and that his group does not support
violence. Zweibon defended his organization's contact with
Ha'ivri.
Zweibon described Ha'ivri as a "responsible" person. "It
isn't all that important whether he's on a Treasury list [of terrorists]
or not," Zweibon said. "They should not be on a
list."
When reached by the Forward, Ha'ivri said his organization had no links
to terrorism.
"Violence is a terrible thing," Ha'ivri said, avoiding direct
condemnation of last week's shooting. In one recent essay on his Web
site, Ha'ivri wrote, "We don't use violence and break the law for
its own sake." (MORE)
-----
CONDEMNATION OF TERRORISM -
TOP
Louay M. Safi, United Press International, 8/11/05
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/uk/article_1040633.php/Outside_View_Condemnation_of_terrorism
WASHINGTON, United States (UPI) -- London terrorist bombings elicited
familiar response: Islamic organizations and Muslim communities in Europe
and North America condemned the terrorist attacks and stressed the
dissonance between the deplorable acts of the terrorists and the humane
principles of Islam. Tony Blair paid tribute to the intrinsically
peaceful teaching of Islam and reminded his countrymen that British
Muslims are law-abiding and contributing members of the British society,
as he condemned the militant ideology espoused by the
terrorists.
"We know that these people act in the name of Islam," Blair
stressed, "but we also know that the vast and overwhelming majority
of Muslims here and abroad are decent and law-abiding people who abhor
terrorism every bit as much as we do."
Pundits of the militant right found in the London attacks another
opportunity to equate Islam with terrorism, to question the sincerity of
the Muslim rejection of terrorism and to incite the public against Islam
and Muslims. Given the loud and extensive condemnation of terrorism by
Muslims, particularly in North America and Europe, the militant right`s
cry has shifted from "why Muslim leaders do not speak out against
terrorism?" to "are Muslim leaders sincere in their
condemnation of terrorism, or are they doing it to deflect anger and
prevent a backlash?"
Clearly, Muslims are genuinely appalled by the brutality of the terrorist
acts, and some are going the extra mile to make sure their condemnation
is made loud enough, and is repeated enough, so that they can be heard by
the deafest of their critics. The fatwa issued by the Religious Council
of North America, and supported by major Muslim organizations, is the
latest effort in this regard.
The strong stand taken by American Muslim leaders against indiscriminate
violence is a testimony of a remarkable maturity and the clarity of
vision in dealing with a complex issue. The loud condemnation of
terrorism is important to cut through the anti-Islam rhetoric and to
reassure the public that Muslims reject indiscriminate violence and the
killing of innocent civilians.
Muslim leaders cannot, however, stop their quest for justice at
condemning atrocities committed by few misguided Muslim youth. They must
do more to show young Muslims how to turn their moral indignation into a
positive force that brings more balance and justice to the world, instead
of exploding in anger. Muslim leaders must work more to shed light on the
double-standard approach adopted by many Western governments and
institutions toward Muslims.
This is not only the right thing to do, but also the only path to
ensuring that Muslim leaders continue to speak for the values and
interests of the larger Muslim community and address Muslim concerns. The
expression of justice and compassion should not be reserved to atrocities
committed by the terrorists against Western civilians, but must also
address Muslim pain and suffering visited on them by the action of
Western democracies.
Muslim leaders must do more to expose the harsh reality of many Muslims
throughout the world and speak for the Muslim suffering; they must do
more to pressure political leaders and leaders of public opinions to
address the roots of anger and frustration that breed militancy and give
rise to terrorism.
The key here is the foreign policy of Western powers, particularly the
United States, toward Islam and Muslims. Ignoring legitimate grievances
and applying double standards in dealing with Muslim societies and issues
must stop if the war on terrorism is to bear fruit. (MORE)
Louay M. Safi is the author of "Peace And The Limits Of War:
Transcending Classical Conception of Jihad, Tensions and Transitions in
the Muslim World and The Challenge of Modernity." This article was
made available to UPI by the Common Ground News Service -- Partners in
Humanity.
SEE ALSO:
YOUNG
MUSLIM-AMERICANS TO COMBAT STEREOTYPES -
TOP
MTV.com, 8/11/05
http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/discrimination/muslim_american_students/
WASHINGTON - When the first images of shattered glass and bloodied
victims from the London train bombings hit the airwaves three weeks ago,
college student Samad Pardesi was gripped by an all-too-familiar
feeling.
"[We] have this gut reaction whenever these attacks happen,"
said Pardesi. "We think, 'Oh God, please don't let this be another
Muslim attack.' "
The gut reaction described by Pardesi is felt by many young Muslims who
have struggled in recent years with negative stereotypes that began to
surface in American society following the September 11th
attacks.
Student leaders like Pardesi, 20, who is the president of Georgetown
University's Muslim Students' Association, have been working to raise
awareness about Islam since the 2001 terrorist attacks. His mission
becomes more and more challenging, Pardesi said, with each headline -
like those from London - which chronicle young Muslims as perpetrators of
terrorist acts.
"You work day in and day out to show that Muslims just live regular
lives and really aren't violent at all," Pardesi said. "When
this kind of stuff happens, it puts [our efforts] back years and kind of
erases all of the stuff that we've been doing."
A few hours up Interstate 95, Sabra Bhat, a senior at Hackettstown (N.J.)
High this year, described an experience she had following the London
attacks which perfectly illustrates what Pardesi is talking
about.
"My mom and I were working out at the gym, both wearing our
headscarves," Bhat said, "and there were some people talking
loud enough so that we could hear. They were saying that immigrants come
into our country, steal our opportunities and then bomb
us."
The gym comment was "the same kind of reaction" Bhat received
in the weeks after Sept. 11, as a 13-year-old girl who had just started
observing the hijab, or wearing her headscarf.
After these incidents, Bhat decided to take action. She invited other
Muslim teenage girls in her town to form a "sisterhood," and
began holding meetings at her home.
"That's when we started learning just how peaceful Islam can
be," Bhat said. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/12/05
*
Verse:
Be Among the
Truthful
*
CAIR-Georgia 3rd
Annual Banquet
-
CAIR-LA:
New
Executive Committee President
*
AZ:
Muslim
Dies Helping Police Officer
-
Dawud Isa Abusida
*
Can Firms Meet
Muslims' Workplace Requests? (MSNBC)
-
CAIR
'Employer's Guide'
*
IL:
Feds Release Man Accused in Bomb Threats
*
NV:
Imam Explains Islam's Non-Violent Views (VOA)
-
AZ:
Muslims Must Be Loudest Voice Against Terror
*
Pentagon:
Abuse Photos Pose Risk (OC Register)
*
Profile:
Dr. Ahmad M. Jaber (Newsday)
*
WA:
Muslims Host Interfaith Benefit for Niger Famine
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: BE AMONG THE TRUTHFUL -
TOP
"O believers! Remain conscious of God and be among those who are truthful in word and deed."
The Holy Quran, 9:119
HADITH OF THE DAY: A TRANQUIL HEART AND TRUTHFUL TONGUE
During his prayers, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would say:
"O God, I ask You for a tranquil heart and truthful tongue."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 1, Number 161
The Prophet also said: "Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 116
-----
CAIR-GEORGIA 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET -
TOP
What: On August 27, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) will hold its 3rd annual banquet.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Select Capitol, 450 Capitol Ave, Atlanta GA
WHEN: Saturday August 27, 2005, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 ($25 for Students)
For more information contact the CAIR office at 770-220-0082, E-Mail:
cair@cair-northgeorgia.org
SEE ALSO:
NEW CAIR-LA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT -
TOP
The Council on American-Islamic Relations - Southern California
(CAIR-LA) is pleased to announce Tahra Goraya as its new President of
the Executive Committee for CAIR-LA.
Goraya has had extensive involvement in the American Muslim community
including with the UMMAH Free Clinic in South Central Los Angeles and
past board member with the New Horizon School, Pasadena. She currently
is a member of the Islamic Social Services of America and served as
Co-Chair of Muslim Students Union, Irvine as an undergraduate in the
mid 90's
She also serves as the Executive Director of Day One in Pasadena,
California, a non-profit organization dedicated to working to reduce
and prevent harm to youth and families by alcohol, tobacco and other
drugs through education and awareness, alternative activities, capacity
building trainings for parents and communities, and environmental and
public policy advocacy.
-----
POLICE IDENTIFY DEPUTY, TWO OTHERS KILLED IN STRUGGLE LAST NIGHT -
TOP
Jeffry Scott, Arizona Daily Star, 8/11/05
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/dailystar/88244.php
Authorities have released the name of a Pima County Sheriff's Deputy
killed in the line of duty Wednesday night near West Ajo Way and South
Kinney Road, the name of a man who died while trying to help him and
the name of a suspect who started a fight with them.
Deputy Timothy David Graham, 30, went to a Circle K at the intersection
around 8 p.m., after a 911 call reported a "crazed man" at the store.
That man, 23-year-old Aaron Swyers, fought Graham across the gas
station lot, across the eastbound lanes of traffic and into a wide
median with tall grass.
A nearby taxi cab driver, Dawud Isa Abusida, 56, who saw the deputy's
struggle, parked his car and ran to help. With his assistance, Graham
was able to get handcuffs on one of the Swyers's wrists.
But during the struggle, all three men fell into the westbound fast
lane and were hit by a pickup driven by a 70-year-old man, who had his
12-year-old grandson with him. Officials have not yet released the name
of the driver. Graham, Abusida and Swyers died at the scene. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
THE 3 WHO PAID DEARLY -
TOP
Arizona Daily Star, 8/12/05
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/allheadlines/88385.php
Dawud Isa Abusida
Dawud Isa Abusida, 56, was a veteran Tucson cabdriver who started his own business, Budget Cabs, just two months ago.
He also was a scientist, with a master's degree in food science from
the University of Arizona, a fact that surprised many of his
co-workers, who said he never mentioned it, though he displayed a keen
intelligence.
His co-workers and his family were not surprised to learn he died while
trying to help a sheriff's deputy. His youngest son, Islam, 24, said
his father's actions were consistent with the man he had become.
"I'm really proud of him and what he did, even though it did cost him his life," he said.
He said his father did "a lot of good things and gave good advice. He
always told me to plan as if you're going to live forever but prepare
yourself like you're going to die today."
Dawud Abusida was a Palestinian who emigrated from Saudi Arabia to the
United States, where he thought the future would be brighter for him,
his wife and their four children.
He earned his master's in 1979 and went back to Saudi Arabia. He returned to Tucson in 1987 and his family followed in 1989.
He wasn't perfect, his son said, and the family had problems early in
their stay here. Abusida and his wife, Seham, divorced, but they
reconciled and remarried seven years ago.
"My dad turned his life around," Abusida said.
Islam Abusida said his father's religion was important to him and the reason he named his youngest son to honor it.
Abusida said he and his father had developed a loving relationship in
just the past year. "We cleared up our past and started a new
friendship."
He said his father stopped by his home Sunday. "He said he missed me and just wanted to see me."
In addition to his wife and youngest son, Abusida is survived by his
brother, Esam, of Tucson; two other sons, Ala, of Franklin, Ohio, and
Eisa, of Phoenix; a daughter, Sohare, who lives in Jordan; and four
grandchildren.
-----
CAN FIRMS MEET MUSLIMS' WORKPLACE REQUESTS? -
TOP
Chris Penttila, MSNBC, 8/11/05
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8916647/
When 30 Dell temporary employees walked off the job in February, saying
they weren't allowed to conduct sunset prayers, it brought attention to
Muslim prayer accommodation in the workplace.
Globally, there are an estimated 2 billion Muslims, with 7 million
living in the United States. "Islam is one of the fastest-growing
religions in the world," says Rabiah Ahmed of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, DC, advocacy group for the
American Muslim community.
According to CAIR's annual civil rights report, religious accommodation
is consistently one of the top three concerns for Muslim Americans.
Muslims, Ahmed says, are "dealing with issues other minorities and
religious groups have dealt with in trying to accommodate a religion as
well as other responsibilities." A Muslim's responsibilities include
praying five times a day, ideally in a certain time frame. And unlike
in other faiths, Muslims need to step away from work to pray, Ahmed
says. (MORE)
CAIR 'EMPLOYER'S GUIDE TO ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS PRACTICES' -
TOP
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3
-----
IL: FEDS RELEASE MAN ACCUSED IN BOMB THREATS -
TOP
Nathaniel West, Journal Times, 8/11/05
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2005/08/12/news/news004.txt
BENTON -- A federal judge on Thursday ruled prosecutors could continue
their case against a Toledo man accused of threatening to bomb an
Islamic civil liberties group in the U.S. capital.
During a hearing at the federal courthouse in Benton, Magistrate Judge
Phillip Frazier also released Max L. Oakley after the defendant
promised to appear for additional court proceedings in Washington, D.C.
According to officials with the federal court in Benton, 60-year-old Oakley also waived his right to a "probable cause" hearing.
"The judge did find there was probable cause (to continue the
prosecution), and he will go to D.C. assuming he is indicted," said a
court official.
A grand jury in Washington would issue that formal indictment, added the official.
Oakley, who claims to be a Vietnam veteran suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder, has been charged with e-mailing bomb
threats to the capital-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.
He has not yet entered a plea, although that may happen at his next
hearing Aug. 19 in Washington, said the court official. (MORE)
-----
LAS VEGAS IMAM EXPLAINS ISLAM'S NON-VIOLENT VIEWS -
TOP
Ky Plakson, VOA, 8/11/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2005-08-11-voa68.cfm
The 6 million or so Muslims living in the United States have become
very aware since 9/11 of how little their neighbors know about their
religion and culture. The leader of one small community of 10,000
Muslims is taking a leading role in promoting cross-cultural
understanding.
"The country wants to be re-assured that a community that is part of
them [the Muslim-American community] does not identify with those
people who use its name to promote their own political violent agenda,"
says Imam Aslam Abdullah of the Islamic Society of Nevada. The former
vice president of the American Islamic College in Chicago holds several
degrees in Islamic studies. For the past 25 years, he's been speaking
and participating in non-violent movements in England and India. Like
other Muslim leaders across the United States, he's begun an outreach
effort to the larger community: a three-day course exploring what Islam
has to say about non-violence.
Topics include how Islamic prophets applied the concept of non-violence
throughout history& were some prophetic movements historically
violent& and is the present-day violence justified from a religious
perspective? In exploring those questions, Imam Abdullah relies on
scholarly works about the religion& and the Koran itself. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIMS MUST BE LOUDEST VOICE AGAINST TERRORISTS -
TOP
Muhammad As'ad, Tucson Citizen, 8/11/05
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=opinion&story_id=081205b5_guestmuslims
'Islam means peace!" "Terrorism is condemned in Islam!" How often have
I said these things as a teacher and in churches, synagogues and
community centers while speaking on Islam around Tucson and to the
media? Too many times to count.
I'm not the only one. Across the nation, the refrain is the same. Islam
means "peace," literally (in Arabic) and in its teachings. As for
whether all its adherents exhibit peaceful attitudes and actions,
that's another story altogether.
Perceptions of Islam have worsened since 9/11, with suicide bombings,
beheadings of hapless victims and attacks on U.S. troops becoming all
too commonplace.
It's no wonder so many non-Muslims can't distinguish between what Islam teaches and what some of its so-called adherents do.
Add to this the widespread ignorance about Islam. Such was not the case
for "Christian" terrorists like America's KKK, Ireland's IRA, Germany's
Bader-Meinhof Gang, Italy's Red Hand Gang or, worst of all, Germany's
Nazis.
Their religious affiliations were never an issue. It was more or less understood who and what they were.
Why is it different for Muslims? Why do the actions of so few cause 1.5
billion Muslims around the world to be painted with the same brush? Is
it just the media, or are we also partially to blame?
The majority of American Muslims are immigrants, many of whom tend to
remain isolated with social lives revolving around the mosque. They
seldom venture outside this comfort zone, except to go to work, shop or
visit friends.
Change takes time. Meanwhile, their non-Muslim neighbors don't get to
know them well or learn much about Islam except what they see on the
news and read in the papers.
Religious practices - prayers five times a day in an increasingly
secular world, distinctive dress for the women (headscarves) and the
celebration of different holidays - cause Muslims to stand out. In a
society that promotes conformity, these are all no-nos.
In the U.S., many Muslims "go to ground" when terrorist attacks happen,
trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. They say little, hoping
it'll all go away and their neighbors will see them for who they are:
good, decent, hard-working people with families, trying to make ends
meet and adjust to a new country.
Unfortunately, these days, a good example is not enough. And because of
their general absence from the scene, Muslims have become easy targets
for the news and political cartoonists. Fortunately, this is changing.
(MORE)
-----
PENTAGON: ABUSE PHOTOS POSE RISK -
TOP
Julia Preston, OC Register, 8/12/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/08/12/sections/news/focus_security/article_632189.php
NEW YORK - Senior Pentagon officials have opposed the release of
photographs and videotapes of the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib
prison in Iraq, arguing they would incite public opinion in the Muslim
world and put the lives of U.S. soldiers and officials at risk,
according to documents unsealed in federal court.
Gen. Richard B. Meyers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said
in a statement that he believed that "riots, violence and attacks by
insurgents will result" if the images are released.
The documents reveal both the high level and the determination of the
Pentagon officials engaged in the effort to block the disclosure of the
images. In his statement, dated July 21, Myers said he became aware
June 17 that the photos' release might be imminent. He said he
consulted with Gen. John P. Abizaid, the U.S. central commander, and
Gen. George Casey, the commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq. Both
officers also opposed the release, Myers said.
His statement makes it clear that he has examined the images and finds
them disturbing. "I condemn in the strongest terms the misconduct and
abuse depicted in these images," he said in the statement. "It was
illegal, immoral and contrary to American values and character." (MORE)
-----
PROFILE: DR. AHMAD M. JABER -
TOP
Sheila McKenna, Newsday, 8/12/05
http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-nypro124380441aug12,0,7680185.story
Obstetrician-gynecologist in private practice in Bay Ridge. Senior
attending at Lutheran Medical Center and founding chairman of a new
mosque at the medical center. Chairman of the board of the Islamic
Mission of America-Dawood Mosque in Brooklyn Heights. Co-founder and
president of the Arab American Association of New York (arabamerican
ny.org)
BIOGRAPHY
58 and a Palestinian. Graduated from Mosuel University Medical School
in Iraq and moved to the United States in 1974. Completed his
post-graduate training as an OB-GYN from Flushing Hospital and
residency at Lutheran Medical Center in 1978. The same year he started
his practice in Bay Ridge. Married with four children. Lives in Bay
Ridge.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
"After 9/11, when the Muslim population was under such scrutiny, we
needed to have a voice that spoke for us without being afraid. It
became very important to have a place in the city, and to have a place
in the hospital, where Muslim patients could go to also treat their
spiritual needs. We decided that the time had come for one. I thought,
why not have a place for prayer right here in the hospital, and put
together a task force to create one. The mosque is on the main floor of
the medical center, right next to the chapel."
IMPACT
"The Arab Association is a not-for-profit center in Bay Ridge that
provides the Arab community of New York with a host of social services.
It's a place where they can air their feelings and frustrations,
whether it's over issues about immigration or their children's
education. All people, when they come to a new country, face problems,
whether it's cultural or financial. Muslims first think of a place to
pray, a mosque, and a school to send their children, but there are
other problems that they face and they need help navigating the system."
PROUD OF
"My efforts in helping the Arab community integrate into their new
American way of life. I hope to be some kind of a voice for them while
they adjust to their new home. Because I know how difficult that can
be."
-----
MUSLIMS HOST INTERFAITH BENEFIT FOR VICTIMS OF NIGER FAMINE -
TOP
Relief camp ration of rice and millet to be served for dinner
WHAT: (SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, 8/11/05) On August 12, 2005, Seattle-area
Muslims will host an interfaith dinner to aid the starving children of
Niger and Mali, at the Islamic School of Seattle.
WHEN: Friday, August 12, 2005, 7 pm 9 pm
WHERE: The Islamic School of Seattle, 720 25th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122
CONTACT: Samia El-Moslimany, 206-409-3407, E-MAIL:
samiaelmo@yahoo.com, Ramsey El-Moslimany, 206-850-8882, E-MAIL:
ramsey@ilovecrayons.com
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/14/05
*
Hadith:
Always Remember
God
*
'Explore the Quran'
Recipient Thanks
CAIR
-
Obtain or Sponsor a Free
Quran
*
Media Profile of
New CAIR N. Calif.
Director
-
CAIR-TX:
In Defense of
Muslims
-
CAIR-CA:
'30-Days' Award at
CAIR Banquet
*
African-American Muslims
(VOA)
*
AZ:
Praise for
Heroic Muslim Cabbie (Daily Star)
-
Laying a Hero to
Rest (Tucson Citizen)
*
MI:
Detroit Mosque a Testament Integration
-
PA:
Where is the Koran
on Violence? (Inquirer)
-
TN:
Muslims
Debunk Myths about Islam (Tennessean)
*
ND:
Filmmakers Document Lebanese-Syrian Immigrants
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD -
TOP
A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said:
"The laws of Islam seem to be a lot for me (to remember), so tell me
something that I should stick to." The Prophet replied: "Let
your tongue never cease to be moist with the remembrance of
God."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 437
-----
EXPLORE
COMMONALITIES INSTEAD OF DIFFERENCES
-
TOP
Kelley Wenzlaffl, Dispatch, 8/13/05
http://www.dispatch.com/editorials-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/08/13/20050813-A11-04.html
I recently received my free copy of the Quran from the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. I expected a pocket-size version of the text.
Instead, I received a full-size, leatherbound volume, with gold-embossed
lettering.
I thank Nihad Awad and CAIR for funding this effort. They obviously care
deeply for their cause and are sincere in their efforts to spread
understanding and tolerance. Awad's accompanying letter requested that I
treat the Quran with respect. I assure him that I honor his generous
gift.
I have read through the text and was surprised to find that the Quran and
the Bible share many of the same stories and characters. Mary, Joseph and
Moses, the stories of David and Goliath and Noah's flood, and many other
familiar teachings are found throughout the Quran. Jesus is referred to
22 times.
Anyone who centers their worldview in Jewish, Islamic or Christian
tradition should be aware that all three religions offer valuable
primarysource material. These texts offer great historical insight into
the early civilizations of the Middle East and the struggles between
different subcultures. They share in the same purposes: to offer moral
guidance and honor the divine. For me, it became clear that all of these
seemingly different religions grew from the same tree. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
OBTAIN OR SPONSOR A FREE
QURAN -
TOP
www.explorethequran.org
-----
CAIR-CA: SPREADING
NEWS OF ISLAM'S PEACE -
TOP
Jessie Mangaliman, Mercury News, 8/14/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12381393.htm
When the former executive director of the Bay Area office of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations retired this year, a committee embarked on
a search for a replacement, fielding local and national
candidates.
But the committee members needn't have looked farther than their own
boardroom to find Safaa Ibrahim, a volunteer who drove three times a week
from her home in Aptos to Santa Clara, well-known to other volunteers and
the search committee for her tireless, passionate work.
With her background in project management, she multi-tasked like a paid
professional, planning logistics for a fundraising banquet, setting up
Web conferences and establishing a system for managing civil rights
cases. She also served on CAIR's executive committee and board of
directors.
"Sometimes you take for granted the resources you have," said
Athar Siddiquee, vice president of the executive committee that was
conducting the search. "One day, we said, `What about
Safaa?'"
Ibrahim, 30, was recently named executive director of the Bay Area
chapter of CAIR, taking the reins of an organization that has become a
major voice for Muslims in the region. (MORE)
---
LETTER: IN DEFENSE OF MUSLIMS
-
TOP
Iesa Galloway, Lufkin Daily News, 8/14/05
http://www.lufkindailynews.com
[Iesa Galloway, is the executive director, Council on American-Islamic
Relations - Houston.]
I was disappointed to see that John Gardner's hateful and ignorant letter
made it to print. Far from hate, Islam calls upon its followers,
"Muslims" to love and obey the creator, to love mankind and to
be thankful for the many blessing and privileges that Allah, the Arabic
term for God, has given us all.
"We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on
land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and
conferred on them special favors above a great part of Our
Creation." Quran, 17:70
Like all privileges free speech should be used responsibly. I can not
begin to imagine the recklessness or possibly the arrogance that must be
required to speak as an authority on someone else's faith or to rewrite
history without at least quoting a scholarly source. I can assure your
readers that it is irresponsible.
The use of terms like "Muhammadanism" to refer to Islam and to
a lesser degree "Moslems" instead of Muslims are tale-tale
signs of tremendous ignorance or bias.
I hope that Gardner and others like him can follow just one of the
sayings of the prophet Muhammed, who said; "You like for the people
what you like for yourself, and you dislike for them what you dislike for
yourself." Or if they can not take advice from an Islamic source
maybe they can then follow the golden rule?
While it would take pages to correct the fictionalized accounts of
propaganda that Gardner regurgitates. A look at what real historians have
to say as well as a few examples of authentic Islamic teachings may shed
truth to the subject.
"There is no compulsion in religion." Quran, 2:256
Many distinguished non-Muslim historians have attested to the fact that
Islam was not spread by the sword. In fact, there is substantial evidence
to the contrary one only needs to read. Let me suggest Sir Thomas W.
Arnold's book, "The Preaching of Islam" or Marshall G.
Hodgson's book, "The Venture of Islam."
The true teachings of Islam include; protecting the innocent, the
elderly, women, children, religious leaders, the environment, ending of
slavery and tolerance towards what others consider scared.
In regards to the term infidel it is important to understand its origin.
Like the phrase pagan the word infidel was coined by the church for use
by European Christians to describe Muslims and Jews at the time of the
crusades. The term infidel was needed to dehumanize both the Jews and
Muslims (who both are clearly not pagans) for the crusaders who set out
to convert or slaughter them as the journeyed to take the holy
land.
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other
(not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in
the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah
has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." Quran,
49:13
In the common struggle against hatred, those accusing others may first
want to look inward before revealing their own hate.
The Muslim community has continuously denounced terrorism and those whom
employ it. We have also repeatedly invited our neighbors to visit our
Mosques, to get to know our community, our beliefs and to build
friendships. I invite Mr. Gardner and all my fellow Texans to get to know
our community, to visit our Mosques or to order a free copy of our holy
book the Quran.
---
CAIR-CA: '30-DAYS'
AWARD AT CAIR BANQUET -
TOP
The Columbus Dispatch, 8/14/05
http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/30days/main.html
The Council on American-Islamic Relations - Southern California will
award the program '30 Days' with the "Bridge Builder" Media
Award at its annual banquet on September 17. This FX channel program will
be recognized at the banquet for helping to bring awareness and greater
understanding of American Muslims and Islam to the American public
through the media.
In '30 Days', a Christian agrees to uproot his life among his like-minded
family and friends and live for 30 days in a large Muslim community in
Dearborn, Michigan. The show follows David Stacy from West Virginia as he
lives with Shamael and Sadiq Haque. The program shows the many challenges
that David faces including those of his own preconceptions of Islam and
the lessons he learns at the end of his journey.
CAIR-LA invites the community to meet David and the Haques at the 9th
Annual Banquet as they receive the "Bridge Builder" Media
Award. Purchase your tickets for the banquet today as they sell out early
every year! Call (714) 776-1847, email socal@cair.com or visit
www.cair-california.org to purchase your tickets online.
-----
AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
Maura Jane Farrelly, Voice of America, 8/12/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2005-08-12-voa49.cfm
When reporting on Islam in America, the media often focus on immigrant
communities, either from the Middle East or from Southeast Asia. But as
many as 40% of the Muslims in this country were born here, and their
families have been living in America for generations. By some estimates,
African Americans are the largest single ethnic group within America's
diverse Muslim population. And until recently, black Muslims felt
somewhat alienated from their immigrant religious brethren.
It should be stated from the outset that the overwhelming majority of
African-American Muslims are Sunni Muslims. They do not subscribe to the
racist ideology of the Nation of Islam, which says white people were
created by the Devil to test black people. It is a common misconception
that all African-American Muslims belong to this controversial group,
when in fact most practice a racially inclusive form of Islam that --
theologically, at least -- is just like the Islam practiced in Africa,
the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. That does not mean, though, that
African-American Muslims are exactly like the immigrants with whom they
share a faith.
"My generation of Islamic reverts came out of a social movement here
in the United States, says Muhaimina Abdul-Hakim, who has belonged to the
Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, New York, sine 1972.
"The Civil Rights movement and Black Nationalism. So we had a
different political ideology about America in the first
place."
Ms. Abdul-Hakim very consciously refers to herself as a
"re-vert," rather than a "convert," because she sees
her conversion to Islam as a return to the faith of her ancestors. The
first Muslims in America were slaves, brought here from Africa in the
17th century. Like so many other black Muslims her age, she converted at
a time of great social change in the United States. And because of this,
there is still a strong desire within the African-American Muslim
community to change America's socio-economic structure.
-----
GROUPS
GATHER IN PRAISE OF HEROIC MUSLIM CABBIE -
TOP
Daily Star, 8/15/05
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/dailystar/88498.php
The family of Dawud Isa Abusida, and three diverse groups of people who
consider him a brother, gathered at the Islamic Center of Tucson on
Friday to mourn his loss, pray for his soul and praise the heroic actions
he took in the final moments of his life.
One group, members of the Sunni Muslim community at the mosque Abusida
attended regularly, responded to prayers chanted in Arabic and listened
to Imam Mohammed Elfarooqui proclaim in Arabic and English that the best
death is that met "in doing deeds that benefit
humanity."
Translating from the Quran, Elfarooqui said: "For those who believe
and do good, we will certainly give them abode in the high place in
Paradise, beneath which rivers flow."
Sheriff's Sgt. Terry Parish represented the second group, the Pima County
Sheriff's Department, which was out in force "to pay its respect to
a hero."
Abusida died Wednesday trying to help Deputy Timothy Graham arrest Aaron
Swyers. The three men were struck and killed by a truck as they struggled
and fell into traffic on Ajo Way near Kinney Road.
He said Abusida, in giving his life while trying to aid Graham, had
become a brother to him as well. "We consider him a fallen comrade
who put his life on the line and ultimately lost it. His courage should
be an example to us all," Parish said. (MORE)
ALSO SEE:
LAYING A HERO
TO REST: 'WHAT HE DID WAS RARE' -
TOP
Blake Morlock, Tucson Citizen, 8/13/05
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=local&story_id=081305a4_funeral
Local law enforcement officers lead the procession for the funeral of
Dawud Isa Abusida. Sheriff's deputies showed up in force to honor him.
Pima County sheriff's deputies joined about 200 local Muslims to mourn
Dawud Isa Abusida, the cab driver who was killed Wednesday while helping
a deputy subdue a person. (MORE)
-----
A MOSQUE IN DETROIT STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO ISLAM'S INTEGRATION -
TOP
Plain Dealer, 8/13/05
http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/112394701893820.xml&coll=2
Dearborn, Mich. - Suddenly in late spring, Fridays brought a new feeling
along the strip this Detroit suburb calls Altar Alley.
Dearborn's big, older churches cluster on an access street that parallels
teeming Ford Road, west of the tinted-glass forest of automotive
corporate towers.
A striking new institution joined them in May, after seven years of
planning, fund raising and construction.
It stands at the gateway to the stretch of Christian worship venues but
with shapes and symbols that contrast with those of its neighbors. From
the road, the face shows golden-hued domes, Moorish arches, a stone
exterior of desert tones, deep-green decorative tiles and two
110-foot-tall minarets topped with crescent moons.
The 92,000-square-foot, $14 million Islamic Center of America buzzes with
activity most days, observers say. But Friday, the Islamic Sabbath,
brings hundreds of worshippers, filling parking lots with cars and the
classrooms, banquet areas and prayer room with people.
The nation's largest mosque opened its doors less than four years after
extremists inspired by their own violent vision assaulted the nation on
Sept. 11. A message from the Shiite Muslims who worship here is that,
however others respond, they will not hide their religious practices in
the heart of their own country.
Three months after its opening, the big worship place already has become
a familiar feature of Dearborn's landscape. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
WHERE IS THE KORAN ON
VIOLENCE? -
TOP
Jim Remsen, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/14/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/sunday_review/12376792.htm
When Islamist radicals took responsibility for the deadly London transit
attacks July 7, mainstream Muslims cringed. Islamic groups issued
denunciations. A body of North American scholars issued a fatwa, or
edict, condemning violence against civilians. The Muslim American Society
called on imams to give sermons against "terror, hate and
violence."
At the same time, critics of Islam spoke out. The Southern Baptist
Convention welcomed the fatwa - but also remarked that "nearly 100
verses in the Koran promote fighting and killing." A radio host in
Washington was suspended after calling Islam "a terrorist
organization." The conservative Regnery Press released The
Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam, which argues that the Koran
"commands Muslims to make war on Jews and Christians" despite
the benevolent assertions of U.S. Muslims and their allies.
Does the Koran promote violence against nonbelievers? Why do Muslims
divide the world into "the House of Islam" and "the House
of War"?
We posed those questions to a local cleric, Imam Naser Khatib. Khatib,
33, a Palestinian from the West Bank city of Tulkarm, is resident imam at
Masjid Al-Hidaya, a mosque in Feltonville. A slender, soft-spoken figure
in an ankle-length robe, he sat recently in the mosque's kitchen and
mulled the nature of Muslim scripture.
Khatib: There are 2 ayas [verses in the Koran] that tell us how to deal
with non-Muslims. They say people who do not fight you or try to kick you
out from your homeland, you should be virtuous toward them. But the other
kind of people who fight Muslims because of their religion or try to kick
them out from their homes or try to help anyone who tries to harm
Muslims, these people the Muslims should fight back. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS
SET OUT TO DEBUNK MYTHS ABOUT THEIR FAITH -
TOP
JEANNINE F. HUNTER, Tennessean, 8/14/05
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050814/NEWS01/508140377/1006/NEWS
Local Muslim families took time yesterday to open their religious center
to guests for shared prayers and conversations about one of the world's
largest and most misunderstood faiths.
Imam Abdul-Hakim Mohamed, one of the community's leaders or religious
teachers, addressed misconceptions about the faith, including the
perception that women are oppressed and sacred writings advocate killing
the unarmed, women and children as well as non-Muslims.
"Islam rejects it," he said. "I challenge anyone who can
find a verse here that says people who do not carry the faith of Islam
will be killed. . . .Disrespect in the Muslim world is due to cultural
differences, not religious tenets." (MORE)
-----
FILMMAKERS DOCUMENT IMMIGRANTS IN WESTERN PART OF STATE -
TOP
Jill Schramm, Minot Daily News, 8/14/05
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/12379185.htm
ROSS, N.D. - Film producer Joan Mandell has documented the Gaza Strip and
highlighted civil rights issues involving Palestinian immigrants charged
with terrorism in California.
Her special interest in the Arab community recently brought her and her
husband, Rich Wieske, from Michigan to western North Dakota to film
another documentary - this time to tell the story of Lebanese-Syrian
immigrants and their descendants.
Mandell said she first came to Mountrail County to interview descendants
of Lebanese-Syrian homesteaders a year ago. Her visit in May 2004 was
part of research for a video on Arab Americans that she was preparing for
the Arab American National Museum's opening this past May in Dearborn,
Mich.
Muslim settlement
The story of the Muslim settlement at Ross was so compelling that she
decided to return to tape a separate documentary.
"The stories of Ross and Stanley seemed much too rich for a
30-second sound bite in a short video," Mandell said. "It was
one of our two or three top, favorite places, just because of the people
and landscape."
Mandell and Wieske, the production cameraman, were in Ross for the July 5
dedication of a small mosque at a Muslim cemetery. The mosque stands in
memory of early pioneers who built a mosque at that same site around
1929. That building deteriorated and was torn down in the 1970s.
(MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
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URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/15/05
*
Hadith:
Mother
and Child
*
2.5 Million See CAIR
Anti-Terror PSA
*
MI:
Halal Law Protects Muslim Customers
(Free Press)
*
WV:
Quranic
Passages on War Misinterpreted (Gazette)
-
AK:
Muslims Condemn
Terrorism (Democrat Gazette)
*
American
Muslims Mostly Content (Radio Liberty)
-
WA:
Young
Muslims Caught Between Worlds (PI)
*
U.S. Fights Release of
Fresh Abu Ghraib Images (BBC)
-
Torture
Complaint in Iraq (Reuters)
-
Permanent U.S. Bases in
Iraq? (LA Times)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY:
MOTHER AND CHILD -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone separates
a mother from her child, God will separate him from his friends on the
Day of Resurrection."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 979
-----
2.5 MILLION SEE CAIR
ANTI-TERROR PSA -
TOP
UPDATE: Some 2.5 million people have already viewed CAIR's "Not in
the Name of Islam" anti-terror public service announcement (PSA). An
excerpt from the PSA was also broadcast recently on Comedy Central's
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."
To view the PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
-----
HALAL LAW: MUSLIM CUSTOMERS GET PROTECTION THEY
DESERVE -
TOP
Detroit Free Press, 8/15/05
http://www.freep.com/voices/editorials/ehalal15e_20050815.htm
Part of good government is trying to understand citizens and, where
possible, adopting policies that respond to their needs.
The Wayne County Commission demonstrated as much by passing a new law
banning false claims about food aimed at observant Muslims. It follows
similar laws passed recently in New Jersey and Illinois.
The law recognizes that Wayne County is home to one of the nation's
largest concentration of Arabs and Arab Americans. And they are residents
whose dollars help to keep local businesses thriving and who are
deserving of consumer-protection initiatives.
Given the rapid growth of the Arab community, the statute was overdue.
The State of Michigan has had a law on the books protecting claims
regarding kosher products for Jews since 1966.
By custom, Muslims eat meats that are halal, an Arabic word referring to
a host of special preparations from the choice of knives used during
slaughtering to the prayers that must be recited during the
process.
The strength of the county law is in its penalties. Starting next month,
inspectors will begin looking for violators, who face a $500 fine and up
to 90 days in jail if convicted.
As steep as the consequences of the new law may appear, they're in order,
given the increase in butcher shops and restaurants now touting halal
products. Muslim customers should help the county remain vigilant about
enforcement by reporting any suspected fake halal claims they
encounter.
The law will cause a few headaches for some business owners. But the
better fact to focus on is what it says of metro Detroit's efforts to
show more tolerance.
By making a priority of protecting Muslim consumers, the commission shows
it values the diversity in the local population.
-----
QURANIC PASSAGES ON
WAR MISINTERPRETED -
TOP
IMAM MOHAMMAD JAMAL DAOUDI, Charleston Gazette, 8/14/05
http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/Columns/200508137
This is the second in a series of sermons that explain misunderstood
passages from the Quran. The first sermon ran in the July 17 Sunday
Gazette-Mail.
Today we continue our study of verses from the Holy Quran and hadith (a
narration about the life of the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him], or
what he approved), both indispensable in understanding the teachings of
Islam that are all too often misunderstood.
In the first, Chapter 9, Surah Al Tawbah (Repentance), verse 36, Allah
(God) says: "Behold, the number of months, in the sight of God, is
twelve months, [laid down] in God's decree on the day He created the
heavens and the earth; [and] out of these, four are sacred: this is the
ever-true law of [God]. Do not, then, sin against yourselves with regard
to these [months]."
This verse was revealed along with others that emphasized both the
importance and the sanctity of these months. Traditionally, pre-Islamic
Arab society also honored those four months of the lunar calendar by not
fighting, arguing or doing any evil deeds during them. The Holy Quran,
therefore, reaffirmed the sanctity of these months and told Muslims to
continue to honor and respect them as a time of peace. That is, of
course, unless they are attacked, at which time Allah allowed them to
defend themselves.
Once these months were passed, in accordance with the principle of
reciprocity, Muslims were to fight the Arab pagans "all
together" who attacked and persecuted them. This interpretation was
adopted by many eminent quranic scholars, men like Ibn Abbas (the cousin
of Prophet Muhammad), Qatadah, Al-Suddi, and Al-Tabari (the Imam of the
Interpreters of the Holy Quran). However, even with this interpretation
of the phrase "all together" specifically referring to the
pagans (and their allies) in the Prophet's time by Islam's most prominent
scholars, over the years many Muslims have understood it to be a general
principle of reciprocity to fight all who disagree with them. In other
words, this verse - for some - meant they should fight against
non-Muslims in general. This is where its misunderstanding came about for
Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The proper scholarly interpretation was
for all Muslims to unite together and fight as one against those fighting
them, no more, no less.
The next verse so often misinterpreted is found in Chapter 9, Surah Al
Tawbah (Repentance), verse 41, where Allah (God) says: "Go you forth
to war, whether it be easy or difficult [for you], and strive hard in
God's cause with your possessions, and your lives: this is for your own
good - if you but knew it." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LR IMAM: MUSLIMS CONDEMN
TERRORISM -
TOP
Heather Wecsler, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 8/15/05
http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg§ion=News&storyid=125002
Out of the more than 6,000 verses in the Koran, only seven or eight
mention fighting, said a Muslim spiritual leader.
Aquil Hamidullah, the imam of Little Rock's Islamic Center for Human
Excellence, believes American Muslims can play a role in ending the
religious extremism that led to last month's bombings in London and Sharm
el-Sheik, Egypt. "Some clerics put all their emphasis on those
passages, as if the Koran were a manual for war," he said.
Most of the Muslim holy book urges charity and faith. Those are the
verses American Muslims can embody, Hamidullah said, and the ones
Islamist militants ignore all too often. His mosque is affiliated with
the ministry of W. Deen Mohammed, a wholly American Muslim movement that
broke away from the Nation of Islam in the 1970s to embrace traditional
Islam and its teachings of racial equality.
Hamidullah isn't alone in his optimism. On July 28, the Fiqh Council of
North America, an advisory committee on Islamic law, issued an edict - or
fatwa - against terrorism and religious extremism. Since then, more than
170 North American Muslim organizations and mosques have endorsed the
statement, including W. Deen Mohammed's ministry and another Arkansas
mosque, the Islamic Center of Little Rock.
Many American Muslim groups and mosques individually condemned terrorism
after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. But this recent edict presents a
united front to counter the perception that most Muslims condone
terrorism. "Some will probably see this and just say we're the
infidels in America," Hamidullah said. "But one day, one of the
old muftis [interpreters of Islamic law] will see we're right, and the
next time he makes a statement, it will have shades of this. .
."
Also about 77,000 Muslims freely immigrated to the United States between
1820 and 1965, said researcher and author Mohamed Nimer. The oldest
uninterrupted communal presence of Muslims in the United States is a
mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, established by a Lebanese family in
1925.
Nimer charted Muslim immigration trends in his book The North American
Muslim Resource Guide: Muslim Community Life in the United States and
Canada (Routledge, 2002). He is also research director for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group based in Washington,
D. C. (MORE)
-----
U.S.:
OPPORTUNITY, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LEAVE AMERICAN MUSLIMS MOSTLY CONTENT -
TOP
Andrew Tully, Radio Liberty, 8/15/05
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/8/0EE50CD6-DED9-46C1-BF53-6DFF9AFFC927.html
Washington - Zaffer Mirza says his experience as an immigrant has been a
reflection of what is commonly called "the American dream":
finding a land of economic opportunity and religious freedom.
During a long interview with RFE/RL at the Muslim Community Center in a
suburb of Washington, Mirza said he came to the United States from his
native Pakistan in 1973 at the urging of his brother, who already lived
in the United States.
Mirza said he was reluctant at first, because he already was doing well
in the pharmaceutical industry at home.
Eventually, however, he agreed to move, and still works in the same
field. He said he is glad he lives in the United States.
"I do believe, deep down in my heart, that the best country is your
own country, if you can live there. But for whatever reason, if you
cannot live [there], I believe America is the best country God has given
to mankind. It gives you opportunity," Mirza said. "In the
Third World countries, the opportunities are not there, even if you are
willing to work hard. This country gives you opportunity, and if you are
willing to work hard and you are willing to live within the law, there's
nothing like this country. I believe that, I really do."
This sentiment is echoed by Mohammed Babah, a native of Ghana. He said he
emigrated first to Britain, where he worked as a stenographer. In 1973,
however, he moved to the United States and began to study finance. He now
runs the accounting department of a medical-research company.
Babah said that Muslim immigrants can avoid culture shock by learning
about the United States and by seeking out resources such as the Muslim
Community Center, of which he is vice president. . .
The experiences of Mirza and Babah tend to be representative of American
Muslims, according to Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications
director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy group
based in Washington.
"I think American Muslims have some challenges they have to face in
terms of discrimination and bias and the growing level of anti-Muslim
rhetoric," Hooper said. "But on the whole, I think the
situation of the American Muslim community is quite good. We're free to
practice our faith, we're free to participate in the society. So in some
ways you're freer to be a Muslim in this country than you are in many
so-called Muslim countries."
Hooper noted that countries such as Turkey forbid overt religious
expression -- for example, women wearing head scarves -- in government
buildings, as a way of strictly separating religion and state. And
Uzbekistan, he said, sees the practice of Islam in a form not sanctioned
by the state as a form of political dissent.
According to Hooper, America's long tradition of religious freedom has
made Muslims comfortable about practicing their religion here. Still, he
said, some things have changed since 11 September.
"I think America's tradition of religious diversity helps,"
Hooper said. "I don't think even post-9/11 that American Muslims
feel restricted in practicing their faith at all. If we feel
restrictions, it's in terms of civil liberties, it's in terms of bias and
discrimination, but not a systemic bias and discrimination. It's
generally from individuals who are acting out their own personal
prejudices."
Overall, though, Hooper said he believes Muslims have done a fairly good
job of integrating into American society.
SEE ALSO:
YOUNG MUSLIMS
CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WORLDS -
TOP
Christina Asavareungcha, Seattle Post Intelligencer, 8/15/05
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/236605_youngmuslims15.html
High school, with its pressures to fit in and be cool, can be brutal for
anyone.
But try wearing a Muslim head scarf, and you'll really see who your
friends are.
"Nothing had changed, except I just had this piece of cloth on my
head," says Zakiya Qadir, now a 19-year-old student at the
University of Washington. "When some people saw that, the friendship
ended right then."
Zakiya Qadir, right, takes Quran lessons at her mosque at Northgate
recently. Qadir, a University of Washington student, says for Muslims,
high school is "the most difficult part" of growing up
here.
For Muslims, high school is "the most difficult part of ... growing
up here," Qadir says.
Two million to 7 million Muslims live in the United States, according to
State Department estimates.
Many are young people who've grown up to face a twofold challenge:
integrating their faith into their lives as pop-culturally aware young
Americans and defending their religious beliefs against misunderstanding,
prejudice and, sometimes, hate -- even in relatively accepting cities
such as Seattle.
People have stopped Qadir to ask if she's sheltered and if her father
forces her to wear the scarf. Once, a man told her that Saddam Hussein
has been caught, so "you're free now."
"I'm like, 'I choose to do this,' " Qadir said.
"People have these glaring misconceptions, these falsehoods, these
lies, that are magnified and reflected on the entire Muslim
population," said Hanady Kader, 20, president of the UW's Arab
Students Organization. (MORE)
-----
US FIGHTS FRESH ABU
GHRAIB IMAGES -
TOP
BBC, 8/15/05
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4149840.stm
The US government is trying to stop fresh images of prisoner abuse in
Iraq being made public, claiming they will aid the insurgency, court
papers show.
US civil liberties groups have launched a lawsuit to force the release of
87 pictures and four videos showing abuse at Abu Ghraib jail in
Baghdad.
Earlier images sparked worldwide condemnation and resulted in charges
against a number of soldiers.
The US argues the rest should stay hidden to avoid helping the
insurgents.
It is "probable that al-Qaeda and other groups will seize upon these
images and videos as grist for their propaganda mill," the chairman
of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Richard Myers, argues in court
papers.
Releasing the images could also incite violence against US troops, he
says.
And he says the images would be detrimental to the governments of Iraq
and Afghanistan.
Gen Myers' arguments were contained in court documents filed on 21 July
but only recently unsealed.
The Pentagon stepped up its campaign with a later request, submitted on
Friday, for certain material to be kept from the public domain.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
TORTURE
COMPLAINT CHALLENGES IRAQ CONSTITUTION -
TOP
Michael Georgy, Reuters, 8/15/05
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/GEO537406.htm
BAGHDAD - Iraq's draft constitution will enshrine democracy, its framers
and their U.S. sponsors say; but allegations on Monday of torture in
prisons raised troubling questions over human rights in the new
Iraq.
In a video released by a senior local government official, 20 men who
said they were held as suspected insurgents by Interior Ministry forces
displayed welts and bruises and alleged they were beaten and given
electric shocks among other tortures.
Just as a 1990 charter imposed by ousted President Saddam Hussein
promised equal rights and the rule of law, but did not stop genocidal
killing and torture, so the value of the constitution that may be
presented on Monday will lie in how far fine words translate into reality
in an Iraq riven with sectarian and ethnic strife.
It was not possible to verify the allegations endorsed by Awf Rahoumi, a
deputy governor of Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, where sectarian
tensions between once dominant Sunni Arabs and majority Shi'ite Muslims
have been running high.
"They gave me electric shocks here," said one man, naked in the
video, as he pointed to his genitals.
An Interior Ministry spokesman, asked about the video, said there had
been no evidence of abuse in Iraqi prisons.
New York-based Human Rights Watch accused the new Iraqi police and
security forces in January of the systematic use of arbitrary arrest,
torture and ill-treatment of detainees and said the authorities have
failed to investigate violations. (MORE)
---
PERMANENT U.S. BASES IN
IRAQ? -
TOP
Ronald Brownstein, Los Angeles Times, 8/15/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-outlook15aug15,1,1552539.column
President Bush and his top advisors have never said the United States
wants to establish permanent military bases in Iraq. But they have never
ruled out the possibility either.
Should they?
Larry Diamond, a former consultant to the U.S. occupation authority in
Iraq, thinks so. In fact, he considers it a crucial step toward ending
the insurgency.
Diamond is an expert on promoting democracy and the editor of a respected
journal on the subject. Though he considers himself a Democrat, he works
as a senior fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford
University. There he came to know Condoleezza Rice during her time as a
Stanford professor and administrator.
In November 2003, Rice asked Diamond to help the Coalition Provisional
Authority design plans for holding elections and constructing a permanent
Iraqi government.
Diamond had opposed the war but accepted the assignment, and he spent
three months in early 2004 in Iraq as a consultant to senior U.S.
officials charting the path toward Iraqi sovereignty.
Diamond recently published a gripping book on his experience, which
balances praise for the commitment of his co-workers with disillusionment
over the administration's postwar planning. His title efficiently
summarizes his conclusion: "Squandered Victory: The American
Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to
Iraq."
In articles discussing the book, Diamond has laid out four principles
"for diminishing the violent resistance in Iraq." He believes
the United States should "declare some sort of time frame" --
but not a rigid deadline -- for withdrawing troops.
He thinks the United States should negotiate more with Sunni political
groups connected to the insurgency, and he wants to enlist other
countries as an "honest broker" in such efforts.
But at the top of Diamond's list is an unambiguous, unconditional pledge
from Bush not to establish permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
(MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #465
IMAMS AND MOSQUES URGED TO ENDORSE ANTI-TERROR
FATWA
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/15/05) - CAIR is calling on Imams, Muslim
community leaders, mosques, and Islamic organizations throughout the
United States to endorse the recent fatwa against terrorism and religious
extremism issued by the Fiqh Council of North America.
The fatwa, which was released at a news conference in Washington, D.C.,
on July 28, reads in part:
"The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's
absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism. Islam
strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against
innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or
terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide
bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden - and
those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not 'martyrs. .
.'
"In the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly
and strongly state: 1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are
haram (forbidden) in Islam. 2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with
any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or
violence. 3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate
with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all
civilians." To read the entire fatwa and the current list of
endorsers, go to:
http://cair.com/includes/Anti-TerrorList.pdf
The fatwa effort, which was coordinated by CAIR, has already been
endorsed by some 300 Muslim institutions and individuals, including:
CAIR, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim American Society, Muslim
Public Affairs Council, Islamic Circle of North America, Mosque Cares
(Imam W D Muhammad), Muslim Student Association of the US & Canada,
and the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America.
After Labor Day, the list of those endorsees will be finalized and a
fatwa poster, listing each signatory, will be distributed to opinion
leaders, elected officials and media outlets across America.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
Make sure your mosque, Islamic center or Islamic institution is
listed on the fatwa poster. Fill out the form below and return it to
CAIR. (You may also fill out the form at CAIR's booth during the ISNA
convention Labor Day weekend in Chicago.)
--- CLIP AND MAIL/FAX/E-MAIL ---
I, _______________________________________, endorse the Fiqh Council of
North America anti-terror fatwa on behalf of my organization or
mosque.
Name:
Position:
Organization:
Address:
City:
State:
ZIP:
Phone:
Fax:
E-Mail:
Approximate number of people who attend Friday prayers (mosques only):
_________
RETURN TO:
Attn: Fatwa Endorsement
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-Mail:
jbrockwell@cair-net.org
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET, receive news
releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on
issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/16/05
*
Verse:
The Last
Hour
*
CAIR:
No
U.S. Tax Dollars for Israeli Settlers
*
CAIR-CA:
Young Face of
Muslims in the Bay Area (CBS)
-
CAIR-San Diego to Hold
'Know Your
Rights' Workshop
-
CAIR-FL 'Adopts,'
Cleans Street
*
Muslim Actor's Life as
the Bad Guy (CNN)
*
CA:
Terrorists Do
Not Represent Muslims (Santa Maria Times)
*
Canada:
Army Deserter Speaks
Against Iraq War (Leader-Post)
-
New Poll
Reflects Growing Worry Over Iraq (Reuters)
*
Growth
in Spain Threatens a Jewel of Medieval Islam (NYT)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: THE LAST
HOUR -
TOP
"Verily, with God alone rests the knowledge of when the Last Hour
will come; and He (it is who) sends down rain; and He (alone) knows what
is in the wombs: whereas no one knows what he will reap tomorrow, and no
one knows in what land he will die. Verily, God (alone) is all-knowing,
all-aware."
The Holy Quran, 31:34
-----
U.S.
MUSLIMS URGE DENIAL OF TAX DOLLARS FOR ISRAELI SETTLERS -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/16/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on the Bush administration to deny Israel's
request for billions of American taxpayer dollars to pay for the
withdrawal of illegal settlements on Palestinian territory in
Gaza.
Administration officials say Monday that assessment teams will be sent to
Israel to help determine how much new U.S. aid might be offered to
develop the areas in which settlers from Gaza will be relocated. Israel
is reported to have requested $2.2 billion in additional aid. That
request comes despite the fact that Israel already receives billions of
dollars annually from American taxpayers and has a per capita income that
far exceeds that of the Palestinians.
SEE: "U.S. Plans Post-Pullout Israel Assessment"
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/12389956.htm
In a statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy
group said:
"American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for the relocation
of settlers who, supported and defended by successive Israeli
governments, chose to live illegally on land that was not their own. Such
funds could be better used to improve conditions for ordinary
Palestinians whose lives have been devastated by decades of brutal
occupation."
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-CA:
YOUNG FACE OF MUSLIMS IN THE BAY AREA -
TOP
Juliette Goodrich, CBS-5, 8/15/05
http://cbs5.com/specialreports/local_story_227212821.html
(CBS 5) On a lazy, overcast day, Safaa Ibrahim can blend with the surfers
that crowd the beach near her home south of Santa Cruz. Few might pick
her out as the new face of Muslims in the Bay Area.
"I did not realize, and maybe comprehend really, the media side of
things, and the public face side of things," she said. "I fell
into this."
Some of it is timing. Just weeks before bombers attacked the London
subway, Safaa -- barely 30 years old -- was named regional director of
CAIR, the Council for American Islamic Relations. She is the first woman
to ever lead the Bay Area chapter. Within days, CAIR was answering the
attacks with television ads, a groundbreaking move that Ibrahim
supports.
"We can't just sit down and take it, and allow people to go about
doing violent acts in the name of our religion," she said.
"They are defaming Islam. So it was important for us to respond to
it somehow." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-SAN
DIEGO TO HOLD 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS' WORKSHOP -
TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 8/16/05) - On Thursday, August 18th, the San Diego
chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego)
will hold a 'Know Your Rights' Workshop with Randall Hamud, a prominent
Muslim civil rights lawyer.
WHAT: 'Know Your Rights' Workshop
WHERE: Islamic Center of San Diego, 7050 Eckstrom Ave., San Diego,
CA
WHEN: Thursday, August 18, 8-9:30 p.m.
CONTACT: CAIR-San Diego's Executive Director Omar Hassaine at
858-3449352 or Affad Shaikh at 8582454165, E-Mail:
cair_sd_pres@yahoo.com
---
CAIR-FL 'ADOPTS,' CLEANS
STREET -
TOP
On August 14, the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-FL) began clean-up efforts along an "adopted"
street in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. More than a dozen people turned out to
help pick up litter. CAIR-FL's effort is part of an initiative by Broward
County, called "Adopt-A-Street." The Adopt-A-Street program
empowers volunteer groups to keep their neighborhoods free of litter one
street at a time. SEE:
http://www.broward.org/waste/
CAIR-FLORIDA
1601 North Palm Avenue, Suite 203
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Phone: 954-272-0490
Fax: 954-272-0491
URL:
www.cair-florida.org
-----
MUSLIM ACTOR'S LIFE AS
THE BAD GUY -
TOP
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/
Look for the "Watch Free Video" section. Click on "Life as
the bad guy."
Sayed Badreya doesn't mind playing terrorists, but he'd like to play a
good guy, too. CNN's Sibila Vargas reports (August 16)
-----
TERRORISTS DO NOT
REPRESENT MUSLIMS -
TOP
Mansoor Arain, Santa Maria Times, 8/16/05
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2005/08/16/sections/opinion/commentary.txt
A recent letter writer offered his insight into the common complaint that
people are vilifying Muslims.
His initial claim is that "we responded the way nations under attack
should respond."
The problem I see with this statement, however, is that in the case of
terrorism, there is no real country to be targeted. Rather, frustrated
nations, such as the United States, following the doctrine of attacking
the attacker, have gone from country to country trying to stamp out a
movement that is, contrary to popular belief, not unique to any single
country or group of countries.
The problem here is that the terrorists are acting in the name of a
religion, and Muslims are scattered all over the globe. So what does this
mean? It means that there is no way to get rid of terrorism until we get
to the root of the problem first, because as we invade countries, we
simply fuel the misguided anger of religious extremists who feel as
though the whole world is ignoring them and treating them
unjustly.
To this point, then, it seems as though the Muslims are completely to
blame. However, the truth of the matter is that the terrorists are
utterly lost and misguided, and believing Muslims are as horrified and
appalled by the attacks as any other citizen of our wonderful country.
(MORE)
Mansoor Arain is a member of the Islamic Center in Santa Maria.
-----
ARMY DESERTER
SPEAKS OUT AGAINST IRAQ WAR -
TOP
Barb Pacholik, The Leader-Post, 8/16/05
http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/news/city_province/story.html?id=f243fbec-71b5-4406-aa98-a639e5c28626
With his seven-month-old daughter perched in his arms as he kicks a ball
to his three-year-old son in the front yard of a home in Regina's
Cathedral area, Joshua Key hardly looks like a fugitive wanted by the
FBI.
The U.S. Army deserter, husband and father-of-four tried life on the run
and in hiding, but now regularly steps into the media spotlight in hopes
it will help him and other "war resisters" stay in Canada --
and out of an American prison.
Key, 27, was repeatedly told to "shut my mouth" when he tried
to question his army's actions during an eight-month tour of duty in
Iraq. But he refuses to keep quiet now as he talks about the war, his
sense of betrayal by the U.S. Army and his decision to go AWOL.
"If it was a justified war and for the protection of my country, I'd
still be there," Key said in an interview Monday outside the home of
a supporter. He was in Regina for a speaking engagement sponsored by the
Regina Peace Action Coalition and Regina District Labour
Council.
In Canada since March, Key and his family -- wife Brandi and their four
children, aged 6, 5, 3, and seven months -- have spent the summer on the
road raising awareness about their situation.
"I don't believe in governments, but I believe in people," he
said. "I'd rather the people be on my side than the
politicians."
Describing himself as a "simple man" from Guthrie, Okla., Key
joined the army after meeting with recruiters in February 2002. He had
hoped to learn marketable skills so he could give his family a better
life.
Instead, he was assigned to land mine training and found himself in Iraq
in April 2003. "I live with the guilt of what I did," he said,
calling it "an illegal war." Key said he was involved in raids
on more than 100 Iraqi homes, never turned up anything, yet he was still
expected to send every male over 16 off for interrogation.
When Key speaks at mosques, he offers apologies and seeks forgiveness.
"I'll never be able to clean the blood off my hands, but I'll sure
try." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NEW POLL
REFLECTS GROWING U.S. WORRY OVER IRAQ -
TOP
Sue Pleming, Reuters, 8/16/05
WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A new survey shows the U.S. public is
unhappy with U.S. handling of Iraq and with how the Bush administration
deals with the Muslim world in general.
The latest poll reflects a growing disquiet seen in other recent surveys
over U.S. involvement in Iraq and a dip in President George W. Bush's
overall job approval rating.
The poll, to be published in next month's edition of Foreign Affairs, the
journal of the Council on Foreign Relations, found nearly six in 10
Americans were worried about the outcome of the war in Iraq.
"Soon the grumbling may become too loud for the Bush administration
to ignore," wrote Daniel Yankelovich, who heads Public Agenda, a
nonprofit research group that did the poll for the council. It is the
first in a new "foreign policy index" to be conducted every six
months.
The Bush administration insists that Iraq is on the road to establishing
a democracy that would help bring about peace, but the president's
credibility on Iraq has been slowly eroding among the U.S. public in
recent months amid a continuing bloody insurgency.
Asked whether the United States was meeting its objectives in Iraq, 56
percent in the poll said the United States was not while 39 percent said
it was.
The findings were based on a random sample of 1,004 adults over the age
of 18 who were interviewed between June 1 and June 13, 2005, before a
surge of violence in Iraq in recent weeks. The margin of error was plus
or minus 3 percentage points. (MORE)
-----
GROWTH
IN SPAIN THREATENS A JEWEL OF MEDIEVAL ISLAM -
TOP
RENWICK McLEAN, New York Times, 8/16/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/16/international/europe/16spain.html
MEDINA AZAHARA, Spain - To hear historians tell it, this buried city
three miles west of Cordoba was the Versailles of the Middle Ages, a
collection of estates and palaces teeming with treasures that dazzled the
most jaded traveler or world-weary aristocrat.
Pools of mercury could be shaken to spray beams of reflected sunlight
across marble walls and ceilings of gold, according to contemporary
records.
Doors carved of ivory and ebony led to sprawling gardens full of exotic
animals and sculptures made of amber and pearls.
"Travelers from distant lands, men of all ranks and professions in
life, following various religions, princes, ambassadors, merchants,
pilgrims, theologians, and poets all agreed that they had never seen in
the course of their travels anything that could be compared to it,"
wrote the 19th-century historian Stanley Lane-Poole in his book "The
Story of the Moors in Spain."
Archaeologists are more hesitant, saying that while many of those marvels
may have existed, physical evidence of them has yet to be found. But
they, too, are full of superlatives.
"This was the largest city ever built from scratch in Western
Europe," covering nearly 280 acres, Antonio Vallejo, the chief
archaeologist here, said in an interview. "Most large Western cities
grow over time. This was built in a single effort, from a single
design."
Medina Azahara, also known as Madinat al-Zahra, was an Islamic metropolis
built in the 10th century as a testament to Spain's proclamation in 929
that it was the true caliphate of the Muslim world.
The construction of the city, which began around 940, was a singular
moment in history, when the most vibrant intellectual and cultural force
in Europe was rooted in Islam, and when the heart of Islam was in many
ways rooted in Europe. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/17/05
*
Verse:
Good Deeds Are Better Than
Worldly Goods
*
CAIR-CAN
Calls
for Apology Over Profiling Comments
-
CAIR-NY Job Opening:
Director of
Civil Rights
*
ISLAM-OPED:
Work with Mainstream Muslims
to Defeat Extremism
*
NJ:
Single
Muslims Look for Love, With Chaperones (Star-Ledger)
-
IN:
Life Has
Changed Since 9/11 for Muslims
*
Israeli
Terrorist Kills Three Palestinians (Haaretz)
-
AIPAC
Lobbyists Plead Not Guilty (Haaretz)
*
Zakaria:
Muslim,
Heartthrob, Super-Pundit (Village Voice)
*
IL:
Islamic
Art Offers Context for World Events
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOOD DEEDS ARE BETTER
THAN WORLDLY GOODS -
TOP
"God endows those who avail themselves of (His) guidance with an
ever-deeper consciousness of the right way; and good deeds, the fruit of
which endures forever, are, in thy Sustainer's sight, of far greater
merit (than any worldly goods), and yield far better
returns."
The Holy Quran, 19:76
-----
CAIR-CAN
CALLS ON TORONTO CITY COUNCILOR TO APOLOGIZE FOR RACIAL PROFILING
COMMENTS -
TOP
Toronto city councilor said police should randomly target young black
males
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 16/08/05) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN) is calling on a Toronto city councilor to apologize
for advocating racial profiling against young black males in
Toronto.
According to reports, Michael Thompson, a Toronto city councilor,
suggested that police should randomly target and stop young black men in
order to curb gun violence. Both Toronto Mayor David Miller and Chief of
Police Bill Blair have rejected Thompson's call for the use of racial
profiling.
In a statement released today, CAIR-CAN said:
"The statements made by Toronto City Councilor Michael Thompson are
alarming and set a dangerous precedent in legitimizing racism.
"Studies about racial profiling have concluded that it is an
ineffective strategy that fosters the marginalization of targeted
communities.
"We applaud Toronto Mayor David Miller and Toronto Chief of Police
Bill Blair for rejecting the call to use racial profiling. We further
call on Mr. Thompson to apologize for advocating such a discriminatory
practice."
CONTACT: Halima Mautbur at 613-254-9704; Cell: 613-795-2012; E-Mail:
Canada@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-NY JOB
OPENING: DIRECTOR OF CIVIL RIGHTS -
TOP
The duties of CAIR-NY Director of Civil Rights will include: utilizing
background knowledge of civil rights to advocate for clients;
investigating and managing cases of discrimination, analyzing patterns of
discrimination throughout New York State; coordinating with CAIR-NY legal
advisors regarding cases; attending meetings related to the civil rights
program; network with other NGOs.
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Wissam Nasr at 212-870-2002 or e-mail
info@cair-ny.org
-----
ISLAM-OPED: WORK WITH MAINSTREAM MUSLIMS TO
DEFEAT EXTREMISM -
TOP
ISLAM-OPED is a national syndication service of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designed to offer an American Muslim
perspective on current political, social and religious issues. ISLAM-OPED
commentaries are offered free-of-charge to one media outlet in each
market area. Permission for publication will be granted on a
first-come-first-served basis.
CONTACT: ihooper@cair-net.org
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)
Please consider the following commentary for publication.
---
WORK WITH MAINSTREAM MUSLIMS TO DEFEAT EXTREMISM
By Parvez Ahmed
WORD COUNT: 631
[Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D., is board chairman of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy group. He may be contacted at:
pahmed@cair-net.org. For a photo
of Parvez Ahmed, go to:
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=Board&person=Parvez
]
Why are some Muslims willing to kill in the name of their faith,
despite clear Islamic injunctions against committing such heinous acts?
The debate usually boils down to "they hate us" versus "they hate our
policies."
Robert Pape in his new book, "Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of
Suicide Terrorism," suggests that that terrorism has little to do with
the teachings of any religion but is rather a response, albeit a
criminal one, to policies that condone occupations.
Pape posits that suicide bombings, whether by Hezbollah in Lebanon or
by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, are designed to compel the retreat of
an occupation force. He notes that when Israeli forces left Lebanon,
Hezbollah did not follow them to Tel Aviv.
This explanation, while credible, does not absolve the perpetrators of
their crimes. Islam, like other faiths, allows for defensive war
against combatants but unequivocally forbids the killing of civilians.
Muslims today have many legitimate grievances. Some of these grievances
are the result of foreign occupation, some are the fruits of brutal
authoritarian rule and others are a consequence of Muslims themselves
failing to adapt to a rapidly-changing world. But again, none of these
grievances should ever be used to justify the unjustifiable.
Normative Islam does not allow Muslims to retaliate in kind against
inhuman behavior. The Quran, Islam's revealed text, issues a call to
moderation when it states: "And thus have We (God) willed you to be a
community of the middle way, so that (with your lives) you might bear
witness to the truth before all mankind." (2:143) Moderation is to be
exercised in both spiritual and temporal matters. Terrorism is
certainly not the path of moderation.
What then is the motivation of those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam?
Terrorists seem to be driven by a messianic desire for justice. In
order to achieve that goal, they are willing to precipitate an
apocalyptic civilizational conflict.
Members of Al-Qaeda and their ilk have deluded themselves into thinking
that such a conflict will somehow produce a victory for the
"believers," who are defined as only those Muslims who agree with their
misguided interpretation of Islam.
This view of the world places most Muslims squarely in the cross-hairs
of the terrorists. Only Muslims can counter this extremist ideology,
which unfortunately, resonates in some of the isolated and darker
recesses of Muslim societies.
Presenting an alternative ideological discourse to counterbalance the
hijacking of young and impressionable Muslim minds is as urgent as
establishing effective law enforcement or military doctrine. The
dissemination of core Islamic values to counteract this murderous
ideology requires a multifaceted national strategy and will only be
successful with the support of those Muslims who are well-versed in
mainstream Islamic theology and enjoy broad-based support in the Muslim
community worldwide.
It is disappointing that following a brief meeting with American Muslim
leaders after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush and other top
administration officials have made no meaningful effort to reach out to
those who are best equipped to wage such ideological battles. This
self-imposed disengagement harms our national security and does a
disservice to all those American
Muslims who want to help defend their nation.
American Muslim groups recently issued and endorsed a "fatwa," or
Islamic religious edict, that reaffirmed and bolstered their previous
condemnations of terrorism and extremism. The fatwa undercuts the
apocalyptic ideology of the terrorists by unequivocally forbidding both
the targeting of civilians and cooperation with terror groups. Muslims
were also urged to cooperate with law enforcement authorities as part
of their civic and religious duty.
The endorsement of this fatwa by all major American Muslim
organizations, including hundreds of Imams, offers a new opportunity
for engagement. It is major step that our political and religious
leaders should recognize and support.
To read the entire fatwa and the list of endorsers, go to:
http://cair.com/includes/Anti-TerrorList.pdf
-----
AS THE CHAPERONES HOVER, SINGLE MUSLIMS LOOK FOR LOVE -
TOP
Jeff Diamant, Star-Ledger, 8/17/05
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1124258002168850.xml&coll=1
Islam forbids unsupervised dating, so the recent gathering of young,
unmarried Muslims in the banquet hall of an Edison restaurant was
billed not as a singles party but as a weightier Muslim Matrimonial
Event.
The modern "speed-dating" technique was blended with old religious practices, giving it an Islamic twist with clear rules:
Chaperones would roam while the 100 unmarried "candidates" got to know
each other through small group talks. An imam would lecture on how the
prophet Muhammad valued marriage. There would be a break for evening
prayer.
The singles -- 56 women, 44 men -- would take notes to keep track of
the candidates each would meet. And there would be little subtlety
about the reason they were there.
"If you don't take notes, there will be no follow-up," organizer Khalid
Ozair gently chided after the first few rounds of conversation. "And
that will defeat the purpose of this event. We want follow- up, and we
want, inshallah (God willing), that people should get married as a
result of this event."
Nervous laughter followed from the candidates, but most of them --
doctors, teachers, computer programmers, engineers, and business people
who have lived in the United States most of their lives -- had the same
wish, to marry someone of their faith.
"I'm interested in marrying someone who is Muslim, someone who has
strong faith," said Ali Qureshi, 32, of Manhattan. "Along with that
comes someone who has similar morals and values, which is important."
Muslim gatherings like this have sprouted up around the country in the
last few years because finding good matches for religious American
Muslims remains difficult, singles say, even as Muslim communities
grow, develop matchmaking Internet sites and continue attempts at
arranged marriages. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE 9/11 FOR MUSLIMS IN AMERICA -
TOP
Phillop Ellicott, Courier Press, 8/17/05
http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/news/article/0,1626,ECP_734_4008124,00.html
Life as a Muslim in a post-Sept. 11 world is often at the mercy of
perception, a local Muslim leader told Evansville Rotarians on Tuesday.
Dr. Mohammad Hussain said much of the discussion about his faith has
been rooted in what people perceive - both about Muslims and about what
Muslims themselves encounter in daily life.
For instance, some believe new airport security measures target
Muslims, said Hussain, a pediatrician. Perceived pro-Israel bias from
the U.S. government inflames passions in that region, and extremists
are sparked to action when they think they experience injustice, he
said.
"It's not what happens. It's about perception. If people think they are
treated unjustly or unfairly, that leads to action," said Hussain, who
is among the most visible representatives of the Islamic Society of
Evansville.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Hussain has urged inter-faith
dialogue, such as Tuesday's Rotary event. He underscored the common
links in the three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
"Muslims believe the same stories as Jews and Christians learn in Sunday school and on the sabbath," Hussain said.
Names such as Noah, Abraham and Jesus are among Islam's 25 prophets, the last of which is Muhammad. (MORE)
-----
ISRAELI TERRORIST KILLS THREE PALESTINIANS IN WEST BANK -
TOP
Amiram Barkat and Amos Harel, Haaretz, 8/17/05
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/613936.html
An Israeli Jew killed three people and wounded three others Wednesday
afternoon when he opened fire on a group of Palestinians in the
industrial area of the West Bank settlement of Shiloh.
Asher Weisgan, a 38-year-old driver from Shvut Rahel in the West Bank,
transported Palestinian workers to and from the industrial area daily.
Wednesday afternoon, he picked up the workers to take them home, and
stopped on the way out to ask a security guard for a cup of water.
He then stole the guard's weapon, shot the two Palestinian workers in
his car at the time, and then ran into the industrial area, killing
another worker on the way and wounding two others.
Israeli security forces managed to restrain him and took him to Binyamin police station for questioning.
A military doctor confirmed the deaths of the three. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
AIPAC LOBBYISTS, US ANALYST PLEAD NOT GUILTY OF DISCLOSING CLASSIFIED DATA -
TOP
Shmuel Rosner, Haaretz, 8/17/04
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/613360.html
A Pentagon analyst and two former officials of the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group, pleaded
not guilty on Tuesday to charges of conspiring to obtain and disclose
classified national defense information.
Steven Rosen, 63, the former foreign policy director for AIPAC, and
AIPAC's former senior Middle East analyst, Keith Weissman, pleaded not
guilty to charges of conspiracy to communicate national defense
information provided by analyst Lawrence Franklin.
Rosen also pleaded not guilty to helping Franklin, 58, pass on written classified information.
The three will be tried together on Jan. 3, 2006.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin DiGregory said the total information at
issue in the case related to five documents. He did not give any
further details.
Rosen and Weissman, 53, are accused of disclosing the classified
information to some members of the media, a senior fellow at a
Washington think tank and at least three foreign government officials.
Franklin had been previously indicted on similar charges but had to
appear in court under a revised indictment. He repeated his plea of not
guilty to five counts of conspiring to communicate classified
information.
Franklin worked as an analyst on the Iran desk within the Office of the
Secretary of Defense at the time the government says he disclosed
classified information. His case was a reminder of another that
strained U.S. relations with close ally Israel- the 1985 arrest of U.S.
Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard, convicted of leaking information to the
Jewish state. (MORE)
-----
THE RISE OF FAREED ZAKARIA: MUSLIM, HEARTTHROB, SUPER-PUNDIT -
TOP
Joy Press, Village Voice, 8/16/05
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0533,fpress,66881,6.html
Fareed Zakaria's career reads like some crazy America fantasy:
Neoconservative policy wonk becomes darling of the ultra-liberal Daily
Show. Political columnist and editor of Newsweek International is
dubbed an "intellectual heartthrob" by Jon Stewart. Upper-class Indian
academic raised in mostly secular household becomes America's favorite
explainer of the Muslim world, regularly appearing on Charlie Rose,
This Week With George Stephanopoulos, and now on his own weekly PBS
news series, Foreign Exchange With Fareed Zakaria (airing Saturdays at
10 a.m. on WNET).
Zakaria stands out from the crowd of lily-white talking heads that
populate American news shows thanks to his tan skin, clipped Bombay
lilt, and his insistence that we pay attention to the rest of the
globe. Although he was a rising star in the serious foreign-policy
world of the '90s (The Nation once described him as a "junior
Kissinger"), it was his post-9-11 Newsweek cover story "Why They Hate
Us" that put him on the mainstream map as someone who could make sense
of the now threatening outside world. And he has continued to win
himself a substantial following with his thoughtful critiques of the
Bush administration's activities in Iraq. He is America's go-to man for
global chaos, providing some urgently needed outside perspective on our
never ending war on terror.
Sitting in his airy corner office at Newsweek, Zakaria is the
definition of dapper, clad in a pale yellow checked shirt and crisp
khakis. He ignores the constant ambient ping of incoming e-mails and
phone calls as he talks about his PBS show. Zakaria may be the pundit
world's answer to the Backstreet Boys, but there's nothing sexy about
Foreign Exchange. It has the standard muted tones of a serious news
program, complete with generic set and antiquated electronic theme
music. "People ask how we'll distinguish ourselves from the
competition," Zakaria says animatedly. "What competition? There's
literally not another show on American television that deals only with
foreign affairs-you know, the other 95 percent of humanity." (MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC ART EXHIBIT OFFERS CONTEXT FOR WORLD EVENTS -
TOP
Robert Lewis, The Journal-Standard, 8/17/05
http://www.journalstandard.com/articles/2005/08/17/daily_features/look/look01.txt
Several pieces of textile and a bronze coffee set might not stop a war,
but they may offer a glimpse into an often misunderstood society and
religion and provide a context in which to view world events.
"Museums in general have always been one to not only respond to what
goes on in the world, but also stimulate discourse," said Jessica
Caddell, the collections manager at the Freeport Arts Center.
The museum is currently displaying an exhibit of Islamic art - a
collection of textiles, the coffee set and decorative ceramic tiles.
While the exhibit is relatively small, it does provide a snapshot of
Muslim life.
"It works especially well with a culture we are struggling to
understand," Caddell said. "So even if we have trouble understanding
beliefs, we can at least appreciate their creative endeavors."
The exhibit includes among other items a large regal looking orange
dress from Bahrain, a 19th-century prayer kilim from nomadic people of
Turkey and ceramic architectural tiles from the city of Iznik. (MORE)
What: Islamic art exhibit
Where: Freeport Arts Center, 121 N. Harlem Ave
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: Museum admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, free for members and children younger than 12
For more information: Call 235-9755
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/18/05
*
Verse:
Churches, Synagogues and
Mosques
*
CAIR-LA:
Muslims
Will Respond to Calif. Arrests
-
CAIR-NY:
Muslims Meet with ICE
Officials
-
CAIR-Chicago
Discusses Civil Rights, Patriot Act
-
CAIR-AZ to
Offer Free Qurans at Mosque Open Houses
-
CAIR-OH Job Opening:
Director for Columbus Office
*
CA:
Mosques Open to Public (OC Register)
-
American Muslim Women Find Their Voice (State Dept)
*
CA:
Bias Against Middle Eastern Students (SF Weekly)
*
U.S. Diplomat is Named AIPAC Spy Scandal (NY Times)
*
U.S. Soldier Chronicles Abuse in Iraq (Reuters)
-
Death of Iraqi Brothers Sparks Anti-U.S. Rage (Reuters)
*
Israeli Settler Defends Killing of 4 Palestinians (Reuters)
-
Gaza Settlers Push Children to Front Line (AP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES AND MOSQUES -
TOP
"Had God not repelled some people by the might of others, the
monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which God's praise is
daily celebrated, would have been utterly demolished. God will
certainly help those who help His cause."
The Holy Quran, 22:40
-----
MUSLIM LEADERS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO CALIF. ARRESTS -
TOP
(LOS ANGELES, 8/18/05) - On Friday, August 19, Muslim leaders and
chaplains will hold a press conference in Los Angeles to respond to the
arrest of three men believed to be connected with a terror plot
targeting locations in Southern California.
The arrest this week of a 21-year-old Pakistani man on unspecified
charges has been connected to the recent arrests of two
African-American men charged in a series of gas station robberies. Law
enforcement officials say all three men attended the same mosque in
Inglewood, Calif.
The arrests are part of an on-going investigation being conducted by
the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Authorities have not explained
how the three men are connected to one another.
WHAT: Press Conference in Response to Arrests of Three Calif. Men
WHEN: Friday, August 19, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Islamic Center of Southern California, 434 South Vermont Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90010
WHO: Daaiyalla Fardan, Chaplain with the CA Dept. of Corrections
Juvenile Dept.; Shakeel Syed, Contractor Chaplain with Federal Bureau
of Prisons; Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of Muslim Public
Affairs Council; Dr. Maher Hathout, Senior Advisor to the Muslim Public
Affairs Council; Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman of the Shura Council of
Southern California; Ra'id Faraj, Council on American-Islamic
Relations, Los Angeles
CONTACT: CAIR-LA: Ra'id Faraj, 714-776-1847,
socal@cair.com; MPAC, Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443,
communications@mpac.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT STATE CAPITOL -
TOP
First annual conference designed to encourage political activism
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 8/18/05) - The California chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) is holding the first California
Muslim Youth Leadership Conference in Sacramento.
The conference begins today and will run until August 21. It features
workshops on community organizing and advocacy, public speaking and
media activism. The highlight of the conference will be a "Mock
Legislature" session on the Senate Floor, during which participants
will serve as legislators as they debate public policy issues and
attempt to pass legislation.
"We are excited about the opportunity to have hands-on sessions in the
California State Capitol," said CAIR-CA Chairman Fouad Khatib. "We hope
this opportunity will encourage American Muslim youth to pursue careers
in politics that contribute positively to our country."
CONTACT: Basim Elkarra, 916- 441-6269 or email:
sacval@cair.com
---
CAIR-AZ TO DISTRIBUTE FREE QURANS AT MOSQUE OPEN HOUSES -
TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 8/18/05) - On August 20 and 27, the Arizona chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) will host two open
houses for the public to meet with Muslim community members and to
receive a free English translation of the Quran, Islam's revealed text.
WHEN: August 20, 2005 (10 AM-1 PM)
WHERE: Islamic Community Center Tempe, 131 E. 6th St., Tempe AZ
WHEN: August 27, 2005 (10 AM-1 PM)
WHERE: Islamic Community Center Phoenix, 7516 N. Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix AZ
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide including Arizona and in Canada. 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.
CONTACT: Bushra Khan (602) 262-2247 or (602) 312-2223, E-mail:
info@cairaz.org
---
CAIR-CHICAGO HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ON PATRIOT ACT -
TOP
http://www.cairchicago.org/
(CHICAGO, IL, 8/17/05) - On Tuesday 8/16, The Chicago chapter of the
nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), in conjunction with the
Civil Liberties Coalition of Illinois (CLCI) and Representative Danny
K. Davis held a press conference to discuss the new threat to civil
liberties due to the recent passage of the Patriot Act's sunset
provisions in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Speaking at the event were Congressman Danny K. Davis; Yaser Tabbara
& Ahmed Rehab from CAIR-Chicago; Maaria Mozaffar from the CLCI,
Mehrdad Azemun from ICIRR, and Jane Ramsey from JCUA.
The following CAIR-Chicago statement was read by Yaser Tabbara:
"As the most intensely affected group by some of the unconstitutional
provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act, Muslim Americans in general and
Illinois Muslims in particular have repeatedly affirmed their support
for balanced legislation that makes our country safer yet does not
jeopardize our American civil liberties. As the local chapter of the
largest national civil rights organization representing Muslim
Americans, CAIR-Chicago has been documenting a number of incidents that
range in severity that were the direct result of Section 213 of the USA
PATRIOT Act and other sections. Furthermore, the secretive nature of
the application of Sections 213, 215 and others makes it conducive to
profiling the most "suspect" minority in today's America: Muslims and
Arabs. The need for judicial and congressional oversight is absolutely
necessary in order to quell the fears of this affected minority and in
order to not further alienate a community that is crucial in the fight
against terror that often is committed in its name.
"We hope that the Congressional Conference Committee fulfills its
awesome responsibility by combining the House and Senate modifications
of the Patriot Act in a way that strikes the intricate balance between
constitutional protections and enhancing national security.
"We call on the Congressional representatives of the citizens of the
state of Illinois to engage their Muslim constituents and communicate
their constituents' opinions to the Congressional Conference Committee."
-----
CAIR-NY: MUSLIMS MEET WITH ICE OFFICIALS -
TOP
(NEW YORK, NY, 8/18/05) - Representatives of the New York chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) and leaders of the
New York Muslim community met yesterday with officials from U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI to discuss issues
related to outreach and mutual cooperation.
At the meeting, Muslim leaders listened to a presentation about ICE and
the work that it does. Topics discussed included translation of ICE
materials into a variety of languages, the need to help prevent
misunderstandings that arise in dealing with officials and the
perceived targeting of certain ethnic groups.
CONTACT: CAIR-NY, 212-870-2002
-----
CAIR-OHIO JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR FOR COLUMBUS OFFICE -
TOP
This full-time position will entail directing all CAIR-Ohio, Columbus office activities.
QUALIFICATIONS: Candidate must have a university degree, good
organizational and management skills and excellent communication
skills, both verbal and written. A legal background is a plus.
SALARY: Negotiable.
PLEASE SEND YOUR RESUME NO LATER THAN MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
If you send by e-mail, Please include "CAIR-Ohio Job Opportunity" in subject line.
BY EMAIL:
Columbus@cair-ohio.com and
president@cair-ohio.com
By MAIL:
CAIR-Ohio
4700 Reed Road, Suite B
Columbus, Ohio 43220
By FAX: 614-451-3222
-----
MOSQUES OPEN TO PUBLIC -
TOP
Ann Pepper, Orange County Register, 8/18/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/08/18/sections/local/local/article_638885.php
Inside and out, as houses of worship, mosques have a look all their own
- requiring big, open spaces for the prostrations that are part of
Islamic prayer.
But the feel of them isn't all that different from any temple or church
where the congregation is full of friends and welcoming to strangers.
On Sunday, five Orange County mosques will make a particular effort,
called Open Mosque Day, to offer non-Muslims a chance to look around
and to meet their neighbors who practice Islam.
Similar events have been held over the past two years, but this is the
first coordinated endeavor across the region and signifies a more
concentrated outreach effort.
The goal isn't proselytizing, but sharing Middle Eastern food, arts,
hospitality and a chance to break down barriers, said Shakeel Syed, 45,
executive director of the local Islamic Shura Council.
"At the leadership level of the different faiths, we all interact. But
at the popular level it is not the case and, as a result, healthy
relationships are not really developing the way they should," said
Syed. His Anaheim-based council serves more than 60 mosques and Muslim
groups in Southern California.
"In what seems to be this charged political climate, Muslims are seen
as 'the other' and not part of the fabric of American society, so this
is a deliberate attempt at bridge building and to break down the
barriers that seem to divide us and sometimes seem to be growing at a
very fast pace in America," he said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM-AMERICAN WOMEN FIND A VOICE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY -
TOP
Afzal Khan, US State Dept, 8/15/05
http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/Archive/2005/Aug/16-112851.html
Washington -- Islam is a religion that empowers women, according to a
group of Muslim-American women speaking at a panel discussion, and
contrary to popular media perceptions, Muslim women do not feel
discriminated against or dispossessed within the traditions of their
faith.
Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, a third-generation African-American Muslim
and founder-editor of the Journal of Islam in America, introduced the
August 11 panel, which was held in Washington. She said the convening
of such a panel itself speaks of the freedom of Muslim-American women
in the United States.
Muhammad outlined the history of prominent women in Islam since the
revelation of the Quran 1,400 years ago. Some of them were political
leaders and others fought as soldiers alongside men, she said.
Muhammad said that in the United States a movement to educate Muslims
about their own heritage and culture began with Sister Clara Muhammad,
the wife of the Nation of Islam's founder, Elijah Muhammad. Sister
Clara founded a network of schools to educate African-American Muslims
beginning in the 1930s.
Gihan El-Gindy, an Egyptian-born Muslim-American and director of the
Transcultural Educational Center (TEC) in McLean, Virginia, said there
is a disconnect between Islam as practiced 1,400 years ago by the
Prophet Mohammad and what is being practiced and interpreted by
different Muslim countries.
"Islam as a religion and as a culture in a specific country may be very
different because of local customs and man-made laws," El-Gindy said.
She said media reports of oppression against women in Muslim countries
had more to do with the cultural traditions indigenous to the country.
"The idea, that as a Muslim-American woman I must be oppressed, is
ridiculous. I am free to do what I want. I have a separate career from
that of my husband, and we both are happy," El-Gindy said. She
emphasized that it is important for Muslim-Americans to have the
"freedom to choose" their own "set of values" to live by, and yet be
equal participants in American society. (MORE)
-----
SUFFER THE LITTLE MUSLIMS -
TOP
Cristi Hegranes, San Francisco Weekly, 8/17/05
http://www.sfweekly.com/Issues/2005-08-17/news/feature.html
Laila and her friend Cathleen were hanging out in the courtyard at
Galileo Academy of Science & Technology, talking about shopping to
blow off steam after their sixth-period math test. It was a cool
December day in San Francisco, and Laila remembers wanting to go inside
early.
A few minutes before the bell rang to end the lunch period, Laila, a
Muslim student who wears a hijab, the head scarf worn by many Muslim
women, says she noticed a boy, whom she recognized but did not know,
approaching them. "He walked right over to us," Laila says. "There were
a lot of people standing around. He got real close, and then he just
started screaming at me:
'"Her father is bin Laden! She's going to blow up the school, she's
going to blow it up! She has a bomb under her sweater! Everybody run,
this jihad girl is going to kill us!'"
Laila says the boy and his two friends doubled over, laughing. Other
students walked quickly as they passed. "I was so mad, just so
embarrassed. I wanted to spit in his face," Laila says.
Laila, who is 17 and recently graduated, says she faced this kind of
harassment and discrimination at school many times over the last four
years. But the bin Laden incident stuck with her because so many people
witnessed it, both students and teachers, and no one did or said
anything about it. (MORE)
-----
U.S. DIPLOMAT IS NAMED IN SECRETS CASE -
TOP
David Johnston and James Risen, New York Times, 8/18/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/18/politics/18inquire.html
WASHINGTON - The second-highest diplomat at the United States Embassy
in Baghdad is one of the anonymous government officials cited in an
Aug. 4 indictment as having provided classified information to an
employee of a pro-Israel lobbying group, people who have been
officially briefed on the case said Wednesday.
The diplomat, David M. Satterfield, was identified in the indictment as
a United States government official, "USGO-2," the people briefed on
the matter said. In early 2002, USGO-2 discussed secret national
security matters in two meetings with Steven J. Rosen, who has since
been dismissed as a top lobbyist for the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee, known as Aipac, who has been charged in the case.
The indictment said that Mr. Rosen met USGO-2 on Jan. 18, 2002, and
March 12, 2002, but provides few details about the encounters. The
indictment does not describe Mr. Satterfield's activities in detail nor
does it specify what classified information the diplomat discussed with
the lobbyist. The meetings were also confirmed by documents, people who
have been briefed said. These people asked not to be identified because
many of the matters related to the case are classified.
The indictment does not accuse USGO-2 of any wrongdoing, nor does it
indicate whether he might have been authorized to talk with the
lobbyist. Mr. Satterfield is not believed to be the subject of a
continuing investigation. He is the first higher-ranking government
official to be caught up in the criminal inquiry.
Mr. Satterfield's role in the inquiry has been known within a small
circle at the State Department. Before he was sent to Baghdad,
officials at the State Department asked the Justice Department whether
the investigation posed any impediment to his assignment in Iraq,
someone who has been officially briefed said. Officials at the State
Department were advised that he could take the job.
Mr. Satterfield is one of the department's rising stars. Before his
assignment as deputy chief of mission in Baghdad, Mr. Satterfield, 50,
held several jobs in the Clinton and Bush administrations as a Middle
East expert. He was ambassador to Lebanon from 1998 to 2001, and was
confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to Jordan in 2004, although he
never served in that position.
Current and former colleagues say that Mr. Satterfield, who went to
Iraq earlier this year, chose the Baghdad post because it posed a
bigger professional challenge than Jordan. The United States ambassador
to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, has strong political credentials but,
colleagues said, Mr. Satterfield was brought in to provide managerial
strength.
Mr. Satterfield did not respond to an e-mail message asking about his
role in the case, and one State Department spokesman said that Mr.
Satterfield would not discuss the matter. Sean McCormack, the spokesman
for the department, referred legal questions about Mr. Satterfield to
the Justice Department. (MORE)
-----
U.S. SOLDIER CHRONICLES ABUSE, HARD TIMES IN IRAQ -
TOP
Reuters, 8/17/05
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17586240.htm
LOS ANGELES - The torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners by U.S.
troops was widespread and not limited to the high-profile cases at Abu
Ghraib prison, according to a former soldier who participated in an
interrogation that she said "crossed a line."
Kayla Williams, 28, a former sergeant with the U.S. Army's 101st
Airborne Division in Iraq and the author of a new book, said soldiers
interrogating a naked Iraqi asked her to humiliate him. She also saw
fellow soldiers throwing lit cigarettes at him and hitting him in the
face.
"It's one thing to make fun of someone and attempt to humiliate him.
With words. That's one thing. But flicking lit cigarettes at somebody
-- like burning him -- that's illegal," Williams writes in "Love My
Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army," which hits
U.S. bookstores Sept. 5.
While stationed at the 2nd Brigade's Brigade Support Area in Mosul in
late 2003, Arabic linguist Williams was asked to mock an Iraqi man's
sexual prowess and ridicule the size of his genitals.
Williams said she was "not clear" on whether the superiors of the
soldiers in charge of the interrogation had ordered the abuse. "If they
didn't know what was going on, they should have," she said in an
interview.
Williams wrote that she chose not to participate in subsequent
interrogations but that other soldiers later told her that "the old
rules no longer applied because this was a different world. This was a
new kind of war."
Months later, photographs surfaced of U.S. soldiers humiliating naked and blindfolded Iraqis at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison.
"I was not at all surprised to find it was widespread. I was surprised
that they were stupid enough to take pictures," she said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DEATH OF IRAQI BROTHERS SPARKS ANTI-U.S. RAGE -
TOP
Michael Georgy, Reuters, 8/18/05
BAGHDAD, Aug 18 (Reuters) - An angry Iraqi crowd carried coffins
through a Baghdad district on Thursday and threw rocks at American
soldiers, accusing U.S. troops of killing three innocent middle-aged
brothers, one of them in a wheelchair.
The U.S. military said they had killed three "terrorists".
"They call everybody terrorists but they just commit terrorist acts
whenever they want," said Mohsen Thabit, a friend of the men whom
neighbours found shot in the head at home after a raid by U.S. and
Iraqi troops in the Amiriya district overnight.
The bodies of Khalil, Khalid and Jamal Hussein, filmed by a neighbour,
lay sprawled in their home, that of the crippled Khalil lying in the
bathroom next to his wheelchair.
U.S. spokesman Major Tim Keefe confirmed U.S.-led and Iraqi forces raided a house the neighbourhood around midnight.
"The purpose of the raid was to capture and detain a kidnapping cell. A
firefight ensued, and three terrorists were killed and one wounded.
Weapons and explosive materials were captured," he said by e-mail in
reply to a question.
Parts of Amiriya have been strongholds for Sunni Arab insurgents seeking to topple the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.
Whatever the reasons behind the incident, however, neighbours and
relatives were quick to accuse Americans and the new Iraqi forces they
are training of carrying out an unprovoked killing, a common complaint
in a violent city and one that has fuelled resentment in many quarters
towards occupying forces.
The reaction underlines how far U.S. and, now, Iraqi troops are struggling to gain public trust after two years of war.
The dead men's sister-in-law said she saw U.S. and Iraqi troops raid the house and shoot her husband's brothers.
"They shot one of my brothers-in-law in the bathroom and then they shot
the other two. I was hit in the arm and foot," Noor Ali Jassim told
Reuters from a hospital bed.
It was not clear if she was the wounded person referred to in the U.S. statement. She was not under guard in hospital.
Video footage taken by residents showed three bodies on the floor,
including Khalil Hussein who lay face down in the bathroom near a
wheelchair. Friends said the man had been unable to walk since being
wounded in the war with Iran in the 1980s. (MORE)
-----
ISRAELI SETTLER DEFENDS KILLING OF 4 PALESTINIANS -
TOP
Reuters, 8/18/05
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1818520.htm
PETAH TIKVA, Israel - A Jewish settler arrested for the shooting deaths
of four Palestinians said on Thursday he had no regrets and hoped
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would be killed.
"I am not sorry," Asher Weisgan told reporters when brought before a
court in the city of Petah Tikva. "I hope someone murders Sharon as
well."
The West Bank settler is accused of gunning down and killing four
Palestinian labourers, two of whom he had driven to their workplace.
The attack on Wednesday occurred hours after Israel began forcibly
evacuating Gaza settlers.
Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack,
saying it aimed to disrupt Israel's withdrawal from all 21 settlements
in Gaza and four of 120 in the West Bank, lands Palestinians want for a
state.
Israel has tightened security around Sharon out of concern
right-wingers opposed to the pullout may attack him. Despite his own
jokes about his girth, he has been fitted for a bullet-proof vest.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO
GAZA SETTLERS PUSH CHILDREN TO FRONT LINE -
TOP
Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press, 8/15/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-gaza-kids-in-the-middle,1,2161841.story
KEREM ATZMONA - One family pinned orange Star of David badges to eight
screaming children, who marched from a trailer with hands raised -
apparently to recall images of the Nazi deportation of Jews.
A father shoved his daughter, about 10 years old, toward a soldier,
shouting: ``Expel her, please take her, you are such a hero.'' A mother
cut the shirts of two young boys with scissors in a ritual of mourning.
In the Gaza pullout Wednesday, terrified children were caught in the tug-of-war between settlers and soldiers.
Some settlers sent children to live with relatives in Israel so they
would not be traumatized as troops physically evicted Jewish settlers
who refused to leave voluntarily. Others kept their children close,
saying they wanted them never to forget the day they were forced from
their homes.
In the Morag settlement, resident Michal Unterman held her
preschool-age daughter in her arms earlier this week and pointed out a
soldier delivering an eviction notice. She told the child to remember
the moment.
Some experts warned the youngsters could be psychologically scarred. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 8/19/05
*
Verse: Repel
Evil With Good
*
CAIR-MI Offers
Workshop on Islam
-
CAIR-San Antonio
Offers Training at Police HQ
-
CAIR-Houston: The Rights of Muslim Students
-
CAIR-Houston/ACLU 'Know Your Rights' Workshop
*
ISLAM-OPED: A Moderate Muslim Way to Counter Terror
*
S. Calif. Mosques Welcome Public with Open Doors
-
CA: '
Open Mosque Day' Promotes Understanding
*
Canada:
Agency Raps Radio Station for Anti-Muslim Talk
-
Canadian Diplomats to Study Muslim Culture
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: REPEL EVIL WITH GOOD -
TOP
"Those who patiently persevere seeking the countenance of their Lord,
establish regular prayers, spend both secretly and openly out of (the
gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, and repel evil with good
- they are the ones who will find their fulfillment in the hereafter."
The Holy Quran, 13:22
-----
CAIR-MI OFFERS WORKSHOP ON ISLAM -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 8/19/05) - The Michigan office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) yesterday held a training workshop
on Islam for some 40 health care and education professionals as part of
a one-day diversity program at the Arab-American Museum in Dearborn.
CAIR-MI's presentation focused on basic Islamic beliefs and practices,
including discussion of misconceptions about the concept of Jihad and
the religious attire of Muslim women.
Several participants in the full diversity program, including
representatives from the Jewish Community Council and the Archdiocese
of Detroit, expressed appreciation for the information presented about
Islam and for the manner in which the presentation was conducted.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide including Arizona and in Canada. 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-SAN ANTONIO OFFERS SENSITIVITY TRAINING -
TOP
(SAN ANTONIO, TX, 8/19/05) - The San Antonio chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Antonio) yesterday offered a
sensitivity training workshop at the Texas Police Association
headquarters in Austin, Texas.
The workshop focused on the American Muslim community and Islamic
beliefs and practices. Feedback from the four-hour session was very
positive.
---
CAIR-HOUSTON SESSION ON THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM STUDENTS -
TOP
Do you have questions about your child's ability to practice Islam at
school? Learn the facts and proactive ways to work with the school
system and deal with daily prayers, hijab, beards, dress codes, jummah
prayer, and co-ed gym classes.
WHEN: Friday, August 19, After Salat Isha
WHERE: Houston Jama Masjid, 6550 Ternef Dr. Houston, TX
---
CAIR-HOUSTON/ACLU 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS' WORKSHOP -
TOP
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-TX) will present a workshop on safeguarding your civil rights.
WHEN: Friday, August 26, After Salat Maghrib
WHERE: ASIA Center, 618 Barringe Ln, Webster TX,
www.asiacenter.org
-----
ISLAM-OPED: A Moderate Muslim Way to Counter Terrorism -
TOP
Parvez Ahmed, Star Tribune, 8/19/05
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5567821.html
[Parvez Ahmed is board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy
group.]
Why are some Muslims willing to kill in the name of their faith,
despite clear Islamic injunctions against committing such heinous acts?
The debate usually boils down to "they hate us" vs. "they hate our
policies."
Robert Pape in his new book, "Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of
Suicide Terrorism," suggests that that terrorism has little to do with
the teachings of any religion but is rather a response, albeit a
criminal one, to policies that condone occupations.
Pape posits that suicide bombings, whether by Hezbollah in Lebanon or
by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, are designed to compel the retreat of
an occupation force. He notes that when Israeli forces left Lebanon,
Hezbollah did not follow them to Tel Aviv.
This explanation, while credible, does not absolve the perpetrators of
their crimes. Islam, like other faiths, allows for defensive war
against combatants but unequivocally forbids the killing of civilians.
Muslims today have many legitimate grievances. Some of these grievances
are the result of foreign occupation, some are the fruits of brutal
authoritarian rule and others are a consequence of Muslims themselves
failing to adapt to a rapidly changing world. But again, none of these
grievances should ever be used to justify the unjustifiable.
Normative Islam does not allow Muslims to retaliate in kind against
inhuman behavior. The Qur'an, Islam's revealed text, issues a call to
moderation when it states: "And thus have We [God] willed you to be a
community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you might bear
witness to the truth before all mankind." (2:143)
Moderation is to be exercised in both spiritual and temporal matters. Terrorism is certainly not the path of moderation.
What then is the motivation of those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam?
Terrorists seem to be driven by a messianic desire for justice. In
order to achieve that goal, they are willing to precipitate an
apocalyptic civilizational conflict. (MORE)
-----
MOSQUES WELCOME PUBLIC WITH OPEN DOORS -
TOP
BETTYE WELLS MILLER, The Press-Enterprise, 8/19/05
http://www.pe.com/localnews/corona/stories/PE_News_Local_C_cmosque19.1dde69f7.html
Corona: Islamic Society of Corona-Norco, 465 Santana Way. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Riverside: Islamic Center of Riverside, 1038 W. Linden St., 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
TEMECULA: Islamic Center of Temecula Valley, 28900 Front St., #101-103, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Upland: Al-Nur Islamic Center, 525 N. Central Ave., No. 2, 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. Aug. 27. A fundraising banquet to buy land for a new mosque will
begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700
Danbury Road, Claremont.
Three Inland mosques will welcome the public Sunday as part of the
Shura Council of Southern California's Open Mosque Day, an annual event
organizers said is intended to acquaint non-Muslims with Islam and
local Muslims.
It is the third year the Shura Council has encouraged member mosques in
Southern California to participate, said Shakeel Syed, executive
director.
"The single-most motivation for me personally and for the Shura Council
is to ask people of all faiths to not see Muslims as the other, and to
see us as an integral part of society at large," Syed said by phone.
"When that happens, there will be healthy relationships between all
people." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
'OPEN MOSQUE DAY' PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING -
TOP
Frank Moraga, Ventura County Star, 8/19/05
http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/opinion_columnists/article/0,1375,VCS_223_4013203,00.html
Over the years, Shakeel Syed has met a number of people from different
faiths and has appreciated the opportunity to interact with them in a
friendly and open environment.
Wouldn't it be great if those same feelings of understanding could be shared by more people?
Such is the motivation behind "Open Mosque Day," which will be held
Sunday. For the third straight year, mosques throughout Southern
California will be open to visitors from all faiths so they can learn
about another culture.
The Islamic Center of Conejo Valley in Newbury Park is participating in
the program, said Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council
of Southern California, a group that represents 60 mosques serving
half-a-million people in the Southland.
"The single most driving desire is to really help the larger community
of Americans to not just see Muslims as the other people, but to see
them as part of the larger fabric of America," he said. "The second
reason is to foster an environment where people of different faiths can
interact in a healthy environment to get to know each other better.
"This is not a proselytizing effort," he said. "This is simply to get to know each other, our neighbors." (MORE)
-----
AGENCY RAPS RADIO STATION FOR 'ABUSIVE' TALK ABOUT MUSLIMS -
TOP
Victoria Times Colonist, 8/19/05
http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/index.html
VICTORIA - A Victoria radio station has been criticized by the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for "abusive"
comments about Muslims.
In a decision Thursday, the CRTC said CFAX Radio breached its
regulations governing such comments on the Sept. 24, 2004, edition of
the program Talk Radio.
The commission demanded that the station develop guidelines for
open-line programming. CFAX program director Terry Spence said Thursday
those guidelines are already in place. Four days after the
controversial broadcast, CFAX was bought by CHUM Communications, which
has its own rules for open-line programming.
The investigation stemmed from a broadcast where host Terry Moore
interviewed Craig Winn, a U.S. author with strong views on the
relationship between terrorism and Islam.
SEE ALSO:
DIPLOMATS TO STUDY MUSLIM CULTURE -
TOP
BROOKES MERRITT, EDMONTON SUN, 8/19/05
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2005/08/19/1179472-sun.html
Canadian diplomats will hit the books to learn about Muslim
civilization, "not just contemporary politics," says Foreign Affairs
Minister Pierre Pettigrew.
Pettigrew described a new diplomatic course about all things Muslim as
part of a federal initiative to better understand Arab culture and
defend against negative cultural labels that have arisen since 9-11.
"Religion is not the cause of extremism," he said yesterday, speaking
to the National Council of Canada-Arab Relations in Edmonton.
Pettigrew quoted teachings of tolerance from the Qur'an and spoke of
reaching out to Muslim communities through educational and economic
development initiatives. . .
There are about 600,000 Muslims in Canada. That number is expected to double to 1.2 million by 2015.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR CALLS ON JPMORGAN CHASE TO PROBE RACIST
LETTER
Credit card solicitation addressed to 'Palestinian Bomber'
(WASHINGTON D.C., 8/22/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today called on JPMorgan Chase to investigate a
credit card solicitation letter addressed to 'Palestinian Bomber' that
was recently sent to a Corona, Calif.,
Muslim of Palestinian heritage.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said
the recipient of the letter, a 54-year old American citizen, has lived in
this country for 51 years and served in the United States Army.
Chase's form letter was signed by Chief Marketing Officer for Chase Card
Services Carter Franke and had the phrase 'Palestinian Bomber' in both
the address field and salutation.
In a letter sent today to Chase Card Services CEO Rich Srednicki, CAIR
National Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar wrote: "It is quite
disheartening to see employees of a multi-national company like Chase, a
business with many clients and business partners in the Arab and Muslim
world, be this racially insensitive."
Iftikhar called for an investigation, sensitivity training and a formal
apology to the letter's recipient. JPMorgan Chase has assets of
approximately $1.1 trillion and operations in more than 50 countries.
SEE:
http://www.chase.com/
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go
to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-415-0799 or
202-488-8787; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a journalist's
window to the American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
ISLAM-INFONET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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/
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR Action Alert # 466
DC RADIO HOST FIRED OVER ANTI-ISLAM REMARKS
Contact WMAL to show support for its decision
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/22/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today applauded a Washington, D.C., radio station's
decision to fire a talk show host who stated repeatedly that "Islam
is a terrorist organization."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said media reports
indicate that WMAL-AM fired host Michael Graham last Friday after he
refused to retract his anti-Islam statements, make an on-air apology and
conduct additional outreach efforts to the Muslim community and others
offended by his words.
The controversy began last month when Graham stated: 1. "Islam is a
terrorist organization." 2. "Islam is at war with
America." 3. "The problem is not extremism. The problem is
Islam." 4. "We are at war with a terrorist organization named
Islam." Other listeners said that Graham even encouraged a public
"backlash" against Muslims. (Graham later claimed he meant a
backlash of social pressure, not violent attacks on Muslims.)
In response, CAIR initiated a public campaign against WMAL and the
station's advertisers after receiving complaints from listeners who heard
Graham make those anti-Islam remarks. While WMAL initially stood behind
Graham, it changed its position after hundreds of people responded to the
group's action alerts by contacting the station and its
sponsors.
"Just as Michael Graham has the right to hold bigoted views, so,
too, does our society have the right to live free of hatred and
incitement," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We are
saddened that Michael Graham would not take responsibility for his
hate-filled words, but we do welcome WMAL's action as a step toward
reducing the level of anti-Muslim bigotry on our nation's
airwaves."
Awad thanked the local Metropolitan-D.C. Muslim community, interfaith
leaders and the many people in America and worldwide who contacted WMAL
and its advertisers to express their concerns over Graham's bigoted
comments.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
1.
CONTACT WMAL to thank the station for making Michael
Graham's suspension permanent. CONTACT: Mr. Chris Berry, President &
General Manager (202-895-2333), and Mr. Randall Bloomquist
(202-895-2327), Program Director, WMAL, 4400 Jenifer Street NW,
Washington DC, 20015. Switchboard: 202-686-3100 FAX: (202) 537-0009 (To
be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL.)
E-MAIL:
randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com COPY TO:
cair@cair-net.org
2.
CONTACT WMAL ADVERTISERS to express your support for the
station's decision.
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
WMAL ADVERTISERS
AUTOMOTIVE
Alexandria Buick, Pontiac & GMC
499 South Pickett Rd
Alxandria VA
Phone: 703-370-7211
www.alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com
Brown's Buick
10245 Lee Highway
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-934-4900
Fax: 703-934-4957
http://ffxbuick.brownscar.com/
Brown's Lincoln Mercury
10287 Lee Highway
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-352-5500
www.brownsautomotive.com
Cherner Lincoln Mercury
8550 Leesburg Pike
Phone: 703-893-0800
Fax: 703-898-8559
www.cherner.com
Cowles Parkway Ford
13779 Noblewood Plaza
Woodbridge VA
Phone: 800-730-8203
www.cowlesford.com
FairFax Automile
Route 50 FairFax--21 different dealers
www.fairFaxautomile.com
Manassas Chrysler
8100 Centreville Rd.
Manassas, VA.
Phone: 703-368-5300
Fax: 703-392-0457
www.manassaschrysler.com
Moore Cadillac/Hummer
8595 Leesburg Pike
Phone: 703-790-0950
www.moorehummer.com
New Car Network
3273 Blue Heron Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-534-SAVE
Fax: 703-241-8861
Ourisman World of Ford
6129 Richmond Hwy.
Alexandria, VA.
Phone: 703-660-9000
www.OurismanWorldofFord.com
Pohanka Lexus
13909 Lee Jackson Highway
Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 800-399-0681
Fax: 703-968-7725
E-Mail: sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com
www.pohankalexus.com
Radial Tire
9101 Brookville Road
Silver Spring MD 20910
Phone: 301-585-2740
www.radialtire.com
Safford Lincoln Mercury
3110 Automobile Blvd
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Phone: 301-890-3900
Fax: 301-890-7817
www.saffordlm.com
WANADA
Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association
5301 Wisconsin Avenue
Washington DC NW 20015
Phone: 202-237-7200
www.wanada.org
BEAUTY & PERSONAL
Aveda
4807 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-1610
www.aveda-bethesda.com
Skin Zinc
Phone: 800-890-7236
www.skin-zinc.net
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Phone: 1-800-GOT-JUNK
www.1800gotjunk.com
Affordable Creative Services, Inc.
3554 Chain Bridge Road
Suite 306
FairFax,Va 22030
Phone: 703-352-7900
www.acscreative.com
Intelligent Office
Phone: 866-684-1500
www.iowashingtondc.com
Pepper Hamilton
600 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-2004
Phone: 202-220-1200
Fax: 202-220-1665
E-Mail: mandelle@pepperlaw.com
www.pepperlaw.com
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA
Comcast Sports Net
7700 Wisconsin Avenue
Phone: 301-718-3262
Fax: 301-718-3275
E-Mail: bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com
www.comcastsportsnet.com
S Families Magazine
www.familiesmagazines.com
TCI
5554 Port Royal Rd.
Springfield VA
Phone: 800-TCI-1001
www.tcicomm.com
Washington Post
www.WashingtonPost.com
COMMUNITY & ORGANIZATIONS
CAUSE
4601 President's Drive Suite 120
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: 301-731-0330
Fax: 301-731-5343
www.mcamw.org
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
1146 19th street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-207-0185
Fax: 202-207-0191
E-Mail: rwc@defenddemocracries.org
www.defenddemocracies.org
MADD
21991 Sunstone Court
Ashburn VA 20148
Melwood
5606 Dower House Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: 301-599-4519
Fax: 301-599-0180
E-Mail: jcreech@melwood.com
www.melwood.com
NARFE--National Active and Retired Federal Employees
606 N Washington Street
Alexandria VA 22314
Phone: 703-838-7760
www.narfe.org
National Kidney Foundation
5335 Wisconsin Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 202-244-7900
www.kidneywdc.org
Salvation Army
The more you do, the more we can do
6528 Little River Turnpike
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 703-642-9270
Fax: 703-642-3556
Volunteers of America
There are no limits to caring
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 800-948-1818
www.carshelpingpeople.org
COMPUTERS & BUSINESS EQUIPMENT
Geeks on Call
Make the Right Call.
Phone: 800-905-GEEK
www.Geeksoncall.com
IGSI - International Global Systems Inc.
Phone: 1-866-833-IGSI
E-Mail: fedgov@1igsi.com
www.goigsi.com
PC Retro.com
6901 A Distribution Dr. (Corp.)
Phone: 301-937-8440
Fax: 301-937-0601
www.pcretro.com
PlumChoice
Phone: 1-888-plumhelp
www.plumchoice.com
Zeroid Office Machines
5500 Cherokee Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 703-461-8383
Fax: 703-461-0292
www.zeroid.com
EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION
Fair Oaks Church and Academy
4601 West Ox Road
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-631-1112
Fax: 703-378-8139
E-Mail: info@fairoakschurch.org
www.fairoakschurch.org
www.fairoaksacademy.org
Regent University
1650 Diagonal Road
Alexandria, VA 22314-2857
Phone: Admissions Info - 866-734-3688
E-Mail: admissions@regent.edu
www.regent.edu
The College of William & Mary
11111 Sunset Hills Rd
Reston, VA
Phone: 703-547-2224
Fax: 703-935-0307
E-Mail: emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu
http://www.emba.wm.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
Choral Arts of Washington
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 603
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 202-244-3669
www.choralarts.org
Military District of Washington
Fort Leslie McNair
Phone: 202-685-4989
Fax: 202-685-1999
E-Mail: combsa@fmmc.army.milmil
Renditions Golf Course
1380 W Central Avenue
Davidsonville, MD 21035
Phone: 410-798-9798
Fax: 410-798-9788
www.renditionsgolf.com
FINANCIAL
A. Anderson Scott
51 Monroe Street Suite 1901 Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-424-7901
Fax: 301-424-7902
www.aasmg.com
The Collins Firm
7601 Lewinsville Road, Suite 400
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 1-877plannow
Fax: 703-748-3405
www.thecollinsfirm.com
Edelman Financial Services
12450 Fairlakes Circle
Phone: 703-818-0800
Fax: 703-818-1910
E-Mail: redelman@ricedelman.com
www.ricedelman.com
HarVest Bank of Maryland
Let's Us Help You Grow
15005 Shady Grove Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-838-4263
Fax: 301-838-4203
www.harvestbankofmd.com
James Monroe Bank
3033 Wilson Blvd
Arlington ,VA 22201
Phone: 703-524-8100
Fax: 703-524-8101
The Malone Financial Group
11710 Plaza America Drive Tower 2, Suite 20
Reston VA 20190
Phone: 703-796-9300
Fax: 703-796-6443
E-Mail: rmalone@fbw.com
www.fbw.com/branchreston.htm
The Mutual Fund Store
11095 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas
Phone: 913-579-5700
E-Mail: cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com
www.themutualfundstore.com
Mortgage Bankers Assoc
1919 Pennsylvania Ave, NW 8th Floor
Washington DC 20006
New Car Network
3273 Blue Heron Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-534-SAVE
Fax: 703-241-8861
Pinnacle Financial Corp
8230 Boone Blvd Suite 200
Vienna, Va 22182
Phone: 703-738-9358
Fax: 703-991-4524
E-Mail:
www.1800yeshome.net
www.pinnaclefinancial.com
Theirry Roche
4094 Majestic Lane #195
FairFax va 22033
E-Mail: trock@erols.com
West Financial
7315 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-941-9133
Fax: 301-941-9167
FOOD, BEVERAGE & DINING
Blackie's Restaurant
1217 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-333-1100
Fax: 202-331-7850
www.blackiesdc.com
Dante's Restaurant
1148 Walker Road
Great Falls, VA
Phone: 703-759-3131
I Ricchi Ristorante
1220 19th Street
NW Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-872-1220
E-Mail: crricchi@aol.com
NesCafe
Phone: 800-243-1100
www.nescafe.com
Normandie Farm
10710 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: 301-983-8838
Fax: 301-983-0752
E-Mail: chef47@msn.com
www.popovers.com
Outback Steakhouse
www.outback.com
Tahitian Noni Juice
www.tahitiannoni.com/1967216
Tony and Joe's Seafood Restaurant
At Washington Harbor, 3000 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-944-4545
Fax: 202-944-4587
www.dcseafood.com/TAJ/default.asp
Whole Foods
6015 Executive Blvd
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-984-2020
Fax: 301-984-2072
www.wholefoods.com
HOME & GARDEN
Infestation Control
14650 E Rothgeb Drive
Rockville,MD20850
Phone: 301-294-0800
Fax: 301-294-6106
Manor Works
www.manorworks.com
Merrifield Garden Center
Your merrifield of dreams
8132 Lee Hwy
Merrifield, VA 22116
Phone: 703-560-6222
Fax: 703-222-6959
E-Mail: fodebbie@aol.com
www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
Mid Atlantic Waterproofing
1040 West street
Laurel, MD 20707
Phone: 800-midatlantic
E-Mail: midatlantic@basements.com
www.basements.com
Offenbachers
A Store Full of Savings For A Season Full of Fun!
Phone: 301-340-9404
www.offenbachers.com
Regional Pest Management
Your 5 Star Service Company
Phone: 800-36-5-STAR
www.regionalpestmanagement.com
HOME REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION
Cabinet Discounters
9500 Berger Road
Phone: 1-800-THE-DREAM
www.cabinetdiscounters.com
Architectural Ceramic Paint
Never Paint Again
www.aceramicpaint.com
Courthouse Kitchen's & Bath
Phone: 888-getstyle
www.getstyle.com
Cropp Metcalfe
2816 Dorr Ave.
FairFax, VA 22031
Phone: 1-800-GOCROPP
www.croppmetcalfe.com
DeSantis Desgin
314 Victory Drive
Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: 703-437-0051
Fax: 703-437-0730
www.desantisdesigns.com
Desert Dry
401 East Jefferson Street, Suite 208
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 800-238-8805
Fax: 301-279-7721
www.nomorewater.com
Empire Today
333 Northwest Ave.
Northlake, IL 60164
Phone: 800-588-2300
www.empiretoday.com
Gutter Helmet
1121 Benfield Blvd.
Phone: 888-5-HELMET
Fax: 410-987-4194
www.harryhelmet.com
Procraft Liquid Siding
14702 Flint Lee Rd Suite G
Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 757-687-1700
Long Fence
8545 Edgeworth Dr.
Capital Heights, MD.
Phone: 800-917-LONG
www.LongFence.com
Roof Masters
Avoid Disasters Call Roof Masters
Phone: 301-365-5781
Fax: 301-365-5120
Roofdog@aol.com
Solatube Skylight
Phone: 301-330-2171
Fax: 410-403-4614
E-Mail: sales@solatubeskylight.com
www.solatubeskylight.com
St Josephs Roofing
11825 Waples Mill Rd
Oakton VA
Phone: 703-716-ROOF
E-Mail: sales@sjroof.com
www.sjroof.com
Steadfast Construction
Phone: 703-385-2525
Thompson Creek Window
Phone: 800-886-7274
www.thompsoncreek.com
MEDICAL & HEALTH
Dr. Edward Dougherty in Bethesda
Phone: 866-98-Relax
www.bethesdasedationdentistry.com
The Eye Center: Dr. Boutros
Phone: 888-846-2020
www.theeyecenter.com
Dr. Clinch
2 Wisconsin Circle
Phone: 877-DR-CLINCH
www.drclinch.com
Georgetown Hospital Center
Phone: 202-444-2000
www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org
Heart Check Washington DC
2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite LL-150
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 800-639-8378
E-Mail: info@heartcheck.com
www.heartcheckamerica.com
Hypnosis Wellness Center
1934 Old Gallows Road suite 402
Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: 703-883-9270
Fax: 703-987-3398
tony1winkler@yahoo.com
www.method1.net
McLean Sedation Dental Center and Spa
8270 Greensboro Drive
Phone: 703-827-9250
Fax: 703-845-0257
E-Mail: urchjm@aol.com
www.stepheneburchdds.com
VA. Hospital Center
1701N. George Mason Dr.
Arlington, VA.
Phone: 703-558-5000
www.VirginiaHospitalCenter.com
Washington Hospital Center
Phone: 202-877-DOCS
www.whcenter.org
MISCELLANEOUS
DC Lottery
2101 Martin Luther King Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20020
Phone: 202-645-8000
www.dclottery.com
Maryland Lottey
Let yourself play!
www.mdlottery.com
Pepco
www.pepco.com
Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Homes
Rockville & Bethesda Locations
7557 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-2200
E-Mail: pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com
www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com
Virginia Lottery
www.valottery.com
Virigina State Poilce H.E.A.T.
Phone: 1-800-947-HEAT
www.heatreward.com
Virigina State Police Insurance Fraud
Phone: 1-877-623-7283
www.stampoutfraud.com
REAL ESTATE
Brooke Grove Retirement Village
18100 Slade School Road
Phone: 301-924-2811
Fax: 301-924-1200
E-Mail: sfrazier@bgf.org
www.bgf.org
FairFax Ridge Condominiums
11301 Aristotle Drive
FairFax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-995-7000
Fax: 703-995-7001
www.fairFaxridgecondos.com
Palazzo at Park Center
4556 Strutfield Lane
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 703-682-6200
Fax: 703-682-6201
www.palazzoatparkcenter.com
Profitable Property
866-237-1382
www.profitableproperty.com/workshop
Realty Echange
4500 Martinwood Drive
Haymarket, VA 20169
Phone: 800-795-0769
Fax: 703-754-0754
E-Mail: bill@1031.us
www.1031.us
Stewart Agency, Inc. - Eric Stewart
795 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-424-0900
Fax: 301-424-9290
E-Mail: StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com
www.pointingyouhome.com
Th, eExchange At Van Dorn
4840 Eisnhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: 703-682-7600
Fax: 703-682-7601
www.exchangeatvandorn.com
The Marquis at Vienna Station
9480 Virginia Center Boulevard
Vienna, VA 22181
Phone: 703-995-6600
www.marquisatviennastation.com
The Savoy at Reston Town Center
12000 Market Street
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 571-262-8000
Fax: 571-262-8001
www.savoyreston.com
The Virginian
9229 Arlington Boulevard
FairFax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-385-0555
www.thevirginian.org
The Washington Real Estate Investors Assoc. Network
Phone: 866-217-4482
www.washingtonreianetwork.com
WC and AN Miller
now and forever
4701 Sangamore Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
Phone: 301-229-4000
Fax: 301-229-4015
www.wcanmiller.com
RETAIL & SHOPPING
Ann Hand Collection
4885 MacArthur Blvd
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-333-2979
Fax: 202-333-8862
E-Mail: info@annhand.com
www.annhand.com
Colony House
www.ColonyHouse.net
Continental Jewelers
1010 Connecticut Av. NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-833-3366
www.ContinentalJewelersDC.com
Cutting Edge Kiosks Inc
Phone: 888-225-2196
E-Mail: cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com
www.cuttingedgekiosks.com
Direct Jewelry Outlet
101 E. Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-5-DIAMOND
www.djo.com
Hot Spring Spas of Washington
1221 Nebel Street
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-770-1516
Fax: 301-770-3008
Jordan Kitts Music
9520 Baltimore Blvd
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: 301-513-1235
Fax: 301-474-3648
E-Mail: pottenritter@jordankitts.com
www.jordankitts.com
Mattress Discounters
Have a good nite sleep on us.
6808 220th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Fax: 425-774-8499
www.mattressdiscounters.com
Mervis Diamond Importers
1900 Mervis Way
Tysons Corner, VA
Phone: 703-448-9000
Fax: 703-848-2539
www.mervisdiamonds.com
PajamaGram
Phone: 1-800-givePJs
www.pajamagram.com
Select Comfort
What is your sleep Number?
Phone: 800-548-7231
www.selectcomfort.com
Shoppes of Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Phone: 301-881-3090
www.shoppesofbethesda.com
Purina One
Take the Purina One 30 Day Challenge
Phone: 800-630-MEOW
www.purinaone.com
Vermont Teddy Bear
Phone: 800-282-3131
www.vermontteddybear.com
TRAVEL & LODGING
Vacationspot.com
888-317-SPOT
www.Vacationspot.com
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 8/23/05
*
VERSE:
Patience in
Adversity
*
CAIR
Condemns
Robertson's Assassination Remarks
-
CAIR: One Standard on
Islam, Please (Wash Times)
-
CAIR:
Muslim Civil Rights Leader to Speak In Lexington
*
DC: Talk Host Fired Over Comments on Islam (Wash Times)
-
Graham Fired Over Islam Remarks (Wash Post)
*
Questioning the War in Iraq (Balt Sun)
*
TSA Should Profile Passenger Behavior, Not Looks (Wash Post)
*
CA: Dispelling Fears on 'Open Mosque Day' (LA Times)
-
MI: Don't Tie Islam's Name into Every Terrorist Act (Free Press)
-
Australian Muslims Pledge Action against Terrorism (AFP)
-
Muslim Boy Scouts: Duty, Honor and Allah (Time)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: PATIENCE IN ADVERSITY -
TOP
"All that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is
with God is everlasting. And most certainly shall We grant unto those
who are patient in adversity their reward in accordance with the best
that they ever did."
The Holy Quran, 16:96
-----
CAIR CONDEMNS ROBERTSON ASSASSINATION REMARKS -
TOP
U.S. Muslims call on leaders to condemn 'inciting and irresponsible rhetoric'
WASHINGTON D.C. (8/24/05) A prominent national Islamic civil rights and
advocacy organization today condemned remarks made by Christian
televangelist Pat Robertson advocating the assassination of Venezuelan
president, Hugo Chavez. In addition to his advocating assassination,
Robertson falsely claimed that Venezuela is now "a launching pad for
Communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over the continent."
"He has destroyed the Venezuelan economy and he is going to make that a
launching pad for Communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over
the continent," Robertson told his viewers on his 'The 700 Club' show
Monday.
He continued to say that: "&If he thinks we're trying to
assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do
it&"
In a statement today, CAIR said:
"True to form, Pat Robertson has crossed the line yet again. Not only
has he advocated violating federal law and international treaties by
calling for the assassination of a head of state, he somehow manages to
show his clear hatred of Muslims by stating that somehow Islam is
involved in the whole Venezuela issue.
"It is irresponsible that such comments are coming from someone who
self-righteously claims to have a high religious position. American
religious leaders should be a voice of moderation and peace, not a
voice of hatred and violence. America's image is damaged by such
inciting and irresponsible rhetoric, at a time when we are trying to
demand that other countries challenge their own religious extremists.
"We call on all religious and political leaders to project true
American values of tolerance and pluralism by condemning Robertson and
his hate speech."
Robertson has a long history of Islamophobic remarks. In 2002, he was
quoted as saying that Islam "is not a peaceful religion that wants to
coexist. They want to coexist until they can control, dominate and
then, if need be, destroy." As recently as May 2005, the Los Angeles
Times reported him as saying that he would be wary of appointing
Muslims to top positions in the U.S. government, including judgeships.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-415-0799 or
202-488-8787, Email: arsalan@cair-net.org Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or
202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
ONE STANDARD ON ISLAM, PLEASE -
TOP
Ibrahim Hooper, Washington Times, 8/22/05
http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20050821-103902-9638r_page2.htm
It is always interesting to hear right-wing commentators such as Joel
Mowbray demand an end to extremist views espoused by Muslims while at
the same time demanding the right of others to promote their own
extremist anti-Islam agendas. ("CAIR and Michael Graham," Op-Ed,
Thursday).
Mr. Mowbray seems to think the First Amendment is a one-way street. In
his world, talk-show hosts such as WMAL's Michael Graham have the
absolute right to label every Muslim on Earth as belonging to the
"terrorist organization" of Islam, while Muslims have no reciprocal
right to defend their faith and the safety of their families.
Many Muslims believe that hate-filled Islamophobic rhetoric on
talk-radio programs across the nation is fueling the ever-increasing
incidents of anti-Islamic bias, discrimination and hate crimes.
Reasoned debate on issues related to Islam, terrorism or any other
subject should be encouraged, but extremist anti-Muslim rhetoric such
as that used by Michael Graham only promotes prejudice, harms our
nation's image worldwide and serves as a recruiting tool for terrorists.
IBRAHIM HOOPER is the National communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C.
---
MUSLIM CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER TO SPEAK IN LEXINGTON -
TOP
Frank E. Lockwood, HERALD-LEADER, 8/20/05
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/12431219.htm
The co-founder of the nation's largest Islamic civil rights organization will speak in Lexington tonight.
Nihad Awad, 44, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, will help the group's Kentucky chapter celebrate its first
anniversary.
"CAIR is probably the most dynamic, effective Muslim organization in
America and that success is attributable mostly to Nihad," said Ihsan
Bagby, a University of Kentucky professor and a member of the Council's
board of directors.
Since launching CAIR in 1994, Awad has become a leading voice for the
Islamic community, testifying on Capitol Hill and appearing on CNN and
C-SPAN.
Quoted in papers around the world, he met with President Bush shortly
after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and personally delivered
aid to Oklahoma City after the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah
Federal Building.
Last month, Awad helped publicize a new fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling, denouncing terrorism.
Ashraf El-Ezz, vice chairman of CAIR's Kentucky chapter, says Awad is a good speaker who isn't easily rattled.
"He's a very mellow person ... He's not the kind of person who loses
his temper in interviews, and he's very well respected by the Muslim
community all over the country and even overseas," El-Ezz said.
Awad's speech is entitled "Common Ground in the Face of New Challenges."
This is his first appearance in Kentucky, a state with a growing Muslim
presence. An estimated 3,000-5,000 Muslims live in central Kentucky,
Lexington CAIR leaders say.
In its first year, CAIR Kentucky has organized sensitivity training
sessions for local law enforcement officials and journalists.The group
held a blood drive and donated food and clothing to the homeless in
collaboration with the Catholic Action Center.
CAIR has also made inroads with local educational and interfaith organizations, its leaders say.
Awad said his visit is a way to show support for the Kentucky chapter and to help boost the group's visibility.
"Needless to say, it's a challenging time, because our faith has been
misused by some people and our faith has been misunderstood by many
people," Awad said.
But education can help increase "mutual respect and understanding," he said. "Those who know more about Islam respect it more."
One thing Muslims and non-Muslims share is a deep patriotism, Awad
suggests. "We know our country, we love it and we're loyal to it," he
said.
-----
TALK HOST FIRED OVER COMMENTS ON ISLAM -
TOP
Chris Baker, Washington Times, 8/23/05
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050822-100712-5353r.htm
WMAL-AM (630) has fired conservative talk-show host Michael Graham,
three weeks after the ABC-owned radio station suspended him for calling
Islam a "terrorist organization."
Mr. Graham also has lost his gig, at least for now, as a panelist on
"Eye on Washington," the weekend political talk show produced by
WUSA-TV (Channel 9), the local CBS affiliate.
"The First Amendment and I have been evicted from ABC Radio," Mr. Graham said in a statement posted to a Web site Sunday night.
Mr. Graham described Islam as "a terrorist organization" 23 times
during the July 21 edition of his show, which WMAL aired weekdays
between 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
On July 25, he told listeners that "Islam is at war with America," "We
are at war with a terrorist organization called Islam," and "The
problem is not extremism. The problem is Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged WMAL to
discipline Mr. Graham and called on group members to contact WMAL
advertisers after the July 25 broadcast. At least one, Moore Cadillac
Hummer, wrote to the group to denounce Mr. Graham's statements, but did
not say it would pull its ads. . .
Rabiah Ahmed, a CAIR spokeswoman, said Mr. Graham "has the right to
have bigoted views, but the public has a right to live in a society
free of incitement." Mr. Graham's statements that CAIR has not
condemned terrorism are inaccurate, she added.
SEE ALSO:
TALK SHOW HOST GRAHAM FIRED BY WMAL OVER ISLAM REMARKS -
TOP
Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 8/23/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201255.html
Washington radio station WMAL-AM fired talk show host Michael Graham
yesterday after he refused to soften his description of Islam as "a
terrorist organization" on the air last month.
Graham had been suspended without pay from his daily three-hour show
since making his comments July 25. The station had conditioned his
return to the midmorning shift on reading a station-approved statement
in which Graham would have said that his anti-Muslim statements were
"too broad" and that he sometimes uses "hyperbole" in the course of his
program. WMAL also asked Graham to speak to the station's advertisers
and its employees about the controversy.
Graham said he would not apologize "for something that is true." (By Stephen Salpukas)
But Graham refused both conditions, prompting the station to drop him.
According to WMAL, Graham said "Islam is a terrorist organization" 23
times on his July 25 program. On the same show, he also said repeatedly
that "moderate Muslims are those who only want to kill Jews" and that
"the problem is not extremism. The problem is Islam."
The comments drew complaints and prompted an organized letter-writing
campaign against WMAL and its advertisers by a Muslim group, the
Council on American-Islam Relations (CAIR) of Washington. The protests
led several advertisers to ask WMAL to stop airing their ads during
Graham's weekday show, although the station says it didn't lose any
advertisers amid the controversy.
In a statement yesterday, Graham blamed CAIR for his firing and
defended his comments: "As a fan of talk radio, I find it absolutely
outrageous that pressure from a special interest group like CAIR can
result in the abandonment of free speech and open discourse on a talk
radio show."
Graham, in an interview last night, said he and the station had reached
an agreement on terms of his return last week, but the station called
back to withdraw. "It was a done deal," he said. "They revoked it
because, after further consideration, it didn't contain an apology. And
I will not apologize for something that is true."
Chris Berry, WMAL's president and general manager, disputed Graham's
characterization, saying in an interview that "no one involved in this
decision ever had any contact with anyone from CAIR." Instead, he said,
Graham was terminated because he violated station policy and
disregarded "management direction" to redress it.
Officials at WMAL, which is owned by the Walt Disney Co., had initially
declined to take disciplinary action against Graham, defending his
comments as part of the overheated rhetoric of talk radio. But that
stance began to change as complaints about Graham's remarks mounted.
Graham, 43, is one of several conservative talk hosts featured on the
station. WMAL (630 AM) also carries Rush Limbaugh's and Sean Hannity's
nationally syndicated radio shows. Graham's WMAL show is not syndicated.
The station had hoped to work out an agreement that would return Graham
to the air, Berry said, but it was evident by early yesterday that
Graham would not agree to the station's terms. He added in a statement:
"Some of Michael's statements about Islam went over the line -- and
this isn't the first time that he has been reprimanded for insensitive
language and comments. In this case, as previously, Michael's on-air
statements do not reflect the attitudes or opinions of station
management. I asked Michael for an on-air acknowledgment that some of
his remarks were overly broad, and inexplicably he refused." In 1999,
Graham was fired from a Charlotte station for saying that the killing
of athletes was a "minor benefit" of the Columbine shootings. He
apologized the next day.
CAIR applauded WMAL's decision. The organization had asked the station
for a retraction or an apology, but "we didn't get specific on what
[Graham] should say," said Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman. "We were
looking for an acknowledgment that his statements were anti-Muslim and
hateful, and harmful to our community and our country's image." (MORE)
-----
TIME TO BREAK THE SILENCE; QUESTIONING THE WAR IN IRAQ -
TOP
William E. Connolly, Baltimore Sun, 8/22/05
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.antiwar22aug22,1,355581.story
THE PROTEST by Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, Texas - while a wartime
president takes a five-week vacation - posed a difficult question. Why
was there a protest movement during that last quagmire in Vietnam but
no equivalent has emerged today? Ms. Sheehan clearly touched a nerve.
But, nonetheless, why, after thousands of Iraqis and Americans killed
and maimed, the increased risk of terrorism the war has fostered and
the high probability of a civil war in its wake, do so many Americans
remain quiet about this disaster?
I am not speaking about that percentage of the populace who defend the
hubris of the Bush administration no matter its cost in lives, safety,
money and noble American values. I am talking about those who now see
that it was a horrible mistake, for which we and others will pay for
generations.
Several reasons might be expressed for this silence. The first is that
many who now see how mistaken the invasion was think we are trapped in
a quagmire with no place to turn. There is, indeed, no easy way out,
which is why it is so important to hesitate before invading another
country.
But the United States could admit its mistake, beg forgiveness from the
world, ask the United Nations to create a peacekeeping force and pledge
a few hundred billion dollars to help fund that effort. That, it's
arguable, would improve upon existing policy. Other alternatives also
could be considered.
But many refuse even to entertain such a possibilities. Why? Inside the
judgment that there is no way out, a second hesitation simmers. (MORE)
-----
TSA SHOULD PROFILE PASSENGER BEHAVIOR, NOT LOOKS -
TOP
William Raspberry, Washington Post, 8/22/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/21/AR2005082100974.html
WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Security Administration, having
rendered cockpit crews less vulnerable to hijackers by strengthening
the cockpit doors, is now (1) reviewing its list of items passengers
may not bring aboard, (2) proposing to minimize the number of
passengers who have to be patted down at checkpoints and (3) taking
another look at the rule that requires most passengers to remove their
shoes.
It is an encouraging move toward common sense.
This isn't: A gaggle of voices is proposing -- almost as though
responding to the same memo from some malign Mr. Big -- that the TSA
replace its present random-search policy with massive racial and ethnic
profiling.
After all, they argue, weren't the 9/11 terrorists all young Muslim
men? Isn't it likely that the next terrorist attack will be carried out
by young Muslim men? So why waste time screening white-haired
grandmothers and blue-suited white guys? Much more efficient to tap the
shoulder of any young man who looks Muslim -- a category that covers
not just Arabs but also Asians, Africans and, increasingly,
African-Americans.
It must have been just such sweet reason that led to the internment of
thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Even Andrew C.
McCarthy of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies -- and one of
the advocates of profiling -- acknowledges that the Japanese
internments were excessive. But only, he says in the current issue of
National Review, because "they included American citizens of Japanese
descent; there was nothing objectionable in principle about holding
Japanese, German or Italian nationals."
That distinction doesn't hold up in the case of airport profiling,
since there's no way visually to distinguish between a Saudi citizen
and an Arab-American. The profilers wouldn't even try.
Actually, anyone who's ever been inconvenienced by security checks --
whether as trivial as having to give up a fingernail clipper or as
serious as having to take a later flight -- will see some merit in the
case for profiling. Can't they see that I'm just a guy trying to get
from here to there, while that fellow over there looks like he could be
a hijacker?
One trouble with that line is that the obviously innocent tend to look
a lot like ourselves, while the clearly suspect tend to look like the
other fellow. Which is why so many Middle-Eastern looking men (and
Sikhs) were stopped and frisked in the days just after 9/11 -- and why
at least one member of President Bush's Secret Service detail was
thrown off an airliner. (MORE)
-----
DISPELLING FEARS ON 'OPEN MOSQUE DAY' -
TOP
Robin Fields and David Haldane, Los Angeles Times, 8/22/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mosque22aug22,1,2960638.story?coll=la-headlines-california
Ayisha Macauley pointed to her veil and to the black \o7abaya\f7 that covered her from neck to toe.
Then, in a voice choked with emotion, she appealed for understanding to
about five dozen members and visitors who had assembled Sunday morning
at the Omar Ibn Al Khattab mosque.
"I dress this way for Allah ... not because I'm oppressed," she said.
"I have more power in my house than my husband. Please explain to
people who don't understand why we dress this way."
The gathering at the downtown Los Angeles mosque was part of the third
annual Open Mosque Day, during which about 25 mosques throughout
Southern California invited non-Muslims to share in Islamic prayers,
food and literature.
But as Macauley's plea underscored, the initiative to dispel myths and
fears about Islam has taken on new urgency in recent days. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DON'T TIE ISLAM'S NAME INTO EVERY TERRORIST ACT -
TOP
Victor Ghalib Begg, Detroit Free Press, 8/22/05
http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/ebegg22e_20050822.htm
The media must refuse to promote material maligning a race, religion,
ethnicity or nationality in the name of freedom of expression.
Recently, a local newspaper featured a political cartoon which used
Islamic symbols to satirize an Imam condoning the London terror
bombings. Another cartoonist depicted a Hispanic coming to America
solely with the intention of benefiting from our welfare system.
Such humor does not always bring laughter. In both cases, the
respective communities responded with strong indignation and protest.
When the media paint a community with a broad brush, knowingly or
unknowingly, for the evils of a few, the entire community then feels
compelled to respond.
American media attract global attention when our leaders speak out on
issues through our newspapers, magazines, on radio talk shows, through
the Internet and on TV. And the world understands that it is not a very
sensible expression of facts to call the IRA "Catholic terrorists" or
the abortion clinic bomber a "Baptist terrorist."
But, it should equally be common sense not to name suicide bombers,
whether in London, Israel or in New York, Islamic terrorists -- these
terrorists do not and must not be allowed to represent 1.3 billion
faithful. Furthermore, Islamic leadership should not have to issue
religious edicts denouncing such acts when an average Muslim has
nothing to do with it.
Should we ask the pope to apologize for the IRA or have local Catholic
communities come forward with statements denouncing IRA bombings in
London? Do we constantly harass American fundamentalist Christian
leadership to be sorry for the acts of Timothy McVeigh, David Koresh
and Eric Rudolph? (MORE)
---
AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS PLEDGE ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM -
TOP
Agence France Presse, 8/23/05
CANBERRA - Australia's mainstream Muslim leaders Tuesday pledged to
defend the country against Islamic terrorism, disowned Osama bin Laden
and accepted differences with the government over the Iraq war.
The commitment came at a meeting Prime Minister John Howard called with
14 Islamic leaders after last month's London bombings by British-born
Muslims raised fears of similar violence from disaffected members of
Australia's small Islamic community.
Howard and the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic
Councils, Ameer Ali, told a joint news conference that delegates had
agreed on their loyalty to Australia and their rejection of terrorism.
The prime minister said there was "a concern that a small section of
the Islamic community of this country could be the source of terrorism.
"The important thing coming out of this meeting is that we all agree on that and we need to work together."
Howard was criticised ahead of the talks for refusing to invite more
radical Islamic leaders to participate, but said he did not want to
"provide a forum for fanatics."
Asked whether the Muslim delegates had denounced Al-Qaeda leader Osama
bin Laden -- once described by an uninvited radical cleric as a "good
man" -- Howard and Ali said this was implied by the rejection of
terrorism.
"No one supports him," Ali said, describing the cleric's comment as "stupid." (MORE)
---
DUTY, HONOR AND ALLAH -
TOP
Jeff Chu, Time, 8/29/05
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096510,00.html
What's up, Jihad?" Shamez Hemani was waiting in line to try out the
shotguns at the National Scout Jamboree earlier this month when, he
says, a white kid behind him asked that question. Shamez, 14, and four
fellow scouts--all sons of Pakistani immigrants and members of
all-Muslim Troop 797 in Houston--stood frozen for a couple of seconds.
"Then we asked him what he said," Shamez says. "We were like, 'Do you
know what it means?' And he was like, 'No.' He apologized. After you
talk to them, you realize that it's not intentional--just ignorance."
Not that it makes such jibes easier to take. "But the pressure is
something you have to live with," Shamez says, "if you want to change
the way people think about you."
Most people probably think of the Boy Scouts of America as a Christian
group--and not a particularly inclusive one, a reputation earned in
part through its efforts to keep out gays, atheists and agnostics. But
the Scouts insists it is open and diverse, especially in matters of
faith. The Boy Scout oath includes a pledge to "do my best to do my
duty to God and my country" but doesn't specify which god. There are
Jewish, Hindu, Mormon and Baha'i scouts. There are Muslim scouts too,
and for at least 20 years there have been all-Muslim troops in the U.S.
Like boys in most other troops, Muslim scouts camp and plan
badge-earning activities together, but over the past four years, those
boys have also had to negotiate a different kind of obstacle course,
one for which there is no official award. "We're just average American
boys doing average American activities," says Troop 797 scout Rehman
Muhammad, 13. "But after Sept. 11, we also have to be ambassadors of
our faith."
Both Muslim scouts in non-Muslim troops and those in the growing number
of troops sponsored by Islamic schools and mosques say negative
comments from other kids about Islam are routine. "Someone called me
Saddam yesterday," says Omar Abbasi, 13, of Totowa, N.J., the only
Muslim in his troop. Salman Mukhi, 13, of Troop 797 says that on the
bus to the jamboree, some non-Muslims "copied us when we prayed and
were sort of jeering at us. It wasn't serious. We explained to them
that they shouldn't do that. But sometimes it's just easier to hang out
with each other."
There are now all-Muslim scout packs and troops in at least 22 states,
involving more than 2,000 scouts and leaders. They can be found in big
cities like Chicago and Atlanta, centers of the Arab-American community
such as Dearborn, Mich., and smaller towns like Pottsville, Pa., and
Rochester, Minn. Khadija Fuad started a troop last fall at the Islamic
School of Louisville, Ky., even though her son Hussein also belongs to
what she describes as a "very inclusive" troop at a Baptist church. "I
wanted to get more people involved," she says of the new all-Muslim
troop. "I thought we could concentrate on Islamic issues and do things
our own way."
In addition to the merit badges that all scouts can earn in such areas
as cooking and plumbing, Muslim scouts can pursue special emblems by
studying Islamic history and theology and performing faith-related
community service. When the National Islamic Committee on Scouting
began awarding emblems about 15 years ago, it gave out two or three a
year; now it averages 75 to 80. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/24/04
*
HADITH:
The Best Act of
Worship
*
GA:
Islam in
the Class; Religious Base Adds To Lessons (AJC)
-
Muslims Seek Days off School
(AJC)
*
CA:
Bank Solicitation Letter Addressed To "Palestinian Bomber"
- FL:
Worker Upset by Threats in Notes (Miami Herald)
*
IL: Harvard Panel Offers Olive Branch to Muslims (Chicago Trib)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE BEST ACT OF WORSHIP -
TOP
Narrated Aisha: "Once the Prophet (Muhammad) came while a woman was
sitting with me. He said, 'Who is she?' I replied, 'She is so and so,'
and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly, "Do
(good) deeds that are within your capacity (without being overtaxed),
because God does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you
will get tired. The best (act of worship) in the sight of God is that
which is done regularly."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith 41
-----
ISLAM IN THE CLASS; RELIGIOUS BASE ADDS TO LESSONS -
TOP
Sheila Poole, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 8/24/05
http://nl.newsbank.com/nojavascript.html
Safiyyah Shahid has practically raised her family in the Mohammed
Schools of Atlanta. Six children have attended the school in southeast
Atlanta and four grandchildren are enrolled now.
Not far away in Midtown is the Dar-Un-Noor School, which means "House
of Light" in Arabic. There, slightly more than 200 students represent
27 countries including China, Pakistan, Ghana and Kuwait.
Both schools have decidedly different flavors but one thing in common: Islam.
They're among a handful of private schools in metro Atlanta --- most
located near and affiliated with masjids --- that have been established
to address the educational needs of Muslim students. In addition to the
core subjects of history, social studies, math and science taught in
every school, students also receive a solid foundation in Islamic
studies, the Quran and Arabic.
"Here they get a greater appreciation of who they are as Muslims and as
African-Americans," said Shahid, director and principal of the
predominantly African-American Mohammed Schools, which includes
pre-kindergarten, elementary and high school. "In this school and in
our religion, everybody has something they can give back to society and
each of us has a goal that God turns us toward. For us, the message is
one of humanity."
Here, no one stands out because of their religion.
It's not unusual to see girls wearing head scarves or hijabs. Everyone
observes Ramadan, a monthlong period of fasting, prayer and
contemplation. Students participate in Zuhr, afternoon prayers.
Non-Muslim students and teachers can use the time for quiet reflection.
That's a big relief to 12-year-old Kassim Kayad, who attended public
school for two years before coming to Dar-Un-Noor. At his old school,
said Kassim, whose family is from Somalia, other students treated him
differently. They poked fun at the food he brought for lunch; they
didn't understand when he took time for prayers.
"They don't want to talk to you," he said. "Your friends don't understand you. You're usually by yourself when you do homework."
Another student, Mahad Elmi, said he enjoys learning about the Quran,
Islam's holy book, and Arabic, subjects that weren't taught in public
school. His father, he said, works hard and doesn't have the time to
teach him. Now, he can learn in a school with other Muslim students.
Karen Keyworth, co-founder and director of education for the Islamic
Schools' League of America, a virtual organization that seeks to link
Islamic school teachers and administrators, estimates the number of
Islamic schools in the United States has grown from 50 in 1987 to 220.
While some have been around for decades, many are just reaching the
10-year mark.
Their growth, she said, has coincided with the growth of the Muslim
population in the United States. In 2001, there were more than a
million Muslims living in the United States, according to the American
Religious Identification Survey conducted by the City University of New
York. But organizations such as the Washington-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations say the number is much higher --- between 5
million and 7 million. Much of that growth, experts say, is being
fueled by an influx of immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries .
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
MUSLIMS SEEK DAYS OFF SCHOOL -
TOP
Eunice Moscoso, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 8/24/05
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/atlanta_world_34b02d2c043f105f0099.html
Washington --- Muslim parents around the nation are lobbying school
districts to add Islamic holidays to the school year, or at least
persuade schools not to penalize students for missing school to observe
their religion.
Others are asking school districts to let children off early on Fridays
or have some time designated during the school day for students to get
together for Juma'ah, the most important Muslim prayer of the week.
"It is something that is becoming more and more common as the Muslim
population grows and people become aware of their rights," said Rabiah
Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a
civil rights and advocacy group based in Washington.
"Juma'ah is a bona fide religious practice. It is one of the pillars of our religion."
In Baltimore County, Md., Muslim groups have engaged in a yearlong
effort to add the Islamic sacred observances of Eid al-Fitr and Eid
al-Adha to the school's calendar.
Schools in the district close for the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and
for the traditional winter break that coincides with Christmas, but the
Islamic holidays are not recognized.
So far, the quest has not been fruitful.
Other school districts, meanwhile, are struggling to accommodate the
religious requests, often worried about academic pressures and the
constitutional separation of church and state.
Eric Segall, a professor of law at Georgia State College of Law and a
First Amendment expert, said that schools have no general legal
obligation to satisfy religious requests.
He said that having Muslim students get together for Friday Juma'ah
prayers on school property does not violate constitutional church-state
separation, as long as a teacher is uninvolved.
-----
BANK SOLICITATION LETTER ADDRESSED TO "PALESTINIAN BOMBER" -
TOP
Brenda Gazzar, Daily Bulletin, 8/24/05
http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%257E21481%257E3023240,00.html
CORONA - Palestinian-American Sami Habbas couldn't believe what he saw
while sifting through his mail earlier this month. A Chase Card
Services solicitation letter sent to his Corona home was addressed to
him not by name but as "Palestinian Bomber" on the envelope and twice
within the letter.
When he called the company's toll-free number and provided his
invitation number from the form, two operators addressed Habbas in
similar ways.
"Yes, Mr. Bomber, what can I do for you?"
For the 54-year-old Habbas, who has lived in the United States since he
was 3 and served in the U.S. Army, the incident was disturbing, to say
the least.
"I'm in a state of shock" said Habbas, who runs a local grocery store
and has four grown children. "I don't know if someone is watching me or
what it is about. Why would they refer to me like that?"
Chase Card Services, the Delaware-based credit card line of JPMorgan
Chase & Co., said it was conducting a thorough investigation of the
"inappropriately" addressed letter.
"The information on the letter was obtained from a list purchased by
Chase from a vendor," a statement from Chase Card Services Executive
Vice President Kelly J. Presta said.
"Although no Chase employee was involved in creating this information,
we are embarrassed by this incident and regret that our automatic
screening procedures did not catch this erroneous information."
Habbas doesn't know why he would be singled out or how anyone would know that he was of Palestinian heritage.
A Muslim-American born in the West Bank, Habbas said he is not involved in any organizations that would indicate his heritage.
"It's very upsetting," he said. "I'm not what they are saying, a
Palestinian bomber. That's uncalled for. I have a name. My name is Sami
Habbas."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on Chase to not
only investigate but to issue an apology to Habbas and compensate him
"for the harassment he has suffered as a result of his ethnic
background."
"The most important thing is to make sure this doesn't happen again, to
any American, regardless of their race or religion," said Sabiha Khan,
spokeswoman for CAIR-Southern California. (MORE)
SEE ALSO
WORKER UPSET BY THREATS IN NOTES -
TOP
Janette Neuwahl, Miami Herald, 8/24/05
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/12458602.htm
Ziad Ismail, a Palestinian man who sells cars in Deerfield Beach, said
he tried for months to ignore the ethnic slurs directed toward him by
colleagues at work before contacting police.
But on Friday, Ismail left the dealership where he works and found a
note wedged under his car's windshield wiper that read ''to Gaza or
death.'' The 50-year-old Coral Springs resident decided to call police.
Then, on Sunday, Ismail found another note that stated, ''You must quit or go to Jerusalem,'' and he called the police again.
Each of the paper messages included letters cut out from magazines, so no handwriting could be traced, police reports indicate.
Ismail waited for Broward Sheriff's Office deputies to investigate and
told the management at his office, King Motor Co. of South Florida,
about the incident. On Monday, a shaken Ismail returned to work, where
he sells Suzukis, Hyundais and Saturns, he said. . .
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, D.C.-based
civil rights group, is also looking into Ismail's complaint, said the
organization's Florida legal advisor, Areeb Naseer.
------
HARVARD PANEL OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH TO MUSLIMS -
TOP
Carolyn Starks, Chicago Tribune, 8/24/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/nearnorthwest/chi-0508240239aug24,1,3478021.story?coll=chi-newslocalnearnorthwest-hed
After a plan to bring an Islamic boarding school to Harvard was
rejected by the City Council and neighbors who hired an attorney to
block it, some residents reached out to the Muslim foundation recently
with a unique offer.
The Harvard Human Relations Commission, working with a local real
estate agent, sent the Ibrahim Educational Foundation listings of four
properties for sale in town and asked the group to give the city
another chance.
Janie Galarza, chairwoman of the commission, said she felt the city
treated the Muslims poorly and wants them to know that many residents
would welcome their school. It was just a matter of finding the right
location, she said.
"We want them to come back," said Galarza, adding that each of the four
properties has more than 10 acres, a city requirement for schools. "I
felt they were treated badly at the meetings. Don't make people feel
attacked just because they are different."
Originally, Hamid and Mazher Ahmed of Batavia, who sit on the
foundation's board, wanted to buy a vacant brick church that sits at
the end of Old Orchard Road, a winding street in a residential
neighborhood. Mayor Jay Nolan lives across the street from the church.
Expecting some opposition, the Ahmeds held an open house at the church
in April and invited neighbors to meet with them, but no one showed up.
A few weeks later, however, about 70 neighbors and residents packed a
public hearing, with an attorney to oppose the plan to convert the
church and its parsonage into a boarding school for Muslim boys.
Mazher Ahmed said she was grateful for the new offer but is reluctant
to return to Harvard. The Ahmeds are looking for a more pastoral
setting for their school, now located in Chicago, but a new location
has not been found.
"The first time we were quite naive," Mazher Ahmed said of the
foundation's foray into Harvard politics. "Once bitten, twice shy.
"It's not that we ran away or didn't have a choice. The whole point
came down to, will it be good to be in that spot and have the whole
neighborhood unhappy?" (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/25/05
*
VERSE: God Is With
You
*
CAIR:
Offer
To 'Mr. Bomber' No Joke, Man Finds (AP)
-
CAIR: Fired Host Gets A KFI
Shift (LA Times)
*
U.S. Muslim Leader
Seeks Bush's Support (AP)
*
MI: Visiting Cleric
Draws A Crowd (Free Press)
*
NJ:
As
Chaperones Hover, Single Muslims Look For Love (Newshouse)
-
CA: Milestone For Muslims (OC
Register)
*
RCMP
Man Thought U.S. Would Send Maher Arar To Syria (CP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD IS
WITH YOU -
TOP
"It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, then
firmly established Himself on the throne of authority. He knows all that
enters the earth and all that emerges from it, all that comes down from
Heaven and all that ascends to it; and He is with you wherever you
are."
The Holy Quran, 57:4
-----
OFFER TO 'MR.
BOMBER' NO JOKE, MAN FINDS -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/25/05
http://www.freep.com/news/nw/terror-box125e_20050825.htm
CORONA, Calif. -- The address was his, but the name on the credit-card
offer took Sami Habbas by surprise.
It read: "Palestinian Bomber."
And the letter inside the envelope was addressed to ... who else?
"Dear Palestinian Bomber."
"I thought it was a joke or something," said Habbas, 54, a
Palestinian American who served in the U.S. Army and has lived in the
United States since he was 3. "I'm not what they are saying. ... I
have a name."
When Habbas called the company issuing the offer, JPMorgan Chase &
Co., an operator greeted him: "Yes, Mr. Bomber, what can we do for
you?"
Chase Card Services, the Delaware-based credit card line of JPMorgan
Chase & Co., said it doesn't know how that name was attached to
Habbas' address but will investigate.
"It just hurt me to think I am discriminated against in my own
backyard," Habbas said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., has asked
Chase for a formal apology.
SEE ALSO:
FIRED HOST GETS A KFI SHIFT -
TOP
Martin Miller, Los Angeles Times, 8/25/05
http://www.calendarlive.com/printedition/calendar/qtakes/cl-wk-kfi26aug25,0,6399890.story
Michael Graham, a talk show host who was fired this week from a
Washington, D.C., radio station for refusing to apologize for calling
Islam a "terrorist organization," is slated to return to the
airwaves Friday night on KFI-AM (640) in Los Angeles.
Graham, 43, is scheduled to be a one-time fill-in for KFI host John
Ziegler, whose program runs from 7 to 10 p.m.
Graham's controversial remarks about Islam on WMAL-AM last month came
under attack from Muslim groups.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil
rights group in the country, called his statements hateful and organized
a letter-writing campaign to the station and its advertisers.
"It's unfortunate, but not a surprise that he's back on the
air," said Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Washington,
D.C.-based CAIR. "He wasn't the first radio talk show host to make
such hateful, bigoted remarks and we doubt he will be the last."
(MORE)
-----
U.S. MUSLIM LEADER
SEEKS BUSH'S SUPPORT -
TOP
KEN KUSMER, Associated Press, 8/25/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-muslims-bush,0,6555195.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines
PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- A leading U.S. Muslim group called on President Bush
Wednesday to show his support for mainstream Islam in this country and
worldwide by meeting with the group next week in Chicago.
Bush could make a powerful statement to the world's 1.2 billion Muslims
by appearing at the annual meeting of the Islamic Society of North
America, just as he showed his support for adherents of the religion when
he visited a Washington mosque a few days after the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks, said Sayyid Syeed, the group's secretary
general.
ISNA, an umbrella organization of largely immigrant Muslim organizations
and mosques in the United States and Canada, will attract tens of
thousands of Muslims to Chicago for its annual meeting over Labor Day
weekend.
Syeed told The Associated Press in an interview that ISNA, based outside
Indianapolis, has invited Bush to speak each year since he became
president.
"His coming to Chicago would send a powerful message to the Muslim
world and the world at large that America's fight is not against Islam,
it is not against Muslims, it is against extremism and terrorism,"
Syeed said.
Next week's meeting follows a recent fatwa, or religious edict, by U.S.
Muslim scholars condemning terrorism, and the convention will include
other steps to check the spread of Muslim extremism and terrorism in this
country, Syeed said.
The Associated Press left a message with the White House press office
Wednesday afternoon seeking reaction to Syeed's comments.
The Bush administration will be represented at the ISNA meeting by Karen
Hughes, a Bush confidante who recently was confirmed as undersecretary of
state for public diplomacy. Her tasks include improving the U.S. image in
Muslim countries.
-----
VISITING CLERIC DRAWS A CROWD
-
TOP
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8/23/05
http://www.freep.com/news/religion/hakim23e_20050823.htm
As Iraqis haggle over a new constitution, one of that country's top
Shi'ite leaders is traveling across the United States this week to
convince politicians and Iraqi Americans that his group supports minority
rights and regional autonomy.
Amar al-Hakim, 31, a cleric whose father heads the Shi'ite bloc in Iraq's
parliament, spoke in Dearborn and Southfield over the weekend, met with
Democratic U.S. Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan and addressed hundreds of
local Iraqis in crowded mosques and churches.
He is expected to visit Iraqis in California later this week.
Hakim is revered among local Shi'ites as the future head of a family
whose words and actions hold great influence among many Muslims. His
message in Michigan is that Iraq can show the world that Islam is a
religion of tolerance, peace and democracy. Christians and other Iraqi
minorities should have the right to worship as they please in the new
Iraq, he said.
At the same time, he said, any new constitution and government should
reflect Iraq's unique culture and history.
"Democracy is not something that is forced," Hakim said after a
talk inside a Dearborn mosque Sunday. "It is something that comes
from within the people."
His visit comes as Shi'ites, who make up the majority of Iraq's
population, are negotiating with Kurds and Sunnis over the country's new
constitution. (MORE)
-----
AS
CHAPERONES HOVER, SINGLE MUSLIMS LOOK FOR LOVE -
TOP
Jeff Diamont, Newshouse News Service, 8/25/05
EDISON, N.J. -- Islam forbids unsupervised dating, so the recent
gathering of young, unmarried Muslims in the banquet hall of an Edison
restaurant was billed not as a singles party but as a weightier Muslim
Matrimonial Event.
The modern "speed-dating" technique was blended with old
religious practices, giving it an Islamic twist with clear rules:
Chaperones would roam while the 100 unmarried "candidates" got
to know each other through small group talks. An imam would lecture on
how the prophet Muhammad valued marriage. There would be a break for
evening prayer.
The singles -- 56 women, 44 men -- would take notes to keep track of the
candidates each would meet. And there would be little subtlety about the
reason they were there.
"If you don't take notes, there will be no follow-up,"
organizer Khalid Ozair gently chided after the first few rounds of
conversation. "And that will defeat the purpose of this
event.
"We want follow-up, and we want, inshallah (God willing), that
people should get married as a result of this event."
Nervous laughter from the candidates followed, but most of them --
doctors, teachers, computer programmers, engineers and business people
who have lived in the United States most of their lives -- had the same
wish, to marry someone of their faith.
"I'm interested in marrying someone who is Muslim, someone who has
strong faith," said Ali Qureshi, 32, of Manhattan. "Along with
that comes someone who has similar morals and values, which is
important."
Muslim gatherings like this have sprouted up around the country in the
last few years because finding good matches for religious American
Muslims remains difficult, singles say.
SEE ALSO:
MILESTONE FOR MUSLIMS -
TOP
Ann Pepper, Orange County Register, 8/25/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/08/24/sections/news/article_645952.php
A 38-foot minaret was hoisted Tuesday atop the newly completed Omar Al
Farouk Mosque at the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim. It is
covered in a 1,200-year-old pattern created from Moroccan tiles.
Traditionally, minarets are used to call the faithful to prayer and are
the most widely recognized symbol of an Islamic house of worship. About
170,000 Muslims live in Orange County, with many living in the Anaheim
area. About 1,200 are part of the community around the IIOC.
The minaret:
Height: 38 feet. The mosque is 66 feet from ground to top and will
measure 72 feet when the crescent-moon spire is added to the
minaret.
Width: 10 feet at the bottom, tapering to 7 feet at the top
Weight: 49,000 pounds
Number of tiles: At least 10,000 covering 42 panels
Origin of tiles: Morocco
Cost: $250,000 donated by an anonymous benefactor
Traditional use: Towers from which the call to prayer is given
-----
RCMP
MAN INSISTS HE NEVER THOUGHT U.S. WOULD SEND MAHER ARAR TO SYRIA -
TOP
JIM BROWN, Canadian Press, 8/25/05
http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n082327A
OTTAWA (CP) - A key RCMP player in the Maher Arar affair says he never
suspected, despite some apparent hints from U.S. authorities, that the
Americans were going to deport Arar to Syria in the fall of
2002.
Sgt. Rick Flewelling acknowledged at a public inquiry Tuesday that he
discussed the fact that Arar was a dual Syrian-Canadian national with a
U.S. official. He added that the American wanted to know whether Arar
could be denied entry to Canada if he tried to return to this
country.
He also wanted to know whether the Mounties had enough evidence to charge
him with any terrorist offence.
Flewelling told his U.S. contact no on both points; Arar could not be
barred from entering Canada and could not be charged with
anything.
At the time, said Flewelling, he thought he was clearing the way for
Arar's release from detention in New York and his return home.
"I honestly thought that (it) would assist him in him coming back to
Canada," he told the inquiry headed by Justice Dennis
O'Connor.
But Paul Cavalluzzo, the chief counsel to the commission, suggested the
kind of questions being asked by the Americans should have raised red
flags in Ottawa.
He argued that, faced with a choice between setting Arar free in Canada
and sending him to Syria, the country of his birth, the U.S. could be
expected to choose Syria.
That would be in keeping with an overall American policy of
"cleaning the streets" of suspected terrorists by taking them
out of circulation in any way possible, said Cavalluzzo.
"Isn't there a signal here to you?" he demanded of
Flewelling.
"I didn't take it as a signal, no," the Mountie
replied.
Cavalluzzo continued to press.
"You didn't interpret that to mean: 'You know what? I think these
guys may want to send him to Syria.' "
Again Flewelling insisted that possibility never dawned on him, adding
he'd never heard of U.S. authorities deporting someone to a third
country.
"It did not occur to me at all . . . . It never crossed my mind one
bit."
Arar had been detained in New York in late September as he flew home to
Canada from Tunisia. After 13 days in custody he was sent to Syria, where
he says he was tortured into false confessions of terrorist activity,
including training in Afghanistan and ties to Al Qaida.
The inquiry is looking into the role played by Canadian officials in the
affair. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/26/05
*
VERSE: What
Is Right and Just
*
CAIR-OH:
Robertson's
Words Draw Rebukes from Faith Leaders
-
Don't Judge
Islam, Christianity by Extremists (Lexington Herald)
*
TX:
Muslim
Comedy Trio Brings Its Act to Richardson (Morning News)
*
CA: A New
Welcoming Spirit in the Mosque (Newsweek)
*
Russia's Tatars
Turning to Islamic Roots (AP)
-
Muslim
Banned From US Heading For Oxford (AFP)
*
U.S.
Reliance on Military Wrong Tactic (AJC)
-
Minority
Residents in London Say Police Harassment on Rise (Wash
Post)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY:
WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST -
TOP
"It is not your wealth nor your children that will bring you nearer
to Us. Only those who attain to faith and do what is right and just (come
near to Us.) For them, there will be a double reward for their deeds and
in high mansions shall they live in peace."
The Holy Quran, 34:37
-----
CAIR-OH:
ROBERTSON'S WORDS DRAW REBUKES FROM FAITH LEADERS -
TOP
Felix Hoover, Columbus Dispatch, 8/26/05
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/
His apology notwithstanding, televangelist Pat Robertson's call for the
assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has tarnished America's
image abroad, many Ohio religious leaders and scholars said.
"Those of us of the Christian faith adamantly and completely reject
the suggestion that leaders of foreign countries should be
assassinated," said Alvin R. Hadley, executive director of the
Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council.
Robertson's remarks included an assertion that Venezuela is "a
launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over
the continent."
Ahmad Al-Akhras, executive director of the Ohio Chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, sees a double standard at work.
"We are demanding for other countries to denounce their fringe
religious leaders and not to propagate this kind of rhetoric," he
said.
SEE ALSO:
DON'T JUDGE
ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY BY EXTREMISTS -
TOP
Lexington Herald Leader, 8/26/05
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/editorial/12480532.htm
Few conservative political and religious leaders have condemned the Rev.
Pat Robertson's call for assassinating Venezuela's leader to prevent him
from using the country as a "launching pad for communistic
infiltration and Muslim extremism."
The televangelist first denied saying it and then apologized. But an
apology has never stopped conservative groups from demanding redress from
anyone they consider guilty of hate speech.
The irony of Robertson's statement is that it occurred at a time when
American Islamic groups are taking a strong stance against
violence.
So far, more than 174 national organizations, mosques and Islamic centers
have signed a religious edict or fatwa against terrorism -- something
conservatives argue that they should do forcefully.
The July 28 statement by the Islamic religious council representing North
America, says the Quran forbids violence targeting civilians and
cooperating with anyone involved in it. Working with law enforcement to
protect the lives of civilians is a religious and civic duty, the fatwa
says.
One signee is the Council of American-Islamic Relations, a civil
liberties group that has a chapter in Lexington. On Saturday, the local
chapter celebrated its first year at a dinner also attended by Jewish and
Christian religious leaders.
The local group has worked to educate the media, law enforcement and
schools about the Muslim faith. It is also planning community service
projects with local churches.
The goal is to break down stereotypes that create distrust and breed
hostilities.
In that light, CAIR condemned Robertson's comments: "America's image
is damaged by such inciting and irresponsible rhetoric at a time when we
are trying to demand that other countries challenge their own religious
extremists."
The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of
Evangelicals, did condemn Robertson's comments. The Colorado pastor is
worried that the comments would increase the danger for missionaries in
Venezuela.
"Pat doesn't speak for evangelicals any more than Dr. Phil speaks
for mental-health professionals," Haggard told The Philadelphia
Inquirer.
How odd. That's precisely the point Muslim groups try to make about
extremists who distort Islam.
-----
MUSLIM
COMEDY TRIO BRINGS ITS ACT TO RICHARDSON -
TOP
Jeffrey Weiss, Dallas Morning News, 8/27/05
It sounds like the setup line for a joke: Three Muslim comics are coming
to town to do a benefit for a cemetery.
But hold the ba-dum-bum. The "Allah Made Me Funny" tour really
is three stand-up comedians who riff on the travails of being Muslim in
post-9-11 America. They're performing Thursday in Richardson.
And, yeah, they realize that it sounds funny to have a comedy benefit for
a burial ground for local Muslims.
But seriously, said Azhar Usman, one of the comics, it makes perfect
sense.
"Mainstream America has been notoriously noted for having a
death-denying culture," he said. "This is something that Muslim
culture has never had. "
So he figures he'll drop some death jokes into the show.
"Oh, yeah," he said, laughing. "You've got to make it
relevant."
And relevant is what the tour is all about. The comics take on serious
issues: Tensions between African-Americans and immigrant Muslims. Fears
of Muslims since Sept. 11. Fears of non-Muslims since Sept.11.
"What I've found is that there's a lot of fear on both sides,"
said Mr. Usman, a Chicago-bred lawyer-turned-comedian.
"The underlying reality that leads to fear is ignorance. Our tour is
trying to bridge that distance by addressing the questions of ignorance
on both sides."
Mr. Usman is a first-generation American his parents were born in India.
The other two comics, Preacher Moss and Azeem, are African-American.
(MORE)
----
ISLAM: A NEW
WELCOMING SPIRIT IN THE MOSQUE -
TOP
Lorraine Ali, Newsweek, 8/29/05
http://www.rsicopyright.com/ics/prc_main/prs_request.html/
When the youth group at southern California's Mission Viejo Masjid met
recently, the scene looked like a public-service announcement for racial
tolerance. The Sudanese imam sat next to a Palestinian-American student,
who sat next to a female Anglo convert, who sat next to a son of
Pakistani immigrants, who... well, you get the idea.
But this isn't a clever ad; it's mosque life on any given weekend in
Orange County and cities across America. "You are finding a new kind
of climate in a lot of Muslim communities," says Naim Shah Jr., a
Los Angeles Muslim raised in the Nation of Islam who's now an orthodox
Sunni. He is assistant to the imam at the mostly African-American Masjid
Ibaadillah in the city's Crenshaw district. "I just got a call from
a largely immigrant [Muslim] group who wanted to organize a camp together
on Labor Day weekend," Shah says. "We never got those calls
five years ago. I attribute a lot of that to the young people; they are
knocking down old and unnecessary boundaries."
Children of immigrants are the fastest-growing group among the nation's
estimated7 million Muslims, and they're changing the face of Islam in
this country by combining their faith with the American tradition of
diversity. In Orange County, youth-group members have similar stories:
their strong ties with Islam really started in college, when they bonded
with a mixed group of Muslims. This scenario was unthinkable even 15
years ago for immigrants who stuck with their own for support and for
African-American Muslims who were still working through the racial
exclusivity of the Nation of Islam. Those divisions mean little to the
twentysomethings in Orange County. "It's all about Muslim identity
now," says Haider Javed, 25, the center's youth coordinator. He
wears jeans and a skullcap and seems to know everyone in the giant
building. "You're searching for yourself," Javed says.
"I'm not an American kid who goes out and drinks. I'm not entirely
Pakistani either. But I am thoroughly Muslim. I feel comfortable at the
Islamic center, like this is where I actually belong."
During a discussion between prayers, Javed's peers agree that stripping
away cultural baggage from their parents' home countries (such as customs
limiting women's rights and racial dictates) is the only way to practice
a purer Islam. Amber Atwat, 28, is one of many converts who showed up at
the Islamic center that day with her husband and 15-month-old son. Raised
Southern Baptist in Tennessee, she found peace in Islam three years ago
after a hard life that included an abusive husband and the death of her
infant daughter. "In our church, I saw all whites," she
recalls. "Then there was the black Baptist church down the road.
Even though they taught the same thing, we did not mix. But in the
mosque, there is no one identity. I love that."
These young Muslims are aware that divisions still exist: power
struggles, arguments about who should represent Islam in the media and
dueling politics (during the 2000 campaign, the immigrant Muslim
community endorsed Bush while the African-American community did not).
But this generation faces these challenges together. "I'm looking at
one Pakistani, one white guy, one Palestinian, one African-American
guy," says Javed, observing the people around him. "They're
just standing around, talking. That alone makes me believe America is the
perfect place for Islam." Then he hears the call of the muezzin and
joins them for the last prayer of the day.
-----
RUSSIA'S TATARS
TURNING TO ISLAMIC ROOTS
TOP
Mike Eckel, Associated Press, 8/26/05
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=Russia%20Young%20Muslims
KAZAN, Russia -- The clothing store across from the mosque features torn
bluejeans, feather boas and brightly colored button-down shirts. But for
customers who want the latest look, it also offers headscarves, veils and
ankle-length tunics.
In Russia's Tatarstan region more and more young people are switching
from Western-style dress to Muslim attire. More than just a fashion, the
trend reflects a surging interest in Islam among the youth of this
largely Muslim region on the Volga River, some 450 miles east of
Moscow.
"Young people are looking for something more, something deeper than
just discotheques, alcohol and sex," said the shop's 22-year-old
clerk Elizha, who was dressed in a tightly wrapped blue headscarf and a
black jacket and skirt.
She said many young Tatars - who trace their lineage to the feared Mongol
hordes that raced across Russia in the 12th and 13th centuries - wear
headscarves or some sort of Muslim clothing.
The growing demand for Muslim clothing has enabled store owner Ildar
Gubaydullin to open two shops in Tatarstan's capital in the past two
months. But on the streets of Kazan, whose skyline is a mix of new
Russian architecture, Soviet-era apartment blocks, Russian Orthodox
church cupolas and mosque minarets, the trend is not immediately
apparent.
Orthodox Christian Russians are the second largest ethnic group in
Tatarstan, and very few people on a Thursday afternoon were dressed in
anything resembling Islamic clothing.
Still, two teenagers in headscarves, long shirts and ankle-length dresses
strolling near one of Kazan's numerous universities, say many young
Tatars are turning to Islam. Many still wear bluejeans - and sometimes
more unusual items like boas - but headscarves are commonplace.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM
BANNED FROM US HEADING FOR OXFORD
UNIVERSITY-
TOP
Agence France Presse, 8/26/05
LONDON - A Muslim scholar banned from the United States is to take up a
post at Britain's prestigious University of Oxford, his college said
Friday.
Tariq Ramadan has been elected to a visiting fellowship (general) at St
Antony's College for the coming academic year and is expected to start in
October.
"Professor Ramadan is an internationally-recognised scholar,"
St Antony's College, Oxford, said in a statement.
"He was named by Time magazine as one of 100 innovators of the 21st
Century for his work on creating an independent European Islam.
"He was recently appointed to a prestigious chair in Islamic studies
in the University of Notre Dame in the United States."
In late July 2004, Ramadan's US visa was revoked and he was forced to
return to his native Switzerland.
Britain's interior minister, Home Secretary Charles Clarke, set out
Wednesday a list of "unacceptable behaviours" designed to
combat Islamist extremists.
The measures could lead to Clarke banning or deporting foreign so-called
"preachers of hate".
"We do not comment on individual cases and we cannot give details on
who is on the home secretary's list," facing a ban or deportation, a
Home Office spokesman told AFP.
St Antony's College said: "Ramadan is a regular visitor to Britain
and the other states of the European Union, without
exception."
The grandson of Hassan al Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood in
Egypt, Ramadan was born in Geneva.
------
WAR
ON TERROR: U.S. RELIANCE ON MILITARY WRONG TACTIC -
TOP
Chris Valley, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 8/26/05
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/0805/26edterror.html
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush
said, "It's a different kind of war."
So why are we fighting it the same old way?
Presently, American military troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq,
ostensibly fighting the war on terror. Osama bin Laden's headquarters was
in Afghanistan, and American forces went there soon after Sept. 11 to
rout terrorists in training camps and to search for bin Laden. This is
justifiable military intervention. Iraq is a different matter
altogether.
Rather than finding the alleged weapons of mass destruction that Saddam
Hussein was said to have hidden, American military troops discovered
none. Likewise, they uncovered no link between Saddam and al-Qaida
terrorists. In fact, as American occupation of Iraq continues, there is
increasing evidence that Islamist terrorists have been drawn to Iraq in
droves to train and execute terrorism more efficiently and effectively.
Terrorist acts are outside the boundaries of conventional military
tactics and military ethics. They are most akin to criminal acts,
therefore terrorists should be fought as criminals, not as military
opponents.
The entire British military was unable to stop the London subway bombing.
The Spanish military was unable to stop the Madrid bombings. Likewise the
entire U.S. military could not stop the Sept. 11 attacks. But with
greater communication and cooperation among national security
intelligence operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and
local law enforcement agencies, maybe these terrorists could have been
halted before they struck. After having attacked, the task of
discovering, pursuing and capturing terrorists falls upon law enforcement
personnel, not the military.
It is indeed "a different kind of war." The United States
should recognize this by reducing reliance on a military response.
Instead, increase funding for local law enforcement, fire and public
health agencies, ATF, immigration services and the Transportation
Security Administration. Also, increase coordination among the federal
intelligence agencies. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MINORITY
RESIDENTS SAY POLICE HARASSMENT ON RISE
-
TOP
Mary Jordan, Washington Post, 8/24/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/25/AR2005082501746.html
Albert Siriboe is a black man in his twenties who lives south of the
Thames River, which he said means he is likely to be stopped by police at
any time for no reason. "The attitude of police is if one black
person is a bomber, then we are all bombers," said Siriboe, 26, a
sales clerk who said police often accost him as he walks to work or
drives his car.
Siriboe's complaint is a common one in his south London neighborhood of
Stockwell, where many residents are from Africa and the Caribbean. Many
people in Stockwell said they were saddened but not surprised when police
shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian
electrician, in the Stockwell subway station as they hunted a suspect
linked to last month's London transit attacks.
Menezes' death and complaints about police bias in minority communities
are focusing attention on Scotland Yard, which has been struggling to
live down the reputation of being branded "institutionally
racist" in a watershed independent report in 1999. That report
spurred the Metropolitan Police Service, Scotland Yard's official name,
to start a major recruiting drive to shape a more diverse force. The
percentage of black or minority officers on the 31,500-member force has
risen from 3.4 percent in 1999 to 7.2 percent, according to official
statistics.
Stockwell and nearby Brixton are among the most racially mixed
neighborhoods in London, where Asians and blacks combine to make up about
a quarter of the population of 7 million, according to government
statistics. Racial tensions have flared repeatedly south of the river,
especially during riots in Brixton in the 1980s and 1990s, and many
people are deeply suspicious of the police.
Siriboe said the situation worsened last month, after a July 7 attack on
three subway trains, which killed 56 people, including four presumed
bombers, and an unsuccessful bombing July 21. The four bombers and five
people charged in the failed attempt were young men who were either
dark-skinned immigrants or sons of immigrants from Africa and
Asia.
"Relations have never been good, and what is going on now doesn't
help," Siriboe, who moved to Britain from Ghana about 15 years ago,
said of his experience with police searches. "They are stopping me
for who I am. It's frustrating. I am trying to put myself in their
situation, but I can see why so many minorities are angry."
(MORE)
------
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS -
8/29/05
*
Hadith:
Seek Knowledge
*
CAIR Urges FBI
to Probe Racist Attack in Missouri
*
CAIR-OH to
Deliver
School Supplies for Needy Students
*
CAIR-CA
Conference
Draws Students to Politics
-
MA:
Muslims Put
Faith in Political Arena (Globe)
-
NY:
Islamic Center
Hosts Mayoral Debate
-
CAIR-IL:
Congressman Pays
Visit to Mosque
*
3 Million
Americans View CAIR Anti-Terror PSA
*
CAIR-LA:
Muslim,
Christian Commonalities
-
CAIR-LA Job
Opportunity
*
CAIR-TX:
Don't
Prejudge Muslims
*
ISLAM-OPED:
U.S. Muslims Say 'No' to More
Terror
*
Young
Women Follow Islam's Tenets on Modesty (Wash Post)
*
NY:
Mosque
Expanding to Accommodate Growth
-
IL:
Mosque 'a
Difficult Labor of Love'
-
NV:
Muslim Festival
Attracts Crowds
*
What It
Means to Be Black and Muslim in America (NPR)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: SEEK KNOWLEDGE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Someone who sets
forth in search of knowledge is busy in the cause of God until he returns
from his quest."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 420
-----
FBI URGED
TO PROBE RACIST ATTACK IN MISSOURI -
TOP
Local authorities asked to reclassify assault as hate
crime
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/29/05) - A prominent national Islamic
civil rights and advocacy group today called on local and national law
enforcement authorities to investigate an attack on a Columbia, Mo.,
resident of Middle Eastern heritage as a possible hate crime.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says
the assault took place August 7th and included shouted racial epithets.
The victim was allegedly told to "go back to Iraq." He and
another person of Middle Eastern background who came to his aid suffered
minor injuries during the attack.
Local authorities say that while the ethnicity of the victims may have
played a role in the attack, the incident has not been classified as a
hate crime.
SEE: "Police: Attack Wasn't Hate Crime"
http://columbiamissourian.com/news/print.php?ID=15509
"Whenever an assailant mentions the perceived ethnicity or national
origin of a victim, a bias motive should be presumed," said CAIR
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. Hooper urged the FBI to use its
resources, and federal law, to help bring the perpetrators to
justice.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-OH
TO DELIVER SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS -
TOP
(COLUMBUS, OH, 8/29/05) - On Wednesday, August 31, representatives of the
Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH) will
deliver school supplies to Mifflin Elementary School in Columbus for
distribution to students based on need. The supplies were donated by
members of the local Muslim community.
CAIR-OH's school supply drive is part of the group's national
"Muslims Care" campaign designed to promote volunteerism in the
American Muslim community. To learn more about "Muslims Care,"
go to
http://www.muslims-care.org.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. CAIR-OH has offices in Columbus,
Cleveland and Cincinnati. Its mission is to enhance understanding of
Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American
Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual
understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About.
To learn more about CAIR-OH, go to
www.cair-ohio.com.
CONTACT: CAIR-OH President, Ahmad Al-Akhras, 614-989-5916, E-mail
ahmad@cair-ohio.com, CAIR-OH
Civil Rights Director, Jennifer Nimer, 614-451-3232, E-mail
jennifer@cair-ohio.com.
-----
CAIR-CA:
YOUTH CONFERENCE DRAWS STUDENTS TO POLITICS
-
TOP
LINDA LOU, Press-Enterprise, 8/27/05
http://www.pe.com/localnews/corona/stories/PE_News_Local_C_cconf27.230dd3d1.html
Two Corona High School students recently got a taste of politics and
public speaking at a mock legislative session on the Senate floor in
Sacramento.
"It felt pretty real," said Zaid Adhami, 17, who will be a
senior next month at Centennial High School. "It gave you an
experience of how things actually work. It helps you understand the
political process."
The session in which students presented and debated recent bills was the
highlight of the first Muslim Youth Leadership conference sponsored by
the Council of American-Islamic Relations' California chapter.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MA: MUSLIMS
PUT THEIR FAITH IN POLITICAL ARENA -
TOP
By Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe, 8/29/05
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/08/29/muslims_put_their_faith_in_political_arena/
On a recent evening, an effort to turn local Muslims into a political
constituency was underway in a blank, fluorescent-lit classroom at
Northeastern University.
Four candidates for the Boston City Council took questions from 10 young
Muslim men and women.
Some of the queries were like those at any other candidates' forum,
though the grilling was especially thorough. Sana Fadel wanted to know
how Councilor Stephen J. Murphy had followed through on a promise to keep
parks lit later at night. Why had he voted against rent control? What was
his answer for people who need affordable housing?
There were also questions municipal candidates do not often
hear.
"Where do you draw the line with this Patriot Act?" Zana
Blinker asked Ed Flynn. "Our rights have been thrown in the
toilet!"
It all made the organizer, Hamza Pelletier, happy. He and others have
been trying to persuade Muslims to get more active, arguing that it is
the way to battle what he says is bias against people of his faith since
Sept. 11.
If Muslims come to be seen as a distinct constituency, politicians will
be more responsive to their needs, Pelletier says. (MORE)
---
ISLAMIC CENTER HOSTS
MAYORAL DEBATE -
TOP
David Tyler, Democrat and Chronicle, 8/29/05
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050829/NEWS01/508290322/1002/NEWS
(August 29, 2005) - With just over two weeks until the Democratic
primary, four of Rochester's mayoral candidates made campaign pitches to
the public during a feisty forum at the Islamic Center of
Rochester.
Former Police Chief Robert Duffy, political new face Chris Maj, City
Councilman Wade Norwood and Republican John Parrinello sparred over what
to do about illegal drugs, public safety, economic development and city
schools during nearly two hours. (MORE)
---
CAIR-CHICAGO:
LIPINSKI PAYS VISIT TO MOSQUE -
TOP
Gregg Sherrard Blesch, Daily Southtown, 8/26/05
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/263nd1.htm
Nearly nine months after he was sworn in as a congressman to replace his
father in the 3rd District, Dan Lipinski paid his first visit to the
Bridgeview home of the Mosque Foundation.
His hosts were pleased he came so soon. William Lipinski waited more than
10 years before paying a visit, the foundation's president, Mohammed
Sahloul, jabbed lightly.
Lipinski got a tour of the mosque, school and youth center, a quick
primer on Islamic religious traditions from Sheikh Jamal Said and a
sampling of Middle Eastern food.
But the mosque leaders and representatives of other Muslim organizations
also asked for an ongoing audience for their political priorities,
pairing the request with a few numbers they thought he might find
interesting.
Example: About 50,000 Muslims live in the southwest suburbs, most of them
in his district.
"There is a saying in Arabic that says ... like father, like
son," Sahloul said.
"Your father actually was a very strong voice in Washington,"
he said. "But at the same time, his voting record regarding Muslim
issues and Arabic issues (was) terrible."
Lipinski said his door was open but conversation wouldn't necessarily
change his votes.
"I'm not promising you we're going to talk and I'm going to agree
with you," he said.
Safaa Zarzour, president of the Chicago Chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said the Muslim community opposes several
provisions of the USA Patriot Act that the elder Lipinski supported and
the younger Lipinski last month voted to renew.
Zarzour also asked Lipinski to address the backlog of citizenship
applications on hold since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks.
"We want you to know that we are on the same side as far as the
goal," Zarzour said. "We are, after all, citizens of this
nation, and anything that hurts this nation hurts us, hurts our
children." (MORE)
-----
3 MILLION
AMERICANS VIEW CAIR ANTI-TERROR PSA -
TOP
More than three million American television viewers have already seen
CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" public service announcement
(PSA).
To view the PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/psa/english.mp3
-----
CAIR-LA:
CONFERENCE LOOKS AT MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN COMMONALITIES -
TOP
R. W. Dellinger, The Tidings, 8/26/05
http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0826/muslim.htm
On the same day Pope Benedict XVI met with Muslims in Cologne, Germany,
calling for stronger dialogue between Christians and Muslims, a daylong
conference titled "A Christian Understanding of Islam" took
place at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre.
Sponsored by the Los Angeles Archdiocese's Office of
Ecumenical/Interreligious Affairs and Office of Justice and Peace, the
Aug. 20 event featured a panel of distinguished Islamic scholars and
religious leaders. All stressed the common ancient roots of Islam,
Christianity and Judaism as well as current dogmatic and social
commonalities.
"I can listen to a priest, a minister and a rabbi visiting my
mosque, addressing my congregation without fear that this is an attempt
to convert. And I hope you trust us that we're not here to convert
you," Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Southern California
Council on American-Islamic Relations, told some 70 conference
participants. "I'm in the business of dialoguing, knowing the
commonalities."
Ayloush stressed that dialogue on the international, national and,
especially, local level was urgently needed today with radical extremists
pushing for a "clash of civilizations."
"For God's sake, this is the 21st century," he said.
"We're not back in the dark ages where some believed the infidels
hate you and want to kill you. Today we live in the age of world-wide TV,
the Internet. We're not separated anymore. Muslims, Christians live in
dozens of countries together. So we have to no longer fear each
other."
Ayloush pointed out that Muslims and Christians believe in one God and
have a mutual reverence for Jesus and his mother Mary. Both stress moral
values. And the two faiths have the largest number of followers
throughout the world.
Moreover, both have attracted tremendously diverse flocks, including
blacks and whites, Latinos, Asians and Arabs. And the two religions have
large immigrant communities, "so we both know how it feels to be
mistreated by people who don't like immigrants," he pointed
out.
In addition, Catholic Christians and Muslims have suffered recent attacks
- Catholics for sexually abusive priests, and Muslims for suicidal
terrorists.
"So we do have a lot of commonalities," Ayloush said.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-LA JOB OPPORTUNITY: MEMBERSHIP
AND ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR -
TOP
CAIR-California has an immediate job opening for a Membership and
Administrative Coordinator at its office in Anaheim.
JOB DESCRIPTION: This person will be responsible for developing,
coordinating and managing membership and fundraising campaigns for
CAIR-Southern California. Additionally, the position will be responsible
for office administration, human resources and accounting.
QUALIFICATIONS: A college degree, (business or related field is
preferred), detail oriented, good interpersonal and communication skills
and substantive organizational and supervisory skills.
Experience of working with non-profit organizations and Muslim groups
will be an asset. This position also requires working knowledge of MS
Office that includes data management.
All those interested and eligible to work in US (citizens or proper work
visa holders) are encouraged to apply with a comprehensive resume stating
education, work history, references, along with copies of relevant
academic certificates to:
Human Resources
CAIR Southern California
2180 W. Crescent Ave., Suite F
Anaheim, CA 92801
FAX: 714-776-8340
E-MAIL:
socal@cair.com
(When applying via email please ensure to write the position title in the
subject of the email. Include information in the body of the email; do
not send as an attachment)
-----
CAIR-TX: DON'T PREJUDGE
MUSLIMS -
TOP
Amarillo.com, 8/25/05
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/082505/opi_2631071.shtml
Virgil Van Camp (Aug. 12 column, "Don't worry about peaceniks -
grown-ups will handle Islam") obviously believes that an entire
segment of society can be defined by the actions of a small number of
rebels. He listed several accusations against Muslims that are completely
false. He, or his source "historians," conveniently have left
the facts out of those episodes in history.
His commentary that Islam is the enemy of the West and saying that it is
"demonstrably untrue" that the majority of Muslims are against
violence creates more fear, animosity and mistrust between people at a
time when it is crucial to stand together.
To strengthen our communities against hatred and division, we need to
work together, learn from each other and build relationships for better
understanding and trust.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's statement is true. Islam is a
religion of peace, and most Muslims are against violence. Get to know
your Muslim neighbors, and you will see for yourself that they have more
in common with you than you think.
Saffia Meek
Council on American Islamic Relations-Dallas/Ft. Worth
Dallas
-----
ISLAM-OPED: U.S. MUSLIMS SAY 'NO' TO MORE TERROR
-
TOP
Parvez Ahmed, Free Lance-Star, 8/28/05
American Muslims hear the truth: Islam forbids terrorist acts
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/082005/08282005/123195
[PARVEZ AHMED is board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy
group.]
WASHINGTON--Why are some Muslims willing to kill in the name of their
faith, despite clear Islamic injunctions against committing such heinous
acts? The debate usually boils down to "they hate us" versus
"they hate our policies."
In his new book, "Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide
Terrorism," Robert Pape suggests that terrorism has little to do
with the teachings of any religion--but is, rather, a response, albeit a
criminal one, to policies that condone occupations.
Pape posits that suicide bombings, whether by Hezbollah in Lebanon or by
the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, are designed to compel the retreat of an
occupation force. He notes that when Israeli forces left Lebanon,
Hezbollah did not follow them to Tel Aviv.
This explanation, while credible, does not absolve the perpetrators of
their crimes. Islam, like other faiths, allows for defensive war against
combatants--but unequivocally forbids the killing of civilians.
Muslims today have many legitimate grievances. Some of these grievances
are the result of foreign occupation, some are the fruits of brutal
authoritarian rule, and others are a consequence of Muslims themselves
failing to adapt to a rapidly-changing world.
But again, none of these grievances should ever be used to justify the
unjustifiable.
Normative Islam does not allow Muslims to retaliate in kind against
inhuman behavior. The Quran, Islam's revealed text, issues a call to
moderation when it states: "And thus have We (God) willed you to be
a community of the middle way, so that (with your lives) you might bear
witness to the truth before all mankind."
Moderation is to be exercised in both spiritual and temporal matters.
Terrorism is certainly not the path of moderation.
What then is the motivation of those who commit acts of terror in the
name of Islam?
Terrorists seem to be driven by a messianic desire for justice. In order
to achieve that goal, they are willing to precipitate an apocalyptic
civilizational conflict. (MORE)
-----
YOUNG
WOMEN FOLLOW ISLAM'S ANCIENT TENETS ON MODESTY -- BUT WITH A MODERN TWIST
-
TOP
Sandhya Somashekhar, Washington Post, 8/29/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/28/AR2005082801022.html
"Isn't this so cute?" cooed Hiba Khan, admiring a loose-knit
vest glimmering with a sequined brown collar at Tysons Corner Center's
LVL X clothing store. Sexy, the 21-year-old Fairfax City resident
admitted, but that's easily remedied with a long-sleeve top and a
properly fastened head scarf.
In the hip young Muslim crowd, modesty is always in.
Muslim women find creative ways to stay fashionable while preserving the
modesty principle taught by their religion. (Sarah L. Voisin - The
Post)
"I usually try not to buy anything too flashy or too revealing, but
yeah, I want to look nice," she said while at the mall one recent
afternoon for a little back-to-school shopping.
With summer coming to a close and classes about to start, she and a
half-dozen other college students were in search of
"sister-friendly" clothes -- attire that conforms to Islamic
dictates but appeals to a contemporary sense of style and
beauty.
But sticking to Islamic standards of modesty isn't always easy, and it
doesn't always come naturally to girls raised in the United States, where
MTV and Hollywood are more likely than religious texts to set fashion
standards. Choosing to follow Islam's clothing guidelines is often the
result of a deep desire for cultural identity or religious soul-searching
-- especially for young women such as Khan, who as a teenager decided on
her own to adopt the clothing standards of her religion.
That doesn't mean she and other young Muslim women want to put aside a
desire to be pretty. (MORE)
-----
MOSQUE EXPANDING TO
ACCOMMODATE GROWTH -
TOP
Nik Bonopartis, Poughkeepsie Journal
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050829/NEWS01/508290317/1006
NEWBURGH - As more Muslim families have made the mid-Hudson Valley their
home, the crowd at Masjid Al Ikhlas has swelled at Friday prayer
services.
With almost 500 members, the tiny mosque is no longer large enough to
support its growing congregation and plans have been made to double its
size.
On Sunday, local Muslims celebrated their plans for a larger mosque with
a groundbreaking ceremony and picnic. Mosque leaders handed their shovels
to the youngest worshippers, deferring to them to break the
ground.
"We want to show them the importance of the mosque and have them
involved in the process," mosque Treasurer Ahmed Rehman
said.
And the mosque's older members realize after they've laid the foundation
for a Muslim community in the mid-Hudson Valley, it's their youngest
members who will lead local Muslims a decade or two from now as the
community keeps growing.
"We need to accommodate them and their needs," mosque board
member Dr. Quasar Choudhry said, "because our community grew so much
in the last couple of years." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MOSQUE ' A DIFFICULT
LABOR OF LOVE' -
TOP
Dan Lavoie, Daily Southtown, 8/29/05
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/29-ds1.htm
As sunlight streamed in from a 30-foot circle in the ceiling that will
one day hold a brilliant gold dome, Mohamed Krad looked across the
half-built Orland Park mosque and smiled broadly.
"This is really a labor of love," the Orland Park pediatrician
said wistfully.
It's already proved to be a rather difficult labor.
The rocky journey began a little over a year ago when Krad and his fellow
mosque backers - businessman Malik Ali and cardiologist Ali Kutom, both
of Orland Park - fought for months against a tide of residents who didn't
want a mosque in their town.
The mosque's problems, however, didn't end that night in June 2004 when
the village board unanimously approved construction in front of hundreds
of angry residents.
From there, the three started on the long road of raising $4 million to
build the gilded blue and white mosque designed to replicate the Dome of
the Rock in Jerusalem. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM FESTIVAL ATTRACTS
CROWDS -
TOP
Joe Bauman, Deseret Morning News, 8/29/05
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600159397,00.html
Sister Maryam Muhammad and her husband, Jose Bonilla, perform at the
Muslim Cultural Festival in Salt Lake City on Sunday. "I think it's
great that people can be so open," said Robinson, who recently moved
from Alabama to American Fork. At the event, the annual Salt Lake
American Muslim Cultural Festival, she added, people could "share
their culture with each other."
In the acoustic bowl near that library's glass wall, Maryam Muhammad, who
came from Georgia, was singing to the guitar music of her husband, Jose
Bonilla.
"Peace on earth, love for all the world to see!
As-Salaam-Alaikum," sang Muhammad, wrapping up a number.
The pair, who make up the group Royal Heritage Ensemble, was among more
than a dozen performers representing worldwide cultures. They included
Chinese, the Bien Flamenco music and dancing troupe, dancers from India,
Pakistanis, child violinists taught in the Suzuki method, Bosnian
performers and others.
-----
WHAT IT
MEANS TO BE BLACK AND MUSLIM IN AMERICA -
TOP
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4811405
News & Notes with Ed Gordon, August 23, 2005 · Ed Gordon takes a
closer look at what it means to be both black and Muslim in America. He's
joined by Imam Ghayth Nur Kashif, resident imam for Masjidush-Shura in
southeast Washington, D.C., and Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, author,
publisher and lecturer on Islam in America.
-----
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/30/05
*
Hadith:
Make the Permissible
Sufficient for Me
*
CAIR-FL
to Launch
Anti-Terror, Free Quran Billboard
*
CAIR-NY Rep
Challenges Extremism (NPR)
-
CAIR-AZ Hosts Mosque
Open House
*
U.S. Muslims
Feel Sidelined in Terror Fight (Reuters)
*
New Children's Book:
'My Name is
Bilal'
*
FL:
Imam
Unveils Islam at Church Lecture
*
Pope Met Anti-Islam
Author Fallaci (Reuters)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: MAKE THE PERMISSIBLE
SUFFICIENT FOR ME -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught people to say: "(O)
God, make that which is permissible sufficient for me, so as to make me
independent of that which is forbidden. And bestow upon me enough of Thy
grace to make me independent of all besides Thee."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 451
-----
CAIR-FL
TO LAUNCH ANTI-TERROR, FREE QURAN BILLBOARD -
TOP
(MIAMI, FL, 8/30/05) - The Florida office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today announced the launch of an
anti-terror billboard project. The billboard, which can be seen beginning
September 1st Northbound on the left side of the Florida Turnpike close
to the I-595 interchange, will read: "Islam Condemns Terrorism,
Islam Stands for Peace & Justice, Explore the Qur'an"
CAIR-FL's billboard will also display a website,
http://www.cairfl.org, at which
anyone may order a free copy of the Quran, Islam's revealed text. To view
the billboard, go to:
http://www.cairfl.org/images/sofla_billboard_w.jpg
"Today, American Muslims are sending a message against terrorism,
while at the same time building bridges of understanding by distributing
free Qurans to our fellow Americans," said CAIR-FL Executive
Director Altaf Ali.
Other CAIR anti-terror efforts include its "Not in the Name of
Islam" petition drive and public service campaign. The
Washington-based civil rights and advocacy group also coordinated the
recent release of an Islamic "fatwa," or religious ruling,
condemning terrorism and religious extremism. SEE:
www.cair.com
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go
to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214,
altaf@cair-florida.org; Ahmed
Bedier 813-731-9506,
abedier@cair-florida.org
-----
A SPLIT AMONG NEW YORK
CITY MUSLIMS -
TOP
Dina Temple Raston, NPR, 8/30/05
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4823313
Morning Edition, August 30, 2005 o There's growing tension between
extreme and mainstream Muslims in New York City, with the Islamist
Thinkers Society on one side and the Muslim Center on the other. From New
York, Dina Temple Raston reports.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-AZ HOSTS MOSQUE OPEN
HOUSE -
TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 8/30/05) - On August 27, the Arizona office of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) hosted an open house at the
Islamic Community Center of Phoenix. Saturday's event was designed to
give people of other faiths a chance to learn about Islam and to obtain a
free Quran, Islam's revealed text.
The open house was inspired by CAIR's national "Explore the
Quran" campaign. Since the campaign was launched in May, almost
20,000 people have requested a free Quran. SEE:
www.explorethequran.org
"It is important that people of all faith traditions are able to
learn about each other and share their sacred texts," said CAIR-AZ
spokesperson Bushra Khan.
Attendees at the open house included local law enforcement officials and
media professionals.
CONTACT: CAIR-AZ, Bushra Khan, (602) 262-2247, (602) 312-2223
-----
U.S. MUSLIMS
FEEL SIDELINED IN TERRORISM FIGHT -
TOP
Caroline Drees, Reuters, 8/30/05
http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nN30125292
WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The Bush administration is neglecting
American Muslims in the fight against terrorism, undermining a
potentially priceless resource that could be used to root out militants
at home, major Muslim groups say.
Community leaders such as Salam al-Marayati, who heads the Muslim Public
Affairs Council advocacy group, say that to isolate terrorists political
leaders from President George W. Bush on down must embrace the U.S.
Muslim mainstream, rather than exclude them from serious debates on
security.
"For some reason, it's very difficult to get the high-level
officials to come down to the community at this point. I think a decision
has to be made: are we going to be partners or are we going to be
suspects?" Marayati said.
Muslim American groups say that only by visibly engaging the community
can officials undermine militants' charges that Muslims are left out of
American society, and ensure Muslims do not feel alienated and become
targets for recruiters.
Concern about increased suspicions and alienation of the Muslim American
community has grown since the July 7 attacks by home-grown Muslim
militants in London in which suicide bombers killed 52 people on
underground trains and buses.
"It's the position of just about every Muslim leader in the United
States that the way you isolate extremists is to engage the mainstream.
Unfortunately we haven't seen much of that occurring in this
administration," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on
American Islamic Relations. (MORE)
-----
'MY NAME IS BILAL' -
TOP
Former Marion resident writes book about Muslim-American experience
KURT MOORE, The Marion Star, 8/28/05
http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005508280329
MARION - Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin went on a search for books for her children
which she could read and say, "Hey, they're Muslim-Americans just
like you." What she discovered was such books aren't numerous, and
many she found she said offered false depictions of the faith and its
followers.
So, she sat down and wrote her own book.
"My Name is Bilal," the culmination of her work, was published
this month by Boyds Mills Press. It centers around Bilal, a Muslim child
who struggles with his identity as he and his sister transfer to a school
where they are the only Muslim students.
The book is offered through Amazon.com and will soon be carried by
Moloney's Books in downtown Marion.
It is the first book for Mobin-Uddin, a former Pleasant Local Schools
student and Marion Catholic High School graduate who now serves as
vice-president of the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. She hopes it will encourage both children and adults to
discuss issues related to religious and ethnic diversity.
Her main goals in writing the book were providing positive portrayals of
Muslim-Americans for Muslim children and exposing the American public to
factual depictions of Muslims. (MORE)
-----
IMAM UNVEILS
ISLAM AT STUART CHURCH LECTURE -
TOP
Ike Crumpler, TC Palm, 8/30/05
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_4040066,00.html
STUART - After offering the crowd a crash course on Islam, its origins
and associations with terrorism, Dr. M. Zaman Marwat hesitated before
fielding inquiries from the floor.
"I'm not running away from the questions, all right," the imam
and director of the Fort Pierce Islamic Center told the audience of about
125 at Unity of Martin County church on Monday.
It was dusk, and the fourth prayers of the day beckoned.
The lecture series titled "Beyond Tolerance" has drawn
attendees with featured speakers from an array of nontraditional faiths,
but this event held unique appeal.
"I'd like to hear what he has to say because I think ignorance is
the worst thing for humanity," said Ray Eliot-Rice of Stuart.
"I'd like to know what their solutions are going to be for creating
world peace."
While he didn't propose any peace initiatives, Marwat deepened
understanding of Islamic teachings. (MORE)
-----
POPE MET ANTI-ISLAM
AUTHOR FALLACI -
TOP
Reuters, 8/30/05
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=236850+30-Aug-2005+RTRS&srch=fallaci
ROME, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict has had a meeting with Oriana
Fallaci, the Italian author of best-selling books that criticise Islam,
local media reported on Tuesday.
Italian news agency Ansa quoted Vatican sources as saying the private
meeting took place on Saturday at the Pope's summer residence in
Castelgandolfo, near Rome.
The Vatican was not immediately available to comment, but one official,
who declined to give his name, said such a meeting had been under
discussion for a long time.
Fallaci lives in New York and has regularly provoked the wrath of Muslims
with her outspoken criticism of Islam and Arab states following the Sept.
11, 2001, attacks on U.S. cities.
An Italian judge in May ordered her to stand trial for defaming Islam in
her 2004 book, "La Forza della Ragione" (The Force of
Reason).
In the book, Fallaci wrote that terrorists had killed 6,000 people over
the past 20 years in the name of the Koran and said the Islamic faith
"sows hatred in the place of love and slavery in the place of
freedom".
News of her meeting with the Pope is likely to anger some Muslims, but
Italian politicians said Benedict had been right to accept Fallaci's
request for a private audience. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 8/31/05
*
Hadith:
Praise God in All
Circumstances
*
Muslims Urged to Aid
Hurricane Victims
-
CAIR Offers
Condolences on Iraqi Civilian Deaths
*
CAIR-CA
Offers
Job Corps Center Diversity Training
*
CAIR-CAN:
Supreme Court
Must Address 'Security Certificates'
-
CAIR-CAN Responds to
Columnist's Smears
-
No Cause to Dread
Islamic Arbitration in Canada
*
PA:
Muslim Prisoner
Claims Beating, Abuse of Quran
*
Poll:
Patriot
Act Support Shrinks as More Learn Intent
*
Sept. 11 Riddles Remain (Times
Herald)
-
Israeli
Surveillance of the Future 9/11 Hijackers
*
NY:
Judge
Reluctant to Release Abu Ghraib Photos (AP)
-
U.S. Strike
Kills 7 Iraqi Insurgents, 56 Civilians (CNN)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: PRAISE GOD IN ALL
CIRCUMSTANCES -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The first to be
summoned to Paradise on the Day of Resurrection will be those who praise
God in (both) prosperity and adversity."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 730
-----
MUSLIMS URGED TO
AID HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
CAIR asks Americans of all faiths to offer prayers of support
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/31/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today urged American Muslims and other people of
conscience to offer whatever assistance they can to help alleviate the
suffering of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
This week, Katrina left a trail of death and destruction along the Gulf
Coast. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco is declaring Wednesday a day of
prayer.
In a statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy
group said:
"We join Gov. Blanco in urging Americans of all faiths to pray for
the victims of this unprecedented national disaster. As stated in the
Quran, Islam's revealed text: 'Seek help with patience and prayer: for
God is with those who are patient in adversity.' (2:153) We also offer
condolences to the loved ones of those who died as a result of the
hurricane's impact and urge everyone to contribute whatever they can, in
both financial and human resources, to help alleviate the ongoing
suffering."
CAIR asked mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Untied States to
hold special blood drives, prayers and fundraising efforts for disaster
relief.
To view contact information for the American Red Cross and a list of
other relief groups recommended by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/30/help.agencies/index.html
Muslim charities offering assistance to the victims include Islamic
Relief (
http://irw.org/katrina/ )
and ICNA Relief
(
http://icnarelief.org/ ).
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR
OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON IRAQI CIVILIAN DEATHS -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/31/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group today offered its condolences over the deaths of
hundreds of Iraqi civilians during a religious observance in
Baghdad.
Some 700 people died Wednesday during a stampede on a bridge when rumors
spread that a bombing was about to occur. (Authorities say the final
death toll may top 1,000.) Many people jumped or were pushed to their
deaths into the Tigris River, while others were crushed to
death.
SEE: "695 dead, 180 Hurt in Iraq Bridge Stampede"
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/12517256.htm
"We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of all those who
died or were injured in this tragic incident and pray that the people of
Iraq will one day be able to live in peace and security," said CAIR
Executive Director Nihad Awad.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-SACRAMENTO
OFFERS JOB CORPS CENTER DIVERSITY TRAINING -
TOP
Presentation focused on basic Muslim beliefs and practices
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 8/30/05) - On Tuesday, August 30, the Sacramento Valley
office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) conducted
diversity training for more 300 Job Corps students and staff. The
training was held at the Sacramento Job Corps Center Gymnasium.
CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra offered a presentation designed
to make the future employees aware of issues that they might face when
dealing with the diverse Muslim community.
Topics addressed in the presentation included the basic tenets of the
Islamic faith, the status of women in Islam, and the diversity of the
American Muslim community. A question-and-answer session followed the
presentation.
Many students and staff thanked the presenter for coming and said they
found the presentation to be very informative.
CONTACT: Basim Elkarra, 916-441-6269, Email:
sacval@cair.com
-----
SUPREME COURT
MUST RECTIFY NATIONAL TRAVESTY -
TOP
RIAD SALOOJEE, The Star, 8/31/05
http://www.thestar.com
[Riad Saloojee is executive director of the Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations.]
It's about time: Our Supreme Court will finally review the
constitutionality of security certificates. In last week's decision, the
court granted that opportunity to Moroccan Adil Charkaoui, currently on
bail after being held for two years on terrorism allegations.
Four other Muslim non-citizens held under the certificates have already
lived in limbo for a total of more than 14 years. And they have been
subjected to conditions, as the U.N. Committee on Arbitrary Detention
recently noted, that are more severe than those imposed on convicted
killer Karla Homolka.
Two men on certificates, Hasan Almrei and Mohammed Mahjoub, have
complained about systemic prison abuse during their nine-year tenure and
are on prolonged hunger strikes. Almrei, held in solitary confinement for
four years, is on day 69 of his hunger strike. He is not even asking for
freedom; he is asking for an hour a day of exercise to keep his legs
working properly.
Security certificates have been termed "Canada's dirtiest little
secret." Even judges have been critical. Federal Court Justice James
Hugessen lamented that the justices who listen to these cases
"hate" the process. A judge sits alone looking at materials
produced by only one party, and must then rule, given the one-sided and
untested evidence, whether the certificate is "reasonable."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
I CHALLENGE MARGARET WENTE TO
ANOTHER ROUND OF SENSITIVITY TRAINING -
TOP
RIAD SALOOJEE, Globe and Mail, 8/31/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050831.wcomment0831/BNStory/National/
[Riad Saloojee is executive director of CAIR-CAN.]
I slept Friday with the dreamy prospect of spending the next day relaxing
with my kids at this park or that. I awoke instead to a phone call from
my office telling me that Margaret Wente had written a nasty j'accuse
against us in The Globe and Mail's Focus section.
Ms. Wente's piece centred on a complaint the Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) had sent several months ago to the
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce about offensive remarks in one of
their financial reports. The bank granted our request to send the
report's author, Jeffrey Rubin, chief economist for the World Markets
division of the CIBC, for sensitivity training; Ms. Wente took the same
course and also wrote about her experience.
There it was: Two pages of text with what must be my most unflattering
picture. Even my two-year-old nephew was put off. But I won't hold the
picture against Ms. Wente, as she made space in her Focus article to call
me "articulate" and "charming."
"It's tongue-and-cheek," my wife says, her eyes
rolling.
"Not so," I say. "The adjectives don't have the quotation
marks denoting sarcasm."
In her hurry to pen her story, Ms. Wente omitted more than merely
quotation marks. Her edits should have been preceded by a fact-check.
Today's publication numbers won't match Saturday's but here's a
selection.
We at CAIR-CAN are "scaremongering" when we allege that the
RCMP and CSIS use bully tactics. But these organizations do use such
tactics. Listen to Maher Arar and others. In fact, The Globe just did a
Saturday exclusive with Abdullah Almalki, a Canadian tortured abroad,
which raises these and more chilling concerns.
Ms. Wente says that CAIR-CAN and other groups like us are stifling speech
through libel chill. Are we? Not really. We're suing a former CSIS agent,
and also neo-conservative ideologue David Frum, both of whom called us
"extremists" - any level-headed Canadian would respond in the
same way. (MORE)
---
NO CAUSE TO DREAD
ISLAMIC ARBITRATION -
TOP
Globe and Mail, 8/31/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050831/ESHARIA31/TPComment/Editorials
The world's anti-Sharia crusaders should take a deep breath and count to
10 -- extreme Islamic law is not coming to central Canada. The Taliban
are not being given a government building in which to preside over civil
disputes among Muslims.
What, then, is happening to excite protests, scheduled for Sept. 8 in
London, Paris, Amsterdam and several Canadian cities, organized by a
group calling itself the International Campaign Against Sharia in
Ontario?
A Muslim scholar simply wants to set up a private arbitration panel that
would settle civil disputes, including some family matters, by using
Islamic principles. It's not terribly radical to permit individuals to
solve their disputes in their own way. Ontario families in conflict have
for years been turning to arbitration. It's cheaper and less destructive
than heading to court. And faith-based panels are allowed under the 1991
Arbitration Act. Those panels already exist in other communities, says a
government-commissioned report, and they have not harmed women or
children. The report said Islamic panels should be permitted, subject to
new protections for vulnerable women and children (in all arbitrations,
not just Muslim ones). (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM
PRISONER CLAIMS BEATING, ABUSE OF QURAN -
TOP
JOHN BEAUGE, Patriot-News, 8/31/05
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1125480167198930.xml&coll=1
WILLIAMSPORT - A Muslim prisoner claims he was assaulted, was forced to
stand naked and was spat upon, and alleges a guard damaged his Quran at
the Dauphin County Prison in May.
William T. Smith II made the allegations in a federal civil rights
lawsuit filed Monday against Corrections Officer Roger Lucas, four other
guards identified only by last name or John Doe, and a female prison
nurse.
Dauphin County Prison Warden Dominick DeRose said yesterday it is county
policy not to comment on pending lawsuits.
Smith alleged the incident occurred May 20 after his transfer from the
State Correctional Institution at Smithfield for a hearing in Dauphin
County court on a motion to withdraw a guilty plea.
Smith, who was kept in a day room, said that after a third strip search,
guards went through his personal belongings. He alleged Lucas picked up
the Quran, crumpled some of the pages and threw it over his
shoulder.
According to the lawsuit, after Smith protested the treatment of his
Koran, a guard stroked his chin and asked, "Where's your Muslim
beard?"
About 15 minutes later, according to the court complaint, he was told to
go into a hallway where guards spit on him and screamed.
He said he was handcuffed behind his back and thrown down. Guards, he
said, grabbed him by the hair, beat his face into the floor and kicked
his ribs and legs. (MORE)
-----
POLL:
PATRIOT ACT SUPPORT SHRINKS AS MORE LEARN INTENT -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/30/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-08-30-patriot-act_x.htm
WASHINGTON (AP) - Fewer than half of Americans know the purpose of the
Patriot Act, and the more they know about it the less they like it,
according to a poll released Monday.
Fewer than half of those polled, 42%, are able to correctly identify the
law's main purpose of enhancing surveillance procedures for federal law
enforcement agencies, according to the poll conducted by the Center for
Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut.
Almost two-thirds of all Americans, 64%, said they support the Patriot
Act. But support dropped to 57% among those who could accurately identify
the intent of the legislation.
The survey was intended to take a closer look at the high levels of
public support the Patriot Act has gotten in various polls, said Samuel
Best, the center's director.
"The Patriot Act has been a very visible piece of legislation,"
Best said. "We wanted to see if people had an understanding of the
act that differentiated it from the war on terrorism
generally."
"Most people don't distinguish the Patriot Act from the war on
terror in general," Best said. (MORE)
-----
SEPT. 11 RIDDLES REMAIN -
TOP
KEITH PHUCAS, Times Herald, 8/29/05
http://www.timesherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15114089&BRD=1672&PAG=461&dept_id=33380&rfi=6
NORRISTOWN - Accusations that the 9/11 Commission ignored information
about a defense intelligence operation "Able Danger" that
targeted al-Qaida in 2000 has renewed criticism that the panel may have
passed up other intriguing leads gathered in the months before the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks.
A memorandum sent to the 9/11 Commission, and Senate and House
intelligence committees in September 2004, suggests that young Israelis
who canvassed dozens of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
offices in 2000 and 2001 trying to sell paintings to federal workers, may
have been spying not only on the DEA, but also on Arab extremists in the
United States - including the Sept. 11 hijackers who were living in
Florida and New Jersey.
The Israeli "art student" story, which first surfaced in 2001
in news reports, has yet to be explained by U.S. authorities. Curiously,
the 9/11 Commission did not venture to connect the myriad of dots to
solve the mystery. Did you get the memo?
The 53-page memorandum, compiled by former corporate attorney Gerald Shea
cites a lengthy report from the DEA's Office of Security that describe
groups of Israeli men and women. Nearly all were in their 20s, who
peddled artwork at DEA, and other federal government offices, in the
months leading up to the terrorist attacks.
Many reports describe incidents of government employees spotting
individuals in office hallways or elevators carrying large art portfolio
cases. The art sellers would typically make a pitch to sell paintings,
but if they were told that soliciting in government offices was
prohibited, some replied that the art wasn't actually for sale but was
promoting a future art show, the DEA report said.
During the first five months of 2001, according to Shea's memorandum, the
"Israeli DEA Groups" visited a total of 57 DEA locations - 28
offices and 29 private residences.
Other individuals that Shea calls the "Israeli New Jersey
Group" were based in Bergen and Hudson counties, in New Jersey,
according to the well-annotated memorandum that also cites the 9/11
Commission report, the 2002 congressional intelligence committees' joint
inquiry into the terrorist attacks, newspaper and magazine reports, Fox
News telecasts, 9/11 hijacker timelines, FBI suspect lists, and an East
Rutherford (New Jersey) Police Department report.
According to the June 2001 DEA report headed "Suspicious Activities
Involving Israeli Art Students at DEA Facilities" the art-selling
activities occurred in many U.S. cities, with "most activity
reported in the state of Florida." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ISRAELI
SURVEILLANCE OF THE FUTURE HIJACKERS AND FBI SUSPECTS IN THE SEPTEMBER 11
ATTACKS AND THEIR FAILURE TO GIVE US ADEQUATE WARNING: THE NEED FOR A
PUBLIC INQUIRY -
TOP
http://www.antiwar.com/rep2/MemorandumtotheCommissionandSelectCommitteesbold.pdf
-----
JUDGE
CITES RELUCTANCE TO RELEASE ABU GHRAIB PHOTOS -
TOP
LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press, 8/31/05
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/08/31/abu.ghraib.photos.ap/
NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge said he was hesitant to release pictures and
videotapes of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison while top
government officials insisted that deaths could result.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein commented Tuesday as he listened
to Manhattan's top government lawyer and an attorney for the American
Civil Liberties Union, which was seeking release of the
pictures.
The judge questioned whether he could disregard arguments by Gen. Richard
B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has warned that
releasing the photos would aid al Qaeda recruitment, weaken the Afghan
and Iraqi governments and incite riots against U.S. troops.
"How can I ignore the expert opinion of Gen. Myers, who is concerned
with the safety of his troops?" the judge asked. "I can't
substitute my opinion for the opinion of Gen. Myers."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
U.S.
STRIKE KILLS 7 IRAQI INSURGENTS, 56 CIVILIANS -
TOP
http://www.ksbitv.com/home/1705826.html
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Air strikes have flattened insurgent safe houses
used by militants linked to al Qaeda in western Iraq, the U.S. Marines
told CNN Tuesday.
The air attacks near the Syrian border killed at least seven militants,
the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force said.
A top operative called Abu Islam was among the dead, the force
said.
Police in Baghdad reported that 56 civilians were killed in the
strikes.
They said police contacts in the region told them 40 civilians died in
one house and 16 in another. Two children survived, they added.
A U.S. military spokesman said he had no specifics yet on the strike.
(MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 8/31/05
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
MUSLIMS TO HOLD 9/11 VIGIL AT U.S. CAPITOL
Event to mark anniversary of attack, promote interfaith
unity
WHAT: On
Friday, September 9, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will host an interfaith candlelight
vigil at the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to mark the
fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Along with the vigil, the event will include remarks by interfaith
leaders and presentation of CAIR's "Voice of Unity Award."
Islamic sunset prayers (Maghrib) will be held immediately after the
event.
WHEN: Friday, September 9, 6:45-7:45 p.m.
WHERE: Capitol Reflecting Pool, Washington, D.C. (The reflecting pool
is located on the West side of the U.S. Capitol building near the base of
the stairs and is just East of 3rd Street, between Constitution and
Independence Avenues. Note: This location should not be confused with the
Reflecting Pool located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln
Memorial.)
Co-sponsors of the vigil include: InterFaith Conference of
Metropolitan Washington, Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations
(Washington, D.C.), September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
All Dulles Area Muslim Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, American
Muslim Voice, and the Interfaith Alliance
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor, 202-646-6039,
571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair-net.org; Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with
American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our
society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/1/05
*
HADITH:
Modesty Is Part of
Faith
*
CAIR-LA:
CAIR-LA
Banquet Half Way Sold Out!
*
U.S.
Muslims Designate Friday as 'Hurricane Relief Day'
-
RESOURCE:
A List of Some National Charitable Organizations
-
DC-
Area Mosque to Collect Donations Hurricane Victims
-
TX: Muslim Comedy Act Comes To Richardson
*
Muslim Leader Works to Move Muslims toward U.S. Mainstream (AP)
-
Hughes Launches 9/11 Anniversary Image Campaign (Wash Post)
-
State Dept Official Urges Inclusive Tack on 9/11 (NY Times)
*
Islam s Six Stages Hold Ways to Uplift, Transform the Soul
*
Barred In U.S., Scholar May Join British Panel (Chicago Tribune)
*
ACLU Sues Over Iraqi-Born U.S. Resident (AP)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: MODESTY IS PART OF FAITH -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Modesty is part of
faith and faith is in Paradise, but obscenity is a part of hardness of
heart and hardness of heart is in Hell."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1313
-----
CAIR-LA BANQUET HALF WAY SOLD OUT! -
TOP
Purchase your tickets today as space is starting to run out. In the
past two years, no tickets were available to be purchased at the door.
Don't take a chance and reserve your seat online today.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE:
www.cair-california.org
CAIR-LA 9th Annual Banquet
American Muslims: Partners for Peace and Justice
Join the Muslim community, interfaith leaders, media and elected officials at the largest banquet for California Muslims.
WHEN: Saturday, September 17, 2005
Registration at 5:00/Dinner and Program at 6:00 pm
WHERE: Anaheim Convention Center Ballroom Conference Room, 800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802
(Tel: 714-765-8950)
Confirmed Speakers:
M. Cherif Bassiouni, Distinguished Research Professor of Law and
President, International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University
College of Law
Rodwan Saleh, President of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston
Omar Ahmad, Founder and Past Chairman of CAIR National
Parvez Ahmed, Chairman of CAIR National and various political and religious leaders
Reservations:
Seating is limited, reserve your seat early
Call in advance to reserve or purchase them online
RSVP by September 9
Tickets:
$45 per person [$75 at the door, if available]
$400 for table of 10
-----
U.S. MUSLIMS DESIGNATE FRIDAY AS 'HURRICANE RELIEF DAY' -
TOP
Mosques urged to collect donations at congregational prayers
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/1/05) A prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group today called on mosques and Islamic centers
nationwide to collect donations for hurricane disaster relief following
Islamic congregational prayers (Jumah) on Friday.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) asked that the funds
collected be sent to the American Red Cross or other relief groups
offering assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (See the list
below compiled by the Associated Press.)
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441,
E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
A LIST OF SOME NATIONAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS -
TOP
Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or
https://www.redcross.org/
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or
http://www.er-d.org/
United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/hurricanes/2005/
Operation USA: 1-800-678-7255 or
http://www.opusa.org
FEMA Charity tips:
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster:
http://www.nvoad.org/
Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
http://www.la-spca.org/
Islamic Relief:
http://www.irw.org/katrina
ICNA Relief:
http://icnarelief.org
Humane Society of the United States:
http://www.hsus.org
---
DC-AREA MOSQUE TO COLLECT DONATIONS HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
(STERLING, VA, 9/1/05) On Friday, September 2, the All Dulles Muslim Society (
www.adamscenter.org)
will have hurricane relief donation collection boxes at all Jumaa
Locations: Main Center, Farifax Branch, Reston Branch, Leesburg Branch,
and Tysons Corner Branch. Please make check payable to ADAMS with memo:
"Hurricane Katrina"
The ADAMS Sisters Youth Groups will also collect Canned Food at the ADAMS Main Center
ADAMS urges Muslim Americans to donate generously to humanitarian
organizations that are working to meet the needs of the affected
people. ADAMS also urges Muslim Americans to volunteer in any capacity
to help bring relief and comfort to the victims of this disaster.
CONTACT: ADAMS President Rizwan Jaka, E-Mail: rojpm@yahoo.com
---
MUSLIM COMEDY ACT COMES TO RICHARDSON -
TOP
Area Muslims attempt to get their message out through comedy
(RICHARDSON, TX 8/29/05) - The 'Allah Made Me Funny' Comedy Tour is
stopping in Richardson on Thursday, September 1st at the Eisemann
Center. The comedians in the tour, Preacher Moss and Azhar Usman, have
been featured nationally on ABC's Nightline and on NPR's All Things
Considered. The comedy tour has traveled across the U.S. and in the
U.K. and has drawn large audiences.
Some area Muslims see this comedy show as an opportunity to help get
their message of peace, anti-terror, anti-war, etc. to the American
public at large. Event organizer, Tamir Ayad, says "The media of comedy
is a good way for Muslims in America to communicate their message of
peace and anti-terror to their fellow Americans. In this time of
building bridges of understanding, comedy and the need for a good laugh
is something all Americans and human beings in general have in common,
and we should put it to use for a good cause."
For more information about the show, visit
www.allahmademefunny.com or
Call 214-914-3588. Tickets can be purchased for $20 at
www.eisemanncenter.com, or by calling the Eisemann Center ticket office at 972-744-4650.
Doors open at 8:30 pm on Thursday, September 1st. All proceeds from the
event go towards road construction and drainage improvement at the
Muslim Cemetery in Denton, Texas.
-END-
-----
AMERICAN MUSLIM LEADER WORKS TO MOVE MUSLIMS TOWARD U.S. MAINSTREAM -
TOP
KEN KUSMER, Associated Press, 8/31/05
As one of the nation's largest U.S. Muslim groups prepares for its
annual meeting in the Chicago area, its leader is working to contain
forces both inside and outside the community that would steer it away
from the American mainstream.
Sayyid Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North
America, said efforts to help Muslims gain broader acceptance will be a
focus at the gathering, which starts Friday and is expected to draw
about 40,000 Muslims from around the country.
Muslims worldwide have been under renewed pressure to distance
themselves from extremists after a summer of deadly terrorist attacks
in Britain and Egypt, and insurgent assaults on civilians and coalition
troops in Iraq. The Islamic Society, based in Plainfield, has joined
other Muslims in repeatedly denouncing terrorism, yet suspicion of the
community persists.
Syeed compared the plight of American Muslims to that of other
immigrant religious groups, including Jews and Roman Catholics, who
faced discrimination when they arrived in the United States.
"On day one, they were not accepted as equals, but they had to struggle
and they had to redefine themselves and ultimately they were able to
redefine the society itself so that it became a further label to say
that America is Judeo-Christian," said Syeed, in an interview with The
Associated Press. "It was a great achievement." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
HUGHES LAUNCHES 9/11 ANNIVERSARY IMAGE CAMPAIGN -
TOP
ROBIN WRIGHT, Washington Post, 9/1/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/31/AR2005083102599.html
Karen Hughes, who has been tasked with re-crafting America's image,
sent a cable to all U.S. embassies yesterday urging them to think of
ways to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks that will demonstrate that terrorism is a challenge faced not
just by the United States.
The instructions from the State Department's new undersecretary for
public diplomacy are an early sample of Hughes's plans to try to close
the chasm between the United States and much of the rest of the world,
particularly the bloc of more than 50 Islamic countries.
As one step, she explained in an interview yesterday, the U.S.
ambassador to Egypt could go to Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort
where terrorist bombs killed at least 64 people and injured more than
100 last month. In the cable, she also urged U.S. diplomatic missions
to use the occasion to bring together religious leaders for an
interfaith dialogue.
"The fourth anniversary gives us an opportunity to really remind the
world that it's about more than America, that it's about all of us,"
she said. "I suggested that they might want to have events particularly
in countries that have also been targets of terrorist attacks; that our
ambassadors might want to reach out, and in a way that resonates with
the population in that country and communicates that we understand that
it's not just Americans who have been victims of this, but it's been
Egyptians and people all over the world, Muslims as well as Christians
and Jewish citizens."
Hughes, who will unveil her plans in a "town hall" staff meeting with
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice next Thursday, said she has also
initiated discussions with Muslim leaders since taking office less than
three weeks ago. She has sought out Muslim clerics, students and
scholars, she said, to hear their concerns and ideas.
Tonight she will participate in a closed-door panel discussion in
Chicago with the Islamic Society of North America, an association of
Muslim groups that sponsors education and social outreach in Muslim
communities as well as with other religious groups.
---
STATE DEPT OFFICIAL URGES INCLUSIVE TACK ON 9/11 -
TOP
STEVEN R. WEISMAN, New York Times, 9/1/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/01/international/01hughes.html
With the approaching anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Under
Secretary of State Karen P. Hughes sent a message on Wednesday to
American ambassadors that they should attend interfaith services on
that date or make some other gesture noting ''that this is not just
about us'' but about other countries.
''I think it's a very humble way, on the day of our national tragedy,
to remember that other people have experienced horrible tragedies,''
said Ms. Hughes, who started this month as the Bush administration's
overseer for ''public diplomacy,'' a job in which she has been charged
with repairing the poor image of the United States overseas.
In her first interview since taking office, Ms. Hughes, a former
campaign and White House adviser to President Bush, said she would
announce several initiatives next week, including a plan in which she
would be in charge of an interagency coordinating group to promote
American policies and respond to criticisms from abroad.
The anniversary of the attacks, Ms. Hughes said, should be an
opportunity for ambassadors to strike a bond with other countries. For
example, she suggested that the ambassador to Egypt visit Sharm el
Sheik, the Red Sea resort where attacks occurred earlier this year.
''One of the messages that the president has communicated to me and to
the secretary of state is that he believes that public diplomacy in
today's 24/7 communications world is a key part of an ambassador's
job,'' Ms. Hughes said, adding that the State Department would be
monitoring ambassadors' performance carefully. ''I'm a big believer in
catching people being good, praising people when they do well, and
sending out'' examples of good work, Ms. Hughes said, explaining that
ambassadors' job performance ratings would include their communication
skills but that ambassadors also needed better tools to explain
administration policies.
Ms. Hughes said her three strategic goals would be to disseminate ''a
positive vision of hope and opportunity for people throughout the world
that's rooted in the president's freedom agenda,'' to ''isolate and
marginalize the extremists,'' and to emphasize common values with other
countries, cultures and religions.
The job of under secretary of state for public diplomacy has only been
in existence since the last years of the Clinton administration, and it
has had a troubled time under President Bush. Two under secretaries
have come and gone and the post was vacant for more than a year,
despite Mr. Bush's promise to improve American efforts. (MORE)
-----
ISLAM S SIX STAGES HOLD WAYS TO UPLIFT, TRANSFORM THE SOUL -
TOP
OregonLive.com, 9/1/05
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/beaverton/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_news/112514012858121.xml&coll=7
Call it an ultimate homecoming or a dream. During a recent flight, I
felt submerged in the clouds and had the dream of a lifetime.
Instead of landing, the plane was piercing through the clouds to a
wonderland. All of a sudden, the passengers were going through customs,
but what kind of customs was this? There were angels floating around us
with big scrolls in their hands.
I thought it was part of an ordeal we had to go through to satisfy
Homeland Security. Soon I entered a big open-air theater, skies as the
screen.
I started to become panicky for my final accounting. I only wished I
had another chance to do it right. The desire was so intense that I
guess it was fulfilled instantly, and I found myself in the crowd,
still in transit. I was delighted to still have my chance.
We as humans must look and ponder why accountability makes sense. It
keeps us in check for our actions. Our inner souls are ingrained with
an inherent ability to see right from wrong, but the real test is how
we make our choices in this life. May God help us to stay on the right
path.
Any theology will be rejected by the masses if its teachings do not conform to peace and happiness for all.
What we need today is an uplifting of human spirituality and a transformation to a higher level.
In Islam, there are six stages of uplifting and transformation for the soul. They include: Ilm, or knowledge.
Who we are? Who is our creator? Why are we created? What is the purpose
of life? What is the final destination? And so on. Amal, or action.
How should we live our life? How do we relate to our creator, other
humans and our environments? How can we make this world a better place
to live? How can we pay tribute to God, the Almighty? Ikhlas, or
sincerity. A sincere heart is a jewel. In today's world, we are lacking
sincere effort. Many ventures are tainted by greed or monetary gains or
by seeking honor and praise. Zuhud, or detachment from luxury.
-----
BARRED IN U.S., SCHOLAR MAY JOIN BRITISH PANEL -
TOP
TOM HUNDLEY, Chicago Tribune, 9/1/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509010148sep01,1,7622823.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Tariq Ramadan, the controversial Muslim scholar who resigned a teaching
post at the University of Notre Dame last year after the U.S.
government barred his entry, has been named to a high-profile British
government task force that will examine the roots of extremism in
Britain, according to press reports.
Prime Minister Tony Blair called for the task force after the July
terror attacks in London. The deadliest of those attacks was carried
out by a cell of British-born Muslims, prompting concerns about the
growing alienation of British Muslims.
The task force, whose members are to be officially announced this week
by the Home Office, is supposed to report to Blair by the end of
September.
The Home Office would not confirm Ramadan's appointment. His selection
was reported Tuesday by The Guardian newspaper. Ramadan, who lives in
Switzerland, was unavailable for comment.
Ramadan has written extensively on the dilemmas facing Muslims living
in the West. He has argued that it is possible to be "truly Muslim and
truly European at the same time."
Last year, he received an appointment to teach Islamic philosophy and
ethics at Notre Dame's Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace
Studies. But before he could travel to the campus in South Bend, Ind.,
his work visa was revoked by the Department of Homeland Security. No
reason was given.
The decision to bar Ramadan was widely criticized by U.S. academics but
applauded by a number of American Jewish groups and conservative
organizations who suggested that Ramadan had links to Al Qaeda, a
charge he denies.
In France, where he has a wide audience among French-speaking Muslims,
he is frequently attacked by intellectuals who describe him as a
charlatan who says one thing to European audiences and something else
to Muslims.
He also has been a target of the British tabloids.
The Sun, Britain's largest newspaper, said Ramadan was more dangerous
than several well-known radical preachers in London because he came
across as "the acceptable, `reasonable' face of terror to
impressionable young Muslims."
This fall, Ramadan is scheduled to take a teaching position at Oxford University.
In addition to establishing the task force, the Home Office has drawn
up a package of anti-terrorism measures, including a controversial new
law that would allow the home secretary to deport so-called "preachers
of hate" who incite young Muslims to violence.
-----
ACLU SUES OVER IRAQI-BORN U.S. RESIDENT -
TOP
Associated Press, 8/31/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/31/AR2005083102025.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Bush
administration on Wednesday, demanding the release of an Iraqi-born
U.S. resident arrested in Baghdad after a mortar attack on American
forces.
Numan Adnan Al Kaby was found not guilty by a military court on July 4
of having anything to do with the April attack. Al Kaby had returned to
Iraq from the United States to reunite with his family and he was
working for an American contractor at the time of his arrest.
``The government is turning justice on its head by keeping an innocent
man in jail,'' said Mark Rosenbaum, the ACLU's legal director in
southern California.
The case was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by Al
Kaby's first cousin and by Cyrus Kar, an aspiring Iranian-American
filmmaker who became friends with Al Kaby. The two were held in
adjacent cells at the Camp Cropper detention facility in Iraq.
Kar was taken into custody May 17 when potential bomb parts were found
in a taxi in which he was riding. Kar was released July 10 after his
family filed a lawsuit accusing the federal government of violating his
civil rights and holding him after the FBI cleared him of suspicion.
The Pentagon referred questions about Al Kaby's detention to military
officials in Iraq. Officials with Central Command did not immediately
return calls.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. MUSLIMS PLEDGE $10 MILLION FOR HURRICANE
RELIEF
Major American Islamic groups form task force to
coordinate humanitarian aid
(CHICAGO, IL, 9/4/05) – A coalition of major
American Islamic groups meeting at the annual convention of the Islamic Society
of North America (ISNA) in Chicago today announced a pledge to raise $10 million
in humanitarian relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The coalition also announced the formation of a Muslim
Hurricane Relief Task Force (MHRTF) to coordinate the aid effort. MHRTF members
include (in alphabetical order) Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),
Islamic Circle of North American (ICNA), Islamic Relief, ISNA, Kind Hearts, Life
for Relief and Development, Muslim
Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim
Public Affairs Council (MPAC), and Muslim Ummah of North American (MUNA).
Other groups who agree to the task force’s guidelines will
be added as the relief efforts develop. MHRTF guidelines for collection and
distribution of funds will focus on financial transparency and accountability as
set forth in relevant government regulations and standards. No proselytizing of
hurricane victims will be allowed by any member of the task force.
“It is a national and Islamic obligation to assist one’s
neighbors when they are in need,” said ISNA Secretary General Sayyid Syeed. “The
American Muslim community pledges to do its part in helping those Americans, of
all faiths, who suffered such great losses in lives and property.”
Syeed said MHRTF will announce a comprehensive list of
Muslim relief group that promise to adhere to the task force’s guidelines.
The initial MHRTF action plan includes an assessment of
the humanitarian needs that can be met by American Muslim financial and human
resources, as well as a similar assessment of the Islamic community’s ability to
meet those needs.
More than $2 million in hurricane aid has already been
disbursed by Islamic charities. Muslim relief workers are currently on the
ground in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Other task force efforts will focus on evaluating the
material and spiritual requirements of Gulf Coast Muslims.
There are an estimated seven million Muslims in the United
States.
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper,
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org
Adina Lekovic,
213,383-3443, communications@mpac.org
Mohamed
Elsanousi, 317-839-1803, melsanousi@isna.net
-----
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CAIR
Council on
American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey
Avenue, S.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20003
Tel:
202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax:
202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL: http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOSQUES VANDALIZED IN NE, CA AND NY
CAIR calls for probes of bias motives, increased
security
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/6/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on local and national law enforcement
authorities to investigate possible bias motives for recent vandalism at
mosques in Nebraska, California and New York.
CAIR, a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, also
urged Muslim institutions nationwide to review security procedures at
local facilities.
According to police reports, the Islamic Foundation in Lincoln, Neb., was
vandalized twice this past weekend. Vandals reportedly broke a window and
spray-painted racist graffiti such as "white power" and a Nazi
swastika on the building and a car parked at the site.
SEE: "Nebraska Islamic Foundation Vandalized Twice Over
Weekend"
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/09/06/local/doc431d05533adb3155804648.txt
In California, representatives of the Islamic Center of Redlands say
their mosque has been a target of vandalism and trespassing. An incident
during prayers on Aug. 19, during which unknown people threw beer
bottles, poured alcohol into a worshipper's car and shouted epithets,
prompted a letter to city officials.
SEE: "Redlands Mosque Tells of Vandalism"
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_News_Local_B_bvandal03.1dea9ec3.html
And in Beacon, N.Y., a city garbage receptacle was reportedly thrown
through a window of Masjid Ur-Rashid on August 23.
"We urge local law enforcement authorities and the FBI to determine
whether anti-Muslim bias played a role in any of these incidents,"
said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We also ask local
Muslim leaders to review security measures at mosques, Islamic schools
and other facilities." He urged that mosques consider installing
exterior video cameras, perimeter floodlights and burglar alarm
systems.
Hooper added that CAIR offers a "Muslim Community Safety Kit"
containing advice on improving mosque security. The safety kit may be
obtained free of charge by e-mailing
pubs@cair-net.org. (Include name,
address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.) It may also be
ordered at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1021
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/6/05
*
Hadith:
Be Kind to Your
Neighbors
*
CAIR-FL
Interfaith
Service for Hurricane Victims
*
CAIR
Presents
Award to Imam W. Deen Mohammed
-
IL:
Muslim
Convention Focuses On Helping Poor
*
CAIR-OH:
Muslims Meet
Law Enforcement Officials
-
CAIR-MI:
Profiling Will
Not Prevent Terrorism
-
CAIR-CA:
Profile of
CAIR-Sacramento Director
*
CAIR:
Parents
Press Schools to Be Muslim-Friendly (AP)
*
American Muslims
Respond to
Hurricane Katrina:
-
U.S.
Muslims Pledge $10 Million in Relief Aid
-
WI
Muslims Dispatch Volunteers
-
NY Muslim Community Raises Relief Funds
-
NAIT Announces Outreach to Gulf Coast Mosques
-
TX Muslims Rebuild Trust Through Relief Efforts
-
State Dept. Thanks American Muslims for Hurricane Fund
*
State Dept. Seeks Advice from American Muslims (NY Times)
- IL:
Muslims Challenge Critics in America (Indy Star)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: BE KIND TO YOUR NEIGHBORS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If you are kind to your
neighbor, you will be a believer. If you like others to have what you
like for yourself, you will be a Muslim."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1334
-----
CAIR-FL CO-SPONSORS INTERFAITH SERVICE FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
WHAT: The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater hold an interfaith
religious service for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road
CONTACT: Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506,
abedier@cair-florida.org
-----
CAIR PRESENTS LEADERSHIP AWARD TO IMAM W. DEEN MOHAMMED -
TOP
Board chairman speaks at The Mosque Cares annual convention
(CHICAGO, IL, 9/06/05) - On Saturday, September 3, the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) presented an award to Imam W. Deen
Mohammed in recognition of his outstanding leadership role in the
American Muslim community.
The award was presented by CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed at The Mosque
Cares annual convention in Chicago held over the Labor Day weekend. An
inscription on the award read: "To Imam W.D. Mohammed, for your
outstanding leadership and service to the Muslim American Community."
CAIR-Chicago representatives Yaser Tabbara and Ahmed Rehab also spoke to several thousand convention attendees.
"The Mosque Cares is a beautiful example of positive community
organizing and empowerment," said Tabbara. "We are grateful for the
opportunity to work together."
"CAIR believes in community empowerment and it is therefore quite
natural for us to work closely with The Mosque Cares and Imam
Mohammed," said Parvez Ahmed. "We are very optimistic about future
cooperation."
In his acceptance speech, Imam Mohammed praised CAIR's work in defense of civil rights.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Yaser Tabbara, 312-212-1520, E-Mail:
director@cairchicago.org;
Ahmed Rehab, 847-971-3963; E-Mail:
communications@cairchicago.org
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM CONVENTION FOCUSES ON HELPING POOR -
TOP
Rumana Hussain, Sun-Times, 9/2/05
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-muslim02.html
African-American Muslims meeting here are using their religion's
altruistic teachings to develop long-term strategies to improve the
lives of the underprivileged and revitalize the country's inner cities.
Islam champions the poor, so Muslims conducting business in the
struggling neighborhoods have to give back to those communities, Mosque
Cares officials said at the opening of their annual convention at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel on Thursday.
"When America hurts, we hurt," attendee Zubaydah N. Madyun said as
volunteers began collecting batteries, flashlights and canned goods for
Hurricane Katrina victims.
Focus on small business
"We have to do more than pray and just feel bad," said Na Jee Ali, son-in-law of Mosque Cares' Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
Mohammed is the son of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Although
Mohammed follows traditional Islam, he shares his father's zealous
enthusiasm for black self-love and self-sufficiency. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-OHIO: MUSLIMS MEET LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS -
TOP
(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/6/05) - Leaders of the Northeast Ohio Muslim and
Arab-American communities met recently with federal law enforcement
officials from Michigan and Ohio to discuss ongoing civil liberties and
immigration concerns.
The leadership roundtable included top local officials from the
Department of Justice, FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Senior officials from the Office of Investigations for Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) were also present.
At the meeting, Muslim leaders voiced strong concerns about continued
erosion of civil rights for Muslims in America. Muslim leaders
reiterated their absolute condemnation of terrorism, stating that it is
the civic and religious duty of Muslims to partner with policy-makers
and law enforcement to defeat terrorism.
The meeting was co-hosted by law enforcement and a local Muslim
community advisory group formed in 2004. The group meets regularly with
law enforcement agencies to discuss issues of mutual concern, as well
as to be prepared in the event of a crisis. Future meetings will focus
on plans for a wider town hall forum.
Muslim and Arab-American groups represented at the meeting included the
Islamic Society of Akron and Kent, Islamic Center of Cleveland, First
Cleveland Mosque, Uqbah Mosque Foundation, Peace in the Hood, AACCESS,
and the Cleveland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-OH).
CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland, Julia A. Shearson, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail:
Julia@cair-ohio.com; Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, 614-989-5916, E-Mail:
ahmad@cair-ohio.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI: PROFILING WILL NOT PREVENT TERRORISM -
TOP
Dawud Walid, Battle Creek Enquirer, 8/31/05
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/OPINION03/508310313&SearchID=73219444632419
Since the horrific attacks on July 7 in London, some politicians and
radio "shock jocks" have been perpetuating xenophobia through the call
of racial and religious profiling as one possible solution to our war
on terror. As apprehensive as our nation feels in this post-9/11
reality, we must ask ourselves some basic questions. Are we, the symbol
of democracy for the world, willing to sacrifice our pledge of "One
nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" over
the threat of terrorism? And is terrorism peculiar to only one racial
group or religious affiliation? The answers should be obvious if we put
a small amount of thought into them.
If we allow ourselves to be appealed to by emotional fervor over
reason, we will all be the losers. Generalizations, in most cases, are
fallacious, especially when applied to humans. The internment of
Japanese-Americans during World War II and the more recent abuses of
profiling young African-American males in our failed war on drugs are
sad reminders of this reality.
Profiling due to race and religion has proven to net random results;
however, its prominent results are the humiliation of the profiled
group and an excuse for ignorant people to slur or commit hate crimes
against the targeted group.
Dawud Walid is the executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Lathrup Village.
---
CAIR-SV: YOUNG MUSLIM LEADER RAISES HIS PROFILE -
TOP
Jennifer Garza, The Sacramento Bee, 9/2/05
http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/2777492p-9216034c.html
SACRAMENTO, CALIF.--Basim Elkarra is late. The news conference was
supposed to begin five minutes ago, but the person who scheduled it is
nowhere to be seen. The media and the other speakers are gathered on
the west steps of the Capitol. But no Elkarra.
Seven minutes later, a tall, thin man in a dark suit emerges. He is
holding a cell phone to his ear but quickly hangs up when he sees
people waiting. Within a few minutes, Elkarra begins his speech --
about a fatwa issued by Western religious leaders against terrorism.
Elkarra, it seems, is all over the Sacramento area these days. Whether
it's advising Muslims in Lodi, Calif., (where the FBI arrested five men
in June for alleged terrorist links) of their civil rights or
questioning the government about its tactics or holding news
conferences about religious edicts, the media-savvy executive director
of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Sacramento Valley, has
been busy.
There have been days, he says, when he hasn't left his office.
"I just sleep here sometimes. It's better than going home exhausted,"
says Elkarra, in an interview at the downtown Sacramento office.
CAIR, a national organization with 20 chapters across the country, has
been at the forefront of Muslim civil rights issues in recent years.
(MORE)
-----
PARENTS PRESSING N.J. SCHOOLS TO BE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY -
TOP
Wayne Parry, Associated Press, 9/5/05
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/09/05/parents_pressing_nj_schools_to_be_muslim_friendly/
CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. -- Yasmeen Elsamra had a simple request: While her
classmates were eating lunch, she wanted to go off to pray.
Yasmeen, now 14, was told that she could not do that, and she went home
distraught that afternoon in October 2003. Praying five times a day is
a cornerstone of her Islamic faith.
''If I wasn't allowed to pray my second prayer at school, I couldn't do
it at home," she said. ''When school finishes, the third prayer begins."
Her family contacted a Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Eventually, the district acknowledged that it had no policy to prevent
a student from praying alone in free time. It allowed Yasmeen to use an
empty classroom to unroll her prayer rug, face the holy city of Mecca,
and touch her head to the floor.
Her case was part of a nationwide effort by Muslim parents to make
public schools more friendly and accommodating to Muslim students. The
movement has gained strength since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (MORE)
-----
American Muslims Respond to Hurricane Katrina: - TOP
MUSLIM HURRICANE RELIEF TASK FORCE FORMED
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1732&theType=NR
NORTH AMERICAN ISLAMIC GROUP PLEDGES $10 MILLION TO AID EFFORTS -
TOP
Amina El-Bishlawy, State Department News, 9/5/05
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=September&x=20050905132654retnuhategdirb0.4986688&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
TEXT: Rosemont, Illinois ' Officials of the Islamic Society of North
America (ISNA) concluded the organization's 42nd annual convention by
announcing a $10 million pledge for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The Islamic organization launched the Katrina Relief Fund during the
opening of its convention, held September 2-5 in Rosemont, Illinois, a
suburb of Chicago.
Hurricane Katrina struck the southeastern United States August 29,
inflicting widespread damage and prompting the largest domestic relief
effort in U.S. history.
In an interview with the Washington File, Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah,
ISNA president, said the fund represents the collective efforts of
several Islamic organizations in North America.
The special fund was able, in the first few hours following the
announcement, to raise $2 million toward the goal, including an initial
donation of $20,000 from ISNA's own resources, to assist the victims,
according to Sayyid M. Syeed, secretary-general of ISNA.
"We decided to launch this fund because we feel that this is a
religious obligation toward those who are in need. Prophet Muhammad
said in his teachings or Hadith [He is not faithful, he is not
faithful, he is not faithful], when asked who "he' is, Prophet Muhammad
answered, "He or she who sleeps with full stomach while his neighbor is
hungry.' This is a natural disaster, we all have to help," he said.
Many thousands lost their homes, their properties; some lost
everything, added Abdullah, noting that, "as Muslims we care for every
human being and those are our fellow citizens. -- Alhamdulillah ' thank
God -- other Muslim organizations joined us to start a task force to
help with these efforts."
ISNA conducts an annual blood drive as a part of its annual convention
activities. The 2005 drive was dedicated to Katrina victims, according
to Abdullah.
Abdullah said the American Muslim Task Force already is working to
provide relief: "Our people 'ISNA, ICNA [the Islamic Circle of North
America], CAIR [Council on American-Islamic Relations], Islamic Relief,
Life and other American Muslim organizations - are on the field now in
Houston, Texas, offering their help to feed and provide fresh water for
25,000 people every day." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
WI MUSLIMS DISPATCH VOLUNTEERS TO AID HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
On Saturday September 3, the Islamic Center of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
dispatched a team of volunteers including physicians to Baton Rouge
where thousands of evacuees are staying. The team took with them
$25,000 worth of medical supplies and $30,000 cash which was raised
during Friday prayer.
For more info: Dr. Waleed Najeeb (on site); 414-759-7760 or Janan Najeeb:
jmnajeeb@aol.com
---
NY MUSLIM COMMUNITY RAISES FUNDS FOR THE HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
New York Muslims announced today they have raised some $100,000 from
several mosques in the New York City and New Jersey area for the Muslim
Hurricane Relief Task Force (MHRTF), a coalition of major American
Islamic groups that was established this past weekend at annual Islamic
convention in Chicago. MHRTF pledged to raise $10 million in
humanitarian relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
For more information, contact Khaled at
kelmattrawy@hotmail.com, or call 646-246-0997.
---
NORTH AMERICAN ISLAMIC TRUST (NAIT) ANNOUNCES OUTREACH TO KATRINA-AFFECTED MOSQUES AND ISLAMIC SCHOOLS -
TOP
Several mosques and Islamic schools have been damaged by Katrina and
its aftermath and require funds to bring back these to the communities'
use. NAIT is mobilizing its resources to assess the damage, estimate
the needed funds, and direct assistance to these mosques and schools.
NAIT applauds the efforts of the Muslim institutions and relief
organizations. It recognizes that their assistance will first go to
restoring individuals' lives, property and honor, Muslims and
non-Muslims. Restoring mosques and Islamic schools is critical to the
emotional and spiritual well-being of the affected families and
communities.
NAIT aims to work in concert with other Muslim institutions, relief
organizations, and the private sector, to assist the affected mosques
and Islamic schools restore their infrastructure. NAIT holds in trust
titles to approximately 300 mosques and Islamic schools throughout the
United States, including fourteen (14) in Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama.
For more information, contact NAIT at Tel: (630) 789-9191 or email:
info@nait.net
---
TEXAS MUSLIMS SEEK TO REBUILD TRUST THROUGH RELIEF EFFORTS -
TOP
Nathan Diebenow, Lone Staricon, 9/4/05
http://www.lonestaricon.com/News/2005/35-36/36news01.htm
IRVING - Imagine sitting in church. It's a pleasant, sunny morning. The
birds are chirping outside. Junior is happily sleeping, and the pastor
is giving his sermon.
The pastor says that according to religious scripture and tradition,
the congregation must lend aid to those in need. Today's tithes are
going to those affected by a hurricane swept through New Orleans
earlier in the week.
The pastor explains that 80 percent of the city is underwater. Tens of
thousands of homes are flooded or gone. Over a million people evacuated
the area. The death toll is rising. It could be worse, though, since
you last saw coverage on television.
You notice a few new faces sitting near you. They are refugees
displaced by the hurricane living with relatives. The pastor urges
everyone there to donate money, food, clothing, supplies, and/or labor
for the victims. A member has already volunteered to meet with city
officials to assess the situation at one of the shelters.
Then, you hear a computer sound. A beeping. There it is again! You look
around. Oh, it's just yet another reporter taking pictures of you and
everyone with this digital camera. Nothing new.
Then, all of a sudden in the same sermon, the pastor says the religion
followed by this church and its congregation does not condone terrorism.
You may think this comment is weird, but it's nothing new for an American Muslim. (MORE)
---
STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THANKS NORTH AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR HURRICANE FUND -
TOP
Amina El-Bishlawy, State Department News, 9/6/05
http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/products/washfile.html
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of State's International Information Programs issued the following press release:
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes has
expressed the appreciation of the Bush administration for the
demonstration of support for victims of Hurricane Katrina by the
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
"All people join me in saying that our hearts and prayers are with the
people of Louisiana," Hughes said at a press conference September 2 to
kick off ISNA's 42nd annual convention taking place in Chicago until
September 5.
Hughes thanked ISNA for starting a special fund to help the victims of
hurricane Katrina and making an initial donation of $20,000 from its
own resources. After September 2 Friday prayers, ISNA announced that it
had collected $2 million, with additional contributions expected.
"Muslim Americans must come forward and assist their fellow Americans
in this time of need," said Sayyid M. Syeed, secretary general of ISNA.
ISNA called on mosques and congregations across North America to devote
their sermons to the importance of helping the needy and to help raise
funds during Friday prayers throughout the country.
The more than 30,000 Muslims attending this year's ISNA convention also
said a special Islamic prayer - Salat el Gha'eb, or prayer for the
absent - for Katrina's victims following the weekly Friday prayer.
Describing her meeting with Muslim leaders September 1, Hughes said
that it was "a fascinating experience," which helped her to understand
more about a number of things, from language, to public diplomacy
outreach, to policy issues in "a very open and honest way." (MORE)
-----
STATE DEPT. SEEKS ADVICE FROM AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
Laurie Goodstein, New York Times, 9/3/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/03/MNG6CEI2L31.DTL
Rosemont, Ill. -- American Muslims met with Undersecretary of State
Karen Hughes on Friday at an Islamic convention here to offer advice
and assistance as she began an initiative to improve the flagging image
of the United States among Muslims overseas.
Hughes began overseeing "public diplomacy" for the Bush administration
last month. She said she and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would
hold a public forum and announce a new "public diplomacy" strategy next
week. She gave few details but said the initiative would involve
exchange programs, debates and interfaith dialogues.
"We have a common interest in confronting terror and violence and hate
and crime that is committed in the name of any religion, and we want to
isolate and marginalize those who would seek to kill innocents," Hughes
said at a news conference. "And frankly, who better to do that than
many of our American Muslims themselves, who have friends and family
and groups in countries across our world?"
Polls have shown that the image of the United States among Muslims
abroad has plummeted since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and
the start of the Iraq conflict.
Hughes met separately with leaders of Muslim organizations, young
people and a delegation from England that was among an estimated 40,000
here for the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America.
The society is an umbrella group of mosques and Islamic centers in the
United States and Canada. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIMS AIM TO CHALLENGE CRITICS IN AMERICA -
TOP
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 9/4/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050904/NEWS01/509040496/1006/NEWS01
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- In the days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks,
many American Muslims were fearful about leaving their homes.
Months later, many remained reluctant to respond to critics who made derogatory comments about Islam or Muslim communities.
Now, almost four years after the attacks, American Muslims are being urged by their leaders to answer back.
As the Plainfield-based Islamic Society of North America hosts nearly
40,000 Muslims this weekend near Chicago at its 42nd annual convention,
there is plenty of talk here about how Muslims must answer their
critics and, if need be, get tough with them.
At a Saturday morning seminar attended by more than 200 people, the
discussion included how to apply pressure on politicians who smear the
faith, the benefits of corporate boycotts and what constitutes legal
grounds for defamation suits.
"The key," Corey P. Saylor, government affairs director for the Council
on American-Islamic Relations told the audience, "is to not just sit
back and take it."
Aisha El-Amin, who sat in on the lecture, agreed with the need to be
proactive. She was especially interested in a Web site that tracks
contributions to political candidates.
"We can only fight for ourselves," said El-Amin, a New Orleans resident
who was visiting relatives in Chicago when Hurricane Katrina struck the
Gulf Coast.
Already fighting on behalf of American Muslims is the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, as it is commonly known. The
organization, playing a prominent role at ISNA's convention, has
developed a reputation for being something of a pit bull in protecting
the civil rights of Muslims.
CAIR, for example, sued a North Carolina congressman after he accused
the organization of acting as a fundraising arm for Hezbollah, a
militant Palestinian group. The council also organized a boycott
against a radio station until it fired a disc jockey who called Islam a
terrorist organization. CAIR also brought considerable pressure on a
Colorado lawmaker who asserted that America should take out Islam's
holy sites in the event of another terrorist attack.
Arsalan T. Iftikhar, the national legal director for CAIR, said
Saturday it was time for everyday Muslims to "defend the image and
reputation of the community and Islam in general."
"I am here to teach you how the American Muslim community can legally
empower itself to protect itself in the American courts," he said, as
he went into the nuances of the limits of the First Amendment.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/7/05
*
Hadith:
Real Wealth is in Good
Deeds
*
FL
Muslims to
Air Anti-Terror TV Ads on 9/11 Weekend
-
DC:
Muslims
to Hold 9/11 Vigil at U.S. Capitol
*
Vandalism at AZ Islamic
Center
* American Muslims Respond to Hurricane Katrina:
-
Katrina
Shifts Focus of Islamic, Baptist Meetings
-
MS:
Mosque
Launches Relief Effort
-
MD:
Muslim,
Jewish Councils Hold Katrina Fundraiser
-
TX:
Muslim
Comedy Show Benefits Katrina Victims
*
MI:
Faith is Focus of
9/11 Event (Free Press)
-
CA:
Muslim Puts Raw
Emotion on Stage
*
The Middle East Through
Western Eyes (LA Times)
*
Gallup:
Americans to Bush -
Withdraw Troops from Iraq
*
Rabbi:
Hurricane
Punishment for Gaza Pullout
-
Canada:
Islamic-Law
Plan Will Respect Rights
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: REAL WEALTH IS IN GOOD
DEEDS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Who among you
considers the wealth of his heirs dearer to him than his own
wealth?" The people replied: "(We all) love (our) own wealth
more." The Prophet then said: "(A person's real) wealth is
whatever he spends during his life (on good deeds), while the wealth of
his heirs is whatever he leaves after his death."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 449
The Prophet also said: "There are two blessings that many people
lose: health and free time for doing good."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 421
-----
CAIR-FL
TO AIR ANTI-TERROR TV ADS ON 9/11 WEEKEND -
TOP
(TAMPA, FL, 9/7/05) - The Florida office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) announced today that it will air
anti-terror television commercials in the Tampa area on the anniversary
weekend of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The commercial, which was originally produced by CAIR as a public service
announcement, will air 105 times during prime time between September 8
and 11 on the following cable stations: CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN
HeadlineNews, BayNews9, FOX Sports Net, The Weather Channel, Travel
Channel, Food Network, Bravo, The Golf Channel, and Lifetime.
"As we mark the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this weekend,
American Muslims wish to reiterate their rejection of terrorism and
religious extremism," said CAIR-Central Florida Director Ahmed
Bedier.
CAIR's 30-second commercial features American Muslims stating: "We
often hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts
of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Quran
and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone of any faith - who commits
such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by
criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and
justice
To view the commercial, go to:
http://www.cairfl.org/video/psa.wmv
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada.
CONTACT: Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506, E-Mail:
abedier@cair-florida.org;
Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214,
altaf@cairfl.org
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIMS TO HOLD
9/11 VIGIL AT U.S. CAPITOL -
TOP
Event to mark anniversary of attack, promote interfaith unity
WHAT: On Friday, September 9, the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) will host an interfaith candlelight vigil at the Capitol
Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to mark the fourth anniversary of
the 9/11 terror attacks.
Along with the vigil, the event will include remarks by interfaith
leaders and presentation of CAIR's "Voice of Unity Award."
Islamic sunset prayers (Maghrib) will be held immediately after the
event.
WHEN: Friday, September 9, 6:45-7:45 p.m.
WHERE: Capitol Reflecting Pool, Washington, D.C. (The reflecting pool is
located on the West side of the U.S. Capitol building near the base of
the stairs and is just East of 3rd Street, between Constitution and
Independence Avenues. Note: This location should not be confused with the
Reflecting Pool located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln
Memorial.)
Co-sponsors of the vigil include: InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan
Washington, Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (Washington,
D.C.), September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, All Dulles
Area Muslim Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, American Muslim
Voice, and the Interfaith Alliance
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core
Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor, 202-646-6039,
571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
VANDALISM AT AZ ISLAMIC
CENTER -
TOP
http://www.statepress.com/issues/2005/09/07/news/693702
A 40-year-old transient man was arrested early Saturday morning and
charged with aggravated criminal damage and first-degree trespassing. The
man allegedly broke a classroom window with a fire extinguisher at the
Islamic Community Center, 131 E. Sixth St., and was found inside the
classroom.
-----
KATRINA
SHIFTS FOCUS OF SEPARATE ISLAMIC, BAPTIST MEETINGS -
TOP
Religion News Service, 9/6/05
http://religionnews.com/
Two religious organizations that were holding their annual meetings have
quickly turned their attention to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
A coalition of U.S. Muslim groups meeting at the convention of the
Islamic Society of North America in Chicago announced Sunday (Sept. 4) a
pledge to raise $10 million in humanitarian relief. Meanwhile, the
president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, whose meeting began
Monday in Atlanta, has designated the first three Sundays of the month as
"Katrina Disaster Relief Sundays" for his
congregations.
The Islamic coalition announced the formation of a Muslim Hurricane
Relief Task Force to coordinate its aid. Members include the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, Islamic Circle of North America, the Islamic
Society of North America, the Muslim American Society and
others.
"It is a national and Islamic obligation to assist one's neighbors
when they are in need," said Sayyid Syeed, secretary general of the
Islamic Society of North America, in a statement.
"The American Muslim community pledges to do its part in helping
those Americans, of all faiths, who suffered such great losses in lives
and property."
The Rev. William J. Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention,
USA, said in a statement that his denominational meeting, which ends
Friday, will include a report from the three states most affected by the
hurricane.
SEE ALSO:
MISSISSIPPI
MOSQUE LAUNCHES RELIEF EFFORT -
TOP
Masjid Muhammad launches its Mississippi Mission of Mercy Relief for
victims of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.
Hurricane Katrina has displaced more than one million people, and
thousands are in the greater Jackson and Mississippi areas. Masjid
Muhammad will assist victims of the natural disaster by providing food,
water, other necessities, and shelter for families and individuals at the
Masjid (Mosque) facility and grounds. Additionally, there will be weekly
transport of food, water, clothes, and other necessities for victims to
Hattiesburg, the Gulf Coast, and other parts of Southern
Mississippi.
Masjid Muhammad will be a logistics site for Muslims from other regions
interested in providing assistance to victims in Jackson and Mississippi.
Sababu Rashid, project coordinator, will lead a group down to
Hattiesburg, New Medinah, and Southern Mississippi and the Gulf Coast
region weekly to provide victims with necessities.
For more information, contact: Sababu Rashid, Coordinator at 601-566-5720
(m); email:
masjid_muhammad2005@yahoo.com;
Abdul Rasheed 601-259-1981 (m); email:
lwalker1@jam.rr.com; Rasheed
Mu'id 937-321-6598 (m); email:
jackcrumbly@hotmail.com
---
UNITY
PRAYER BREAKFAST AND KICKOFF OF FUND-RAISING FOR KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
WHAT: The Maryland Muslim Council, in collaboration with Baltimore Jewish
Council, will host a Unity Prayer Breakfast and Kickoff of fund-raising
for Katrina Victims.
Leaders from Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations will attend this
event. The Honorable Congressmen Ben Cardin and the Honorable Congressmen
Elijah Cummings will be in attendance.
WHEN: 9/11/05 10:00AM (SHARP)
WHERE: Islamic Community Center
240 North Howard Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201
For more information, contact: 410-528-0786
---
MUSLIM COMEDY
SHOW BENEFITS KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
Jeanette Khan, Entertainment Editor, 9/6/05
http://www.smudailycampus.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/06/431cfa17b22bd
Last Thursday evening, the Muslim Comedy Tour, "Allah Made Me
Funny," came to Richardson's Charles W. Eismann Center for
Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations. Proceeds from the event were
originally supposed to go to the Muslim Cemetery Improvement Project, but
due to recent events regarding Hurricane Katrina, the money raised was
re-directed to the Islamic Relief USA, one of the highest-ranking Muslim
charities, according to comedian Preacher Moss.
The tour, co-founded by Moss and fellow comic Azhar Usman, brings
together Islamic stereotypes pre- and post-Sept. 11, according to their
website,
www.allahmademefunny.com.
"Humor is used to bridge gaps of bias, intolerance and other social
ills that are pre- and post-9/11 relevant," says Moss on the show's
website.
The evening began with Moss, a Muslim convert. Moss has been featured on
such networks as the BBC and PBS. He also is a scriptwriter for
"Saturday Night Live" and "The George Lopez
Show."
He talked about everything from undercover Muslims to strong sisters. He
explained how Islam is confounded by stereotypes that lead to racism and
hold people back. His overlying theme throughout the night was uniting
people despite their differences.
He also talked about stereotypes of Pakistanis and Indians. He explained
how his wife, an Indian woman, was almost three hours late for their
wedding. His father retorted that if she had been 15 minutes later, then
she would have been just in time for the divorce.
Moss also brings laughter to the struggle of a young African-American man
converting to Islam. He explained how his mother thought he was doing
exercises when he was saying his prayers.
Moss made the largely Muslim audience a bit uncomfortable when he talked
about his experiences as a young boy growing up in a Baptist church. He
had the audience roaring with laughter when he impersonated a Jamaican
cop who pulled him over for speeding. (MORE)
-----
FAITH IS FOCUS OF 9/11 EVENT -
TOP
David Crumm, Detroit Free Press, 9/7/05
http://www.freep.com/news/religion/911faith7e_20050907.htm
Starting Sunday, religious leaders from across the Detroit area plan to
showcase lessons they've learned in the years since the terrorist attacks
on Sept. 11, 2001.
Their effort takes the form of a series of receptions planned at local
houses of worship, but the religious leaders stress that this isn't an
exercise in polite hospitality.
It is an urgent push, they say, to build deeper understanding among
Christians, Muslims and Jews, fueled in part by the July bombings in
London and the continuing conflict in Iraq.
"In the past, interfaith work seemed like a nice, educational thing
to do, but people are beginning to realize that this is an essential part
of understanding our world today," the Rev. Dan Krichbaum, head of
the National Conference for Community and Justice in Detroit and a
cosponsor of the program, said Tuesday.
So, on the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, hundreds of
people are expected to gather from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Corinthian
Baptist Church, 1725 Caniff in Hamtramck. That event will kick off a
two-month pilgrimage through metro Detroit's diverse religious
communities.
The program, which is open to the public for a $2 admission fee, will
include the showing of a documentary film about local interfaith work,
plus speakers from several faiths and time for discussion. Then, on three
subsequent dates, people who come to the first meeting will be invited to
attend special worship services at a synagogue in Oak Park, and a
Catholic church and a mosque, both in Hamtramck. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM PUTS RAW EMOTION ON
STAGE -
TOP
Fremont author's play explores struggles after Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks
Jonathan Jones, Inside Bay Area, 9/7/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3007650
FREMONT - On a Thursday afternoon, Wajahat Ali sits in Shalimar on Walnut
Avenue, one of his favorite restaurants in Fremont, eating lunch with
writer and Pulitzer Prize nominee Ishmael Reed.
At the age of 24, Ali is an author, a law student, a Netflix junkie, a
Muslim, a Pakistani and a playwright.
But don't you dare try to pigeonhole him.
"I am a renaissance man," said the young playwright. "Or
at least, I aspire to be one."
The Fremont native also is gaining a reputation as a fresh new voice in
contemporary literature with "Domestic Crusaders," a two-act
play that chronicles a day in the life of a Muslim Pakistani-American
family gathering for a birthday party.
The play, which will have a special performance Saturday and Sunday at
the University Theatre on the campus of San Jose State University to
honor the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, chronicles
the everyday conflicts of a fictional South Asian-American family living
in a post 9/11 environment.
Carla Banks, the director, described the play as "an authentic,
revealing, no-holds barred" story that touches on serious political
and religious themes of a modern Muslim family living in the United
States. (MORE)
-----
MIDDLE EAST THROUGH
WESTERN EYES -
TOP
Scott Timberg, Los Angeles Times, 9/7/05
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-et-orientalism7sep07,1,1318001.story
Seated at a table topped by several Shriner hats, yellowing magazine ads
for Fatima cigarettes and a stack of bodice-rippers with titles such as
"In the Sheikh's Marriage Bed," Jonathan Friedlander has a
confession.
"I was really seduced by it," he says of the paraphernalia,
part of a trove of souvenirs he's accumulated everywhere from Minnesota
antiques shops to a Sav-On near his Van Nuys home.
Friedlander says he should have known better than to indulge himself so.
On the other hand, the cache he's kept adding to for years, mostly out of
curiosity, has become a serious scholarly collection -- perhaps the
largest of its kind. His goal has been to "put in one place
something called Middle Eastern Americana," from consumer wares to
photos of ersatz "Oriental" architecture to "sin"
products such as cigarettes and alcohol.
But Friedlander, 55, whose Hawaiian shirt, complicated eyeglasses and
slangy speech give him a youthful air, is not just an obsessed pack rat.
He's assistant director of the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, and
part of his collection went on display this week at the university's
Powell Library. The exhibition's title, appropriately, is "Seducing
America: Selling the Middle Eastern Mystique."
Several hundred items will be on view until Dec. 16. The complete
collection, by contrast, comprises more than 1,500 pieces: 1930s comics
and pulp fiction such as "Spicy Adventures" and "Desert
Madness"; ads for Ben Hur Flour; bottles of Pyramid Beer; video
games such as "The Prince of Persia"; sheet music for songs
including "The Sheik of Araby" and "Persian Moon."
Exotic topless women undulate on the covers of Arabic music CDs. Fierce
warriors scowl from the covers of DVDs. (Most of the collection is
available for view on a database at the exhibition, which includes
listening stations and film clips.)
Despite his attraction to these artifacts, Friedlander maintains there's
something pernicious at work in them. The images, which seem increasingly
cartoonish the more you look, portray the Middle East as an irrational,
oversexed, violent land given to despotism and mysticism. The women tend
to move in harems and wear very little; the men seem not to go very far
without their scimitars.
"It becomes ahistorical -- anything goes," Friedlander says of
the mishmash of myth, reality and disparate historical periods portrayed.
"And you erase people's cultures this way: It all becomes 'the
East,' 'the Orient.' "
With such sentiments, Friedlander is walking in the footsteps of Edward
Said, the late Palestinian American scholar whose 1978 book,
"Orientalism," examines the way the West long saw and heard the
Near East -- and how the resulting stereotypes and cliches accompanied
and justified conquests by the British and French empires.
(MORE)
-----
GALLUP: AMERICANS TO BUSH --
WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ -
TOP
Editor and Publisher, 9/6/05
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001055062
NEW YORK Two separate Gallup polls, detailed today in the organization's
weekly report, show that Americans favor withdrawing some or all U.S.
troops from Iraq.
Perhaps most revealing was a new poll which asked 1,007 Americans,
"If you could talk with President Bush for 15 minutes about the
situation in Iraq, what would you, personally, advise him to do?"
The poll taken in late August found that 41% said they would tell him to
pull troops out of Iraq and end our involvement there.
Far behind in second place (18%) was to finish what we started or be more
aggressive. Another 7% advised coming up with an exit strategy.
A separate Gallup poll found that 53% of Americans favor a reduction of
U.S. troops in Iraq. This includes 26% who prefer withdrawing all
troops.
In the same survey, only 40% of Americans approve, while 59% disapprove
of the way Bush is handling Iraq. Fifty-three percent of Americans think
going to war in Iraq was a mistake, similar to the 54% who said this in
early August.
-----
RABBI:
HURRICANE PUNISHMENT FOR GAZA PULLOUT -
TOP
Aron Heller, Associated Press, 9/7/05
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3138779,00.html
JERUSALEM (AP) - A leading Israeli rabbi has said that Hurricane Katrina
was God's punishment for U.S. President George W. Bush's support for
Israel's Gaza pullout.
"It was God's retribution. God does not short-change anyone,"
Ovadia Yosef, a former chief rabbi of Israel and the spiritual leader of
the ultra-Orthodox Shas group, said during his weekly sermon on
Tuesday.
His comments were carried Wednesday on the Israeli news web site Y-net. A
Shas official, Tzvika Yaacobson, did not deny Ovadia made the comments
but said they were taken out of context.
According to Y-net, Ovadia also said recent natural disasters were the
result of a lack of Torah study and that Katrina's victims suffered
"because they have no God."
"He (Bush) perpetrated the expulsion (of Jews from Gaza). Now
everyone is mad at him. This is his punishment for what he did to Gush
Katif, and everyone else who did as he told them, their time will come,
too," Ovadia was quoted as saying.
SEE ALSO:
ISLAMIC-LAW
PLAN WILL RESPECT RIGHTS, PREMIER SAYS -
TOP
Karen Howlett, Globe and Mail, 9/7/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050907/ONTSHARIA07/TPNational/?query=sharia
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty vows that the rights of women will not be
compromised if sharia tribunals get the go-ahead to settle marital
disputes for Muslims in the province.
Amid a growing international outcry against allowing such tribunals, Mr.
McGuinty said the government will decide "shortly" on whether
to permit Islamic law to be used in Ontario family arbitration
cases.
"But whatever we do, it will be in keeping with the values of
Canadians and Ontarians," he told reporters yesterday.
Mr. McGuinty said the government is still in the process of reviewing a
report by former New Democrat Attorney-General Marion Boyd, which
concluded that Muslims in Ontario should have the same rights as other
religious groups that use faith-based arbitration to settle family
disputes. The government has been sitting on her report for nine
months.
"I think they're actively looking for solutions," Ms. Boyd said
in an interview yesterday. "I think they have to have the political
courage to recognize they're not going to satisfy
everybody."
The issue of sharia-based tribunals in Ontario is raising alarm bells
among women's groups in Canada and Europe, as well as human-rights
activists and dissidents from Islamic states such as Iran. They argue
that sharia, even limited to family arbitration, could discriminate
against Muslim women who could feel pressured into it against their
will.
The controversy will hit closer to home when demonstrators converge on
Queen's Park at noon tomorrow as part of planned protest marches in 12
cities in Canada and Europe, including Victoria, Ottawa, Montreal,
London, Paris and Stockholm.
The protesters say allowing Islamic law to be used in Ontario would
create a precedent for religious fundamentalists working to suppress
women's rights, and give fodder to political Islamists in Europe who are
also lobbying for sharia law to be used to settle family
matters.
However, Ms. Boyd concluded in her report that there was no evidence
women were being discriminated against in faith-based arbitration and
recommended that the province's existing arbitration system be
strengthened.
The government is in a conundrum over the issue, said a senior government
source. While government officials think it is only fair to extend
religious arbitration to Muslims, he said they are unsure of how to
communicate that to the public, especially in the wake of this summer's
bomb attacks in London carried out by three British Muslims of Pakistani
origin and a Jamaican-born Briton.
"I think people just viscerally react negatively to the idea of
there being any Muslim- type law in Ontario or any decision influenced by
Muslim law," he said. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/8/05
*
Hadith:
Feed the
Hungry
*
Muslim
Hurricane Relief Task Force Launches Website
*
CAIR:
Bolstering Moderate
Islam (Newsweek)
-
Muslim
Anti-terror Ads Mark 9/11 Anniversary (AP)
*
CAIR-CT First Annual
Dinner
* American Muslims Respond to Hurricane Katrina:
-
CAIR-LA:
Muslims Collect Aid
for Hurricane Victims
-
U.S.
Muslims Pledge $10 Million for Hurricane Relief
*
Pakistan Donates Money,
Goods for Katrina Victims
*
ISNA:
Neocon
Pundits Malign American Muslims
*
Muslims
Integrating and Finding Acceptance in US
-
Pushing For Positive Arab
Characters (VOA)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: FEED THE HUNGRY -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Feed the hungry,
visit the sick and set free the captives."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 552
The Prophet also quoted God as saying: "O son of Adam, I asked you
for food and you fed Me not." God was then asked: "O Lord, how
should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds?" In reply,
God said: "Did you not know that My (servant) asked you for food and
you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him, you would surely
have found (the reward for doing so) with Me?"
Hadith Qudsi 18
"Have you ever considered (the kind of person) who denies the
Judgment (to come)? Behold, it is (the one) who repulses the orphan (with
harshness) and feels no urge to feed the needy."
The Holy Quran, 107:1-3
-----
MUSLIM
HURRICANE RELIEF TASK FORCE LAUNCHES WEBSITE -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/8/05) - The newly-formed Muslim Hurricane
Relief Task Force (MHRTF) today announced the launch of a website,
www.mhrtf.net, designed to offer
information about the American Islamic community's efforts to aid the
victims of Hurricane Katrina. MHRTF recently announced a pledge to raise
$10 million in humanitarian relief.
The news website lists Muslim charities in the task force engaged in
Hurricane relief. Those charities include: (in alphabetical
order)
ICNA Relief -
http://www.icnarelief.org/
Islamic Relief -
http://www.irw.org/
Kind Hearts -
http://www.kind-hearts.org/
Life for Relief and Development -
http://www.lifeusa.org/
Other task force members include: Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Alliance in North
America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs
Council (MPAC), and Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA).
Additional groups who agree to the task force's guidelines will be added
as the relief efforts develop. MHRTF guidelines for collection and
distribution of funds will focus on financial transparency and
accountability as set forth in relevant government regulations and
standards. Because of Islamic guidelines, no proselytizing of hurricane
victims will be allowed by any member of the task force.
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
Edina Lekovic, 213,383-3443,
communications@mpac.org
Mohamed Elsanousi, 317-839-1803,
melsanousi@isna.net
-----
BOLSTERING MODERATE ISLAM -
TOP
Newsweek International, 9/12/05
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3037881/site/newsweek/
[Parvez Ahmed, Chairman of the Board Council on American-Islamic
Relations, Washington, D.C.]
Fareed Zakaria writes that after 9/11, "it was sad and disturbing
that Muslims were reluctant to condemn the attacks." Muslims did so
in unequivocal terms. Within hours of the attacks the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, America's largest Muslim civil-liberties and
advocacy group, along with most other major American Muslim groups,
released a statement that read, in part, "American Muslims utterly
condemn the vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent
civilians. We join... in calling for the swift apprehension and
punishment of the perpetrators." We followed this with a full-page
ad in The Washington Post. After the London blasts, we released a TV
public-service announcement with Arabic and Urdu subtitles that in part
read, "As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit
acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the
Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. We... will not allow our faith to be
hijacked by criminals." Why have such condemnations not stemmed the
tide of terrorism being committed in the name of our faith? A partial
answer is found in Zakaria's column as he remarks, "such
condemnations... will not solve the problem."
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM
ANTI-TERRORISM ADS TO COINCIDE WITH 9/11 ANNIVERSARY -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/8/05
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/12592114.htm
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A Muslim civil liberties group plans to denounce
terrorism in a paid television commercial airing in the Tampa market this
weekend to coincide with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks.
The 30-second spot, produced by the nonprofit Council on American-Islamic
Relations, features two American Muslims, a man and a woman, denouncing
violence in the name of Islam and vowing to "not to allow our faith
to be hijacked by criminals."
The spot will run 105 times Thursday through Sunday on 13 cable channels
in Tampa, including CNN, Fox Sports Net and the Weather Channel,
according to CAIR's Florida office.
CAIR spokesman Ahmed Bedier said the spots were produced after the London
bombings in July and distributed nationwide as public-service
announcements, meaning stations could choose to air them or not. Research
showed they were seen by as many as 5 million people.
Members of the Tampa chapter donated the money to get the ads on as paid
commercials in prime time in the local market this weekend, at a cost of
more than $10,000, Bedier said. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CT FIRST ANNUAL DINNER -
TOP
WHAT: On September 17, CAIR-Connecticut will host its First Annual
Dinner. Keynote speakers include CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar,
Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim
Advancement, and Imam Qasim Sharief of the Muhammed Islamic Center of
Greater Hartford.
WHEN: September 17, 2005. Registration begins at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Gengras Hall, University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
Please visit our website
www.cair-ct.com or call us at
860-995-6628 for further information.
-----
MUSLIMS ASK FOR
HURRICANE RELIEF DONATIONS -
TOP
CAIR-LA serves as one location for drop-off items
(ANAHEIM, CA - 9/8/05) - The Southern California chapter of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will serve as one of several
'drop-off' locations for in-kind donations in its local area for victims
of Hurricane Katrina.
Islamic Relief, an international relief and development organization with
over 20 years of expertise in disaster relief, is heading the relief
effort. Currently, it is helping Katrina victims in Texas, Louisiana and
Mississippi.
WHAT: Drop off your in-kind donations for Hurricane Katrina. Items
accepted: Canned food, bottled water, clean clothes for men, women,
children, and babies (shoes must be brand-new), toys, diapers (must be
brand-new in the original packaging). Please note that donated items must
be carried up a flight of stairs.
WHERE: CAIR-LA, 2180 W. Crescent Ave. Suite F, Anaheim, CA
92801
WHEN: Through Friday, September 9, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5:30
p.m.
For other donation drop-off locations, contact: Sherrel Johnson of
CAIR-LA at (714) 776-1847 or
socal@cair.com.
CONTACT: Islamic Relief: Ahmed Shama, (818) 238-9520 ext. 17 or (310)
995-7563,
ashama@irw.org; CAIR-LA:
Sherrel Johnson, (714) 776-1847 or
socal@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
AMERICAN
MUSLIM GROUPS PLEDGE $10 MILLION FOR HURRICANE RELIEF -
TOP
Shegoftah Nasreen Queen, Voice of America, 9/7/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-09-07-voa60.cfm
Religious organizations throughout the United States are joining other
groups in supporting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
A coalition of U.S. Islamic groups have formed the Muslim Hurricane
Relief Task Force to help in the effort.
The Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force was formed in Chicago Tuesday and
pledged to raise 10 million dollars to help the victims of the
devastating storm that hit the U.S. Gulf Coast last week.
Hurricane Katrina victims make their way to a waiting helicopter for
evacuation at a temporary hospital set up at the New Orleans
airport
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, one of the member groups in the task force, says the coalition
will seek out ways where its contributions can be most effective.
"The Islamic organizations that are part of the task force will do a
needs assessment to see what needs there are for the people who are
suffering so much in the Gulf Coast and then to evaluate what the
American Muslim community can do to meet those needs," he
said.
In addition to CAIR, the task force includes the Islamic Circle of North
America (ICNA), Islamic Relief, (ISNA), Kind Hearts, Life for RElief and
Development, the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), the Muslim
American Society (MAS), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and
Muslim Ummah of North America. Other groups may be added as the as the
relief efforts develop.
Mr. Hooper says volunteers are already in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and
Mississippi, helping those in need. "There are already Muslim
volunteers in the Gulf Coast area, there are people on the ground making
some assessment at this point. There is already been more that two
million dollars distributed in relief aid," he said.
CAIR spokesman Hooper says the Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force has
established guidelines so that contributors are assured that the money is
reaching those in need. "Those guidelines include standards of
financial accountability and transparency so people can be assured that
anything they donate goes to the proper place and also that there won't
be any proselytizing of the victims of the hurricane," he
said.
Mr. Hooper says that on Sunday, September 11, volunteers from the Muslim
relief task force will feed all the evacuees who have taken shelter at
the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.
-----
PAKISTAN DONATES ONE
MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH AND HALF MILLION IN GOODS FOR KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
The Embassy Establishes Katrina Response Task Force
Ambassador Jehangir Karamat has announced the establishment of a Task
Force to help the Pakistani and Pakistani-American affectees of Hurricane
Katrina.
The Katrina Response Task Force will provide a platform to the community
organizations and philanthropists to extend relief to the affectees of
this massive disaster in a coordinated manner. The Task Force's efforts
will include fund raising, coordinating temporary housing, health-care
and emotional crisis intervention services and arranging provisional
jobs.
As a gesture of solidarity and sympathy with the people of the United
States, the Government of Pakistan has announced a cash donation of one
million dollars in addition to a donation of relief goods worth
half-a-million for the hurricane affectees. Edhi Welfare Trust will
donate another $100,000. Several community organizations are also
extending a helping hand. The Government of Pakistan has earlier offered
to send a team of doctors and paramedics to the hurricane hit region to
provide support to the American relief agencies.
The Ambassador has appealed to residential properties and hotel owners to
provide free or subsidized housing to the Pakistani-American families
affected by the disaster. Details about the nature, location and duration
of the housing availability may be forwarded to the Embassy. .
.
All information regarding Katrina affectees and offers for help may be
provided at
KatrinaResponse@embassyofpakistan.org.
-----
NEOCON PUNDITS
MALIGN AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
Louay Safi, Official Wire, 9/8/05
http://news.baou.com/main.php?action=recent&rid=20485
PLAINFIELD, IN -- 09/08/05 -- Three militant neocon pundits spoke
vehemently against the Bush administration's gesture to include American
Muslim leaders in discussions on how to deal with the rising tide of
anti-Americanism and to restore the level of trust and support the United
States enjoyed prior to the missteps the administration took under the
neocons' urging.
Frank Gaffney issued a warning to Karen Hughes, the newly appointed
Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, demanding that she does not
attend the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Convention. Ignoring
the false alarm he set in a recent op-ed piece in the Washington Times,
Ms. Hughes met with Muslim leaders and discussed her ideas for bridging
the deepening divide between the United States and Muslim
countries.
Gaffney told Hughes point bank: "Don't go there." Joel Mowbary,
another neocon who is apparently more aware of the tactics of
misinformation, gave her the benefit of the doubt, allowing her to make
one mistake for one time: "Given that it is highly unlikely Hughes
knew exactly what she was walking into, she deserves the benefit of the
doubt-this time."
Gaffney belongs to a small but vocal group of militant pundits, driven by
deep seated hate of Islam and Muslims, and bent on maligning Muslim
leaders and organizations in a bid to marginalize and isolate mainstream
American Muslims. Gaffney joined two other well known Muslim Bashers,
Daniel Pipes and Joel Mowbary, in demonizing ISNA and the leaders of the
national Muslim organizations that met Ms. Hughes.
Utilizing several conservative publications, including the Washington
Times, the trio leveled serious allegations against mainstream Muslim
organizations, accusing them of supporting terrorism and promoting
radicalism. Using quotes taken out of context, guilt by association,
errors of fact, and innuendo, the group has been active in feeding lies
to the public and inciting government officials and law enforcement
agencies to conduct investigations, and then use these investigations as
a basis for further maligning law-abiding and patriot American
Muslims.
Pipes accused , last year, the Center for the Study of Islam and
Democracy (CSID) of being "part of the militant Islamist
lobby," and contended that it was "well-disguised, and has
brought in all the Islamist trends, giving them a patent of
respectability."
After conducting a thorough investigation of Pipes's accusations, the
United States Institute of Peace (USIP) issued a statement that brought
out the irresponsible nature of Pipes's attacks. "The Institute was
aware of and took seriously the accusations made against CSID and some of
the speakers at the event," Kay King, the director of Congressional
and Public Affairs at USIP wrote. "These allegations were
investigated carefully with credible private individuals and U.S.
government agencies," she went on, "and found to be without
merit. The public criticism of CSID and the speakers was found to be
based on quotes taken out of context, guilt by association, errors of
fact, and innuendo." (MORE)
Dr. Louay M. Safi (shown above) serves as the executive director of ISNA
Leadership Development Center, an Indiana based organization dedicated to
enhancing leadership awareness and skills among American Muslim leaders.
He writes and lectures on issues relating to Islam, American Muslims,
democracy, human rights, leadership, and world peace. His commentaries
are available at: Insight.
-----
MUSLIMS
INTEGRATING AND FINDING ACCEPTANCE IN US -
TOP
Tim Receveur, US State Department, 9/8/05
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00135.htm
Washington - Ihsan Alkhatib, a Michigan lawyer who is deeply involved in
civil rights issues, believes that the U.S. government's policy of
tolerance and acceptance is largely responsible for the successful
integration of Arab Americans and Muslims into American
society.
These groups are successful economically, with above-average education
and income levels -- even though half were born outside the United
States, Alkhatib said during an Internet chat September 7.
Alkhatib, who is president of the Detroit chapter of the American Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), pointed out that
"anti-discrimination is U.S. government policy. The government
actively encourages inclusion. While there is discrimination, it is not
widespread and systemic. Discrimination goes against the civic religion
of this country."
The greater Detroit area has the largest concentration of Arab Americans
in the United States, led by Lebanese, he said. There are also many
Iraqis and Yemenis. Other cities with the large concentrations of Arab
Americans include Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
Alkhatib sees a large contrast between the economic status of Muslims in
the United States and Europe.
"In Europe the picture is bleak," he said. "A significant
proportion of European Arabs are Muslims, and they are worse off
economically and educationally than the rest of society."
He said acceptance of Muslims into the larger society is the key to
helping to improving their social condition in Europe.
"Europe has to understand that once you open the door for guest
workers, human beings come. Acceptance and integration come hand in
hand," Alkhatib said.
"As long as Muslims in Europe are thought of as guests and European
countries think of themselves as not immigration countries, there are
going to be problems," he added.
In the United States, he said, there are laws that bar discrimination,
"and the emphasis [is] on diversity. Discrimination in employment is
very costly for employers in the U.S."
The scarf/hijab debate is a good example of the differences in American
and European integration of Muslims, Alkhatib said.
"Nashala Hearn an 11-year-old sixth-grade student at Ben Franklin
Science Academy in Oklahoma was suspended twice for wearing the
scarf/hijab. She did what all Americans do when wronged: she sued. The
Justice Department joined the suit and accused the Muskogee School
District of violating the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment
to the Constitution. This is stark contrast to French policy," he
said.
According to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, there is to be
no prohibition on the exercise of religion, and "wearing the scarf
is an exercise of religion," he said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
PUSHING FOR POSITIVE
ARAB CHARACTERS -
TOP
Alex Cohen, Voice of America, 9/7/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2005-09-07-voa45.cfm
Every drama needs a bad guy. Hollywood usually chooses its villains to
reflect the political climate - Nazi soldiers in World War Two &
Russian spies during the Cold War. Recently, the Muslim terrorist has
become the universal bad guy. That's troubling to some Arab- and
Muslim-Americans who fear their image in the media is affecting how
they're perceived in the real world.
Growing up in southern California, Ahmed Ahmed always wanted to be an
actor. He got his first big break in the mid-90's. He was offered a
non-speaking part as a terrorist in the Hollywood blockbuster, Executive
Decision. "The whole movie was about a group of Muslim
fundamentalists who hijack an airplane, imagine that!" he laughs
ironically. While he was thrilled to make good money and work with famous
actors, Ahmed - a practicing Muslim born in Egypt - wasn't thrilled about
playing an Islamic terrorist. But that part was just one of many roles he
was offered that featured him as a bad guy. "I called my agent and I
said, 'Could I go out for roles that are other than these roles that I'm
being cast in?'" he recalls, "and my agent at the time said
'You are only going to go out for these Arab roles as long as your name
is Ahmed Ahmed.'"
Ahmed says his dilemma is one faced by many Muslim and Arab actors -
there aren't a lot roles available for them and those that do exist tend
to be villains. For example, the most recent season of the popular Fox TV
drama 24 featured a Muslim family. The husband, wife and teenage son were
all part of a sleeper cell plotting to detonate nuclear bombs throughout
the United States.
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
TEXAS MUSLIMS TO FEED HURRICANE EVACUEES ON 9/11
Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force to outline Islamic
aid efforts
(HOUSTON, TX, 9/8/05) - On
Sunday, September 11, some 1200
Muslim volunteers will feed Hurricane Katrina evacuees in four shifts at
the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. National and
local representatives of the Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force (MHRTF)
will also hold a noon news conference at the convention center to outline
the American Muslim community's ongoing relief efforts.
WHAT: News Conference Outlining Muslim Hurricane Relief
Efforts
WHEN: Sunday, September 11, Noon (Central)
WHERE: The George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las
Americas, Houston, Texas
CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Executive Director Iesa Galloway,
713-838-2247, 832-656-0449, E-Mail:
iesa.galloway@cairhouston.org; Islamic Relief, Arif Sheikh,
310-351-3931, E-Mail:
arif@irw.org
In a statement, MHRTF said: "The Texas Muslim community's response
to the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina has been overwhelming.
Because of that response, Texas Muslims have committed to feed the
evacuees for a second day."
The Houston Muslim community has trained more than 2500 volunteers to be
available for hurricane relief.
The newly-formed Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force recently announced a
pledge to raise $10 million in humanitarian relief.
MHRTF members
include (in alphabetical order) Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR), Islamic Circle of North American (ICNA), Islamic Relief, Islamic
Society of North America (ISNA), Kind Hearts, Life for Relief and
Development, Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American
Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), and Muslim Ummah of
North America (MUNA). For more information on the task force, go to:
www.mhrtf.net
This weekend's feeding of the evacuees is taking place in coordination
with the Second Baptist Church of Houston and Interfaith Ministries of
Greater Houston (IMGH). For more information on relief efforts by the
local Muslim community, go to:
www.houstonmuslimrelief.com
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443,
communications@mpac.org
Mohamed Elsanousi, 317-839-1803,
melsanousi@isna.net
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET, receive news
releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on
issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/9/05
*
HADITH:
Promoting
Good and Preventing Evil
*
CAIR-DC:
Hughes Working To Ease Storm Perceptions (Express-News)
-
FL: How to Help Hurricane
Victims (Sun Sentinel)
-
DC:
Muslims, Disability Groups Partner To Help Survivors
-
NJ: Multifaith Group holds Memorial March (Star Ledger)
*
More College Students Are Choosing Religion--As A Major (RNS)
*
Book Review: Listening To the People of Iraq (Courier-Journal)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: PROMOTING GOOD AND PREVENTING EVIL -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) related a parable comparing
those who obey God's commands to those who do not. He said they are
like people who draw lots for seats in a ship:
"Some of them got seats in the upper part, and the others in the lower.
When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and
that troubled the others), so they said, 'Let us make a hole in our
share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from
troubling them.' So, if the people in the upper part left the others do
what they had suggested, all the people of the ship would be destroyed,
but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 673
-----
TEXAN WORKING TO EASE STORM PERCEPTIONS -
TOP
Gary Martin, Express-News, 9/9/05
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA090905.8A.katrina_image.7bc25d3.html
WASHINGTON Texan Karen Hughes, the presidential adviser appointed to be
the State Department's top public affairs official, conceded Thursday
that the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina could
complicate efforts to improve the nation's image abroad.
"People have seen things that no one likes to see," Hughes told a group of Texas reporters.
Hughes is to be sworn in today as undersecretary of public diplomacy
and public affairs. President Bush tapped her for the position to
address anti-American sentiment in Muslim countries and improve the
United States' image around the world.
Since Katrina, America's image has taken a hit in some countries, where
headlines and news reports questioned how the United States could
topple Saddam Hussein in three weeks, quickly mobilize to help tsunami
victims in Asia, but fail to rescue 25,000 people trapped in New
Orleans.
Graphic television footage showing predominantly poor, black victims
were disturbing to American and foreign audiences alike, and gave rise
to questions about race and poverty, Hughes said.
"It's not just the world, it's also our fellow Americans. We recoil at
the idea that the poorest, the most elderly, the sickest weren't able
to get out of the middle of a terrible disaster," she said.
Hughes said she would challenge any perceptions "that we didn't want to help people."
"We most certainly wanted to help everyone. We wanted to do everything
in our power to help everyone affected by the hurricane," she said.
Still, the hurricane exposed racial divisions and a level of poverty in
America unimagined in developing countries that often benefit from U.S.
largesse.
"Hurricane Katrina uncovered some real social issues that Americans
need to deal with, like race relations, poverty and security," said
Ibrahim Hooper with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"We need to take care of some things here and not worry about international perceptions," Hooper said.
Muslim countries were among more than 50 that responded to Katrina's
devastation with offers of aid. But in many cases the offers were met
with delays at the State Department, causing frustration and puzzlement
among foreign officials.
SEE ALSO:
HOW TO HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-bhelp09sep09,0,92391.story?coll=sfla-news-sfla
Council on American-Islamic Relations and local mosques are collecting
donations to send to various Hurricane Katrina relief organizations.
Call 954-298-8214.
---
MUSLIM AMERICANS AND DISABILITY GROUPS PARTNER TO GET MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO HURRICANE SURVIVORS WITH DISABILITIES -
TOP
9/9/05
WASHINGTON -- The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) and a
national coalition of disability organizations had to look beyond
conventional disaster relief to aid Katrina survivors with
disabilities. The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) has stepped in
with a $25,000 solution. The donation from Muslim Americans will allow
essential medical supplies to be delivered to those most in need. This
has been necessary as desperate survivors with disabilities are
repeatedly turned away or ignored by the Red Cross and other disaster
relief groups.
Beginning on September 9th, the MPAC donation will allow trucks filled
with wheelchairs, hospital beds, catheters, walkers, nutritional
supplements, and other essential medical supplies to leave Atlanta, GA
headed for evacuees with disabilities along the Gulf Coast stopping
first in Jackson, MS., and Shreveport, LA. Paul Timmons, CEO of
Portlight Strategies Inc. is coordinating the effort. Since it's
inception in 1997, Portlight Strategies has provided medical equipment
free of charge to people with disabilities in need.
Hurricane survivors with disabilities are in imminent danger due to a
lack of basic medical supplies such as sterile catheters and wheelchair
cushions that prevent urinary tract infections and pressure sores which
often lead to systemic infection and death. While the majority of
evacuees wait in long lines for relief, people with disabilities often
are denied access to assistance through the conventional relief
organizations and FEMA.
"Thanks to the Muslim Public Affairs Council who stepped in to help
while other funding sources bogged down in their own bureaucracies,
Portlight Strategies will be able to deliver a minimum of five
truckloads of supplies and equipment to hurricane survivors," said
Marcie Roth, CEO of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. "We
are deeply grateful to MPAC for their generosity and commitment to
assist fellow Americans in the direst of circumstances."
For more information about NSCIA, please visit
http://www.spinalcord.org/ . For more information about hurricane survivors with disabilities, please visit
http://www.katrinadisability.info/ . For more information about MPAC, please visit
http://www.mpac.org/
. MPAC works to promote an accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims in
mass media and popular culture, educating the American public (both
Muslim and non-Muslim) about Islam, building alliances with diverse
communities and cultivating relationships with opinion- and decision-
makers.
CONTACT: Marcie Roth of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association,
+1-301-717-7447, mroth@spinalcord.org ; or Paul Timmons of Portlight
Strategies, +1-843-817-2651, Presslord@aol.com
Web site:
http://www.spinalcord.org/
http://www.katrinadisability.info/
http://www.mpac.org/
---
MULTIFAITH GROUP HOLD MEMORIAL MARCH -
TOP
Jordan M. Doronila, Star-Ledger, 9/9/05
http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1126244663213830.xml?starledger?nmr&coll=1
The American Joint Multifaith Association is inviting everyone to a
march to commemorate the victims of 9/11 terrorism and Hurricane
Katrina in New Orleans.
The group will hold its first march from the American Islamic Academy
to the First Presbyterian Church in Boonton on Sunday, said Moin
Ansari, president of the interfaith group based in East Hanover. More
than 100 people are expected to attend, he said.
AJMA is a Muslim organization that invites members of all faiths to get
together and talk about issues including political, religious and
personal ones, Ansari said. Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists
and members of other religions are expected to march.
-----
MORE COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING RELIGION--AS A MAJOR, REPORT SAYS -
TOP
Jeff Diamant, Religion News Service, 9/9/05
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0509090251sep09,1,1275018.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed
As a teenager in Catholic high school and church, Lauren McCormick of
Toms River, N.J., was taught to look at the world in ways that centered
around Jesus.
That was a dozen religion courses ago, including six in an esoteric
field she now hopes to study for the rest of her life--ancient Near
Eastern pagan religions.
A religion major at Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey,
McCormick grew interested in studying all major faiths. "I could study
for years on end and never get bored with it," she said.
Her fascination centered on 3,500-year-old Near Eastern beliefs after
learning in her freshman year that their customs were similar to some
Judeo-Christian traditions that involve seasonal rituals and certain
views on divinity.
McCormick, who just began her collegiate senior year, is one of more
than 35 religion majors in Rutgers' Class of 2006. That class is
expected to have the largest number of religion majors in the religion
department's history, three times more than it did a decade ago.
That growth is part of a national trend of college students studying
religion more intensely. A report from the American Academy of Religion
said the number of religion majors increased 26 percent from 1996
through 2000, and that total enrollment in religion classes rose 15
percent.
An updated national survey is due next year, and anecdotal evidence
suggests it will show more large increases, said Kyle Cole, president
of the academy.
Professors cite three main reasons for the increases: 9/11 spurred many
students to learn about Islam and their own religions; recent
immigration has made Americans more curious about their new neighbors'
faiths; and Christian evangelical students seem more comfortable
studying religion on campus.
-----
BOOK REVIEW; LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ -
TOP
John Freeman, Courier Journal, 9/9/05
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
While many embedded reporters wrote about the Iraq war from the
perspective of American troops, Anthony Shadid took on a rarer mission
two years ago:
He wanted readers to understand how it would feel for Iraqis. He talked
to newly trained police forces in the Sunni Triangle, to intellectuals
and to average men and women.
The result of this first-rate reporting - for which the Washington Post
reporter won a Pulitzer Prize - is "Night Draws Near," an intimate and
essential book which reveals why America failed to win over hearts and
minds, in spite of toppling Saddam. One man Shadid interviews puts it
simply: "What gives them the right to change something that's not
theirs in the first place? I don't like your house, so I'm going to
bomb it and you can rebuild it again the way I want it, with your
money? I feel like it's an insult, really. What they're doing to us,
they deserve to have done to them, their children."
The complaints heard so often in the news - the lack of security, clean
water, electricity - are repeated here, but when attached to people
they become tangible. Perhaps it looks different within the fog of war,
but with hindsight it seems impossible not to interpret these
oversights as precursors to a nationwide insurgency. "Iraq had now
joined Palestine and Afghanistan, Chechnya and Bosnia, all countries
where a besieged Muslim population was pitted against a more powerful
foe," Shadid writes.
"Night Draws Near" reveals that this war might have gone a different
way - especially, it would seem, if we had listened to the people of
Iraq as Shadid did from the beginning.
The reviewer is a writer and critic who lives in New York.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/11/05
*
Hadith:
Be Generous to Your
Neighbor
*
TX:
Muslim
Groups Help Hurricane Victims (AP)
-
CA:
Muslims
Rally to Provide Hurricane Relief
-
CAIR-FL:
Faiths Join for
Prayer in Storm's Aftermath
-
CAIR-FL:
Local
Mosques Send Supplied to MS
*
CAIR-CT:
Moved by
9/11, Some Americans Changed Their Lives
-
CAIR-KY:
Christians, Muslims Plan Joint 9/11 Projects
-
CAIR-PA:
Mosque to Host
Interfaith Peace Vigil
-
AL:
9/11 Tragedy
Brings Religions Together
-
CA:
Muslims Face Post 9/11 Misconceptions
-
OH: Muslims Seek Acceptance Amid
Misperceptions
-
CA::
9/11 Forced Muslims to Defend their Faith
-
MI:
Distrust
Becomes Part of Muslims' Lives
-
PA:
Memorial's Crescent
Shape Criticized
*
CA:
Youths Return to Islam
(SJ Mercury News)
-
OH:
What is Islam?
*
Ramadan
is
Nearly Here (Seattle Times)
*
CAIR-Opinion:
What if the
U.S. Had Not Invaded Iraq?
-
OH:
Muslim
Mothers Write to Soldiers' Families
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: BE GENEROUS TO YOUR
NEIGHBOR -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever believes in
God and the Last Day should be generous to his neighbor."
Al-Muwatta, Volume 49, Hadith 22
-----
MUSLIM GROUPS HELP
HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press, 9/11/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/11/AR2005091100884.html
HOUSTON -- About 2,000 Muslim volunteers helped victims of Hurricane
Katrina at the city's downtown convention center Sunday, the fourth
anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Muslim leaders from around the country who were in Houston for the
volunteer effort said the anniversary was coincidental. But they welcomed
the opportunity to highlight their faith's true meaning.
"We're not trying to prove anything, other than what our faith
requires us to do," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the
Washington, D.C.-based Muslim American Society. "What goes with our
faith is to help others, to respond and show compassion when people need
it, and I'm glad we can do it."
Parvez Ahmed, chairman of the board of the nonprofit Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said Muslim leaders viewed Sunday's volunteer
opportunity as another chance to show that the Sept. 11 attacks were
carried out by Islamic extremists who do not represent the true meaning
of their faith.
Religious and community groups who volunteered to help at shelters picked
through a random drawing what day they would work. Houston's Muslim
community got Sunday.
"If today not only happens to be a day where we are feeding people
and helping people and doing our Islamic duties ... but at the same time
it also presents an opportunity to dispel myths about Islam and
terrorism, then so be it," Ahmed said.
CAIR, along with other Muslim groups such as Islamic Relief and the
Muslim American Society, are part of the
Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force,
which is raising $10 million for victims of Katrina. Ahmed said the
groups so far have raised between $3 million and $4 million.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIMS RALLY TO
PROVIDE HURRICANE RELIEF -
TOP
Donations being accepted as mosques, local centers
By Susan Abram, LA Daily News, 9/10/05
http://www2.dailynews.com/news/ci_3015825
RESEDA - After weekly prayers ended Friday, members of the Islamic
community kicked off a Southern California effort to collect food,
clothes and money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"As Americans, we need to take part in all these problems,"
said Aref Abedi, director for the Islamic Center of Reseda. "This is
a time for humans to help humans."
More than a dozen Southern California mosques and community centers will
be collecting donations today and Sunday as part of a coordinated effort
made possible through Islamic Relief USA, a Burbank-based organization
that for 20 years has provided disaster relief.
The organization expects to collect five tons of donations including new
shoes, bottled water, toys and diapers in addition to monetary
contributions.
"Donations so far have been really good," said Ahmed Shama,
spokesman for Islamic Relief. "Since Hurricane Katrina struck, we've
collected $200,000 just in online donations. The Muslim community has had
an overwhelming response to this."
Shama said that the organization already has one donated truck filled
with goods. Two more trucks will likely be filled by Sunday. On Monday,
the items will head to evacuees being sheltered at the Houston Astrodome,
Shama said.
"This is the true representation of what Muslims believe in,"
Shama said. "We do this because we value human life."
With both Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on
the minds of Americans this weekend, every community is trying to find
ways to ease the pain of those who are suffering, said Edina Lekovic,
spokeswoman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. (MORE)
---
FAITHS JOIN FOR
PRAYER IN STORM'S AFTERMATH -
TOP
EILEEN SCHULTE, St. Petersburg Times, 9/10/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/10/Northpinellas/Faiths_join_for_praye.shtml
CLEARWATER - The Rev. Leddy Hammock held a candle and looked up at the
dozens of people at an interfaith remembrance service for Hurricane
Katrina victims Tuesday.
"We gather to rebuild a levee against all human tears," she
told them.
A few minutes later, the lights were dimmed, and each person in the
octagon-shaped sanctuary held up a single lighted candle, asking God to
help the evacuees and to forgive the dead of their misdeeds, if
any.
The event at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater brought together
religious leaders of several faiths and traditions, including Baha'i,
Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Scientology and Jewish.
The idea for the special service came from Ahmed Bedier of the Council
for American Islamic Relations. (MORE)
---
LOCAL
MOSQUES SUPPLIES EARMARKED FOR BILOXI, MISS. -
TOP
ALEXANDRA ALTER, Miami Herald, 9/10/05
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/12598501.htm
Twelve South Florida mosques have been collecting powdered milk, bottled
water, canned food, plastic cups and other supplies as part of a
nationwide hurricane relief effort sponsored by the Council for American
Islamic Relations (CAIR). Tuesday, Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout, director of
the American Muslim Association of North America, will drive supplies
donated by local mosques to Biloxi, Miss. -- one of the hardest hit
cities on the Gulf Coast.
''The Muslim community, they are so eager to help and to work for the
victims,'' Abdelaziz said. ''As a matter of fact, people are getting mad
at me because there's not space to take more people with me.''
Imams in mosques across South Florida have urged their congregants to
show charity -- a central tenet of the Islamic faith -- and designated
their buildings as drop-off centers for supplies, said Altaf Ali,
director of the South Florida branch of CAIR. Non-Muslims are also
bringing supplies to mosques in their neighborhoods, Abdelaziz
said.
''This really makes us feel that we are doing the right thing,'' he said.
''Disaster doesn't have a nationality, it doesn't have a color; it is the
enemy of all human beings.''
-----
MOVED BY
9/11, SOME AMERICANS CHANGED THEIR LIVES -
TOP
Alexandra Marks, Christian Science Monitor, 9/11/05
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0912/p01s02-ussc.html
Joel Collins had worked the night shift at a power plant in Groton,
Conn., and was sleeping on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. His brother
woke him up to tell him about the attack. "I was just stunned,"
he said. "I knew this was not an accident. This was an act of terror
that would affect the balance of power in the world."
Mr. Collins had been raised a Methodist. When he was in high school, an
older brother had gotten involved with the Nation of Islam, but he didn't
find it "agreeable." That was the extent of his contact with
Islam until several years before the attacks. Then, through a Muslim
friend whom he'd met on the Internet, he began to learn about the faith.
At first he simply wanted to understand how it differed from
Christianity.
"The more I read, the more compelling and convincing I found it.
This faith answered a lot of questions that Christianity didn't for
me," he says.
Then came 9/11, and the American media broadcasts were suddenly full of
Islamic sounding names like Al Qaeda, bin Laden, and Mullah Omar. The
more he watched the news, the more Collins felt that the religion he was
growing to love was being linked, unfairly, with radicals.
At work, he started getting in arguments, defending Islam, trying to
explain that it wasn't the faith that did anything wrong, but rather
individuals. The more he found himself compelled to explain Islam, the
deeper he felt his connection to it grow. Eventually, he converted and
now goes by the Islamic name Hamza Ismail. "People at work were
shocked, my friends were shocked, and my parents were shocked," he
says.
This summer, Mr. Ismail became the civil rights director for the New
England branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the
nation's leading Islamic rights group. He now spends much of his free
time working to help others understand Islam. "We all have to live
in this country together," he says. "The only way we're going
to continue to bring peace and harmony is to work
together."
SEE ALSO:
CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS PLAN JOINT 9/11 SERVICE PROJECTS -
TOP
Frank E. Lockwood, HERALD-LEADER, 9/10/05
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/12608653.htm
Four years after 9/11, Lexington Christians and Muslims are working
together today to promote unity and public service and to honor the
memory of those who died.
About 40 volunteers will spend the day visiting children in area
hospitals and holding a picnic for disabled kids, according to
organizers.
The workers will donate time at God's Pantry and at a home for the
handicapped. They'll also sew teddy bears and security blankets, which
they hope to send to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Baptist Seminary of Kentucky student Brandy Albritton helped organize the
project, one of about a dozen 9/11 public service programs which are
being sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
The Muslim-Baptist partnership makes sense, Albritton says.
"Both of our groups have a passion for (helping) those in
need," she said. "We believe strongly on both sides that we can
accomplish more by working together than we can by focusing on our
differences."
Muslims and Baptists also are working to create a handicapped-accessible
children's playground, according to Albritton.
Such a park would cost $250,000, she said. The hope is that Christians,
Muslims and Jews could all work together to raise the money and build the
playground, she added.
Abdul Quayyum, chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations'
Kentucky chapter, said Muslims welcomed the opportunity to work with
Baptists.
"All religion is about serving God," he said. "One of the
best ways to serve God is by serving His children." (MORE)
---
MOSQUE TO HOST
TOUR, INTERFAITH PEACE VIGIL -
TOP
MARY WARNER, Patriot-News, 9/10/05
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/112634417012860.xml&coll=1
A Steelton mosque will open its doors tomorrow, the anniversary of the
9/11 terrorist attacks, for a tour and an interfaith candlelight
vigil.
The event at the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg is sponsored by
the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania.
"Our message for that day is one of peace and unity," said
Rabbi Carl Choper of Temple Beth Shalom, Mechanicsburg, co-founder of the
alliance.
"We are glad people of faith are coming together," said Abdul
Hasan, secretary of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. "We welcome the vigil."
(MORE)
---
TRAGEDY BRINGS RELIGIONS
TOGETHER -
TOP
Jannell McGrew, Montgomery Advertiser, 9/11/05
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS/509110316/1001
The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks did something for Montgomery's religious
community.
At the time of the attacks, there was virtually no formal, core group of
spiritual leaders of various religions to join. People were cordial, but
they really didn't mingle a great deal or talk about the depth of their
differences or the common threads of their faiths. They really didn't
talk about their spiritual missions, hopes, fears.
But today, four years after the attacks, they do.
"We know each other better," said Rabbi Kenneth Segel, whose
congregation, Temple Beth Or, helped create the Children of Abraham, an
interfaith gathering of spiritual leaders, mainly Jews, Muslims and
Christians.
They meet about a half dozen times a year and at these meetings, they
speak openly about their faiths and issues of concern in their
communities.
"We know each other's hopes and aspirations, so that it makes for
better relations," he said. "It's drawn us much closer together
as a community."
William Abdullah, the imam, or spiritual leader, of Masjid Qasim Bilal
Al-Amin, a Montgomery mosque, agrees.
"Knowledge of each other is what keeps down prejudice," he
said. "We are able to express frankly to each other what we are
about." (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS FACE MISCONCEPTIONS FROM HATE CRIMES TO SCHOOL BULLIES -
TOP
Sandy Mazza, Whittier Daily News, 9/10/05
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,207~12026~3049631,00.html
Every time Emil Ali hears about another bombing by Muslim extremists, he
feels sad for those who lost their lives but angry that the bombers
"make matters worse by giving Muslims a bad name,' he said.
Already, Muslims struggle with prejudice in this country, especially
after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said the 20-year-old UC
Irvine student, who attends the Shia Ithna-Asheri Islamic Jamaat of Los
Angeles mosque in Pico Rivera.
Many Muslims feel just as frustrated and angry at the prejudice and
misunderstandings other Americans have toward their religion.
Though hate crimes have largely subsided four years after 9/11, subtler
forms of discrimination are still prevalent, area Muslims say.
"It's hard to be a Muslim in this country now,' said Fatim Bata, a
13- year member of the Pico Rivera mosque."It's hard to travel. I
totally understand the increased security, but the racial profiling is
out of hand.'
Her husband, a middle-aged Ugandan-born man, and her mother, an elderly
woman, are invariably searched whenever they travel, she said.
While the events of 9/11 caused many Americans to learn more about Islam
and American Muslims, many also absorbed a lot of misinformation about
the religion, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations of
Southern California's Sabiha Khan.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 36 percent of
Americans believe that the Islamic religion is more likely than other
religions to encourage violence. But the number is lower than two years
ago, when 44 percent of Americans felt that way.
But Khan said television shows and movies continue to portray Muslims as
terrorists and Islam as a religion that teaches terrorism.
Some members of the Shia Ithna- Asheri Islamic Jamaat mosque
agreed.
"I think there's more of an interest in what Islam is, but also a
much wider misconception,' said Sabira Alloo, a USC graduate student and
a member of the Pico Rivera mosque.
"Misconceptions are that all Muslims are terrorists and that Islam
is not a peace-loving religion,' she said.
Reports of hate incidents toward Muslims reached an all-time high in
Southern California in 2004, according to a recent Council on
American-Islamic Relations study.
The council processed 307 hate incident reports and civil-rights cases
last year a 38 percent increase over 2003 and 20 percent of all cases
reported nationwide.
"As we get farther away from 9/11, (the most common discrimination
is) not (violent) hate crimes, it's discrimination or subtle stuff,' Khan
said.
"(Muslim) kids get bullied at school, or somebody doesn't get a
promotion because they're Arab or Muslim. Or you're standing in a
check-out line and somebody makes comments about Muslims.'
But those subtler cases rarely get reported, she said. (MORE)
---
MUSLIM, HERE AND NOW -
TOP
Locals seek acceptance amid troubling misperceptions
Jennifer Edwards, Philadelphia Enquirer, 9/11/05
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110410/-1/CINCI
After 9/11, some Muslims were so concerned about an anti-Arab backlash
that they prayed in their homes instead of the center. Women who wear
hijab were urged not to wear the garb in public as a safety precaution.
Some women made that change permanent, while other women say they have
never worn one when they are not praying - and aren't sure that they
will.
"I would like to, hopefully someday. But ... I find it hard to cover
my hair," says Samreen Arshad, 27, of West Chester. "It's
difficult for me. I'm young. I keep thinking of doing it. My mother does
... now I feel if I do it, people will look at me."
Meanwhile, the men walk onto the first floor of the mosque, while women
climb stairs to the balcony above.
The imam, or prayer leader, Brother Majed Dabdoub, stands on a small,
railed balcony slightly above the ground floor to deliver the
sermon.
The week's message, "The True Meaning of Love," starts on a
somber note.
An al Qaeda-linked group has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks
earlier that day that targeted but missed two U.S. military ships in the
Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba.
The attack comes amid the war in Iraq, the London bombings in July and
the slayings of five local Marines.
"It is sad to listen to the news today," Dabdoub began.
"What do we learn from the Quran and the Sunnah? We first must love
Allah more than anything else, and love our prophet, love our families,
love earth, nature and environment.
"Love unites people, hate divides. We must spread love and kindness
and avoid hatred and enmity," he said. "If we love Allah, how
do we do things that are against the teachings of Allah in our religion?
We, the Muslims, have duties to fulfill. We must spread peace and
justice. We must condemn all actions that violate the teachings of
Islamic principals of sanctity of life and safety and security of
innocent people."
Shabana Shakir-Ahmed wanted to show sympathy for the mothers of five
local Marines killed Aug. 3 in Iraq.
But as a Muslim, she wasn't sure how - because extremists of her religion
were blamed for the bomb that killed the young men.
"These poor women. I have three children of my own and just can't
imagine losing them to something like this," said Shakir-Ahmed, 35.
"You really want to connect with these mothers."
Feeling helpless, she decided that members of Muslim Mothers Against
Violence should write a letter to express their sympathy and
compassion.
The local group of 80 mothers, made up mostly of Muslims who attend the
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester Township, was formed
after the London bombings in July.
The formation of the group is just another step that some 25,000 Muslims
in Greater Cincinnati have taken to defend their religion and way of life
since Sept. 11, 2001.
Today, four years after the terrorist attacks, Muslims here say they
must, almost on a daily basis, prove to others that extremists don't
represent Islam. (MORE)
---
SEPT. 11 HAS FORCED LOCAL MUSLIMS TO DEFEND THEIR RELIGION -
TOP
Sandi Dolbee, UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/11/05
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050911-9999-1n11islam.html
They're from faraway places like Morocco and Lebanon and
Pakistan.
And Michigan and New Jersey and Casa de Oro.
Some stand apart. Women who wear scarves tight around their faces, some
even swathed from head to foot, and men in loose shirts flowing down
their legs.
Others are in jeans and pullovers, their hair exposed to the sun, or in
the dress whites of a naval officer.
These are the faces of Islam in San Diego, adherents to a 1,400-year-old
monotheistic faith that has become the world's second-largest
religion.
Community members estimate that 80,000 to 100,000 Muslims live in San
Diego County, although an exact census figure isn't available. That means
there are more Muslims here than Presbyterians or Episcopalians or United
Methodists, and the number of Muslims is roughly equal to the number of
Jews.
The faces are diverse: immigrants and converts, newcomers and old-timers,
Arabs, Asians, Africans and Anglos, who all look at the world through
Muslim eyes.
Four years ago today, their world changed.
Bader El-Ghussein of Del Cerro was in high school when it happened. Now
21, he remembers pacing back and forth and saying over and over:
"Please let it not be Muslims. Please let it not be
Muslims."
But it was.
On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 Muslim hijackers - including two who for a while
lived in San Diego - turned four passenger jets into weapons of mass
destruction, killing thousands of people in the worst terrorist attack
carried out on U.S. soil.
Their country had been shaken. So had their religion.
"9/11 brought about a major change for a lot of Muslims," said
Ghada Osman, an assistant professor at San Diego State University and
director of its Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies.
"It somehow extenuated both identities. It made it much clearer that
they are part of American society and yet at the same time put them on
the spot to explain their religion." (MORE)
---
FEELINGS
OF DISTRUST BECOME PART OF MUSLIMS' LIVES -
TOP
Beata Mostafavi, Flint Journal, 9/11/05
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1126443051296920.xml&coll=5
FLINT TWP. - After Sept. 11, Aishah Aslam remembers watching a woman on
TV who said that if a Muslim sat next to her on an airplane, she would
"probably get up and leave."
"I shouldn't have been shocked because I kind of expected people to
have that kind of mentality," said Aslam, 19, who is studying
biology at the University of Michigan-Flint. "But some responses
kind of shocked me."
It is only by label that Aslam's family shares the same faith as the
Sept. 11 terrorists. Still, in a post-Sept. 11 world, they battle
heightened stereotypes about the religion that is the center of their
lives. (MORE)
---
FLIGHT 93
MEMORIAL DECRIED AS ISLAM SYMBOL -
TOP
Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05253/569055.stm
There's a growing outcry that one element of the newly chosen Flight 93
National Memorial represents Islam and is a slap in the face to the
passengers and crew members who died on the hijacked plane four years
ago.
Ron McRae, Somerset County street evangelist -- "It's a memorial to
the terrorists. It's not a memorial to the innocent Americans who died
there."
The winning design, announced Wednesday in Washington, D.C., includes
what is called the "Crescent of Embrace." That element of the
project calls for two rows of red maple trees to be planted around a
bowl-shaped piece of land adjacent to the crash site. The trees,
according to the architects, are there to create a physical edge to the
landscape and accentuate the topography.
Almost immediately upon seeing the design, online bloggers suggested that
it is inappropriate to use a red crescent in the memorial.
To many, that shape represents Islam, and the symbol is used on the flags
of several Muslim countries, including Turkey, Pakistan and
Uzbekistan.
The four men who hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 on its way from
Newark, N.J., to San Francisco were Muslim.
But the architects who created the winning design say their design has
nothing to do with Islam.
"A crescent is part of architectural vocabulary. It's a generic form
used in design," said Paul Murdoch, one of the winning architects.
"We don't see any one group having ownership of it. .
."
Gordon Felt, whose brother, Edward, died in the crash, called the focus
on the crescent an "unfortunate distraction," from the fourth
anniversary memorial service tomorrow at the crash site.
Still, he continued, "It would be silly of us to have some sort of
symbolism [in the memorial] that would be offensive to
people."
Eight family members served on the second-stage jury that selected the
final memorial design.
The jurors recognized there could be some backlash because of the
crescent. That's why, in their recommendations, they wrote:
"Consider the interpretation and impact of words within the context
of this event. The crescent should be referred to as 'the circle or arc,'
or other words that are not tied to specific religious
iconography."
But Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman with the Council on American-Islamic
Relations in Washington, D.C., said there is no one official symbol
associated with Islam.
She acknowledges that the crescent has come to represent the religion.
But, she continued, it does not hold the same significance, for example,
as the cross does to Christianity.
Ahmed says she can understand why the crescent would be associated with
Islam, which has 7 million followers in the United States and more than a
billion worldwide.
"People forget Muslims died [in the attacks], too," Ahmed said.
"Islam, as a religion itself, was hijacked on 9/11."
(MORE)
-----
YOUTHS RETURN TO ISLAM -
TOP
Lisa Fernandez, Mercury News, 9/10/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12610218.htm
Huda Shreim used to be a bad girl: Cutting class, fighting, lying,
scrawling graffiti. Today, the 19-year-old Jordanian immigrant prays five
times a day and covers herself from head to toe, following the Islamic
mandate to dress modestly. She's easy to spot in a full-length tie-dyed
pink abaya robe and matching head covering as she stops in at Starbucks
or Barnes & Noble in Fremont, where she lives.
Shreim is a member of a new wave of Muslim youth in Silicon Valley, and
elsewhere, who are breaking with their secular upbringing and becoming
more devout. In many ways, the phenomenon is nothing new or unique to
being a Muslim. But this group is special in that their desire to become
more observant intensified after Sept. 11. Their motivation? To show the
world that they can be religious Muslims, dress traditionally and not be
terrorists.
Surprisingly, these young people say that putting on austere-looking garb
from Saudi Arabia is a very American thing to do.
``These kids are saying, `I was born in America, and the Constitution
says that I can practice my religion, and my religion says I must dress
this way,' '' said Yvone Haddad, a Georgetown University professor who
studies Muslims in the West. ``Though one option is to just go into
hiding and `be like us,' these kids are saying, `No.' ''
Shreim and other newfound Islamic enthusiasts know their highly
distinctive clothing is an invitation for others to ask about their
backgrounds -- and they welcome the challenge. They also realize their
appearance can be a magnet for verbal abuse and violence.
Haddad likens the post-Sept. 11 trend to the Black Power movement, when
young African-Americans embraced their cultural identity most visibly, by
sporting large Afros.
``Islam is beautiful,'' Haddad said, playing off ``Black is beautiful,''
the civil rights era slogan. ``Women who have never put on the veil are
now putting it on. They are taking on the burden of showing the world
that Islam is not terrorism.''
There's no way to document how many young Muslims are becoming more
observant, but scholars and Islamic leaders say a significant number are
closely studying the Koran for answers.
SEE ALSO:
WHAT IS ISLAM? -
TOP
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110411/-1/CINCI
-----
RAMADAN A MONTH FOR RENEWING ONE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD -
TOP
Aziz Junejo, Seattle Times, 9/10/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2002484425&zsection_id=2002151194&slug=junejocolumn10m&date=20050910
Early next month, Muslims the world over will stand outside just after
sunset and gaze upon the western skies in search of the crescent of a new
moon, which will mark the beginning of the holy month of
Ramadan.
Unlike Hanukkah and Christmas, Ramadan is not so much the observance of
some past, great event, but rather an entire month for intense spiritual
reflection a time for more than 1 billion Muslims to renew and strengthen
our relationship with God. Ramadan is the third Pillar of Islam, and the
name of the ninth month occurring within Islam's lunar calendar. It is
characterized by strict fasting and the controlling of all desires from
predawn to sunset, a time of extra prayers, polished manners and good
deeds. If one does this in complete devotion to God, her or his sins will
all be forgiven. (MORE)
-----
SQUANDERING
OF SUPPORT FOR MUSLIMS FOR THE U.S. -
TOP
Nihad Awad, Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/11/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/12611856.htm
(Scroll down.)
[Nihad Awad is executive director for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (www.cair-net.org), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights
and advocacy group, based in Washington. He may be contacted at
nawad@cair-net.org.]
I travel frequently in the Muslim world and therefore hear the views of
people from all walks of life, from diplomats and government officials to
taxi drivers, university students and salesclerks.
From what they tell me, the State Department has its work cut out for
it.
Before the Iraq war, winning hearts and minds in the Muslim world was not
easy. Now, with U.S. troops still in Iraq and Iraqi civilians suffering
so greatly, it seems nearly impossible.
Although the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan may have been difficult
to sell in the marketplace of worldwide Muslim opinion, one could at
least argue that it was an act of post-9/11 self-defense. In contrast,
without locating the much-hyped weapons of mass destruction, the attack
on Iraq was viewed as indefensible.
It was seen as a unilateral invasion of a sovereign nation that had never
attacked the United States. The major premise advanced to justify the war
was false, and the Muslim world knew it.
If America had not attacked Iraq, we would have had the support of many
more people than we do today. Until the attack on Iraq, many Muslim
intellectuals, columnists, and other opinion leaders were defending
America on a number of issues. Few of these same people would now speak
out on our behalf.
America's best ambassadors to the Muslim world are Muslim Americans. But
we find our promotion of American values of religious diversity, social
justice and human rights greeted with increasing skepticism.
Convincing our fellow Muslims abroad of America's basic goodwill would be
much easier had we not gone into Iraq. Anti-Americanist views would have
been marginalized, not taken to the mainstream. Cooperation in the war on
terror would be greater without the perception in many parts of the
Muslim world that America is out to get Islam and Muslims.
A harsh reality is that without a U.S. military intervention, Saddam
Hussein would probably still be in power and oppressing his people. But
an equally harsh reality is that our actions in Iraq have led directly or
indirectly to the death or injury of uncounted thousands of innocent
Iraqi civilians. That long-suffering nation has also become a training
ground for terrorists.
Before the war, Muslim opinion was summed up by the assessment of one
cabdriver: "America - good people, bad government." After our
Iraq adventure, the verdict is a bitter one: "Don't talk to me about
America."
We must all do whatever we can to reverse the trend toward
anti-Americanism throughout the Islamic world. American Muslims pledge to
do their part in this vital effort.
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM MOTHERS
WRITE TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES -
TOP
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110412/1077
Muslim Mothers Against Violence, formed after the London bombings in
July, sent a letter Sept. 2 to the families of the five local Marines
killed Aug. 3 in an insurgent roadside bomb attack in Iraq:
Dear parents of fallen Marines,
The grief that a parent feels at the loss of a child is beyond any words.
It is a suffering of unimaginable proportions, perhaps, the ultimate loss
one can face in this worldly life. As neighbors whose children go to many
of the same schools as your sons did, who, as you, treasure the memories
with their children, and who value the sanctity of the gift of life, we
wanted to let you know that we feel your pain and sorrow.
We do understand that offering condolences by no means fills the void
that the tragic demise of your child has left in your lives. It is
important that you know that as mothers with faith who desire and work
for the well being of all of our children, we are so aware of your loss
and understand the agony you might be going through. A cornerstone of our
Islamic faith, as the other Abrahamic faiths, compels us to choose the
path of understanding, tranquility and moderation as the desired path. If
it can offer you any relief, we welcome you to come and talk with us to
help us all build mutual understanding of each other and our common
desire for peace and freedom.
We pray that you find comfort, peace and the strength to carry on with
your lives in a positive manner, in loving memories of your beloved
child.
In Peace,
Muslim Mothers Against Violence
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
-----
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/12/05
*
Hadith:
Every Muslim Must Give in
Charity
*
TX:
Muslims
Serve Katrina Evacuees (Houston Chronicle)
-
Muslim Hurricane Relief
Task Force
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslim Message
Decries Terrorism (Sun-Sent)
-
CAIR-FL:
Christians, Muslims
Worship Together (Tampa Trib)
*
CAIR-CAN
'Disappointed'
By Ban on Faith-Based Arbitration
*
OH:
Muslims Take
Active Roles in Communities (Cinc. Enquirer)
-
CA:
Muslims
Demystify Islam in 'Post 9-11' World
-
IA:
Conference Gives
'Human Face' to Islam (Des Moines Reg)
*
OH:
What Muslim
Children Think of U.S. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
-
IN:
Raising
Muslim Children in the U.S. (Indy Star)
*
PA:
Crescent
Conspiracy is On a Roll (Trib-Review)
*
TX:
Hewitt
Now Home to Area's Second Mosque (Trib Herald)
*
Israeli General Escapes War
Crimes Arrest in UK (Haaretz)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: EVERY MUSLIM MUST GIVE
IN CHARITY
-
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every Muslim has to
give in charity." The people then asked: "(But what) if someone
has nothing to give, what should he do?" The Prophet replied:
"He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in
charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked: "If he
cannot find even that?" He replied: "He should help the needy
who appeal for help." Then the people asked: "If he cannot do
(even) that?" The Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform
good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as
charitable deeds."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD REWARDS CHARITABLE GIVING
"Those who spend their wealth in charity by night and day, secretly
and openly, they will have their reward from their Lord. They shall have
nothing to fear or to regret."
The Holy Quran, 2:274
-----
MUSLIMS
SERVE EVACUEES ON 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
-
TOP
Bill Murphy, Houston Chronicle, 9/11/05
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3349440
On the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, more than 2,000 Muslims
served food, worked registration tables and provided solace Sunday to
storm-displaced victims at the George R. Brown Convention
Center.
"This is an example of who we are," said Nura Baaba, a
22-year-old University of Houston law student. "What happened on
9/11, we had no control over."
The massive effort was the work of the Houston Muslim Relief Group, a
coalition of 20 mosques and local Islamic organizations that formed after
Katrina to provide help.
Leaders of Operation Compassion, an interdenominational endeavor to feed
evacuees at the convention center, asked the Muslim group to help run the
shelter on 9/11. Muslim volunteers said they were pleased to be assigned
that date because it gave them the chance to show that charity and
compassion are core tenets of Islam.
Katrina "is the biggest calamity in the history of the U.S. How can
we not help out?" said Asaf Qadeer, a physician.
Shadid Bilal, a chemist working for the city of Houston, said: "This
is what the prophet Mohammed told us - to help others in
calamity."
Muslim volunteers wearing bright yellow Operation Compassion T-shirts
were so numerous that at times they appeared to outnumber evacuees. They
were assigned to work one of four six-hour shifts.
Farha Ahmed of Sugar Land said some people assume that American Muslims
most closely identify with other Muslims and events in the Middle
East.
"Like everybody else, we saw what was on TV during coverage of the
storm. We felt so helpless," she said. "We feel that we are
part of the American population. When something happens next door in
Louisiana, we feel it very personally."
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM HURRICANE RELIEF
TASK FORCE -
TOP
http://www.mhrtf.net/news.php
-----
CAIR-FL: MUSLIM
MESSAGE DECRIES TERRORISM -
TOP
Turnpike billboard fights falsehoods regarding Islam
Michael Turnbell, Sun Sentinel, 9/12/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-csecurity12sep12,0,6595398.story
Near one of South Florida's busiest crossroads, a new billboard aims to
tell people about the real Islam.
With the American flag visible in the background, the message reads:
"Islam Condemns Terrorism, Islam Stands for Peace & Justice,
Explore the Qur'ran."
The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations hopes the
ad along Florida's Turnpike near Interstate 595 in Davie will fight the
perception that Muslims share the same violent convictions as the Islamic
fundamentalists behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and recent bombings
abroad.
"Four years later, one would imagine the incidents of discrimination
and harassment against Muslims would diminish. Quite the opposite has
happened," said Altaf Ali, Florida director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
The Washington D.C.-based CAIR has recorded nearly 300 hate crimes
against Florida Muslims since Sept. 11, 2001. Many of the hijackers lived
in South Florida before they boarded the planes they crashed into the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the worst terrorist attack on U.S.
soil.
In May, vandals threw a rock through a glass door at the Islamic School
of Miami. In June, drivers rammed the school's gate with a car. Last
year, the mosque reported the scrawling of an expletive and a Nazi
swastika on an exterior sign.
The number marks a sharp increase from just 12 incidents recorded the
year before the terrorist attacks. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS
WORSHIP TOGETHER -
TOP
Adam Emerson, Tampa Tribune, 9/12/05
http://news.tbo.com/news/MGB40DT8IDE.html
PINELLAS PARK - Beneath a skylight in a Christian church, surrounded by
stained-glass images of Jesus Christ, Omar Kassem led the Muslim call to
prayer in Arabic.
"God is great," the University of South Florida student said to
the congregation at Good Samaritan Church, which ended the hourlong
Sunday service by announcing "salaam," the Muslim greeting for
peace.
Church leaders say the acts served as bookends for a service meant to
promote peace and a better understanding between Christians and Muslims
four years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon.
Good Samaritan Church in Pinellas Park is a union of Presbyterian and
United Church of Christ denominations. What better church to reach across
faiths to destroy stereotypes, said the Rev. Susan Sherwood.
And who better than church leaders to lead the effort toward peace
throughout the nation and the world?
"We need to speak up, be heard, take action -- even while
worshipping together," Sherwood said.
The meeting was initiated by Ahmed Bedier, spokesman for Central
Florida's Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Even four years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Muslims nationwide still are
persecuted by people seeking revenge, Bedier said.
Muslims still struggle to communicate that not all who preach Islam
adhere to the ideals of Osama bin Laden.
Of bin Laden and his followers, Bedier said Muslims "are using our
voices to condemn them." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN
'DISAPPOINTED' BY BAN ON FAITH-BASED ARBITRATION -
TOP
Decision "shortsighted, and will not protect vulnerable parties who
will engage in arbitration," says group
(OTTAWA, CANADA 12/09/05) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN) says it is extremely disappointed by the recent
decision by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to ban religious arbitration.
CAIR-CAN called the decision "shortsighted" and said it will do
nothing to protect the interests of vulnerable parties.
"This decision is a loss for Christians, Jews, Muslims and others,
and was unfortunately driven by numerous inaccuracies that distorted the
true nature of what was already in use since 1991 in Ontario," said
Halima Mautbur, CAIR-CAN's Communications Director. "Premier
McGuinty failed to look beyond the controversy and do what was needed to
create a system that is accountable, transparent and safeguards the
rights of all Canadians."
McGuinty announced on September 11, 2005 that all religious arbitration,
including Islamic arbitration, would be prohibited in Ontario. He ignored
a detailed report that he commissioned from former Attorney General
Marion Boyd which recommended faith-based arbitration along with a
detailed list of safeguards.
Riad Saloojee, CAIR-CAN's Executive Director, says the end result of the
decision by Premier McGuinty is that unregulated informal arbitration
will continue a process which does not always uphold the rights
afforded to all Canadians, especially the vulnerable, under Canadian
law.
CAIR-CAN's submission to Boyd on faith-based arbitration included
recommendations to ensure that the process was voluntary, consensual and
informed. CAIR-CAN proposed, among other checks and balances, that all
individuals who used the process receive independent legal advice, that
arbitrators be trained and regulated appropriately and that a registry be
kept of all arbitral decisions. For CAIR-CAN's report and
recommendations, see:
http://www.caircan.ca/downloads/sst-10082004.pdf
Many of CAIR-CAN's recommendations were accepted by Boyd who, after
consultation with other affected groups, ultimately recommended the use
of faith-based arbitration.
"Premier McGuinty's decision is clearly a political rather than a
principled decision," added Saloojee. "He has abandoned his own
process by rejecting Ms. Boyd's report and he has sent the very troubling
message that public policy in Ontario will not be dictated by
dispassionate and objective standards."
CONTACT: CAIR-CAN, Halima Mautbur at 613-254-9704 or
613-795-2012
-----
LOCAL
MUSLIMS TAKE ACTIVE ROLES IN COMMUNITIES -
TOP
Jennifer Edwards, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/11/05
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110413/-1/CINCI
Inayat Malik is a driving force in the evolution of Greater Cincinnati's
Muslim community, a leader who has built solid relationships between the
Islamic community and other faiths.
When the Indian Hill urologist and grandfather of five came to America
from Pakistan in the late 1960s and started his private practice here in
1971, there were just a handful of Islamic families.
Today, there are a couple thousand families and many Muslims, including
him, hold seats on an array of volunteer educational and philanthropic
boards. Malik is the first Muslim to preside over the National Conference
for Community and Justice for Greater Cincinnati in its 61-year
history.
But since Sept. 11, 2001, Malik has seen the image of Muslims
sink.
"You feel like you are constantly fighting the negative images that
are associated with Islam and Muslims. The events in London didn't
help," said Malik, 66.
"That was a disaster. You work so hard to rebuild your image and try
to project a positive image of Muslims and Islam and some so-called
Muslims do something like that and it destroys the whole
thing."
Now some Muslims remain afraid to speak their opinions about world events
or their disagreement with America's foreign policy in the Middle East
for fear of sounding anti-patriotic, he said.
"It's tough because we as Americans naturally have sympathy with the
soldiers who are going there and giving their lives. Yet, at the same
time, you hate to see all those innocent people dying on a daily
basis," he says. "It has been a very fine line to walk."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIMS
SEEK TO DEMYSTIFY RELIGION IN 'POST 9-11' WORLD -
TOP
Deepa Bharath, Daily Breeze, 9/11/05
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1837527.html
Sophia Momand knows what it is like to grow up as a Muslim in the United
States.
"It was never easy," she says.
But the Rancho Palos Verdes resident and doctor also knows that life is
going to be a lot tougher for her children and future generations of
Muslims in this country because they will live in a "post 9-11"
world.
"If you're raised in America, you have to answer for the misdoings
of Muslims all over the world," she said. "And we're dealing
with that every day. Muslims are being labeled as terrorists and that's
simply devastating to us."
Islam is a religion of peace and love and millions of its followers are
true-blue Americans, Momand said. That assertion has been made so often
in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that it has become a
platitude, but she and other area Muslims are trying to tell others who
may not be as aware that it is true.
Mosques all over Southern California recently opened their doors to their
respective communities in an effort to improve awareness about their
religion. According to Momand, Muslims throughout the United States are
working hard to "demystify Islam" and clear up myths and
misconceptions.
Momand and her father, Khalil Momand, were part of the group that started
the Islamic Center of the South Bay in Lomita, which for three years has
held Open Mosque Day annually opening its doors to non-Muslims so that
they can learn more about the religion.
"We want everyone to feel our love and hospitality," she said.
(MORE)
---
DRAKE
CONFERENCE GIVES 'HUMAN FACE' TO ISLAM -
TOP
Tim Higgins, Des Moines Register, 9/11/05
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/LIFE05/509110339/1039/LIFE
Muslims in Iowa say they're still feeling the brunt of unfair stereotypes
four years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States
placed an unwanted spotlight on their religion.
A conference, titled "Islam in America: Finding Common Ground,"
held at Drake University on Friday and Saturday discussed the "human
face" of Islam and the diverse cultures of Muslims, Christians and
Jews.
"We are fraying the relationships, making it more difficult for us
to realize what's always been the American dream: We can live together in
cultural harmony," said Janet Heinicke of Iowa Sister States, who
helped organize the conference.
She said people need to make a greater effort to learn about the
different faiths.
Sioux City lawyer Mohummed Sadden told workshop participants that Muslims
have unfairly become associated with words such as terrorism.
"We have to find another way so that when you have the word Muslim,
you get positive connotations, not negative," he said.
At one workshop, a Lutheran bishop, an imam and a Jew talked about their
religions' common roots in Abraham.
Ibrahim Dremali, the imam, told the group that no matter the religion, if
people are truly faithful, they are nonviolent.
"If you believe in the concept of God . . . you have to live in
peace," he said.
Allison Wolf, an assistant professor from Simpson College who is Jewish,
said people should take greater pains to respect the customs of other
religions. "We can have a common idea that we have one force in the
universe and that force is a connecting force," she said.
(MORE)
-----
WHAT MUSLIM CHILDREN
THINK OF U.S. -
TOP
Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/11/05
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110414/-1/CINCI
Enquirer reporter Jennifer Edwards recently sat down with a group of
students and staff at the region's first Islam-based school, the
International Academy of Cincinnati at the Islamic Center of Greater
Cincinnati in West Chester Township.
Each was asked "What do you think of America?"
"It's a great country. It has lots of freedom in it. Great education
and all the sports you can want to play and stuff."
Fifth-grader Abrar Tanveer, 10, of West Chester Township
"It's a really nice place to live, and you can learn a lot of
languages."
Fifth-grader Mary Abiba, 10, of Centerville
"It's a good place. It's very diverse. You can express yourself in
any way you want, whether by what you say or how you
dress."
Seventh-grader Laila Sabagh, 12, of Dayton
"It's a beautiful place."
First-grader Fatima Darwiche, 6½, of West Chester Township
"It's a good place to live because there's more than one culture. If
you're walking down the street and you're from Saudi Arabia and you see
someone from, oh, Africa, they don't have to make fun of you because they
know you are in the same place for the same reason."
Third-grader Melat Mohamoud, 8, of West Chester Township
"It's a good place to live because it isn't a dirty environment. It
is a very clean environment. And you can learn a good education
here."
Third-grader Mahnoor Alam, 8½, Hamilton
"I like America because there's so many rights. Everyone has rights,
and the laws have gotten better."
Fourth-grader Fatima Khalid, 9, Mason (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
IN
AMERICA, RAISING CHILDREN ACCORDING TO ISLAM HAS ITS CHALLENGES -
TOP
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 9/10/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/LIVING/509100326/1007/LIVING
When it comes to the courtship of his daughters, Daud Abdur-Rahman has
maintained a steady vigil. He's even scared away a few potential
suitors.
For example, when a much older boy approached his then 16-year-old
daughter Halima at a science camp in Bloomington, Abdur-Rahman drove down
from Indianapolis to tell the lad he had blown his chances by not
checking with Dad first.
And when a suitor inquired recently about his 17-year-old daughter
Faatemah after the two met at a youth camp, Abdur-Rahman began making
plans to drive to the boy's home -- in Alabama -- to question the men
influential in his life.
Such fatherly involvement in a daughter's courtship may seem overly
intrusive unless, like Abdur-Rahman, you are a devout Muslim attempting
to raise a family in a society that doesn't always line up with your
values.
The tensions between American culture and the practice of Islam --
particularly with regard to dating, modesty and relationships between
genders -- were the subject of several hours of discussion at the 42nd
annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America last weekend
near Chicago. Nearly 40,000 Muslims attended the gathering, which was
hosted by the Plainfield-based Islamic Society.
Shamim Sufi, a Muslim social worker who spoke on the challenges of
raising Islamic children in America, said the faith's strict rules about
modesty, interaction between the genders and sexual freedom pose special
challenges to Muslims.
But in many ways Muslim children deal with the same issues faced by the
rest of American youth -- the temptations of sex, drugs and the need to
fit in. The worry, as Sufi sees it, is that Muslim parents are not
confronting that reality head-on.
"Some of our parents are in big denial," she said. "They
are saying these things could not happen to Muslim kids."
(MORE)
-----
CRESCENT CONSPIRACY IS ON
A ROLL -
TOP
Eric Heyl, Tribune-Review, 9/11/05
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/columnists/heyl/s_372870.html
If only you look hard enough, you'll uncover ample evidence of the
crescent conspiracy.
The Rev. Ron McRae of the Bible Anabaptist Church in Somerset County did
just that last week in protesting the winning design of the Flight 93
National Memorial, "Crescent of Embrace."
The tribute will be a mile-long arc of red maples surrounding the site
near Shanksville where the hijacked plane crashed on Sept. 11, 2001,
killing 40 passengers and crew members.
An outraged McRae noted what the designers of the memorial had neglected
to reveal: The crescent moon and star is a common Islamic symbol,
appearing on the flags of many Muslim nations.
"This is a memorial to the terrorists who killed those people, not a
memorial to the folks who died there innocently," McRae told the
Associated Press.
On the fourth anniversary of 9/11, it would be easy to casually dismiss
McRae's remarks as those of a paranoid preacher who can't look under the
bed without seeing gun-toting Muslims among the dust bunnies.
However, a closer examination of crescent placement in the U.S. appears
to reveal a subtle and calculated infiltration of Islamic symbolism into
American culture. Crescents are everywhere, seemingly not by accident,
and those who could put the cover-up theories to rest don't want to
talk.
Take officials of Crescent, a tiny township 12 miles northwest of
Pittsburgh. They didn't return repeated calls to explain why Crescent was
named after a popular Islamic symbol when it was founded in
1855.
Crescent's Web site doesn't mention Islam at all in explaining the
township took that name because it previously had been a sliver of
neighboring Moon Township. Like that's plausible.
Asked about the Islamic origins of Crescent Elementary School in
Homewood, Pittsburgh Public Schools spokeswoman Pat Crawford offered a
lukewarm denial.
"'Crescent' was suggested because of a decided bend in Frankstown
Road in the vicinity of the school," she insisted.
Yeah, sure. Many city streets have pronounced bends. How many get a
school named after them?
A General Mills spokeswoman in Golden Valley, Minn., declined to discuss
the Pillsbury Doughboy's activities in his spare time. Nor would she
address whether he has ever associated with any radical Islamic
fundamentalists.
"OK then," I said. "Care to comment on the doughboy's
fanatical endorsement of crescent rolls over the years?"
"You know," she said, "I really don't think we want to
participate in your story." (MORE)
-----
HEWITT NOW HOME TO
AREA'S SECOND MOSQUE -
TOP
Terri Jo Ryan, Tribune-Herald, 9/11/05
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/09/11/20050911wachewittmosque.html
Four years after the terrorist attacks on the United States that thrust
the American Muslim community uncomfortably into the spotlight, the
followers of the prophet Muhammad have endured great measures of
revulsion and fascination.
Even with being regularly trashed on talk radio, or facing personal
harassment or vandalism of facilities, Muslims in this country have also
seen an upsurge in the number of converts. Classes on Islam are rising in
popularity, and 48.8 million pages cover the topic in a Google
search.
Locally, a sign of the religious diversity in Central Texas is the
formation of a second Muslim congregation in the greater Waco
area.
An almost anonymous white concrete building just a few doors down from
Hewitt City Hall is the headquarters for the new Islamic Center of
Hewitt.
The space at 319 N. Hewitt Drive was leased two months ago, and
activities started a month ago at the new center, even while members
continue interior renovations.
Pakistani-American "Hash" Hashimi, a local resident for 11
years, is one of the leaders of the congregation, which he said is made
up of about 30 families.
In between part-time work for shopkeeper friends, this married father of
four is the acting "imam" (front man), leading most of the
prayers. Hashimi said the mosque is currently run by an ad hoc committee
while it forms a board of directors and works on a constitution and
by-laws, before holding elections to two-year terms of office.
The director of the cultural and religious school (an after-school and
evening program) will be an appointed position, he added.
Hashimi said he prefers not to use the term madrasah (Arabic for
"school") in describing the religious educational aspects of
the building. That is because of the connotation in Western minds that a
madrasah is a school to indoctrinate young men into a certain brand of
fiery fundamentalist Islamic militancy. (MORE)
-----
IDF GENERAL ESCAPES ARREST BY
LONDON POLICE'S ANTI-TERRORIST UNIT -
TOP
Aluf Benn, Amira Hass and Ruth Sinai, Haaretz, 9/11/05
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/623525.html
General (res.) Doron Almog, former head of the Israel Defense Forces'
Southern Command, escaped arrest Sunday by the London police's
anti-terrorist and war crimes unit, when he remained on an aircraft that
had landed in Heathrow airport and returned with it to Israel several
hours later.
Almog had arrived in London on an El-Al flight. Israel Ambassador Zvi
Hefetz learned of a plan to arrest him for allegedly perpetrating war
crimes during the intifada, and quickly informed Yaki Dayan, head of the
political department in Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's
bureau.
In Jerusalem no one knew whether Almog was to be handed a subpoena or an
arrest warrant, or who was behind the move, but they decided not to take
a chance. The Foreign Ministry sent a message to Almog, through the
airplane's communication systems, warning him that he could be arrested
if he entered the U.K.
Almog decided to remain on the plane. Because he had not passed border
control, he was not considered to have entered Great Britain and
therefore could not be handed an arrest warrant.
He had been planning to raise funds in the country for a children's
village for severely disabled children that he plans to build in the
Negev.
The request for Almog's arrest was issued by Judge Timothy Workman in
London, at the request of the firm of Hickman and Rose, which specializes
in human rights law. Almog was apparently suspected by the London
authorities of gravely violating the Geneva Convention, a criminal
violation according to British law.
The warrant was issued based on one incident - demolition of a home in
Rafah - but the attorneys also seek to investigate allegations concerning
Almog's involvement in three other cases: the killing of a woman in her
ninth month of pregnancy (Nouha al-Maqadam, March 3, 2003); the killing
of three young men in northern Gaza on December 30, 2001; and the bombing
of the Daraj neighborhood in Gaza on July 22, 2002, which killed Hamas'
military head Salah Shehadeh and 14 other Palestinians. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 9/13/05
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
CAIR TO HOST S.H. NASR LECTURE ON SHIA, SUNNI, U.S. RELATIONS
Topic: 'Shias, Sunnis, and the Future of U.S. Relations
with the Muslim World'
WHAT: On Thursday, September 29, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) will host a breakfast address by
Seyyed Hossein
Nasr at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., titled
"Shias, Sunnis, and the Future of U.S. Relations with the Muslim
World."
Nasr, an internationally-recognized philosopher and scholar on Islam,
is Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. Educated
in Iran and the United States, he has published more than 20 books and
hundreds of scholarly articles, many of which have been translated into
other languages. (See:
http://www.gwu.edu/~religion/nasr.htm)
The event is sponsored by CAIR's Research Center. Admission if free, but
seating is limited and reservations are required.
To reserve a seat at the lecture, e-mail:
mnimer@cair-net.org or call
202-488-8787, ext. 3233.
WHEN: Thursday, September 29, 9-11 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, First Amendment Room, 529 14th Street
NW, Washington, D.C. (See:
http://npc.press.org/abouttheclub/maps.cfm)
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/13/05
*
Hadith:
The Doors of Goodness are
Many
*
6.5
Million View CAIR 'Not in the Name of Islam' PSA
*
CAIR:
CO
Rep's 'Crescent' Comments a Ploy to Gain Publicity
*
TX:
Vandals Hit
Islamic Center Sept. 11 (WFAA-TV)
-
TX:
Intruder Targets
Islamic Center (NBC 5)
-
CA:
Officials
to Discuss Mosque Vandalism (SB Sun)
*
TX:
Muslims 'Loud and Clear'
on Hurricane Aid (Chronicle)
-
CA:
Muslims
Give Aid, Prepare for Other Disasters
-
Muslims
Pledges $1 Million in Hurricane Aid
*
CA:
Muslims
Celebrate Diversity with Unity
-
U.S. Muslim Leaders Confront
Terrorism (VOA)
*
CAIR-CAN:
Decision on Sharia Sparks Jewish
Protest
*
Informants Decide
Fate of Iraqi Detainees (Wash Post)
----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE DOORS OF GOODNESS
ARE MANY -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Giving in charity is
prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises."
People then asked him: "From what do we give charity if we do not
possess property?" He replied: "The doors of goodness are many
- (saying) 'glory to God,' 'praise be to God,' 'there is no deity but
God,' enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road,
listening to the deaf (until you understand them), leading the blind,
guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of
one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the
weak with the strength of one's arms - all of these are (forms of)
charity prescribed for you."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98
-----
6.5
MILLION AMERICANS VIEW 'NOT IN THE NAME OF ISLAM' PSA -
TOP
More than six million American television viewers have already seen
CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" public service announcement
(PSA) since its release in June.
To view the PSA, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
-----
CAIR:
CO REP'S 'CRESCENT' COMMENTS A PLOY TO GAIN PUBLICITY -
TOP
GOP leaders urged to repudiate Tancredo's Islamophobic
views
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/13/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today dismissed Rep. Tom Tancredo's (R-CO) comments on
the design of a memorial to those aboard a plane that crashed in
Pennsylvania on 9/11 as a cynical political ploy designed to gain
national attention. (See: http://tancredo.house.gov/)
CAIR also called on state and national leaders of the Republican Party,
including President Bush, to repudiate Tancredo's Islamophobic stance on
the memorial issue.
In a letter sent to the National Park Service, Tancredo opposed the
design's shape "because of the crescent's prominent use as a symbol
in Islam." Extremist and anti-Muslim Internet bloggers have
associated the design's semi-circular shape with Islam, despite the fact
that the designer, the park service and relatives of crash victims say
the shape is a circle broken by the flight pattern of Flight 93 when it
crashed near Shanksville, Pa. (The crescent itself has no religious
significance in Islam, but is commonly associated with that
faith.)
SEE: "Tancredo Questions Shape of 9/11 Memorial"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301128.html
"Representative Tancredo once again demonstrates his anti-Muslim
bias and his thirst for publicity," said CAIR Executive Director
Nihad Awad. "He apparently believes he can only gain attention on
the national political stage by fabricating a false controversy based on
bizarre Internet conspiracy theories."
Awad added that CAIR is only challenging Tancredo's implicit linkage
between the faith of Islam and terrorism, and will respect whatever the
victims' families believe is an appropriate design for the
memorial.
Tancredo was recently involved in a controversy over similarly
Islamophobic remarks suggesting support for bombing Mecca, Islam's
holiest site.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
VANDALS HIT MUSLIM
CENTER SEPT. 11 -
TOP
Brad Hawkins, WFAA-TV, 9/13/05
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa050912_mo_vandals.504e9438.html
While standing near a window that was smashed-in, Ahmed Elmalky said the
vandalism "broke his heart." Many Muslims have expressed
concern after a Sept. 11 break-in at the Islamic Center of Irving. Sunday
someone smashed the windows of portable classrooms used by students in
pre-kindergarten through second grade.
The crime came at the end of two weeks of the center donating - not just
money - but shipping several trucks of food, supplies and medicine after
Hurricane Katrina.
"We teach our children to respect themselves and others," said
teacher Renee Atuon. "When they see this, they don't understand
where that came from."
Police said while they did leave prints and blood, nothing was missing or
taken. To the people who worship and gather at the Islamic Center of
Irving, the vandalism was disheartening and disappointing.
"To see these kinds of things still happen," Ahmed Elmalky
said. "But, I think it's a result of ignorance."
With regard to this being a hate crime, police said that there isn't any
proof of that yet. However, many in the Muslim community said the date
and location the vandals chose seemed more than a coincidence.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO
INTRUDER
TARGETS NORTH TEXAS ISLAMIC CENTER -
TOP
NBC 5, 9/12/05
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/4964301/detail.html
IRVING, Texas -- Investigators continued to work to determine who broke
in to the Islamic Center of Irving on Sunday. An unknown number of
vandals broke a door window of a portable building to gain entrance to
the center.
Teachers with the center called the break-in a hate crime because it
occurred on Sept. 11, four years after the terrorist attacks struck New
York City and Washington, D.C.
"It was a scare tactic," Ahmed Elmalky of the Islamic Center of
Irving said. "They came in, they broke the glass, kind of a
statement on 9/11, it was the weekend of 9/11, that, 'Hey, you're not
welcome. . .'"
Officials at the Islamic Center said they planned to install surveillance
cameras to deter break-ins.
---
OFFICIALS
TO DISCUSS VANDALISM AT REDLANDS ISLAMIC CENTER -
TOP
Joe Nelson, San Bernadino County Sun, 9/12/05
http://www2.sbsun.com/news/ci_3020579
REDLANDS - Police and Mayor Susan Peppler plan to meet with the director
of the Islamic Center of Redlands Tuesday to discuss resolving reported
incidents of vandalism at the center and epithets shouted at
members.
The most recent incident occurred Aug. 19, when people attending a party
across the street from the center in the 11200 block of Alabama Street
parked their cars in the center parking lot and poured beer through the
partially open window of a car belonging to a woman attending a memorial
service.
The alcohol saturated the driver's seat, then the woman's clothing when
she got into the car, center director Mohammad Hossain said.
The same evening, people at the party stood across the street and shouted
epithets at members, Hossain said.
"They kept shouting, `Terrorist' " Hossain said.
He said he called police, and officers told partygoers to move their cars
and suggested Hossain put up "no parking" signs.
Police Chief Jim Bueermann said the officers who responded to the
disturbance were not told of the "terrorist"
comments.
"The officers were never informed of the terrorist threats, nor were
the officers told about any other problems there. I think there was some
miscommunication," Bueermann said. "We are now aware of those
problems. We've stepped up our patrols near the mosque and have warned
the neighbors across the street of certain behaviors that are
inappropriate."
Bueermann said he suggested to Hossain that he install a surveillance
camera.
The mayor received a letter from mosque Vice President Riaz Baqai on
Sept. 1 telling her of the Aug. 19 incident and several other incidents
at the center over the last three years as it has continued to grow in
members. (MORE)
-----
ACTIONS, LOUD AND CLEAR -
TOP
Houston Chronicle, 9/13/05
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/3350931
Among the Houstonians who reacted to Katrina by making a beeline to
evacuee centers, plenty of first responders were Muslims. Texas Muslims
have also written checks, sorted clothes and donated diapers with the
same energy that has made this city a bright light for the nation during
a very dark few weeks. But the image of 2,000 Muslim Americans
volunteering at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Sept. 11 was
gratifying in a different way. It was a statement that, in addition to
the individual efforts that Muslims have made toward their fellow
citizens, the Muslim community is organized, energetic and eager to show
its values.
The volunteers gathered Sunday at the Convention Center, working in
shifts to feed the hurricane survivors there. The group was mobilized by
the Houston Muslim Relief Group, an alliance of 20 mosques and Islamic
organizations that joined together to help Katrina's victims. The
organization joined Operation Compassion, an interfaith project
coordinating volunteer efforts. According to organizers, the different
religious groups drew lots to decide which day they would help, and the
Muslim group was assigned Sunday, Sept. 11.
Several volunteers said that the day was coincidental to their project
and that their work on behalf of the evacuees was simply an expression of
Islam, which calls for helping others in distress. But Parvez Ahmed,
chairman of the board of the nonprofit Council on American Islamic
Relations, told the Associated Press that Muslim leaders viewed the
volunteer effort Sunday as a chance to show their rejection of the
extremism behind 9/11. (MORE)
ACTION REQUESTED:
Send a note of appreciation to the Houston Chronicle for writing a
positive piece on Muslim efforts to aid the victims of Hurricane
Katrina.
E-mail:
viewpoints@chron.com
Copy to:
readerrep@chron.com,
iesa.galloway@cairhouston.org
Fax: 713-362-3575
SEE ALSO:
BAY
AREA MUSLIMS GIVE AID, PREPARE FOR OTHER DISASTERS -
TOP
Nathaniel Hoffman, Contra Costa Times, 9/13/05
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/counties/alameda_county/12631820.htm
As they raise money and collect goods for Hurricane Katrina victims, Bay
Area Muslim groups are asking if they are ready to respond to a
large-scale disaster at home.
"Probably not," says Waseem Baloch, founder and president of
the Hidaya Foundation.
"These kinds of calamities do strike from time to time so the best
thing is to be ready," he said Monday.
The Santa Clara-based Hidaya Foundation has drawn together 17 Bay Area
Mosques and Islamic societies to raise money for the victims.
But Baloch says he hopes the charitable momentum Katrina has spurred will
last.
He is inviting three dozen Bay Area mosques and Muslim organizations to
join a task force to prepare a quick response wherever the next disaster
may strike.
"This is the first time this has happened," Baloch said.
"It's a very big community here and hopefully preparing for some
crisis will be very beneficial."
The Muslim Task Force of Northern California is part of the national
Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force, a call from 10 of the country's
largest Muslim organizations raise $10 million for hurricane relief.
(MORE)
---
MUSLIM
ORGANIZATION PLEDGES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN VOUCHERS, HOUSING AND FOOD
TO HURRICANE VICTIMS -
TOP
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=53125
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to combat the
numbers of displaced survivors of Hurricane Katrina, LIFE for Relief and
Development has pledged more than $1 million in vouchers to retail
stores, housing and food.
LIFE has also partnered with the Islamic Circle of North America to
provide 100 families affected by the hurricane with housing and food.
Fifty of these families will be housed in Baton Rouge and the other 50
will be housed in Houston. LIFE will pay for rent, utilities and food for
these families, an endeavor that will cost about $100,000 per
month.
In addition, LIFE's goal is to provide 4,000 internally displaced
families in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and also in Michigan with
vouchers to be spent at local retailers. These vouchers will be worth
$250 each. In addition, LIFE will provide non-perishable food items,
water bottles and toiletries to local food banks to be distributed
nationally. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS CELEBRATE
DIVERSITY WITH UNITY -
TOP
Monique Beeler, Inside Bay Area, 9/12/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_3022105
When he was 13 years old, Zain Ali's family came to the Bay Area from
Fiji, a South Seas island slightly smaller than New Jersey, where Muslims
such as the Alis were a minority. That was in the 1980s, when there were
far fewer Muslims living in the Bay Area, a time when his family had to
drive 40 miles to reach the nearest mosque.
Today, the Bay Area Muslim population is approximately 300,000 strong.
And Ali, his wife and two young daughters have a handful of mosques to
choose from in their adopted hometown of Fremont, where they belong to
the 300-member Islamic Society of the East Bay mosque. Still, he'd like
his children to get to know other Muslims living in the region. And he
wants non-Muslims to get to know his family, too.
''We're just as American as anyone else," says Ali, 32, who followed
in his father's footsteps to become an accountant. Ali and others who
share his faith have organized the Sept. 25 Muslim Unity Day in Santa
Clara. Open to the public, the first-time event is expected to bring
together Muslims of all races and denominations for a day of play and
socializing at Paramount's Great America.
Visit
www.MuslimUnity.us
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM LEADERS CONFRONT
TERRORISM -
TOP
Voice of America, 9/13/05
http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2005-09-13-voa2.cfm
Four years after the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United
States, Muslim leaders in the U.S. are unequivocally condemning terrorism
and have launched campaigns to persuade Muslims to beware of preachers
peddling terrorism.
The turning point, say U.S. Muslim leaders, was the terrorist bombings in
London. Unlike the September 11th attacks that were carried out by
foreign terrorists, the London bombings were carried out by Muslims born
and raised in Britain. "Before, people thought, 'we have nothing to
do with terrorism, and our religion is clear,'" said Salam
Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council
based in Los Angeles. "Now, we can't afford to be by-standers
anymore. We are. . . .speaking out with one voice and telling our
children that they. . . .can't give any credence to anybody who comes to
them and says there is room for violence."
Sayyid Syeed is secretary general of the Islamic Society of North
America, an umbrella association for Muslim groups and mosques in the
U.S. and Canada. He said that the London bombings were "a shocking
realization that within the Western world there could be Muslim youth who
could be indoctrinated, and in spite of their upbringing, their birth,
and years of living in the West, that they could be vulnerable to this
kind of thing." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN: DECISION ON SHARIA SPARKS JEWISH PROTEST
-
TOP
Marina Jimenez, Globe and Mail, 9/13/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050913/SHARIA13/TPNational/TopStories
A Jewish group is considering mounting a constitutional challenge to
Premier Dalton McGuinty's recently announced ban on faith-based
arbitration, while conservative Muslim leaders vow to continue using
sharia to resolve family disputes.
Mubin Sheikh, with the Masjid-al-Noor mosque in Toronto, said he will
still be guided by Islamic law when he mediates Muslims' disputes over
child-support payments, custody and inheritance -- regardless of whether
the Ontario government introduces legislation banning religious
arbitration.
"Is the government going to stand outside every mosque and ask if
people are going in to do faith-based arbitration? No," Mr. Sheikh
said. "A ban will change nothing. And it hurts the women who were
supposed to be protected by not affording them official state sanction of
the arbitrated settlement."
Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada, said
officials will consult with lawyers today at a national board meeting to
consider a constitutional challenge to a ban on rabbinical
courts.
Mr. McGuinty's unexpected announcement Sunday that he will outlaw all
existing religious tribunals not only failed to end the controversy about
the issue but left many unanswered questions about how far the ban will
go and how it will be implemented.
Ontario released no details yesterday of the proposed legislation, which
was applauded by Homa Arjomand, an Iranian immigrant who led the campaign
against sharia in Ontario . . .
Riad Saloojee, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations Canada,
said the result of the decision is that "unregulated informal
arbitration" will continue, a process that does not always uphold
rights under Canadian law. (MORE)
-----
INFORMANTS DECIDE
FATE OF IRAQI DETAINEES -
TOP
Jonathan Finer, Washington Post, 9/13/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/12/AR2005091202040.html
TALL AFAR, Iraq, -- A masked teenager in an Iraqi army uniform walked
slowly through a crowd of 400 detainees captured Monday, studying each
face and rendering his verdict with a simple hand gesture, like a Roman
emperor deciding the fate of gladiators.
A thumb pointed down meant the suspect was not thought to be an insurgent
and would be released by U.S. soldiers. A thumb pointed up meant a man
would be removed from the concertina wire-encased pen, handcuffed with
tape or plastic ties and taken by truck to a military base to be
interrogated. . .
Soldiers with little training relevant to the mission have been forced
into roles more traditionally assigned to police: gathering evidence,
interrogating witnesses and suspects, and following up on leads. In
searching almost every house in the city's most violent neighborhoods,
they have detained hundreds of young men, some because they possessed
weapons or insurgent literature, but others solely on the hearsay of
local informants often called "sources" by U.S. troops. .
.
Some of the American soldiers taunted the detainees by asking them,
"Can you say Abu Ghraib?" referring to the prison west of
Baghdad from which photographs of prisoner abuse emerged last
year.
"No, Guantanamo," one smiling captive responded, referring to
the U.S. military prison in Cuba where suspected terrorists are held.
"I just don't want to go to the Iraqi army or
police."
"Your source is not good, these are all innocent men," said a
detainee wearing a gray dishdasha, who said he was a student in the city
of Mosul, 40 miles to the east. "We are all Sunnis. That is why he
chose us. He is Shia," he said, referring to the informant. Hanners
said the quality of the informants has varied widely. "Some seem to
say what they think you want to hear," he said. "Others give us
information that pans out."
Another soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he said he
would be punished by commanders for his criticism, had a more negative
view of the sources' performance. "We almost never get anything good
from them," he said. "I think they just pick people from
another tribe or people who owe them money or something. .
."
At noon, two trucks arrived. Soldiers lined up the detainees,
photographed each one with a digital camera and loaded them aboard. The
crowd of family members faded back into their homes. "Another day of
making friends," Hanners said, shaking his head.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/14/05
*
Verse:
God's Houses of
Worship
*
CAIR-CT Hosts First
Annual Dinner
*
FL Muslims
React to Vandalism at Islamic Center
*
CO/PA:
Tancredo Rips
Sept. 11 Memorial (Denver Post)
-
Lawmaker Critical of
Memorial Shape (AP)
-
Memorial is About the Innocent, Not the
Guilty
*
CA:
Muslims' Concerns About
Vandalism Grow (SB Sun)
*
TX:
Believers
United in Hurricane Relief Efforts
*
AZ:
Muslim
School Provides Rigorous Nurturing (AZ Republic)
-
GA:
Office
Reaches Out to Muslim Students
-
MI:
Muslims Want Prayer
Room (MI Daily)
*
2 Cultures, 2 Religions, 1
World (USA Today)
*
Detainees Force-Fed at
Guantanamo (LA Times)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD'S HOUSES OF WORSHIP
-
TOP
"Who could be more unjust than those who bar the mention of God's
name from (any of) His houses of worship and strive for their
ruin."
The Holy Quran, 2:114
-----
CAIR-CT HOSTS FIRST
ANNUAL DINNER -
TOP
WHAT: On September 17, CAIR-Connecticut will host its First Annual Dinner
in West Hartford. The keynote speaker at the dinner will be CAIR National
Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar. Other speakers include Daisy Khan,
executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and
Imam Qasim Sharief of the Muhammed Islamic Center of Greater
Hartford.
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 17, 2005. Registration begins at 6 p.m.
WHERE: GENGRAS HALL, UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD (200 Bloomfield Avenue, West
Hartford, CT 06117)
Please visit our website
www.cair-ct.com or call us at
860-995-6628 for further information.
-----
FL
MUSLIMS REACT TO VANDALISM AT ISLAMIC CENTER -
TOP
CAIR-FL calls for FBI probe of bias motives, increased
police patrols
(MIAMI, FL, 9/14/05) - On Thursday, September 15, representatives
of the Florida Muslim and interfaith communities will take part in a news
conference to condemn apparently bias-motivated vandalism at a Boca Raton
Islamic center.
The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL)
reports that vandals threw several rocks through glass doors of the
Assidiq Islamic Educational Foundation (AIEF) sometime late Monday or
early Tuesday.
According to CAIR-FL, the perpetrators also spray-painted an apparent
reference to a speaker whose appearance at an AIEF event earlier this
year sparked protests from local anti-Muslim extremists. It was the
second such incident of vandalism reported by center officials in the
past two weeks.
WHAT: News Conference in Reaction to Vandalism of Boca Raton
Islamic Center
WHEN: Thursday, September 15, 2 p.m. (Eastern)
WHERE: Assidiq Islamic Educational Foundation, 831 E. Palmetto
Parkway, Boca Raton, Florida
CONTACT: Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, 954-272-0490,
altaf@cair-florida.org
"Given the graffiti used by the perpetrators and recent vandalism at
other Islamic institutions across America, we urge the FBI to investigate
possible bias motives in this case and call on local police to step up
patrols in the area,' CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali.
Ali said vandalism has been reported recently at mosques in Texas,
Nebraska, California, and New York. He urged Muslim institutions
nationwide to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's
"Muslim Community Safety Kit." The safety kit may be obtained
free of charge by e-mailing: pubs@cair-net.org (Include name, address and
phone number when requesting the safety kit.) It may also be ordered at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1021
SEE: "Muslims' Concerns Grow"
http://www2.sbsun.com/news/ci_3026285
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
TANCREDO RIPS SEPT. 11
MEMORIAL -
TOP
Anne C. Mulkern, Denver Post, 9/14/05
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_3026655
Washington - A proposed crescent-shaped memorial to 9/11 victims killed
in Pennsylvania too closely resembles a key symbol of Islam and should be
scrapped because the terrorist hijackers were "radical
Islamists," Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo said Tuesday.
In a letter to the National Park Service, Tancredo said that the plan for
the memorial at the site where hijacked United Flight 93 crashed
"has raised questions in some circles about whether the design, if
constructed, will in fact make the memorial a tribute to the hijackers
rather than the victims."
Forty passengers and crew members died in the Sept. 11, 2001, crash after
a struggle with terrorists who had commandeered the jet.
Tancredo's criticism comes less than two months after the Littleton
Republican suggested on a Florida talk radio program that the United
States should consider bombing Islamic holy sites if extremist Muslims
launched a nuclear attack against U.S. cities.
"Congressman Tancredo seems to have almost an allergy to
Islam," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American
Islamic Relations. "If he's so hostile to symbols that are
associated with Islam, what does that say about his attitude toward the
American Muslim community and Muslims in the state of
Colorado?"
Tancredo's latest comments will further hurt America's image overseas and
will be seen as an official position, Hooper added. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LAWMAKER CRITICAL OF
MEMORIAL SHAPE -
TOP
Jennifer Talhelm, Associated Press, 9/14/05
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/09/14/lawmaker_critical_of_memorial_shape/
Joanne Hanley, superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial, said
the design team led by Paul Murdoch Architects followed what the memorial
mission statement requested: It honors the plane's passengers and crew
and touches very lightly on the land.
''Crescent of Embrace" is the name of the design, not the memorial,
and can be changed, she said.
''The name is irrelevant, really," she said. ''There's a lot of
misinformation out there and conjecture and hidden meaning that just
isn't there." Architect Paul Murdoch was not immediately available
for comment yesterday.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations called Tancredo's comments ''a
cynical political ploy designed to gain national attention," and
urged President Bush and other Republican leaders to repudiate them. The
Muslim civil liberties group said the crescent has no religious
significance in Islam, but is commonly associated with the
faith.
Tancredo ''apparently believes he can only gain attention on the national
political stage by fabricating a false controversy based on bizarre
Internet conspiracy theories," said executive director Nihad Awad.
White House spokesman Allen Abney declined to comment. (MORE)
---
ARC OF REASON: THIS MEMORIAL IS ABOUT THE
INNOCENT, NOT THE GUILTY -
TOP
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/14/05
http://search.post-gazette.com/default.asp
Has American life been irrevocably dumbed down, or do certain people just
have too much time on their hands? Unfortunately, those questions are
suggested by the minor furor that came about after the unveiling of the
winning design of the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville,
Somerset County.
A great deal of time and effort has been spent on finding the right
design to mark the spot where that hijacked United Airlines plane crashed
on Sept. 11, 2001, after passengers mounted a heroic effort to seize it
back. The winning plan announced last week is just about perfect for this
hallowed ground, not just fitting the landscape but bringing an emotional
grandeur to the site.
The Post-Gazette's architectural critic, Patricia Lowry, said the design
by the Los Angeles-based Paul Murdock Architects had a "timeless
quality and accent on healing and spirituality." It features a
93-foot tower containing
40 wind chimes -- one for each passenger and crew member aboard -- and
stands of maple trees making what the architects called a "Crescent
of Embrace."
But like those who look at innocent kids trick-or-treating at Halloween
and see only the devil's work, a few small and suspicious minds couldn't
look past the crescent to see a remarkably sensitive design. According to
a marginal minister of religion, as well as some bloggers and letter
writers, the crescent is a symbol of Islam and therefore its presence
here memorializes the hijackers. It would be like putting a swastika on a
Holocaust memorial, they say.
No, it wouldn't. The swastikas that flew over concentration camps were
the all-encompassing symbol of a regime that persecuted the Jews and
started a world war. By contrast, the hijackers who struck on 9/11 also
hijacked Islam; there are tens of millions of Muslims who lead decent
lives and abide in U.S.- allied countries with crescents on their
flags.
The United States is not at war with Islam. . . (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS' CONCERNS GROW -
TOP
Brad A. Greenberg, SB Sun, 9/14/05
http://www2.sbsun.com/news/ci_3026285
Last month, the Islamic Center of Redlands reported that someone had
poured beer into a car parked in its lot. The Ahlul-Beyt Mosque in Pomona
was vandalized and burglarized in July. And in June, an Adelanto mosque
suspiciously burned to the ground.
"Three different cities in three different months - what I am
calling for is the law enforcement to take these things seriously and not
just brush it aside," said Shakeel Syed, executive director of the
Islamic Shura Council, which overseas 70 mosques and Muslim
organizations. "Three incidences are more than enough for all of us
to be cautious."
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said she could not comment about whether
the three cases were related because the Federal Bureau of Investigations
had not been notified of the Redlands and Pomona incidents. The FBI
investigates possible hate crimes but only when contacted by local law
enforcement or community members. (MORE)
-----
DIVERSE
BELIEVERS ARE UNITED IN THEIR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS -
TOP
Jim Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9/14/05
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/12641722.htm
FORT WORTH, Texas _ It's hard to find a bright spot in the horror caused
by Hurricane Katrina.
But in a lot of cases, religious differences are being set aside to help
those affected by the catastrophe.
Muslims are joining Christians, Jews and people of other faiths in trying
to help more than 1 million people displaced by the storm and consequent
flooding.
Recently I found myself at two prayer services _ one Christian and one
Muslim. At the historic First Christian Church in downtown Fort Worth,
Texas, I joined others in praying for those devastated by Hurricane
Katrina.
"Our nation is in pain," said the Rev. Tom Plumbley, the
church's senior minister. "We have work to do as a community _ as an
entire people."
During the noonday service, United Methodists, Presbyterians, members of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and others pledged money and
time to help hurricane victims.
A few minutes later I was at the Islamic Association of Tarrant County,
Texas, Mosque, where Muslims bowed toward Mecca and prayed for those
affected by Katrina. In the foyer, where worshippers removed their shoes,
several men dropped donations into a large box marked "Hurricane
Relief."
Mosque President Farid Saiyed of Colleyville, Texas, said local Muslims
are donating diapers, clothing, food, water and other items. They are
also contributing money, and many are volunteering a day of their time to
help those affected by the storm. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM
SCHOOL PROVIDES RIGOROUS CLASSES, NURTURING -
TOP
Betty Reid, Arizona Republic, 9/14/05
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0914phxschool14.html
SOUTH PHOENIX - The Arizona Cultures Academy is a small private school
that sits on the eastern edge of South Mountain.
Its mission was to offer a public school alternative for Muslim parents
who wanted to raise their children with a strong faith in a non-Muslim
society. In four years, the school has flourished, with 150 students in
kindergarten through high school.
The tiny campus is making its mark at Valley academic contests such as
the local Future Cities Competition. A group of students from the academy
won an award for designing a "floating city" that would
withstand a tsunami.
The Arizona Cultures Academy is one of several Islam-based schools in the
Valley. Its students come from all around the region and represent a
number of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. What's important to them and
their families is a solid education with a Muslim grounding.
There are about 1.1 billion Muslims worldwide with an estimated 100,000
Muslims in the Valley.
The 5-acre campus caters to students such as Israa Alsayyed, who formerly
attended a Peoria elementary school. The 10th-grader, who listens to
alternative music and whose homeland is Palestine, felt out of place
among friends and classmates.
She remembered peers who looked at her ritual fast as odd and chalked it
up to a desire to stop eating. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
OFFICE
OF RELIGIOUS LIFE REACHES OUT TO MUSLIM STUDENTS -
TOP
Jae Denson, The Caupanther, 9/18/05
http://www.thecaupanther.com/media/paper292/news/2005/04/18/StudentLife/Office.Of.Religious.Life.Reaches.Out.To.Muslim.Students-928158.shtml
The Office of Religious Life is seeking to improve relations with the
Muslim community at Clark Atlanta University by getting Muslim students
more involved on campus.
According to Rev. Herbert Marbury, the Chaplain at CAU, the Muslim
community has been targeted because of the current lack of activities
designed for students of the Muslim faith.
"I think it's a good idea [Office of Religious Life targeting Muslim
students] because students who want to engulf in their religion can do so
on campus rather than searching for a place in Atlanta," said junior
Liz Jacobs.
Although Muslim relations in the past have not been the primary focus of
religious life on campus, Rev. Marbury feels it is his job to serve the
entire campus community, not just Christians.
"Every religious preference needs to feel apart of this
campus," Rev. Marbury said.
Muslim students currently unify through the Muslim Student Association
(MSA) with chapters chartered at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse and
Spelman. This close-knit community of students and faculty from the
Atlanta University Center meet weekly for JUMUAH, a time of fellowship
and sacred prayer.
Students who attend MSA meetings regularly and are active members applaud
this effort by CAU and look forward to the provisions. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS WANT PRAYER ROOM -
TOP
Christina Hildreth, Michigan Daily, 9/14/05
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/14/4327ff530de9b
For most, prayer is strictly spiritual. But for some Muslim students, it
can be a logistical nightmare.
Devout Muslims pray five times a day - sunrise, noon, afternoon, sunset
and evening. Even though University students make time for prayer in the
midst of their busy schedules, some say they cannot find a place to pray.
They look for empty corners or classrooms, but that doesn't always cut
it.
"Prayers are very personal. It's very hard to do that when you have
500 kids rushing by you in the hallway," said Wajeeha Shuttari, vice
president of the Muslim Students' Association and an LSA
senior.
Muslim students found a partial solution on Central Campus in January
2003 when the Office of Student Affairs opened a "Reflection
Room" in the Michigan League.
This room, open everyday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. provides a quiet
place for students to get away for a few minutes and reflect - regardless
of religious affiliation.
But more rooms are needed.
The room in the League is well used: On Monday afternoon there was even a
line, as two students waited in the hallway.
Noha Elmouelhi, president of the Muslim Engineering Student Association
said students on North Campus have time to pray, but no place to
go.
Elmouelhi and other members of her group began talks with the Office of
Student Affairs back in January to find a place for a second Reflection
Room in Pierpont Commons or the Duderstadt Center. Efforts continued
during the semester and into the summer, to no avail.
The group gathered 179 signatures on an online petition to show the
University that the issue was important. So far, six additional student
groups have supported the petition, and Elmouelhi said when it reaches
200 signatures, they will take it to the administration.
Despite the petition, the response may still be the same -
wait.
It's not that the University doesn't see reflection as a priority,
University officials said. Frank Cianciola, senior vice president of
student affairs, said the University recognizes the issue as a legitimate
need and is committed to finding a space. (MORE)
-----
2 CULTURES, 2 RELIGIONS, 1
WORLD -
TOP
Teri Rizvi, USA Today, 9/14/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-09-13-religion-edit_x.htm
Leaving traffic-choked streets, we pulled into a quiet cemetery on the
outskirts of the Pakistani city of Lahore. A dozen of us filed along a
rocky path to a newly dug grave, lit incense and silently, tearfully
prayed. Our grief lingered like the incense.
The mosque and playground sitting just inside the cemetery's ornate gate
-- symbols of faith and family -- perfectly portray Apa, who was more
than just the matriarch of this close-knit Pakistani family. She was the
heart and soul.
Just days before my husband, Zafar, and our sons were to embark on the
annual summer trip to Lahore, we received word that Apa, his mother, had
died suddenly of a heart attack. The timing could not have been more
heartbreaking.
This summer, I had decided to quit wrestling with fear and heed the U.S.
government's warning to avoid travel to Pakistan, where anti-American
sentiment runs high. With the world on high terror alert, Pakistan's
ruling military general, Pervez Musharraf, continues to arrest Taliban
and al-Qaeda supporters as well as mullahs who preach hate. For an
American, this sun-drenched country along the Arabian Sea is not a
tourist hot spot.
Yet when Apa died, my anxiety evaporated. Love trumps fear.
Everyone -- from her five devoted sons to the family's servants -- called
her Apa, Urdu for "sister." With sisterly concern, she worried
about the lives of all she touched. As I reflect on her life, she was one
of the most courageous, generous women I've ever known. (MORE)
-----
18 DETAINEES FORCE-FED
AT GUANTANAMO -
TOP
Richard A. Serrano, Los Angeles Times, 9/14/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gitmo14sep14,1,6724049.story
WASHINGTON - A hunger strike at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, has grown to 128 prisoners who are demanding that they be
immediately released or granted access to a legal process to defend
themselves against blanket allegations that they are
terrorists.
The strike, begun more than five weeks ago, has forced military
authorities to hospitalize 18 of the prisoners and to take extraordinary
measures to force-feed them.
Some detainees have vowed to die if necessary, but the Pentagon insists
that it will not let anyone starve to death.
"Everyone is stable," Sgt. Justin Behrens, a prison spokesman,
said of those hospitalized. "We're going to take care of
everyone."
More than a quarter of the 502 detainees have refused food and liquids at
various times as the protest has gained momentum since it began Aug.
8.
Along with demanding that they be freed or put on trial, some detainees
also are complaining of assaults by guards and continuing to allege that
there has been desecration of Muslim religious items. Behrens denied that
detainees were being abused.
"The guards here are professional and are using standard operating
procedures," he said. "Officers are on the cellblocks all the
time to make sure this never happens."
Nevertheless, some of the complaints from prisoners, natives of 40
different countries sent to the prison after it opened in 2002, are being
disclosed by attorneys.
All 502 have been designated "enemy combatants." Four have been
charged with specific crimes and are awaiting trial before military
commissions.
Maj. Jane Boomer, a Pentagon spokeswoman assigned to the Office of
Military Commissions, said that the military commissions were on hold,
awaiting a decision on whether the Supreme Court would grant a challenge
to the legality of the process.
"We are very, very patient here in Guantanamo," prisoner Binyam
Mohammed wrote in an Aug. 11 letter to his lawyer, explaining why the
hunger strike was begun. "But finally enough was enough."
(MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MICHIGAN MOSQUE VANDALIZED
CAIR asks FBI to probe similar incidents nationwide
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/15/05) - The Michigan office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on local law
enforcement authorities to step up patrols at a Dearborn Heights mosque
vandalized early Wednesday. CAIR is also urging the FBI to investigate a
recent series of similar attacks on Islamic institutions
nationwide.
Later today, CAIR's Florida office is scheduled to take part in a news
conference condemning vandalism at a Boca Raton Islamic center. Other
acts of vandalism have been reported at mosques in Texas, Nebraska,
California, and New York.
SEE: "FL Muslims React to Vandalism at Islamic Center"
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1748&theType=NR
In the Michigan incident, representatives of the Islamic House of Wisdom
(
www.islamichouseofwisdom.com)
tell CAIR-MI that an intruder broke into the mosque sometime early on
September 14. The alleged perpetrator broke windows and threw paint on
walls. Security alarms alerted the Dearborn Heights Police Department and
a suspect was arrested. The incident has not been labeled a hate
crime.
"Given the rash of similar incidents across America, we urge police
and the FBI to investigate possible bias motives in this case and call on
local authorities to step up patrols in the area," said CAIR-MI
Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid urged Muslim institutions nationwide to review security procedures
using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
The safety kit may be obtained free of charge by e-mailing:
pubs@cair-net.org (Include name,
address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.) It may also be
ordered at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1021
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203;
CAIR-National: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/15/05
*
Verse:
God Inspired the
Bee
*
CAIR-St. Louis
Helps Build
'Habitat' Homes
*
CAIR-CA Rep
Helps Feed Katrina Evacuees
-
FL:
Divisions
Fall as Americans Rush to Help
-
CAIR-FL:
Interfaith
Leaders Deliver Relief Aid
*
CAIR-CA
Participates
in 'Know Your Rights' Panel
*
CAIR-FL:
U.S.-Muslim Views
Discussed (Bradenton Herald)
*
CAIR-CAN:
Sharia
Debate Deserves a Hearing (Globe & Mail)
-
CAIR-CAN:
Groups
Deeply Concerned Over CSIS Practices
*
MA Governor Suggests
Wiretapping Mosques (Boston Globe)
*
NC:
Columnist
Fired Over Profiling Op-ed (Daily Tar Heel)
-
Offensive,
Inaccurate, Disrespectful (Daily Tar Heel)
*
CO/PA:
Tancredo's
Remarks a New Low (Denver Post)
-
Flight 93 Families Reject
Tancredo's 'Insult'
-
Flight 93 Families:
Memorial Does Not Mimic Crescent
*
CA:
Grad Happier After Conversion to
Islam
-
What's Your Problem With
Islam? (LA Times)
------
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD INSPIRED THE BEE -
TOP
"And (consider how) thy Sustainer has inspired the bee: 'Prepare for
thyself dwellings in mountains and in trees, and in what (men) may build
(for thee by way of hives); and then eat of all manner of fruit, and
follow humbly the paths ordained for thee by thy Sustainer.' (And lo!)
there issues from within these {bees) a fluid of many hues, wherein there
is healing for mankind. In all this, behold, there is a message indeed
for people who think!"
The Holy Quran, 16:68-69
-----
CAIR-ST. LOUIS
HELPS BUILD 'HABITAT' HOMES -
TOP
(ST. LOUIS, MO, 9/15/05) - On Saturday, September 10, CAIR-St. Louis
participated in the building of "Habitat for Humanity" homes in
the Hilsdale area of St. Louis.
That same day, CAIR-St. Louis members volunteered for Channel 9 (KETC) to
help with fundraising efforts by staffing phones.
CONTACT: Kamal Yassin, 314-477-8407
-----
CAIR-SV REP HELPS
FEED KATRINA EVACUEES -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/15/2005) - A Representative of the Sacramento Valley
chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) returned
recently from a mission to serve Katrina evacuees in Houston,
Texas.
"Compassion, kindness and humility are essential teachings of
Islam," said CAIR-SV Treasurer Tamer Ahmed. "It was a humbling
experience to be in my former home, the state of Texas, to serve in any
way I could."
CONTACT: CAIR-SV, 916-441-6269, E-Mail:
sacval@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
DIVISIONS FALL AS
AMERICANS RUSH TO HELP -
TOP
Mike Thomas, Orlando Sentinel, 9/15/05
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-miket1505sep15,0,3420054.column
I suppose there was a time when 20 Muslims wielding chain saws in a
southern Mississippi town might have raised an eyebrow or two among the
locals.
But not when they are cutting toppled trees off houses. That is what
members of the Islamic Society of Central Florida were doing after
Hurricane Katrina. (MORE)
---
CAIR-FL:
INTERFAITH LEADERS DELIVER $55K IN RELIEF AID -
TOP
CAIR-FL Central Florida Director Ahmed Bedier joined Tampa Bay interfaith
leaders at a news conference yesterday to deliver $55,000 to the American
Red Cross for Hurricane Disaster Relief. The funds were raised during an
interfaith prayer and relief service organized by CAIR-FL last
week.
To watch a video clip of the news conference, follow the below
link.
BROADBAND:
http://www.cairfl.org/video/050913_bay9_ifaith_donation-hi.wmv
DIAL-UP:
http://www.cairfl.org/video/050913_bay9_ifaith_donation-lo.wmv
-----
CAIR-SV
PARTICIPATES "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" PANEL -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/15/05) - The Sacramento Valley Chapter of CAIR
participated in a "Know Your Rights" panel discussion on
September 14 at California State University in Sacramento. CAIR
"Know Your Rights" brochures were made available to attendees
of the panel discussion.
SEE: CAIR Know Your Rights Pocket Guide
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1020
CONTACT: CAIR-SV, 916-441-6269, Email:
sacval@cair.com
-----
CAIR-FL: U.S.-MUSLIM
VIEWS DISCUSSED -
TOP
Stephen Majors, Bradenton Herald, 9/15/05
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/12648090.htm
SARASOTA - To commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks, New College of Florida students and faculty held a
discussion Wednesday to explore the state of U.S.-Muslim
relations.
New College anthropology professor Uzi Baram was joined by political
science professor Frank Alcock and Ahmed Bedier, the central Florida
communications director for the Council on American Islamic
Relations.
The meeting was held in cooperation with a non-partisan organization
called Americans for Informed Democracy.
About 30 students listened as the three men dissected the fallout of the
9/11 terrorist attacks and their effect on how Americans and those in
Middle Eastern countries view each other.
Bedier said that American-Muslim relations are on the wrong path, and
should be turned around quickly.
He criticized the policies of the Bush administration and encouraged
Americans to get beyond simplicities and think about what the reasons
behind terrorist activities may be. At the same time, he condemned the
use of violence as a political tool.
Bedier said the inconsistencies in the administration's foreign policy -
attacking Iraq, a country that did not have weapons of mass destruction,
while trying to engage North Korea diplomatically - send Muslims the
message that they are the enemy.
"The people of the Middle East want to have consistency,"
Bedier said.
While Bedier encouraged people to consider the "hopeless" state
of many Middle Eastern societies as a breeding ground for terrorism,
Baram pointed out that many of the 9/11 hijackers were educated at
American universities. But many of them, with this education, also were
sympathetic to the plight of Muslims who they believed were being
persecuted. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN:
THE SHARIA DEBATE DESERVES A PROPER HEARING -
TOP
Sheema Khan, Globe and Mail, 9/15/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050915/COSHEEMA15/TPComment/TopStories
[Sheema Khan is the chair of CAIR-CAN.
http://www.caircan.ca/]
Sharia is an Arabic word that literally means "a path to
water," the source of life. For Muslims, it is a comprehensive
framework of justice based on the Koran and the example of Prophet
Mohammed. Sharia's aim is five-fold: protection of life, faith, wealth,
intellect and progeny. Sharia has spanned 14 centuries, numerous cultures
and has given rise to at least five recognized schools of jurisprudence.
It covers such disparate fields as economics, criminal justice,
international relations and family matters. The study of sharia is so
important that in the 1990s, Harvard law school launched an Islamic legal
studies program.
Yet, many Canadians have opted for a more facile description: sharia,
bad. Globe columnist Lysiane Gagnon equated it with incest. Anti-sharia
activist Homa Arjomand has called for the imprisonment of sharia
advocates. And Quebec MNA Fatima Houda-Pepin -- ripping a page from what
might be called The Protocols of the Elders of Mecca -- continues to warn
about the international conspiracy of Islamists to compliant Quebec media
outlets. It's the same mantra she used a decade ago, dismissing those of
us who campaigned for the right to wear the hijab as unwitting pawns of
those same Islamists. Great fodder for Jon Stewart and The Daily Show --
except no one is laughing.
Undoubtedly, sharia-phobia has skewed the debate over Ontario faith-based
arbitration to such a frenzied level that lies were perpetuated as facts,
paranoia as patriotism. Just as the neo-conservative lobby peddled the
bogus threat of Iraqi WMD, our own neo-secularists (including several
Muslims) brazenly peddled Muslim family law as an existential threat to
Western liberal democracy. As in the case with Iraq, the audience was a
fearful public ready to accept its own biases coupled with sensational
media accounts.
And it worked. Like the French decision to ban "conspicuous"
religious symbols in public schools, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's
decision to ban all faith-based arbitration was aimed primarily at
Muslims. Other religions were included to provide a veneer of fairness.
At least the Quebec Legislature had the candour to express its animosity
toward sharia alone, remaining silent on all other faiths.
Not so, you protest, there are legitimate issues of debate. Yes, but
consider the following: During the 14 years of operation of Jewish,
Aboriginal and Ismaili arbitration tribunals, the issues of "one law
for all Ontarians," of "parallel justice systems" and the
"ghettoization of minority groups" were never raised by the
public. Why all the hue and cry when Muslims wish to avail themselves of
the same rights as their fellow Ontarians?
And for those who view this as a victory for the protection of women --
think again. There are too many unqualified, ignorant imams making
back-alley pronouncements on the lives of women, men and children. The
practice will continue, without any regulation, oversight or
accountability. Muslim women (and men) will still seek religious divorces
and settlement of inheritance matters in accordance with their faith. And
not just the ubiquitous downtrodden immigrant Muslim woman who speaks
little English. Our overburdened courts will still need to rely on
experts in Muslim family law to deal with pre-nuptial contracts. Nothing
has really changed -- except the fact that we have missed a golden
opportunity to shine light on abuses masquerading as faith, and to ensure
that rulings don't contradict the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CANADIAN
MUSLIM AND ARAB GROUPS DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER CSIS PRACTICES -
TOP
http://www.caircan.ca/itn_more.php?id=1971_0_2_0_C
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 14/09/05) - The National Council on Canada-Arab
Relations (NCCAR), the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) and the Canadian
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), supported by a
coalition of organizations and community leaders, are alarmed over
allegations that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
discriminates against people who associate with Arab causes.
A leaked report written by the former chairperson of the Security
Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) following a complaint by a
diplomatic appointee who was denied top-security status has found fault
with CSIS for leaping to the "unqualified" conclusion that a
person who supports Arab causes should be deemed suspicious. The report
also says that CSIS attempted to mislead SIRC to save the spy agency from
embarrassment.
This new information comes one day after CAF and CAIR-CAN read a closing
submission to the Arar inquiry regarding the use of racial profiling by
Canadian officials, which Canadian Arab and Muslim organizations
denounce. . .
For more information, contact: Halima Mautbur, CAIR-CAN communications
director, (613) 254-9704 or (613) 795-2012; Annik Lussier, NCCAR media
relations coordinator, (613) 238-3795; Mohamed Boudjenane, CAF executive
director, (416) 493-8635 ext. 23;
-----
WIRETAP MOSQUES, ROMNEY
SUGGESTS -
TOP
Scott Helman, Boston Globe, 9/15/05
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/09/15/wiretap_mosques_romney_suggests/
WASHINGTON -- Governor Mitt Romney raised the prospect of wiretapping
mosques and conducting surveillance of foreign students in Massachusetts,
as he issued a broad call yesterday for the federal government to devote
far more money and attention to domestic intelligence
gathering.
In remarks that caused alarm among civil libertarians and advocates for
immigrants rights, Romney said in a speech to the Heritage Foundation
that the United States needs to radically rethink how it guards itself
against terrorism.
''How many individuals are coming to our state and going to those
institutions who have come from terrorist-sponsored states?" he
said, referring to foreign students who attend universities in
Massachusetts. ''Do we know where they are? Are we tracking
them?"
''How about people who are in settings -- mosques, for instance -- that
may be teaching doctrines of hate and terror," Romney continued.
''Are we monitoring that? Are we wiretapping? Are we following what's
going on?"
As he ponders a potential run for president in 2008, Romney has
positioned himself as a homeland security expert: He sits on a federal
homeland security advisory council, is active on the issue with the
National Governors Association, and repeatedly speaks about the lessons
the country has learned from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and,
more recently, from Hurricane Katrina.
Romney, who referred to himself yesterday as ''red-state folk," has
also struck more conservative postures on social issues that may alienate
voters in Massachusetts but endear him to the Republican electorate
nationwide; his tough talk on antiterrorism measures could also earn him
support among conservatives. (MORE)
TO SEND A POLITE NOTE TO GOV. ROMNEY, GO TO:
http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=gov2utility&sid=Agov2&U=gov_contact_us
------
OPINION
EDITOR JUSTIFIES FIRING OF TUESDAY COLUMNIST -
TOP
Chris Coletta, Daily Tar Heel, 9/15/05
http://www.dailytarheel.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/15/4328fee8b53ed
Might as well get to the point: I fired Jillian Bandes
yesterday.
And not because I thought she was a racist or an idiot. She is, in fact,
neither - and even if she were, I wouldn't have fired her for those
reasons.
I fired her because she strung together quotes out of context. She took
sources' words out of context. She misled those sources when she
conducted interviews.
In other words, she conducted journalistic malpractice, and that's simply
not something I, or The Daily Tar Heel, will tolerate.
By now, all of you have likely read Bandes' Tuesday column, "It's
sad, but racial profiling is necessary for our safety."
So you probably know that it's a fiery look at the practice of singling
out Arabs and Arab Americans for examination at in public places. And you
know it begins with the rather incendiary comment, "I want all Arabs
to be stripped naked and cavity-searched if they get within 100 yards of
an airport."
You also know it contains the line "I want Arabs to get sexed up
like nothing else" in reference to an Ann Coulter quote about going
through airport security.
Some of you called it racist. Some of you called Bandes' words a
fundamental breach of integrity and journalistic standards. Some of you
called for my head, not to mention hers.
But that's not why Bandes got fired. It happened because she lied to her
sources and readers.
Unlike two DTH alumni who resigned from The Reidsville Review this
summer, Bandes didn't inaccurately quote anyone. (I have her notes as
proof.)
But you don't necessarily have to make things up to get them wrong or to
mislead the reader.
This is the bottom line: Bandes told the three people quoted in her
column - students Sherief Khaki and Muhammad Salameh, as well as
professor Nasser Isleem - that she was writing an article about
Arab-American relations in a post-9/11 world.
That's not what happened; that's a major problem. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
COLUMNIST
WAS OFFENSIVE, INACCURATE, DISRESPECTFUL -
TOP
Daily Tar Heel, 9/14/05
http://www.dailytarheel.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/14/4327b0e4a3126
TO THE EDITOR:
The Muslim Students Association wanted to respond to Jillian Bandes'
piece "It's sad, but racial profiling is necessary for our
safety."
We find it extremely counterproductive as Muslims to attack Bandes'
opinion about racial profiling because we recognize that sadly enough,
this is a prevalent sentiment echoed even through the hallowed halls of
the most liberal elite.
After all, you know you've hit a relatively widespread opinion when Bill
Maher, the leftist man on television, admits to the necessity of racial
profiling. It's a sad day when Ann Coulter and Bill Maher finally find a
point of contention that doesn't make them want to hurl knives at each
other's aorta.
Our main criticism of Bandes' article is not in what it argues but the
way that she argues her point so disrespectfully. : "I want all
Arabs to be stripped naked and cavity-searched if they get within one
hundred yards of an airport."
Although we appreciate the journalistic hook, it was an
attention-grabber, sensationalistic and forced us to read the column;
however, it offended us all within the same sentence. The image of naked
Arabs in a public airport is not only truly horrifying, but it is also
reminiscent of the Abu Ghraib photos where Iraqis were also
"stripped" down for information about terrorists.
Considering the negative reaction to those distant images, are we ready
to see them every day at the airport?
Not only that, but there is an inherent contradiction within the article
itself. Bandes writes that the United States can implement a large-scale
profling policy "without going down the slippery slope of pointless
and disrespectful encroachment on the livelihood (of
Arabs)."
However, one wonders, is "Arabs sexed up like nothing else" not
"disrespectful encroachment?" How is this a
"professionally conscientious manner" of discussing the
issue?
If a mere Daily Tar Heel columnist can "encroach" upon the
self-respect of Arabs within the span of a 750-word column, then what can
be said about the entire bureaucratic infrastructure of the United
States?
Our qualms with journalistic language aside, we take offense to the
manipulation of the quotes from Arabs to support Bandes' limitedly
researched article. After we spoke to both Muhammad Salameh and Professor
Nasser Isleem, we realized that they were outraged at having their views
on racial profiling misrepresented.
For example, Salameh's response to the use of his statements was
"Quote me as I say!"
His quote from Bandes' article that "I can accept it, even if I
don't like it. I don't want to die" is an example of the
journalist's cut-and-paste method. In actuality, Salameh said to Bandes,
"I'm not comfortable with it, I'm not happy with it, but I can
accept it."
The "I don't want to die" part of the statement was given much
later in the conversation in reference to Salameh's Islamic stoicism in
accepting his fate if he died in the World Trade Center - not Arab strip
searches at airports. Salameh is, in fact, infuriated at the way he was
represented in the article, considering his involvement in diversity
activities and clubs (such as Psi Sigma Phi, a multicultural fraternity).
(MORE)
-----
TANCREDO'S REMARKS A NEW LOW -
TOP
Jim Spencer, Denver Post, 9/14/05
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3026808
Tom Tancredo needs a new expression. In the grinning photo on his
website, his lips curve in a crescent shape that might be mistaken for a
symbol of radical Islam.
No one must confuse Tancredo for a terrorist. So he should get a new mug
shot. Preferably one with his foot stuffed in his mouth.
Colorado's world-famous race-baiting congressman hit a new low Tuesday.
Fresh from suggesting the U.S. bomb Mecca, Saudi Arabia, if terrorists
mount a nuclear attack on America, Tancredo asked the federal government
to change the design of a 9/11 memorial in Pennsylvania because its
crescent shape suggested an Islamic symbol. The memorial will be built
where United Flight 93 crashed. The plane went down after passengers
overpowered terrorists trying to fly the hijacked jet supposedly into the
White House.
"The appropriateness of the design has been questioned by many
people because of the crescent's prominent use as a symbol in Islam - and
the fact that the hijackers were radical Islamists," Tancredo wrote
to the director of the National Park Service. "Indeed, it has raised
questions in some circles about whether the design, if constructed, will
in fact make the memorial a tribute to the hijackers ... .
"I hope that you will reject this recommended design, and urge the
committee to select a more appropriate design."
As he questions the memorial's flaws, Tancredo's emergence as an
architecture critic begs another question:
Will his latest inexplicably insensitive publicity stunt finally alienate
voters in the suburban Denver Republican's congressional
district?
Tancredo did not return a call Tuesday.
But this time, Tancredo didn't just stick it to the usual suspects -
dark-skinned foreigners who speak a different language. He smeared the
English-speaking white folks who are among the 40 passengers the memorial
honors. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DESIGN FOR 9/11 SITE TO
CHANGE -
TOP
Michael Riley, Denver Post, 9/15/05
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_3029872
An architect's illustration of the plan for a memorial to those killed on
Flight 93 shows a crescent of maple trees. Now the National Park Service
says the "Crescent of Embrace" name will be changed, and other
alterations are likely to follow. (AP)
Moving quickly to snuff out controversy, the National Park Service on
Wednesday said key changes would be made to a proposed 9/11 memorial in
Pennsylvania in order to eliminate any association with a crescent - the
symbol of Islam.
Joanne Hanley, the Park Service superintendent for the memorial, said she
had full confidence in the way the design was selected - a two-year
process - and the result - a sweeping memorial to United Flight 93 that
includes an arc of maple trees called the "Crescent of
Embrace."
But in acknowledging growing complaints that the design evokes Islam -
the religion of the terrorists who hijacked the plane - Hanley said the
memorial's name would be changed and that modifications in the design
would be made to squelch a controversy that threatened to "blemish
the intent of the memorial," she said.
"The name change is going to happen," Hanley said. And "as
part of the next step of the design process, (architect Paul) Murdoch is
exploring architectural refinements" that will modify or eliminate
the crescent.
The controversy began bubbling up in blogs and conservative websites over
the past week. Tuesday, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo sent a letter to the
Park Service demanding that the design be changed.
"This is a victory not for me but for the families of the
victims," Tancredo said.
Critics of the proposed changes point out that family members helped
choose the design and say the agency is caving to political
pressure.
"To suggest that these family members who spent hundreds of hours
picking a memorial that deals in a very sensitive way with this sacred
ground somehow created a memorial designed to honor the murderers of
their loved ones is obscene," said Edward Linenthal, a history
professor and a member of the federal advisory commission for the
memorial.
"Whether there are changes or not, the reason they are being done is
bothersome to me," he said.
How extensive the changes will be is still unclear. . .
"We've unfortunately seen a rise in level of anti-Islamic rhetoric
in our society, and I think this incident is a reflection of that,"
said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American Islamic
Relations in Washington.
The Park Service has yet to certify a final design for the memorial.
Public comments are still being analyzed, and the final design changes
will take place over the next two months, with final approval by the
Interior Department.
Dorothy Garcia, whose husband was killed on Flight 93, said she hopes
that whatever the final result, it remains true to the symbolism of the
current design, which, as a juror in the final selection, she helped
choose.
"This was an open design. The format gave ample opportunity for
public comment," she said.
"I believe it is a total insult to me as a family member to think
that I would need to be told how to judge a design that honors my husband
and 39 other heroes," Garcia said. (MORE)
---
FLIGHT 93 FAMILIES
SAY MEMORIAL DESIGN DOES NOT MIMIC ISLAMIC CRESCENT -
TOP
Religion News Service, 9/14/05
http://www.religionnews.com/
The president of the Families of Flight 93 on Wednesday (Sept. 14)
labeled as "absurd" a Republican congressman's claim that a
proposed memorial in Pennsylvania is a "tribute to hijackers"
because it incorporates a crescent shape that he said is associated with
Islam -- and therefore terrorism.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., told the National Park Service that the
memorial to the hijacked flight that crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, should be
redesigned. Families of the victims called his comments "an
unfortunate distraction."
"A very small, violent militant contingent does not own a copyright
on the words 'crescent' or 'red crescent,'" said D. Hamilton
Peterson, whose father and stepmother were passengers on the flight that
crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa. "New Orleans is known as
the 'Crescent City.' That doesn't suggest it is demonically oriented. .
."
Edward Linenthal, a member of the Flight 93 Advisory Commission and a
historian of American battlefields and memorials, called Tancredo's
comments "disgraceful."
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American
Islamic Relations, was similarly dismissive. "We believe this is a
made-up controversy, something that's been trumped up by extremist and
anti-Muslim Internet bloggers. The design has nothing to do with
Islam," he said.
-----
CHANGE OF FAITH: MC GRAD HAPPIER AFTER
CONVERSION TO ISLAM -
TOP
Geoff Lepper, Marin Independent Journal, 9/15/05
http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_3031493
BERKELEY - Some college football players retool their games during the
break afforded by a redshirt year. Justin Johnson used his time away from
the field to refashion himself more deeply.
As a redshirt last year, the Cal defensive end didn't just learn new
techniques for dealing with the bigger and stronger offensive linemen at
the Division I level. He also converted from the Catholic faith in which
he was raised to Islam, along the way dropping the name he went by during
his career at Marin Catholic High and City College of San
Francisco.
Now the 6-foot, 3-inch, 245-pound junior is getting into opposing
backfields in less time than it takes to spell his new Islamic name:
Fahim Mujaahid Abd Allah.
And the 22-year-old from American Canyon, who is in line to start
Saturday's game against Illinois in place of injured senior Tosh Lupoi,
is happier all the way around.
"It's definitely changed my life for the better," Abd Allah
said of his conversion. "The way I was living my life at City
College of San Francisco, all that needed to be changed. I wasn't happy
with myself. My actions weren't what I wanted them to be, off the
field."
Abd Allah said he wasn't particularly fervent during his days at Marin
Catholic - "religion classes were a hassle" - but his interest
in Islam didn't began in earnest until last summer, when he started
reading the Qu'ran.
His conversion was cemented in January when he underwent a shahada
ceremony, also known as "The Profession of Faith."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM WITH
ISLAM? -
TOP
Timothy Garton Ash, Los Angeles Times, 9/15/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ash15sep15,0,4968389.story
Timothy Garton Ash is the professor of European studies at Oxford
University and a Hoover Institution senior fellow.
SITTING IN THE CAPITAL of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with a metal
arrow on the ceiling of my hotel room pointing to Mecca, I feel impelled
to write about our troubles with Islam. Four years after the Sept. 11
attacks on New York and Washington, which were perpetrated in the name of
Allah, most people in what we still loosely call the West would agree
that we do have troubles with Islam.
Why? What's the nub of the problem? Here are six different views often
heard in the West but also, it's important to add, in Muslim countries
such as Iran. As you go down the list, consider which one matches your
opinion. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #467
U.S. MOSQUES URGED TO HOST 'SHARING RAMADAN'
IFTARS
National initiative designed to challenge growing
anti-Muslim views
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/16/2005) - CAIR today launched its annual
"Sharing Ramadan" outreach effort designed to enhance
understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths meet their
Muslims neighbors by taking part in a Ramadan Iftar. Ramadan is scheduled
to begin on or about October 4, depending on the sighting of the new
moon.
CAIR's initiative addresses the rising level of Islamophobic prejudice in
American society. Research shows that anti-Muslim bias decreases when
people have access to accurate information about Islam and are able to
connect on a personal level with ordinary Muslims.
"We encourage local Muslim communities to share Ramadan's spirit of
mercy and forgiveness and to enhance understanding of Islam by hosting an
interfaith Iftar," said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed.
He quoted the Quran, which states: "O mankind! We created you from a
single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes
so that you might come to know one another. Surely the noblest of you in
the sight of God is he who is the most righteous." (49:13)
Ahmed said CAIR is helping local Muslim communities organize
"Sharing Ramadan" Iftars by providing step-by-step instructions
for hosting the events. The
"Sharing Ramadan Resource
Guide" is available online at:
www.cair.com/sharingramadan05.pdf
'SHARING RAMADAN" KIT TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* Welcome Letter from CAIR Director
* Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Iftar
* Sample Media Advisory
* Welcome to Our Ramadan Fast-Breaking Brochure
* Ramadan FAQs
* Islam/American Muslims FAQs
* Sample Event Program
* Sample Newspaper Ad
ACTION REQUESTED:
1)
FORM A 'SHARING RAMADAN' COMMITTEE in your community to
help in this effort. E-mail
cair@cair-net.org so we can keep
track of all the communities participating in this nationwide
initiative.
2)
COPY AND USE the materials in the "Sharing Ramadan"
kit.
3)
CONTACT A LOCAL CAIR OFFICE for help in organizing the iftar.
To find CAIR chapter contact information, go to:
http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=chapters
4)
SEND CAIR photos and video of your event. (Also count the
number of attendees.)
5)
BECOME A CAIR MEMBER or
DONATE to help us carry out this
important work. GO TO:
https://www.cair-net.org/asp/donate.asp
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PAKISTANI PRESIDENT URGED TO ADVOCATE JUST RESOLUTION TO MIDDLE EAST
CONFLICT
American-Muslims ask for meeting to discuss war on terror and impasse
in
Mideast peace
WASHINGTON, D. C. 9/16/05: The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil
Rights
and Elections (AMT), a national coalition of major American-Muslim
organizations, today cautioned Pakistani President Gen. Pervez
Musharraf to
not allow his address to the American Jewish Congress be misconstrued
as an
endorsement of the state of Israel's conduct towards occupied
Palestinians.
American Muslims have a number of issues to discuss with Musharraf,
including a just resolution to conflicts in the Middle East and
Kashmir,
the rights of the Palestinian people in any future peace settlement and
the
role of Muslim nations in the war on terrorism.
"Because rapidly changing global conditions necessitate a new consensus
among Muslims, a meeting with American Islamic leaders would offer an
excellent opportunity for an exchange of views," said AMT Chair Dr.
Agha Saeed.
The AMT statement reads:
"We believe that President Musharraf's address to the American Jewish
Congress presents an important opportunity to highlight how continued
occupation of Palestine by Israel constitutes a central cause of
conflict
between the Muslim world and the West.
"We ardently support the position of the Pakistani government that
formal
diplomatic relations with Israel "will have to wait" until a just peace
is
obtained and an "independent Palestinian state" has come into
existence.
"Any relations with Israel should be contingent on two factors: 1) full
implementation of all relevant UN resolutions, particularly 194, 242,
and
338, and return of Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian lands currently
occupied by Israel, and 2) establishment of a viable, independent and
sovereign state of Palestine.
"Any mediation on behalf of the Palestinians must be done with the
foreknowledge and approval of their democratically-elected leadership."
----
AMT members and affiliates endorsing this statement include: American
Muslim Alliance (AMA), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North
America
(MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs Council
(MPAC), Muslim Student Association-National (MSA-N), Muslim Ummah of
North
America (MUNA), Project Islamic Hope (PIH), and United Muslims of
America
(UMA).
----
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/16
/05
*
Hadith:
Ask for God's
Blessing
*
CAIR-San Diego
Mayoral Forum a
Success
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Retain Identity,
Take a Stand
*
CAIR-OH Offers
Diversity Training for Cleveland Police
*
CAIR Critical of Gov's
Call to Wiretap Mosques (Wash Post)
-
Romney's Slip (Boston Globe)
*
CAIR-FL:
Police Probe 'Hate
Crime' at Mosque (BR News)
-
Mosque Vandalized for 2nd Time in
Month (Sun-Sent)
*
CAIR-MI:
Concerns of Anti-Muslim
Hatred Linger (Free Press)
-
Man Faces Charge Over
Damaged Building (Detroit News)
*
NJ:
Muslim
Students Fast in Support of Katrina Victims
-
MD:
Muslim
Foundation Helping Katrina Victims
-
CO:
Muslims Aid Relief
Effort (Denver Post)
*
NJ:
Six
Flags Hosts Islamic Event (Star-Ledger)
*
KY:
Biases Regarding
Muslims Incorrect, Hurtful
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: ASK FOR GOD'S BLESSING
-
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Part of (a person's)
misery consists of abandoning asking for God's blessing."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1406
-----
CAIR-SAN DIEGO
MAYORAL FORUM A SUCCESS -
TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 9/16/05) - The San Diego office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) hosted a forum for the Muslim
community with mayoral candidate Donna Frye on September 15th.
The forum provided an opportunity for Councilwoman Frye to present her
views to the Muslim community prior to the election. Frye began by
answering a series of questions that were submitted prior to the event
and ended by opening the floor to questions from the audience. Topics
discussed ranged from concerns of housing ownership, to how Muslims can
become more politically-involved.
"We thank Councilwoman Frye for willingness to engage the Muslim
community and address its concerns," said CAIR-San Diego Executive
Director Omar Hassaine.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.
CONTACT:
cair_sd_pres@yahoo.com
SEE ALSO:
HOMEGROWN MUSLIMS LEARNING HOW TO RETAIN
THEIR IDENTITY AND TAKE A STAND -
TOP
Sandi Dolbee, Union Tribune, 9/15/05
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050915/news_lz1c15muslims.html
Teenager Ilias Hassaine, with his surfboard at Torrey Pines State Beach,
is among a new generation of American Muslims coming of age - and looking
to be future leaders.
The dome of California's capitol rises above the trees, another kind of
Mecca for a group of teenagers making a pilgrimage to Sacramento last
month for a historic Muslim youth leadership workshop.
In Carlsbad, on a cool August night, about three dozen college-age Muslim
men and women are making a bit of history on their own as they carry
banners protesting a congressman's remarks about bombing Islamic holy
sites.
And in the living room of a Rancho Peñasquitos home a few weeks ago, a
young girl faces her own turning point about whether to wear an emblem of
her faith.
A generation of homegrown Muslims is coming of age.
These sons and daughters of immigrants, many with families still living
in the Muslim world, are learning to speak out both as Americans and
followers of Islam.
"Their parents were the first generation of American Muslims,"
says Affad Shaikh, as he watched people paint banners for last month's
demonstration. "They are afraid to take a stand and afraid for their
children, because they don't want to risk their futures, their
careers.
"But these young people ... are different," says Shaikh,
himself a 22-year-old UCSD graduate who now works for an advocacy group
called the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "They want to be a
part of the solution. . ."
Twenty-seven students have been picked for this first-ever, statewide
Muslim youth leadership conference sponsored by California's branch of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
For four days, they are urged to get involved, whether it's running for
public office, writing letters to the editor or just learning how to
speak better on behalf of your faith.
Islam doesn't have to be at odds with the West, Hussam Ayloush, head of
the council's Los Angeles office, tells the participants. "We as
American Muslims can play that bridge role. We can fix the
misunderstandings." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-OH OFFERS DIVERSITY
TRAINING FOR CLEVELAND POLICE -
TOP
Officers learn about Islamic beliefs, practices and culture
(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/16/05) - The Cleveland office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) recently conducted diversity
training for Cleveland police officers. The course is designed to augment
community policing efforts by educating officers about the local Muslim
community.
The training, held at the Cleveland Police Academy, addressed the basic
tenets of the Islamic faith, diversity of the American Muslim community
and the negative consequences of stereotyping. Officers were also
provided information on Islamic concepts of law and justice, gender
relations in the Muslim community, hate crimes, religious profiling,
domestic violence, and techniques for improving community
relations.
Participants were given CAIR's publication, "A Law Enforcement
Official's Guide to the Muslim Community," which covers issues such
as religiously-sensitive techniques for body searches, proper etiquette
for entering Muslim homes and outreach to the Muslim community. The
booklet is available at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1
CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail:
Julia@cair-ohio.com; Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, 614-989-5916, E-Mail:
ahmad@cair-ohio.com
-----
GROUPS CRITICIZE
ROMNEY'S COMMENTS -
TOP
David A. Fahrenthold, Washington Post, 9/16/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091502090.html
BOSTON, Sept. 15 -- Civil liberties and Muslim groups criticized
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Thursday for suggesting that
authorities should spend more time monitoring mosques and their
attendees, possibly with wiretaps.
The comments came during a speech on domestic preparedness that Romney
(R) gave Wednesday at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank
in Washington.
Romney, said to be considering a run for president in 2008, used the
speech to offer suggestions for beefing up domestic
intelligence-gathering, saying that too much effort is spent protecting
buildings and too little on surveillance that might detect an attack in
the planning stages.
After asking whether students from "terrorist-sponsored
countries" should be tracked more closely in the United States,
Romney asked: "How about people who are in settings -- mosques, for
instance -- that may be teaching doctrines of hate and terror?
"Are we monitoring that?" Romney continued, according to a
video posted on the foundation's Web site. "Are we wiretapping? Are
we following what's going on? Are we seeing who's coming in, who's coming
out?"
In a telephone interview Thursday, Romney said he was not calling for a
loosening of the rules governing when and how the government can conduct
surveillance. But he defended his focus on mosques as potential
surveillance targets, saying that attacks by Islamic terrorists in the
United States, London and elsewhere justify a particular focus on Muslim
places of worship.
Authorities "should be watching what's being taught in a mosque more
closely than what's being taught at the local 4-H Club," Romney
said.
After Romney's speech was reported on the front page of Thursday's Boston
Globe, groups in Boston and Washington expressed alarm, seeing in his
speech a call for blanket surveillance of mosques and Muslims.
"It's irresponsible for the top elected official in any state to
suggest blanket wiretapping of houses of worship," said Ibrahim
Hooper, spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ROMNEY'S SLIP -
TOP
Boston Globe, 9/16/05
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/09/16/romneys_slip/
TO MORE THAN a billion Muslims around the world, mosques are centers of
prayer and religious instruction. They should not be casually mentioned
as targets for law enforcement wiretapping, as Governor Romney did this
week. (MORE)
-----
POLICE PROBE 'HATE CRIME'
VANDALISM AT BOCA MOSQUE -
TOP
Dale M. King, Boca Raton News 9/16/05
http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=12671&category=Local%20News
Vandalism at a Muslim education center in east Boca is being classified
as a 'hate crime."
On two occasions - Aug. 25 and last Monday night - vandals threw large
rocks through glass doors of the Assidiq Islamic Education Foundation on
East Palmetto Park Road a few blocks from State Road A1A.
On one occasion, someone used red spray paint to plaster
"4Baker" on the side of the building. Sayed Mohammad Jawad
Qazwini, the imam, or religious leader at the education center, said it
was an apparent reference to a speaker whose appearance at an
AIEF-sponsored event earlier this year sparked protests from local
anti-Muslim extremists.
A contingent of law enforcement and interfaith religious leaders gathered
at the center Thursday to decry the incident and to call for full
prosecution of the perpetrators.
Boca Raton Police Chief Andrew Scott said the purpose of the conference
was "to condemn the act of vandalism and to show that these acts,
regardless of the person's faith, will not be tolerated."
Scott said he has contacted the FBI to assist with the investigation.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BOCA MOSQUE VANDALIZED FOR SECOND
TIME IN MONTH -
TOP
Chrystian Tejedor, Sun-Sentinel, 9/16/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pmosque16sep16,0,6094086.story
Boca Raton o Community leaders came together Thursday to condemn the
second act of vandalism against a Boca Raton mosque within a month while
pledging religious tolerance.
"We are hoping to catch the person," said Imam Sayed Mohammad
Jawad Qazwini. "But we will not allow his actions to reflect upon
his religion."
Someone threw basketball-sized rocks through two of the mosque's glass
doors Monday and spray-painted a wall that faces Palmetto Park
Road.
While Boca Raton police have no solid leads on who vandalized the mosque
at 813 E. Palmetto Park Road, officers have labeled the incident a hate
crime and have asked the FBI for help, Chief Andrew Scott said.
(MORE)
-----
CONCERNS OF
ANTI-MUSLIM HATRED LINGER -
TOP
DAVID CRUMM, FREE PRESS, 9/16/05
http://www.freep.com/news/locway/mosque16e_20050916.htm
Worshippers at the Islamic House of Wisdom swept up heaps of shattered
glass inside their Dearborn Heights mosque Thursday and wondered: Were
they the targets of anti-Muslim vandalism?
Police don't believe so, saying Thursday the broken doors and windows of
the mosque were merely the work of a frustrated 27-year-old man on
antidepressants who was drunk and wandering.
But Muslims in Michigan and around the country are troubled that the
Dearborn Heights vandalism appears to be the latest in a string of
attacks at Islamic institutions. And an FBI agent was at the mosque
Thursday, looking into possible civil rights violations. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MAN FACES CHARGE
OVER DAMAGED BUILDING -
TOP
Darren A. Nichols and Norman Sinclair, Detroit News, 9/16/05
http://www.detnews.com/2005/wayne/0509/16/B02-316701.htm
DEARBORN HEIGHTS -- A man was charged Thursday with malicious destruction
of property at the Islamic House of Wisdom in an incident that has a
civil rights group calling for an FBI investigation into similar cases
nationally.
Nicholas John Stearns, 27, was charged in 20th District Court in Dearborn
Heights on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 28 in 20th
District Court, authorities said. Stearns is being held on a $1,000 bond.
The incident carries a penalty of five years in jail and a $10,000
fine.
The facility on Ann Arbor Trail also houses the Star International
Academy.
"It's evident this just wasn't a random act of vandalism," said
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
"The perpetrator didn't steal anything. (He) could have gone across
the street to Henry Ford Community College if it was just about
vandalism. Muslim institutions were targeted. It's a disturbing trend we
see across the country." (MORE)
-----
FASTING IN SUPPORT
OF KATRINA'S VICTIMS -
TOP
Joseph Harvie, South Brunswick Post, 9/15/05
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15215875&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425716&rfi=6
Students at Noor-Ul-Iman school fasted to show support for the victims of
Hurricane Katrina.
It was lunchtime, but the boys were still running around playing football
in the parking lot of the Noor-Ul-Iman school, while others sat and read
in study hall.
Many students of the Noor-Ul-Iman school, a private Muslim school with
students from kindergarten to 12th grade, fasted Monday as a sign of
solidarity for those in the Gulf States who went days without food or
water following Hurricane Katrina.
Principal Janet Nazif said students as young as third-graders
participated in the fast, which lasted from sunrise to sundown Monday.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM FOUNDATION
HELPING KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
The Baltimore Sun, 9/16/05
The Howard County Muslim Foundation is working with Islamic Relief USA to
collect donations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Donations can be mailed to HCMF, 3886 Whitebrook Lane, Ellicott City
21042. Checks should be made out to Islamic Relief USA for Katrina
Disaster.
This year's food drive for local charities will earmark a large part of
the nonperishable food collected for people affected by the disaster in
New Orleans and Mississippi.
Information:
www.irw.org
---
EVACUEES GET FAITH FOOTHOLD -
TOP
By Eric Gorski, Denver Post, 9/16/05
http://www.denverpost.com/katrina/ci_3033565
Muslim Family Services is ready to offer counseling. Three mosques took
up collections to benefit Katrina survivors, said Mohammad Noorzai of the
Colorado Muslim Council.
"We do have responsibility to help people in need regardless of who
they are and what kind of religion they have," Noorzai said.
"...It's very important for us to be visible and involved in the
community in projects like this."
-----
MUSLIM FAMILIES
GAIN THEIR GREAT ADVENTURE -
TOP
JULIA M. SCOTT, Star-Ledger, 9/16/05
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-1/112685047794450.xml&coll=1
The Azan, the Muslim call to prayer, will stream over the loudspeakers
instead of pop music. Crowds will take a break from the roller coasters
and thrill rides to kneel and pray on tarps facing Mecca. Instead of
eating hot dogs and pizza, they feast on halal food prepared in
accordance with Muslim law.
For one day, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will transform itself
into an Islamic-friendly theme park.
Today's Great Muslim Adventure Day will draw 15,000 people of Islamic
faith, in what organizers call the largest single gathering of Muslims on
the East Coast. And like any other day at the park, the lines will be
long for Kingda Ka, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.
(MORE)
-----
BIASES
REGARDING MUSLIMS INCORRECT, HURTFUL -
TOP
Chris Bierwirth, Murray State News, 9/16/05
http://www.thenews.org/media/paper651/news/2005/09/16/Opinion/Biases.Regarding.Muslims.Incorrect.Hurtful-987243.shtml
Every day, we are bombarded by news media images of Middle Eastern and
Islamic anger and violence. This encourages stereotypes regarding Islam,
especially since the news media so often use "Muslim" or
"Sunni" as modifiers for "terrorist" or
"insurgency."
The stereotype of the "Muslim terrorist" has been further
reinforced by entertainment media, ranging from serio-comic films like
"True Lies," in which Arnold Schwarzenegger defeats a Muslim
terrorist nuclear threat, to television dramas like "24," in
which Kiefer Sutherland fights against insidious Islamic terrorists who
threaten the American way of life.
This is not to deny that there are Muslims who engage in acts of
terrorism, whether in New York or Tel Aviv, nor that there is a largely
(though not exclusively) Sunni-based insurgency in Iraq.
But, of course, not all terrorist acts are committed by Muslims and most
Muslims do not commit terrorist acts.
Note that descriptions of similar violent acts committed by
self-described Christians do not consistently call attention to their
religion.
Neither Timothy McVeigh nor Eric Rudolph have been routinely and
repeatedly described as "Christian terrorists," despite the
fact that both men have quoted from Christian scripture and claimed their
religious convictions justified their actions.
Of course, most mainstream Christians would point out that there is
nothing in Jesus Christ's teachings to justify McVeigh's and Rudolph's
crimes and view their beliefs as extreme distortions of Christian
doctrine. Few, if any, Christians regard these men as genuine
martyrs.
But, of course, most mainstream Muslims would make similar points about
terrorist acts committed by Muslim extremists, which cannot be condoned
by the teachings of the Quran or Ahadith. Most Muslims would likewise
consider these acts doctrinal perversions, and most Muslims do not honor
the perpetrators of violence against non-combatants as martyrs.
But this is where a difference in perspective matters: while Christian
condemnation of Eric Rudolph has generally been credited, similar Muslim
condemnation of the attacks of Sept. 11 has been widely
discounted.
There is, frankly, a streak of anti-Islamic bias in our culture that
assumes all Muslims are violent and their religion endorses aggression -
and that if Muslim spokespersons claim otherwise, they must be
dissembling.
This, of course, is exactly why stereotypes are so harmful. They
indiscriminately ascribe characteristics to an entire group.
(MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/18/05
*
Hadith:
Always Remember
God
*
David Frum, CAIR-CAN Settle
Defamation Suit
*
1,800 Turn Out for CAIR-LA
Banquet
-
CAIR-Philly Sets
Up Shop (Philadelphia Inquirer)
-
James Yee to Speak at
CAIR-Houston
Dinner
*
CA:
Young Muslims Combine
Faith with Freedom in College
*
St. Louis Muslims Raise
$65K for Hurricane Relief
*
PA:
Faith Forged
on a Policeman's Beat (Phil. Inquirer)
-
Image of Muslim
Americans Complicated (VOA)
-
NJ:
Roller
Coasters, Rides and Religion
-
'Muhammad' Top-50 Baby
Name in
NY City (NYT)
*
WA:
Islamic School of Sex?
Error Chagrins Feds (Seattle Times)
*
NY:
Muslim Women's
Awards Dinner (Journal News)
-
Our Turn:
Profiles of
American Muslim Women
*
MA:
Somali
Family Targeted by Racist Teens (Boston Herald)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD -
TOP
A man once complained to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he
had a hard time following the laws of Islam. He asked the Prophet for one
thing that he should do. The Prophet told him: "Let your tongue be
always busy with the remembrance of God."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 99
-----
DAVID FRUM, CAIR-CAN SETTLE DEFAMATION
SUIT -
TOP
Frum and National Post acknowledge CAIR-CAN chair 'seeks to foster a
fuller appreciation of Islam'
The following statement was issued after Sheema Khan and the Council on
American-Islamic Relations Canada (CAIR-CAN) filed a defamation suit
against David Frum and the National Post newspaper.
National Post, 9/17/05
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/index.html
Editor's Note
Two columns written by David Frum prompted a complaint from Sheema Khan
as well as from the Council on American-Islamic Relations Canada. Mr.
Frum was responding to a Globe and Mail column written by Ms.
Khan.
Although at times there are differences of opinion, David Frum and the
National Post acknowledge that Sheema Khan honestly holds her expressed
opinions and through her work seeks to foster a fuller appreciation of
Islam in Canadian society.
David Frum and the National Post acknowledge that the Council on
American-Islamic Relations Canada is a national grassroots organization
with the stated purpose of empowering Canadian Muslims through community
education, media relations, anti-discrimination and public
advocacy.
David Frum and the National Post acknowledge that neither Sheema Khan nor
the Council on American-Islamic Relations Canada advocates or promotes
terrorism.
It is acknowledged that Sheema Khan and the Council on American-Islamic
Relations Canada have repeatedly affirmed the importance of an
understanding and appreciation of Islam in Canadian society.
[CAIR NOTE: Sheema Khan is the chair of CAIR-CAN
(
http://caircan.ca/). David Frum is a
former White House speechwriter who helped coin the "axis of
evil" phrase President Bush used in his 2002 State of the Union
address.]
-----
1,800 TURN OUT FOR
CAIR-LA DINNER -
TOP
(LOS ANGELES, CA, 9/18/05) - More than 1,800 people turned out Saturday
night for the annual banquet of CAIR's Los Angeles office (CAIR-LA) at
the Anaheim Convention Center. Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni of DePaul
University offered the keynote address at the event. Other event
highlights included a speech by CAIR National Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed
and an award presentation to the stars of FX Networks' "30
Days." Earlier this year, that program featured a West Virginia man
who lived as a Muslim for a month.
Banquet attendees also included interfaith leaders as well as a number of
local, state and national law enforcement authorities and elected
officials, including Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Los Angeles Sheriff
Lee Baca and Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-PHILLY: MUSLIM GROUP SETS UP SHOP -
TOP
Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/17/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/12667975.htm
The fledgling Philadelphia office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, a national advocacy group, is offering a weekly class,
"Understanding Islam and Muslims Through History."
Sessions will be 7 p.m. Tuesday through Nov. 8 at Great Valley Middle
School, 255 N. Phonenixville Rd., Malvern. Cost is $70.
The group, with about 500 members locally, opened its Philadelphia office
in April at 1218 Chestnut St. Adeeba Al-Zaman is the lone staffer.
215-592-0509.
---
JAMES YEE TO SPEAK AT CAIR-HOUSTON DINNER -
TOP
Muslim speakers
Houston Chronicle, 9/16/05
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/religion/3357403
Former Army Chaplain James "Yusef" Yee will be one of the
speakers at a banquet benefiting Houston's chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Westin Oaks, 5011
Westheimer. Yee was arrested on charges of mishandling classified
information at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The charges were dropped and the
investigation became an embarrassment for the Pentagon. Other speakers
include Missouri state Rep. Yaphet Elamin and the former national
president of the Muslim Students Association, Hadia Mubarak. Tickets cost
$ 50. For more information call 713-838-2247.
-----
YOUNG MUSLIMS COMBINE FAITH
WITH FREEDOM IN COLLEGE -
TOP
Jonathan Jones, Daily Review, 9/18/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_3040525
BERKELEY - Adeel Iqbal sits in a sixth-floor office, looking out over the
campus of the University of California.
At age 20, the Fremont native seems to have the world at his
fingertips.
He's editor of The Daily Californian, overseeing the student-run
newspaper covering the Berkeley campus. The clean-shaven young man with a
thin frame is smart, articulate and popular, with a seemingly boundless
collection of phone numbers saved in his cell phone.
But every day at sunset after the newspaper's daily meeting, Iqbal
separates himself from the rest of the news staff, stops whatever he is
doing, goes into the photography room, and takes a few minutes to
pray.
Iqbal, now a junior at Berkeley, says his choice to pray five times a day
and abstain from drugs, alcohol and sexual contact with women - in
accordance with his faith - is no big deal.
But as a college student living in an environment where many of his peers
are constantly testing the limits of personal freedom, his decision to
devote himself to his faith makes him and other young Muslims stand out
from the rest of the pack.
"There are some Muslims that solely interact with other Muslims and
only go to parties with other Muslims because they're comfortable in that
environment," Iqbal says. "And being in that environment,
they're not going to cross any lines. But it wouldn't be abnormal to see
me at a party. I don't think it's bad to go parties. I think it's a good
thing. But there are lines you shouldn't cross."
For Iqbal, a former student council president at Bellarmine Preparatory
School in San Jose, socializing is not simply about making friends. It's
also about making a conscious decision to help create an accurate
perception that young Muslims are just like everyone else.
"My goal is to show others that Islam is not some foreign
religion," he says. "It's very accepting and tolerant, and a
similar way of life to what theirs may be. I just try to be me: me as a
Muslim, me as an American and me as a young male at
Berkeley."
But as a young male at Berkeley, he frequently considers his faith in
choosing how to participate in college life.
Reconciling one's faith with the free and easy life of college can be
challenging for young Muslims. (MORE)
-----
ST. LOUIS MUSLIMS RAISE $65K
FOR HURRICANE RELIEF -
TOP
The Muslim community in St. Louis helped raise about $65,000 this weekend
for hurricane relief. On Saturday, the Islamic Foundation of Greater St.
Louis raised $40,000. The keynote speaker was Sam Page, Missouri State
representative from the 82nd ward.
On Friday, the Saint Louis University Muslim Students Association (MAS),
in conjunction with the Black Student Alliance, Asian Students in Action,
Indian Asian Student Association, Cross Cultural Center, International
Student Federation, and the Washington University MAS, hosted an
Emergency Relief Dinner sponsored by Islamic Relief Worldwide and raised
$25,000.
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM HURRICANE RELIEF TASK FORCE:
www.mhrtf.net
-----
A FAITH FORGED ON A
POLICEMAN'S BEAT -
TOP
Gaiutra Bahadur, Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/18/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/12672821.htm
A Koran sits open on the highest shelf in the Philadelphia police
commissioner's office. A nameplate on his desk, an Egyptian souvenir from
his son the FBI agent, spells out "Sylvester Johnson" in
curlicued Arabic script.
The office props point out a background that Philadelphia's top police
official is otherwise low-key about: He is a Muslim.
He may be the only police chief in the country who is; five national
Islamic advocacy groups who track the accomplishments of Muslims know of
no other.
Johnson's faith - a rare one for a public official in the United States -
became an issue for some in the city when, earlier this month, he
publicly contradicted and upbraided his department's counterterrorism
chief, Inspector Joseph E. O'Connor, who had angered local Muslims by
saying the city was "notorious" for funding and recruiting
terrorists.
Johnson, in a rare interview focusing on his faith, acknowledged that
Islam did shape how he handled the fallout from O'Connor's comments Sept.
1 at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the edge of Northern Liberties. Despite
murmurs from some quarters that he goes to mosque only for political
show, he said his race and his religion have affected his approach to his
job, sensitizing him to unfair branding of any group.
"That's wrong, to say that mosques in Philadelphia harbor extremist
people... unless you come out and be more specific," Johnson
said.
"Islam does not teach killing people. Islam does not teach crime.
Islam does not teach violence or terrorism. That is not Islam," he
said. "For him to make that statement, and blanket the entire
Islamic community, is totally wrong."
O'Connor declined further comment on the incident.
Johnson said he is evaluating whether O'Connor should keep his current
job.
Several federal officials expressed reluctance to get involved in what
some perceive as an internal police matter. They declined to comment
publicly on whether Philadelphia is known as a hub for Islamic
extremists, but they pointed out that terrorism-related cases are rare in
Philadelphia.
Johnson became a Muslim after joining the police force in the mid-1960s,
when the Nation of Islam gained adherents in neighborhoods across the
country with its message of self-reliance and black power. He said the
racial slurs to which he was subjected as a young officer on the beat -
and the roughhouse demeanor of his fellow police officers toward his
fellow African Americans - drove him to a Nation temple in Oak Lane. The
sermons against racism and police brutality resonated.
While Islam gave Johnson the strength and discipline to cope, it also
complicated his life on the force. The head of homicide, where Johnson
worked, questioned him about belonging to the Nation of Islam. Johnson
did not deny it, and none of his colleagues wanted to work with
him.
"It was uncomfortable because, really, people in the Nation didn't
trust you because you were a police officer," he said, "and
people in the Police Department didn't trust you because you were a
Muslim."
The department has come a long way - as has Johnson - since he converted
and became one of its first Muslim officers. Muslims now number in the
hundreds in a force of 7,000.
Johnson no longer belongs to the Nation of Islam. He now worships at
Masjidullah on Ogontz Avenue, a mosque tied to Warith D. Muhammad, the
Nation leader who broke with the group because of its separatist
philosophy and urged his followers to become mainstream Sunni Muslims.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
IMAGE OF MUSLIM
AMERICANS COMPLICATED, UNCERTAIN -
TOP
Jim Bertel, Voice of America, 9/16/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-09-16-voa60.cfm
A terror investigation in California; arrests in upstate New York; a
charity shut down for illegal activities. For some, these images define
American Muslims. The Muslim community says these images are wrong. But
the picture is a bit complicated.
In the United States, a country founded on religious freedom, Islam
thrives. With more than five million members, it is the fastest-growing
religion in the country. Its members trace their roots to Asia, the
Middle East and Africa, a microcosm of the Islamic world.
But after Islamist terrorists turned planes into weapons four years ago,
Muslim Americans have seen their religion severely criticized, with some
outspoken critics describing Islam as a terrorist organization. Rabiah
Ahmed, a spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, says
Islamist terrorists are not true Muslims.
"These extremist views -- who are actually acting outside the fold
of Islam -- use our religion, manipulate it to promote their political
agenda," she said. "And unfortunately a couple of people who
are acting outside the fold of Islam -- like these terrorists -- will get
more headline coverage than thousands of Muslims who condemn
terrorism." (MORE)
---
ROLLER COASTERS, RIDES
AND RELIGION -
TOP
Toni Callas, Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/17/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/religion/12667980.htm
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - If an amusement park roller coaster stops
running in the middle of the day, usually it is a sign of trouble. But
yesterday, as thousands of Muslim families congregated at Six Flags Great
Adventure theme park here, that was far from true.
Instead, it was time for prayer.
The Kingda Ka mega roller coaster and the Moon Flume water ride were
halted while men, women and children knelt facing Mecca during the Jummah
Khutbah, the first of four prayers held in the theme park during the
Great Muslim Adventure Day.
While a few non-Muslims visited on their own yesterday, the park catered
to Muslims of all nationalities and sects from throughout the Northeast
as they enjoyed a day of family fun, charity and prayer.
"It's cool to see Muslims together, enjoying themselves," said
Sarah Khalifa, a 16-year-old from Brooklyn, N.Y., who has attended the
event for the last two years. "And it's a lot of fun."
First held in September 2000, the event started as a group trip sponsored
by the Islamic Circle of North America - New Jersey, a Piscataway-based
branch of the national organization that provides religious education and
social services to families.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the event was interrupted.
One of its chief organizers, Tariq Amanullah, who worked on the 96th
floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center, was among those
killed. The event is held in his memory. (MORE)
---
IN NEW YORK CRIBS, JEFF
AND LISA GIVE WAY TO AHMED AND CHAYA -
TOP
JENNIFER 8. LEE, New York Times, 9/17/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/17/nyregion/17baby.html
In the last several years, New York City has had more baby girls named
Fatoumata than Lisa, more Aaliyahs than Melissas, more Chayas than
Christinas. There have been more baby boys named Moshe than Peter, more
Miguels than Jeffreys, more Ahmeds than Stanleys. . .
Added up, the spellings of Muhammad, which vary across the Middle East,
South Asia and Southeast Asia (Mohammed, Mohammad, Mohamed, Muhammad,
Mouhamed), make it a Top 50 name -- ahead of Richard and Charles.
(MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF SEX? ERROR CHAGRINS
FEDS -
TOP
Lornet Turnbull, Seattle Times, 9/16/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002498418_islamschool.html
The Islamic School of Seattle is a small, private institution for
pre-kindergarten to middle-school children. It does not have sex
education in its curriculum.
So you might understand why school officials were a little surprised -
shocked, actually - to find the school listed on a U.S. Department of
Education Web site as the Islamic School of Sex.
"At first I thought it was one of those Arab/Muslim-hating sites
just having a little fun with us," said Jeff Siddiqui, chairman of
the school. "But the Department of Education? That couldn't be. I
went to their Web site and backtracked. And son of a gun. I couldn't stop
laughing. I couldn't believe my eyes."
"Now we know why we've had such low admission," Siddiqui added,
jokingly. "People want to send their kids to an Islamic school, but
not an Islamic School of Sex."
The listing is included in a link from the Education Department Web site
at which users can search for public and private schools, colleges and
libraries across the country. Department officials contacted Wednesday
corrected the error immediately, saying it likely was caused by a
computer program truncating the name.
"It's embarrassing, obviously; this was totally unintentional,"
said Mike Bowler, a department spokesman. "I can assure you staff
would never do something like that - not even as a joke. The agency takes
its role very seriously." (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM WOMEN'S AWARDS DINNER
SUNDAY IN YONKERS -
TOP
DESIREE GRAND, JOURNAL NEWS, 9/16/05
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050916/NEWS02/509160360/1018
The American Muslim Women's Association, a Westchester-based group, will
have its second annual awards dinner Sunday in Yonkers.
Aisha Al-Adawiya, founder and director of Women in Islam, a human-rights
organization based in New York City, will be the speaker.
AMWA, which is involved in several interfaith initiatives, will honor
Leonard Andrew, a lawyer who donates his time to nonprofit groups; Harry
Bright, former executive director of the White Plains Commission on Human
Rights; and Nada Khader, executive director of the WESPAC
Foundation.
SEE ALSO:
OUR TURN:
PROFILES OF AMERICAN MUSLIM WOMEN -
TOP
LAILA KAIN, Hartford Courant, 9/18/05
http://www.courant.com/news/local/northeast/hc-muslim_intro.artsep18,0,504086.story
In the five profiles that follow, five Muslim women tell about their
lives in the center. They share their experiences as daughters, wives and
mothers, at home, in school and in the workplace.
Their stories are modest in tone and small in scale, simply offered as
bridges for connection and understanding, one reader at a time. More
personal than political, their revelations about Islam may surprise
you.
-----
FAMILY
CLAIMS IT'S BEING TARGETED BY RACIST TEENS -
TOP
Brian Ballou, Boston Herald, 9/16/05
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=102776
A family from Somalia that fled its war-torn homeland for Boston - then
moved from Roxbury to Winthrop last month to escape inner-city violence -
says it has become a target of racist assaults and threats from local
white teens.
"All my mom ever wanted for her family is peace, and she thought she
finally found that here in Winthrop, but it just seems like we can't go
anywhere and be safe,' said Mohamed Mohamed, 16.
Mohamed, the second-oldest of seven siblings in the family, said police
arrested several attackers after he and other family members were
assaulted a month ago and again last week by a hate-fueled mob of
Winthrop High School students. "They told us to go back where we
came from," he said. "They all had sticks and stones."
(MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/19/05
*
Verse:
'O Fully Satisfied
Soul!'
*
CAIR-Philly:
Muslims Celebrate
Constitution Day
*
Muslims Change
Face of South Florida (PB Post)
-
OH:
Imam
Tells Muslims to Explain Islam (Blade)
-
MI:
Fair Helps Visitors
Understand Muslim Life
-
ISNA Responds
to Neocon Pundits
-
MA:
Islamic Culture
Coursework Funded (Lowell Sun)
*
CA:
Bias Threatens
Muslim Careers (Inside Bay Area)
*
U.S.
Muslim Leaders Are Preaching Against Violence
-
TX:
Terrorism
Condemned by Quran and Muslims
*
Muslim Women
Encouraged to Protect Their Health (Toronto Sun)
*
Islamic Charities Trying to
Win Back Donors
*
Envoy:
U.S. to Back Israeli Settlements
(AP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: 'O FULLY SATISFIED
SOUL!' -
TOP
(On the Day of Judgment, God will say to the righteous): "O fully
satisfied soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased with Him and
well-pleasing to Him. Join My servants, and enter My
paradise."
The Holy Quran, 89:27-30
HADITH OF THE DAY: PRAISE GOD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw something good and
pleasing, he would say: "Praise be to God with Whose blessings all
good deeds are perfected." And when he saw something unpleasant, he
would say: "Praise and thanks be to God in all
circumstances."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 125A
-----
CAIR-PHILLY: MUSLIMS CELEBRATE CONSTITUTION DAY
-
TOP
(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 9/19/05) - The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philly) recently participated in the
National Constitution Center's Second Annual "America Reads the
Constitution" celebration.
American Muslims joined Pennsylvanians, including Governor Edward Rendell
and local news anchor Jim Gardener, in reading the
Constitution.
"Muslims are a part of the rich fabric of our nation, and we honor
the Constitution's commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality and
justice," said CAIR-Philly Director of Communications Adeeba
Al-Zaman.
CONTACT: CAIR-Philly, 215-592-0509, E-Mail:
cairphilly@dca.net
-----
MUSLIMS
QUICKLY CHANGE FACE OF SOUTH FLORIDA -
TOP
Jane Musgrave, Palm Beach Post, 9/19/05
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2005/09/19/m1a_muslims_0919.html
It's just after midday on a Friday and a normally deserted stretch of
Purdy Lane is crammed with cars.
While most county residents are counting down the hours to the weekend,
the hundreds who slip off their shoes before quietly filing into a large
white building have far loftier thoughts on their minds.
Allah. Mohammed. Mecca.
Mohammed Osman Chowdhury, president of the Muslim Community of Palm Beach
County, surveys the scene and smiles.
As a 20-plus-year member, he remembers when the entire congregation could
- and regularly did - fit into one of the members' living rooms for the
weekly salatul Jumu'ah.
"We have the largest mosque in Palm Beach County," Chowdhury
says, a proud smile spreading across his round face.
But in a testament to the explosive growth of the county's Muslim
population, it is no longer the only one.
Since that August day in 1996 when a minaret was hoisted to the top of
the mosque, marking its completion, other Muslim groups have sprung up
around the county.
The Muslim Community of Palm Beach County is now one of seven Muslim
centers, including a 3-year-old mosque in Belle Glade built to serve a
long-standing group of Palestinians who planted roots in the farming
community in the late 1960s. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
IMAM TELLS
MUSLIMS TO EXPLAIN THEIR FAITH -
TOP
Toledo Blade, 9/19/05
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050919/NEWS10/509190422
U.S. Muslims risk having terrorists "hijack" their religion, if
they fail to take the initiative in explaining their beliefs to
Americans, a prominent imam said last night in Toledo.
Speaking at a gathering of the United Muslim Association of Toledo, Imam
Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini urged the mostly Muslim audience of about 350 to
"invite non-Muslims to come to our mosques and inform them about our
beliefs."
"If not, terrorists will hijack our faith and present their image of
Islam to Americans."
UMAT's Ninth Annual Unity Dinner was in the Great Hall of the Stranahan
Theater with the theme, "Not in the Name of Islam."
Several speakers denounced acts of terrorism by extremists, asserting
that the perpetrators "betray the values of the faith they claim to
represent."
A native of Iraq, Imam Al-Qazwini, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center
of America in Detroit, said American Muslims are "very lucky and
blessed to live in this country" because of its religious freedoms.
Many U.S. Muslims emigrated from nations where freedoms are limited, he
said, and "American Muslims are more determined to protect this
country than any other group."
American Muslims also bear the duty of displaying unity, despite diverse
ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and also of becoming involved in U.S.
political systems, Imam Al-Qazwini said.
Muneer Fareed, a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, said in
a speech that U.S. Muslim groups must improve their relationships with
African-American Muslims. "We don't know how much we enjoy the
fruits of their labors, fighting for civil rights in this country,"
he said. (MORE)
---
EAST LANSING ISLAMIC FAIR HELPS
VISITORS UNDERSTAND MUSLIM LIFE -
TOP
Nicole Geary, Lansing State Journal, 9/19/05
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050919/NEWS01/509190330/1001/news
EAST LANSING - Hundreds of people left their shoes - and their
preconceptions - at the door as they entered an unfamiliar place
Sunday.
For a few hours, Lansing's only mosque showed them the people, prayers,
tastes and talents of a community that's often misinterpreted.
"Right now, I think it's really amazing," said 12-year-old
Elora Underhill, who wandered through the Islamic Center cultural fair
with her church youth group.
"We came here to study another culture besides Christianity and not
just look at the world through our eyes."
Visitors sampled a buffet of food and browsed through displays of
clothing, art, maps and other items from 22 countries where many citizens
are Muslim.
"What we have in common is Islam," Rabia Khattak said,
comparing her Pakistani roots to a Malaysian display nearby.
"It's not about fighting and violence. It's about peace, love and
living together."
Local Muslim leaders planned the showcase as part of the One Book, One
Community program, a series of activities based on a novel about a young
Muslim boy's experiences.
Creating awareness about Islam is one of the major themes of the
bestselling "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.
(MORE)
---
FORUM: ALL FAITHS
MUST FACE THEIR DEMONS -
TOP
Washington Times, 9/18/05
http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050917-104941-5184r.htm
Three militant neoconservative pundits spoke vehemently against the Bush
administration's gesture to include American Muslim leaders in
discussions on how to deal with the rising tide of anti-Americanism and
restore the trust and support the United States enjoyed prior to the
missteps by the administration at the neocons' urging.
Frank Gaffney demanded Karen Hughes, the new undersecretary of state for
public diplomacy, not attend the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Convention (The Washington Times, Commentary section, Aug. 30, Page A14).
Ignoring his false alarm, Mrs. Hughes met with Muslim leaders and
discussed her ideas for bridging the deepening divide between the U.S.
and Muslim countries.
Mr. Gaffney warned Mrs. Hughes: "Don't go there." Joel Mowbray
gave her the benefit of the doubt, allowing her to make one mistake for
one time: "Given that it is highly unlikely Hughes knew exactly what
she was walking into, she deserves the benefit of the doubt -- this
time." (The Washington Times, Sept. 1, Op-Ed, Page A23).
Mr. Gaffney belongs to a small but vocal group of militant pundits, bent
on maligning Muslim leaders and organizations in a bid to marginalize and
isolate mainstream American Muslims. He joined two other well-known
Muslim-bashers, Daniel Pipes and Mr. Mowbray, in demonizing ISNA and
national Muslim organizations' leaders who met Mrs. Hughes.
The three leveled serious charges against mainstream Muslim
organizations, of supporting terrorism and promoting radicalism. Using
quotes out of context, guilt by association, errors of fact, and
innuendo, they have fed lies to the public and incited government
officials and law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations and use
them as a basis for further maligning of law-abiding and patriotic
American Muslims. (MORE)
LOUAY M. SAFI is the Executive director of the Islamic Society of North
America Leadership Development Center. Mr. Safi is a founding board
member of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy and author of
eight books and numerous papers, including "Tensions and Transitions
in the Muslim word," published by University Press of America,
2003.
---
MA: MCC GETS GRANT TO
OFFER ISLAM-CULTURE COURSEWORK -
TOP
Michael Lafleur, Lowell Sun, 9/19/05
http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_3040197
LOWELL -- Middlesex Community College has been awarded a two-year,
$145,000 federal grant that will allow it to begin providing coursework
focusing on the Arabic language and the Islamic religion.
The "Pluralism in Islam Project" involves a series of faculty
seminars over the next four semesters -- starting Sept. 28 -- which will
examine Islamic societies in four countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India
and Indonesia.
Kent Mitchell, MCC dean of international arts, said in the short-term,
faculty will take content from the seminars and infuse it in their
coursework.
Starting in fall 2006, the school also plans to begin offering an
introduction to Islam course and possibly offer an Arabic language course
as well, either that semester or in spring 2007, he said.
"We are trying to show that Islam is not monolithic," he said.
"It is every bit as diverse as Christianity. We're de-stereotyping
Islam."
Saudi Arabia was chosen as the first subject because it is the most
fundamentalist Islamic society, Mitchell said. Egypt is the religion's
intellectual center. India has 120 million Muslims, but they are a
minority religion in that country. Indonesia is the largest Islamic
country in the world, but the beliefs of Muslims there are affected by
Buddhism imported from India and the indigenous religions of the small
islands in that part of the world.
Seminars will be taught by Boston University professors Herb Mason and
Shakir Mustafa, as well as Herman Eilts, former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt
and Saudi Arabia. (MORE)
-----
BIAS THREATENS MUSLIM CAREERS
-
TOP
Momo Chang, Inside Bay Area, 9/19/05
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3042135
A Muslim engineer who works at a leading technology company is called a
terrorist by his co-workers and told that on Halloween he should dress as
one.
A teacher at a vocational college tells a Muslim student who wears a
hijab, or head scarf, that she is not allowed to wear it, and if she does
no American will hire her.
A pilot tells a Muslim employee at an airline company he looks like a
terrorist.
These are all accounts of workplace harassment documented by the Council
on American-Islamic Relations in California. The report shows that 18
percent of harassment incidents occur at the workplace, second only to
occurrences at government agencies at 19 percent, many of which are also
employment-related cases.
According to the most recent U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
report, charges of discrimination against Muslims - or those perceived to
be Muslim, such as South Asians - has doubled nationwide from 1,100 to
2,168 since Sept. 11, 2001, given a similar time span.
Jennifer, whose name has been changed because she fears retaliation at
work, recalls her experience in the months after 9/11.
"When my mom and I walked by our co-workers, they started chanting,
'terrorist, terrorist,'" she says.
She was 18 at the time and working the graveyard shift with her mom at a
Fremont-based computer company. She had been in the country two years,
taking college courses and working part-time jobs.
She said her co-workers also called her "bin Laden's daughter"
and her mother "bin Laden's wife." When she had henna painted
on her hand - a symbol of celebration - during Eid, one co-worker asked,
"Is that bin Laden's blood?" She said even if her co-workers
were joking, she asked them repeatedly to stop making comments, but they
continued. She quit her job soon after. . .
Backlash from 9/11 hasn't cooled off because of the world climate, such
as the war in Iraq and the recent London transit bombings, all associated
with Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim, says Safaa Ibrahim of
CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area.
"The climate around the world impacts public opinion here, creating
backlash against certain ethnic and religious groups," she said.
(MORE)
-----
U.S.
MUSLIM LEADERS ARE PREACHING AGAINST VIOLENCE -
TOP
Herald Tribune, 9/19/05
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050919/OPINION/509190586/1030
Viewers of cable TV stations in the Tampa market last weekend may have
seen a 30-second advertisement in which two American Muslims denounce
violence in the name of Islam. They vow, in part, that they will
"not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals."
The ad, which aired 105 times over the weekend on CNN, the Weather
Channel and other networks, was produced by the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
It's part of a campaign by the nonprofit council and other Islamic groups
to urge young American Muslims to reject extremism and
terrorism.
It's a welcome, if overdue, development.
For a long time after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center and Pentagon, many American Muslim leaders failed to speak
out against Islamic fundamentalists who commit violence in the name of
religion, according to prominent Muslims recently interviewed by New York
Times reporter Laurie Goldstein.
American Muslims have been "in denial" about the attacks, said
Hesham A. Hassaballa, a Chicago doctor and columnist: "A lot of
people refused to believe that there are Muslims who would do that type
of thing, because they can't picture it. In their minds it's just
impossible that someone would do that in the name of their
faith."
So what is now prompting American Muslim leaders to wage a theological
battle against extremists? The July terrorist bombings of London subways
and buses, the leaders told Goldstein.
With the bombings came a disturbing revelation: The suspects were
home-grown British Muslims, from places like North Kensington, Notting
Hill and Finsbury Park rather than Saudi Arabia or Egypt. They were the
children of immigrants.
American Muslim leaders say they now fear that their young people might
also succumb to radical teachings. The leaders hope to combat that.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
TERRORISM
CONDEMNED BY QUR'AN AND MOST MUSLIMS -
TOP
Amjad Abdullat, Amarillo, 9/18/05
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/091805/opi_2751193.shtml
Four years ago on Sept. 11, American Muslims experienced the same horror
and shock as all Americans. We felt enormous grief and sadness as we
witnessed a symbol of this great nation's freedom and strength being
destroyed by explosions caused by criminals who claimed to be
Muslims.
American Muslims felt that their religion had been hijacked by a small
group of extremists. In addition to the enormous sadness, we also felt
anxiety and apprehension at the thought that non-Muslim Americans might
blame us for that horrible crime.
We often hear from our fellow Americans that Muslims have not spoken out
aggressively against terrorism, that Muslims have not made their voices
clear, that Muslims do not condemn terrorism and that Islam condones
violence. I disagree. Muslims have made their voices clear from day one.
During a recent news conference at the National Press Club in Washington
D.C., the Fiqh Council of North America released a fatwa, or Islamic
religious ruling, against terrorism and extremism. The fatwa, "a
religious edict," was endorsed by more than 120 U.S. Muslim groups,
leaders and institutions.
The fatwa states: "Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and
the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in
Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property
through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or
forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not
'martyrs.' "
The FCNA is an association of Muslim jurists who interpret Islamic law.
It comprises a group of distinguished Muslim legal and religious
scholars.
As a Muslim who has lived here in this great land of opportunity for more
than 25 years, I found myself, like many other Muslims, trying to defend
false claims and misinterpretations about Islam. I want to state clearly
that those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying
the teachings of the Qur'an and the Prophet Mohammed. Faithful Muslims
reject anyone of any faith who commits such brutal acts and will not
allow their faith to be co-opted by criminals. Islam is not about hatred
and violence. Islam is about peace and justice. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIM
WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH -
TOP
Shabbir M.H. Alibhai, MD, Toronto Star, 9/19/05
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1127081415629
I was a little dismayed to read your article on breast cancer among
Muslim women, written by Noreen Farooqui.
I am a Muslim physician with an interest in biomedical ethics and
cross-cultural medicine.
Some of the article's points are dead-on and need to be emphasized. Many
women from Eastern cultures, including Muslim and Hindu women, have lower
rates of cancer screening than Western European women. This has been
corroborated by a variety of published studies. While there are a number
of factors that explain this finding, I have never seen religious
teachings cited among them.
The article makes reference to, "patriarchal interpretations of the
Qur'an that hinder (women) from seeking medical attention." I have
yet to come across any verses from the Qur'an, any sayings of the
Prophet, or any juridical rulings that would support this point. On the
contrary, there are ample examples where the Prophet encouraged
prevention of disease through healthy eating and exercise. Within all
sects of Islam, preservation of life and health are paramount to Muslims,
superceding all other considerations with only the rare
exception.
While women are encouraged to be examined and treated by female health
professionals, I am aware of nothing that has discouraged women from
seeking out health prevention and promotion. Of note, mammography and Pap
smears are routinely performed in most Islamic countries.
There is no question that in a number of cultures where Islam is a common
religion, women have sadly been oppressed for generations. However, just
because something is common in a culture does not mean that it is
condoned by its major faiths, including Islam. We need to move beyond
such simplistic, erroneous generalizations in understanding health and
other areas.
-----
TAKING THE TAINT OUT OF
GIVING -
TOP
Jessi Hempel and Bremen Leak, BusinessWeek, 9/26/05
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_39/b3952112.htm
Last January the board of Dallas charity KinderUSA made an unusual
request to its 6,800 donors: Please don't send gifts. The Islamic
charity, which delivers food and aid to children in war zones, had just
received a federal grand jury subpoena asking its officials to turn over
all meeting minutes, tax returns, and other documents. It feared that the
government could freeze its assets or seize its list of donors at any
moment.
After four months with no word from the FBI about whether KinderUSA was
being investigated, the board resumed fund-raising. But board chair Dr.
Laila Al-Marayati worries for her donors, who want to support charity but
fear being caught up in a terrorism investigation. "Charities are in
the position of being guilty until proven innocent," she says.
"Our donors are afraid. They don't know what to do." (The FBI
would not confirm or deny an ongoing KinderUSA investigation when
contacted by BusinessWeek.)
Donors and charities alike have reason to be on guard. Since September 11
federal authorities have frozen the assets of five Islamic charities in
the U.S., including three of the largest, for alleged links to terrorist
groups -- in effect, shutting the groups down. The U.S. Treasury Dept.,
which is charged with cutting off monetary support for terrorists, has
frozen the assets of 41 aid organizations globally for alleged
connections to terrorism.
This spotlight on the Muslim charitable sector may well be warranted in
the name of national security. September 11 forced an awakening to the
reality that "Al Qaeda, Hamas, and like-minded terrorist groups have
abused charities to support hate-filled agendas," according to a
speech by Juan Carlos Zarate, who was recently appointed deputy national
security advisor for combating terrorism after a stint monitoring
terrorism financing at the Treasury. Nevertheless, as the U.S. marks the
fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, none of the
investigations has been resolved. The charities' assets remain
frozen.
Meanwhile, these inquiries resonate powerfully across the Islamic charity
sector, shifting the direction of millions of dollars as donors fret that
giving to organized Islamic charities could lead them into a legal
morass. Muslim Americans are now looking for methods beyond traditional
charitable giving to fulfill Zakat, a pillar of Islam, which requires
Muslims to give 2.5% of their income to the poor. (MORE)
-----
ENVOY: U.S. TO BACK ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/19/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/18/AR2005091800399.html
JERUSALEM (AP) - The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Israel said in an
interview broadcast Sunday that President George W. Bush will back a
request by Israel to keep larger West Bank settlement areas under its
control in a permanent peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Palestinians reacted with anger to the comments, saying they would only
encourage Israel to pre-empt final status negotiations.
Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, who completed his term Friday, cited an April
2004 letter from Bush to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, setting out
the U.S. position on settlements.
``The policy is exactly what the president said,'' Kurtzer said in the
prerecorded interview. ``In the context of a final status agreement, the
United States will support the retention by Israel of areas with a high
concentration of Israeli population.''
Kurtzer's language went slightly further than the original Bush letter,
which did not speak of Israel retaining territory it captured in the 1967
Middle East war but said only that a return to the prewar borders of 1949
was unlikely. (MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/20/05
*
Hadith:
God is Just and
Generous
*
U.S. Muslims Meet
with King Abdullah in DC
*
CAIR-OH:
Muslims to Feed the Needy
During Ramadan
*
LA:
Mosque
Becomes Health Clinic in New Orleans (SF Chron)
-
MI:
Muslims
Help Katrina Victims (Arab American News)
*
Calling Mamdouh 'Manny' Created Hostile
Work Environment
*
VA:
Nordstrom Hosts Fashion Seminar
for Muslim Women
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: GOD IS JUST AND
GENEROUS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone
transgresses and receives punishment in this world, God is too just to
repeat the punishment of His servant in the next. And if anyone
transgresses and God conceals it and forgives him, He is too generous to
go back upon a thing He has forgiven."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1023
-----
U.S. MUSLIMS
MEET WITH KING ABDULLAH IN DC -
TOP
Meeting focused on building bridges of
understanding
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/20/2005) - Representatives of the
local and national American Muslim community met today with King Abdullah
II of Jordan in Washington, D.C.
Participants in the meeting, held in the prayer area of the Islamic
Center on Massachusetts Avenue, focused on ways in which King Abdullah,
Jordan and American Muslims can cooperate to help build bridges of
understanding between the Islamic world and the West. Suggested
cooperative efforts include providing scholarships for American students
who wish to study Arabic in Jordan.
The Islamic leaders briefed the King about American Muslim aid to victims
of Hurricane Katrina and the recent fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling,
against terrorism and extremism.
See:
www.mhrtf.net and
http://cair.com/includes/Anti-TerrorList.pdf
King Abdullah said, "Islam is under fire because of fringe
elements," and suggested building bridges of reconciliation.
Jordan's Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, who also took part in the meeting,
detailed efforts by his nation to offer an accurate understanding of
Islam.
CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed told King Abdullah about the success of
the "Explore the Quran" project, which offers free copies of
Islam's holy text to Americans of all faiths.
See:
www.explorethequran.org
"Today's meeting offered an excellent opportunity for American
Muslims to engage in productive dialogue with an international leader who
is in a position to explain Islam to policy-makers at the highest levels
worldwide," said Ahmed.
Other CAIR representatives taking part in the meeting included Executive
Director Nihad Awad, Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper and Board
Members Ahmad Al-Akhras and Hadia Mubarak.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
OHIO MUSLIMS TO FEED THE NEEDY DURING RAMADAN
-
TOP
(CINCINNATI, 09/20/05) - On Sunday, October 9, the Cincinnati office of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) and Malik Islamic
Center will mark the Muslim fast of Ramadan by providing hot meals to
more than 500 residents of that city's Over-the-Rhine
neighborhood.
WHAT: Ramadan "Feed the Hungry" Program
WHEN: Sunset, Sunday, October 9, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Malik Islamic Center, 1432 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH
CONTACT: CAIR-OH, Cincinnati, Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-Mail:
cincinnati@cair-ohio.com;
Brent Meyer, 513-276-1600
Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims
abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn
to sunset. It is scheduled to begin on or about October 4, depending on
the sighting of the new moon.
"Caring for the less fortunate in our community is an important and
rewarding experience, one emphasized in the Islamic faith," said
CAIR-Cincinnati Director Karen Dabdoub. Dabdoub quoted Islam's Prophet
Muhammad who said Ramadan "is the month of sharing with
others." He also said: "A man has sinned if he neglects to feed
those in need."
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, is headquartered
in Washington, D.C., and has 31 regional offices and chapters nationwide
and in Canada.
CONTACT: Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-Mail:
karen@cair-ohio.com; Brent
Meyer, 513-276-1600, E-Mail:
meyer_brent@hotmail.com
-----
VOLUNTEERS
SEEKING FUNDS TO KEEP CLINIC OPERATING -
TOP
Chuck Squatriglia, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/20/05
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/09/20/MNGJVEQIFM1.DTL
New Orleans - In one corner of a poor neighborhood in a city that has
seen much devastation, something good has come of Hurricane
Katrina.
A health clinic that grew from the compassion of strangers determined to
help a community largely overlooked in the disaster's darkest days is
putting down roots.
The place is called Common Ground, and its founders' decision to stick
around means residents of a corner of Algiers tucked beneath the Greater
New Orleans Bridge no longer have to go across town, or over the
Mississippi River, to see a doctor.
"They're doing really good work here," Roy Schmidt, who had a
gash on his forehead stitched at the clinic, said Monday. "I don't
know where people would go without them here."
Things largely have settled down in Algiers, a community of 57,000 people
just over the river from the French Quarter, and residents who hadn't
already sneaked back in were allowed to return home Monday to begin
cleaning up.
But that plan was reversed late in the day when Mayor Ray Nagin ordered
nearly everyone out of the city amid concerns that a tropical storm
approaching Florida could bring a fresh round of flooding.
There were still corpses in the streets when a handful of volunteers from
across the country -- including from the Bay Area -- opened the doors of
Masjid Bilal mosque, set up some cots and spray-painted the words
"First Aid Station" on a sheet of plywood out front.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LOCAL MUSLIM GROUP
HELPS KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
Zahra Huber, Arab American News, 9/20/05
http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=3236http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=3236
Dearborn - If you drove past the American Islamic Academy/Islamic
Institute of Knowledge on Schaefer Rd. on the afternoon of Saturday,
September 10th, you probably saw a group of kids with signs and a
megaphone, shouting, "Car wash! Get your car washed!" But this
was not just any car wash; it was a fundraiser for the Katrina victims in
Louisiana and Mississippi.
Twins Jamila and Lena Sareini, and American Islamic Academy (AIA) 8th
grade students Hassan Hachem and Hussein Ramadan, stood in front of the
AIA parking lot for hours, attracting cars to come to the car wash. Cars
rolled in from noon till about 4:30 pm.
Catherine Marie Sareini, the Administrative Assistant in the Accounting
Department of the American Islamic Academy, felt like something needed to
be done to lend a helping hand to those who had suffered heavy losses.
"The images of the victims on television right after the hurricane
had subsided were difficult for me to watch. I saw families who were all
of a sudden homeless, facing desperation, hunger and even
death."
Sarieni was not alone with those emotions. The AIA students shared these
feelings and offered to hold a bake sale and car wash to raise money for
the victims. So, on September 9th, under the banner of "Kids for
Katrina," students collaborated and sold their baked goods to raise
one hundred seventy five dollars cash. Additionally, a generous
contributor heard of the students' efforts and donated a $500 check for
the hurricane victims.
The very next day, AIA students along with kids from the Islamic
Institute of Knowledge (IIK) washed cars for several hours to raise two
hundred dollars more. Sarah Hazime, 16, and her two best friends Farah
Hammoud and Sara Ismail, juniors at AIA, were among the volunteers.
"We're here to help Katrina victims," said Hazime.
(MORE)
-----
WHAT'S IN A NAME? NINTH CIRCUIT DISAGREES
WITH SHAKESPEARE -
TOP
John Canoni, Nixon Peabody, 8/2/05
http://www.nixonpeabody.com/publications_detail3.asp?Type=P&PAID=4&ID=1066
Shakespeare didn't think names were important. In Romeo and Juliet, he
observed "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as
sweet." The Ninth Circuit, however, disagrees with the Bard. In
El-Hakem v. BJY, Inc.,[1] the court upheld a jury verdict against an
engineering firm CEO who insisted on calling an Arab employee, Mamdouh
El-Hakem, "Manny" and "Hank" despite El-Hakem's
strenuous objections over a period of almost a year.
The CEO, Gregg Young, asserted a "Western" name would
"increase El-Hakem's chances for success and would be more
acceptable to BJY's clientele." When El-Hakem objected to being
called "Manny" instead of his first name, Mamdouh, and
suggested Young call him by his last name, El-Hakem, Young instead
switched to another "Western" name, "Hank." The jury
found Young's conduct created a hostile work environment. The Ninth
Circuit affirmed this finding, noting that, while Young's conduct
"may not have been especially severe," it was frequent and
pervasive. The harassment stopped only when BJY closed the office where
El-Hakem worked.
BJY argued these facts did not make out a proper Section 1981 claim
because neither "Manny" nor "Hank" were racial
epithets. The court swiftly dismissed that defense, pointing to the 1987
Supreme Court decision in Saint Francis College v. Al-Khazraji,[2] where
the Court held Section 1981 also covered "persons who are subjected
to intentional discrimination solely because of their ancestry or ethnic
characteristics."
Names are important, the Ninth Circuit held ("a group's ethnic
characteristics encompass more than its members' skin color and physical
traits"). The court could have cited literary authority that
disagreed with Shakespeare (e.g., "The beginning of wisdom is to
call things by their right names," Chinese proverb, and "A good
name is better than precious ointment," Ecclesiastes 7.1).
Young's persistent harassment was costly. The jury awarded El-Hakem
$15,000 in compensatory damages, $15,000 in punitive damages, and an
undisclosed amount in attorney's fees. BJY got off lightly because the
trial court (following a five-day trial) failed to give the jury a
vicarious liability instruction. While the district court later amended
the judgment to impose vicarious liability on BJY, the jury would likely
have awarded much higher punitive damages against the company than the
$15,000 they awarded against Young, then the only defendant before
them.
This case reminds us that actionable harassment can be either severe or
pervasive and that simply treating an employee differently than his/her
coworkers can precipitate a discrimination case. What may appear to be
trivial to some (such as Gregg Young, for example) can nonetheless lead
to liability against both the individual executive and the company.
Antiharassment training needs to reach the Gregg Youngs of the world.
Trainers should definitely quote the Ninth Circuit, not
Shakespeare.
-----
NORDSTROM HOSTS FASHION SEMINAR FOR MUSLIM
WOMEN -
TOP
WHAT: Nordstrom in Tysons Corner will host a private shop and seminar
titled "Interpreting Hot Trends for Veiled and Conservative
Women." Come see how you can work the new fall trends in your
wardrobe.
WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2005. Doors open 8 am and the seminar
begins at 8:30 am.
WHERE: Nordstrom at Tysons Corner in McLean, VA
To reserve a seat, call 703-761-1121 ext 1840.
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/21/05
*
Verse:
Strive Together Toward All
that is Good
-
Islamic Supplication (Dua'a)
Recited
During a Storm
*
CAIR-Houston Dinner Postponed
Because of Hurricane Rita
*
CAIR-Philly Offers to Mediate Firefighter
Beard Dispute
-
CAIR-Cincinnati to Hold Open
House
-
FX's '30 Days'
Honored By CAIR-LA (Reg Herald)
-
CAIR-CAN:
Leave Religion Out of Terror Law
*
MA:
Romney's Misstep with Muslims (Boston Globe)
-
Islam in America:
Separate but Unequal
*
Air Force's First Jewish-Muslim Prayer Space (Stars & Stripes)
*
When the Landlord is Muslim (New York Times)
*
NAIT Announces
Outreach to Katrina-Affected Mosques
*
DC:
Muslim Woman Elected Head of Islamic Council
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: STRIVE TOWARD ALL THAT IS GOOD -
TOP
"Every community faces a direction of its own (with God as the focal
point). Therefore, strive together (as in a race) toward all that is
good. Wherever you are, God will bring you together. For God has power
over all things."
The Holy Quran, 2:148
ISLAMIC SUPPLICATION (DUA'A) RECITED DURING A STORM -
TOP
"O God, I ask You for its goodness, the good within it, and the good it
was sent with, and I take refuge with You from its evil, the evil
within it, and from the evil it was sent with."
-----
CAIR-HOUSTON DINNER POSTPONED BECAUSE OF HURRICANE RITA -
TOP
CAIR-Houston's September 24th banquet has been postponed because of the
approach of Hurricane Rita. CAIR-Houston's office will also be closed
until Monday, September 26.
For urgent questions, call: 832-656-0449, E-Mail:
iesa.galloway@cairhouston.org
-----
CAIR-PHILLY OFFERS TO MEDIATE FIREFIGHTER BEARD DISPUTE -
TOP
Islamic group says safety and religious accommodation are compatible
(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 9/21/2005) - The Philadelphia office
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philly) today
offered to help mediate a dispute over whether Muslim firefighters in
that city may wear beards for religious reasons.
CAIR-Philly said its national office has assisted in the resolution of
beard-related cases involving other public institutions such as the
Virginia Department of Corrections, the Detroit Fire Department and the
New York State Park Police.
A city lawyer argued yesterday that safety concerns should prevent a
Muslim firefighter from wearing a religious beard. The city says facial
hair interferes with the tight seal needed on face masks. A Muslim
firefighter has sued the city saying the prohibition of beards violates
the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act.
SEE: "Safety Crucial in Firefighter-Beard Case, City Argues"
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09202005-544198.html
CAIR says there are alternative types of face masks that might satisfy
safety and religious concerns. In support of that claim, CAIR cited a
1996 OSHA "interpretation" that read in part: "The OSHA standard does
allow beards with the use of respirators that do not rely on a tight
face piece seal between the respirator inlet covering and the
underlying skin (i.e., both loose fitting helmets and hoods are
acceptable in this regard)."
The council also cited a 2003 statement by Assistant Secretary of Labor
for Occupational Safety and Health John L. Henshaw, who wrote: "Some
types of respirators do not require a face seal and can usually be worn
by bearded employees. Specifically, these are positive pressure
respirators of the hood and helmet type, and types that can be used
with a continuous-flow, supplied-air respirator, where facial hair and
beards will have less effect on the fit."
"Safety and religious accommodation are not mutually-exclusive and we
would like an opportunity to demonstrate that fact to city officials,"
said CAIR-Philly Communications Director Adeeba Al-Zaman.
Al-Zaman said a CAIR booklet, called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic
Religious Practices," is designed to prevent these incidents from
occurring. The guide is available at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: CAIR-Philly, 215-592-0509 or 484-716-1226; Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org;
Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CINCINNATI TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE -
TOP
(CINCINNATI, 9/21/05) - On Saturday, October 1, from 1-5 p.m., the
Cincinnati office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio
(CAIR-OH) will hold its second annual Open House to introduce the new
location of its office.
CAIR-Cincinnati, located on Reed Hartman Highway in Blue Ash, has
worked to assist the local Muslim community in dealing with issues
relating to the protection of civil rights, interfaith relations and
political empowering.
The Open House is free and open to the public. CAIR-Cincinnati
Executive Director Karen Dabdoub and CAIR-OH staff and board members
will be present to answer questions. Literature about Islam will be
available and refreshments will be served.
CAIR-Cincinnati is the third office of CAIR-OH and is one of 31 other
offices in the U.S. and Canada of the Washington-based Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group.
CONTACT: Karen Dabdoub (513) 281-8200 E-mail:
karen@cair-ohio.com
-----
CAIR-LA: SPURLOCK'S FX SERIES '30 DAYS' HONORED BY MUSLIM GROUP -
TOP
Audrey Schwitzerlette, Register-Herald, 9/20/05
http://www.register-herald.com/cnhi/registerherald/features/local_story_263230045.html
Award-winning filmmaker and Beckley native Morgan Spurlock's FX series
"30 Days" is garnering awards for an episode that featured a fellow
Beckley native.
Next month, the Muslim Public Affairs Council plans to present one of
its 14th annual Media Awards to Spurlock and FX for the episode of "30
Days" called "Muslims and America." The episode followed Beckley native
Dave Stacy, who now lives in Charleston. Stacy, a Christian, spent 30
days living with a Muslim family in Dearborn, Mich.
"I have a whole new appreciation for what it's like to be discriminated
against," Stacy told The Register-Herald in June when the show aired.
"A lot of Americans have a stronger sense of nationalism than we do
even our own faith. ... We're not as tolerant as we should be. ... You
can't stereotype one and a half billion people, or even 500 people, for
the actions of five."
Last week, the council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles
presented "30 Days" with a Media Bridge Builder award. Spurlock was not
able to attend, but Stacy accepted the award and discussed his
experience with more than 1,800 people at the Anaheim Convention Center.
According to the CAIR, banquet attendees also included interfaith
leaders as well as a number of local, state and national law
enforcement authorities and elected officials, including Congresswoman
Loretta Sanchez. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN: LEAVE RELIGION OUT OF TERROR LAW, GROUPS SAY -
TOP
Jeff Salot, Globe and Mail, 9/21/05
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050921/TERROR21/TPNational/Canada
OTTAWA -- Courts should be able to convict people of terrorism even
when there is no strong evidence of a political or religious motive for
the crime, Canadian Muslim and Arab groups told a parliamentary panel
reviewing the federal Anti-Terrorism Act yesterday.
The current legal definition of terrorism encourages police and
security officers to engage in religious or ethnic profiling and to ask
highly inappropriate questions about the spiritual beliefs and
practices of individuals, the groups said.
Moreover, proving motive is much tougher for police and prosecutors in
terrorism cases than simply establishing the facts around the
commission of a crime, the requirement in most other criminal cases,
the Canadian Arab Federation, the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association
and the Canadian Council on American Islamic Relations said in brief to
the Commons subcommittee on national security.
The groups suggest a definition of terrorism along the lines of one
adopted by the Supreme Court of Canada in a refugee case: as an act
intended to cause death or serious injury to civilians in order to
intimidate a population or to compel a government action.
The subcommittee is giving the Anti-Terrorism Act its first
comprehensive review since Parliament adopted the tough new measures
after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.
The legislation's requirement to prove a religious or ideological
motive is both "insidious and ineffective," said Ziyaad Mia, spokesman
for the Muslim lawyers. "When you add religion as a motive you are
saying faith is a proxy for criminality."
Conservative MP Kevin Sorenson suggested that the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and other
agencies have limited resources and need to focus their investigations
on specific groups. "You don't send the anti-terrorist squad to
investigate the Amish or the Lutheran ladies. You go to where you think
the risk is."
But Riad Saloojee, the executive director of the Canadian Council on
American Islamic Relations, said that if law-enforcement agents are
going to use profiling, they should do so on the basis of behaviour,
not ethnicity or religion.
Police and intelligence services need to earn and keep the goodwill and
trust of the Islamic community to help produce "intelligent
intelligence" and to avoid wasting time chasing shadows, Mr. Saloojee
added. (MORE)
-----
ROMNEY'S MISSTEP WITH MUSLIMS -
TOP
Shahid Ahmed Khan, Boston Globe, 9/21/05
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/09/21/romneys_misstep_with_muslims/
IF ANY DOUBTS remained as to Mitt Romney's plans to run for a second
term as governor, those doubts can now be put to rest. Pandering to the
far right of the national Republican Party has been a hallmark of his
tenure, revealing how truly out of touch he is with the values of our
Commonwealth.
By advocating ''monitoring" and ''wiretapping" of Massachusetts Islamic
centers and foreign students, the governor has demonstrated not only a
lack of cultural understanding and a disregard for civil liberties but
also an alarming ignorance about effective methods of combating
radicalism. If Mitt Romney intends to run for president, as seems
likely, he needs to learn some basic lessons -- about American Muslims
and about uniting Americans in the struggle against extremism of every
sort.
Since 9/11, Muslims have been targets of harassment in the forms of
specious investigation, detention, and suspicion. Our mosques and
Islamic centers are houses of worship and of cultural identity; if
there is no evidence of wrongdoing within them, they must be accorded
the respect due an institution of significance. Based on his recent
comments, it seems the governor is incapable of respecting the dignity
of one of the world's great religions.
It is the responsibility of the federal government, through its highly
secretive FISA courts, to issue warrants for specific surveillance
activities -- based on specific intelligence, not on religious
profiling. It is unacceptable for a governor with a self-serving
political agenda to suggest invasively scrutinizing the entire Muslim
community.
Such a policy is not merely reckless and disrespectful; it is also
unwise. In this time of shrinking budgets and expanding deficits, we
simply do not have the resources to waste on Mitt Romney's political
showboating. By attempting to further marginalize American Muslims,
this governor weakens a cause we all embrace -- that of eliminating
radicalism.
The incitement of political violence is abhorrent to Islam, and those
who promote this tactic are rejected by the vast majority of Muslims,
who want the same things as everyone else -- a future of peace and
prosperity for ourselves and our families. And so, if there are indeed
radical, potentially violent elements within our community, who better
to expose and uproot them than we?
But instead of cultivating a positive relationship with Muslims,
creating trust and cooperation, this governor and his allies aim to
breed mistrust and suspicion -- all in the service of their own
political agenda. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ISLAM IN AMERICA: SEPARATE BUT UNEQUAL -
TOP
Geneive Abdo, Washington Quarterly, Autumn 2005
http://www.twq.com/05autumn/docs/05autumn_abdo.pdf
[Geneive Abdo, fellow at the Joan B. Kroc Institute at the University
of Notre Dame, is writing a book about Muslims in America.]
As the U.S. relationship with the Islamic world has reached
unprecedented levels of hostility since the September 11 attacks, the
Bush administration has focused its attention on winning the hearts and
minds of Muslims abroad. Yet, what about the six to seven million
Muslims in the United States whose lives were dramatically altered by
the September 11 attacks? Feelings of deep alienation have caused them
to join the global protest movement against the United States, but
instead of holding flag-burning rallies, Muslim Americans are taking a
different course. Muslims are becoming more organized and vocal in
their demands, petitioning school boards to establish prayer rooms in
public schools for their children, taking time off during the workday
for prayers, and turning to the courts when they believe their
constitutional rights to practice their religion have been violated. In
this way, they are exercising their rights as Americans to enhance
their identity as Muslims.
-----
RAMSTEIN CENTER IS AIR FORCE'S FIRST DESIGNATED JEWISH-MUSLIM PRAYER SPACE -
TOP
Anita Powell, Stars and Stripes, 9/21/05
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=31718
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - Just weeks after Air Force policymakers
issued guidelines limiting public prayer, officials at Ramstein Air
Base threw open the doors to a unique new chapel dedicated to
interfaith worship and understanding.
The new Kaiserslautern Military Community Interfaith Chapel, which
formally opened Tuesday, is an unusual hybrid by any religious
standards: It's the Air Force's first designated Jewish-Muslim prayer
space.
The project is the fruit of seven months of work and collaboration by
an unlikely pair: reserved, contemplative Chaplain (Capt.) Hamza
Al-Mubarak, a Muslim imam; and outgoing, ever-smiling Chaplain (Capt.)
Donald Levy, a Jewish rabbi. The two helped design the center: an airy,
light-drenched building with two identical chambers, each decorated for
Muslim or Jewish services. Both chaplains delivered opening prayers at
the center's dedication Tuesday.
Al-Mubarak also personally thanked the Air Force for building a home
for the 70-some Muslims in the Kaiserslautern military community.
Before the facility was built, local Muslims met at Pulaski Barracks to
worship. The area's Jewish worshippers - who number about 60, Levy said
- met at a social hall.
"Honestly, I never thought this day would come," Al-Mubarak said,
choking back tears. "To have a partial place at this table, and to have
a home for my community & thank you."
Air Force Chaplain Service chief Maj. Gen. Charles C. Baldwin, a
Southern Baptist chaplain, said the collaboration sends a powerful
message to all airmen. Baldwin flew from Washington for the day to
attend the dedication ceremony. (MORE)
-----
WHEN THE LANDLORD IS MUSLIM -
TOP
Terry Pristin, New York Times, 9/21/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/realestate/21shariah.html
As rising crude oil prices leave many Middle Easterners flush with
cash, much of their money is being invested in real estate, both in the
United States and abroad.
Most transactions are still conducted the conventional way, but some
real estate specialists say there is a growing appetite among investors
for deals that conform to the rules of the Koran. Adhering to Shariah,
or Islamic law, can determine how a project is financed -- riba, or
interest, is prohibited, for example -- and also generally means
excluding such tenants as bars, mortgage lenders and video stores.
No one knows just how much capital from the Persian Gulf states is
finding its way into real estate in the United States. "This capital is
very difficult to track as many Middle Eastern buyers work hard to
maintain their confidentiality," said Robert M. White Jr., the
president of Real Capital Analytics, a research firm in New York.
And Shariah-compliant investing is still in its infancy. But "a lot
more people are talking about it," said Steven J. Adelkoff, a real
estate lawyer at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham in
Pittsburgh, one of a handful of American lawyers with expertise in this
field. "In the past 18 months I've had more inquiries than ever
before." (MORE)
-----
NORTH AMERICAN ISLAMIC TRUST (NAIT) ANNOUNCES OUTREACH TO KATRINA-AFFECTED
ISLAMIC CENTERS & SCHOOLS -
TOP
Restoring Islamic centers and schools is critical to the emotional and
spiritual well-being of the affected individuals, families and
communities. NAIT aims to work in concert with other Muslim
institutions, relief organizations, and the private sector, to assist
the affected Islamic centers and schools restore their infrastructure.
NAIT has established "North American Islamic Trust-Islamic Centers
& Schools Fund" at JP Morgan-Chase Bank, N.A. to restore the
affected Islamic centers and schools. NAIT holds titles to
approximately 300 properties of Islamic centers and schools throughout
the United States, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
For more information, contact NAIT at 745 McClintock Drive, Suite 314,
Burr Ridge, IL 60527; Tel: (630) 789-9191; Tel: (630) 789-9455; e-mail:
info@nait.net
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM HURRICANE RELIEF TASK FORCE
http://www.mhrtf.net/
-----
MUSLIM WOMAN ELECTED HEAD OF DC ISLAMIC COUNCIL -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/05) - A Muslim woman has been elected to head
the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations in Greater Washington,
D.C. (CCMO), an umbrella organization representing more than forty
major mosques and Islamic organizations in the Washington area.
Asma Hanif, a Baltimore medical professional, was elected as CCMO's
chairperson at its recent general assembly meeting. Hanif represents
the Muslim Inter-Community Network on the council.
The council's vision is to be a leading platform committed to forging
cooperation, coordination and synergy among Muslim organizations of the
Greater Washington Metropolitan area.
For more information about CCMO, contact Imam Faizul Khan at (301)588-3650.
-----
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #468
'EXPLORE THE QURAN' REQUESTS TOP 20K - SPONSORS
NEEDED
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/22/05) - CAIR said today that more than 20,000
people have requested free copies of the Quran since the launch of its
"
Explore the
Quran" campaign earlier this year, and more requests are coming
in daily.
CAIR initiated its educational campaign as a positive response to the
controversy over allegations that American military personnel desecrated
the Quran at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay. Those who requested free
Qurans include law enforcement officials, students, religious leaders,
and ordinary people of all faiths who just wish to learn more about Islam
and Muslims.
A North Carolina physician who requested a Quran wrote to CAIR:
"I appreciate what your group is doing to foster better
understanding between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. I look
forward to reading the Quran and learning more about
Islam."
Another Quran recipient from California wrote:
"It just arrived today and I've only read the intro and forward and
started reading the verses. My reaction surprises me: I feel an
attraction to the words that I never expected. . .No matter what, I will
learn so much about Islam thanks to your generosity."
For background on the campaign:
USA Today - "Getting the Holy Word Out"
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-06-01-koran_x.htm
ABC News - "Free Korans"
http://www.cair-net.org/video/explorethequran.ram
"Because of the overwhelming demand, we will need the community's
continued support so that every request for a free Quran can be
fulfilled," said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed. Ahmed urged
Muslims in America and worldwide to support the campaign by sponsoring
one or more Qurans.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1)
GO TO
http://www.explorethequran.org
to donate generously to the "Explore the Quran" project.
2)
PUBLICIZE CAIR's "Explore the Quran" project in your local mosques and Islamic centers, and encourage others to participate.
3)
ORGANIZE "Explore the Quran" events at your local mosques, encouraging your neighbors to come and learn about Islam's holy text.
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/22/05
*
Hadith:
Treat Others as You Wish to
be Treated
*
CAIR-LA
to Announce
Housing Discrimination
Suit
-
CAIR-Philly Offers Course on
Islam
*
Karen Hughes'
'Listening Tour' of Muslim
Nations (USA Today)
*
Incitement Watch:
Muslim 'Scourge'
in America
*
Court:
Librarians
Must Stay Silent in Patriot Act Suit (NYT)
*
OK:
'Stop the Hate' Muslim-Christian
Dialogue
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: TREAT OTHERS AS YOU
WISH TO BE TREATED -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever wishes to be
delivered from the Fire (of Hell) and enter the Garden (of Paradise). .
.should treat people as he wishes to be treated by them."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 852
-----
CAIR-LA
TO ANNOUNCE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION SUIT -
TOP
Anaheim Muslims allege mistreatment by housing
complex
(ANAHEIM, CA, 9/22/05) - On Friday, September 23, the
Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-LA) will hold a news conference in Anaheim to announce details of a
housing discrimination lawsuit filed by Muslim tenants of a local
apartment complex who say they have been discriminated against because of
their religion.
WHAT: News conference to announce housing discrimination
lawsuit
WHEN: Friday, September 23, at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Outside Chaumont Villas, 1600 West Broadway, Anaheim,
CA
CONTACT: Sabiha Khan, 714-776-1847 or 714-390-0334, E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
The plaintiffs and their attorney will take part in the news
conference.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-PHILLY OFFERS TEN-PART COURSE ON ISLAM -
TOP
(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 9/22/05)- The Philadelphia office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philly) today announced a class entitled
"Understanding Islam & Muslims through History" that it
will offer at the Foundation for Islamic Education.
This course will approach Islam from a historical and jurisprudence
perspective, covering the foundations of the religion and then building
on the economic, political and cultural institutions that arose in Muslim
societies.
CAIR-Philly has offered the course through multiple educational and
interfaith venues, including Mishkan Shalom and the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Delaware County. Iftekhar Hussain, a CAIR-Philly
board member, will lead the course in October.
WHAT: Course: Understanding Islam & Muslims through
History
WHEN: October 17 - November 7, 2005, Monday and Wednesday:
7:00-9:00PM, Saturday: 10:30-12:30PM
WHERE: The Foundation for Islamic Education; 1860 Montgomery Ave;
Villanova, PA 19085
The cost is free. Register by emailing CAIR-Philly at
cairphilly@dca.net or by calling
215-592-0509
-----
HUGHES EMBARKS ON
'LISTENING TOUR' TO PATCH U.S. IMAGE -
TOP
Barbara Slavin, USA Today, 9/22/05
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-09-22-hughes-listening-tour_x.htm
WASHINGTON - Karen Hughes, the State Department's top public relations
envoy to the world, is embarking on her first overseas trip Saturday as
the nation's image among Muslim nations continues to suffer.
Complicating an already difficult mission for the new undersecretary of
State for public diplomacy and public affairs is Hurricane Katrina, which
stranded thousands of black and poor Americans for days.
Hughes, a close adviser to President Bush known for her domestic
political skills, started work at the State Department last month. She
calls her trip a "listening tour" of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and
Turkey. (MORE)
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: THE MUSLIM 'SCOURGE' IN
AMERICA -
TOP
Americans need to beware of the Muslim scourge within
http://www.tribune-georgian.com/articles/2005/09/21/news/opinion/letters/5letter9.21.txt
Dear Editor, I pray that the silent majority in our great nation is not
being at all fooled by all the latest rhetoric being distributed in the
media regarding President George W. Bush. He has more on him at this time
than any person in the history of America.
But never believe he can't handle it. The Bible says that up until a
person becomes a child of God, he or she just never realizes the true
light when they see it. This absolute gives our president a lot of
strength, and this silent majority is praying for him every day. And
every American should be doing the same thing. Please start doing
so.
He has many big problems, but the biggest by far is the nation of Islam.
I have done a lot of research recently and the following are a number of
truths -- which I can prove. These things started long ago, but the
Muslim world did not appear to be intelligent enough to pose much of a
threat to anyone except themselves.
We have a very large number of Americans that are doing everything they
can to cause America to fail. And since our president has had the courage
to address hard subjects that absolutely must be resolved, it takes a
true Southern Christian gentleman to grab the bull by the horns. Can you
believe that since Sept. 11, 2001, there have been approximately 34,000
Americans who have become Muslims? How about this one: There are 1,209
Muslim mosques existing in America at this time, and 25 percent of them
have been built since 1994 -- just one year after the first bombing of
the Trade Center buildings.
And did you know that if you ask 100 Americans who we were fighting a war
with in our country for the first time, they would probably say England.
Wrong! The great U.S. Marine Corps was fighting the Muslims in the
country of Tripoli. It was called the Tripolitan War. Hence the song:
"to the shores of Tripoli."
Wake up, America. There are at this date 6 million Muslims who reside
here in our country, all over most states. And there are 1.5 billion on
planet earth. Our historians have let us down since our conception. It is
time we learned who our enemies are! They are Bush-bashers who run down
our president and have a total of nothing in the suggestion box to do
anything any other way!
I do not have a copy of the Muslim Quran, but I have one on the way. It
has 114 chapters.
Only 30 percent of the Muslims in the world are literate. They must
listen to their leaders for the contents of the Quran. I have several
verses copied from one of the books of the Quran, and it is very clear
that no Muslim is our friend.
I'm probably running out of time. I'll tell you more of this enemy when I
get my copy.
Sept. 18th is Constitution Day. Pray for America and pray for John
Roberts and for George Bush.
God bless you all and God bless America.
Hugh Jenkins is a chaplain with the Confederate States of America, Camp
747
SEND POLITE COMMENTS TO:
editor1@tds.net
COPY TO: cair@cair-net.org
-----
LIBRARIANS MUST STAY SILENT IN PATRIOT ACT SUIT, COURT SAYS -
TOP
Alison Leigh Cowan, New York Times, 9/21/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/nyregion/21library.html
The librarians who challenged the nation's antiterrorism act must
continue to keep quiet about their role in the case while a federal
appeals court reviews the order of confidentiality that bars them from
speaking out, the court ruled yesterday.
A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit in Manhattan handed the federal government a partial
victory yesterday in agreeing to a temporary stay of a lower court
ruling that would have allowed the plaintiffs, as of today, to discuss
the case. Government lawyers had argued that they needed the stay to
give them time to appeal the lower court decision.
At least two members of the appellate panel echoed those arguments.
"Absent a stay, this appeal is moot," Judge Sonia Sotomayor commented
during the questioning.
In the case involved in the dispute, the F.B.I. sent a library
consortium in Connecticut a demand, known as a national security
letter, that it turn over patron information and not disclose the
request publicly.
Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union have argued that the
consortium's constitutional right to free speech was violated because
the confidentiality order prevented it from participating in the debate
over the USA Patriot Act while Congress was considering whether to
reauthorize the law.
Emerging from the courthouse yesterday, Ann Beeson, the lead lawyer for
the civil liberties group, called the appeals court ruling "extremely
frustrating." She said it was unfair that "the government can say all
they want about the Patriot Act," but not people like the plaintiffs
who have firsthand knowledge of its reach. She said she took some
comfort from the appellate court's promise to expedite the appeal.
(MORE)
-----
'STOP THE HATE' NIGHT TO FOCUS ON UNDERSTANDING MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE -
TOP
On October 6, 2005, the Seventh Annual Celebrate Diversity-Stop the
Hate event will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, Northwest 7th &
Robinson, downtown Oklahoma City at 7:30 PM. Ms. Stephanie Saldana, a
Harvard Divinity School graduate who has devoted the last six years of
her life to understanding Muslim-Christian dialogue and the role of
religion within the political conflicts of the Middle East, will speak.
This event is Oklahoma's part of the National "Stop the Hate" night sponsored by 35 community agencies. . .
Following the program, there will be a candle light processional to the
Oklahoma City National Memorial to remember victims of hate crimes the
last year with a responsive reading. . .
For More Information Contact:
H. R. Holman, Public Information
Voice: (405) 425-4361
Pager: (405) 502-0357
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #469
URGE YOUR HOUSE REP TO SIGN RAMADAN
RESOLUTION
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/23/05) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today urged American Muslims and other people of
conscience to call their elected representatives and ask that they sign
on to a House resolution recognizing the upcoming Islamic fast of
Ramadan. (Calls are best because of time constraints.)
The resolution states in part:
(1) during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with
and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States
and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the
Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and (2) in
observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the
Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of
Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its
deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world
on this significant occasion.
ACTON REQUESTED:
1. To read the entire resolution, and to contact your elected
representative, go to:
http://capwiz.com/cair/callalert/index.tt?alertid=8054916&type=CO
2. CAIR is also asking mosques and Islamic centers nationwide to host a
"Sharing Ramadan" Iftar, or fast-breaking meal, designed
to enhance understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths
meet their Muslims neighbors. A "Sharing Ramadan Resource
Guide" providing step-by-step instructions for hosting such an event
is available online at:
www.cair.com/sharingramadan05.pdf
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor,
202-488-8787 or 571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair-net.org
- PLEASE POST, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE -
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET, receive news
releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on
issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/23/05
*
Hadith:
The First to the Shade of
God
*
CAIR:
PA
Muslim Family Reports Highway Attack
*
CAIR-LA:
Suit Claims
Discrimination Against Muslims (OC Reg)
-
PA:
Muslim Doc Wins $2.45M in
9/11 Search Suit
-
MA:
Race
Role Probed in Attacks (Boston Herald)
*
CAIR-CAN Fundraising Dinner a
Success
*
CA:
Muslims to
Hold Benefit for Katrina Victims
*
MI:
Students
Find Places for Prayer
-
IL:
Muslims Find Home at
Catholic Colleges (Chicago Trib)
-
TN:
Church Helps
Muslim Family Rebound from Katrina
*
CA:
JDL Member Sentenced For
Role in Terror Plot
-
Radical Gets 20
Years in Mosque Bomb Plot (LA Times)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE FIRST TO THE SHADE
OF GOD -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do you know who will
go first on the Day of Resurrection to the shade of God?. . .Those who
when given what is right accept it, when asked for something give freely,
and who judge in favor of others as they do for
themselves."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1042
SEE ALSO:
The Prophet also said: "Through (a person's charitable giving), God
takes away arrogance and vanity."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 37B
-----
PA MUSLIM FAMILY
REPORTS HIGHWAY ATTACK -
TOP
Assailant allegedly shouted racist, anti-Muslim slurs
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/23/2005) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group today called on local, state and federal law
enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged attack on a Muslim
family in Pennsylvania as a possible hate crime.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says
the family, a couple with a 1-year-old baby, reported being followed by
an unknown person while driving on Route 202 near Blue Bell, Pa.,
Wednesday of last week. (The husband is a U.S. citizen of Syrian origin,
while his wife is of Syrian-Polish descent.)
According to the family, after repeatedly speeding up and almost hitting
the family's car from the rear, the lone white male perpetrator allegedly
tried to force their vehicle off the road. He then pulled in front of the
family's car and forced it to stop. While the family remained locked in
their car, the man punched the car window, tried to open the door,
threatened to "f*ck you all up," called the family "dirty
Arabs," and called the Muslim woman a "raghead," an
apparent reference to her Islamic head scarf. The assailant also claimed
to be a "Marine," but was dressed in business attire.
The family says they escaped the initial attack by driving around the
assailant's car, only to have the entire scenario repeated further down
the road. Whitpain Township police tell CAIR traffic charges have been
filed based on a license number provided by the victims.
"A Muslim family should be able travel on our nation's highways
without fear of assault by bigots," said CAIR Communications
Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Local law enforcement authorities and the
FBI should treat this incident as a possible hate crime and act
accordingly."
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-LA:
SUIT
CLAIMS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS -
TOP
SARAH TULLY, Orange County Register, 9/23/05
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_687259.php
ANAHEIM - Seven Muslim tenants are suing an apartment complex for housing
discrimination, claiming they were deprived service and retaliated
against because of their religion.
A management company official said residents were never denied repairs or
units.
The lawsuit, filed today in Orange County Superior Court, claims Chaumont
Villas' manager Bridgett Phillips:
o Refused to fix problems such as roaches in food, blocked drains and
rusted taps in apartments rented by Muslim tenants of Middle Eastern
descent.
o Chased away Muslim children playing in common areas.
o Forbade a tenant from switching to a larger unit and wrongly said there
were no vacancies.
Council on American-Islamic Relations announced the suit at a press
conference today where tenants held protest signs in front of the
complex.
"We believe this has been a course of conduct to eject all the
Muslims from this apartment complex," said attorney Federico Sayre.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
JURY AWARDS $2.45 MILLION TO MAN
CLEARED OF TERRORISM LINK -
TOP
Torsten Ove, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/23/05
http://post-gazette.com/pg/05266/576467.stm
An Egyptian-born radiologist initially suspected of having terrorist ties
in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001 and later cleared was awarded $2.45 million
yesterday by a federal jury that decided his right to privacy was
violated.
Dr. Basem Moustafa Hussein, 40, won the award from his former landlord in
Neshannock Township outside New Castle, where he was living in
2001.
The jury said his building manager at The Meadows Apartments, Sherri Lynn
Wilson, was liable along with her company for violating his privacy when
she walked into his unit on Sept. 11 and saw, among other items, a
compact disc jacket that showed a jetliner flying through two buildings
next to a fireball.
Wilson called state police, leading to a federal investigation that ended
a few days later when the FBI concluded Hussein had nothing to do with
terrorism.
The disc jacket turned out to be part of a flight simulator computer
game, as was a flight manual Wilson saw next to it.
Hussein filed suit later that year, saying he had endured repeated
questioning from agents, lost his job in New Mexico, was evicted from his
apartment and had his name mentioned as a potential terrorist in news
reports. He said Egyptian police also ransacked his parent's apartment in
Egypt at the request of U.S. authorities and caused $200,000 in damage.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
AG PROBING RACE
ROLE IN ATTACKS VS. SOMALIS -
TOP
Maggie Mulvihill, Boston Herald, 9/22/05
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=103685
Attorney General Tom Reilly's office is probing allegations that a Somali
family was the target of vicious racist attacks by Winthrop High School
students.
And yesterday, the family of Mohamed Mohamed, 16, lodged two additional
complaints of harassment at their home with Winthrop police, said a law
enforcement source with knowledge of the probe.
The attorney general's Civil Rights Division became involved after a
Herald report last week detailing the family's allegations of beatings
and rock-throwing by high school students targeting them, officials
said.
Mohamed and his six siblings, who fled for Boston with their parents from
war-torn Somalia, moved to Winthrop last year because they feared the
violence in Roxbury, Mohamed said.
At least one juvenile has been arrested in connection with the alleged
attacks and police are regularly patroling the area around the family's
Winthrop home.
The attacks began at an outdoor basketball court shortly after the family
moved to Winthrop in August.
Mohamed said in early September, six white teens beat up his brother and
cousin in front of the family home and also threw a large rock at his
mother, Fatuma Abu, 42, as she stood on a second-floor porch.
Abu, who doesn't speak English, is limping as a result, he said.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN: OTTAWA FUNDRAISING DINNER A SUCCESS -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 21/09/05) - Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to God),
CAIR-CAN's Fifth Anniversary Fundraising Dinner in Ottawa raised $87,000
to continue supporting CAIR-CAN's work in media relations, human rights
and political advocacy. The Ottawa community generously donated $12, 000
more than the previous year.
Over 350 people attended the fundraiser to hear keynote speaker Maher
Arar, CAIR-CAN Chair Dr. Sheema Khan, and CAIR-CAN Executive Director
Riad Saloojee. The audience was also treated to the hilarious comedy of
Azhar Usman, a Muslim lawyer-turned-comedian.
"CAIR-CAN would like to thank Ottawa Muslims for their overwhelming
generosity and support," stated Omaima Faris, CAIR-CAN's Community
Relations Director.
-----
CALIFORNIA MUSLIMS TO
HOLD BENEFIT FOR KATRINA VICTIMS -
TOP
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA (SEPTEMBER 22, 2005) - The Southern California Muslim
community will be coming together for an emergency benefit dinner for the
victims of Hurricane Katrina. Funds at the event will be collected by
Islamic Relief.
WHAT: Benefit Dinner for victims of Hurricane Katrina
WHEN: Sunday, September 25, 2005 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel, 11767 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA
92840
Media Contact: Abdulghafoor Mahboob, Islamic Relief, at
events@irw.org
(818) 238-9520 office
(818) 632-3485 mobile
(818) 238-9521 fax
-----
MUSLIM STUDENTS FIND
PLACES FOR PRAYER ON CAMPUS -
TOP
Cameron Duncan, South End. 9/22/05
http://www.southend.wayne.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1622
At some point during the day, a student may kneel on a platform, facing
the wall, in the corner of the David Adamany Undergraduate Library, or in
front of a wall or at the end of a hallway in one of the school's
buildings.
If you saw a student doing this around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, he or she
performed Salat, or prayer, in the direction of Qibla, the First House of
God.
Muslim rules for prayer involve praying towards Qibla, or Mecca, without
praying physically in front of an object. Otherwise, it could be
construed as praying to an object instead of praying to Mecca. So,
Muslims will bow in front of a bare wall - that way, no objects or people
are in front of them during Salat.
The Quran allows prayer at any time during the day except sunrise. This
would constitute praying to an object, the sun, so the first prayer, Fajr
(fa-zhr), is done before the sunrise.
Muslims at Wayne State University often pray on the raised platform
located near the door of the Bernath Auditorium in the undergraduate
library. Muslims can pray anywhere that has no distractions in front of
them.
A common misconception is that Muslims kiss the ground during prayer.
Muslims kneel and place their head and palms on the ground during two of
the nine postures instructed during prayer, but at no time are they
instructed to kiss the ground.
Muslim students may be seen praying more frequently around campus during
the fasting holiday Ramadan, which will begin on Oct. 4 and end on Nov.
2. Muslims should pray every day regardless of a religious holiday, but
more Muslims are apt to pray during this holy time than during the rest
of the year.
Southeast Michigan has roughly a quarter-million residents of Arab
descent, making it the second largest Arabic community in the world
outside of the Middle East. The largest is Paris.
Thank you to the Muslim students who contributed to this article and
enlightened this non-Muslim reporter.
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM STUDENTS FIND A HOME AT
CATHOLIC COLLEGES -
TOP
John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 9/23/05
http://www.gonzagabulletin.com/media/paper375/news/2005/09/23/ReligionFaith/Muslim.Students.Find.A.Home.At.Catholic.Colleges-996336.shtml
Mohammed Ahmed and Abrar Anwar draw curtains to cover the wooden altar,
the pulpit and stained-glass images of St. Benedict and Jesus carrying
the cross. Faruk Rahmanovic helps them move plastic chairs to the sides
of the room and unroll colorful prayer rugs stashed in a
cabinet.
Minutes later, about 50 young men and women drop their backpacks near the
bookcase full of hymnals, slip off their sneakers and flip-flops and
kneel on the rugs. Bader Almoshelli, a sophomore wearing wire-rim glasses
and a blue-striped Polo shirt, stands before them to lead Friday prayers
that, in part, beseech Allah to help them through exams.
At most Catholic universities, this would be an unusual sight, but it's
an everyday occurrence in the student center chapel at Benedictine
University in west suburban Lisle, Ill. The school's location,
science-heavy curriculum and moral foundation have attracted one of the
largest Muslim student bodies of any Catholic university in the
nation.
"It's definitely ironic," Almoshelli, 19, of Woodridge, Ill.,
said later, with a laugh. "Muslim prayers in a Christian chapel. I
guess it's something you wouldn't have expected 50 years ago. It's
definitely a sign of the bridging of East and West."
In a survey of 250 of this year's freshman class at Benedictine, 13.5
percent of the students identified themselves as Muslim - almost 17 times
the national average at Catholic universities and colleges nationwide.
The 118-year-old college, which has about 3,000 students, has conducted
the survey since 1999, when just 6 percent of the freshmen identified
themselves as Muslim.
"The campus is beautiful. It's very attractive. It has natural
beauty," said Inamul Haq, who has taught an introductory course on
Islam at the university for the past decade. "The people are very
nice and the school is Catholic, but it's very, very accommodating and
open-minded. Muslim kids feel very much at home over
there."
Muslim students say they appreciate the steps Benedictine has taken to
make them feel more comfortable, including the use of the chapel at
prayer time. An Arabic language class started last year, and the Muslim
Students Association is among the most active clubs on campus.
(MORE)
---
BAPTIST CHURCH HELPS
MUSLIM FAMILY REBOUND FROM KATRINA -
TOP
Volunteer TV, 9/22/05
http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3885337
MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Muslim family who fled Hurricane Katrina in a raggedy
minivan is starting a new life in Memphis with help from a Baptist church
and an engineering firm.
Rula Husain, her husband, Amin Askar, and their five boys ages two to 14,
lost their business, their home and their possessions in the
storm.
The family fled Metairie, Louisiana, on the Sunday before Katrina struck.
Rula loaded the boys into the minivan and drove north 25 miles to her
husband's convenience store. She intended to go back home and pack some
bags, but all traffic was heading north by that time.
The family went, too, with no known destination, finding shelters full in
Louisiana and Mississippi.
When they drove into Memphis, Amin says his wife spotted the three large
crosses at Bellevue Baptist Church and told him, "Those people will
help us." (MORE)
-----
JDL MEMBER SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN
POST-9-11 TERRORIST PLOT -
TOP
Matt Krasnowski, Copley News Service, 9/24/05
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1743561.html
A Jewish Defense League member who admitted plotting to bomb a Culver
City mosque and a San Diego County congressman's office in 2001 was
sentenced Thursday to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald S.W. Lew imposed the maximum sentence
allowable for Earl Krugel, telling the 62-year-old Reseda resident that
his crimes were intended to promote "hatred in the most vile
way."
"This is just not acceptable in the United States," Lew
added.
Krugel pleaded guilty in 2003 to a count of conspiracy to commit hate
crimes and a count of using a destructive device to commit a federal
felony in connection with a plot to bomb the King Fahad Mosque in Culver
City and a field office of U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista.
Prosecutors said that during secretly recorded conversations, Krugel said
the bombings were needed to respond to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks in New York and Washington. Court documents quoted Krugel as
saying that Arabs needed a "wake-up call."
Krugel allegedly recruited a Los Angeles-area man named Danny Gillis to
join the militant Jewish group and later to participate in bomb schemes.
Gillis later contacted the FBI and became an informant.
Former JDL leader Irv Rubin also was charged in the alleged plot with
Krugel in December 2001. But just weeks before the case was to go to
trial in 2002, Rubin died from injuries in what officials called a
jailhouse suicide.
When he pleaded guilty, Krugel implicated Rubin in the plot.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
RADICAL GETS 20
YEARS IN MOSQUE BOMB PLOT -
TOP
David Rosenzweig, Los Angeles Times, 9/22/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-092205terror_lat,0,832471.story
A Jewish radical who confessed to a plot to bomb a Los Angeles mosque and
a congressman's office was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison
this morning.
Earl Krugel, a 63-year-old dental assistant from Reseda, apologized for
his actions, telling the court that they were "dangerous, wrong and
illegal, and for that I am sorry."
But U.S. District Judge Ronald S. W. Lew said he did not buy the argument
that Krugel had changed since his arrest in December 2001. He sentenced
Krugel to the maximum term.
Krugel was convicted of planning to bomb the King Fahd Mosque in Culver
City and a field office of Rep. Darrell E. Issa (R-Vista), who is of
Lebanese descent. A codefendant, Irv Rubin, committed suicide while
awaiting trial.
In federal court in Los Angeles, lawyers for both sides debated whether
Krugel had lived up to the terms of a plea agreement in which he promised
to cooperate with the FBI.
Defense attorney Jay Lichtman disclosed that Krugel had provided federal
authorities with the names of four people whom Rubin, the late Jewish
Defense League leader, had mentioned as suspects in the 1985 slaying of
Alex Odeh, head of the American Arab Antidiscrimination
Committee.
Odeh was fatally injured by a bomb that exploded when he opened the door
to the committee's headquarters in Santa Ana. The 20-year-old killing
remains unsolved. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/25/05
*
Hadith:
Speak the Truth, Fulfill
Trusts, Be a Good Neighbor
*
CAIR-DC:
Seyyed Hossein Nasr Press Club
Lecture Sept. 29
-
CAIR-CT:
Understanding Islam (Hartford
Courant)
-
CAIR-LA:
Muslims Sue, Alleging
Discrimination (LA Times)
-
CAIR-OH: 'My Name is Bilal' Embraces
Religion
*
NE:
Muslim Employees at
Tyson Halt Strike Over Prayers (AP)
*
Oct. 4 Marks
Start of Major Holidays
for Jews, Muslims
-
Baptists Open Up to Muslim Evacuees (Waco
Trib)
*
CT:
Agents Raid
Muslim Campground for Seeds (Hartford Courant)
*
Gov. Romney Invited to Visit a Utah
Mosque (Salt Lake Trib)
*
Hijab Can Unfairly Add to
Job Interview Stress (Wash Post)
*
U.S. Soldiers
Make Abuse Claims in
Iraq, Afghanistan (Reuters)
-
Firsthand Accounts of
Torture (Human Rights Watch)
*
Gitmo Inmate Says US told Him to
Spy on Al-Jazeera (Guardian)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: SPEAK THE TRUTH,
FULFILL TRUSTS, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone is pleased
to love God and His Messenger or to have God and His Messenger love him,
he should speak the truth when he says anything, fulfill his trust when
he is put in a position of authority and be a good
neighbor."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1289
A man once asked the Prophet: "How can I know when I do well and
when I do ill?" The Prophet replied: "When you hear your
neighbors say you have done well, you have done well; and when you hear
them say you have done ill, you have done ill."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1288
-----
CAIR-DC: SEYYED HOSSEIN NASR LECTURE SEPT. 29 -
TOP
Agence France-Presse, Washington Daybook
SPONSOR: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
TOPIC/SUBJECT: Lecture by Seyyed Hossein Nasr titled, "Shias,
Sunnis, and the Future of U.S. Relations with the Muslim
World."
DATE: September 29, 2005, 9 a.m.
LOCATION: National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, First Amendment Room,
Washington, D.C.
CONTACT:
mnimer@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CT: UNDERSTANDING ISLAM -
TOP
Badr Malik, Hartford Courant, 9/25/05
http://www.courant.com/news/local/northeast/hc-letters0925.artsep25,0,943088.story
[Badr Malik is director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
Connecticut Chapter.]
On behalf of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, Connecticut Chapter, we would like to commend Ms. Laila Kain
on her insightful piece "Our Turn" on the lives of five Muslim
women in Connecticut [Sept. 18].
With the current frenzy of terrorism and growing security issues, it was
quite refreshing to see a piece focused simply on the day to day lives of
Muslim women and their families. Not only does this open up a more
practical way to educate individuals about Islam, but in turn, allows
people to relate to Muslims on issues that are central to the lives of
all Americans: family, work and school.
In addition, it was nice to hear the stories from the women themselves,
who offered different, but equally important views on common
misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. Their individual formulas for
incorporating and adapting Islam to the new generation of American
Muslims is a struggle that can be shared by all Americans who immigrated
to the United States decades ago. We express our sincerest gratitude to
you for taking your time to give members of our Connecticut Muslim
community a chance to shed light on the growing generalizations that have
been overshadowing the positive contributions Muslims have to
offer.
---
CAIR-LA: MUSLIMS SUE, ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION -
TOP
David Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9/24/05
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-suit24sep24,1,1410694.story
Seven Muslim families filed a lawsuit Friday alleging religious and
housing discrimination at an Anaheim apartment complex.
The suit alleges that the owner and the manager of Chaumont Villas
refused to make repairs to apartments, don't allow Muslim children to
play in public areas and have harassed Muslim families because of their
faith.
The suit was announced at a news conference in front of the complex at
1600 W. Broadway, attended by several tenants and representatives of the
Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
(MORE)
---
CAIR-OH: 'MY NAME IS BILAL' EMBRACES RELIGION -
TOP
Kim Hone-McMahan, Beacon Journal, 9/25/05
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/12730712.htm
Bilal hid behind a tree and watched as a bully tugged on his sister's
head scarf. He wished more than ever that his family still lived in
Chicago. At his old school, there were lots of Muslim students. At this
new place, there seemed to be none.
My Name is Bilal (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95) is a tale about a boy who
wants to fit in so badly he hides his heritage.
"Al is my middle name," he stammers, correcting a teacher's
pronunciation. "My first name is Bill."
After class, the teacher, who is also Muslim, gives the boy a book about
Bilal Ibn Rabah, the first person to give the Muslim call to
prayer.
The tale inspires the boy and the next time a bully teases his sister,
Bilal has enough courage to rush to her side. He tells Scott that his
name is Bilal and that he and his family are Muslims. And rather than
hold a grudge, he invites Scott to play basketball.
When the game is over, one of the older boys walks off the court. When
Bilal inquires where he is going, a teammate said, "He's Muslim. He
always prays in the afternoon."
The world doesn't seem so big after all.
Author Asma Mobin-Uddin is a pediatrician who lives in Columbus. She has
served on the executive committee of her Islamic Center and as a vice
president of the Ohio chapter of a national Muslim advocacy
organization.
[NOTE: Dr. Mobin-Uddin is vice president of CAIR-OH.]
-----
NE: MUSLIM EMPLOYEES AT TYSON
HALT STRIKE PENDING TALKS OVER PRAYING -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/25/05
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2005/09/25/news/nebraska/aca013e73502530e86257087000e5302.txt
NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) -- Muslim employees at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in
Norfolk have agreed not to strike pending negotiations of alleged
religious discrimination by management.
The meeting between both sides on Friday was productive, said Fardusa
Council, a negotiator for the Muslim employees. All Muslim employees had
planed to strike if a resolution was not reached, but that is being put
on hold as the two sides work together, she said.
The employees are alleging that they are being denied the right to pray
-- something that they say was previously approved by Tyson officials,
said Ahmed Hashi, a spokesman for the Muslim population in
Norfolk.
Council said Tyson officials were open-minded and committed to reaching
an agreement.
"I've got a good feeling that we'll reach an amicable
agreement," Council said.
Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said the company was likewise encouraged
by the meeting.
"It was an opportunity for us to listen to their concerns and an
opportunity for us to share our position," said Mickelson, a
spokesman at the company's headquarters in Dakota Dunes, S.D.
The situation began to come to a head last Friday when 10 Muslim
employees walked off of the job. Subsequently, the 10 individuals were
counseled for violation of Tyson's policies and the union's labor
agreement with the company. (MORE)
-----
OCT. 4 MARKS START OF
MAJOR HOLIDAYS FOR JEWS, MUSLIMS -
TOP
LEILA PITCHFORD-ENGLISH, Advocate, 9/24/05
http://2theadvocate.com/stories/092405/rel_facets001.shtml
The main holidays for two religions begin Oct. 4: Islam's Ramadan and
Judaism's Rosh Hashanna.
While both religions use a lunar calendar, Rosh Hashana stays in
September or October based on the Gregorian calendar, whereas Ramadan
begins 11 days earlier each year so it can happen in any season.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BAPTISTS OPEN UP SPACE TO MUSLIM EVACUEES
-
TOP
Terri Jo Ryan, Tribune-Herald, 9/24/05
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/09/24/20050924wacstormmuslims.html
Hurricane Rita created a divine opportunity for a local mosque and a
Baptist church to put the religious edict of "love your
neighbor" into practice this weekend.
When the Islamic Center of Waco started to run out of room for Muslim
evacuees from the Texas Coast who needed refuge from the storm, mosque
president Al Siddiq called his neighbor, the church next door, for
help.
Deacon Norman Gowens of Waco's Primitive Baptist Church said Siddiq
reported he was being overrun with evacuees and needed room to spread
out.
"I opened it up and put on the air-conditioning for them,"
Gowens said of his church. "We were glad to do it."
Siddiq added: "He didn't hesitate a bit. It was very nice of
him." (MORE)
-----
CT: AGENTS RAID MUSLIM
CAMPGROUND -
TOP
GARY LIBOW, Hartford Courant, 9/24/05
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-atfbust0924.artsep24,0,6228352.story
EAST HADDAM -- Federal agents raided a Muslim campground in Moodus Friday
morning, seizing specimens and seeds from what they believe is datashak,
a plant native to India.
Members of the FBI and U.S. Department of Agriculture said in documents
that they also seized 19 computer discs and an assortment of documents
from the 18-acre Town Street property, owned by Darul Uloom Shady Brook
Inc.
Property caretaker Mojibur Rahman said that he was awakened about 9 a.m.
by banging. It was agents, who demanded all datashak seeds on the
property, he said.
A short time after the raid, a shaken Rahman walked over to a large
garden of lush, viny datashak, also known as amaranth, and other
vegetables.
Rahman, who is from Bangladesh, said he was perplexed as to why seeds and
specimens of a plant eaten by Muslims at the property was
confiscated.
Rahman, noting that he cooked at a recent summer camp attended by 20-plus
Muslim youths, said many enjoy eating datashak leaves, which he likened
to spinach. It takes him about 20 minutes to cook datashak leaves in hot
oil with onions and garlic.
Rahman said the agents told him they would return in about a week after
the seeds and plants were tested.
Documents that the agents left with Rahman for the property owners said
the focus of the search was any and all seeds, plants - whether growing
or harvested - of datashak. The warrant was signed by U.S. Magistrate
Donna F. Martinez. (MORE)
-----
VISIT A MOSQUE -
TOP
Salt Lake Tribune, 9/24/05
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3059471
Mitt Romney alleged (Tribune, Sept. 16) that Muslims in the United States
are being taught "a doctrine of hate and terror in the Muslim places
of worship." He continued on by encouraging FBI and local police to
wiretap and monitor activities at such places.
We cordially invite Mr. Romney to visit our places of worship whenever he
happens to visit Utah. We do not teach a doctrine of hate and terror in
our mosques. We teach Islam (which means peace) and Islamic conduct,
which includes, but is not limited to, respecting the law and living
harmoniously with the neighbors. Mr. Romney should not advocate wasting
our precious tax dollars on a witch hunt.
Muslims in the United States are average Americans, working hard to make
ends meet for our families while abiding by the laws of the country. We
worship one God, the God of Abraham.
Incidentally, Utah's Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Attorney General Mark
Shurtleff and a few other elected officials have visited our mosques
recently. We invite all Utahns to come and join us in our congregational
prayers every Friday at 1:30 p.m., or come to visit with us at any
convenient time. Come feel our sincere welcome.
Maung Maung
General Secretary
Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake
Centerville
-----
EXTERNAL SYMBOLS OF FAITH CAN
UNFAIRLY ADD TO INTERVIEW STRESS -
TOP
Amy Joyce, Washington Post, 9/25/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/23/AR2005092300824.html
Job interviews are full of stress. We worry about what to wear, whether
to carry a briefcase, how to get there, and whether our sweaty palms will
be that noticeable when we shake hands with our interviewer.
And some worry their traditional day-to-day appearance will cost them a
job offer.
I recently received an e-mail from a woman in the D.C. area who has been
looking to change jobs within the nonprofit, international-development
sector. The issue? She is a Muslim woman who chooses to wear a head
scarf. "While I may wear this external symbol of faith, I consider
my faith intensely private and will never discuss it unless someone asks
me something," she wrote. "When I walk into interviews, I find
that literally interviewers' jaws drop. They are excited on the phone,
but in person they lose the energy."
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that she was born and
raised in this country (not that this should matter) and is well
educated, with a master's degree in public policy. She has had a solid
six years of work in international development.
After feeling as if she were shocking her interviewers, she said she
considered sending a small, post-interview e-mail, explaining that she is
Muslim woman, that she hopes no one was taken aback by her manner of
dress and that her faith has nothing to do with how well she works or
what level of commitment she brings to a job.
"It is sad that I even have to go this route, but a number of my
friends have been told that the headscarf has affected the potential
employers' image of them," she said. (MORE)
-----
U.S. ARMY SOLDIERS
MAKE ABUSE CLAIMS IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN - TOP
Will Dunham, Reuters, 9/23/5
WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - A U.S. Army captain and two sergeants
recounted in a Human Rights Watch report on Friday how Iraqi inmates near
Falluja were beaten with a baseball bat, stacked clothed in pyramids,
deprived of food and water and put in painful positions until they
fainted.
The abuse often occurred under orders or with the consent of superior
officers, said the captain, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also described U.S. forces abusing prisoners in Afghanistan, including
sleep deprivation.
The captain said he sought for 17 months to raise concerns about detainee
abuse through his military chain of command and to receive clearer
guidance on treatment of detainees. He said superiors told him to look
the other way and that his efforts could damage his career.
The three, not identified by name in the report or by the Army, said
soldiers in the 82nd Airborne Division at a forward operating base near
Falluja carried out the prisoner abuse. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS OF TORTURE
OF IRAQI DETAINEES BY THE U.S. ARMY'S 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION -
TOP
http://hrw.org/reports/2005/us0905/
-----
GUANTÁNAMO INMATE SAYS US TOLD HIM
TO SPY ON AL-JAZEERA -
TOP
Vikram Dodd, The Guardian, 9/26/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1578134,00.html
The US military told an al-Jazeera cameraman being held at Guantánamo Bay
that he would be released as long as he agreed to spy on journalists at
the Arabic news channel, according to documents seen by the
Guardian.
The journalist has been in the prison without charge for three-and-a-half
years after being accused by the US of being a terrorist, allegations he
denies. He claims that he has been interrogated more than 100 times but
not asked about alleged terrorist offences. Instead, Sami Muhyideen
al-Hajj says US military personnel have alleged during interrogation that
al-Jazeera has been infiltrated by al-Qaida and that one of its
presenters is linked to Islamists. (MORE)
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR ASKS STATES TO CHECK DATABASES FOR MUSLIM
PROFILING
NJ counter-terror agents reportedly target suspects for
practicing Islam
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/26/2005) - A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today urged state law enforcement agencies
nationwide to check suspect databases to make sure they are not being
used to profile Muslims.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) made
that request following reports that agents of the New Jersey Office of
Counter-Terrorism have been barred from filing reports to the State
Police database after the discovery of more than 100 entries that seemed
to target suspects only because they practiced Islam or were active in
the Muslim community.
SEE: "State Police Cite Muslim Profiling"
http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/1127710390243320.xml
"Disturbing reports of this kind will only serve to confirm the
worst fears of American Muslims about being singled out based solely on
their faith," said CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar.
"Profiling is never an effective law enforcement technique and does
a disservice to our nation's long tradition of equality before the
law."
Iftikhar called for a thorough investigation of the New Jersey database
and for similar probes nationwide.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-488-8787 or 202-415-0799, E-Mail:
arsalan@cair-net.org; Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called
CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/27/05
*
Hadith:
The Superiority of the
Scholars
*
CAIR-OH:
Community Cookout
Draws 200
-
CAIR-OH:
Muslims
Offer Free Hot Meals
-
CAIR-TX Youth Leadership
Workshop
-
CAIR-CAN:
'Measuring Security
Measures'
*
U.S.
Troops Use Photos of Iraqi Corpses to Access Porn
*
Vatican Asks
RI Prof to Improve
Muslim-Christian Relations
*
NJ:
Gov Demands
Rules to Avoid Muslim Profiling (Star-Ledger)
-
CT:
Muslim
Campground Raided, But Why? (Courant)
*
FEMA to Reimburse Faith Groups for Aid (Wash
Post)
*
New Film:
'Looking for Comedy in the
Muslim World'
*
TX:
Construction of Mosque Offers
Chance for Discussions
-
Book:
Arab Voices Speak to American
Hearts
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: THE SUPERIORITY OF THE
SCHOLARS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The superiority of
the scholars over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when
it is full, over the rest of the stars. The scholars are the heirs of the
Prophets, and the Prophets leave (no monetary inheritance), only
knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion."
Sunan of Abu Dawood, Hadith 1631
------
CAIR-CINCINNATI
COMMUNITY COOKOUT DRAWS 200 -
TOP
(CINCINNATI, OH, 9/27/05) - Some 200 people turned out on Sunday for a
community cookout sponsored by the Cincinnati chapter of CAIR'S Ohio
office. Students from a local Catholic boys high school attended the
event in an effort to get to know the local Muslim community. There were
games and prizes for the children and a visit from a park
ranger.
CONTACT: Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-mail:
karen@cair-ohio.com; Brent
Meyer, 513-276-1600, E-mail:
meyer_brent@hotmail.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-OH: MUSLIMS
OFFER FREE HOT MEALS -
TOP
Enquirer, 9/26/05
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050926/NEWS01/509260344/1077
The Cincinnati office of the Council of American-Islamic Relations-Ohio
and Malik Islamic Center will mark the Muslim fast of Ramadan by
providing hot meals to people in Over-the-Rhine. The Feed the Hungry
Program dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Malik Islamic Center,
1432 Elm St. Ramadan is a month on the Islamic lunar calendar during
which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from
dawn until sunset. Ramadan is scheduled to begin on or about Oct. 5,
depending on the sighting of the new moon.
---
CAIR-SAN ANTONIO YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
-
TOP
(SAN ANTONIO, TX, 9/27/05) - CAIR-San Antonio (CAIR-SA) recently
conducted a "Youth Leadership Workshop" for the Muslim Youth
attended by 25 young adults and 12 parents.
The workshop focused on the qualities necessary for leadership, using the
example of the Prophet Muhammad. Certificates will be mailed to the
attendees. CAIR-SA has received calls requesting similar programs for
Muslim youth in other communities.
CONTACT: Sarwat Husain, CAIR-SA, 210-378-9528, E-Mail:
sanantonio@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR-CAN: 'MEASURING SECURITY MEASURES' -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA, 9/27/05) - CAIR-CAN's Executive Director Riad Saloojee
will participate in a panel discussion, called "Measuring Security
Measures," on October 19, 2005 at 7 p.m. at the Library and Archives
Canada, 395 Wellington St., Ottawa. The panel will also feature Sophie
Harkat (an activist whose husband, Mohamed Harkat, is being imprisoned
under a security certificate), lawyer Paul Copeland and documentary
film-maker Alexandre Trudeau. For more information, or to learn when a
similar panel discussion will occur in your city, please see:
http://citizen.nfb.ca/msm/
-----
U.S.
TROOPS USE PHOTOS OF IRAQI CORPSES TO ACCESS PORN -
TOP
CAIR calls for Pentagon probe, says practice may violate
international law
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/27/2005) - A prominent national
Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on the Pentagon to
probe allegations that American troops in Iraq are using photographs of
Iraqi corpses as "currency" to gain access to Internet
pornography.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the grisly
practice, which the Washington-based group says may violate international
laws of war, came to light in recent media reports.
According to California's East Bay Express: "The captions that
accompany these images, which were apparently written by the soldiers who
posted them, laugh and gloat over the bodies. . .One soldier posted three
photographs of corpses lying in the street and titled his collection
"DIE HAJI DIE." The soldiers take pride, even joy, in
displaying the dead."
SEE: "War Pornography"
http://eastbayexpress.com/Issues/2005-09-21/news/news.html
"This disgusting trade in human misery is an insult to all those who
have served in our nation's military," said CAIR Legal Director
Arsalan Iftikhar in a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Iftikhar told Rumsfeld the Pentagon should "investigate this
troubling phenomenon and do whatever is necessary to bring it to an
end."
According to the Geneva Conventions: "The remains of persons who
have died for reasons related to occupation or in detention resulting
from occupation or hostilities and those of persons not nationals of the
country in which they have died as a result of hostilities shall be
respected."
SEE:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/93.htm
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-488-8787 or 202-415-0799, E-Mail:
arsalan@cair-net.org; Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah
Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
-----
ON A MISSION FOR
BETTER TIES WITH MUSLIMS -
TOP
RICHARD C. DUJARDIN, Providence Journal, 9/27/05
http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050927_keating27.cdafb91.html
A professor at Providence College known for her expertise in Islam has
been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical Commission for
Religious Relations with Muslims.
Sandra Keating said she learned of her surprise appointment the other day
from Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, head of the Pontifical Council for
Inter-Religious Relations, in a letter that came through the papal
nuncio.
As one of only two appointees from the United States, Keating will be
part of a six-member commission that includes members from Spain, Italy,
Australia and India.
Keating, who did not apply for the post, suspects that her appointment
may have been prompted in part by the role she played last year, when one
of the participants in a Catholic-Muslim dialogue in Rome couldn't get
his visa, and she was asked to take his place while she and her husband
were on sabbatical there.
That dialogue focused on human rights in the context of Islam and
Christianity, and how the two religions saw their relationship to
government.
"The topics that came up very quickly were women's rights and
minority rights in a country where the population is Muslim,"
Keating said. (MORE)
-----
CODEY
DEMANDS RULES FOR PROBES TO AVOID PROFILING -
TOP
ROBERT SCHWANEBERG AND RUSSELL BEN-ALI, Star-Ledger, 9/27/05
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1127797190116080.xml&coll=1
Acting Gov. Richard Codey yesterday gave state officials three weeks to
come up with standards for identifying potential terrorists, to dispel
fears that the label is being applied to people simply because they are
Muslim.
Codey made the demand in response to revelations in yesterday's
Star-Ledger that State Police are refusing to accept computerized reports
filed by the New Jersey Office of Counter-Terrorism after finding
numerous entries targeting people merely because they practice Islam or
have connections to Muslim groups.
Islamic civil rights groups quickly voiced their concern, with one
calling for a nationwide review of terrorist databases to ensure they do
not single out Muslims.
State counter-terrorism officials contend the problem is not religious
profiling, but that some reports were filled out incompletely. Codey,
calling the feud a "turf battle," said the Attorney General's
Office, State Police and counter-terrorism officials "have all
assured me that profiling is not going on."
When asked whether he is comfortable with the standards for entering
names into the database, however, Codey replied, "No, I'm not."
He said that is why he requested a report on the criteria for labeling
someone a potential terrorist.
Investigators in the Office of Counter-Terrorism are not allowed to file
data into a system used as a crime-fighting tool by state, county and
local law enforcement officials until Attorney General Peter Harvey
finishes his review of the reports. Two weeks ago, the dispute became so
heated that Harvey, Counter-Terrorism Director Sydney Caspersen and State
Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes were summoned to the governor's office
to broker a peace.
Sen. John Adler (D-Camden), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary
Committee, which held extensive hearings on the racial profiling of
blacks and Hispanics, said he plans to question Harvey and Caspersen.
Adler said he wants to make sure they are protecting both public safety
and individual rights.
Muslim groups voiced long-standing fears of unequal treatment.
"I think a lot of us have realized for a while that we're under
surveillance and that's just the way it is and nobody's going to do
anything about it," said Yasser El-Menshawy, chairman of the Majlis
Ash-Shura of New Jersey, a council of mosques and Islamic organizations
based in Newark.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group based in
Washington, D.C., called for law enforcement agencies nationwide to
examine their terrorist databases and ensure they are not being used to
profile Muslims.
"Disturbing reports of this kind will only serve to confirm the
worst fears of American Muslims about being singled out solely because of
their faith," CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar said.
SEE ALSO:
MUSLIM CAMPGROUND
RAIDED, BUT WHY? -
TOP
GARY LIBOW, Hartford Courant, 9/27/05
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-datashak0927.artsep27,0,1947829.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
EAST HADDAM -- Around town - and as far away as Tennessee - people are
wondering why federal agents seized datashak plants and seeds and 19
computer discs from a Muslim campground in Moodus.
First Selectman Brad Parker said Friday's raid on the 18-acre Town Street
campground, owned by Darul Uloom Shady Brook Inc., has the town abuzz.
FBI agents and officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
conducted the raid.
"Out on the street, people don't think that [the federal government]
would go to that effort for a spinach plant," Parker said.
A Tennessee-based blog called "Ginny's Thoughts and Things"
also seeks answers about the East Haddam raid: "I'm totally confused
on this one. Could someone explain this to me?"
The federal Office of Inspector General declined to shed any light
Monday, citing an ongoing investigation. . .
Others theorized federal agents are using datashak as an excuse to
confiscate records and discs from the Muslim site. Darul Uloom is the
name of a seminary in Deoband, India, described as a cornerstone for
Islamic sciences. (MORE)
-----
FEMA PLANS TO REIMBURSE FAITH GROUPS FOR AID -
TOP
Alan Cooperman and Elizabeth Williamson, Washington Post, 9/27/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601799.html
After weeks of prodding by Republican lawmakers and the American Red
Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said yesterday that it
will use taxpayer money to reimburse churches and other religious
organizations that have opened their doors to provide shelter, food and
supplies to survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
FEMA officials said it would mark the first time that the government has
made large-scale payments to religious groups for helping to cope with a
domestic natural disaster.
"I believe it's appropriate for the federal government to assist the
faith community because of the scale and scope of the effort and how long
it's lasting," said Joe Becker, senior vice president for
preparedness and response with the Red Cross. (MORE)
-----
FUNNY CHOICES -
TOP
PATRICK GOLDSTEIN, Los Angeles Times, 9/27/05
http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/goldstein/cl-et-goldstein27sep27,2,2409059.story
IN the days after the calamitous 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, there
was a brief flurry of soul-searching in Hollywood, focusing in part on
how much of a role our movies played in stirring Muslim rage against
America. As innumerable cultural historians have discovered, many devout
Muslims are horrified by the sexual innuendo and crass materialism in
Hollywood films and music videos, not to mention Vanity Fair, whose
salacious cover spread this month of Paris Hilton pretty much says it all
when it comes to celebrating even the tawdriest members of our celebrity
culture.
Judging from the films in the multiplexes this summer, the soul-searching
in show business lasted about as long as Britney Spears' first marriage.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, an overwhelming
majority of respondents in Middle Eastern countries were opposed to the
spread of American ideas and customs. I seriously doubt that sitting
through a double-bill of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "Deuce
Bigalow: European Gigolo" will improve the polling
numbers.
But the real problem with Hollywood isn't simply its glorification of
sex, money and lame old TV shows. It's that our Ivy League-educated
studio elite often don't know the difference between crass and class.
How's this for an example: Sony Pictures, the studio that made
"European Gigolo," has refused to release "Looking for
Comedy in the Muslim World," an inspired new film by Albert Brooks
about a comedian -- Brooks, playing himself -- who is recruited by the
U.S. government to go to India and Pakistan to find out what makes
Muslims laugh.
The movie makes fun of comedians' neurotic neediness and State Department
ineffectuality, but seems to steer clear of anything that would insult
Muslims. Still, in a June 30 letter to Brooks, Sony chairman Michael
Lynton said that he wouldn't release the film unless Brooks changed the
title. Lynton wrote: "I do believe that recent incidents have
dramatically changed the landscape that we live in and that this, among
other things, warrants changing the title of the film." Sony
insiders say Lynton was alarmed by the violent reaction in the Muslim
world to Newsweek's May 9 story, since retracted, about a Koran being
flushed down the toilet by interrogators at the U.S. military prison at
Guantanamo Bay.
Brooks' movie, financed by producer Steve Bing, has now found a new home
at Warner Independent Pictures, which plans to release it early next
year. Warner Indy chief Mark Gill says he had no problems with the title.
"How often do you get a laugh simply from the title of a
movie?" Gill told me. "We saw the movie, and it was clear that
Albert makes fun of himself and America, not anybody else."
(MORE)
-----
LABOR OF LOVE -
TOP
John Gutierrez-Mier, Star-Telegram, 9/26/05
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/12744357.htm
FORT WORTH - A new mosque in Fort Worth will open Friday with a prayer
and dedication ceremony.
The mosque is larger than the one it will replace, and includes amenities
such as classrooms and meeting spaces.
Below, Abdur Abbasi stands in the mosque, which is on Diaz
Avenue.
The mosque with its large prayer hall will open Friday with a prayer and
dedication ceremony.
For almost two years, Ali Safi and a crew of construction workers have
labored to build the area's newest mosque.
During that time, Safi has answered many construction-related questions,
but he's also had the opportunity to share his faith and information
about the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, which is building the
mosque.
"A worker once came up to me and asked me what it was that we were
building," said Safi, a subcontractor who is helping build the
35,000-square-foot, two-story mosque, Masjid Al-Ibra-heemi, at 4901 Diaz
Ave. in southwest Fort Worth.
Safi said he explained his faith, and the worker walked away knowing more
about Islam.
Safi and the other construction workers are scrambling to complete the
$3.5 million project by Friday, when hundreds of people are expected to
gather for prayer and a dedication ceremony marking the official opening
of the mosque.
"I feel great about this building," said Abdur Abbasi, chairman
of the board of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, who has helped
oversee the project. "In a short period of time, the community has
come together. And now they'll be able to see where all of their
donations have gone."
The new mosque will replace a much smaller building that has served the
Fort Worth Muslim community since 1981.
The original building, which is a few blocks away from the new one,
lacked many amenities that will be available in the new mosque.
Besides a much larger prayer area, the mosque will include classrooms, a
nursery, meeting space, and separate, much larger washrooms for men and
women to clean their face, hands and feet before praying.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
READY FOR DIALOGUE -
TOP
Andrew Stelzer, In These Times, 9/23/05
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2306/
"I'm afraid that if I watch a lot of TV, I will start to hate myself
as an Arab, or as a Muslim or as a Palestinian," says Samar
Dahmash-Jarrah, "because there is nothing out there except bias and
stereotyping and hatred."
Jarrah, 42, is a long way from her year-and-a-half stint as a contributor
to CNN's "World Report" in the late '80s, when she was filing
three-minute spots every week from Jordan. Back then, she had hope that
the fledgling world news network could bridge gaps of understanding
between nations and cultures. Now, she's given up on the mainstream
press, and has decided to personally act as a medium for the two cultures
she calls home.
Since moving to the States more than a decade ago, Jarrah, a Kuwaiti-born
Palestinian-American, has taught classes on Islam, history, media and
international relations at the University of South Florida. "I ask
my students to read books by Arabs before they go and read books by
non-Arabs to explain the Arab mind," says Jarrah.
After 9/11, Jarrah found herself having to walk what she taught. She was
asked to speak to church and community groups in her Port Charlotte,
Fla., community. She earned praise and more invitations to speak with
each appearance, but she soon realized that having lived in Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan did not make her an expert on the
post-9/11 Arab world.
"For three-and-a-half years, all I did was answer questions on
behalf of Arabs and Muslims," she said. "Finally I said, 'maybe
it's about time that I let Arabs answer these questions that Americans
keep asking me.' "
Jarrah sent out emails to every American she knew, soliciting the
questions people wanted to ask an average Arab on the street,
consolidating them into 100 questions in 7 categories: religion, 9/11,
the war in Iraq, women's roles, Israel and Palestine, Arab and Muslim
society and U.S.-Middle East relations. (MORE)
-----
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To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
9/28/05
*
Hadith: A
Cure for Every Disease
*
CAIR-MD/VA:
FBI
Asked to Probe Mosque
Vandalism
-
CAIR-AZ
Fundraising Dinner a
Success
*
Army
Ends Probe on Porn Site Photos of Iraq Corpses (Reuters)
-
Army: No Felony in
Release of Corpse Pics (AP)
-
Army
Investigates Photos of Iraqi War Dead (NY Times)
-
US Probes Iraq Net Body
Pictures (AP)
-
Porn/War Site Draws Army's
Ire (The Ledger)
*
US Army
Could Find Itself Mired in Scandal Again (NY Times)
-
Army Interrogator
Pleads Guilty to Assault (AP)
*
NJ: Muslims Say
Police Target Them (The Record)
-
NY:
Police
Meet with Muslims About Ramadan Security
*
CAIR-FL:
October Brings Union of Faiths, Celebration (SP Times)
*
Indian
Americans: Activism for a Better India
*
Internships:
OIC Permanent Observer Mission to U.N.
-----
HADITH OF THE
DAY: A CURE FOR EVERY DISEASE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is a cure for
every disease. Whenever an illness is treated with its right remedy, it
will, with God's permission, be cured."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 5C
----
CAIR-MD/VA:
FBI ASKED TO PROBE MOSQUE VANDALISM AS HATE CRIME -
TOP
(BETHESDA, MD, 9/28/05) - The Maryland and Virginia office of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MD/VA) today called on the FBI to
investigate a recent vandalism at a Silver Spring, Maryland mosque as a
possible hate crime.
According to officials at the Muslim Community Center and media reports,
a vandal spray-painted a line through the word Muslim and painted a Star
of David on the outdoor sign of the mosque. A motorist passing by
witnessed the vandalism and reported it to the police.
SEE: Vandal Defaces Sign at Muslim Center
http://www.gazette.net/stories/092805/burtnew224120_31902.shtml
"Given recent incidents targeting Muslims across the country, we
urge local and national law enforcement authorities to seriously consider
the possible bias motive in this incident," said CAIR-MD/VA Director
of Civil Rights Shama Farooq.
Farooq added that earlier this month, CAIR called on local and national
law enforcement authorities to investigate possible bias motives for
recent vandalism at mosques in Nebraska, California, Michigan and New
York.
CAIR offers a "Muslim Community Safety Kit" containing advice
on improving mosque security such as installing exterior video cameras,
perimeter floodlights and burglar alarm systems. The safety kit may be
obtained free of charge by e-mailing pubs@cair-net.org. (Include name,
address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.) It may also be
ordered at:
https://www.cair-net.org/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1021
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
CONTACT: CONTACT: Shama Farooq, 301-986-1900, 301-343-2924, E-Mail:
shama@cairmd.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-AZ FUNDRAISING
DINNER A SUCCESS -
TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 9/28/05) The Arizona chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) announced that it raised $75,000 at
its annual banquet, which was attended by over 300 people.
CAIR National Board Vice-Chairman Ahmad Al-Akhras offered the keynote
address at the event and other speakers included Raeed Tayeh, a political
and media consultant from Washington, D.C., and Kamran Memon, a civil
rights attorney from Chicago.
Event highlights included an awards presentation that recognized service
to the community by Muslim leaders and youth. An Award of Heroism was
presented to Iesa Abuasida, son of Dawud Abusida, a Tucson civilian who
died while assisting a police officer on duty on August 10, 2005. A
representative from Governor Janet Napolitano s office also read aloud
the governor s proclamation that recognizes September 24 as CAIR-AZ
Day.
Banquet attendees also included interfaith leaders as well as a number of
local and state law enforcement authorities and elected officials,
including Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Detective Harry Sexton and Harry
Mitchell.
For more information, contact Deedra Abboud at 602-262-2247.
-----
U.S.
ARMY ENDS PROBE ON
PORN
SITE PHOTOS OF IRAQ CORPSES -
TOP
Will Dunham, Reuters, 9/28/05
WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army after a brief inquiry has
failed to determine whether U.S. soldiers provided grisly photos of
people killed in the Iraq war to a porn Web site in exchange for free
access to it, officials said on Wednesday
The numerous graphic pictures posted on the Web site showed men, with
their faces visible and wearing what looked like U.S. military uniforms,
standing over a charred corpse, mutilated dead bodies and severed body
parts.
The porn Web site states the photos were provided by troops in Iraq as
well as Afghanistan in order to get free access to its sexual images.
Many of the photos, still posted on the site, are accompanied by captions
making light of the corpses; for example one photo of a charred body was
dubbed "Cooked Iraqi."
The Army Criminal Investigation Command in Iraq conducted the preliminary
inquiry within the past week but closed it after concluding no felony
crime had been committed and failing to determine whether U.S. soldiers
were responsible for the photos and whether they showed actual war dead,
Army officials said.
Col. Joe Curtin, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon, said there currently
was no formal investigation into the matter.
"We're not blowing this off," Curtin said. "If the Army
thinks it's in its interest to investigate something, we will. There are
multiple challenges here. One is the anonymity of the sources, dates,
times, locations, units, anything that is reasonably identifiable that we
can work off of."
This controversy over the photographs involving U.S. military personnel
comes a year and a half after other pictures taken by U.S. soldiers
became public in April 2004 showing them abusing and sexually humiliating
Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib jail, a scandal that prompted
international condemnation of the United States.
'CURSORY INVESTIGATION'
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group Council on
American-Islamic Relations, which had called for an investigation into
the allegations of photos of corpses swapped for pornography, called the
probe insufficient.
"It's entirely inappropriate for the military to do such a cursory
investigation of something that is really casting a very negative light
on our nation's military and can only serve to further damage America's
image and interests throughout the Islamic world," said Ibrahim
Hooper, a spokesman for the group.
Hooper said the military must determine who was involved and whether the
conduct violated U.S. military law and international laws governing
conduct during wartime, including the Geneva Conventions.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ARMY: NO FELONY
IN RELEASE OF CORPSE PICS -
TOP
Robert Burns, Associated Press, 9/28/05
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5308659,00.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Army said Wednesday its investigators could
not confirm that grisly photographs of purported Iraqi war dead on an
Internet site were posted by U.S. soldiers, but the matter has stirred
concern at the Pentagon.
Paul Boyce, an Army spokesman, said the Army's Criminal Investigation
Division in recent days concluded from a preliminary inquiry that there
was insufficient evidence to pursue felony charges against
anyone.
While this may not rise to the level of a felony crime, it's still
serious, Boyce said.
A Washington-based Islamic civil rights group expressed disappointment in
the Army's decision not to file criminal charges.
Their conclusion would be entirely premature, said Ibrahim Hooper,
spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. For this to be
treated in a manner that suggests the Army does not take this seriously
is only going to further harm our nation's image and interests around the
world, particularly the Muslim world.
Boyce and other officials said that while no criminal investigation would
be pursued based on currently available evidence, it remained possible
that disciplinary action could be taken against individual soldiers if it
can be verified that they used government computers to transmit digital
photographs of Iraqi war dead. Such an act could be deemed a violation of
Article 134 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, which proscribes
behavior that undermines good order and discipline or brings discredit to
the military. (MORE)
---
ARMY
INVESTIGATES PHOTOS OF IRAQI WAR DEAD ON THE INTERNET -
TOP
Thom Shanker, New York Times, 9/28/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/28/international/middleeast/28site.html
WASHINGTON - The Army has opened an investigation into whether American
troops have sent gruesome photographs of Iraqi war dead to an Internet
site where the soldiers were given free access to online pornography,
Army officials said Tuesday.
Some photographs on the Internet site show people in American military
uniforms standing around what appear to be dead bodies. Other photos
include graphic images of severed body parts and what appear to be
internal organs spilling from bodies onto the ground.
The images are said to come from Afghanistan as well as Iraq. Their
authenticity has not been determined.
Paul Boyce, an Army spokesman, said that if soldiers had posted the
images, their actions could violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice,
which defines conduct unbecoming an officer or enlisted
soldier.
Another Pentagon official who reviewed the Web site said it raised
questions, as well, of whether the acts could be viewed as a violation of
the Geneva Conventions, which set standards for treatment of remains of
those killed in a combat zone.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based civil
rights and advocacy group, called for an investigation after details of
the photographs were described in news media and online
reports.
Arsalan Iftikhar, the group's legal director, asked Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld to ''investigate this troubling phenomenon and do
whatever is necessary to bring it to an end.''
On the Web site, the photographs are set aside from the pornographic
images that are its standard content. Those who provided the pictures
often included crude captions. But there is also some discussion about
the war, its purpose and conduct.
I think it's really a disturbing phenomenon to see that our military
personnel would be engaging in such inappropriate behavior, behavior that
brings dishonor to the military, Ibrahim Hooper, the spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a telephone
interview.
---
US PROBES IRAQ NET BODY
PICTURES -
TOP
BBC, 8/28/05
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4289518.stm
Allegations that US soldiers posted photographs of dead Iraqis on a
website in exchange for access to pornography are being investigated by
the Pentagon.
An army spokesman said the posting of such pictures by soldiers could be
a violation of the military code.
The authenticity of the pictures - some of which are also said to come
from Afghanistan - has not been determined.
The US military was hit by scandal in 2004 when photographs of US guards
abusing Iraqi prisoners emerged.
'Trade in misery'
The Council on American-Islamic Relations called for an investigation
after reports of the pornographic website showing pictures of corpses
emerged last week.
"This disgusting trade in human misery is an insult to all those who
have served in our nation's military," Arsalan Iftikhar, the group's
legal director wrote in a letter to Defence Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld.
A spokesman for Mr Rumsfeld said on Tuesday that the Pentagon had
recently become aware of the allegations and was looking into
them.
"Obviously it is an unacceptable practice," Bryan Whitman
said.
Pentagon officials have said the allegations also raise questions about
whether the postings could be viewed as violations of the Geneva
Conventions, the New York Times reports.
Protocol I of the international conventions says: "The remains of
persons who have died for reasons related to occupation or in detention
resulting from occupation or hostilities... shall be
respected."
The US, however, is not party to this protocol, which was added to the
conventions in 1977. (MORE)
---
PORN
/WAR
SITE DRAWS ARMY'S IRE -
TOP
Dana Willhoit, The Ledger, 9/28/05
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050928/NEWS/509280377/1134
LAKELAND -- The Web site address -- with a four-letter-word in the middle
of its domain name -- can't even be printed.
But it's emerging as a moral controversy of national and international
implications with a Lakeland man and the conduct of some U.S. military
personnel at its center.
It started about 18 months ago as an amateur pornography site, where
27-year-old Chris Wilson invited people to send in sexual pictures of
their wives and girlfriends.
But for the past seven or eight months, the site also has featured a
sizable section of gruesome pictures of dead bodies, supposedly sent in
by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bodies are represented as dead Iraqi or Afghan insurgents. The photos
show them slumped over car seats or sprawled on roadways, burned,
blackened or completely blown apart.
According to Wilson, soldiers overseas were trying to pay for access to
his site, but their credit cards were being rejected because they were
coming from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.
So he posted an offer on his Web site: If soldiers sent him a picture
that proved they were in the military and serving overseas, he would give
them free access to the paid section of the Web site.
"I figured this would be something I could do to give back to the
soldiers," Wilson said. "It's a little different, I
know."
Many of the photos simply depict life for soldiers in Iraq or
Afghanistan. There are pretty images of helicopters flying against the
evening sky. There are photos of students in school rooms. But other
pictures are gruesome, featuring mangled bodies, with biting comments
posted underneath.
For example, one picture shows the bloody, limbless and headless trunk of
a body, posted with the comment "Mess with the best, die with the
rest."
There appear to be dozens of the photos, at least.
News of the Web site, and its macabre bartering, has begun to spread
through media outlets, in some cases prompting outrage.
A writer for The Guardian newspaper of London, a widely read paper
identified with the political left in England, called Wilson's site
"the most horror-filled website I have ever seen."
But Wilson doesn't see anything wrong with the site, which is hosted
through a service in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Wilson lives in an
apartment on Edgewood Drive.
Wilson declined to say whether his site makes a profit, but he did say he
runs it full time and has no other job.
Most of the comments he receives from people who visit the site are
positive, he said. But he said he also receives several death threats a
day.
"I really don't get it," he said, "If they don't like it,
no one's forcing them to look at it."
He added, "I think it shows people the reality of war. It's direct
from the soldier to the Web site. There's no filter."
But that's a problem for U.S. Army officials, who Tuesday said they are
investigating the conduct of soldiers who have posted photos on the site.
An Islamic civil rights group said it wrote to Defense Secretary Donald
H. Rumsfeld objecting to the practice, which it said may violate
international laws of war and urging the Pentagon to bring it to an
end.
-----
THE US
ARMY COULD FIND ITSELF MIRED IN SCANDAL AGAIN -
TOP
Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 9/28/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/28/international/middleeast/28abuse.html
WASHINGTON - An Army captain who reported new allegations of detainee
abuse in Iraq said Tuesday that Army investigators seemed more concerned
about tracking down young soldiers who reported misconduct than in
following up the accusations and investigating whether higher-ranking
officers knew of the abuses.
The officer, Capt. Ian Fishback, said investigators from the Criminal
Investigation Command and the 18th Airborne Corps inspector general had
pressed him to divulge the names of two sergeants from his former
battalion who also gave accounts of abuse, which were made public in a
report last Friday by the group Human Rights Watch.
Captain Fishback, speaking publicly on the matter for first time, said
the investigators who have questioned him in the past 10 days seemed to
be less interested in individuals he identified in his chain of command
who allegedly committed the abuses.
"I'm convinced this is going in a direction that's not consistent
with why we came forward," Captain Fishback said in a telephone
interview from Fort Bragg, N.C., where he is going through Army Special
Forces training. "We came forward because of the larger issue that
prisoner abuse is systemic in the Army. I'm concerned this will take a
new twist, and they'll try to scapegoat some of the younger soldiers.
This is a leadership problem."
SEE ALSO:
ARMY
INTERROGATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO ASSAULT -
TOP
ALICIA A. CALDWELL, Associated Press, 9/28/05
FORT BLISS, Texas (AP) - A military intelligence interrogator pleaded
guilty Wednesday to assaulting a detainee in Afghanistan who later
died.
Army Sgt. Joshua Claus was the sixth soldier to be convicted or plead
guilty of abusing detainees following the deaths of two prisoners at the
Bagram Airfield detention center. In all, charges were filed against
14.
Claus also pleaded guilty to forcing another inmate to kiss a soldier's
boots. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS SAY N.J. POLICE
TARGET THEM -
TOP
Mitchel Maddux, John Chadwick, The Record, 9/27/05
http://www.bergen.com/
A national Islamic group asked New Jersey to review how it stores
antiterrorism information in a police database, saying Monday the issue
raised concerns that Muslims are being unfairly targeted by law
enforcement.
The demand comes after the state police raised concerns that New Jersey's
Office of Counterterrorism had entered large numbers of reports about
individual Muslims and groups into its intelligence database, several
sources said.
State police have temporarily barred counterterrorism agents from making
entries while the policy is being reviewed, officials said.
But one intelligence expert said the Counterterrorism Office was simply
reporting raw intelligence about suspicious individuals or activity it
receives routinely from police and other law-enforcement agencies,
private industry and citizens.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the issue, nevertheless,
called for a review of the computer entries to determine whether the
office engaged in racial profiling. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NEW
YORK POLICE MEET WITH MUSLIM LEADERS ABOUT RAMADAN SECURITY
-
TOP
David B. Caruso, Associated Press, 9/25/05
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--ramadan-police0928sep28,0,5435043.story
NEW YORK (AP) - New York police officials met Wednesday with several
hundred Muslim clerics, activists and community leaders to discuss their
plans to provide added security to mosques during the holy month of
Ramadan, which begins the first week of October.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told attendees at the gathering in the
city's police headquarters that his administration had ``zero tolerance
for hate crimes against any group.''
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and other department officials promised
to add extra patrols at areas around mosques during the holy days and
have detectives visit about 100 places of worship over the next 30
days.
Farooq Saleem, a resident who attended the meeting, still speaks with
some bitterness of the days growing up in New York City when classmates
mocked his ethnicity by calling him ``Gandhi,'' apparently oblivious to
the fact that he was a Muslim born in Pakistan, not a Hindu from
India.
Thankfully, he said, New York has since become more tolerant. His own
children haven't suffered from the same level of teasing.
``It's come a long way,'' said Saleem, an analyst for the New York
Financial Control Board. ``I can feel the difference.''
Still, he rose at the meeting Wednesday to question whether officers get
enough training in dealing with hate crimes, or are sufficiently involved
in schools, where he said race baiting was still occasionally a problem.
(MORE)
----
OCTOBER BRINGS
UNION OF FAITHS, CELEBRATION -
TOP
Wavenly Ann Moore, St. Petersburg Times, 9/28/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/28/Neighborhoodtimes/October_brings_union_.shtml
October is being noted for its confluence of the Jewish and Muslim holy
months.
Though the calendar of both faiths is dictated by the moon, the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holy month of Tishri do not often
coincide.
That's so because the Jewish calendar adds an additional lunar "leap
month" seven times in a 19-year cycle to bring the calendar back
into the rhythm of a solar year, explains Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the
Shalom Center in Philadelphia.
This year and for the next two years, both Tishri and Ramadan will begin
around the same time. Tishri, the month during which Jews observe Rosh
Hashana and Yom Kippur, will begin Monday at sundown. Ramadan, during
which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, will begin early next week with the
first sighting of the crescent moon.
The confluence of these holy periods has led some Jews, Christians,
Muslims and people of other faiths around the United States to
commemorate what is being referred to as "God's October Surprise. .
."
"We wanted to use this rare occurrence to bring people of faith
together," said Ahmed Bedier, director of the Central Florida office
of the Council on American Islamic Relations.
-----
INDIAN
AMERICANS: ACTIVISM FOR A BETTER INDIA -
TOP
http://www.imc-usa.org/convention/2005/
WHAT: The Indian Muslim Council will be hosting its annual convention
Indian Americans: Activism for a Better India in Detroit, MI. Keynote
Speaker will be Congressman John Conyers (R-MI).
WHEN: Saturday, October 1st, 2005
WHERE: Holiday Inn Fairlane - Dearborn
5801 Southfield Expressway
Detroit, MI 48228
Phone: (313) 336-3340
Room rate: Special rate of $99 (reg. $149) is available by mentioning IMC
Convention
Contact: Phone: 1-800-839-7270
E-mail: michigan@imc-usa.org
Web:
http://www.imc-usa.org/convention/2005/
-----
ORGANIZATION
OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE PERMANENT OBSERVER MISSION TO THE UNITED
NATIONS -
TOP
INTERNSHIPS: The Permanent Observer Mission of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) to the United Nations in New York is providing a
limited number of internships to College graduates and exceptionally to
seniors for periods of 3 months, corresponding to academic
semesters.
The OIC, with its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is the World s
second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations,
with 56 Member States and 4 Observer States, spread across different
geographical regions of the world.
The Organization promotes solidarity and cooperation among its Member
States in the political, economical, social, scientific, cultural, and
commercial spheres. In New York, the OIC Observer Mission coordinates the
positions of the OIC Member States on issues of their common concern in
the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic
and Social Council and UN bodies.
The internships, which are unpaid, are intended to expose selected
students, under appropriate supervision and guidance, to the activities
of major inter-governmental organization, and its participation in the
work of the United Nations. These involve desk studies and orientation to
the OICs policies, and programmes; familiarization with the issues of
OICs concern at the United Nations in the political, economic, social and
humanitarian spheres; attendance at meetings and drafting issue papers
and reports. The work, thus, is interns, instructive and
demanding.
Applicants after ascertaining from their faculty advisers about the
relevance of these internships to their graduate programmes, and ensuring
the availability the of resources to sustain them in New York, should
write to the Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations (at the
address below), enclosing a concise but complete resume, and indicating
the reasons that have influenced them to speak this experience. They
should also indicate the 3-month period when they will be available
(bearing in mind that the most instructive period is normally
mid-September through mid-December when the United Nations General
Assembly is in Session). The applicants should include 3 references, at
least one of which should be from their University faculty.
130 East 40th street, (5th floor), New York, N.Y. 10016
Telephone: (212) 883-0140
Telex: 234614 POIC UR
Fax: (212) 8830143
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL:
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/29/05
*
Verse:
Belief Cannot Be
Compelled
*
CAIR Hosts Lecture on
Shia, Sunni,
U.S. Relations
*
NY:
FDNY to Swear in New Muslim
Chaplain
*
Top Officials
Told to Testify
in Muslims' Suit (NYT)
-
Judge Upholds Lawsuit by Two Muslim
Men (AP)
*
30,000 Soldiers
Registered on Porn-Corpse
Site (Wash Post)
-
CAIR:
Pentagon Probe
Results 'Premature' (NYT)
-
Report:
Negative Image of
U.S. Abroad (AP)
*
MA:
Governor's Remarks Alarm
Muslims (Boston Globe)
-
MA:
Slurs, Assault Force Somali Family
to Leave
*
VT:
Muslims
Reflect on Disaster Victims During Ramadan
-
MA:
Librarian Creates Business Directory for
Muslims
-
CA:
Islamic School
Receives Top Award for Success
*
MI:
Three Faiths
Join to Mark Holidays (Free Press)
*
Pentagon Analyst to Plead Guilty to AIPAC
Leak (AP)
*
UN Watchdog Raps French Hijab
Ban (Reuters)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: BELIEF CANNOT BE
COMPELLED -
TOP
"If it had been the will of your Lord that all the people of the
world should be believers, all the people of the earth would have
believed! Would you then compel mankind against their will to
believe?"
The Holy Quran, 10:99
"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from
error. Therefore, whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped
the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks."
The Holy Quran, 2:256
-----
CAIR HOSTS LECTURE ON SHIA, SUNNI, U.S.
RELATIONS -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/29/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today hosted a breakfast address by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, George
Washington University Professor of Islamic Studies, at the National Press
Club in Washington, D.C.
The Lecture, titled "Shias, Sunnis, and the Future of U.S. Relations
with the Muslim World," focused on the history of Shia-Sunni
relations, the similarities between the two communities and the current
status of this relationship in the Muslim world. More than 75
journalists, researchers, diplomatic personnel, and community members
attended the event, which was sponsored by CAIR's Research
Center.
-----
FDNY TO SWEAR IN NEW MUSLIM CHAPLAIN -
TOP
WHAT: On September 30, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will
swear in the newest addition to its staff of chaplains, Imam Intikab
Habib.
WHEN: Friday, September 30, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Fire Academy, Randall's Island
CONTACT: FDNY Press Office, Dave Billig, at 718-999-2056; Hakim Braxton,
President, Islamic Society of Fire Department Personnel: 347-728-6691
(Media Only)
-----
TOP
OFFICIALS TOLD TO TESTIFY IN MUSLIMS' SUIT -
TOP
NINA BERNSTEIN, New York Times, 9/29/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/nyregion/29detain.html
A federal judge in Brooklyn ruled yesterday that former Attorney General
John Ashcroft, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
other top government officials will have to answer questions under oath
in a lawsuit that accuses them of personally conspiring to violate the
rights of Muslim immigrants held in a federal detention center in
Brooklyn after 9/11.
The officials had sought to have the lawsuit dismissed without testimony,
arguing in part that they had governmental immunity from its claims, that
the court lacked jurisdiction because they live outside New York State,
and that the Sept. 11 attacks created "special factors"
outweighing the plaintiffs' right to sue for damages for constitutional
violations.
But the judge, John Gleeson, of the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of New York, rejected those arguments, allowing the case
to proceed - and opening the door to depositions of Mr. Ashcroft and the
F.B.I. director, Robert S. Mueller III, by lawyers for the two
plaintiffs: Ehab Elmaghraby, an Egyptian immigrant who ran a restaurant
in Times Square, and Javaid Iqbal, a Pakistani immigrant whose Long
Island customers knew him as "the cable guy."
The lawsuit charges that, solely because of their race, religion or
national origin, the two men were physically abused and deprived of due
process while being detained for more than eight months in the harsh
maximum-security unit of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
JUDGE UPHOLDS LAWSUIT BY TWO MUSLIM
MEN -
TOP
MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1169485
NEW YORK (AP) - A judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit against top federal
officials brought by two men who claim they were beaten and starved in a
roundup of Muslim men after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Egyptian immigrant Ehab Elmaghraby and Pakistani immigrant Javaid Iqbal
filed the lawsuit last year against former Attorney General John Ashcroft
and dozens of other officials.
They argued that the government violated their right to appeal their
solitary confinement in a special unit of the Metropolitan Detention
Center in Brooklyn.
U.S. District Judge John Gleeson on Wednesday rejected a claim by
Ashcroft that the lawsuit should be dismissed partly because the threat
of foreign terrorism exempts the government from following rules made in
peacetime. (MORE)
-----
ARMY INVESTIGATING WEB
POSTINGS OF GRISLY WAR PHOTOS -
TOP
Josh White, Washington Post, 9/29/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/28/AR2005092802254.html
U.S. Army officials are looking into allegations that soldiers have been
trading gruesome digital pictures of war victims in Iraq and Afghanistan
for access to an amateur pornography Web site, but officials said
yesterday that there is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal
charges.
The allegations surfaced last week, when the East Bay Express, a weekly
newspaper in the San Francisco Bay area, published a story about graphic
photographs that appeared on one section of the Web site. The
photographs, which show the bodies of several people killed in shootings,
explosions, or fires, include crude captions, some of which mock the
dead.
Pentagon and Army officials yesterday issued strong statements condemning
the taking and posting of such photographs, but said there is little
evidence to authenticate them and few ways to pursue a criminal
investigation. While some of the photos appear to show U.S. soldiers in
uniform near mutilated bodies, it is unclear where or when the pictures
were taken.
The Web site's creator said yesterday that about 30,000 members of the
military are registered on his site, several thousand of whom have sent
him photographs or comments from their official military Web addresses. .
.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has decried the photographs and
called for a Pentagon investigation. An official said the images could
inflame insurgents and give other nations the mistaken impression that
many Americans are gloating over casualties of the Iraq war.
"What we're most concerned about is the safety of our own
soldiers," said Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's legal director. "It
only tarnishes our image even further and serves as fodder for the
insurgents and terrorists."
Wilson, who said he supports the soldiers and the war, said users must
search out the corpse photos, which are not displayed prominently on the
site.
SEE ALSO:
ARMY INQUIRY FINDS NO
EVIDENCE G.I.'S GAVE WAR PHOTOS TO WEB
-
TOP
THOM SHANKER, New York Times, 9/29/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/international/middleeast/29abuse.html
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 - An Army inquiry has found no evidence to prove
that American military personnel sent graphic photographs of Iraqi war
dead to an Internet site in exchange for online pornography, Army
officials said Wednesday.
Col. Joseph Curtin, an Army spokesman, said investigators from the Army's
Criminal Investigation Command could continue their inquiry if more
evidence came to light, like the identities of any American service
personnel who actually provided the photographs.
Local commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to stress to their
troops that such actions could violate military standards for good order
and conduct, and to demand an end to the practice. But partly because it
is not clear what specific provision of military law would make such
conduct a felony, the matter is to be pursued by local commanders for
possible administrative punishment rather than through a criminal
inquiry, officials said.
The preliminary inquiry into the Web site was hobbled because few
identifying markings are visible in those photographs posted on the Web
site that also include people in uniform. Likewise, there is little
information on the site to indicate where or when the photos were taken,
who supplied the photos to the site, or whether some of the photos
actually showed human remains or body parts.
The photographs include those of people in American military uniforms
standing around what appear to be dead bodies, some deformed by fire or
explosion. Others include graphic images of severed body parts and
internal organs spilled onto the pavement.
An official of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the
organization that wrote Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld demanding an
inquiry into the matter, expressed frustration that the military had
concluded that no felony occurred.
"I think the military's conclusion is premature and it unfortunately
will send the message that they are not taking this case seriously,"
said Ibrahim Hooper, the council's spokesman. (MORE)
---
REPORT FINDS
NEGATIVE IMAGE OF U.S. ABROAD -
TOP
BARRY SCHWEID, Associated Press, 9/28/05
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/09/28/national/w125724D20.DTL
As Karen Hughes works to repair the United States' image in a trip
overseas, her State Department colleagues have received a report
underscoring how tough a task she faces.
Based on their own travels to the Persian Gulf, Egypt and Britain, a
nine-member advisory committee headed by former Secretary of State Colin
Powell's chief of staff found widespread hostility toward the United
States and its policies, especially the U.S. occupation of
Iraq.
"For what can be heard around the world, in the wake of the invasion
of Iraq, the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib, and the controversy
over the handling of detainees at Bagram and Guantanamo Bay, is that
America is less a beacon of hope than a dangerous force to be
countered," the report said.
"This assertion, repeated in newspaper columns, on radio and
television broadcasts, and via the Internet, diminishes our ability to
champion freedom, democracy and individual dignity," said the report
by the Advisory Committee on Public Diplomacy.
-----
ROMNEY REMARKS ALARM MUSLIMS -
TOP
Missy Ryan, Boston Globe, 9/29/05
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/09/29/romney_remarks_alarm_muslims/
Jamila Khalil's 3-year-old daughter, Sofia, is supposed to be in her
Islamic Sunday school class. But the spirited little girl, wearing white
tights and playing with her brightly colored necklace, is reticent to
join in on the lessons on Islamic religion and culture, and instead
drapes herself over her mother's legs inside this Sharon
mosque.
Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts It's children
such as Sofia who, Khalil worries, will be hurt by Governor Mitt Romney's
recent suggestion to tighten surveillance on certain Muslims in redoubled
national security efforts. Sofia and her 8-year-old brother, Bilal,
haven't been singled out at their schools for bullying or abuse related
to their religion, but Khalil frets that things might change.
''We don't want [our children] to be targets," said Khalil, a
Pakistan-born dentist who attends the Sharon mosque and community
center.
She is one of the Boston-area Muslims who has expressed alarm that
Romney's recent remarks -- especially his suggestion to wiretap mosques
that foster extremist Islam -- will spark hostility against them and
their families.
Shab Khan of Sharon, wearing the head scarf, or hijab, used by some
Muslim women, agrees. ''It slowly filters down . . . when the leadership
of a state starts talking like this," said Khan, sitting with
several other women while a group of men and children pray across the
community center's cavernous hall.
Romney made the remarks -- which triggered a barrage of criticism from
local Islamic associations, civil liberties groups, and religious
organizations -- in a Sept. 14 speech on homeland security to the
conservative Heritage Foundation.
''How about people who are in settings, mosques for example, that may be
teaching doctrines of hate and terror? Are we monitoring that? Are we
wiretapping? Are we following what's going on?" Romney asked in the
speech. He also suggested keeping closer tabs on foreign students who
hail from countries designated as sponsors of terrorism. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
SLURS, ASSAULT SEND SOMALIS BACK TO CITY -
TOP
Brian Ballou, Boston Herald, 9/28/05
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=104545
A Somalian family that left Dorchester for what they thought would be a
safer home in Winthrop is headed back to Dorchester after accusing
Winthrop High football players of racial harassment and
assault.
``We're leaving because my mother is tired of the attacks,'' said
Khadija, 17, daughter of Fatuma Abu.
Two white teens, members of the Winthrop High School football team, each
has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and
intimidation of a witness. They have not been charged with a hate crime,
which carries additional penalties. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS
REACH OUT, REFLECT ON PLIGHT OF DISASTER VICTIMS DURING RAMADAN -
TOP
Margaret Smith, Burlington Union, 9/29/05
http://www2.townonline.com/burlington/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=333383
Muslims are getting ready for the start of Ramadan, the holiest month of
the Islamic calendar, commemorating the time Muslims believe the truth of
the Koran - the holy book of Islam - and other sacred texts were revealed
to them through the prophet Mohammed.
Ramadan will begin with the sighting of the new moon, probably Tuesday
Oct. 4 or Wednesday, Oct. 5 and will culminate in the celebration of Eid
al-Fitr with the sighting of the next new moon in the first week of
November.
Ramadan requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink and smoking, and for
married couples to abstain from sexual activity during daylight hours. In
addition to regular prayers said each day, Muslims offer extra prayers
known as Taraweeh.
With its emphasis on fasting, Ramadan is a time for reflecting on the
fact that many people in world do lack basic needs such as adequate food
and shelter.
This year, Ramadan will be a time for many to remember losses sustained
by victims of disaster, including the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami and
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf region.
"There have been so many incidents. You have to be thankful you live
in a the part of the world where these phenomena don't occur," said
Bilal Yaqub, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Burlington mosque.
"You're going without food even though your fridge may be
full." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LIBRARIAN, SEEING VOID, CREATES BUSINESS
DIRECTORY FOR MUSLIMS -
TOP
Russell Contreras, Boston Globe, 9/29/05
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/09/29/librarian_seeing_void_creates_business_directory_for_muslims/
Moving to Lawrence from Turkey seven years ago, Kemal Bozkurt felt more
at home than he ever imagined.
In northern Massachusetts, he found mosques, Islamic centers, and Muslim
doctors. He located grocery stores that sold foods from Turkey and Saudi
Arabia, and immigration lawyers who specialized in relative
petitions.
The main problem, Bozkurt soon discovered, was the lack of a local
directory for Muslims to find all these businesses. The only way he could
find familiar foods and religious items was through word of mouth, or
just plain luck. The former advertising salesman for a Turkish radio
station saw an opening. Once he got to know the area better, maybe he'd
start his own directory.
As a librarian for the Lawrence Public Library, Bozkurt asked his
superiors if he could make extra money during nonwork hours. In Turkey,
government employees can't hold another job. But in the United States,
Bozkurt found out, it wasn't an issue. ''They looked shocked when I asked
them that question," Bozkurt remembered.
He made a few phone calls, visited mosques, and chatted up business
owners who jumped at his idea of creating a directory of Muslim-owned
businesses. In 2003, he published 3,500 copies of his first edition of
the ''Green Pages" -- a 16-page directory of Muslim businesses
around Lawrence.
Why did he choose green over yellow? ''Every directory is yellow,"
Bozkurt, 37, said as if he'd been asked this question before. ''And
green, well, the Prophet [Mohammed] liked the color green."
(MORE)
---
NEW HORIZON, LOCAL
ISLAMIC SCHOOL, RECEIVES NATION'S TOP AWARD FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS -
TOP
Zach Fox, Whittier Daily News, 9/29/05
http://www2.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_3070399
PASADENA -- New Horizon, a private Islamic school, has been awarded the
Blue Ribbon, the highest award the U.S. Department of Education bestows
to recognize academic excellence.
Interim school head Amira Al-Sarraf believes that New Horizon is the
first Islamic school to earn this award. The distinction means the
school's students scored in the top 10 percent of the nation in
standardized math and reading tests.
But Al-Sarraf said the school, now with 170 students, has seen a decline
in enrollment over the last few years; the drop leads Al-Sarraf to
believe the decrease could be a reaction to Sept. 11, 2001.
Ever since that day's terrorist attacks shook America, she said, the
preschool-through-eighth-grade school has seen its enrollment drop an
average of 15 percent each year.
But as the school has not received any overt anti-Islamic backlash or
threats, Al-Sarraf attributes the decline either to economic issues or a
fear in the Islamic community of publicly identifying themselves as
Muslims. ''Muslims are rethinking their place in society,'' Al-Sarraf
said, adding that the Pasadena community embraced the school following
the attacks. (MORE)
---
3 FAITHS CELEBRATE IN
METRO DETROIT -
TOP
David Crumm, Detroit Free Press, 9/25/05
http://www.freep.com/news/religion/holidays29e_20050929.htm
Happy holidays!
That greeting will be appropriate for Muslims and Jews next week as the
fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish high holy days coincide for the
first time in years. The Christmas season is just around the corner, too,
starting Nov. 27 for most Christians.
To celebrate the convergence, local Jews, Muslims and Christians are
planning three days of holiday events at a synagogue, a mosque and a
church, starting Friday at Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park.
"That's America at its best, isn't it? Where else in the world would
you have Christians, Muslims and Jews worshipping together for three
days?" said Royal Oak artist Anne Costello, a Jew who said she's
eager to attend the events. (MORE)
-----
PENTAGON ANALYST TO PLEAD GUILTY TO LEAK -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/29/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/29/AR2005092900893.html
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A Pentagon analyst charged with providing
classified information to an Israeli official and members of a
pro-Israeli lobbying group will plead guilty, according to the U.S.
District Court clerk's office.
Lawrence A. Franklin, 58, of Kearneysville, W.Va., was indicted in June
on charges of leaking classified materials - including information about
potential attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq - to two members of the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee and an Israeli official.
Edward Adams, a spokesman for U.S. District Court Clerk in Alexandria,
said a hearing to accept Franklin's guilty plea has been scheduled for
Wednesday. However, the charges to which he would enter the plea were not
disclosed. Franklin was indicted on five charges.
Detailed information about plea agreements is not typically filed in
court until the plea is officially entered.
The two AIPAC officials who allegedly received the information, Steve
Rosen and Keith Weissman, have been charged with conspiring to obtain and
disclose classified U.S. defense information. No plea hearings have been
scheduled in their cases. (MORE)
-----
UN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WATCHDOG
RAPS FRENCH VEIL BAN -
TOP
Tom Heneghan, Reuters, 9/29/05
PARIS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - France's ban on religious symbols in state
schools last year has humiliated some Muslim girls and caused a wave of
intolerance against women wearing headscarves, a United Nations expert on
religious tolerance said on Thursday.
Asma Jahangir, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on freedom of religion or
belief, said at the end of an 11-day fact-finding visit to France that
the controversial ban was introduced without a full appreciation of its
possible consequences.
A policy of secularism in state schools, the basis for the ban on Muslim
headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses, has sometimes
been rigidly applied "at the expense of the right to freedom of
religion or belief," she said.
The ban, imposed in September 2004 as a check against what officials said
was the rising influence of radical Islam among France's large Muslim
population, was widely condemned in the Muslim world and by some Western
critics who found it too harsh.
Jahangir, a prominent human rights lawyer in her native Pakistan, said
the ban "has in a number of cases led to abuses that provoked
feelings of humiliation, in particular among young Muslim
women.
"According to many voices, such public humiliation can only lead to
radicalisation of the affected persons and those associated with
them," she told journalists.
"Moreover, the stigmatisation of the so-called Islamic headscarf has
triggered a wave of religious intolerance when women wear it outside
school, at university or at their workplace." (MORE0
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOEING, BELL HELICOPTER ASKED TO PULL 'MOSQUE
ATTACK' AD
Magazine ad shows U.S. special forces rappelling onto
mosque roof
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/30/2005) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on aerospace giants
Boeing Co. and Bell Helicopter
Textron to pull a print
advertisement depicting U.S. troops attacking a mosque.
The ad for the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, published in the
September 24 issue of National Journal magazine, depicts soldiers
rappelling onto the roof of a building, labeled "Muhammad
Mosque" in Arabic. The building has a dome, crescent moon and
minaret, all common features of a mosque.
To view the ad, go to:
http://www.cair.com/mosqueattackad.pdf
Headlines on the ad read: "It descends from the heavens. Ironically it
unleashes hell." Ad copy states: "The CV-22 delivers Special Forces to
insertion points never thought possible."
In a letter to Textron Chairman Lewis B. Campbell, Boeing Company
President James A. Bell and Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer
Michael A. Redenbaugh, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote:
"[The ad] clearly portrays special forces assaulting a mosque, a
structure dedicated to civilian worship purposes. This gives the
impression that 'the insertion points never thought possible' are
Islamic places of worship. . .This advertisement reflects poorly on
Bell Helicopter, Textron and Boeing, and offers a questionable picture
of your companies' collective opinion of Islam and Muslims."
Awad asked the companies to withdraw the advertisement and conduct an investigation into how it was approved for publication.
Both Boeing and Bell have extensive interests in the Muslim world. To
view an article outlining Boeing's interests in the Middle East, go to:
http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2004/december/mainfeature.html
Bell Helicopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron. To view an
article showing Bell Helicopter's interests in the Middle East, go to:
http://investor.textron.com/newsroom/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=156288
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices
and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor, 202-646-6039 or 571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair-net.org; Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR GOOD NEWS ALERT #470
BOEING, BELL, NATIONAL JOURNAL APOLOGIZE FOR
'MOSQUE ATTACK' AD
Boeing: 'We consider the ad offensive, regret its
publication and apologize'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/30/2005) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) said this afternoon that Boeing Co., Bell Helicopter
Textron and National Journal magazine have apologized for a print
advertisement depicting U.S. troops attacking a mosque.
CAIR said it had received a statement of apology from Boeing, which
sponsored the ad along with Bell. Boeing wrote:
"The CV-22 advertisement that appeared in the National Journal is
clearly offensive, and did not proceed through the normal channels within
Boeing before production.
"'We consider the ad offensive, regret its publication and apologize
to those who like us are dismayed with its contents,' said Mary Foerster,
Vice President of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Communications.
"'When the Company became aware of the advertisement we immediately
requested that our partner's agency withdraw and destroy all print proofs
of the advertisement and replace it with one that was appropriate,'
Foerster said. 'Unfortunately despite our best efforts to have the ad
replaced, a clerical error at the National Journal resulted in its
publication this week.'"
Representatives of Bell Helicopter and National Journal also contacted
CAIR to express regret for the publication of the ad.
National Journal Executive Vice President Elizabeth Baker Keffer wrote:
"[T]he advertisement for Boeing/Bell's V-22 Osprey that ran in the
September 24 issue of National Journal was run as the result of a
clerical error on our part. We had received specific direction from the
agency representing Boeing/Bell to not run the ad. We have apologized to
Boeing, their partner Bell, and their advertising agency for this
mistake."
A Bell statement sent to CAIR said in part: "We recognize that some
organizations and individuals may have been offended by its content and
regrets any concerns this advertisement may have raised. Bell and our
partners are evaluating creative processes to prevent this from happening
again."
The ad for the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft depicted soldiers
rappelling onto the roof of a building, labeled "Muhammad
Mosque" in Arabic. The building has a dome, crescent moon and
minaret, all common features of a mosque.
CAIR sent a letter yesterday to top officials of Boeing, Bell and Textron
asking the companies to withdraw the advertisement and conduct an
investigation into how it was approved for publication. (Bell Helicopter
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron.)
"We thank Boeing, Bell and National Journal for their swift and
decisive response to our concerns," said CAIR Executive Director
Nihad Awad. "Mistakes can happen, but the true test of a company's
integrity comes in acknowledging and dealing with those mistakes."
He said CAIR will follow up with all parties involved to determine how
the ad was produced and to help prevent similar incidents in the
future.
Awad added that American Muslim groups are always ready to consult with
corporations and media outlets on issues related to religious diversity
and culturally-sensitive advertising.
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Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
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-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 9/30/05
*
Hadith:
A Good Conscience
*
CAIR-Houston:
Muslims Hold Citywide
Blood Drives
-
TX:
Muslim Day of Service
at Disaster Service Center
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Meet With
Law Enforcement Officials
*
CAIR-FL:
Islam Gains
Hispanic Converts (Sun-Sentinel)
-
Latino Women Finding a
Place in Islam (NBC)
*
Boeing, Bell Apologize for Mosque Attack Ad
(Reuters)
*
CAIR-MD/VA:
FBI Asked to Probe Vandalism
at Mosque (Balt Sun)
*
AL:
Calendars
Bring Together Jewish, Muslim Days of Faith
-
Month of Prayer Much More Than Fast for
Muslims (Times)
-
3 Major Faiths Mark Overlapping October
Holidays (RNS)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: A GOOD CONSCIENCE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When something
weighs on your conscience, give it up."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 8
-----
CAIR-HOUSTON: AREA MUSLIMS HOLD CITYWIDE BLOOD
DRIVES -
TOP
(HOUSTON, TX, 9/30/2005) - The Houston office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston), together with the Islamic
Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) and Crescent Youth, is holding a
coordinated blood and bone-marrow drive today to help replenish the
supply depleted by recent natural disasters.
WHERE: The drive will happen at three locations across Houston at:
1. North Zone Adel Road Masjid, 11815 Adel Road, Houston, Texas
77067
2. Southeast Zone Masjid, 8830 Old Galveston Road, Houston, Texas
77034
3. Southwest Synott Road Masjid, 10415 Synott Road, Sugar Land, Texas
77478
WHEN: September 30, 2005, Timing will be from 2 - 8PM at all
locations.
"This is a small part of the Texas Muslim community's continuing
efforts towards relief and Humanitarian service," said Dr. Tarek
Hussein, president of CAIR-Houston. "Houston's response to the
recent natural disasters is a tribute to the city's residents and our
mutual concern for the well being of others," said
Hussein.
SEE ALSO:
TEXAS MUSLIM DAY OF SERVICE AT
THE DISASTER SERVICE CENTER -
TOP
When evacuees came to Houston, our city rallied to greet them. When the
faith community was called on to provide food services, we turned out in
the thousands.
Now it is time to continue to serve our guests, it is time keep our faith
in action, it is time to keep supporting the Houston Muslim Relief
Coalition in providing long term care for our new neighbors.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WHERE: Disaster Service Center, 5950 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena,
TX
Directions: From Gulf Freeway: I-45 South, take Edgebrook Drive exit and
go East. Edgebrook becomes Fairmont Parkway. At the Convention Center on
right Side ~ 5 miles from the Gulf Freeway.
For more information see:
http://www.houstonmuslimrelief.com
-----
CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS
MEET WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS -
TOP
Effort part of ongoing dialogue to promote cooperation
(MIAMI, FL, 9/30/05) - Representatives of the Florida office of the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) and
leaders of 15 Islamic Centers in South Florida met Wednesday with the
FBI's Miami Division and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to
discuss ways to promote better relations between law enforcement and the
state's Muslim communities.
CONTACT: Areeb Naseer, 954-272-0490 E-Mail:
anaseer@cairfl.org
-----
CAIR-FL: ISLAM GAINS HISPANIC
CONVERTS -
TOP
Lisa Bolivar, Sun-Sentinel, 9/30/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-nw30ramadansep30,0,2961024.story
This year's Ramadan celebration will be extra special for members of a
Margate mosque who will observe the holiday in a brand new building
instead of inside the cramped storefront they used to call
home.
Masjid Jamaat Al-Mumineen's spacious new building is just behind the old
storefront off Sample Road, where Margate touches Coral Springs, but this
mosque will allow more families to gather for the traditional
fast-breaking meal, called an iftar, said Bibi Khan of Margate.
"Because the space we were in was so small and congested, now more
people can join us in more space," she said.
Ramadan, which begins around Oct. 4, depending on when the new moon is
sighted, is a monthlong holiday in which Muslims abstain from food,
drink, and any worldly pleasures from sunup to sundown. The holiday is
part of five requirements, or pillars, of the Islamic faith. The other
four pillars are the shahaddah, or the witnessing, where a believer
declares three times that there is one God and Muhammad is the messenger
of God; the performing of five daily prayers; paying the "poor
due" or zakat, which amounts to about 2.5 percent of a person's
monetary worth; and performing a pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca in Saudi
Arabia once in a lifetime, if it can be afforded.
Melissa Matos is among some area Muslims who will be celebrating the
season for the first time.
When she speaks of celebrating her first Ramadan, the 20-year-old clasps
her hands excitedly and a smile spreads from ear-to-ear.
Matos, who took the shahaddah in order to become a Muslim in April, has
started down a path toward a new way of life, a new circle of friends and
a tradition that, she said, she knows will teach her to be a better
person.
"What I am looking forward to for the month is letting go of a lot
of things I do," said Matos, who lives in Miramar. "I am going
to be more sensitive to things I didn't notice before, like hunger; I am
looking forward to what it is going to do for my
sensitivity."
Matos represents a growing number of Latin women who are taking the
shahaddah and donning the traditional hair covering, called a
hijab.
Altaf Ali, executive director at the Council on American-Islamic
Relations in Pembroke Pines, said Islam is gaining an increasing number
of Hispanic converts.
"More so in California, but in Florida it's a new trend. Yes, there
are several Hispanic Muslims that have been in Florida for some time now,
but in regards to the conversion rate within the last few years, I've
seen an increasing rate in Hispanics converting to Islam," said Ali,
a native of Guyana. "I think the Hispanic culture itself is very
rich in terms of family values, and that is something that is very
prominent in the religion of Islam.
"Family values play an integral role in the formation of a Muslim
community. Because of those family values, there is a lot of other norms
that are consistent within the Hispanic community and Islam; for
instance, respect for elders, married life and rearing children, these
are some of the traditions Hispanics have in common with Islam."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LATINO WOMEN FINDING
A PLACE IN ISLAM -
TOP
Carmen Sesin, NBC News, 9/30/05
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9352969/
UNION CITY, N.J. - On a hot summer day, Stefani Perada took a break from
her job in West New York, N.J., and stepped outside in her long jilbab,
the flowing clothes clothes worn by many Muslim women.
Meanwhile, other Latinas in the mostly Hispanic neighborhood were taking
advantage of the warm day, walking around in shorts and midriff-exposing
halter tops.
Perada, 19, who converted to Islam just over a year ago, is still trying
to become acclimated to certain customs, such as the jilbab and the
hijab, which covers her head and hair.
"Mostly it's because of how your friends and family are going to
look at you," she said. "They look at you like, 'Why is she
wearing that, it's so hot.'"
But, she said, "I am doing this for God, and one day I will be
rewarded for what I am doing."
And there's an immediate benefit: She's not harassed as much by men when
she walks down the street.
"You know how guys [say], 'Hey Mami, come over here?' I used to
always hate that. I would cross the street just to get away. Now you
still get some guys that are still curious, but it's much less," she
explained.
"They are going to look at me for me, and not for my
body."
Growing number of converts?
Perada is not alone as a Hispanic women converting to Islam.
The exact number of Latino Muslims is difficult to determine, because the
U.S. Census Bureau does not collect information about religion. However,
according to estimates conducted by national Islamic organizations such
as the Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Islamic
Society of North America (ISNA) there are approximately 40,000 Latino
Muslims in the United States. (MORE)
-----
BOEING, BELL APOLOGIZE FOR MOSQUE ATTACK AD -
TOP
Bill Rigby, Reuters, 9/30/05
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1174074
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boeing Co. apologized Friday for a mistakenly
published advertisement for its V-22 Osprey aircraft showing troops
dropping onto the roof of a mosque in what appears to be a simulated
battle scene.
The ad, coming amid rising concern among Muslims over U.S. military
action in Iraq and Afghanistan, prompted immediate complaints from the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which demanded the
withdrawal of the campaign.
But Boeing, which created the ad with partner Bell Helicopter, said
publication was a "clerical error" by the National Journal,
which ran the ad on Sept. 24.
"We consider the ad offensive, regret its publication and apologize
to those who like us are dismayed with its contents," said Mary
Foerster, vice president at Boeing's defense unit, in a
statement.
The ad "did not proceed through normal channels", Boeing said,
and despite asking for it to be withdrawn and destroyed, was published in
error.
The National Journal, a Washington government and policy magazine,
admitted it made a clerical error and said it accepted full
responsibility in a statement issued on Friday.
The furor comes only two days after the Pentagon finally approved
full-rate production of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft -- which takes off
and lands like a helicopter but can fly like a plane -- after years of
checkered development.
The ad shows troops rappelling down from an Osprey craft to the domed
roof of a building labeled "Muhammad Mosque" in Arabic as smoke
billows from a burned-out car nearby.
"It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell,"
says the ad, published by Boeing and Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron
Inc., which jointly developed the Osprey.
The aircraft "delivers Special Forces to insertion points never
thought possible," says the text of the ad.
A spokesman for CAIR said on Friday the group welcomed the companies'
swift response, but would press the issue of how such an ad came to be
created.
The group had earlier called on Boeing and Bell chiefs to withdraw the
ad. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-MD/VA: FBI ASKED TO PROBE VANDALISM AT
MOSQUE -
TOP
Baltimore Sun, 9/30/05
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.capital30sep30,1,6627468.story
BETHESDA - The Council on American-Islamic Relations has asked the FBI to
investigate vandalism last week at a mosque in Silver Spring.
The council's Maryland and Virginia office said the incident Sept. 22 at
the Muslim Community Center on New Hampshire Avenue should be
investigated as a possible hate crime.
Someone sprayed paint on the word Muslim and drew a Star of David on the
mosque's outdoor sign. Montgomery County police are investigating the
incident.
"Given recent incidents targeting Muslims across the country, we
urge local and national law enforcement authorities to seriously consider
the possible bias motive in this incident," said Shama Farooq,
CAIR-MD/VA director of civil rights.
-----
CALENDARS
BRING TOGETHER IMPORTANT JEWISH, MUSLIM DAYS OF FAITH -
TOP
Kay Campbell, Huntsville Times, 9/30/05
http://www.al.com/living/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/living/1128071730122400.xml&coll=1
Think the moon and the sun rise and set regularly? A study of astronomy
and calendars reveals that the sun, moon and earth move in their orbits
with their own subtle variations.
And it's easy to forget that the Gregorian calendar most of us think of
as so dependable wasn't standardized until the time of
Shakespeare.
Most of the world's religions use liturgical calendars - the Christian
observation of Easter each year reflects this - that respond to the
cosmic rhythms shaping the universe.
Religious observations next week for two of the world's most widespread
faiths point out those shifts. It is only once in 30 years or so that the
same lunar month signals the start both of the Jewish Rosh Hashanah, the
religious New Year, and the Islamic Ramadan, the month of fasting for
Muslims to commemorate the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet
Muhammad.
Though both Muslims and Jews use lunar-based calendars, with each month
corresponding to the appearing, waxing and waning of the moon, each
culture uses a different way to account for how that calendar corresponds
with the tropical, seasonal calendar. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MONTH OF PRAYER MUCH MORE THAN FAST FOR
MUSLIMS -
TOP
Kay Campbell, Times, 9/30/05
http://www.al.com/living/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/living/1128071756122400.xml&coll=1
For non-Muslims, Ramadan is about what you don't do: The observance bans
food and drink for healthy adults during daylight hours for a
month.
But for Muslims, says Deborah Abu-Alrub, food is the last thing on a
believer's mind. The month is about sharing prayers and practice with a
world-wide community of some 1 billion Muslims.
"It is really a celebration," said Abu-Alrub, who teaches at
the elementary school at the Huntsville Islamic Center and is also a
nursing student. "Yes, we fast all day, but there is always a
feeling of excitement in the air. It is quite an accomplishment to be
able to do this, and everyone is doing the exact same thing all over the
world."
"We feel the connection to something so much bigger than one person
or one community."
The month of fasting, prayer and introspection for adults begins with the
new moon of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Depending
on when the sliver of the new moon is sighted, that celebration will
begin locally Tuesday or Wednesday.
The fast, a central element of the Muslim year, recalls the revelation of
the Quran scriptures to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years of the early
7th century. Traditionally, the 30 suras or chapters of the Quran are
read, one a night, during the services of Ramadan.
But prayer and fasting is only part of Ramadan. (MORE)
---
3 MAJOR FAITHS MARK OVERLAPPING OCTOBER
HOLIDAYS -
TOP
Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Religion News Service, 9/30/05
http://www.religionnews.com/
If all goes as predicted, Tuesday will indeed be a holy day. For the
first time in 33 years, two world religions would mark the beginning of
their most sacred seasons on the same day.
Jews will begin celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year that also
begins the 10-day period known as the Days of Awe. And if the first moon
sighting goes as some are predicting, Muslims will usher in the holy
month of Ramadan that same day.
Even if the crescent moon cannot be seen Tuesday, the religious holidays
will see an unusual convergence in the same week.
Christians are in on the action as well, marking Tuesday as the Feast of
St. Francis of Assisi, a relatively minor holiday mostly commemorated by
Roman Catholics.
Across the country, religious communities are using the calendar's
coincidence as a launching pad for interfaith projects around topics
ranging from the political to the spiritual.
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of the Philadelphia-based Shalom Center, a
national peace and justice organization, has dubbed the confluence of
holidays "God's October Surprise."
Waskow has organized a series of events inspired by the simultaneous
holidays, which he says form a "prophetic teachable moment"
that can allow local communities to think more deeply about how they can
connect with people of other faiths.
In Philadelphia, Waskow has planned a day of ecumenical reflection and
discussion, featuring workshops that focus on political issues, including
gun violence, terrorism and war, the environment, poverty and responding
to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The event will take place near the Liberty Bell Oct. 23. Since that's a
Sunday, it allows Christians to attend after church. On that day, Jews
will be celebrating Sukkot, the harvest festival during which they build
an outdoor open structure, or sukkah. And Muslims will be observing their
daily fast for Ramadan. (MOST)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 10/2/05
*
Hadith:
Love One Another
*
Quote:
Muslims are Part of America's
Social Fabric (AP)
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Seek
Better Ties (Tampa Trib)
-
CAIR-FL:
Former Chaplain
Thanks Islamic Group (SP Times)
*
CAIR:
Ad
'Unleashes Hell' For Boeing and Bell (Seattle Times)
-
Osprey Ad with Mosque is
Pulled (Phil Inq)
*
CAIR/FL:
Website's War
Images Spark Controversy (Miami Herald)
*
CAIR/TX:
Hijabs Conceal
Hair, Reveal the Heart (Star-Telegram)
*
MN:
Who are
American Muslims?
*
Questions and Answers
about Ramadan (NBC 4)
-
Prayer, Charity
Add To Islamic Fasting Holiday
-
Helping Needy Stressed at
Ramadan (Toledo Blade)
-
Ramadan: Praying
For God's Mercy on All of Us (Indy Star)
-
Holy Times for Judaism,
Islam (Wichita Eagle)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: LOVE ONE ANOTHER -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "You will not believe
as long as you do not love one another."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 19
-----
QUOTE OF THE DAY: MUSLIMS ARE PART OF
AMERICAN SOCIAL FABRIC -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/2/05
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/voices/12796337.htm
U.S. Muslims might be frustrated with anti-Muslim rhetoric and some
government policies, but those are issues best addressed through
community involvement and political participation, says Ibrahim Hooper,
spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"I think Muslims feel part of the American social fabric," he
says. "They are better able to practice their faith here than in
some parts of the so-called Muslim world."
American Muslim scholars recently have spoken out, too, issuing an
edict denouncing
violence.
"There is no justification in Islam for extremism or
terrorism," they wrote. "Targeting civilians' life and property
through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or
forbidden."
-----
CAIR-FL:
MUSLIMS SEEK BETTER TIES WITH AMERICANS -
TOP
BEN MONTGOMERY, Tampa Tribune, 10/2/05
http://news.tbo.com/news/MGBJ76NRAEE.html
TAMPA - There was, perhaps, no better place to witness American-Islamic
relations Saturday than from a comfortable seat in the lobby of the Tampa
Convention Center.
Outside the ballroom that would host the Council on American-Islamic
Relations' annual Tampa banquet were olive-skinned men with beards and
women wearing long dresses and burkas. They exchanged assalamu alaikums
and cheek kisses.
Flowing through the crowd of activist Muslims were those entering and
exiting the Tampa Boat Show: light-skinned men in deck shoes and Hawaiian
shirts and tanned women wearing capri pants and halter tops. Some were
drinking beers, others pushing strollers.
The power of prejudice was evident as the groups brushed
shoulders.
Stares. Nudges. Whispers.
"Where are we?" a woman asked her husband as they walked past
T-shirts for sale that read, "I am a rising Muslim star," and a
poster that read, "We're all Americans."
"Look at this," a young man in a Corona T-shirt told his buddy,
thumbing toward burka-clad women.
Anecdotes, sure. But anecdotes the Council on American-Islamic Relations
is trying to prevent. That's why it put together
"I'm an
American and I'm a Muslim" commercials, which have aired on
major TV networks. It's why Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio declared Saturday
"Council on American-Islamic Relations Day." It's why James
Yee, the Muslim Army chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who was jailed in
solitary for 76 days on accusations of treason, was in town.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FORMER ARMY
CHAPLAIN THANKS ISLAMIC GROUP -
TOP
Emily Nipps, St. Petersburg Times, 10/2/05
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/02/Hillsborough/Former_Army_chaplain_.shtml
TAMPA - Former Army Capt. James Yee won't talk about the 76 days he spent
in solitary confinement after being arrested on suspicions of
espionage.
He won't talk about his days as a Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo Bay,
where some some fellow soldiers and officers turned on him.
He won't speak out about his honorable discharge from the Army and how he
feels about the whole thing.
That's because Yee, now almost a year removed from the ordeal, has a book
coming out on Thursday. It is titled For God and Country , and anyone who
wants the inside scoop must buy it.
Yee would, however, talk Saturday night about how much the Council on
American-Islamic Relations helped him and his family cope with the
various charges he faced, all of which were eventually dropped when the
military's investigation came up short.
Yee, 37, was a guest speaker at Saturday night's CAIR-Florida Chapter
banquet at the Convention Center, where a few hundred people attended to
support civil liberties for the Islamic community.
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio attended and also couldn't talk, but not by her own
choice.
She had a bad case of laryngitis and could barely say in a raspy voice,
"I want all of you to know how much I appreciate being here tonight
and all of the good work that you do."
She turned the stage over to Hillsborough County Commissioner Kathy
Castor, who read Iorio's proclamation of Oct. 1 as "CAIR Day"
and thanked the council for its contributions to hurricane relief funding
and supporting the county's health care program.
Then it was Yee's turn to speak.
He praised CAIR for rushing to his side after his Sept. 10, 2003, arrest
in Jacksonville.
"It's important to realize we live in historical times," Yee
said. "What happened to me could happen to anyone here
tonight." (MORE)
-----
MAGAZINE
AD "UNLEASHES HELL" FOR BOEING AND BELL -
TOP
Hal Bernton, Seattle Times, 10/1/05
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002532657_boeingad1m.html
Boeing and its joint-venture partner Bell Helicopter apologized yesterday
for a magazine ad published a month ago - and again this week by mistake
- depicting U.S. Special Forces troops rappelling from an Osprey aircraft
onto the roof of a mosque.
"It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell,"
reads the ad, which ran this week in the National Journal and earlier in
the Armed Forces Journal. The ad also stated: "Consider it a gift
from above."
The ad appears at a time when the United States is trying to improve its
image in the Muslim world and Boeing seeks to sell its airplanes to
Islamic countries.
Boeing and Bell officials agreed that the ad - touting the capabilities
of the vertical-lift Osprey aircraft - was ill-conceived and should never
have been published.
"We consider the ad offensive, regret its publication and apologize
to those who, like us, are dismayed with its contents," said Mary
Foerster, a vice president of communication's for Boeing's military
side.
Mike Cox, a Bell vice president, said the ad was developed by TM
Advertising of Irving, Texas, and then initially released for publication
by his company.
"The bottom line is that the [Bell] people who approved this didn't
have authority to approve it," Cox said.
The company statements were released yesterday in response to an outcry
from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, D.C.-based
Islamic civil-liberties group. The building depicted in the ad has an
Arabic sign that translates as "Muhammad Mosque," according to
the council.
The ad may deepen concern overseas that the war on extremists is a war on
Islam, said Corey Saylor, the council's government-affairs director.
"This can be used by the extremists to reinforce that - and we
certainly don't want that," he said.
SEE ALSO:
OSPREY AD WITH MOSQUE IS
PULLED -
TOP
Wendy Tanaka, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/1/05
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/12788361.htm
Boeing Co., Bell Helicopter and the National Journal magazine apologized
yesterday to an Islamic advocacy group for creating and publishing an ad
for the Osprey depicting American troops descending from the aircraft
above a mosque.
"It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell,"
the ad's headline read.
The ad copy also said: "The CV-22 delivers Special Forces to
insertion points never thought possible."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, asked Boeing, Bell
Helicopter, and its parent Textron Inc. on Thursday to pull the ad for
the CV-22 Osprey, an airplane with rotors that tilt so it can maneuver
like a helicopter. It is jointly manufactured at Boeing's Ridley Township
plant and a Bell Helicopter facility in Texas.
CAIR said the Arabic letters on the building in the ad read
"Muhammad Mosque," and the building has features commonly
associated with mosques, including a dome, crescent-moon design, and
minaret.
The ad "clearly portrays Special Forces assaulting a mosque, a
structure dedicated to civilian worship purposes," CAIR executive
director Nihad Awad said in a letter to the Osprey's makers.
"This advertisement reflects poorly" on the companies, Awad
said, "and offers a questionable picture of your companies'
collective opinion of Islam and Muslims."
CAIR said yesterday it had received written apologies from Boeing, Bell
Helicopter and the National Journal. (MORE)
-----
CAIR:
WEBSITE'S WAR IMAGES SPARK CONTROVERSY -
TOP
Cara Buckley, Miami Herald, 10/1/05
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/12788818.htm
LAKELAND - He insists he's a webmaster not a pornographer, but that
doesn't mean Chris Wilson is breathing any easier here in the sanitized
world of Polk County.
Wilson, gap-toothed and 27 years old, runs an adult entertainment site
whose members post and ogle pictures of their and other members' wives
and girlfriends performing various lascivious acts. As of nine months
ago, Wilson also began letting U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq post
wartime pictures in exchange for free access to his site. The soldiers
complied, often without self-restraint.
Now Wilson's site -- its address contains an unprintable expletive --
commingles amateur pornography with stomach-churning photographs of
pulpy, landmine-blasted legs, smoldering organs set in crooked teepees of
charred bones, and thatches of hair attached to bloody knobs of flesh,
the remnants of an exploded scalp.
Wilson is unrepentant about posting the photos, claiming they accurately
depict what he says media outlets here hide: the unvarnished horrors of
war.
''That's a true vision of war from a soldier's point of view,'' Wilson
said Friday in his rented Lakeland townhouse. ''If he wants to show the
rest of the world it's grisly, I don't want to stop it. I like that it's
real and uncensored.''
For all his site's inherent controversy, Wilson avoided the limelight
until the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a
stormy letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld early last week,
setting off a small media firestorm that saw TV stations, ranging from
local outlets to CNN, rapping at Wilson's door.
Arsalan Iftikhar, the council's legal director, insisted he took no issue
with Wilson, only with the troops who posted the photos. ''They're
essentially being traded like morbid baseball cards for pornography,''
Iftikhar said. An Army spokeswoman said the agency was investigating
whether U.S. troops were indeed behind the pictures, in violation of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, but noted they could not stop Wilson
from running his site.
But others closer to home have taken note of Wilson's line of work,
creating a discomfiting atmosphere for the newly paranoid webmaster, who
is now bracing for a local fight over what he insists are his First
Amendment rights.(MORE)
-----
HIJABS CONCEAL
THE HAIR BUT REVEAL THE HEART -
TOP
Sarah Bahari, Star-Telegram, 10/2/05
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/12792156.htm
It was the first day of school. She took a seat in English class by
friends, who didn't seem to know her.
Roll call began. "Nuri Wafayee?" the teacher said, raising her
eyes from the paper.
Wafayee raised her hand. Her friends gasped and looked
confused.
Later, in the halls of Fossil Ridge High School in the Keller district,
classmates fired off questions: Why? Why now? Is this really what you
want?
Wafayee is 16. A Texan, born in America. She says y'all, wears makeup,
watches The Simpsons, plays softball and buys tank tops at Forever
21.
She is also Muslim.
In the summer, she and her younger sister started wearing the hijab
(pronounced Ha-jeeb) a head scarf that religious Muslim women wear in
public and when around men.
The decision surprised her non-Muslim friends and pleased her relatives,
but Wafayee said none of that mattered.
This is what she wants. "I do this for God," she
said.
The Quran says women should dress and act modestly. Many interpret that
to mean that once puberty begins, girls should cover their hair, arms and
legs.
Once shed by immigrants assimilating into American culture, hijabs are
gaining popularity with second-generation Muslims: Girls as young as 10
are opting to wear them.
"This is one of our biggest issues," said Ibrahim Hooper,
spokesman for the Council on Islamic American Relations. He said the
council's headquarters in Washington, D.C., fields hundreds of phone
calls and complaints annually.
"These issues will never fully go away," he said.
Women wear the hijabs in public or around men. They typically do not wear
them at home. They can show their hair in front of some male relatives,
including brothers, fathers and husbands. (MORE)
-----
MN: WHO ARE THE AMERICAN
MUSLIMS? -
TOP
Adam Minter, Rakemag, 10/2005
http://www.rakemag.com/stories/section_detail.aspx?itemID=11438&catID=282&SelectCatID=282
A Saturday night in late summer and downtown Rochester was completely
dark except for an exceedingly lively block of First Avenue Northwest. At
one end, a tall Somali man leaned into the window of a black Chevy
Cavalier and spoke with a woman wearing a red silk hijab, or headscarf.
Behind the Cavalier, three Somali teenagers, one in a UNC basketball
jersey, clustered around a Jeep Cherokee, inadvertently blocking cars
trying to emerge from a parking lot. Meanwhile, men in their twenties
chattered loudly in the lot while older men conversed on the corner of
Broadway.
Around nine o'clock, the street-side conversations began moving toward
the entrance of the Rochester Islamic Center, a nondescript former VFW
hall distinguished now only by the sweep of Arabic across a sign over the
door. In the tiled entryway, the thin face of a Somali woman in a purple
hijab peeked down from over the rail on the second floor. Inside are
cubbyholes filled with footwear, and then a long, open space defined by a
large window, several support columns, and strips of red carpeting angled
in the direction of Mecca.
A Somali man sat up front, a copy of the Koran propped between two worn
blue velvet cushions in front of him. A dozen other Somalis in various
states of repose listened intently to his lecture. Other men arrived and
arranged themselves in line with the carpet strips. Some stood and
prayed, hands clasped over their stomachs; others sat silently or
chatted. Shortly after 9:30, a young Somali in a Fubu basketball jersey
stepped to a microphone at the front of the room and turned toward Mecca.
"Allahu akbar," he began, chanting the call to
prayer.
When the call was finished, Sheikh Elsayed Mahmoud, a thickly bearded,
light-skinned thirty-six-year-old in an emerald green thobe (an
ankle-length cotton garment), entered. He took a seat on a rolling office
chair and looked out at the congregation. Three older Somali men
approached him, and they chatted amiably. Around 9:50 they drifted away,
and Mahmoud rose and turned toward Mecca.
Approximately a hundred and fifty men rose with him, standing in straight
lines along the carpet. Young boys stood next to their fathers; teenagers
stood with their friends. At the front, older Somalis in skirts and
turbans held dark wooden prayer beads, next to robed, stately Arab men
whose faces were weathered in ways mostly unknown in Minnesota.
Islam is America's fastest growing religion, and it seems especially
apparent in Rochester. In the early 1990s there were fewer than fifty
observant Muslims living in the city, most of whom were South Asian;
organized prayers were held only on Fridays, in makeshift accommodations.
Today approximately five thousand Muslims live in the city, the vast
majority of whom are Somali; they have the option of praying five times
daily in a mosque owned by their community, presided over by an esteemed
imam trained in Islam's most distinguished university. (MORE)
-----
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT RAMADAN -
TOP
http://www.nbc4.tv/family/2579054/detail.html
1) Who celebrates Ramadan?
More than 1 billion Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan, including more
than 6 million in the United States. Indonesia has the largest Muslim
population in the world, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Turkey
following. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America.
2) When is Ramadan?
Ramadan starts at the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic
calendar. Because Islam observes a lunar calendar, the official beginning
occurs at different times around the globe, based on when the crescent
moon is first seen. The lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the
solar calendar, and this year Ramadan begins Oct. 4.
3) What is the derivation of "Ramadan"?
Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ar-ramad, meaning "parched
thirst," and is also the name of the ninth month of the lunar
calendar.
4) How did Ramadan begin?
In approximately 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad began
wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia). The angel
Gabriel appeared to him and told him he had been chosen to receive the
world of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad began speaking and
transcribing the words to the Quran (also spelled "Koran"), the
sacred book of Islam.
Muslims consider the Quran to be God's literal speech, recorded in the
Arabic language, and transmitted through humanity via Muhammad, who is
considered the last of a chain of prophets that included Adam, Abraham,
Moses, David and Jesus.
SEE ALSO:
PRAYER,
CHARITY ADD TO ISLAMIC FASTING HOLIDAY -
TOP
Jean Perenboom, Green Bay Press Gazette, 10/2/05
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22806896.shtml
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with
the sighting of the new moon, after which all physically mature and
healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, any kind of
tobacco use and sexual contact from dawn to sunset.
The spiritual aspects of the fast include refraining from gossiping,
lying, slandering and all traits of bad character. All obscene and
irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of thought and
action is the goal.
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the
first verses of the Quran. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named
Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (located in Saudi Arabia
today) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him
from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had
been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed,
Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as
the Quran.
Muslims are approaching their holiest month of the year as Ramadan begins
Wednesday. For 1 billion Muslims around the world, including about 8
million in North America, it is a month of blessing marked by prayer,
fasting and charity, according to the Islamic Society of North
America.
Sajida Shariff of Allouez and her family participate in special prayers
each day and break the fast at sundown. When possible they go to the
mosque in Neenah to join other Muslims in prayers. "We do not go
Monday through Friday because everyone has to work, so we break our fast
at home with family," she said.
"Every Saturday during Ramadan, we go to the mosque for prayer and a
meal," she said. The families rotate who brings the food. "We
have Muslims from all over the world represented. There are some for
India, Pakistan, the Mideast, Africa and more. Everyone has different
foods they eat. It's very international." (MORE)
---
HELPING NEEDY STRESSED AT
RAMADAN -
TOP
David Yonke, Toledo Blade 10/1/05
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051001/NEWS10/51001024
The devastation and suffering caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have
heightened American Muslims' awareness of the meaning of Ramadan, the
Islamic holy month that begins Wednesday, local Islamic leaders said this
week.
"Ramadan is all about helping people, and we have so many
unfortunate people around us and within our reach," said Ziad Abu
Hummos, president of the Masjid Saad, a conservative mosque in West
Toledo. "God ordered us to help these needy people."
During Ramadan, whose dates are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar,
the world's 1.2 billion Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink,
and other sensual pleasures from the break of dawn until the sun
sets.
Following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam,
Muslims focus on spirituality and prayer during the 30-day holy month.
This year, American Muslims are especially mindful of the suffering
caused by war and nature.
"There are many things that affect our prayers and our lives,"
said Imam Farooq Abo-Elzahab of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo.
"Of course, people pray for peace and for the safety of people
around the world. With the natural disaster like the hurricanes, and with
violence all over the world, this becomes the month that we put our heart
and soul into prayer."
The imam, or spiritual leader, of the Perrysburg Township mosque said
some people misunderstand the concept of abstaining from food, drink, and
sexual activity from dawn to dusk, failing to grasp the real
motivation.
"It is much deeper than just abstaining from these things. It's a
spiritual practice that benefits society," Imam Farooq said. For
example, he said, Muslims also are required to refrain from gossip, to
help people who lack resources, and to spend more time with one's
family.
"We have to shift our minds and intellect to goodness. It is a time
of victory over our shortcomings, over selfishness and materialism,"
the imam said. (MORE)
---
RAMADAN:
PRAYING FOR GOD'S MERCY ON ALL OF US -
TOP
Indianapolis Star, 10/1/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051001/LIVING/510010379
Umar Al-Khattab wants to make a point, so he begins searching for the
passage in the Quran -- the sacred book of Islam.
When Al-Khattab finds the verse, he leans across the table and begins
reading it to a visitor at Masjid Al-Fajr, the Westside Indianapolis
mosque where he is the spiritual leader, or imam.
"If Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, he would
not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth,"
Al-Khattab reads.
Closing the book, he says, "Paradise is by mercy, not by actions.
Forgiveness is another aspect of mercy. We're always between fear and
hope. Fear of not having our actions accepted and hope that they will be
accepted."
For Al-Khattab, Ramadan is a time when actions make a difference. He
notes that Muslims are asked to read the Quran during this holiest of
months for Islam. They are also required to fast from food and abstain
from sex each day during the month, from about 90 minutes before sunrise
to sunset every day, he says.
---
HOLY TIMES FOR JUDAISM, ISLAM
-
TOP
Joe Rodriuez, Wichita Eagle, 10/1/05
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/12786675.htm
Two of the holiest times for two religions begin next week: High Holy
Days for Jews and Ramadan for Muslims.
High Holy Days, a time of self-reflection and rebirth, begins Monday at
sundown with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It continues for 10 days
until the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, on Oct. 13.
The holiday is a time set aside for repentance, ritual, prayer and
self-reflection, said Rabbi Michael Davis of Congregation
Emanu-El.
Preparing for the start of the Jewish New Year is unlike the way many
people observe Dec. 31 -- New Year's Eve.
"On the Jewish New Year, we come to services and sit with family and
friends and pray," Davis said.
It is similar, though, in that people use both times to reflect on the
mistakes of the past year and to plan to make changes for the new
one.
Repenting and reaching out to those whom a person may have offended are
important, Davis said. It's also an appropriate time to visit the graves
of loved ones.
Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, begins Tuesday. Muslims fast
during Ramadan from dawn to sunset and then share a meal in the evening,
often at one another's houses.
"The main goal of fasting is to become a pious person, a good
person, to be a good person for everybody," said Nabil Seyam,
spokesman for the Islamic Society of Wichita.
-----
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-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS
BRIEFS - 10/3/05
*
Verse:
The Quran is Better Than
Worldly Riches
-
Sponsor or Obtain a FREE Quran
-
Hold a 'Sharing Ramadan'
Iftar
*
CAIR-FL:
FBI Hopes to
Build Ties with Muslims (Sun-Sent)
*
New Book:
Muslim Chaplain at
Gitmo Tells of Abuses (NYT)
-
Soldiers Get Off Easy For Iraq
Crimes (PB Post)
*
CAIR:
An Insertion
Meant For Deletion (Wash Post)
*
IN:
Muslims Turn Eyes to Sky
to Start Ramadan (Indy Star)
-
CA:
Muslims
Prepare For Holy Month of Ramadan
-
SD:
Muslims
Ready to Mark Month of Ramadan (Argus Leader)
-
GA:
Muslim, Jewish Holidays
Coincide (AJC)
-
MI:
Muslims Purify Themselves
in Ramadan (Det News)
*
MI:
Muslims Seek
2nd U-M Spot to Pray
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: THE QURAN IS BETTER THAN
WORLDLY RICHES -
TOP
"Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guidance
for mankind with clear teachings showing the right way and a criterion of
truth and falsehood. Therefore, anyone of you who witnesses that month
should fast therein, and whoever is ill or upon a journey shall fast a
similar number of days later on. God intends your well-being and does not
want to put you to hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed
period so that you should glorify His greatness and render thanks to Him
for giving you guidance."
The Holy Quran, 2:185
"O humankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a
cure for whatever (disease) is in your hearts, a guidance and a blessing
for all those who believe. Say: 'It is the grace and mercy of God (that
He has sent this Quran), so let the people rejoice over it, for it is
better than (the worldly riches) they hoard.'"
The Holy Quran, 10:57-58
SPONSOR OR OBTAIN A FREE QURAN -
TOP
To obtain a FREE Quran or to SPONSOR A QURAN for someone wishing to learn
more about Islam, go to:
www.explorethequran.org
HOLD A 'SHARING RAMADAN'
IFTAR -
TOP
For a step-by-step guide to hosting a "Sharing Ramadan" Iftar,
go to:
www.cair.com/sharingramadan05.pdf
-----
FBI LIAISONS HOPE TO BUILD
TIES WITH SOUTH FLORIDA MUSLIMS -
TOP
Gregory Lewis, Sun Sentinel, 10/3/05
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cfbi03oct03,0,1273141.story
The FBI has promised to assign agents to mosques as liaisons to build
better relations between law enforcement and Muslims.
South Florida Muslim leaders said they welcome cooperation with the FBI,
hoping the newly forged relationship will prevent Muslims from being
harassed and profiled by law enforcement.
"Muslim leaders are being flooded with complaints about being
profiled and detained at airports," said Altaf Ali, head of South
Florida Council for American-Islamic Relations.
"If trust is to be developed, profiling has to stop," he
said.
The FBI's strategy of building alliances with ethic religious communities
comes on the heels of the growing number of anti-terrorism Muslim
organizations nationwide, said Walid Phares, a professor of international
relations and the Middle East at Florida Atlantic University in Boca
Raton.
"The FBI is trying to make it clear in these meetings that the
problem is not the community," Phares said.
"It's radical ideology, and [they've] got to educate the rest of us
and explain that ideology," he added.
About 30 Muslims met with Michael S. Clemens, special agent in charge in
the FBI's Miami office, and agents from the Joint Terrorism Task Force on
Wednesday at CAIR headquarters in Pembroke Pines at the behest of CAIR,
Muslim and FBI officials said. (MORE)
-----
IN NEW BOOK EX-CHAPLAIN AT
GUANTÁNAMO TELLS OF ABUSES -
TOP
Neil A. Lewis, New York Times, 10/3/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/03/politics/03yee.html
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 - James J. Yee, a former Muslim chaplain at the
Guantánamo Bay detention center, says in a new book that military
authorities knowingly created an atmosphere in which guards would feel
free to abuse prisoners.
Mr. Yee, 37, is a former Army captain and a West Point graduate who was
arrested and imprisoned in 2003 on suspicion of espionage. It was a case
that, in the end, proved groundless, to the embarrassment of the
Pentagon.
Mr. Yee was ultimately deemed guilty of minor administrative charges
involving adultery and the presence of pornography on his computer, and
given an honorable discharge. But those convictions, too, were later
dropped.
The book, "For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under
Fire," offers Mr. Yee's first public comments on what occurred at
the camp while he was there.
In the book, to be published this week by PublicAffairs, Mr. Yee writes
that Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, the prison's commanding officer - who
would later become Mr. Yee's chief antagonist in pressing suspicions of
espionage against him - regularly incited anger toward the prisoners with
emotional slogans delivered to the troops.
Mr. Yee writes that when General Miller visited the prison, he would tell
the guards sternly, "The war is on." That remark and similar
comments, Mr. Yee writes, were designed to let soldiers know they were
operating in a combat environment where it was understood that rules
protecting detainees were relaxed and instances of mistreatment would be
overlooked.
"Soldiers know that when you are in combat there's considerable
leniency in the rules," Mr. Yee said in an interview, "and the
leaders, including General Miller, wanted to put them in that frame of
mind."
He said that General Miller told him that he remained deeply angry over
the loss of military friends who were killed in the attack on the
Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The general, who is now assigned to duty in the Pentagon, declined
through a spokesman to comment on the book. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
U.S. SOLDIERS GET OFF EASY FOR
CRIMES AGAINST IRAQIS, REVIEW FINDS -
TOP
Russell Carollo, Larry Kaplow, Palm Beach Post-Cox News Service,
10/2/05
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/world/epaper/2005/10/02/a29a_courtmartial_1002.html
BAGHDAD - Eight-year-old Rudenah al-Hillali cried as the two American
soldiers led her father into their apartment with a rifle barrel at his
back and forced the family to stand in a corner at gunpoint.
"She was scared," said her father, Issam Abdul Jabbar
al-Hillali, adding that the soldiers refused to let him give Rudenah
water.
Al-Hillali said Army Pfc. John N. Lee and Spec. Timothy I. Barron claimed
to be Marines searching for weapons. But once inside his house, he said,
they used a knife to pry open a briefcase filled with money and
eventually stole $2,000 in cash, silver and other valuables.
Although Army officials found some of the missing items in the soldiers'
possession and they admitted to robbing houses under the guise of looking
for illegal weapons, the Army dismissed the charges. In exchange, Barron
said, both soldiers agreed to leave the military.
Using previously undisclosed Army records, the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News
found that dozens of soldiers have been accused of crimes against Iraqis
since the first troops deployed for Iraq. But despite strong evidence and
convictions in some cases, only a small percentage resulted in
punishments nearing those that civilian justice systems routinely impose
for such crimes.
In a number of other cases, there was no evidence that thorough or timely
criminal investigations were conducted. Other cases weren't prosecuted,
and still others resulted in dismissals, light jail sentences or no jail
sentence at all. (MORE)
-----
AN INSERTION MEANT FOR
DELETION -
TOP
Al Kamen, Washington Post, 10/3/05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/02/AR2005100200973.html
And now, reason No. 1,446 that Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes is
having a hard time working the crowd in the Muslim world.
An ad listing Boeing, Bell Helicopter and other companies making the
troubled Osprey CV-22 attack helicopter appeared in the National Journal
last week. It shows soldiers rappelling from the chopper onto the roof of
a building, which says in Arabic on the side, "Muhammad
Mosque."
"It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell,"
the ad touts. "The CV-22 delivers Special Forces to insertion points
never thought possible."
Like a mosque?
The folks at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), naturally,
were furious and protested. Within hours, the companies and the National
Journal responded. "We consider the ad offensive, regret its
publication and apologize to those who like us are dismayed with its
contents," Boeing said.
The companies said they had tried to pull the ad several weeks ago. It
ran, National Journal Executive Vice President Elizabeth Baker Keffer
told CAIR in an e-mail, "as the result of a clerical error on our
part. We had received specific direction from the agency representing
Boeing/Bell to not run the ad. We have apologized to Boeing, their
partner Bell and their advertising agency [in Irving, Tex.] for this
mistake. We accept full responsibility for the error."
-----
MUSLIMS TURN EYES TO SKY TO START
RAMADAN -
TOP
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 10/3/05
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051003/NEWS01/510030385/1006/NEWS01
When is the moon really out?
That question will be on the minds of Muslims here and across the world
tonight as adherents of one of the world's largest faiths prepare to mark
the start of Ramadan.
The crescent moon signals the start of the monthlong holiday, and it will
be up to the Plainfield headquarters of the Islamic Society of North
America to formally determine for Muslims in this part of the world
whether tonight's moon is the real deal.
Scientists generally agree it will be impossible to view the newborn
crescent moon in the skies tonight because its trip above the horizon
will be too brief and follow too close to sunset. The sky's brightness
will simply swallow up any sliver of moon that might have been
visible.
A visible crescent is, however, expected Tuesday night.
As they have done in years past, Islamic Society officials will wait by
the phones tonight to field calls from people who think they have
captured a glimpse of the much-awaited crescent.
The society's secretary general, Sayyid Syeed, said aircraft, jet
contrails and the playful nature of light have in the past prompted
moon-sighting claims that simply couldn't have been possible, given the
observer's location, the time of the report or the direction of the
object in question.
Rather than scoff, Syeed and his staff jot down the caller's phone number
and pass it on to Muslim scientists who then talk with the
person.
"I ask them what time was it when you saw it," said one of the
scientists, Khalid Shaukat, Silver Springs, Va. "Some of the times,
the observers tell me it is after the moon has already set, and whatever
they saw cannot be the moon."
To double-check, Shaukat, a physicist, mathematician and engineer who
works for the federal government, plugs the caller's location and
sighting information into a computer program he created that offers
astronomical data specific to any area of the country.
"The most important thing is to weed out these false
sightings," Shaukat, who is a Muslim, said. "Nowadays, there
are hundreds of flying objects in the sky and people make mistakes."
(MORE)
ALSO SEE:
LOCAL MUSLIMS PREPARE
FOR HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN -
TOP
Dana Bartholomew, Daily News, 10/3/05
http://www2.dailynews.com/news/ci_3081804
To abstain from smoking, avoid all beverages, do without breakfast and
lunch and be mindful of the eyes of God. This week, Muslims across Los
Angeles will join Muslims worldwide in purifying their spirits during the
monthlong fast of Ramadan.
Beginning well before sunrise Tuesday or Wednesday - depending on the
moon - followers of Islam will avoid food, drink, smoking and sex each
day until dark.
"When we are alone - not touching any food, or any drink, not
touching sexually each other - it reminds us of the presence of God
everywhere - that God is touching us," said Mufti Qazi Fazlullah of
the Islamic Center of Northridge.
"(By) controlling our desires, we are elevated
spiritually."
Bypassing the fridge also creates empathy for the poor, which fosters a
sense of sacrifice and charity, he said. Learning hardship and difficulty
during the daylight hours also makes us strong. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS READY TO
MARK MONTH OF RAMADAN -
TOP
Jill Callison, Argus Leader, 10/3/05
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051003/LIFE/510030326/1004
For the next month, Dr. Ali Salim will let his soul prevail over his
body.
A Muslim, Salim will begin the monthlong observance of Ramadan, probably
on Wednesday.
"When the body wants something, we respond quickly, but when the
soul wants something, we take our time," Salim says. "During
Ramadan, we need to reverse this, and make sure the soul receives as much
attention as the body does."
Ramadan and its daily fast is one of the five "pillars" of the
Islamic faith, along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers,
charity and pilgrimages to the holy site of Mecca.
Because Islam follows a lunar calendar, Ramadan will not begin until the
first sighting of the new moon, expected on Tuesday night, says Mohamed
Sharif.
Because of this, Ramadan begins 11 days earlier each year.
"Sometimes we fast in the middle of summer and sometimes in
winter," Salim says.
It is much easier to fast in cold January than the hot and long days of
July, he says. "But God wanted us to experience
both."
Fasting takes place from sunrise to sunset. It traditionally is broken
with a drink of water and dates, and the evening meal will be a light
one. (MORE)
---
IN RARE MOMENT, MUSLIM, JEWISH
HOLIDAYS COINCIDE -
TOP
Bo Emerson, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 10/3/05
http://www.cjp.org/content_display.html?ArticleID=164905
In an unusual confluence of calendars, Ramadan and Rosh Hashana, major
holidays for Muslims and Jews, start within hours of each other this
year.
Because the faiths follow different lunar calendars, their festival dates
vary each year with respect to the Gregorian calendar and each other.
This year, Rosh Hashana begins at sunset today and Ramadan with the
sighting of the new moon, which is expected to happen tonight.
Ramadan is a month of fasting and contemplation that constitutes the
holiest period in the Muslim calendar, while Rosh Hashana marks the
beginning of the Jewish New Year (the year 5766) and the 10-day High
Holidays. During that time, which concludes with Yom Kippur, Jews
concentrate on forgiveness and atonement for past wrongs.
During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast
from daybreak until sunset. They traditionally break their fast in the
evening with dates, following the custom of the prophet
Muhammad.
It is hoped that the month of discipline will spill over into the rest of
the year, said Amjad Taufique, a board member of the Islamic Center of
Marietta, "so that you turn more toward prayer, and be more
God-conscious in your life."
Jews traditionally eat apples dipped in honey at Rosh Hashana, a symbol
of a wish for a sweet new year.
The new year is heralded with the blowing of the shofar, or ram's
horn.
That day is the first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish
calendar. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS PURIFY THEMSELVES DURING
RAMADAN -
TOP
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, Detroit News, 10/1/05
http://detnews.com/2005/editorial/0510/01/D10-333457.htm
The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan will begin this Wednesday. Ramadan is
more than a little sacrifice of food, water, coffee and cookies. It is
about purification of the mind, heart and body.
Although the observation of Yom Kipper by many Jews and Lent by many
Christians apply the same concept, the fast of Ramadan has its own
characteristics and restrictions. It includes abstaining from any food,
drink, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk for the whole month. The
children, elderly, the sick, pregnant or breastfeeding women, travelers
and whoever fasting may harm are exempt.
The fasting season is an opportunity for the faithful to experience a
spiritual revolution and develop a new discipline in their relationship
with themselves, their Lord and fellow human beings based on piety,
humbleness and courtesy.
Fasting was meant to cleanse the house of the heart from the dust of sin,
selfishness, greed, pride, impatience and, most dangerous and addictive
of all, hypocrisy. Appreciation for what we have and sympathy for those
who suffer are among the fruits of fasting. Therefore, Ramadan is about
experiencing a spiritual energy, which provides healing and harmony in
the human family and creates a stronger personal discipline, a stronger
community and a stronger country.
The real victory may not come through weapons and military actions but
the power of the human will to depend on God alone. (MORE)
-----
MUSLIMS SEEK 2ND U-M SPOT
TO PRAY -
TOP
North Campus room wanted for all faiths
M Live, 10/2/05
http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1128267753163030.xml&coll=2
They pray wherever they can find a hint of privacy - inside an empty
classroom, between the stacks of books in a library, or at the bottom of
a stairwell.
Devout Muslim students juggling packed schedules of classes and labs on
the University of Michigan's North Campus say they squeeze in their daily
religious obligations as best they can, but they want a place to pray
where they won't feel awkward or self-conscious.
A petition is being circulated to ask U-M to open a reflection room on
North Campus that could be used by people of all faiths. While the
university is receptive to the idea, space constraints on North Campus
may be a problem.
About two years ago, a reflection room opened on Central Campus, in the
Michigan League, but it's a 30-minute round trip away, too far to be
convenient for students who take most of their classes on North Campus.
The same goes for the Islamic Center on Plymouth Road, said Noha
Elmouelhi, president of the Muslim Engineering Student
Association.
"Often times, classes are back-to-back,'' she said, "or you
have a four-hour lab.''
Elmouelhi either runs home, and is sometimes late for her next class, or
she finds a classroom in her engineering building that isn't being used.
(MORE)
-----
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #471
Ramadan Mubarak!
HELP CAIR RAISE $1 MILLION DURING RAMADAN
Funds will be used to enhance understanding of Islam and
defend American Muslims
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/05) -
Alhamdulillah (praise be to
God), CAIR today announced its annual fundraising drive intended
(
inshallah) to raise $1 million during the month of Ramadan, the
month of giving, and culminating with the
national fundraising dinner
on December 3 in Washington, D.C. (Scholars says CAIR is able to
receive zakat donations.) HELP MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS BY THE END OF
RAMADAN!
To donate online, go to:
https://www.cair-net.org/asp/donate.asp
NOW is the time to show your support for CAIR, an organization
that has been defending Muslims and Islam in America for more than a
decade. Your generous donation is more important than ever and will be
greatly appreciated.
Funds raised during the campaign, themed
"$1 MILLION FOR ISLAM IN
RAMADAN," will be used to defend the civil and religious rights
of American Muslims, defend against defamatory attacks on Muslims and
Islam and promote greater understanding of Islam.
"The success of CAIR is only through the grace of God and the
generosity of our donors," said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed.
"I hope that every member of our community will help CAIR reach its
$1 million Ramadan goal for the second straight year." He quoted Ibn
Abbas who said: "The Prophet was the most generous of all the
people, and he used to become (even) more generous in Ramadan."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, 4:754)
Ahmed also outlined some of the important work CAIR has done in the
recent past:
*
CAIR'S "EXPLORE THE QURAN" PROJECT - Following reports
that the Quran had been desecrated by guards in Guantanamo Bay, CAIR
launched the "Explore the Quran" campaign to put the holy text
into the hands of Americans of all faiths. More than 20,000 Qurans have
been requested and some 10,000 have already been delivered. Help us send
the rest! SEE:
http://www.explorethequran.org/
*
ISLAM TV ADS - CAIR launched this TV and radio public service
announcement (PSA) campaign to counter claims that Muslims have failed to
condemn terrorism and extremism. Millions of American have seen and heard
these PSAs. SEE:
http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
*
FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM - CAIR coordinated the release of a
Fatwa against terrorism and religious extremism issued by the Fiqh
Council of North America. SEE:
http://cair.com/includes/Anti-TerrorList.pdf
*
MUSLIMS CARE - CAIR launched an initiative to promote
volunteerism in the American Muslim community. This effort lets Americans
see the true nature of Islam as Muslims help to feed the poor, rebuild
places of worship and generally uplift local communities through positive
actions. SEE:
www.muslims-care.org
*
CHALLENGING MUSLIM-BASHERS AND ISLAMOPHOBES - CAIR takes the
lead in challenging the smears, lies and distortions of anti-Muslim
bigots. We lead the successful campaign to expose the extremist
anti-Muslim views of a Washington, D.C., talk show host who repeatedly
called Islam a "terrorist organization." The host was fired
after thousands of people responded to a CAIR request to contact the
station.
*
DEFENDING YOUR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL RIGHTS - Whether its fighting
for religious accommodation in the workplace or schools, challenging
unconstitutional provisions of the USA Patriot Act, working with local
and national authorities, or exposing anti-Muslim hate crimes, CAIR is at
the forefront of the struggle to maintain your rights and enhance
understanding of Islam.
*
OTHER CAIR INITIATIVES: Summer Internship Program for Muslim
youth; get-out-the-vote campaigns; daily CAIR-NET and ISLAM-INFONET
e-mails to the Muslim community and opinion-leaders; countless interviews
by local, national and international media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC,
BBC, ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, to
name just a few. (Factiva lists more than 11,000 media mentions of CAIR
in just the past five years.)
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
1.
Donate generously to the campaign. To donate online, go to:
https://www.cair-net.org/asp/donate.asp
2.
Ask all your friends, relatives and colleagues to donate and
become members of CAIR.
3.
Raise funds for CAIR at your local mosque or Islamic center. We
encourage each center to raise $1,000.
4.
Attend CAIR's fundraising dinner in Washington, D.C. on
December 3rd and help us reach our goal of $1 million.
Make checks payable to "CAIR." Mail to: CAIR, 453 New
Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, D.C., 20003
Remember, every dollar counts. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) said when asked what actions God loves most: "One that is
performed constantly, even if it is small."
- PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE
-
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the
American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called CAIR-NET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:
cair@cair-net.org
URL:
http://www.cair-net.org
-----
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