cair-net Digest of: get.2101_2200
Topics (messages 2101 through 2200):
CAIR-NET: Woman Who Lost 8 Relatives on 9/11 Converts to Islam / More
Muslims Arrive in U.S., After 9/11 Dip / Post-9/11 Bias Balanced with
Kindness
2101 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NY Teachers to Study Israeli PR Curriculum / IN Murder Raises
Questions in Muslim Community / U.S. Muslims Five Years After 9/11
2102 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to Counter Al-Qaida Tape Aired on 9/11 Anniversary
2103 by: Ibrahim Hooper
CAIR-NET: Californians Asked to Repudiate Mayor's Anti-Muslim Remarks
2104 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Repudiate Al-Qaeda Worldview / MN Muslim
Candidate Plays Defense / Police Seek Motive in Slaying of IN Muslim
2105 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Church Sign Angers Muslims / Plans to Honor Muslim Leader
Bring Out Animosity / Feingold Faults Term 'Islamic Fascist' / 'We
Covered Entire Towns in Cluster Bombs'
2106 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Mosques Urged to Host 'Sharing Ramadan' Iftars
2107 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MI Muslims Ask GOP Group to Cancel 'Racist' Event / IL
Muslims Condemn Candidate's Remarks on Profiling / MN Muslim Wins Primary /
MD Teacher Charged in Islamic Greeting Incident
2108 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to Release Report on U.S. Muslim Civil Rights
2109 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Muslim Med Students Face Expulsion for Refusing to Undress
/ Israeli Expert Says No Peace with Muslims, Ever
2110 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Call for Dialogue Over Pope's Comments on Islam
2111 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Opponent Smears MN Muslim Candidate / CT Muslim Group Reports
Threat
2112 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Canadian Mosque Vandalized with Slurs, Nazi Swastikas
2113 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Defining Today's Moderate Muslim / Schools Balance Dress
Codes, Faith / Canadian Mosque Attacked by Vandals
2114 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Anti-Muslim Bias Incidents Jump 29 Percent - Report
2115 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Jews, Muslims Share Their Faiths / Muslims Cite Quran to
Fight Global Warming / CAIR Rep Discusses Pope's Comments on MSNBC
2116 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Bush Meets with Islam-Bashing Radio Host / FL Ministers
Preach Against 'Evil' New Mosque / CA Muslims to Meet with Cardinal
2117 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Asks Muslims to Help Repair Damaged Churches
2118 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Meet with Vatican Ambassador in DC / FBI,
Muslims Establish Better Ties / Muslims' Treatment at FL Airport Spurs Outcry
2119 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Fla. AG Asked to Rescind Appointment of Islam-Basher
2120 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to Host Ramadan 'Iftar' on Capitol Hill
2121 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Candidate Drops Anti-Islam Preacher / CA Muslims Condemn
'Inflammatory' Claims of Jewish Group / FL Med School Updates Policy to
Accommodate Muslims / CO Rep Addresses Hate Group
2122 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Gunmen Fire at Florida Mosque / South African Imam Denied
Entry to US / VT Official Sends Islamophobic E-Mails / OH Stations Say
'Jihad' Car Spots Go Too Far
2123 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Ohio Car Dealer Drops 'Jihad' Radio Ads, Offers Apology
2124 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Muslims Visit Church in Gesture of Reconciliation /
CAIR-MI Rep Speaks at Rosh Hashanah Service
2125 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MI Muslims Seek Mtg Over Rep's 'Polarizing Language' / Attack
on FL Mosque is Intolerable / Study Challenges Notions About Hijab
2126 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: House Members Attend CAIR Capitol Hill 'Iftar'
2127 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to Change Domain Names / CO Rep Stands by Muslim Staffer
/ Reward Offered in FL Mosque Shooting
2128 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Ask Post Offices to Stock Eid Stamps / VA Muslim Student
Allowed Islamic Attire in Gym Class
2129 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: More US Hispanics Drawn to Islam / WI Rep - 'Islam is Not a
Religion of Peace'
2130 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NY Rep Exploits Anti-Muslim Bias / Effort Aims to Push
Muslims to the Polls / CAIR Launches Online Video Library
2131 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: PA Muslims Received Threats / OH Muslims Feed the Hungry / VA
Teens Take Over Duties of Imam Denied Entry to U.S.
2132 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MN Radio Station Thanked for 'Muslim Jeopardy' Skit Apology
2133 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CA Bishop Makes Good-Will Gesture to Muslims / TN Muslims
Critical of Mosque Incident Probe Delay
2134 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Quran Found in NY College Toilet / Workplace Bias Against
Muslims on Rise / FL Muslims Meet with Archbishop
2135 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MN Muslim Workers Granted Ramadan Break / Faith Compels CA
Muslim Doctors to Help Others / Anti-Islam Slurs Mar PA Sikh Billboard
2136 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Canadian Muslims Question Entry of Franklin Graham / Rabbi
Defends NY Muslims Against Rep's Smears / ADL Accused of Blocking Speech
by Israel Critic
2137 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Granted Citizenship After Years of Waiting / NY Group
Helps Abused Muslim Women / Gitmo Guards Brag of Beatings
2138 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Get Involved in Politics / Islam's Appeal Spans
Many Cultures / Prophet Mocked Again in Denmark
2139 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Register Online for CAIR's Nov. 18 Banquet in Virginia
2140 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Jewish Groups Block Speech by Israel Critic / Religious
Leaders Support NY Mosque
2141 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Candidates Urged to Avoid Anti-Muslim Rhetoric / Aid Worker
for U.S. Muslim Charity Killed in Iraq / 'Fearmongering' Fueled Lodi
Terror Case
2142 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Preacher Alters Stance on Islam / CA Leaders to Call for
Respect in Political Debate
2143 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: PA Mosque Threatened / FL Preacher's Effort to Work with
Muslims Falls Short
2144 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: An Urgent Appeal from CAIR
2145 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Calls for Exit Strategy From Iraq / Leaders Condemn
Attack on Muslim Candidate
2146 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslim, Catholic Scholars Meet in DC Summit / Muslim
Community Effort Gives Homeless a Hand
2147 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: 2nd Quran Desecration at NY University / CA Mayor Who Called
Muslims 'Wing Nuts' Attends Iftar
2148 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Demand an End to Tunisian Ban on Hijab
2149 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: NY Police Look to Mosques for New Officers / CAIR Hosts New
Pakistani Ambassador at Iftar
2150 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to Release Poll of American Muslim Voters
2151 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Sample Eid News Release / Muslims Mobilize for November Vote
/ Poll: 'Israel Lobby' a Key Factor in Iraq War
2152 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Minnesotan Poised to Be Congress' First Muslim / CA Muslim
Shot to Death / Targeting Muslims - the New Inquisition
2153 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Robertson Calls Quran 'Fraudulent,' Spencer Agrees / CAIR-CA
Says Murder May be Hate Crime / Muslim Cadets at West Point Get Prayer
Hall
2154 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: 2nd S. African Muslim Scholar Denied Entry to U.S.
2155 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Speaks to Muslim Scholar Barred from U.S. /
African-American, Immigrant Muslims Boost Cooperation / Feds Probe a Top Democrat's
Relationship with AIPAC
2156 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Anti-Terror TV Ads to Air in Minnesota / Latina Muslim
Converts Share Newfound Faith
2157 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Poll: U.S. Muslim Voters Diverse, Integrated, Politically
Active
2158 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: TX Mosque Vandalized / MI Arab Assaulted / Top Muslim Kicked
Out of U.S. / Muslim Voters Could Sway Close Contests
2159 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: U.S. Muslims Flex Political Muscle / S. Africa Supports
Muslim Barred from U.S. / FBI in Expanded AIPAC Probe
2160 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Fund Established for Family of Murdered Muslim / Cheney and
'Waterboarding' / Church to Become Mosque
2161 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Suspicious Letter Sent to AZ Muslim Newspaper / ADL Director
Calls Muslim Dialogue a 'Pipe Dream' / Fears of Inquiry Dampen Giving
by U.S. Muslims
2162 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Seeks Due Process for American Facing Execution in Iraq
/ U.S. Muslims Mobilize With Eye on 2008 Elections
2163 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: American Leaders Asked to Repudiate Anti-Islam Hate
2164 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Islamic Housing Co-Ops / CAIR Rep Discusses Islamic Attire on
NPR / Rep. Jackson Lee to Speak at CAIR Dinner
2165 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Gov. Bush Slams Anti-Islam Letter / Row Over Barred Muslim
Scholars / Arab-American Candidate Leaves GOP
2166 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Federal Charges Urged in Hate Attack on NY Muslim
2167 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: FL Candidate Asked to Remove Muslim-Basher / War Tears U.S.
Muslims, Jews Apart
2168 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Good News - FL Candidate Drops Islamophobe
2169 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Might Sway U.S. Polls / U.S. Muslims Carry Burden of
Mistrust / Hospitals Opening Muslim Prayer Places
2170 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-NY Responds to Beating of Muslim / MN Somali Vote May
Put Muslim in Congress
2171 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Get Out and Vote / For U.S. Muslims, It's the American Way /
Forum on Hispanic Muslims / Muslim Stamp Causing Controversy
2172 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Voters Reject Islam-Bashing, Profiling of Muslims
2173 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Congratulates First Muslim Elected to Congress
2174 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Condemns Israeli 'Massacre' of Civilians in Gaza / Pork
Found Outside Canadian Mosque
2175 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: First Muslim in Congress to Speak at CAIR Event in VA
2176 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Explosion Destroys FL Muslim Family's Home / FL Rep Supports
Muslim-Bashing / Muslim Veterans to Lay Memorial Day Wreath / NJ
Muslims Vote for Democrats
2177 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Attorney Says VA Prosecutor Condemned Islam / FL Rep Defends
Anti-Muslim Comments / Record Number of U.S. Muslims Turned Out at
Polls
2178 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Al Qaeda Trashes First U.S. Muslim Rep / Islam Brings Convert
Close to Irish Roots / Islam and Hunting
2179 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Co-Sponsors Karen Armstrong Talk on Capitol Hill / FL
Muslims Sponsor Thanksgiving Baskets for Needy
2180 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Reports on Election Efforts / New Muslim-Liberal
Coalition / Democrats' Wins Hinged on Muslims
2181 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Bank to Close U.S. Muslim Charity's Accounts / FL Rep Says
Constituents Agree with Anti-Muslim Comments
2182 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CNN Host Asks if First Muslim Rep is 'Working With Our
Enemies?' / Al-Arian Prosecutor Dates Reporter Who Covered Case
2183 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-LA Calls for Probe of UCLA Taser Incident / Student
Given Multiple Stun Gun Shocks
2184 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: How Muslims View the Afterlife / Myths About Muslim Americans
/ Jihadist Punditry Targets First Muslim Rep
2185 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR-DC Banquet Sold Out / Muslim Students Upset Over Posters
at Yale / Taser-Shocked Student Claims Racial Profiling / Muslim Women
to Form Rights Council
2186 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: First Muslim Congressman Addresses CAIR Banquet
2187 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Celebrate Thanksgiving with Halal Turkeys / 9/11
Prisoner Abuse Suit Could be Landmark
2188 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Calls for Probe Into Detention of Imams in Minnesota
2189 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR to React to MN 'Flying While Muslim' Incident
2190 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Hearings on Profiling Sought After Imams Removed from MN
Flight
2191 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims and Thanksgiving / Islam and Health Care / Muslims
Call Airport Detention Bias
2192 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Condemns Baghdad Attack / Praying in Public Concerns
Muslims
2193 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Love for Jesus Can Bring Christians, Muslims Together / U.S.
Muslims Develop a Taste for Turkey
2194 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Muslims Protest with Prayer / Muslim Rap Group / Islamic
Clothing Designer / Mary an Ideal Woman in Muslim Eyes
2195 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Radio Spoof Draws Support for Nazi-Like Treatment of U.S.
Muslims
2196 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Anti-Muslim Slurs Shouted During Detroit Assault
2197 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: CAIR Rep Meets with Officials, Muslim Leaders in France / DC
Radio Spoof Draws Support from Muslims / Canceling of Pro-Israel
Speaker Sparks Controversy
2198 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: MI Man Charged in Beating of Muslim / Imams Forced Off
Airliner Set the Record Straight / Blog Uproar Over Muslim Rep Taking Oath on
Quran
2199 by: CAIR
CAIR-NET: Pig Races Used to Deter Texas Mosque / Nuke Mecca and Medina?
/ More U.S. Muslims Gaining Political Ground
2200 by: CAIR
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/9/06
*
Verse:
Bear Witness to the Truth
*
FL:
Woman Who Lost 8 Relatives
on 9/11 Converts to Islam
-
CAIR:
Post-9/11
Bias Balanced with Kindness (Star Trib)
-
More Muslims Arrive in U.S.,
After 9/11 Dip (NY Times)
*
CAIR:
Khatami Says
Suicide Bombers Hurt Islam (Reuters)
-
CAIR:
Khatami
Blasts Wave of 'Islamophobia' (AP)
-
Khatami:
9/11
Attackers Will Not Go to Heaven (AFP)
*
CAIR:
Despite Stereotypes, VA Muslims Aim to Educate (Va-Pilot)
-
CAIR-LA Rep Vows to Educate,
Clarify Misperceptions
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims
Look to Erase Negative Stereotypes
-
CAIR-Chicago:
Phobias Against Muslims,
Islam are a Reality
*
CAIR-OH:
Programs Provide
9/11 Perspective on Anniversary
*
CAIR:
NJ Muslims
Giving Islam a Human Face
(Bergen Record)
-
NJ:
Morris Muslims: We're Treated
Well (Daily Record)
-
Muslims in Utah See Little 9/11
Backlash (Deseret MN)
-
CAIR-FL:
Anti-Muslim Acts
Increasing in S. FL
-
New York Muslims Beset by
Suspicion (Financial Times)
-
PA:
Five Years after 9/11,
Muslims Adapt, Adjust
-
MA:
Muslims say Worries of 9/11
Fade; Bad Signs Seen
-
Video:
Islamophobia in a Post-9/11 World
(ABC)
-
CA:
Muslims Say Interest in
Islam Has Grown Since 9/11
*
CAIR-OH Hosts Focus Group on
Mental Health
-
CAIR-Chicago Meets with Delegation
from Kyrgyzstan
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: BEAR WITNESS TO THE TRUTH -
TOP
"Be steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth
in all equity, and never let the hatred of others to you make you swerve
to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: (for) that is closest to
piety. . .God has promised forgiveness and a great reward to those who
believe and do deeds of righteousness."
The Holy Quran, 5:8-9
-----
FL: FAITH'S FRICTION -
TOP
Tampa woman who lost eight relatives in the attacks converts to Islam as
tensions simmer from the memories and new terror plots. But she presses
on.
SHERRI DAY, St. Petersburg Times, 9/8/06
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/08/Tampabay/Faith_s_friction.shtml
Her mother named her Elizabeth after the queen of England. More than four
decades later, she took another name: Safia Al-Kasaby, reflecting her new
identity as a Muslima.
Safia, 43, is an unlikely candidate for conversion. She claims Jewish and
Puerto Rican ancestry. She is a former sergeant first class in the Air
Force National Guard. And she lost eight relatives - one uncle and seven
cousins - in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center.
Back then, Safia did not imagine the faith professed by the hijackers
would one day become her own. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: METRO MUSLIMS
BUILDING A LEGACY -
TOP
As a new mosque rises in Minneapolis, Twin Cities Muslims reflect on
their growing place here in post-9/11 America.
Terry Collins, Star Tribune, 9/9/06
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/665505.html
Dozens gathered Friday at a mountain of dirt in north Minneapolis and
imagined how it would be transformed into a shining dome and the first
minaret in Minnesota.
"This will be the hopes, dreams and desires of many people,"
said Makram El-Amin, imam of Masjid An-Nur, during a groundbreaking
ceremony outside the mosque's headquarters at 18th and Lyndale Avenues N.
"Their efforts and legacy have powered us to move forward. This will
be historic."
Last week, thousands attended a conference that accompanied the grand
reopening at another Muslim institution, Abuubakar As-Sadique Islamic
Center in south Minneapolis.
But that gathering was clouded by frustration that no arrests have been
made in an arson two weeks earlier that destroyed several religious
books.
These two events reflect the simultaneous hope and unease in the Twin
Cities' growing Muslim community, nearly five years after the Sept. 11
attacks.
In the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks, some local Muslims
found themselves the victims of random assaults and federal authorities
shut down several money-wiring services used by Somalis and other
immigrants. The scrutiny was intensified after revelations that Zacarias
Moussaoui, the only man charged in connection with the attacks in New
York and Washington, had been enrolled at an Eagan flight
school.
Since then, Muslim leaders in the Twin Cities say there has been some
progress on both sides on outreach and understanding one of the world's
fastest-growing religions.
"There has been some profound changes. The communication is far ...
greater than five years ago," said Zafar Siddiqui, president of the
Islamic Resource Group in Edina. "But there still is not a clear
picture of who we are as a community."
Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman with the Council of American-Islamic
Relations, an advocacy group based in Washington, said Muslims across
the country are expressing similar views.
"We have done surveys where participants say yes, there has been
more tolerance," Hooper said. "But there's a certain percentage
that say they've been discriminated against and a similar amount they've
also experienced kindness.
"They balance each other out in a strange sort of way."
(MORE)
---
MORE MUSLIMS ARRIVE IN U.S.,
AFTER 9/11 DIP -
TOP
ANDREA ELLIOTT, New York Times, 9/9/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/nyregion/10muslims.html
America's newest Muslims arrive in the afternoon crunch at John F.
Kennedy International Airport. Their planes land from Dubai, Casablanca
and Karachi. They stand in line, clasping documents. They emerge,
sometimes hours later, steering their carts toward a flock of relatives,
a stream of cabs, a new life.
This was the path for Nur Fatima, a Pakistani woman who moved to Brooklyn
six months ago and promptly shed her hijab. Through the same doors walked
Nora Elhainy, a Moroccan who sells electronics in Queens, and Ahmed
Youssef, an Egyptian who settled in Jersey City, where he gives the call
to prayer at a palatial mosque.
"I got freedom in this country," said Ms. Fatima, 25.
"Freedom of everything. Freedom of thought."
The events of Sept. 11 transformed life for Muslims in the United States,
and the flow of immigrants from countries like Egypt, Pakistan and
Morocco thinned dramatically.
But five years later, as the United States wrestles with questions of
terrorism, civil liberties and immigration control, Muslims appear to be
moving here again in surprising numbers, according to statistics compiled
by the Department of Homeland Security and the Census Bureau.
Immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East, North
Africa and Asia are planting new roots in states from Virginia to Texas
to California. (MORE)
-----
IRAN'S
KHATAMI SAYS SUICIDE BOMBERS HURT ISLAM -
TOP
Carol Giacomo, Reuters, 9/8/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090802049.html
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami on
Friday condemned the September 11 attacks against the United States as an
atrocity and said suicide bombers did Islam an injustice and would not go
to heaven.
Three days before the fifth anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly
3,000 people, the Shi'ite cleric urged Muslims to work against
"Islamaphobia," which he said had grown since Islamic militants
flew hijacked aircraft into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a
Pennsylvania field.
Two crimes were committed on September 11 -- civilians were killed and it
was done in the name of Islam, Khatami told the
Council on
American-Islamic Relations, a human rights group.
"We Muslims should condemn these atrocities even more
strongly," he said.
"Terrorist, which means killing of civilians, is a human being that
lacks morality ... (and) will not go to heaven" and those who do it
in the name of Islam "are lying," he said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
KHATAMI BLASTS WAVE
OF 'ISLAMOPHOBIA' -
TOP
WILLIAM C. MANN, Associated Press, 9/9/06
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2006/09/09/ap/us/d8k13ok81.txt
ARLINGTON, Va. - Iran's former president decried a wave of
"Islamophobia" that he said is being spread in the United
States by fear and hatred of Islam in response to terror perpetrated by
Muslims.
"In the crime of 9/11, two crimes were committed," Mohammad
Khatami said. "One was killing innocent people. The second crime was
masking this crime in the name of Islam."
Under smothering security, with dozens of uniformed police and
plainclothes American security personnel provided by the State
Department, Khatami spoke Friday night at an event sponsored by the
Council on American-Islamic Relations called "The Dialogue of
Civilizations: Five Years After 9/11." (MORE)
---
KHATAMI
SAYS 9/11 ATTACKERS WILL NOT GO TO HEAVEN -
TOP
Agence France-Presse, 9/9/06
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060909/ts_afp/usattacksirankhatami_060909041526
ARLINGTON, Virginia (AFP) - Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has
condemned the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States
and said those who carried them out will never go to heaven.
"During the calamity of September 11, two crimes were committed: one
was the killing of innocent people and the second was making this crime
in the name of Islam," said the former president, who is on a
speaking tour of the United States.
"We, Muslims, should condemn this atrocity even more strongly,"
Khatami told the
Council on American-Islamic Relations.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR: DESPITE FEAR OF STEREOTYPES, SOME MUSLIMS AIM TO EDUCATE -
TOP
GILLIAN GAYNAIR, Virginian-Pilot, 9/9/06
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=110730&ran=59461
NORFOLK - After his mother-in-law called to tell him to turn on the
television that morning, only one question entered Mohamed Rahoui's mind
when he saw the images: Why?
As he watched the World Trade Center towers descend into plumes of dust
and debris Sept. 11, 2001, a shocked Rahoui searched for answers. Then,
the Old Dominion University doctoral student remembers asking himself
something else: What's next for Muslims who live here?
Five years later, what is clear is that the attacks of Sept. 11 and
subsequent terrorist assaults worldwide by Islamic extremists have caused
some local Muslims to keep a low profile. They fear that if they speak
publicly about Islam or the conflict in the Middle East, they will be
misinterpreted or attached to a stereotype that equates their way of life
with suicide bombers.
For others, though, Sept. 11 represented a turning point. The day
propelled local Muslims to become more outspoken about the tenets of
Islam and determined to show how they are just as much a part of American
society's fabric as anyone else - working, raising families, contributing
to the community.
That response reflects a shift nationwide since Sept. 11: Muslims have
become more active in the public sphere. More now work in politics and
serve in the armed forces. Organizations such as the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic Relations have stepped up their efforts in
educating the public, the media, the government and law enforcement
agencies about Islam, as well as registering Muslims to vote. Also, more
Muslims are active in civil liberty issues. . .
According to a 2005 report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
there was a 49 percent increase in reported cases of harassment,
discrimination and violence toward American Muslims between 2003 and
2004. Hate crimes grew to 141 in 2004 from 93 in 2003, a 52 percent
increase. Virginia was among the top five states with the most number of
civil rights incident reports in 2004, the study said.
Given such trends, defending their civil rights has become a top priority
for Muslims, making it important for them to be more vocal in their
communities, said
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy and civil rights
group.
"I think in the post-9/11 era, American Muslims have realized it's
essential to become involved at all levels of society, whether it's
political involvement or social involvement - everything from taking part
in Habitat for Humanity to feeding the homeless to helping political
candidates," Hooper said. "Whenever people know Muslims or know
more about Islam, prejudice goes down." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-LA: CORONA MAN VOWS TO EDUCATE
OTHERS AND CLARIFY MISPERCEPTIONS OF MUSLIMS -
TOP
MONA SHADIA, Daily Bulletin, 9/7/06
http://www.dailybulletin.com/9-11/ci_4304419
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Hussam Ayloush found himself at square
one. The Corona resident was one of the founders of
the Southern
California Council on American Islamic Relations, and had spent years
working to clarify misperceptions about Islam.
Before Sept. 11, some people knew about Islam and respected it, he said,
but those who didn't, didn't feel it affected them.
Before Sept. 11, Ayloush said, "Muslims were misunderstood, but not
feared."
Then, on Sept. 11, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked by extremists; one
crash landed in the fields of Pennsylvania, one destroyed part of the
Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and two flew into the World Trade Center
twin towers, leveling the architectural wonders and killing
thousands.
"I think America passed a test that many countries wouldn't have
passed," Ayloush said. "People took a deep breath, and didn't
say, 'Kill Muslims."
He admitted there were shows of violence -- some mosques were vandalized
and Muslims attacked -- but, in other countries, he said, the reaction
would have been much more savage.
Ayloush said America's shift was a more subtle, psychological
change.
"There's no doubt that there is a minority of Muslim extremists with
a very narrow interpretation and it's also rejected by the overwhelming
majority of Muslims," Ayloush said. "Here are (also)
ideological or political extremists in America who speak in the same
language and who fuel the concept of a clash of civilization."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-SAN DIEGO: LOCAL
MUSLIMS LOOK TO ERASE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES -
TOP
http://www.10news.com/news/9814026/detail.html
SAN DIEGO -- The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed many
Americans' opinions of Islam.
A recent study found one in four Americans believed Islam is a religion
of hatred and violence.
Five times a day, those of the Islamic faith turn toward Mecca and pray.
It is a prayer of peace.
"Islam is a religion of peace. Muslims are peaceful people,"
said Taha Hassane of the Imam Islamic Center of San Diego.
Nearly 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world turn toward Mecca for the
prayer of peace every day.
However, 25 percent of Americans think Islam is a violent faith.
"It is extremely important to engage a process of education within
our fellow citizens," said Hassane. . .
Edgar Hopida left his job to join the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. His concern now is of recent talk of profiling Muslims
during airport screenings.
"Now, the problem is how we profile a Muslim. As you see, I'm a
Filipino. There are white American Muslims and African-American
Muslims," said Hopida. (MORE)
---
CAIR-CHICAGO: PHOBIAS
AGAINST MUSLIMS AND ISLAM ARE A REALITY -
TOP
Steve Arney, Pantagraph, 9/10/06
http://www.pantagraph.com/features/feat091006.shtml
(Scroll down.)
In 2002, the Council on American-Islamic Relations reported 602 cases of
civil rights abuses against Muslims in the United States. In the most
recent year of reporting, 2004, it reported 1,522.
CAIR Chicago office spokesman Sultan Muhammad doesn't doubt that
reporting frequency has increased somewhat, but he said the overwhelming
proof is that segments of America are finding ethnic and religious
profiling acceptable post-Sept. 11.
There have been educational efforts to distinguish Muslims as a whole
from radical terrorists, but Muhammad fears the message largely is lost
amid daily world news, where voices of violence and radicalism gain more
attention than voices of condemnation, and in domestic political
rhetoric.
He said, "The majority of the impact has been embedded phobia
against Muslims and Islam. Islamaphobia is a reality."
In a 2006 poll CAIR found one in four respondents believe Islam is a
religion of hatred.
That number may be conservative.
An ABC News/Washington Post poll asked, "Do you think mainstream
Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims or is it a peaceful
religion?"
Thirty-three percent said it was violent; 54 percent said peaceful; 13
percent were unsure.
In another poll, 39 percent of respondents admitted feeling some
prejudice against U.S. Muslims. . .
Among Muhammad's biggest concerns is that people in positions of
leadership feed into the situation, by endorsing racial profiling and
making sweeping remarks, some of them highly offensive to Muslims,
turban-wearing Sikhs and others. He cites two examples in the following
reporting from Associated Press:
o Rep. John Cooksey, R-La.: "If I see someone come in and he's got a
diaper on his head and a fan belt around that diaper on his head, that
guy needs to be pulled over and checked."
o Paul Nelson, Wisconsin congressional candidate: "Racial profiling
is one way that we can cut down on security risks," Nelson said in
an interview with WIXK Radio in New Richmond. When asked how to tell what
a Muslim male looks like, Nelson replied, "Well, you know, if he
comes in wearing a turban and his name is Mohammed, that's a good
start." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-OH:
PROGRAMS PROVIDE 9/11 PERSPECTIVE ON ANNIVERSARY -
TOP
Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/9/06
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060909/NEWS01/609090365/1056
MADEIRA - Five years ago on Sept. 11, 100 people were at
Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church at noon after just a few phone
calls. That night, more than 350 gathered for prayer after seeing a sign
in the church yard.
The church, 8000 Miami Ave., has been opening its doors every year on the
anniversary to standing-room-only crowds of 700.
This year, the church will do that again at 7 p.m. to remember and to
honor local emergency personnel. . .
Other religious groups will host similar programs this weekend. .
.
In addition, the Freedom Center will also host a panel discussion at 2
p.m. today on the topic, "Are You Afraid of Me? Americans Coping
with Fear, Discrimination and Loss of Freedoms Post 9/11."
"It's our mission to present issues and programming to help people
understand other cultures, other races and people with a different point
of view, to bring them together in a place of open dialogue," said
Paul Bernish, chief communications officer for the center.
The eight panelists represent several faiths and ethnicities, including
Karen Dabdoub, of the Council on American Islamic Relations, and
Pat Rosenberg, a member of Congregation Beth Adam.
Dabdoub will address misconceptions and concerns brought on by fear -
such as "Is Islam violent?" "Do Muslims hate
America?" and "Does America hate Muslims?"
"People of other faiths have these thoughts in their minds, but they
don't know the things the Muslim community is going through,"
Dabdoub said. (MORE)
-----
NJ: GIVING ISLAM A HUMAN FACE
-
TOP
JOHN CHADWICK, Bergen Record, 9/9/06
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDImZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY5ODk5NDEmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXky
It was in many ways a typical day at a New Jersey soup kitchen.
Members of a suburban religious congregation arrived one morning last
month in cars and SUVs, entered the church hall through the back door as
if they were humble kitchen help and set to work preparing lunch for
dozens of poor, hungry people.
Except that these volunteers weren't the usual Catholics, Protestants or
Jews.
They were Muslims, the first Islamic group to join the rotation of
interfaith volunteers at the Community Soup Kitchen in
Morristown.
And it wasn't typical soup-kitchen fare either. The volunteers from
mosques in three New Jersey counties served the South Asian staples of
tandoori chicken and basmati rice to a crowd of immigrant day laborers,
recovering addicts and destitute seniors.
They said they had come to fulfill Islam's injunction to help the
poor.
But their presence also signaled a new priority for America's close-knit
and frequently insular Muslim community: showing a humane, caring side of
Islam to a public that, since 9/11, is increasingly likely to view
Muslims as potential terrorists. . .
Meanwhile, a pervasive anti-Islam campaign is thriving on the Internet,
in think tanks and in some conservative evangelical Protestant
ministries.
"America has its own 'Islamic fascists' right here at home,"
columnist Paul Sperry wrote last month in the online political journal
Frontpagemag.com, quoting a phrase sometimes used by President Bush.
"Once they amass the numbers, they secretly plan to nullify our Bill
of Rights and religious freedoms and create their own Muslim state ruled
by Islamic law. They've got a 100-year plan, but they're already making
inroads."
Such statements were rarely expressed publicly before 9/11,
Muslim-American leaders say. Now they're commonplace.
"There has been a hardening of feelings toward Islam in a
significant minority of America," said
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman
for the Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations.
"The polling consistently shows between one in five and one in four
Americans have hostility -- and that's disturbing." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NJ: MORRIS MUSLIMS: WE'RE TREATED WELL -
TOP
NAVID IQBAL, DAILY RECORD, 9/9/06
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060909/COMMUNITIES/609090331/1203/NEWS01
The hostility, loathing and mistrust that Muslims in New Jersey and the
United States say they have experienced since members of al-Qaida
hijacked planes five years ago have not been as apparent in Morris
County, local Muslims say.
After a recent Friday prayer, as men piled quickly out of the Islamic
Academy in Boonton to head for their jobs, many longtime Muslim residents
of Morris County said their experiences are unusual compared with people
of who follow their way of life in other parts of the country. .
.
Shoaib Iqbal credited national organizations such as the
Council on
American Islamic Relations and the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination
Committee, as well as local religious organizations for making the ride
much smoother. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS IN UTAH SEE LITTLE 9/11 BACKLASH -
TOP
Some do report incidents but say they are not the norm
Deborah Bulkeley, Deseret Morning News, 9/9/06
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645199944,00.html
At first, James Michael Herrick didn't believe the 7-Eleven cashier who
told him a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. He thought she
was joking.
But then after purchasing a cup of coffee and a hot dog on the morning of
Sept. 11, 2001, Herrick returned home and turned on the the
television.
"There it is, the other plane hit. It was for real," he said.
"I started drinking about that time. . . . I, probably like everyone
else at that point, was in shock."
Herrick turned to alcohol, and after two days of drinking and watching
nonstop coverage of the turmoil, Herrick, in a drunken daze, attempted to
burn down the Curry in a Hurry restaurant on State Street.
Herrick's unsuccessful attempt to burn down the restaurant owned by a
family of Pakistani immigrants came at a time of national backlash
against Muslims. It was, perhaps, the most published case of an
anti-Muslim offense in Utah, where cases of discrimination and crimes
have occurred, but are scattered, according to the members of the Muslim
community.
And he has since expressed remorse. During a parole hearing last year,
Herrick asked the Board of Pardons and Parole to "Please accept my
sincerest apology," for an action he called embarrassing and
idiotic.
Two members of the family that owns Curry in a Hurry, Yassir Nisar and
his father, Rana, say they have forgiven Herrick for the attack against
them.
While those involved in the Curry in a Hurry case seem to have reconciled
their differences, some members of the Muslim community say the climate
here is different than it was before 9/11.
Muslims interviewed by the Deseret Morning News acknowledge Utah is safer
for Muslims than some other parts of the country where mosques are still
sometimes the targets of vandalism or worse. However, the Muslim and
non-Muslim communities continue five years after the terror attacks to
struggle to understand one another. (MORE)
---
CAIR-FL: ANTI-MUSLIM ACTS
INCREASING -
TOP
Sharper rise in national rate, group says
Ruth Morris, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pcmuslim08sep09,0,72840.story
Incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination are on the rise in South Florida,
from slurs painted on mosque walls to a woman told she would have to
remove her head covering if she wanted to keep her job,
a report by
the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Thursday.
Areeb Naseer, CAIR's legal adviser in Florida, said the group's offices
had received 112 reports of anti-Muslim incidents for the state in 2005,
a 9 percent increase from 2004. The complaints included outright hate
crimes, such as vandalism at a Boca Raton mosque, verbal discrimination
and intolerance of religious practices. (MORE)
---
NEW YORK MUSLIMS BESET BY SUSPICION
-
TOP
Financial Times, 9/9/06
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14738124/
The Muslim owner of the Dar-us-Salaam store on Atlantic Avenue in
Brooklyn was polite, but he didn't want to talk.
At the Firdous cosmetics shop next door, a bearded young Moroccan was
equally wary, when asked how things had changed for the city's Muslims
since the September 11 terror attacks.
"We get so many people coming and asking questions about this. My
boss says it's best to say nothing. We just want to move on," he
explains.
Five years after the attacks, the mood on Atlantic Avenue is guarded. New
York survived the aftermath of the attacks without any major outbreaks of
violence against Muslims or Arabs. But on Atlantic Avenue, and in Bay
Ridge and Bensonhurst and Sunnyside, things are not as they were.
(MORE)
---
PA: FIVE YEARS AFTER 9/11,
MUSLIMS ADAPT AND ADJUST -
TOP
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/religion/15475680.htm
---
MA: MUSLIMS SAY WORRIES OF 9/11
HAVE FADED; OTHERS STILL SEE BAD SIGNS -
TOP
http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2006/09/08/news/news04.txt
---
VIDEO: ISLAMOPHOBIA IN A POST-9/11 WORLD -
TOP
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2413619
---
CA: MUSLIMS SAY INTEREST IN ISLAM
HAS GROWN SINCE 9/11 -
TOP
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/09/09//news/top_stories/22_11_249_8_06.txt
-----
CAIR-OHIO HOSTS FOCUS GROUP ON MENTAL
HEALTH -
TOP
(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/9/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
recently hosted a focus group in partnership with the Ohio Department of
Mental Health and the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence
(MACC) on the mental health needs of the Muslim community in
Ohio.
The statewide project is designed to seek input from diverse communities
to help ensure that all of Ohio's residents have equal and appropriate
access to mental health services. The focus group, organized by Rama
Consultants, examined Muslim perspectives on mental illness, stigma
issues and how best to serve the Muslim community's mental health needs.
A number of area Muslim mental health experts, imams, community members
and leaders joined to share their insights.
Participants in the focus group pointed to the need for more domestic
violence services in the community, professional training for more
members of the Muslim community, as well as help in funding brochures on
mental health services in languages such as Arabic, Somali and Urdu. The
group also requested that mental health care providers receive diversity
training on Muslims and Islamic religious practices.
CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, Director, CAIR-OHIO, Cleveland Office,
216-830-2247, E-Mail:
cleveland@cair-ohio.com; Dr.
Asma Mobin-Uddin, President, CAIR-OHIO, 614-451-3232, E-mail:
asma@cair-ohio.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CHICAGO MEETS WITH DELEGATION FROM
KYRGYZSTAN -
TOP
A delegation of 7 mosque leaders and youth leaders from Kyrgyzstan
visited with CAIR-Chicago personnel on September 6th at CAIR-Chicago's
downtown office.
The delegation spoke of the issues facing the Muslim community in
Kyrgyzstan and asked questions about the Chicago Muslim community's
dealings with their own issues. Members of the delegation inquired about
the sentiments of the Muslim community towards terms such as
"Islamofascim" and how members of the Muslim community reacted
to the term.
"This is the fourth international delegation CAIR-Chicago has hosted
in the past couple of months" said Dina Rehab, Outreach Coordinator,
"these unique exchange opportunities are crucial first steps in
gaining a unique understanding of the challenges facing the Muslim
community worldwide. Interestingly, the issues are strikingly
similar."
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM
NEWS BRIEFS - 9/10/06
*
Hadith:
Teach Goodness
*
NY Teachers to Study Israeli PR
Curriculum
-
Video:
CAIR 'Israel
Lobby' Panel in Washington, D.C.
*
IN:
Muslim
Restaurant Owner Found Murdered (CBS)
-
IN:
Murder Raises Questions in
Muslim Community (ABC)
-
Daughter Says Father was
Living the American Dream
*
CAIR-OH:
Patriot Act Eroded
Privacy (Columbus Dispatch)
-
MO:
FBI Agents Grilled at Mosque
Meeting (Post-Disp)
*
Video:
American Muslims Five
Years Later (PBS)
-
Attorney General:
Strengthen
Relationships with Muslims
-
CAIR:
The Communities of
9/11 - WA Muslims (Herald-Rep)
-
CAIR-LA:
Mosque Became
Place of Refuge After 9/11
-
James Yee:
The Shackles of Freedom
(CanWest)
-
FL:
A Muslim in the
Shadow of 9/11 (Hernando Today)
-
NC:
Anti-Muslim
Backlash as Strong as Ever (Observer)
-
OH:
Muslims Strive
to Eliminate Misunderstanding (Blade)
-
MA:
Proud to
be Both Muslim and American (Boston Globe)
-
CA:
He Talks, Walks
Tolerance (San Bernardino Sun)
-
TX:
Why You Should Hug
a Muslim (Houston Chronicle)
-
WV:
Muslims
Discern Different Treatment Since Attack
-
NY:
Attitudes
Change Toward Area Muslims Over Time
-
FL:
Attacks Brought
Fear of Islam Still Felt Today
-
OH:
For
Muslims, Anxiety Level Varies (Beacon Journal)
-
NY:
She Holds Fast to Islam
-- and America (SI Advance)
-
CA:
Lodi Muslims Alarmed By Growing
Bias (Record)
-
CO:
U.S. Muslims
Enjoy Freedom, Yearn Understanding
-
VA:
Local Muslims
Find Life Better (Potomac News)
*
Tortured Screams as Iraqis Take Over
Abu Ghraib (Telegraph)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: TEACH GOODNESS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "God and His angels,
the dwellers of the Heavens and of the Earth, even an ant in its hole and
fish (in the depths of the sea), invoke blessings on (a scholar) who
teaches people goodness."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 70
-----
NEW YORKERS TO STUDY ABOUT ISRAEL -
TOP
City council approves curriculum on Israel initiated by Israeli Consulate
in New York; curriculum to be integrated into training program for
educators teaching in 1,400 public high schools
Ynetnews, 9/8/06
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3301443,00.html
NEW YORK - The
New York City Council's education committee approved a curriculum on
Israel initiated by the public relations department of the Israeli
Consulate in New York.
The curriculum will be integrated into the training program for educators
teaching in 1,400 public high schools in New York City. The teachers will
be able to register to a 30-hour course dealing with the history of the
State of Israel, its economy, the high-tech industry, Israeli art and
Ethiopian Jews.
The incentive offered to teachers who will take the course: Credit points
for an academic degree. . .
Israeli Consul General in New York Aryeh Mekel said that "through
the teachers a generation of leaders will be educated to maintain the
special relations between the United States and Israel."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
VIDEO: CAIR 'ISRAEL LOBBY'
PANEL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. -
TOP
http://www.c-span.org/rss/video.asp?MediaID=26942
-----
IN:
MERRILLVILLE RESTAURANT OWNER FOUND MURDERED -
TOP
Rafael Romo, CBS 2, 9/9/06
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_252173437.html
[CONTACT: CAIR Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab,
847-971-3963]
(CBS) MERRILLVILLE The owner of the Aladdin Pita restaurant off U.S.
Route 30 in Merrillville, Ind. was found shot to death Saturday morning
inside of his restaurant.
Naseeb Mohammed was found fatally shot at the Aladdin Pita restaurant
located at 3750 W. 80th Lane in Merrillville.
CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports that owner was known for his generosity. Just
yesterday, Naseeb Mohammed had a celebration at his restaurant and
invited many members of the Islamic community. . .
No valuables were taken from the restaurant with the exception of just a
few dollars from the cash register.
Friends of Mohammed say the portable safe wasn't even touched.
"That leads me to the conclusion that possibly this could be a hate
crime. And I hope that our authorities here, who are good friends of our
community, look into all the possible angles," Khan said.
Merrillville police are not confirming the shooting death was a hate
crime. They say evidence points toward a robbery. Investigators with the
Lake County Sheriff's Department are also involved in the investigation,
along with the FBI.
SEE ALSO:
MURDER RAISES QUESTIONS IN MUSLIM
COMMUNITY -
TOP
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4546528
---
DAUGHTER SAYS IMMIGRANT
FATHER WAS LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM -
TOP
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2006/09/10/news/top_news/ac4dbb55b5b6e5fa862571e500056479.txt
-----
CAIR-OH: PATRIOT ACT ERODED PRIVACY
FOR TERRORISTS - AND EVERYONE ELSE -
TOP
Matt Tullis, Columbus Dispatch, 9/10/06
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/10/20060910-B1-02.html
It's there, protecting you, helping law enforcement investigate drug
dealers, murderers and terrorists. It doesn't inconvenience you - unless
you're evil.
Or, it's there, lurking in the background. You don't know when the
government is snooping through your bank accounts and your library
records. You will likely never know.
So go the arguments for and against the USA Patriot Act, the first of
several laws passed under the banner of fighting terrorism after
9/11.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other privacy advocates cried foul
when the act passed with only one dissenting vote in the Senate. They
vowed court challenges and said American civil liberties were no longer
safe. . .
If a report is filed as a result of something you have done, you likely
won't find out about it. As with the national security letters, the law
prohibits the institution from informing you.
"The presumption should be that people can talk about searches once
they have been performed," said Peter Swire, a professor in the
Moritz College of Law at OSU, former Clinton administration official and
a critic of the Patriot Act. "With the gag rule, we lose crucial
accountability against government overuse."
Brooks argues that the Patriot Act doesn't impact most people's lives.
That includes those who are investigated but never charged, he
said.
"In many instances," he said, "we're able to conduct
investigations quickly or quietly without individuals knowing we're
there."
That is exactly the problem, critics say.
Jennifer Nimer, legal director for the Ohio Chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said the act had a profound impact on
Middle Easterners and Muslims. They are skeptical of law enforcement and
afraid to come forward when they know something important for fear of
being implicated, she said.
"With so much secrecy and not knowing what people's rights are,
people are just very afraid," Nimer said.
SEE ALSO:
MO: IN MEETING AT MOSQUE, FBI AGENTS
GET GRILLED -
TOP
Tim Townsend, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/10/06
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/4C13E65CADCE3D0B862571E500093C5F?OpenDocument&highlight=2%2C%22mosque%22
Four agents from the FBI's St. Louis division answered some heated
questions in front of about 100 members of the Islamic Foundation of
Greater St. Louis on Friday night in a town hall meeting at the
Daar-Ul-Islam mosque in Ballwin.
During a question-and-answer period, many in the crowd conveyed a sense
of wariness and weariness about post-Sept. 11 America. They asked about
telephone wire taps, hate speech on local radio, airport harassment and
computer surveillance. (MORE)
-----
VIDEO: AMERICAN
MUSLIMS FIVE YEARS LATER -
TOP
PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, 9/8/06
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1002/feature.html
BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: After the attack by Islamic radicals five years
ago, American Muslims feared violent reprisals against them. Those did
not happen, but today many Muslims in this country say they live under
the specter of suspicion. They feel their neighbors don't trust them and
their government threatens them, as Saul Gonzalez reports. . .
HUSSAM AYLOUSH (Executive Director, CAIR Southern California): In
2001, when the American Muslim community was introduced to the FBI was
when we were being suspected as a whole community. Muslims were visited
at 3:00 a.m, They were visited in their home and their schools.
GONZALEZ: Hussam Ayloush is the executive director of the Southern
California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a
civil rights and advocacy group. Although Muslim Americans still have
concerns about how the FBI investigates their community, Ayloush says
much has improved through continued interaction and improved
communication.
Mr. AYLOUSH: Things have changed, and I have to admit to that. The
positive atittude from the leadership of the FBI on the national level,
but also on the local level, the openness, the agreement to work with the
Muslim community as partners rather than suspects has made a big
difference. Even when someone is being questioned, there is a high level
of respect that is being presented and reflected in the attitude of the
FBI towards Muslims.
SEE ALSO:
GONZALES: WHAT HAS RISEN FROM THE
RUBBLE -
TOP
Alberto Gonzales, Chicago Tribune, 9/10/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0609100261sep10,1,195271.story
As terrorist leaders search for new recruits all over the world, we must
add to our network, identify new partners and strengthen existing
relationships, particularly in the Muslim community. Because a clear
expression of opposition to acts of terrorism from Muslim leaders is an
essential part of our efforts to win, and end, this war.
The U.S. government and its citizens must be good, trustworthy neighbors
to Muslim communities. Building strong relationships can take years, and
we are really just beginning. This step will make identifying and
investigating radical elements faster and more efficient for law
enforcement. Ultimately, it will help disrupt terrorist plots.
(MORE)
---
WA: THE COMMUNITIES OF 9/11 -
MUSLIMS -
TOP
Mai Hoang, Yakima Herald-Republic, 9/10/06
http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/297409116285787
When a Yakima Herald-Republic reporter approached a group of local
Muslims to ask them how the community has changed since Sept. 11, 2001,
their actions said it all.
Realizing they might be quoted in the newspaper, they recoiled at having
their names published.
One grabbed the reporter's notebook and scribbled out his name and the
names of the other Muslims interviewed.
"You can talk about us generally, but no personal names," he
said.
Another Muslim said he feared that their words could be used against them
under the U.S. Patriot Act.
Experts say such incidents reflect fears that have developed among
American Muslims since the 9/11 attacks.
Ellie Pierce, senior researcher for The Pluralism Project at Harvard
University, said the fear comes from subtle and not-so-subtle forms of
bias - everything from local zoning disputes when establishing places of
worship to acts of vandalism and hate crimes.
Locally, members of the Islamic Center of Yakima had to deal with several
cases of vandalism in 2004.
"I think it may be indicative of the post-9/11 climate, given some
of the very real issues that Muslims now face in America," Pierce
said. . .
Omid Safi, an Islamic studies professor at the University of North
Carolina, said Muslims realize religion is no longer a nonpolitical
issue.
"Our very existence in this county is a political statement,"
he said. "So people in some ways are going on five constant years of
educating others, explaining, formulating identities."
One of those groups is the
Council on American-Islamic Relations,
a Washington, D.C., Islamic civic rights and advocacy group.
The organization has chapters all over the nation - including one in
Seattle - and has organized several educational efforts. They have an
informative Web site, offer free Qurans and have partnered with
non-Muslim organizations.
"You're seeing many more Muslim young people go into law,
journalism and the media," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations. "You're seeing more political
activism activity, both at the grass-roots and national level."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-LA: MANY
PLEDGED TO BECOME MORE DEVOUT, BUT IS THAT STILL THE CASE? -
TOP
Mark Petix, Staff Writer
http://dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4312862
POMONA - It was a terrible shock, and a time for faith.
The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington horrified the nation,
and in the days and weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, many turned to religion
for comfort.
More than 35 million people attended a religious service in the days
following Sept. 11, according to a Gallup poll. Almost 75 percent of
Americans said they were praying or intended to pray.
Sales of Bibles, and Korans, soared. . .
That deepening of faith also applied to Muslims who found themselves
isolated after 9/11, said
Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the
Southern California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations.
He said there are more than 6 million Muslims in America, and the
number is growing in part because of the public anger directed at Islam
after Sept. 11.
The mosque became a place of refuge, he said.
"Because of the (public) pressure, some felt the need to get into
Islam," he said.
The mosque also became a place to begin the slow process of convincing
America that Islam is not a religion of terror.
"Right after 9/11, most of our fellow Americans knew very little
about our religion," Ayloush said. "That took us to basics,
took us to the very important task of educating our American
neighbors.
"Before we lived in separate clusters. American religions had no
bridges. I think there's a need to learn about each other."
The effort has been painful.
"Today more Americans admit to holding prejudice against
Muslims," he said. "The use of inflammatory language, Islamic
Fascists, Islamic terrorists. In times of war people are always looking
for a target to hate.
"There has been history; hating all Japanese, Germans, Russians. And
now it's the Muslim people. What it has taken from the Muslim community
... We have a realization that we are partly responsible for the
misinformation."
He said the effort to change the image of Islam in America is one part
education, one part "old-fashioned personal interaction with
people.
"Not a statement on TV," he said, "Not an ad. Real
change." (MORE)
---
JAMES YEE: THE SHACKLES OF FREEDOM -
TOP
In post-9/11 America, an army captain was falsely accused of spying; it
highlighted the struggle of individual rights vs. public security
SHELDON ALBERTS, CanWest News Service, 9/10/.06
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/insight/story.html?id=0765e08f-bda1-41a6-bb7c-ca9c524d212d
More than anything about his arrest and detention, former U.S. army
captain James Yee remembers the shackles.
Placed on his wrists and ankles, the manacles were secured to a chain
wrapped around his waist. Back at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison camp,
where Yee worked as a Muslim military chaplain, the restraint was known
as a "three-piece suit" and commonly used to hobble the most
dangerous of America's enemies.
"At that point, I clearly understood they were treating me like an
enemy combatant," Yee recalls. "That's how prisoners were taken
around in camp, and I was shackled just like them. That was the scariest
part." (MORE)
---
FL: A MUSLIM IN THE
SHADOW OF 9/11 -
TOP
MORGAN C. MOELLER, Hernando Today, 9/9/06
http://www.hernandotoday.com/MGBEFHWLWRE.html
SPRING HILL - "Hey lady, go back to your country!"
The angry words caught Ghada Eldin off guard. It was weeks after Sept.
11, 2001, and Ghada was pushing her shopping cart through the aisles of a
Publix grocery story.
She was dressed modestly, covered from neck to wrists and down to her
ankles. Her hair was carefully wrapped in a hijab, or headscarf, in
keeping with the guidelines of Islam.
Ghada ignored the comment, in hopes she wouldn't provoke the man who spat
the words in her direction. A store manager came over and told the man he
shouldn't speak to a lady that way.
But people didn't have to speak. Ghada could read it on their
faces.
"You could tell from the people's eyes that something was not
right," she said.
When the Twin Towers crumbled in New York City, Hernando County became a
different place for Ghada, her husband, Adel, and their three young
daughters.
It became a different place for all Muslims in the county.
(MORE)
---
NC: ANTI-MUSLIM
BACKLASH AS STRONG AS EVER -
TOP
Charlotte Observer, 9/10/06
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/special_packages/sept11/15483869.htm
Shaun Uhmed, almost 29, is the son of Pakistani immigrants. He moved to
Charlotte six years ago to work as an investment banker at Bank of
America. He was asleep in his parents' suburban New York house when the
first plane hit. His mother awoke him in time to watch the second plane
crash on TV. . .
I don't want to sound like a victim, or paranoid. But I have felt the
backlash.
I fly a lot. I probably look Pakistani. Once, a few months after the
attacks, I was sitting on a US Airways flight to New York. It was an
empty flight. I got pulled from the plane with another passenger, an
Indian person. They said, "You and the passenger you were flying
with were acting erratically." I didn't know the other
passenger.
Another time, in 2002, I was flying to visit my parents. A federal
marshal on the plane followed me and wrote down the license plate number
of my parents. Two weeks later, I was back in Charlotte and an FBI agent
called me at home and asked some very disturbing and inappropriate
questions. He said the marshal reported that I was acting erratically. I
don't know how to act erratically on a plane. You sit. You read. You
sleep.
---
OH: AREA MUSLIMS
STRIVE TO ELIMINATE 'THIS WAVE OF MISUNDERSTANDING' -
TOP
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/NEWS28/60908069
---
MA: PROUD TO BE
BOTH MUSLIM AND AMERICAN -
TOP
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/09/10/proud_to_be_both_muslim_and_american/
---
CA: HE TALKS, WALKS TOLERANCE
-
TOP
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_4313519
---
TX: WHY YOU SHOULD HUG A
MUSLIM -
TOP
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/4175352.html
---
WV: MUSLIMS DISCERN
DIFFERENT TREATMENT SINCE ATTACK -
TOP
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/NEWS01/609100346/1001/NEWS10
---
NY: ATTITUDES
CHANGE TOWARD AREA MUSLIMS OVER TIME -
TOP
http://post-journal.com/articles.asp?articleID=6618
---
FL: ATTACKS BROUGHT FEAR
OF ISLAM STILL FELT TODAY -
TOP
http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/NEWS/209100360/1001/NEWS01
---
OH: FOR AREA
MUSLIMS, ANXIETY LEVEL VARIES -
TOP
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/15485480.htm
---
NY: SHE HOLDS FAST TO ISLAM --
AND AMERICA -
TOP
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1157807930138110.xml&coll=1
---
CA: LODI MUSLIMS ALARMED BY GROWING BIAS -
TOP
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/SPECIALSECTIONS98/609100323/1001/NEWS01
---
CO: MUSLIMS IN AMERICA
ENJOY FREEDOM, YEARN FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND -
TOP
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/NATION/609100326
---
VA: LOCAL MUSLIMS FIND
LIFE BETTER -
TOP
http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN/MGArticle/WPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190540126&path
=
-----
TORTURED SCREAMS RING OUT AS IRAQIS TAKE
OVER ABU GHRAIB -
TOP
Ali Saber in Baghdad and Gethin Chamberlain, Telegraph, 9/10/06
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=S0NFQ4OVPSVHJQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2006/09/10/wirq10.xml
The notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad is at the centre of fresh
abuse allegations just a week after it was handed over to Iraqi
authorities, with claims that inmates are being tortured by their new
captors. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
CAIR TO COUNTER AL-QAIDA TAPE AIRED ON 9/11 ANNIVERSARY
Islamic advocacy group says 'Al-Qaida does not speak for
Islam'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/11/06) - On
Monday, September 11, the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference
in Washington, D.C., to challenge the worldview put forward in a
videotape issued by Al-Qaida on the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 terror
attacks.
WHEN: Monday, September 11, 2 p.m. (Eastern)
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue,
S.E., Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
In the video, Al-Qaida's second in command Ayman al-Zawahri threatened
more terror attacks in the Middle East and urged Muslims to attack
Western targets.
SEE:
Al-Zawahri: Gulf, Israel Next Targets (AP)
"Al-Qaida does not speak for Islam or for the vast majority of
Muslims worldwide who want to live in peace with their neighbors,
practice their faith in freedom and raise their children in societies
based on justice and mutual respect," said CAIR Executive Director
Nihad Awad. "For the last five years, Al-Qaida has offered nothing
but a future filled with endless violence and division."
CAIR has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates 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.
- END -
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALIFORNIANS ASKED TO REPUDIATE MAYOR'S
ANTI-MUSLIM REMARKS
Mayor: 'Either the Judeo-Christian philosophy will survive or the
Islamic philosophy will survive'
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/11/06) - The Sacramento Valley chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today called on
Californians to repudiate remarks insulting to Muslims made by a mayor in
the northern part of that state.
CAIR-SV said that Redding, Calif.,
Mayor Ken
Murray claimed Shia Muslims "believe it's acceptable to lie,
cheat, steal and kill as long as it ultimately glorifies Allah."
"Folks, they're not like us," said Murray.
When asked about his offensive remarks, Murray drew a distinction between
"mainstream" and Shia Muslims, who he called "wing
nuts." "Either the Judeo-Christian philosophy will survive or
the Islamic philosophy will survive," said Murray.
Murray's comments came during an event on Thursday of last week
co-sponsored by the Shasta County Sheriff's Department, the Shasta County
Jail Chaplaincy and the Marshal's Office. District Attorney Jerry Benito,
Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko and Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa
(R-Richvale) also took part in the event.
SEE:
Officials Voice Religious Views (Record Searchlight)
"The unthinking bigotry and ignorance of such remarks are unworthy
of an American public official and should be repudiated by all those who
seek tolerance and mutual understanding," said
CAIR-SV Executive
Director Basim Elkarra.
Local Islamic leaders tell CAIR-SV there are some 15 Muslim families in
Redding.
CAIR has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916-441-6269, or
E-Mail:
sacval@cair.com; CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@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: info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/11/06
*
Hadith:
Wealth and Wisdom
*
CAIR:
U.S. Muslims Repudiate
Al-Qaeda Rhetoric, Worldview
*
CAIR:
MN Muslim Candidate
Plays Defense (Wash Post)
*
IN:
Police Seek Motive in Slaying
of Muslim (Chicago Trib)
*
CAIR-OPED:
Security Alone Not
Enough (Orlando Sentinel)
-
CA:
'I Will Help You Because I am
Muslim'
*
CAIR:
Muslims Say Message of
Peace Drowned Out (Gazette)
-
CAIR:
Between Faith and Country:
Muslims in America (NPR)
-
CAIR-CA:
U.S. Muslims'
Efforts Help, Strife Abroad Doesn't
-
CAIR-MI:
Has 'Everything
Changed' Since 9/11? (Detroit News)
-
CAIR:
IN Muslims Say 9/11
Distorts Faith (Courier Press)
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Find Mixed Reactions
in Post-9/11 World
*
Media Coverage of US Muslims and 9/11:
MA,
DC,
FL,
IL,
MI,
NY,
IN,
TX,
NY,
OH,
TN,
FL,
ND,
SC,
FL,
OH,
CA,
SC,
NJ,
AR,
US,
US/UK
*
CAIR-TX:
Workshop on Political
Empowerment
-
CAIR-TX:
A Muslim Newspaper
Begun After 9/11 Thrives
*
CAIR-AZ:
Annual Fundraising Dinner A
Success
*
CAIR-OH:
Jordanian is Building
Cultural Bridges (Dispatch)
*
MA:
Islamic Society Subpoenas Writer,
TV Co. (Boston Herald)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: WEALTH AND WISDOM -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Envy is not
permitted except in two cases: (Envy) of a person who God has given
wealth and he spends it in the right way, and (envy of) a person who God
has given wisdom and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to
others."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 490
-----
U.S. MUSLIMS REPUDIATE RHETORIC,
WORLDVIEW OF AL-QAEDA -
TOP
CAIR: 'We will not allow terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda to be the voice
of Muslims'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/11/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today released a statement repudiating the rhetoric and worldview
expressed in an Al-Qaeda videotape released on the 5th anniversary of the
9/11 terror attacks. In his statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad
said:
"As we commemorate the 5th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist
attacks, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest
Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization in the United States,
would like to use this opportunity to challenge the rhetoric and the
worldview of the recent videotape released by Al-Qaeda's
second-in-command, Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
"To more than a billion Muslims worldwide, Islam is a religion that
teaches tolerance, freedom and compassion. Those who understand Islam and
know Muslims as friends and colleagues realize that Islam is one of the
three Abrahamic faiths and that Muslims are contributing members of
societies around the world.
"Unfortunately, for many who know little of Islam or Muslims,
Al-Qaeda has come to represent both.
"As American Muslims, this is simply unacceptable and we will not
allow terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda to be the voice of Muslims or the
representation of Islam to the rest of the world.
"In light of the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we feel the
need to once again condemn and repudiate Al-Qaeda and its myopic
worldview.
"Notwithstanding the fact that there are legitimate political
grievances in the Muslim world today, Islam has never, and will never,
justify the killing of innocent civilians in order to achieve political
or religious goals.
"Al-Qaeda's worldview is a complete distortion of Islam because
Islamic teachings clearly state that the killing of one innocent life is
the moral equivalent of the killing of all humanity.
"As Muslims, we will continue to condemn Al-Qaeda and ensure that
the rest of the world learns the true message of Islam and its teachings
of peace, justice and compassion for all."
At today's news conference held to release this statement, Awad noted
that American Muslim groups were the first to condemn the 9/11 attacks.
He also listed several anti-terror initiatives by American Muslims, such
as the "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition drive and
last year's Islamic legal ruling (fatwa) by U.S. Muslim scholars against
terrorism and religious extremism.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR: MUSLIM CANDIDATE PLAYS DEFENSE
-
TOP
Lead Shrinks as Minnesota Democrat Repudiates Association With
Farrakhan
Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, 9/11/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091000951.html
Keith Ellison is a Democrat running for an open House seat in a heavily
Democratic district. But what once looked like a cakewalk has turned into
a bruising campaign in which many facts are disputed but a central one is
not: If he wins, he will be the first Muslim elected to
Congress.
Before he can make history, Ellison must capture Tuesday's hotly
contested Democratic primary in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District,
which consists of the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities and an inner
ring of suburbs. Whoever gets the Democratic nomination is expected to
sweep to victory in November to succeed Rep. Martin O. Sabo (D), who is
retiring after 28 years in the House.
Ellison, 43, is a two-term state legislator. He prays toward Mecca five
times a day and says he has not eaten pork or had a drink of alcohol
since he converted to Islam as a 19-year-old student at Wayne State
University in Detroit. When speaking at mosques or to members of
Minneapolis's large Somali immigrant population, he opens with
"Salaam aleikum," Arabic for "Peace be with
you."
Other than that, he seldom refers to his religion on the campaign trail,
unless asked.
"I'm a Muslim. I'm proud to be a Muslim. But I'm not running as a
Muslim candidate," Ellison said during a break between a
commemoration of Hurricane Katrina and an appearance at a public housing
project. "I'm running as a candidate who believes in peace and
bringing the troops out of Iraq now. I'm running as a candidate who
believes in universal, single-payer health care coverage and an increase
in the minimum wage."
Despite Ellison's desire to focus on the war and the economy, questions
about his faith and character have kept him on the defensive. . .
Among Muslims, Ellison's campaign has generated excitement.
"There are millions of Muslims in this country. It shouldn't have
taken this long to elect one to Congress," said Nimco Ahmed, 24, a
Somali immigrant and political organizer.
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations, flew to Minneapolis for an Aug. 25 fundraiser
for Ellison, who has collected about $400,000, mostly from individual
contributors in his district. Awad said that the attacks of Sept. 11,
2001, have both heightened prejudice against Muslims and spurred Muslims
to be more politically active in hopes of countering that
prejudice.
According to CAIR and other Muslim groups, Ellison would be the first
Muslim elected to national office. Awad said the highest Muslim elected
official now is a state senator in North Carolina, Larry Shaw, and the
last Muslim to make a serious bid for Congress was Ferial Masry, a
Saudi-born woman who lost in California in 2004. (MORE)
-----
POLICE SEEK MOTIVE IN SLAYING OF MUSLIM
RESTAURATEUR -
TOP
Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune, 9/10/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-060910naseeb,1,3764159.story
Northwest Indiana restaurant owner Naseeb Mohammed attended prayer
services at his mosque on Friday, where local and federal law enforcement
officers assured Muslims that they would be on guard against hate crimes
as the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approached.
Mohammed, 60, of Munster, Ind., was killed the next morning as he
prepared lentil soup in his Middle Eastern restaurant, Aladdin Pita, in
Merrillville. Employees arriving at about 10 a.m. found him dead of a
gunshot wound, police said.
Police said they do not know whether the slaying is a hate crime. They
said no evidence, such as vandalism, was found to suggest a hate
crime.
But Mohammed's sons insisted hate must have been a motive because only
$150 was taken from the restaurant even though more was available. They
also said it does not make sense to rob a restaurant in the morning
before it opens, when more money would be available after
closing.
"This is someone who wanted to bring grief to the Muslim community,
and that's what they did," said his son Bassam Mohammed,
25.
"This is just another act of terror," said his oldest son,
Ghassan Mohammed, 28. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: SECURITY ALONE NOT ENOUGH -
TOP
Parvez Ahmed, Orlando Sentinel, 9/11/06
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-parvez1106sep11,0,2537593.story
Sept. 11, 2001, was undoubtedly a great tragedy. Instead of focusing on
the somber lessons learned from the ill-fated day, President Bush opened
the new political season by resorting to the politics of fear. His use of
ill-defined rhetoric such as "violent Islamic radicalism"
sounded much like his earlier faux pas "crusades" and
"Islamic fascism." Bush went on to say, "It is foolish to
think you can negotiate with them." No one ever suggested
negotiating with al-Qaeda.
Inquiring minds simply want to ask if there are alternative ways to
tackle the problem of terrorism. The trajectory of our current policies
appears doomed for failure. Is Iraq the front lines of the war on terror
and thus the need to "stay the course," or is it because we are
"staying the course" that Iraq is spiraling into a cauldron of
civil war?
Evoking emotionally charged rhetoric like "Islamic fascism" or
"Islamic radicalism" may be good politics, but it obfuscates
the complexity behind terrorism. By focusing almost exclusively on the
views of groups such as al-Qaeda, Bush has granted undeserved legitimacy
to extremists. By failing to address the legitimate concerns of the vast
majority of Muslims worldwide, the president has marginalized the voices
of moderation in the Muslim world who, in overwhelming numbers,
disapprove of terrorism as a means for redressing grievances.
Despite common knowledge that all terrorists are not Muslim and that not
all Muslims are terrorists, so much of our discourse continues to
juxtapose "Islam" and "terrorism."
A few scholarly works have begun to debunk this mythical link between
Islam and terrorism. Robert Pape's book Dying to Win argues that the real
common denominator of suicide-terrorism campaigns is that they are all,
in one form or another, responses to occupation or foreign control of a
national homeland. Pape is deeply skeptical about the notion that suicide
bombers are warriors in a "clash of civilizations" between
Islam and the West. His survey reveals that there is nothing
intrinsically "Islamic" about suicide bombers. By such
scholarly measures, our presence in Iraq is the cause of terrorism -- not
the other way around.
Thus, security measures alone are not going to make us safe. We will be
safe only when others perceive to be safe from our policies.
(MORE)
[Parvez Ahmed is chairman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America's leading Muslim
civil-liberties and advocacy group.]
SEE ALSO:
CA: 'I WILL HELP YOU BECAUSE I AM MUSLIM'
-
TOP
Mona Shadia, Daily Bulleting, 9/11/06
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4316349
It was a Tuesday morning like any other. While I waited for my cousin to
take me to Crafton Hills College, I flipped through the TV
channels.
Every station was airing the news and horrific images of two high towers
falling down, fires raging, people running, screaming and
crying.
Five years ago, my English wasn't as good, and I didn't understand what
had happened.
Later, at the college library, it was explained to me.
A boy approached me and asked me where I was from.
"I'm Egyptian," I said.
He asked if I was Muslim. I am.
They were saying Muslims attacked the World Trade Center, he
said.
All I remember is thinking, "No, it just can't be."
Everyone on campus was in front of a television, watching the attacks
unfold. I kept hoping that whatever this trouble was, that Muslims were
not responsible.
By the end of the day, it was clear that the terrorists were claiming to
be Muslim, and I had to explain it to my mother.
We stood across from each other, looking at the television. I could see
the tears in her eyes, and I couldn't help but cry myself. I cried for
the twin towers, for everyone who died. But I also cried for the image of
my religion, which was also destroyed.
I am Muslim, and was born and raised in a Muslim family. I was taught
about Islam. I was taught to be kind, respectful, compassionate, helpful
and peaceful.
My uncle sat next to me when I was little, and read the Quran to me, and
taught me how to pray. I remember him telling me about the prophet, and
the first time I walked into a mosque. On that day five years ago, it
suddenly seemed to mean nothing.
Why should I be careful about saying what religion I believe in? Which
crisis should I weep for? To me, being Muslim meant being good and
peaceful and kind. Had I lived in a bubble, believing in something that
wasn't really true?
In my English class the next day, one of the students asked, "Why
can't they just drop a bomb and kill them all?"
That was harsh to hear.
I wanted to say something to my classmate, to defend my faith, to defend
the people who believe as I do. But I felt like I couldn't. I was
afraid.
I do not consider myself religious, but I started to study. I had to
learn for myself what Islam was about, so that when I was asked if I was
Muslim, I could confidently say that I am, or distance myself from the
religion of my upbringing.
And I learned this: The men who committed the horrible acts are not my
people.
They do not represent what I represent. They do not speak for me, and
they do not know the God I know.
Please do not call them Muslims. Islam does not support terrorism.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR: MUSLIMS: MESSAGE OF PEACE
DROWNED OUT -
TOP
'Countereducation campaign' more vocal, spokesman says
Perry Swanson, Gazette, 9/11/06
http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1321436
Mainstream American Islamic leaders have broadcast the same message since
hours after the terrorist attacks five years ago.
"American Muslims utterly condemn the vicious and cowardly acts of
terrorism against innocent civilians," said a statement the Council
on American-Islamic Relations issued Sept. 11, 2001.
Condemnation of subsequent attacks and plots by Muslim extremists
followed. Islamic leaders nationally and in Colorado Springs said their
religion stands for peace.
The message may have convinced some people, but several Colorado Springs
Muslims and other observers say the perception persists that Islam
endorses violence.
"There has been a countereducation campaign against Islam
also," said Arshad Yousufi, spokesman for the Islamic Society of
Colorado Springs, the city's only mosque. "That campaign has been
far more vocal." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: BETWEEN FAITH AND COUNTRY:
MUSLIMS IN AMERICA -
TOP
Steve Inskeep, National Public Radio, 9/11/06
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6041929&ft=1&f=1003
The Sept. 11 attacks started an intense debate among American Muslims.
Five years later, it isn't over.
In Chicago, that most American of cities, tens of thousands of
Muslim-Americans gathered for a conference in early September. They
simultaneously debated questions about Western-style dating, the
application of Islamic law, Muslim-Americans' role in the war on terror,
and even perspectives on torture.
The debate took place in a city where Muslim immigrants have thrived for
decades. An estimated 400,000 Muslims live in the Chicago area, home to
about 90 mosques, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The city's greatest icon -- the Sears Tower -- was designed by a
Muslim-American structural engineer.
This vast meeting of Muslims came just days before the nation marked the
fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Some Muslims speak of the difficulties facing those who practice their
faith in America.
"I think one of our biggest challenges is Muslim fatigue, or Islam
fatigue on the part of the general American public," says Ingrid
Mattson. Mattson is a Westerner who converted to Islam, and feels she has
insight into both worlds. She says some Americans have trouble staying
tolerant of Muslims as terrorist incidents pile up around the world.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: U.S. MUSLIMS'
EFFORTS HELP, STRIFE ABROAD DOESN'T, LEADERS SAY -
TOP
Bettye Wells Miller, Press-Enterprise, 9/10/06
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_D_911muslim10.art.388be63.html
In the days after the Sept. 11 attacks, Mustafa Kuko advised Inland
Muslims to reach out to their neighbors and let them know they are
Americans, too.
Muslims in the Inland area and in Southern California have held open
houses at their mosques, invited visitors to community dinners during the
holy month of Ramadan, cooperated in interfaith projects and answered
pointed questions about Islam in classrooms, churches and
synagogues.
Five years later, Kuko, director of the Islamic Center of Riverside, and
other leading Muslims in Southern California say those efforts have
allayed some fears about their religion and generally improved relations
with non-Muslims in California.
But despite their best efforts, the perception persists worldwide that
Islam is a religion of violence, a view that Kuko and other leaders said
puts American Muslims in a tough position: How can they win the trust of
neighbors who are continually frightened by news of terrorism by
Muslims?
Hussam Ayloush, a Corona resident and executive director of the Southern
California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he
doesn't like it when people are anti-American, just as he doesn't like it
when Americans ask him what is wrong with Islam.
"I am all for isolating and challenging fanatic, violent Muslims,
but most Muslims here are interested in being able to live the American
dream: to raise a family, to have a good job and to have good relations
with their neighbors. (MORE)
---
CAIR-MI: HAS 'EVERYTHING CHANGED'
SINCE 9/11? -
TOP
Detroit News, 9/11/06
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/OPINION01/609110303/1008
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations-Michigan (from a talk at the conference of the National
Association of Black Journalists): Sept. 11 only heightened the
misconceptions about Islam. Islam-phobia has risen in the post-Sept. 11
era among certain populations in the United States.
If there was a different administration [with] a different language about
the Muslim community and had a different foreign policy and a domestic
agenda, and a different agenda on the so-called war on terror, I think
Islam-phobia would decrease. (MORE)
---
CAIR: MUSLIMS HERE SAY 9/11
DISTORTS FAITH -
TOP
Jacob Bennett, Courier & Press, 9/11/06
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/sep/11/muslims-here-say-911-distorts-faith/
It's when she flies that Erum Sayed-Khan feels different. Specifically,
when they check her bags.
"They claim it's random, but it happens every single time," she
said. "I don't get mad; I understand this is what the world has come
to.
"I also want to fly on a safe airplane. I also want my children to
be safe. They can check my bags. Check other people, too."
When Osama bin Laden and others used Islamic scripture to justify attacks
such as those on Sept. 11, 2001, they put Sayed-Khan's religion in the
spotlight - and many Muslims say they fear some people came away with a
distorted image of a religion that preaches peace.
The Quran, Islam's holy book, contains this passage: "To kill one
innocent man or woman is to kill all of humanity."
"Every time (non-Muslims) see something on the news about terrorism,
it portrays the faith in the wrong picture," said Mohammad Hussain
of the Islamic Society of Evansville.
"It's distorted. Have you ever come across someone who is an
extremist? Nobody in this area has ever come across people like that, and
I hope they never do."
Hussain and others are quick to point out that they've seen or heard
about very little discrimination to the 200 or so Muslims in the
Tri-State. And many of those cases were ambiguous, such as in 2002 when
Hussain had to get extra clearance to board an airplane.
(It may not have been because he is Muslim, but rather because of his
last name, which is similar to that of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam
Hussein). "In conversations, they feel like maybe they've been
singled out," Hussain said. "A lot of that happened very close
to Sept. 11. I think things have eased in the last few
years."
Still, a 2006 Gallup poll found that more than one-third of all Americans
believe U.S. Muslims support al-Qaida, and less than half thought Muslims
were loyal to the U.S. So Muslims here and across the country have felt
it necessary to publicly distinguish themselves from Islamic
extremists.
Just last month, many Islamic groups, including the National Council on
American-Islamic Relations, felt the need to issue statements denouncing
the 21 individuals arrested for plotting to use liquid explosives on
flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.
"The American Muslim community has always been dedicated to the
protection of our national security," the council statement read in
part. "... Muslims are law-abiding citizens who should not be
targeted or singled out because of their faith or national origin."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-CA: MUSLIMS FIND MIXED REACTIONS IN
POLARIZED POST-9/11 WORLD -
TOP
Sajid Farooq, DC Examiner, 9/11/06
http://www.examiner.com/a-277007~Muslims_find_mixed_reactions_in_polarized_post_9_11_world.html
Zohra Saiyed initially could not believe people of her faith brought down
the World Trade Center towers five years ago.
The 20-year-old, who was born and raised in the Sunset district and was
in high school at the time, said she was sad and scared after the attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001.
"I thought I would probably get teased about Islam," she said.
"I was really scared for my parents because I thought they would
lose their jobs."
Five years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Muslim community in
the Bay Area has undergone many changes, while living in a protective
bubble of the region's tolerant politics, according to some
Muslims.
Some, such as Saiyed, who started wearing the headscarf a year after the
attacks, had a religious awakening, while others have made a conscious
effort to educate people about their faith. Others have tried to keep a
low profile.
Saiyed said she recalls the incident that spurred her to begin wearing
the hijab: As she was getting onto a Muni bus with her older sister, who
was wearing a headscarf, someone yelled at them to go back to their own
country.
"That was weird because my sister didn't stand up for herself, but I
did," she said. "Instead of being rude, I just explained it to
him."
Her decision to wear a hijab after the incident was an easy one, she
said, partly due to living in the Bay Area. She said she has never once
feared physical harm. Instead, people ask her about her faith.
Basim Elkarra, the director of the Sacramento chapter of the Council on
American Islamic Relations, said many indigenous American Muslims have
made an effort to reach out to their neighbors, but some immigrant
Muslims are scared to get involved because of bad experiences in their
home countries.
"You find a lot of immigrants are still reserved, [especially those
from regions] where the regimes are still very brutal and
oppressive," he said.
Elkarra said 9/11 has caused the Muslim community to hold its breath when
Muslims - such as Omed Aziz Popal, who allegedly ran over 18 people in
the streets of San Francisco two weeks ago - make headlines for the wrong
reasons. (MORE)
---
MA: MUSLIMS, OTHER FAITHS UNITE TO REFLECT, HEAL -
TOP
Adrienne P. Samuels, Boson Globe, 9/11/06
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/09/11/muslims_other_faiths_unite_to_reflect_heal/
---
DC: 9/11/06: MUSLIM STUDENTS REFLECT THE FALLOUT -
TOP
John Carlos Estrada, Daily Colonial, 9/11/06
http://www.dailycolonial.com/go.dc?p=3&s=2927
---
FL: LEST WE FORGET, MUSLIM CLERICS CONDEMNED ATTACKS -
TOP
Terrorists who killed thousands violated religious laws and received
condemnation from scholars and religious leaders.
News Press, 9/11/06
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/OPINION/609110319/1015
---
IL: NEW MOVIE DOCUMENTS MUSLIM AMERICANS AFTER 9/11 -
TOP
Joanie Lum, 9/10/06
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_253213829.html
---
MI: STARES, WHISPERS TAKE TOLL ON METRO MUSLIMS -
TOP
They tire of defending religion, ethnicity
Niraj Warikoo, Free Press, 9/11/06
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS05/609110377
---
NY: UNITED BY 9/11, A MUSLIM AND A JEW STRENGTHEN
COMMUNITY TIES -
TOP
Alexandra Marks, Christian Science Monitor, 9/11/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0911/p12s01-ussc.html
---
IN: VALLEY MUSLIMS SAY COMMUNITY UNITED AFTER ATTACKS -
TOP
Arthur Foulkes, Tribune-Star, 9/11/06
http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_253231440.html
---
TX: POST-9/11 LIFE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT FOR TEXAS
MUSLIMS -
TOP
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/3883572.html
---
NY: MUSLIMS FELT BACKLASH AFTER 9/11 -
TOP
Jeff Murray, Star-Gazette, 9/11/06
http://www.star-gazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS01/609110305/1001
---
OH: 'ISLAM' MEANS 'PEACE,' SAYS HEAD OF LOCAL ISLAMIC
SOCIETY -
TOP
The Quran doesn't condone killing innocent people, a Muslim leader
said.
Linda M. Linonis, Vindicator, 9/11/06
http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/376403718010386.php
---
TN: VU SPOTLIGHTS MUSLIMS ON 9/11 ANNIVERSARY -
TOP
Blake Farmer, Nashville City Paper, 9/11/06
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=9&screen=news&news_id=52033
---
FL: MUSLIMS SAY TERROR NOT PART OF FAITH -
TOP
Followers of Islam hope neighbors gain a better understanding of
them.
John Davis, Herald Tribune, 9/11/06
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS/609110483/1006/SPORTS
---
ND: FARGO-AREA MUSLIMS STILL FEELING UNEASY -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/11/06
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/09/11/news/state/120611.txt
---
SC: LOCAL MUSLIMS CALL FOR DIALOGUE, UNDERSTANDING -
TOP
Thomas Brown, Times and Democrat, 9/11/06
http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2006/09/11/news/doc4504b911b5617109282665.txt
---
FL: MUSLIMS EXPLAIN RESULTS OF ATTACKS -
TOP
We asked three members of the Muslim community in Tallahassee about the
worst and best outcomes of 9/11.
Tallahassee Democrat, 9/11/06
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS01/609110332/1010
---
OH: SPRINGFIELD MUSLIMS STILL TRYING TO SPREAD MESSAGE
OF PEACE -
TOP
Kelly Baker, Springfield News-Sun, 9/11/06
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/10/sns091106sept11muslim.html
---
CA: LOCAL MUSLIMS SAY THEY'VE BEEN HARASSED -
TOP
Robert McCockran, Vallejo Times-Herald, 9/11/06
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_4316131
---
SC: LOCAL MUSLIMS: UPSTATE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE SINCE
9-11 -
TOP
Paul Alongi, Greenville News, 9/11/06
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS01/609110313
---
NJ: MUSLIMS' FAITH, FEAR TESTED AFTER 9/11 -
TOP
Sarah Cassi, Express-Times, 9/11/06
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-7/115794732435470.xml&coll=2
---
AR: MUSLIMS FIND RELATIVE SECURITY, UNDERSTANDING IN
FAYETTEVILLE -
TOP
Drew Terry, Northwest Arkansas Times, 9/11/06
http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/44747/
---
AMERICA'S MUSLIMS AFTER 9/11 -
TOP
Zlatica Hoke, Voice of America, 9/10/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/NewsAnalysis/Muslims2006-09-10-voa17.cfm
---
THE POST-9/11 MUSLIM PLIGHT -
TOP
CBS News, 9/10/06
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/10/sunday/main1990766.shtml
-----
WORKSHOP ON POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF
AMERICAN MUSLIMS -
TOP
(SAN ANTONIO, 9/11/06) On Friday, September 8, the San Antonio chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a workshop on the
Political Empowerment of the American Muslims at the Muslim Children
Education and Civic Center in San Antonio.
Dr. Inayat Lalani, a General surgeon from Fortworth Texas, was the
presenter.
Dr. Lalani, who is a Muslim political activist in Texas, shared his
knowledge about the opportunities out there, in both parties, for Muslim
Americans to meaningfully impact on the direction of our governments
policies.
The workshop was attended by 130 people.
"I am proud to be an American Muslim where all people from diverse
faiths and beliefs have the equal opportunity to get involved in the
shaping of the policies of our beloved country," said Sarwat Husain,
chairwoman of CAIR-SA. "It is our religious as well as a civic duty
to serve the country by being a part of the system," she
added.
After the workshop many people signed up as volunteers to help for the
upcoming November Elections.
CONTACT: Sarwat Husain, 210-378-9528 or E-mail:
sanantonio@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-TX: A MUSLIM NEWSPAPER
BEGUN AFTER 9/11 NOW THRIVES -
TOP
Daisy Hernández, New America Media, 9/11/06
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=93e6617271b0172f2a03e828473f868c
Six months after September 11, Sarwat Husain realized she could not be
the sole spokesperson for her Muslim community in San Antonio, Texas. So
she began a newspaper. Almost five years later, she freely distributes
the paper throughout Texas-with paid subscribers in 25 cities across the
country. The newspaper, called AL-ITTIHAAD, which means unity, is a
compilation of articles relating to Islam and the local Muslim
community.
Something else has increased in the last five years: the hate mail.
Husain says it mostly comes through e-mail, and she's not bothered by it.
"They're just trying to harass me so I'll stop doing my work,"
she says, adding that her husband and children are actually more afraid
for her than she is.
Husain, who was profiled in the book The Face Behind the Veil (Citadel
Press, 2006), has learned software so that she can design the newspaper
herself. She says she doesn't print anything explicitly against the
United States or the Bush administration but that her newspaper is
becoming an alternative source of news. She has a reporter covering local
Muslim issues in Texas, which is home to a large number of
Muslims.
A recent online issue of the newspaper covered Malaysia's take on Islamic
finances, as well as the news that a tomb in India had been discovered
belonging to a descendant of Prophet Muhammad. The online version of the
newspaper includes a prayer schedule and cultural articles like one on
the Arabic art of calligraphy. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-AZ ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER A SUCCESS
-
TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 9/11/06) - More than $100,000 was raised at the annual
banquet of CAIR's Arizona office (CAIR-AZ) held on Saturday, September 9.
More than 350 people attended the dinner. CAIR National Executive
Director Nihad Awad offered the keynote address at the event. Other guest
speakers included Congressional Candidate Jim Pederson and FBI Special
Agent in Charge John Lewis.
The entertainment was provided by internationally-renowned singer Dawud
Wharnsby Ali, who captivated the audience with his performance. Following
dinner, CAIR-AZ presented awards to selected adults and youth who showed
exception in the areas of volunteerism and community activism.
Banquet attendees also included a number of local and state law
enforcement officials, government representatives and community
leaders.
CONTACT: Nure Elatari, (602) 312-2223 or (602) 262-2247,
info@cairaz.org
-----
CAIR-OH: JORDANIAN IS BUILDING CULTURAL
BRIDGES -
TOP
Tim Doulin, Columbus Dispatch, 9/10/06
http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/10/20060910-B3-01.html
Omar Alomari has experienced oppression firsthand.
Born in Jerusalem, he grew up in Jordan when that country's monarchy was
decidedly more dictatorial.
"It was absolutely brutal," Alomari said. "There is no
freedom whatsoever."
His father worked in the oil business, then the army. His mother was a
homemaker. He had three sisters and two brothers. It was from this
typical Middle Eastern family, conservative and religious, that he came
to the United States as an immigrant in 1979 to attend graduate school at
Ohio State University.
Alomari taught the Arabic language and Middle Eastern culture at Ohio
State. He continues to teach courses on world religions and global
cultures at Ohio State and Franklin University.
All this helps qualify Alomari, 56, for his year-old job as multicultural
relations officer for Ohio Homeland Security.
He's responsible for building relationships between the state's
anti-terrorism efforts and its Arab and Muslim communities.
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, Arabs and Muslims in this
country became the "usual suspects," Alomari said.
They became isolated out of fear of a backlash from the attacks. The
alienation led to misperceptions about their culture and religion, and
questions about their loyalty to America. . .
Later this month, the state plans to conduct a survey of the Arab and
Muslim communities asking about their lives, perceptions, issues and
concerns.
These are efforts supported by Adnan Mirza, director of the Columbus
office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"By opening dialogue and creating mutual understanding, we can
educate law enforcement about our community and in turn law enforcement
can educate us about how we can help them with the war on terror,"
Mirza said.
"If people had a better understanding of what we believe and how we
practice our faith, I think a lot of those concerns could be
minimized," he said. (MORE)
-----
ISLAMIC SOCIETY SUBPOENAS WRITER, TV CO. -
TOP
Laura Crimaldi, Boston Herald, 9/10/06
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=156756&srvc=news
A group building an Islamic center in Roxbury has subpoenaed a freelance
writer and a Christian broadcasting company who have reported on the
project, documents show.
The Islamic Society of Boston issued subpoenas to Tamar Morad, a
Waltham-based writer for The New Republic, and the Cambridge-based
Christian Broadcasting Corp. as a part of its defamation case against the
Boston Herald, WFXT-TV (Fox 25) and other, non-media groups.
The subpoena asks Morad, who declined to comment, to turn over any
communications between her and the lawsuit's defendants concerning the
ISB and Osama Kandil and Yousef Abou-Allaban. The Christian Broadcasting
Corp. is being asked to submit any of its broadcasts on the ISB, Kandil
and Abou-Allaban, documents show.
ISB attorney Howard Cooper could not be reached yesterday.
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/12/06
*
Hadith:
Be Kind to Your Family
*
Save the Date:
CAIR DC Banquet November
18
*
Quote:
'We Covered Entire Towns in
Cluster Bombs' (Haaretz)
-
CAIR Israel Lobby Panel 'Most Watched
C-SPAN Video'
*
CAIR-FL:
Church Sign Stirs Anger
Among Muslims (Herald Trib)
*
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Want
Mayor's Apology (AP)
-
CAIR-CA:
Murray Takes Heat for
Comments
-
CAIR-CA:
Redding Mayor's Islam
Remarks Draw Fire
*
CAIR:
Sen. Feingold Faults Term
'Islamic Fascist' (AP)
*
IN:
Slaying of Muslim Still Under
Investigation (NWI Times)
*
CAIR-FL:
Which Religious
Holidays will be Recognized?
*
CAIR:
How has Muslim-American
Life Changed? (Times-Union)
*
Remembering 9/11
-
CAIR-CA,
CAIR-Chicago,
CAIR-CA,
CAIR-CA,
CAIR-TX
*
CAIR-Chicago:
Muslim
Charities Struggle to Stay Open
*
CA:
Plans to Honor Muslim Leader
Bring Out Animosity (LA Times)
-
MI:
DeVos Cancels Mtg with
Arab-Americans (Free Press)
-
MO:
'Obsession: Radical Judaism's War with
Islam'
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: BE KIND TO YOUR FAMILY -
TOP
Narrated Anas ibn Malik: "I have never seen anyone more kind to
one's family than (the Prophet Muhammad)."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1077
-----
SAVE THE DATE: CAIR DC BANQUET NOVEMBER 18 -
TOP
CAIR's 12th annual banquet will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2006,
in Arlington, Va. This year's theme will be "American Muslims:
Connecting and Sharing."
-----
QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'WE COVERED ENTIRE TOWNS
IN CLUSTER BOMBS' -
TOP
Meron Rappaport, Haaretz, 9/12/06
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/761781.html
"What we did was insane and monstrous, we covered entire towns in
cluster bombs,' the head of an IDF rocket unit in Lebanon
said."
SEE ALSO:
CAIR ISRAEL LOBBY PANEL STILL ON 'MOST
WATCHED C-SPAN VIDEO' LIST -
TOP
http://www.capitalnews.org/
-----
CAIR-FL: CHURCH SIGN STIRS ANGER AMONG
LOCAL MUSLIMS -
TOP
Heather Allen, Herald Tribune, 9/12/06
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS/609120341
"Muslims can convert to Christianity here!" read the sign
Monday in front of the Congregational Church on Laurel Road.
It was an invitation that the church's pastor, K.C. McCay, admitted he
didn't expect anyone to accept.
But coming on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it was bound to
stir a response.
And it did.
"If church leaders are really interested in saving people, they
would find much less offensive ways to do it," said Ahmed Bedier,
director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. "Religious leaders are adding fuel to the fire. It's a
shame."
The group plans on taking photos of the sign to document the incident, as
it did in 2003 when a Jacksonville minister posted a sign stating that
the Prophet Muhammad advocated violence.
McCay, who has been a pastor at the church for five years, said 9/11
never entered his mind when he placed the message on the road-side
marquee.
Instead, he was responding to a Texas man, whose name he said he did not
remember, who recently called on Christians to convert to Islam.
McCay said he doesn't expect any Muslims to take him up on his
offer.
The church, which was founded by his father in 1977, has between 50 and
100 members, depending on the time of year. It is a conservative church
that views Christianity as the only path to God.
"We will not vary from that," McCay said. "If Muslims want
us to water it down, that might be all right for you, but we're not
biting."
But Janet Onnie, chairwoman of the Venice Interfaith Community
Association, said McCay's sign did more harm than good in the effort to
bring people together.
Celebrating the commonalities between Islam and Christianity is a better
way to bring people together, she said. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: MUSLIMS WANT MAYOR'S
APOLOGY -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/12/06
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/15498135.htm
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Sacramento-area Muslims are asking for an apology from
the mayor of Redding, who said some Muslims find it acceptable to lie,
cheat and murder.
During an event last week commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks,
Mayor
Ken Murray said Shiite Muslims believe they "are duty-bound by
religious law to lie, cheat, steal, kill all who do not worship their
version of Allah."
"Folks, they're not like us," he told those who attended an
annual remembrance vigil on the steps of the Shasta County Courthouse, in
the city about 160 miles north of Sacramento. His comments were reported
by the Redding Record Searchlight.
In a statement given Monday to The Associated Press, Murray acknowledged
making those statements but said he was "wrong" when he
attributed criminal behavior to Shiites.
He said he was referring instead to the Wahhabi sect -- a brand of Islam
most prevalent in Saudi Arabia and practiced by Osama bin Laden and the
Taliban.
"At no time did I say all Muslims are bad folks," Murray said
in his statement.
He said his intention was to address "the secular and religious wars
our Judeo-Christian nation is fighting."
On Monday, the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the
Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations asked for Murray to apologize.
The mayor needs to demonstrate "a willingness to show people that he
will bring about unity and tolerance," said Basim Elkarra, the
nonprofit group's executive director.
"We're asking government officials who were present to distance
themselves from these xenophobic comments," he added.
Murray said he did not plan to directly respond to the group.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: MURRAY TAKES HEAT FOR
COMMEMORATION COMMENTS -
TOP
Mayor apologizes for speech that has been called religious bigotry' by
Islamics
Ryan Sabalow, Record Searchlight, 9/12/06
http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_4986480,00.html
Redding Mayor Ken
Murray has apologized for remarks made last week at a Sept. 11
commemoration at which he called Shiite Muslims "wing nuts" who
lie, cheat and steal for their God.
"I attributed these perverted beliefs to a sect of Shiite Muslims.
Was I wrong?" Murray said Monday on his radio show "Murray in
the Morning" on Redding talk radio station KQMS. "As a matter
of fact, I was wrong."
He added later that he owed Shiites an apology and said he actually was
referring to a sect of Islam called the Wahhabi, whose followers include
Osama bin Laden.
Although they're in the minority, the Wahhabi dominate the Arabian
peninsula, and they "have no problem lying, cheating, killing
Christians, killing Muslims or anyone who doesn't meet their litmus
test," Murray said.
The mayor's retraction came after a weekend of criticism of Thursday's
"One Nation Under God" at the Shasta County courthouse. During
the ceremony, Murray spoke alongside other Christian public officials and
religious leaders to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks.
Members of Redding's Islamic community and the Sacramento Valley chapter
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned Murray for his
statements, saying they amounted to religious bigotry.
"The unthinking bigotry and ignorance of such remarks are unworthy
of an American public official and should be repudiated by all those who
seek tolerance and mutual understanding,"
Basim Elkarra,
executive director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said in a statement. (MORE)
---
CAIR-CA: REDDING MAYOR'S ISLAM
REMARKS DRAW FIRE -
TOP
Larry Mitchell, Chic Enterprise Record, 9/12/06
http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci_4322434
The mayor of Redding got into hot water with some comments he made about
Islam last week.
The occasion was a prayer event held Thursday on the steps of the Shasta
County Courthouse and emceed by state Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa,
R-Richvale.
Redding Mayor Ken
Murray said Christians and Muslim extremists are engaged in "a
war to the spiritual death of one of us," according to a Redding
Record-Searchlight article.
According to the newspaper, Murray attacked the smaller of the two
branches of Islam, the Shiites, saying adherents believe lying, cheating,
stealing and killing are acceptable if they are done to glorify
Allah.
These remarks and others he reportedly made brought Murray criticism in
the form of an editorial by the Record-Searchlight.
In addition, a national Muslim advocacy group, the
Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent out an e-mail bulletin calling
on "Californians to repudiate" the mayor's remarks.
In a phone interview Monday afternoon, Murray said he apologized on a
Redding radio station that morning, but he wasn't sure his apology would
satisfy all his critics.
According to the Record-Searchlight, after the prayer event, Murray said
he distinguished between "mainstream" Muslims and Shiites, whom
he called "wing nuts."
The newspaper reported Murray said, "Either the Judeo-Christian
philosophy will survive or the Islamic philosophy will
survive."
Asked by the Enterprise-Record if he'd been quoted accurately, Murray
said, "not exactly."
The E-R asked Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for CAIR, about the Shiites and
the mayor's remarks.
Hooper said the comments didn't make sense. Like the larger Sunni group,
the Shiites include millions of ordinary Muslims who are not violent or
lawless, he said.
The differences between the two groups aren't as great as those between
Catholics and Protestants in the Christian world, he said.
Ali Sarsour, a Sunni Muslim from Chico, said he's known many Shiite
Muslims from Chico and Yuba City and found them to be "fantastic
people," who love peace and obey the laws.
On the radio talk show he hosts in Redding, Murray explained Monday
morning that he'd used the wrong term. He said "Shiites" while
meaning the Wahhabi.
According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, Wahhabism, named after a
leader who lived in the 1800s, is the dominant form of Islam in Saudi
Arabia and Qatar. Its followers seek a very pure form of the religion,
the article stated.
But Hooper, of CAIR, said no Muslims today would call themselves
Wahhabis. It's become a pejorative term that means an extremist or
violent person, he said. The only people he hears using it, he said, are
those who "aren't very fond of Islam."
Hooper said he thought Murray and maybe others in the north valley could
benefit from meeting with some Muslims and learning about their religion.
He offered to facilitate such a meeting. (MORE)
-----
SEN. FEINGOLD FAULTS BUSH'S WAR
LANGUAGE -
TOP
Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press, 9/12/06
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4181153.html
WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold called on President Bush to
refrain from using the phrase "Islamic fascists," saying it was
offensive to Muslims and has nothing to do with terrorists fighting the
United States.
"We must avoid using misleading and offensive terms that link Islam
with those who subvert this great religion or who distort its teachings
to justify terrorist activities," Feingold said Tuesday in a speech
to the Arab American Institute on Capitol Hill.
The Wisconsin senator, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, said the
label "Islamic fascists" makes no sense and doesn't help the
U.S. effort to combat terrorism.
"Fascist ideology doesn't have anything to do with the way global
terrorist networks think or operate, and it doesn't have anything to do
with the overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world who practice
the peaceful teachings of Islam," Feingold said.
In seeking to explain the term, the White House referred to comments made
last week by homeland security adviser Fran Townsend.
"What the president was trying to capture was this idea of using
violence to achieve ideological ends _ and that's wrong," Townsend
said at a news conference. "Regardless of what label you pin on it,
it is this form of radical extremism that really wants to deny people
freedom and impose a totalitarian vision of society on everyone, that we
object to."
Bush isn't the only politician to use the phrase. Sen. Rick Santorum,
R-Pa., has drawn parallels between World War II and the current war
against "Islamic fascism," saying they both require fighting a
common foe in multiple countries.
Feingold's comments drew applause from the Arab American Institute
audience and praise from the group's president, James Zogby, who argued
that the term "Islamic fascism" scares Americans and inflames
passions.
"It indicates no understanding of Islam, and it actually degrades
the meaning of the word fascism," Zogby said in an interview.
"That's not what fascism means. Fascism means national socialism. It
doesn't refer to a gang of criminal terrorists who are using a cult-like
ideology to murder people."
Bush has used the term to refer to enemies facing the U.S. in the war on
terror. For example, in an Aug. 10 speech in Feingold's home state of
Wisconsin, the president called the alleged terror plot to bomb British
passenger jets "a stark reminder that this nation is at war with
Islamic fascists."
Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, a civil rights group, said he hasn't heard Bush use the
term in a while, including the president's speech Monday night.
"I think it's pretty clear now that the use of the term was
counterproductive in winning the hearts and minds in the war on
terror," he said. "I think even President Bush and his advisers
now recognize that." (MORE)
-----
IN: SLAYING OF RESTAURATEUR STILL UNDER
INVESTIGATION -
TOP
Merrillville slaying still under investigation as family, friends pay
tribute to restaurateur
Deborah Laverty, Northwest Indiana Times, 9/12/06
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2006/09/12/news/top_news/24585f650140e32a862571e6008045c4.txt
Seasoned area detectives are lending their expertise in the effort to
solve the weekend slaying of a well-known Merrillville restaurant
owner.
This marks the first case for the newly formed Northwest Indiana Major
Crimes Task, said Hobart police Detective Jeff White, one of dozens of
members representing 17 participating departments.
Naseeb Abdul Jabar Mohammed, owner of Aladdin Pita Restaurant and Store,
was found unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound by employees
about 10 a.m. Saturday.
Mohammed, 60, of Munster, was pronounced dead at the scene. An
undetermined amount of cash was reported taken from the restaurant at
3750 W. 80th Ave., police said.
The business was closed Monday as police continued their investigation
and his family and friends paid tribute to his life at funeral services
at the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center. Mohammed was a member of the
center.
"There's nothing to indicate the murder was racially motivated, but
we don't rule anything out," White said. "... We're still
hitting the leads." (MORE)
Those with information about the crime can call Merrillville police at
(219) 756-6173.
-----
CAIR-FL: WHICH RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
WILL BE RECOGNIZED? -
TOP
A fight is already brewing in Hillsborough County about the district's
religious holiday calendar for 2007-2008.
Bay News 9, 9/12/06
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/9/12/182004.html
The district said it's making a good faith effort to gather opinions from
a diverse group of parents, while the Muslim community said it is already
being left out.
A new school district survey, along with an explanatory cover letter,
will be arriving in 4,000 mailboxes today. It's asking parents a number
of questions like which religious holidays should close schools.
The list includes Jewish holidays Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Muslim
holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Steve Hegarty with Hillsborough County schools calls the survey
representative and scientific.
"We are making quite an effort to get as much feedback as we can
beforehand," Hegarty said. "I think that one of the things that
people reacted to last year was that they had the perception that this
was a done deal way before it was."
Hegarty is talking about national media pressure last fall when the
Muslim community demanded at least one of its major religious holidays be
recognized with a district wide day off. But, that never
happened.
Although no decisions have been made yet for the 2007-2008 school
calendar, the Muslim community already feels left out of the
process.
Ahmed Bedier with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
calls the survey flawed.
"The district doesn't track the religion of students, so how are
they going to find a diverse religious sample that represents an entire
county?" Bedier said. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: HOW HAS MUSLIM-AMERICAN LIFE
CHANGED? -
TOP
A local professor who leads the Council on American-Islamic Relations
reflects.
Matt Galnor, Florida Times-Union, 9/10/06
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/091006/met_changes.shtml
Five years ago Monday, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington
changed the country forever.
Those attacks also changed attitudes and actions toward Muslim-Americans,
says
Parvez Ahmed, national chairman of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
Ahmed, an assistant professor of finance at the University of North
Florida, speaks across the country and will address students at Orange
Park High School on Monday. He sat down with the Times-Union last week to
discuss how things have changed in five years, misconceptions about Islam
and President Bush referring to the war against "Islamic
fascists" after British authorities thwarted a terror plot last
month.
In the five years since Sept. 11, do you think Muslim Americans are
treated differently than they were right after the terrorist
attacks?
Yes. It has become progressively worse.
How so?
Number one, there is an increased attack on Islam through airwaves and
through rhetoric. Talk-show hosts, commentators, even the president, have
used very negative ways of describing Islam - and Muslims. For example,
using "Islamic fascism" and things like that. It has linked our
faith to something that is very negative, almost universally rejected,
like fascism. ... [According to a CAIR report on the state of Muslim
civil rights to be released this week] the numbers show that, again,
since 9/11, the reports of discrimination, the reports of profiling, the
reports of law enforcement overreach continue to increase at an alarming
rate. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: ONE CLICK KEPT MAN OFF DOOMED COMAIR PLANE -
TOP
Islamic leader Parvez Ahmed opted to take a later morning flight from
Lexington, Ky.
Jim Schoettler, Florida Times-Union, 9/3/06
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090306/met_4806355.shtml
Fate and at least a little luck kept a Jacksonville man a click away from
the Kentucky air disaster that killed 49 people last week.
If Parvez Ahmed had followed his routine of booking the earliest flight
home from speaking engagements, the national Islamic leader said he would
have been on Comair Flight 5191, which crashed Aug. 27. But worried that
a banquet where he was the keynote speaker would run long, Ahmed chose a
later flight that would buy him a little more sleep.
It also bought him a second chance at life.
The national chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ahmed
was asked to speak at a banquet thrown Aug. 26 by his group's Kentucky
chapter. He said the original speaker, North Carolina state Sen. Larry
Shaw, canceled to work on his campaign and also was worried about
flying.
When booking the return reservation on his laptop a few weeks earlier,
Ahmed faced two possible times: 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
"Normally after these types of events, I like to take the first
flight back home so I can be with my family," said Ahmed, 42, who is
married with two children. "I thought if the banquet runs too late,
I would not be able to wake up for the 6 a.m. flight."
So he scrolled down and clicked on the second flight.
Sure enough, the banquet ran late and Ahmed didn't get to sleep until 1
a.m. Several emergency vehicles rushed by him on his way to the airport
about five hours later.
Shortly after checking in, Ahmed and others were told the airport was
closed and they had to make other travel arrangements.
Ahmed heard something about an accident, but didn't know about the
fatalities until he got a startling call from Shaw checking on his
well-being.
Ahmed was driving to Louisville to catch a flight that would eventually
lead him home when Shaw broke the news about Flight 5191. The plane
crashed after trying to take off from the wrong runway.
"First you think it was horrible that people died," Ahmed said.
"The second thought that came to my mind was I could have been on
that flight. You feel how fortunate you are that a split-second decision
... saved my life." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: MUSLIM STUDENTS COPE WITH
9/11 FALLOUT -
TOP
Stefanie Chase, Spartan Daily, 9/12/06
http://www.thespartandaily.com/media/storage/paper852/news/2006/09/12/News/Muslim.Students.Cope.With.911.Fallout-2267026.shtml
While the events of Sept. 11, 2001, have changed the lives of many
Americans, whether they lost a loved one or now have to deal with
increased security measures, at least one group has dealt with the
tragedy more than others.
Muslims in the United States have been the victims of crimes as the
result of anger or suspicion, said Abdul Awadalla, former president of
the Muslim Students Association at San Jose State University.
"We're just being watched," Awadalla said. "Everything we
do, how we respond, what we do in the world."
Awadalla added that the women have it harder than the males since they
are "usually much easier to spot."
Sameena Usman, the public relations coordinator for the
Council on
American-Islamic Relations for the Bay Area, said her organization
deals with cases of discrimination on a daily basis.
According to Usman, members of the Muslim community call the council to
report acts of "harassment, violence and discriminatory
treatment."
Usman said after each call is received, members of the council
investigate the claims further to find out what happened.
According to the council's Web site, "CAIR's mission is to enhance
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding."
"Because of 9/11, that is why I work for CAIR," Usman said.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CHICAGO: `WE'RE HERE TODAY TO ALWAYS
REMEMBER' -
TOP
Devastation of the Sept. 11 attacks is commemorated across the region in
solemn gestures big and small
Brendan McCarthy and John Chase, Chicago Tribune, 9/12/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0609120175sep12,1,2309811.story
Time came to a standstill at 7:46 a.m. Monday on a busy block in downtown
Chicago.
Outside Holy Name Cathedral, politicians stood silent, clergymen bowed
their heads and passersby paused as a bell tolled from the cathedral's
steeple. Cars quietly hummed by without honking horns. Chirping birds and
other typical sounds of the city seemed muted.
Exactly five years ago to the minute that a plane tore into the World
Trade Center, Chicago remembered.
Across the region Monday, similar moments were seemingly frozen in time
as steps both big and small were taken to commemorate Sept. 11,
2001.
At Holy Name Catholic Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Gov. Rod Blagojevich
declared it a day of remembrance in Illinois.
Blagojevich, joined by Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn, Comptroller Dan Hynes and
15 men in uniform--ranging from suburban police and fire personnel to
state police and a man in military fatigues--called Sept. 11, 2001, as
infamous as Dec. 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
"We're here today to always remember," Blagojevich
said.
Rev. Dan Mayall of Holy Name marked the anniversary by reading lyrics
from "The Day America Cried," a song written by Jim Peterik and
Johnny Van Zant.
"And now we stand as one," Mayall said. "As flags are
raised to hail our heroes. ... We join our hearts to remember all who
have died. The day America cried."
After the ceremony, Mayall led a solemn 8 a.m. mass for the politicians,
public servants and about 75 other worshipers.
On Monday evening, as the sun set on a wet and dreary Chicago, scores of
people from several faiths gathered in St. James Episcopal Cathedral
downtown to remember the tragedy and pray for peace.
Inside the cavernous, dimly lighted church, a murmur of atmospheric music
began the ceremony, reducing the attendees' hushed whispers to silence.
Then even the music stopped.
A procession of religious leaders, led by the choir and a 4-foot-tall
lighted candle carried by a Christian clergyman, stepped down the
church's center aisle toward the sanctuary. They gathered on both sides
of the massed choir, dressed in suits, clerical vestments and
headscarves.
After an opening invocation and song, the religious leaders began their
readings. First, Psalm 23 from the Hebrew Scriptures, in Hebrew and in
English. Then, from the Christian Gospels, Matthew 5:43-47.
Ahmed
Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations delivered the
final readings, from the Koran.
"The merciful ones will be shown mercy by the all-merciful
God," he read, in Arabic and English. "Be merciful to those on
Earth; God will be merciful to you in the heavens." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: SADNESS AND RESILIENCE -
TOP
Katherine Corcoran and Mike Swift, Mercury News, 9/12/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/15498272.htm
After 30 hours in labor, Patricia Rodriguez had no idea what day it was.
Then in the wee hours Monday, she realized she was giving birth to her
first child on the most infamous date in recent American memory.
"It hit me and I said to my husband, 'I can't believe it.' At first
it's an instinctive feeling of what a horrible day it was," said
Rodriguez, 24, a San Jose medical assistant who welcomed healthy,
six-pound, six-ounce Melisenda into the world, two weeks early, on Sept.
11, 2006 -- at 8:45 a.m.
But between labor pains, as Rodriguez watched the commemorations of the
fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and
Pennsylvania, her feelings changed. She thought about the firefighters
and cops and airline passengers who fought back that day. Finally, she
realized that Monday's anniversary was not only about loss, but about
life going forward.
"It's bringing new life into this world,'' she said from her
hospital bed at Mountain View's El Camino Hospital. "It can be a
blessing being born on Sept. 11.''
Like Rodriguez, residents across the Bay Area met the anniversary of the
worst attack on American soil with a mixture of sadness and
resilience.
Alice Hoagland of San Jose, whose son Mark Bingham died on United Flight
93, talked of the warmth she felt while visiting the memorial site in
rural Pennsylvania on Monday.
"In many ways it's joyful, because you see other families and the
local people who have been so helpful and respectful," Hoagland
said. "People stop you on the street and tell you that you are in
their hearts and prayers."
For some, the world has grown so accustomed to the impact of the attacks
that the day seemed almost normal. . .
But for Muslim Americans, the impact of the day has only grown in five
years, with a spike in hate crimes and national leaders invoking a new
term, ``Islamic fascists,'' to cast the war on terror.
"This is a tragedy that occurred on many levels in the Muslim
community, especially American Muslims. Our country was attacked.
Innocents died," said Sameena Usman, public relations coordinator
for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations of the San Francisco Bay
Area. "On another level, there is the backlash the Muslim
community has faced after the event."
The organization planned an interfaith dialogue Monday night in a
Campbell Christian church as part of numerous remembrances around the Bay
Area. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: LOCAL MUSLIMS WARY BUT RESOLUTE -
TOP
Cory Golden, Davis Enterprise, 9/11/06
http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2006/09/11/news/111new0.txt
Local Muslims remember how after the horror of the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks sunk in, a second wave of dread about Muslims being
blamed for what happened washed over them.
Five years on, they are still looking over their shoulders - fearful of
the government, wary about opposing policies they disagree with - but
trying to be strong.
Ahmeen Khasimuddin
On the morning of Sept. 12, 2001, after pulling a double shift as a
resident at a hospital in Newark, N.J., waiting for the wounded from New
York who never came, he walked into the cafeteria.
"A man I knew said, 'We've got to go bomb these people,' " said
Khasimuddin, now a 31-year-old doctor of internal medicine in Davis,
where he graduated from high school and studied as an undergraduate.
"Now, you can say whatever you want. But you can't yell 'fire' in a
crowded theater.
"But I couldn't hold it in. I said, 'So who are you going to go
bomb?' He said, 'Those people.' I said, 'What people?' "
Just as he lived with seeing the dust and smoke, day after day, from the
ground zero, Khasimuddin was ever aware of the polarization the attack
caused.
At the time of the first World Trade Center bombing, in 1993, Khasimuddin
was a student at UC Davis deepening his understanding of Islam and
becoming increasingly politically aware. For anyone who'd watched
closely, then, he said, what happened after 9-11 came as little
surprise.
The Omnibus Counter Terrorism Act begat the Patriot Act.
Terrorists were called "radicals," "fundamentalists,"
"Islamists" or "Islamofacists" in the media. The
implication always seemed to be that terrorism was rooted in faith when,
to Khasimuddin, "'Muslim terrorist' is a stupid idea" - an
oxymoron. . .
Dina El-Nakhal
A civil engineer and the director of communication for the
Sacramento
Valley Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
El-Nakhal, 30, said that in the days following 9-11, friends who wore
head scarfs were spit on, the Islamic Center of Davis' sign repeatedly
was vandalized and a fuming co-worker in Sacramento told her he'd heard a
school bus driver made hateful remarks to a Muslim girl.
But at the Friday prayer service at the Islamic Center following the
attacks, non-Muslim neighbors brought flowers. Others showed up with
baseball bats - determined to protect them.
El-Nakhal and her father Hamza, as president of the Islamic Center and
now of the regional CAIR chapter, have been visible time and again when
incidents big or small have called for someone to defend or explain Islam
and speak out against prejudice. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-TX: MUSLIMS SHARE SEPT. 11 THOUGHTS -
TOP
Lauren Hightower, Baylor Lariot, 9/12/06
http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=41719
Nohayia Javed, a senior from Tulsa, Okla., visited one of the Afghani
refugee camps on the Pakistan side of the Pakistani/Afghani border in
2002.
While she was there she noticed a young boy sitting on the floor drawing
circles in the dirt with a stick.
She asked him if he needed any food or water. He smiled and said,
"No."
She then asked if there was anything he needed, and he told her,
"Mama." When she asked where his mother was he pointed toward
the sky.
This account was one of many things discussed Monday night at the Sept.
11 "Visions for the Future" panel sponsored by the Center for
American and Jewish Studies.
The panel focused on the effects of Sept. 11 in both the American and
international Islamic community.
Students and professors met in Alexander Residence Hall's reading room
and listened to three speakers share their views and experiences in a
post-Sept. 11 world.
The room was so full that many had to stand in the back or sit on the
floor.
"We're trying to present different points of view that you wouldn't
normally hear," said Dr. Marc Ellis, director of the Center for
Jewish Studies and university professor.
"It's important for us to talk about what has happened between then
(Sept. 11) and now."
Imam Sheikh Zobir, of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston focused on
the differences between the claims of terrorists and the peaceful
teachings Islam.
Adeel Zeb, a graduate of the Baylor School of Business and
Communications Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) in Houston, spoke about the effects of Sept. 11 on Muslim
Americans.
"The thing we need to remember is that we cannot base our beliefs on
the acts of certain individuals," Zeb said.
"Muslims that commit acts of terrorism in the name of Islam are in
fact hijacking and defaming their own religion." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CHICAGO: MUSLIM
CHARITIES STRUGGLE TO STAY OPEN -
TOP
Daisy Hernández, Alternet, 9/12/06
http://www.alternet.org/story/41478/
In the years since 9/11, the government has continued to shut down local
Muslim aid organizations that have never been convicted of a crime. Is
this Bush's idea of a 'faith-based initiative'? Tools
Last year, workers at a small Muslim social service agency in Virginia
received a disturbing letter from their bank. After six years, Wachovia
Corp. was closing the account of the five-person agency that specializes
in domestic violence services and other types of immediate assistance to
families of all religious backgrounds.
"We were totally shocked," said Margaret Farchtchi, board
treasurer of the Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help,
also known as FAITH. "We always kept our accounts in good
shape."
But the agency also had other reasons to think that they would not be
targeted. "We felt very secure because we are a local charity,"
explained Farchtchi. "We don't have donors from overseas. We thought
we were out of what you might call the danger zone."
Many people thought the same. As such, the story of FAITH illustrates the
challenge now facing the Muslim community. Since 9/11, the government has
frozen the assets of six large Muslim organizations and shut them down --
although no one has been convicted of any crime. People, in turn, have
begun donating in larger numbers to local charities, assuming these
organizations to be free of international ties and safe from government
interference. But the experience of FAITH suggests that there are no
guarantees.
"It's still very much happening five years later as it did a year
later," said
Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council
on American Islamic Relations in Chicago. Rehab himself used to
donate to humanitarian causes in Egypt and India but now gives to his
local mosque. (MORE)
-----
CA: PLANS TO HONOR L.A. MUSLIM LEADER
BRING OUT ANIMOSITY -
TOP
Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 9/12/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-hathout12sep12,1,215339.story
In a public hearing spiced with accusations of Jew-hating and
Muslim-bashing, nearly four dozen religious, ethnic and civil rights
activists spoke out Monday on whether a prominent Los Angeles Muslim
should be disqualified from receiving a prestigious humanitarian award
because he has expressed some views critical of Israel.
Maher Hathout, chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California, is
the first Muslim chosen for the award from the Los Angeles County Human
Relations Commission. But some Jewish groups have vehemently objected to
the selection, calling Hathout an extremist masquerading as a moderate,
and are urging the commission to rescind the award before it is presented
next month.
At Monday's commission hearing, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los
Angeles, an umbrella organization of 22 groups representing 40,000
donors, stepped forward as the latest and most influential opponent to
Hathout.
Federation President John R. Fischel told commissioners that Hathout's
"false and controversial" statements about Israel - that it is
an apartheid state, for instance - had offended and angered many
Jews.
"Dr. Hathout takes partisan positions which do not foster harmonious
and equitable intergroup relations…. His words regrettably create the
very fissures and divides that the [commission] is seeking to
repair," Fischel told commissioners.
But Hathout's supporters Monday were more diverse and outnumbered
opponents 2 to 1. Christians, Muslims and Jews, blacks, Latinos and Asian
Americans, and such civil rights leaders as Connie Rice, who received the
2002 award, spoke forcefully in support of Hathout, describing him as a
tireless proponent of interfaith and interethnic harmony.
Rice said it was difficult for her to break with her longtime Jewish
friends on the issue, but that Hathout had taken "extraordinarily
difficult" actions in promoting tolerance and moderation.
The furor over the award, she said, had turned the issue into a
"seminal struggle" over whether Los Angeles would be seen as
embracing or rejecting a man who preached tolerant Islamism.
"If we send a message to Muslims in Southern California that someone
who has tried so hard to bridge … all of our communities cannot be
acknowledged, we would have done extreme damage," Rice said.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MI: DEVOS CANCELS A MEETING WITH ARAB
AMERICANS -
TOP
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 9/12/06
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS05/609120419
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos pulled out of a scheduled
meeting this week with an Arab-American political group after pressure
from some members of the Jewish community, who criticized comments made
by the group's leaders about the Middle East.
Spokesman John Truscott said Monday that DeVos had a scheduling conflict,
adding that DeVos was concerned about pro-Hizballah comments made by the
group's leaders. (MORE)
---
OBSESSION: RADICAL ISLAM'S WAR WITH THE WEST? OR
OBSESSION: RADICAL JUDAISM'S WAR WITH ISLAM -
TOP
Sheila Musaji, American Muslim, 9/11/06
http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/obsession_radical_islams_war_with_the_west/0010881
On August 30th the 'documentary' Obsession: Radical Islam's War With the
West was shown in Saint Louis. Prior to the showing of the film we had
approached our local Interfaith Partnership group and asked if they would
stand with us to express their objection to this film, and were told that
1) this was not an interfaith issue, and 2) is was a matter of free
speech.
I understand that all of us have a right to free speech, and that even
hateful speech is protected. I do not understand how any part of the
religious community can not only condone but promote propaganda and
racism directed towards another religious community. The showing of this
film was legal, but we question that it was moral.
This 'event' was sponsored by Aish Hatorah of Saint Louis, advertised in
the Jewish Light as a community wide event, and in Jewish in Saint Louis
and at the event Robert Cohn, Editor of Jewish Light praised the film and
the speaker. The organizations who were listed as event sponsors in the
program were: Aish Hatorah of Saint Louis, Branches of Issachar, Citizens
for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Middle East, EMMIS Communications,
and Saint Louis Hillel. Branches of Issachar is a Christian group, but we
have been unable to find any information about them. A billboard complete
with stereotypical Arab was posted on a local highway to advertise the
event. Aish Hatorah's spin off organization Honest Reporting also
produced this film.
Over 1,000 people (including children) attended the screening, among them
was our little group of 6 Muslims. Fortunately, we sat together because
as the evening progressed we drew comfort from each others presence. The
audience seemed to be primarily Jewish, but with a large Christian
contingent also.
The film was a classic propaganda piece - in its 1 hour and 17 minutes,
except for a disclaimer that this was not meant to be about all Muslims,
the balance of the film was relentless in its depiction of issues,
political movements, individuals, and positions as connected to the
religion of Islam.
It is a fact that the Mufti of Jerusalem sided with Hitler and that there
are photographs of him with Hitler (as shown in this film). It is also a
fact that there are photographs of Catholic priests, Lutheran ministers,
and Catholic bishops and cardinals with Hitler and even giving the Hitler
salute. It is also a fact that there were Muslims and Christians who
protected Jews from the Nazis, who fought against the Nazi's, and who
were killed in concentration camps. There are Muslims who have been
declared "righteous gentiles" by Yad Vashem and other Holocaust
memorial groups. The majority of Allied troops that landed on the beaches
of Provence in August, 1944 were "free French" Muslims from
North and West Africa. Muslims fought with the Allies in France, Italy,
Stalingrad, and Leningrad. Are they now forgotten?
Bigotry and hatred can be found in all communities - for every photograph
or speech in this film another could be shown just as virulent from
another community, e.g. American protestors burning the American flag,
Jewish Israeli children signing missiles with love, photos of Christian
clergy with Hitler, Hitler's statements about Christianity, Nazi insignia
with Christian symbols, statements by Meir Kahane or other Jewish Defense
League members, or by Christian white supremacist clergy, Jewish
Israeli's having a party to celebrate the Hebron massacre. Statements by
extremist rabbis that during time of war the enemy has no innocents, or
that call for the extermination of the enemy. Signs in a U.S. shop window
calling Palestinians pigs and cockroaches. The list is long, and the
effort to demonize each other pointless. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #500
U.S. MOSQUES URGED TO HOST 'SHARING RAMADAN'
IFTARS
National initiative designed to challenge growing
anti-Muslim views
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/13/2006) - CAIR today launched its annual
"Sharing Ramadan" outreach effort designed to enhance
understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths meet their
Muslim neighbors by taking part in a Ramadan "iftar," or
fast-breaking meal.
The CAIR initiative is designed to address 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 urge local Muslim communities to share Ramadan's spirit of
compassion, forgiveness and mercy with friends, neighbors and colleagues
of other faiths," said
CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper.
For example, seven San Francisco Bay Area mosques will
open their doors on the
weekend of October 7-8 for iftars with friends, neighbors, interfaith
leaders, and public officials.
Hooper 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) He
also said Ramadan "is the month of sharing with others."
(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 614)
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" also contains a "Welcome to Our
Ramadan Fast-Breaking" brochure designed to be copied and
distributed to iftar participants.
'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:
info@cair.com 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.
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.
- PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE -
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list receive news releases and other
materials dealing with American Muslim positions on issues of importance
to our society.
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from CAIR-NET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/13/06
*
Verse:
Righteousness is Rewarded by
God
*
CAIR-MI Asks GOP Group to Cancel 'Racist'
Event
*
CAIR-Chicago
Condemns Candidate's Remarks
on Profiling
*
CAIR:
MN Muslim Candidate Wins
Congressional Primary
-
MI:
Candidate, Arab Leader Clear the
Air (Detroit News)
*
CAIR:
Urge Congress to Oppose
Warrantless Surveillance
-
CA:
Muslims Okd to Return from Pakistan
(SF Chron)
-
CA:
Prof Says Officials Flagged His
'Name' (Toronto Star)
*
MD:
Teacher Charged in Muslim
Greeting Incident (Wash Post)
-
CAIR:
Man Sentenced for Shooting
Cars at Mosque (Morn Call)
*
CAIR-CA, IEC Seek Mtg to
Discuss Mayor's Islamophobic Remarks
-
CAIR-CA:
Bay Area Mosques Share
Ramadan
-
CAIR-NY, AMAL Event: 'Racial
Profiling Post 9-11'
-
CAIR-CA:
Toys Teach Religious
Tolerance
-
CAIR-FL:
Issue of Religious
Holidays Before School Dist.
-
CAIR-CAN:
Four Men Haunted by
Torture (Gazette)
-
CAIR-CA Joins Debate on
9/11, War on Terror
*
MI:
Islamic TV Station Widens
Its Reach (AP)
*
CA:
Jewish Group Says Award for
Muslim Illegal (LA Times)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: RIGHTEOUSNESS IS REWARDED BY GOD -
TOP
"Whoever works any act of righteousness and has faith, his endeavor
will not be rejected: We shall record it in his favor."
The Holy Quran, 21:94
-----
CAIR-MI: MUSLIMS ASK GOP GROUP TO CANCEL 'RACIST' U
OF MICH. EVENT -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/13/2006) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on the College
Republicans National Committee to cancel plans for a "Catch an
Illegal Immigrant Day" event at the University of Michigan - Ann
Arbor.
In an article published on September 12 in the Michigan Daily, an intern
for the Republican group discussed the organization's plan to hold a
contest where participants will hunt down a mock "illegal
immigrant" at the University of Michigan.
SEE: Republicans Plan 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day'
http://www.michigandaily.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=1f2ec614-4701-464b-a8fe-2b4d4cb4aa05
"It is disturbing that any group would promote such a divisive and
racist event," said
CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
"We call on the College Republicans National Committee to cancel
this event and instead work with students of all races, faiths and
national origins to promote tolerance and mutual
understanding."
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, or E-Mail:
director@cairmichigan.org
-----
CAIR-CHICAGO: IL MUSLIMS
CONDEMN CANDIDATE'S REMARKS ON PROFILING -
TOP
(CHICAGO, IL 9/13/2006) - The Chicago office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today condemned comments made
by Andrea Zinga, a congressional candidate for the 17th district of
Illinois.
"Profiling doesn't bother me," Zinga told the Associated Press,
"if we are profiling. . .the people. . .who have caused the outrages
against our Nation and caused the deaths of American citizens. We're
talking about Middle Eastern men."
"We do know that the Islamic culture is bent on conquering and
subjugating a great deal of the world, including us," she
said.
SEE: GOP House Candidate Says Profiling on Planes Doesn't Bother Her
(AP)
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/politics/15499310.htm
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR-Chicago called Zinga's remarks
"misguided and misguiding."
"There is no excuse for a candidate seeking public office to not
know the difference between the terrorist threat and the faith of
Islam," Rehab said. "There is no justification for insinuating
that the terms 'terrorists' and 'Middle Eastern men' are synonymous and
interchangeable."
Rehab said Islamophobia is the last "acceptable form of bigotry in
our society." He said recent polls show one in four Americans
admitting harboring prejudices against Muslims. "Inflammatory
remarks such as those made by Zinga contribute to this unfortunate
climate of hate," said Rehab.
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab,
847-971-3963, E-Mail:
director@cairchicago.org
-----
MN: DEMOCRAT SEEKS TO BE FIRST MUSLIM
CONGRESSMAN -
TOP
Todd Melby, Reuters, 9/13/06
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-09-13T190716Z_01_N13436987_RTRUKOC_0_US-MUSLIM.xml
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - A Minnesota state legislator who advocates a U.S.
withdrawal from Iraq was favored to become the first Muslim in Congress,
a day after he won his Democratic primary race.
State Rep. Keith Ellison, a lawyer who made little mention of his Muslim
faith during the campaign and who is considered an eloquent orator, would
also become the state's first black congressman if he wins the general
election in November to represent a solidly Democratic district.
"In this election, we had people who say 'shalom.' We had people who
say 'as-salaamu aleykum.' We had people who say all the words of greeting
to each other in peace, because peace must be the guiding principle of
our nation," the 43-year-old Ellison told his raucous victory party
in Minneapolis on Tuesday night.
A representative of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
welcomed the nomination as a step forward.
"We think it's a very encouraging sign, a sure sign of the growing
empowerment of American Muslims and their growing participation in the
body politic," spokesman
Corey Saylor said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DeVOS, LOCAL ARAB LEADER CLEAR THE AIR -
TOP
Christina Stolarz, Detroit News, 9/13/06
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/POLITICS01/609130373
In an effort to clear the air with the local Arab community, Republican
gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos initiated a last-minute meeting Monday
night with Arab American Public Affairs Council President Osama Siblani,
according to DeVos' campaign officials.
DeVos was in Dearborn to have dinner with Arab-American leaders and
invited Siblani to talk about the recent "misunderstandings,"
DeVos spokesman John Truscott said Tuesday.
DeVos was on the political hot seat last week after bowing out of a
scheduled dinner tonight sponsored by AAPAC. Truscott said DeVos canceled
because he had a family conflict, but also had concerns about
pro-Hezbollah comments made by Siblani.
"They aired their concerns both ways, and they're very comfortable
with where they're at right now," Truscott said.
Siblani, who publishes the Arab American News, said the meeting went well
and that it's time to move on.
"He explained that the campaign made mistakes," Siblani
said.
No other political candidates have backed out of any AAPAC functions, he
said. (MORE)
-----
URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE WARRANTLESS
DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, DC, 9/13/2006) - CAIR today called on American Muslims and
other people of conscience to urge their elected officials to resist the
fast-track legalization of warrantless domestic surveillance
programs.
Last week President Bush put wiretapping bills on a fast track when he
asked Congress to give him "additional authority" to continue
his secret eavesdropping program. If made law, these bills could grant
dangerous new powers to the current and future presidents to create spy
programs free from judicial oversight, a traditional check on
Presidential power.
Also last week, a bi-partisan group of Senators sent a letter to Senate
Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) asking him to hold more oversight
hearings:
SEE: Republican Senators Join Democrats to Urge Specter to Hold Bill
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Republican_Democratic_Senators_criticize_Specter_FISA_0906.html
A number of prominent civil liberties groups are participating in this
urgent action.
For a full listing of participating groups and additional information, go
to:
http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/bordc-act-alert911.php
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Call both of your Senators and your Representative and ask them to
support a full, public investigation of the NSA surveillance
program.
TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, GO TO (Talking points and advice
for making an effective call are provided at the website):
http://capwiz.com/cair/callalert/index.tt?alertid=9017471&type=CO
SEE ALSO:
CA: MEN OKD TO RETURN TO U.S. FROM PAKISTAN -
TOP
Demian Bulwa, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/13/06
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/13/BAGG9L4KHG1.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Two relatives of a Lodi man who was convicted of supporting terrorists
have been cleared to return home from a long trip to Pakistan, ending a
five-month standoff in which the U.S. citizens were told they had to
cooperate with the FBI to get off the government's no-fly list, a federal
law enforcement official said Tuesday.
"There's been a change," said the official, who spoke on
condition of anonymity and would not detail the reason for the move,
which was made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Lodi residents Muhammad Ismail, a 45-year-old naturalized citizen born in
Pakistan, and his 18-year-old son, Jaber Ismail, who was born in the
United States, were never charged with a crime. But they are the uncle
and cousin of Hamid Hayat, 23, who was convicted in April of supporting
terrorists by attending a Pakistani training camp and is awaiting
sentencing.
McGregor Scott, the U.S. attorney for California's Eastern District,
confirmed last month that the men were on the government-maintained list
that bars some people from flying on airlines to or from the United
States.
"They've been given the opportunity to meet with the FBI over there
and answer a few questions," Scott said, "and they've declined
to do that."
Julia Harumi Mass, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who filed a
complaint with the Homeland Security Department on behalf of the Ismails,
said when told of the government's reported change of heart that the men
would probably book a flight home soon.
She said the two received a letter from Homeland Security last week
stating that their records had been "modified to address any delay
or denial of boarding." The letter, though, did not make clear
whether they could fly.
"If that's true, it's very good news," Mass said. "The
fact that the government has retreated from its position after we filed
our administrative claims, and the public became aware of it, highlights
how plainly wrong it was to require the Ismails to give up their
constitutional rights in order to come home." (MORE)
---
CA: PROF SAYS SECURITY OFFICIALS FLAGGED HIS
`NAME' -
TOP
Surya Bhattacharya, Toronto Star, 9/13/06
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1158097812424
An Arabic language professor from the United States has been left
stranded in Canada for more than two months, unable to return to his San
Francisco job after his visa was abruptly cancelled.
On June 20, Mohammad Ramadan Salama, 38, arrived in Canada hoping to
upgrade his student visa to one given to non-immigrants who have
demonstrated achievement in business, arts or sciences - called an O-1. A
journey he expected to complete in a week has turned into a distressing
wait of more than 70 days.
Salama, an Egyptian citizen, has been living in the U.S. for seven years
and counts among his past students U.S. troops being deployed to the
Middle East. He is married to an American and has two young children.
Because his name is common in the Muslim world, he suspects officials
have him confused with someone else, perhaps even a man involved in the
1993 World Trade Center bombing.
"I have been a studious student all my life. I like literature and
culture studies and film," he said.
"I am not the person. The U.S. government is wasting its time. Once
you have a name like Mohammad and Salama, you're from Egypt and you're
under the age of 45, you're considered dangerous," he said in a
phone interview from London, Ont., where he is staying with a former
professor.
Salama holds a PhD in comparative literature from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and has taught at San Francisco State University for
the past year. He was expected to start teaching three Arabic courses
this fall, including a seminar on the modern Arabic novel.
His wife, Carrie, who is finishing a nursing program in Wisconsin before
joining him in San Francisco, said the delay "has taken a toll on
everybody."
She contemplated dropping out to support the family financially, but
instead has moved with her children into her father's home.
"My husband is stuck in a foreign country and paying bills
there," she said. "I understand the system is trying to be
protective of the country, but it's tearing apart our family."
(MORE)
-----
MD: TEACHER CHARGED AFTER UPROAR OVER
ARABIC -
TOP
Ernesto Londono, Washington Post, 9/13/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201401.html
A substitute teacher was charged with disorderly conduct Monday after she
allegedly lashed out at a group of Gaithersburg high school students for
using words in Arabic while practicing a commemorative speech to mark the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Montgomery County police say Carol J. McVey, 49, began screaming at the
group of Gaithersburg High School students and one of their teachers for
saying "assalamu alaikum" -- a greeting that means peace be
with you -- while they rehearsed the speech in a classroom.
Police said McVey, of Olney, began yelling at the students and their
teacher.
"Islam doesn't mean peace, it means killing everyone for
peace," she told them, according to a charging document.
The students were working on a speech that they intended to deliver at a
memorial service at Kingsview Middle School that day.
The students and one of their teachers left the classroom in fear after
the outburst, police said, and McVey followed them down the hall, where
her alleged tirade intensified.
"Because of you our families died in New York!" she allegedly
yelled, threatening to go to the principal's office to ask that Kulsum
Malik, the teacher who was with the students, be told to leave, the
charging document said.
Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said she didn't know whether Malik or any
of the students working on the speech are Muslim. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: HATFIELD MAN SENTENCED FOR
SHOOTING CARS AT MOSQUE -
TOP
2 vehicles in Lansdale hit 52 times. Defendant said son serving in
Iraq.
Kathleen Parrish, Morning Call, 9/13/06
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_2mosquesep13,0,2455938.story
A Hatfield Township man who said his son is serving in Iraq has pleaded
guilty but mentally ill to firing 52 shots at two cars in the parking lot
of a Lansdale mosque last year.
Robert Blackburn, 54, of 199 W. Vine St., was sentenced Monday to nine to
23 months in Montgomery County Prison, where he has been since the night
of his arrest, and five years probation on charges of ethnic intimidation
and possession of an instrument of crime.
"We're glad he took responsibility for his actions," Assistant
District Attorney Carolyn Flannery said of the plea agreement, which was
accepted by Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter.
"He knew what he was doing and what he was doing was wrong. But he
was acting in part [because] of his mental illness and that's why we
didn't push for state time," she said.
During the early hours of Nov. 8, police discovered two cars had been
riddled with bullets outside the North Penn Mosque at 600 Maple Ave. One
car was hit 37 times and the other 15. Police found a .22-caliber rifle
in Blackburn's car and ammunition in his pockets.
Flannery said Blackburn told police the night of the shooting that he had
been in the Army, his father had been in the Army and his son was on a
third tour of duty in Iraq.
''He had it twisted in his mind that this was a symbol of what his son
was fighting in Iraq,'' she said. ''Because of his mental illness, he
thought it was justified to act out his anger toward these innocent
people,'' she said.
Officials at the mosque did not immediately return phone calls for
comment.
Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations in Washington, D.C., said he is satisfied with Blackburn's
sentence, but more needs to be done to discourage this type of crime from
occurring.
"We're obviously encouraged that he's going to pay a price for his
actions," Hooper said. "This will probably send a message to
the local Muslim community that their safety is of concern to local law
officials. Hopefully we can move on, but unfortunately this is just one
incident in a fairly regular pattern of incidents [in the country]. We
had a shooting at a mosque in Indiana and a guy rolled a pig head into a
mosque in Maine. It's a disturbing trend that needs to be
addressed." (MORE)
-----
CALIFORNIA MUSLIMS SEEK MEETING TO
DISCUSS MAYOR'S ISLAMOPHOBIC REMARKS -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/11/2006) - The Islamic Educational Center (IEC) of
Orange County in Southern California and the Sacramento Valley chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today expressed
concern about recent anti-Muslim remarks made by Redding, Calif., Mayor
Ken Murray, who he referred to Shia Muslims as "wing
nuts."
In an article published September 8 in the Redding Record Searchlight
newspaper, Murray also claimed Shia Muslims "believe it's acceptable
to lie, cheat, steal and kill as long as it ultimately glorifies
Allah." "Either the Judeo-Christian philosophy will survive or
the Islamic philosophy will survive," added Murray.
In a joint statement, CAIR-SV and the IEC said:
"All Muslims reject lying, cheating, stealing, or killing. Islam
abhors such actions and calls on Muslims to maintain honesty, truth, and
respect for property and human life.
The Quran states, "and do not kill the soul which Allah has
forbidden except for the requirements of justice. The next verse states,
"and when you speak, then be just though it be (against) a relative
(See: Quran Chapter 6, verses 151 & 152)."
"Instead of seeking to deflect criticism by changing the target of
his attack from Shia Muslims to so called "Wahabi Muslims,"
Mayor Murray should address the underlying ignorance of Islam that led to
these remarks."
"We call upon Mayor Ken Murray to publicly retract his inaccurate
and offensive remarks and to meet with leaders of the California Muslim
community so that he may gain a better understanding of Islam and the
reality of the American Muslim experience."
CONTACT: CAIR-Sacramento Valley, Basim Elkarra, Executive Director,
email:
sacval@cair.com, phone:
916-441-6269; The Islamic Educational Center (IEC) of Orange County Imam
Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini, email:
imam@iecoc.org, phone:
714-432-0060
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: BAY AREA MOSQUES SHARE RAMADAN -
TOP
Mosques Open Doors Weekend!
Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Bay Area Mosques
invite you to celebrate Ramadan.
Seven Bay Area Mosques are opening their doors on the weekend of October
7th and 8th to break fast with friends, neighbors, interfaith leaders and
public officials in the tradition of building community during the holy
month of Ramadan.
"Sharing Ramadan" is an outreach effort designed to enhance
understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths meet their
Muslim neighbors by taking part in a complimentary Ramadan
"iftar," or fast-breaking meal.
Please reserve your seats early:
www.myvillage.us/my/ramadan
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7. 2006
ALAMEDA
Islamic Center of Alameda (ICA)
901 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
Registration 4pm / Program 4:30pm
www.alamedamosque.org
CONTRA COSTA
Islamic Center of Contra Costa (ICCC)
2836 Clayton road
Concord, CA 94519
Registration 4:30pm / Program 5:00pm
SANTA CLARA
Muslim Community Association (MCA)
3003 Scott Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Registration 4:00pm / Program 4:30pm
www.mcabayarea.org
SAN MARTIN
South Valley Islamic Center (SVIC)
14770 Columbet Avenue
San Martin, CA 95046
Registration 4:30pm / Program 4:45pm
www.svic.org
Sunday, October 8, 2006
FREMONT
Islamic Society of East Bay (ISEB)
33330 Peace Terrace
Fremont, CA 94555
Booths open 4:00pm / Program 4:30pm
www.iseb.org
LIVERMORE
Islamic Center of Livermore (ISL)
Robert Livermore Community Center
4444 East Avenue
Registration 5:00pm / 5:30pm
www.iclonline.org
SAN FRANCISCO
Islamic Society of San Francisco
20 Jones Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Registration 5:00pm / Program 5:30pm
www.islamsf.com
CAIR-SFBA, Email:
nocal@cair.com,
Phone: 408-986-9874, Web:
http://www.myvillage.us/my/ramadan
-----
AMAL PRESENTS 'RACIAL PROFILING POST
9-11: THE EVOLUTION OF SANCTIONED PREJUDICE' ON SEPT. 21 -
TOP
CAIR-NY invites all its members to an evening of engaging dialogue on a
contemporary and controversial topic.
WHAT: AMAL (Association for Muslim American Lawyers) Presents Racial
Profiling Post 9-11: The Evolution Of Sanctioned Prejudice
WHEN: September 21, 2006 6 p.m.
WHERE: New York University Kimmel Center Room 914, 60 Washington Square
South, New York, NY
"Suicide bombers and terrorists fit a very specific intelligence
profile, and race and ethnicity is very much a part of that profile.
Let's get real. There is a terrorist profile." "... they look a
certain way, they are young, and they come from a certain part of the
world." - Dov Hikind, Democratic Assemblyman from Brooklyn
". . .if a 25-year-old Muslim man who has been traveling frequently
to Yemen or Pakistan tries to board a plane, then not only statistical
analysis but also common sense tells us that he is more of a potential
threat than the grandmother from Queens." - John Faso, Republican
Candidate for Governor of NY
At a time when racial profiling is deemed to be "common sense",
it is imperative that society reassess the direction of our public
policy. AMAL invites you to participate in this very important dialogue.
Our panel will explore the historical foundations of racial profiling,
the impact it has had on the African American, Latino, Arab, Muslim and
South Asian communities and the process by which this illegal practice
has evolved into a perceived, "commonsensical" solution to our
present day security needs.
Confirmed Speakers include:
* Cynthia Deitle, FBI Special Agent, Civil Rights Squad
* King Downing of the ACLU (Coordinator of ACLU's Campaign Against
Racial Profiling, challenged the "driving while black/brown"
practice in New Jersey)
* Udi Ofer of the NYCLU (Director of Bill of Rights Defense
Campaign)
* Shayana Kadidal (Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional
Rights, counsel in CCR v. Bush, Turkmen v. Ashcroft, Harrington v. MTA
and Vulcan Society v. FDNY)
* Anthony Gair of Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman & Mackauf (Co-counsel
for Amadou Diallo in Diallo v. NYPD)
* Faiza Ali of CAIR-NY (Civil Rights Director)
Refreshments will be served.
---
CAIR-CA: TOYS TEACH RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
-
TOP
C. LOPEZ, Redlands Daily Facts, 9/12/06
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/ci_4324978
Kathy Harper wanted to create a store that was welcoming to people of all
faiths.
Harper's store, Star Tulip Stuffies, is best known for selling stuffed
animals, but Harper has made it a store that has gifts for Christians,
Jews and Muslims.
Harper began selling Muslim-themed books, games and dolls in the Redlands
Mall store in February. She said it wasn't easy to find the items, but it
was something she felt was important to do to make her store welcoming to
people of all faiths.
"They are for understanding and tolerance," said Harper, who
was raised as a Lutheran. "A lot of animosity is based on
ignorance."
Part of that understanding, Harper said, can come with the Razanne dolls,
which promote positive images of Muslim women. All of the dolls come with
hijabs, or head scarves, and customary Muslim clothing. One version even
comes with a toy laptop computer.
"These kind of dolls are good role models for the kids," said
Munira Syeda, the communications coordinator for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations' Southern California Chapter. "A lot
of the kids absorb what is in the media and are directly affected by the
kind of toys they have, so it is good to have positive toys and dolls
that can boost the kids' self-esteem." (MORE)
---
CAIR-FL: ISSUE OF RELIGIOUS
HOLIDAYS BACK BEFORE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT -
TOP
Preston Rudie, Tampa Bay's 10 News, 9/12/06
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=39403
An issue which put the Hillsborough County School District in the
national spotlight, is once again back.
This week the district sent out 4,000 surveys, asking parents what
religious holidays they'd like students to have off next school
year.
Traditionally, classes have been off during Christian holidays like
Christmas. But what about holidays for other religious groups? For
example, Muslims would like classes canceled during Eid Al-Fitr, which
usually falls in October.
Last year, the subject of canceling classes for other non-Christian
holidays drew a firestorm of criticism.
The surveys are the first step in determining the calendar for the 07-08
school year.
Ahmed Bedier, Council on American-Islamic Relations:
"We don't think the request to include one day is
unreasonable." (MORE)
---
CAIR-CANADA: FOUR MEN HAUNTED BY
TORTURE -
TOP
Jailed in Syria. Canadians suspect RCMP, CSIS; file suit
Andrew Duffy, Gazette, 9/13/06
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=600cbf71-04f3-44b5-b396-cf5d3bde64ba
Ottawa's Abdullah Almalki often shrinks from the distress of his
children, terrified by the memories their crying unmoors.
Mr. Almalki, 35, a Carleton University graduate and a father of six,
endured 22 months in Syrian jails where, he says, he was repeatedly
tortured and interrogated, based on information that could only have
originated with Canadian security officials.
Among the worst parts of his experience, he says, were the cries of other
men being tortured and the wailing of women and children held in nearby
cells.
"I used to hear constantly the screams of other people being
tortured. I can't forget the kids I saw in that place," he told a
news conference on Parliament Hill yesterday.
Mr. Almalki is one of four Arab-Canadian men who suspect that Canadian
security officials were complicit in their arrest and torture
overseas.
The best known member of that group is former Ottawa computer engineer
Maher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian deported from the U.S. to Syria in
October 2002.
Mr. Arar's experience is the subject of a federal commission of inquiry,
headed by Justice Dennis O'Connor, which is expected to report next
week.
Mr. Almalki hopes that report will recommend an independent public review
of his case and those of Ahmad El-Maati and Muayyed Nureddin.
The men have also filed a civil suit against the Canadian government that
they intend to pursue if federal officials refuse to examine the larger
pattern of foreign arrests, detentions and torture.
"When I was in Syria, I used to ask the Syrians, 'Why was I being
held? Why was I tortured so badly? Why was I treated so terribly? The
answer," Mr. Almalki said, "used to be, 'Because of
Canada.'
"For over four-and-a-half years, I have wanted answers. I have
wanted to know why and how the Canadian government was involved in my
imprisonment in Syria."
Mr. Almalki was not alone in demanding answers yesterday.
He was joined at yesterday's news conference by Mr. El-Maati, 41, a
Toronto truck driver and former mujahed; Alex Neve, secretary general of
Amnesty International Canada;
Faisal Kutty, vice-chair of the Canadian
Council on American-Islamic Relations; Shirley Heafey, former
chairwoman of the RCMP Public Complaints Commission; and former solicitor
general Warren Allmand. (MORE)
---
CAIR-CA: PARENT OF A CAPTURED
JOURNALIST JOINS 9/11 DEBATE -
TOP
Steven Martin, Talon Marks, 9/13/06
http://www.talonmarks.com/media/storage/paper327/news/2006/09/13/News/Parent.Of.A.Captured.Journalist.Joins.911.Debate-2268001.shtml
While students gathered in the Amphitheater in tribute to Sept. 11, other
students convened in the Teleconference Center in a different tribute on
Monday.
As part of the Cerritos College Global Consortium, Dr. John Haas, history
instructor, facilitated a discussion Monday titled "Remembering
9/11".
Among the discussion topics were terrorism, anti-American sentiment, the
war in Iraq and the Israel-Palestine war.
The discussion allowed Cerritos students to converse with students from
International Pacific College in New Zealand and Arcadia University in
Pennsylvania via satellite.
Guest speakers at the event included
Hussam Ayloush, executive
director for the Southern California Council on American-Islamic
relations (C.A.I.R.) and Dr. Aslam Abdullah, president of the Muslim
Council of America. . .
"Eventually the U.S. will win the war on terrorism," said
Abdullah. "The question is how long will it take? How many innocent
people will have to die for the war to be won?"
However, Ayloush disagreed. "We've contributed in radicalizing
people and pushing them on sides where they want go to the other side.
The war on terrorism has been a failure and has added to the weakness in
hiding terrorism," said Ayloush. (MORE)
-----
MI: ISLAMIC TV STATION WIDENS ITS
REACH -
TOP
Sarah Karush, Associated Press, 9/12/06
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4181887.html
Dissatisfaction with media coverage following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks prompted banker Mo Hassan to quit his job to create a television
channel aimed at fostering understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims
in America.
Five years after 9/11, the nation's largest cable operator announced
Tuesday that Hassan's Bridges TV is now part of its basic digital package
in Michigan, giving Bridges hundreds of thousands of potential new
viewers.
Comcast Corp. previously offered the 24-hour English-language channel on
a subscription basis. But Bridges _ which features lifestyle and cultural
programming, as well as news and interfaith dialogue shows _ has recently
shifted away from that model in order to reach more non-Muslims.
"We're trying to create a dialogue between 300 million Americans and
1 billion Muslims worldwide," Hassan said at a news conference at
the Muslim Center in Detroit.
With the Comcast announcement, the potential audience for Buffalo,
N.Y.-based Bridges is approaching 2 million, Hassan said. The channel is
carried by a handful of other cable providers in the U.S. and
Canada.
Comcast has about 1.4 million customers in Michigan, spokesman Jerome
Espy said. Most of those customers are in southeastern Michigan, the home
of one of the largest Arab American communities in the country.
(MORE)
-----
CA: JEWISH GROUP SAYS SELECTION OF
MUSLIM FOR AWARD MADE ILLEGALLY -
TOP
The group contends the county Human Relations Commission violated the
state's open meeting law.
Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 9/13/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-hathout13sep13,1,4470623.story
The Zionist Organization of America asked for an investigation Tuesday
into allegations that the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission
violated state open meeting laws when it selected a local Muslim leader
for its annual humanitarian award.
Stephen Saltzman, executive director of the Zionist organization's
Southern California office, said the commission failed to post in advance
proper details of two July meetings at which the issue was discussed, as
required by the state open meeting law known as the Brown Act. As a
result, he argued, the decision to grant the award to Maher Hathout,
chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California, was "null and
void."
The organization asked for the investigation in a letter Tuesday to Board
of Supervisors Chairman Mike Antonovich.
"The Brown Act gave the public the right to know and to participate
in the decision-making process," Saltzman said. "We intend to
pursue this until we're satisfied."
Similar complaints were made by StandWithUs, a pro-Israel organization,
and others to the supervisors at their meeting Tuesday.
County Counsel Ray Fortner's office is reviewing the allegations,
according to a board source.
Commission President Adrian Dove said there was "no substance"
to the allegations. He and another commissioner, the Rev. Zedar E.
Broadous, said proper notifications had been issued before both meetings.
(MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
CAIR TO RELEASE REPORT ON U.S. MUSLIM CIVIL RIGHTS
Annual study will show jump in reports of anti-Muslim
bias
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/14/06) - On
Monday, September 18, the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
(
CAIR) will hold a noon news conference
in the nation's capital to release its 11th annual report, titled
"The Struggle for Equality," on the status of Muslim
civil rights in the United States.
The Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group's report -
the only annual study of its kind - will show a significant increase in
complaints of anti-Muslim harassment, violence and discriminatory
treatment from the previous year.
Nine states and the District of Columbia accounted for almost 80 percent
of all civil rights complaints in 2005. The states with the highest
number of reported complaints were: California, Illinois, New York,
Texas, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and New Jersey.
WHAT:
CAIR to Release Annual Report on Status of American
Muslim Civil Rights
WHEN: Monday, September 18, Noon (Eastern)
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue,
S.E., Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, began documenting
anti-Muslim incidents following the 1995 attack on the Murrah Federal
Building in Oklahoma City.
- END -
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/14/06
*
Hadith:
In Search of God's Refuge
*
CAIR-SC Banquet 9/15 in
Lexington
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslim Med Students Face
Expulsion for Refusing to Undress
*
DC:
Same Mission, New Look for CAIR
(Wash Post)
-
CAIR-CA:
CAIR Builds Bridges
(Press-Enterprise)
*
CAIR:
US Lobbying Efforts Influence
Mideast Policy (VOA)
*
MD:
Muslim Candidate Advances to
General Election
-
Muslim's Win in MN a Step for
Community (USA Today)
-
MN:
Islamic Convert Wins House
Nomination (AP)
-
MN:
Fresh Attack on
Muslim Candidate (AP)
*
MI:
'Catch an Illegal
Immigrant Day' Denounced
-
CAIR-MI Asks GOP Group to
Cancel 'Racist' Event
*
MA Muslims:
'We Have to Stay
Together'
*
DC:
Muslim Prayer in
Pentagon Chapel (Wash Post)
-
CA:
Jewish Leader Defends Award
for Muslim (LA Times)
-
MD:
Teacher Arrested, Accused of
Anti-Islam Tirade
-
PA:
Islamic Dress Goes
High-Fashion (VOA)
*
Israeli Expert:
No Peace with Muslims,
Ever (Y-Net News)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: IN SEARCH OF GOD'S REFUGE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "By God, if you knew
what I know, you would laugh little and weep much. You would not enjoy
(the company of your wives), and (you) would rush into the streets and
jungles in search of God's refuge."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 146
-----
CAIR-SC: CONNECTING AND SHARING BANQUET
-
TOP
State, 9/14/06
http://www.thestate.com/
CONNECTING AND SHARING BANQUET: 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lexington
Municipal Conference Center, 111 Maiden Lane. Sponsored by the Council on
American Islamic Relations-SC, keynote speakers will be Imam Siraj Wahhaj
and Dr. Parvez Ahmed. Adults, $20; ages 12-18, $10; ages 12 and younger,
$5. (803) 210-7355.
-----
CAIR-FL: MUSLIM MED STUDENTS FACE
EXPULSION FOR REFUSING TO UNDRESS -
TOP
CAIR-FL seeks solution that accommodates religious beliefs
(MIAMI, FL, 09/14/2006) - On Friday, September 15, the Florida office of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) will hold a news
conference in Davie to support religious accommodation requests by four
female Muslim medical students facing expulsion from Nova Southeastern
University for refusing to undress in front of male colleagues for
examinations.
WHEN: Friday, September 15, Noon
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University, Terry Building, 3301 College Avenue,
Davie, FL
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Communications Director Melissa Matos, 954-272-0490,
E-Mail:
m-matos@cairfl.org;
CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-Mail:
altaf@cairfl.org
"We call on Nova Southeastern University to comply with the law by
providing these medical students with reasonable accommodation for their
religious practices and beliefs," said CAIR-FL Legal Advisor Areeb
Naseer.
Naseer said other American medical schools have accommodated religious
beliefs while maintaining high standards of training.
CAIR has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates 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.
-----
SAME MISSION, NEW LOOK FOR ISLAMIC GROUP -
TOP
Judy Sarasohn, Washington Post, 9/14/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091301796.html
With too many Americans viewing their Muslim fellow citizens with
suspicion because of the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist acts, the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights and advocacy group,
decided to launch "a new brand identity and logo."
In a letter to the American Muslim community, CAIR board Chairman Parvez
Ahmed said the group after 12 years of service is "reaffirming our
core values and recommitting ourselves to three central aspects of CAIR's
mission -- enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil liberties
and empowering American Muslims." Those values include promoting
pluralism for a better America, justice and dialogue.
The new logo, Ahmed wrote, "affirms that we are one human family,
created by God into different nations and tribes so that we may come to
know each other and not despise each other."
Ahmed said in an interview that the timing of the new branding effort was
"not particularly interesting." But he said that "a
handful of extremists are distorting the image of Islam."
"We needed to think of new ways of becoming more effective, a much
better way of communicating how [we are] part of the American
mainstream," Ahmed said. "It is important that they [other
Americans] have a clear understanding of us."
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: CAIR BUILDS BRIDGES -
TOP
Press-Enterprise, 9/13/06
http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/letters/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_H_op_13_letters.2acf9ca.html
I wish to thank the Press-Enterprise for including the comments of Hussam
Ayloush of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in the Opinion pages
last week ("Bush's 'fascist' talk alienates Muslims," Sept. 6).
I have found CAIR to be a very reputable organization that works to build
bridges between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
The organization continually speaks out against terrorism and
violence.
I believe it provides a much-needed voice of sanity that deserves to be
heard.
Bill Hayner
-----
CAIR: US LOBBYING EFFORTS INFLUENCE
POLICY IN MIDDLE EAST-
TOP
Sondang Sirait and Yuni Wilcox, Voice of America, 9/14/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-09-14-voa25.cfm
Lobbying [the influencing of public officials] is a big part of the
political process in the United States, with thousands of groups
representing a wide spectrum of causes. Over the years, the
Jewish-American lobby has emerged as very influential on issues relating
to Middle East. But over the last few years, the Arab-American lobby's
influence has grown significantly.
America's unwavering support for Israel has often been a source of
contention in the Middle East. Many Arab-Americans say this was evident
during the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel's influence with decision makers is partly the result of the
strong pro-Israeli lobby in the U.S.
Eugene Bird is from the Council for the National Interest, a
pro-Palestinian lobby group in Washington D.C. "We [the U.S.] are
the greatest Jewish power. We have 5.5 million Jews, more Jews here than
other [country] in the world. They are an important part of our
community."
Several pro-Israeli lobbying groups declined VOA's requests for
interviews. However, lobbying experts say the pro-Israeli lobby is among
the most active in influencing U.S. foreign policy.
Massie Ritsch is from the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan
organization that tracks campaign contributions. "Money influences
politics, and campaign contributions and lobbying do have an influence on
American government. The pro-Israeli lobby is probably the most
influential among foreign interests. They account for about one quarter
of the money spent on federal lobbying."
On the other hand, Nihad Awad of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations says the pro-Arab-lobby is in its infancy. "The pro-Arab
or Islamic lobby in the United States is a new phenomenon. When we work
in this young organization, which is 12 years, compared to 60- or
90-year-old Jewish organizations [that] have been working on influencing
the administration and the Congress to [support] Israel. We do not look
at it that way. We look at it as, we are a civic organization that cares
about domestic issues." (MORE)
-----
MD MUSLIM CANDIDATE ADVANCES TO GENERAL
ELECTION -
TOP
JoAnn Grbach and Judith Hruz, Gazette, 9/13/06
http://www.gazette.net/stories/091306/bethnew32010_31995.shtml
In District 39, political newcomer Saqib Ali, a 30-year-old North Potomac
resident, beat incumbent Del. Joan F. Stern by about 6 percent with 4,205
votes in the Democratic House primary.
Ali was behind incumbent delegates Charles E. Barkley of Germantown and
Nancy J. King of Montgomery Village. The top three vote-getters will
advance to the general election in the House of Delegates race to face
off against Republicans David Nichols, Gary Scott and Bill Witham, all of
Gaithersburg.
Throughout the race Ali said he would invigorate the District 39
delegation, bringing energy and fresh ideas to Montgomery County and the
state.
He repeated the message that what set him apart from his fellow
candidates is at the same time what brings him closer to ''the face of
Montgomery County."
''I'm in an interracial and interfaith marriage, I'm a professional, I'm
sort of middle income and I live in a diverse world," he said during
his campaign. ''I have feet in a lot of different worlds. I can be a
bridge between different communities." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: MUSLIM'S WIN IN MINN. SEEN AS STEP
FOR COMMUNITY -
TOP
Andrea Stone, USA Today, 9/13/06
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-09-13-muslim-congress_x.htm
The Minnesota Democrat who is likely to become the first Muslim elected
to Congress says he wants to "promote the idea that America needs
friends around the world, not more enemies."
Keith Ellison, an African-American state legislator from Minneapolis, won
Tuesday's Democratic primary to replace Rep. Martin Olav Sabo. The son of
Norwegian immigrants is retiring after 28 years in the House of
Representatives. Ellison beat three other Democrats, including Sabo's
former chief of staff and ex-party chairman, Mike Erlandson.
Although Ellison will face Republican business consultant Alan Fine in
November, his election is all but guaranteed, says University of
Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs. In 2004, 71% of the
district's voters backed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Minnesota's most ethnically diverse district is home to veiled Somali
women, Russian Jewish immigrants and Hmong refugees, belying the state's
image as a homogeneous Scandinavian enclave.
Ellison's victory marks a turning point for American Muslims, according
to community leaders such as Ali Khan of the American Muslim
Council.
"It says, 'Look, you are part of America,' " says Khan, who
notes that until recently the diverse community was "not very
organized" or interested in electoral politics.
Estimates of the number of U.S. Muslims vary between 2 million and 6
million. The Council on American-Islamic Relations says about a third are
black and another third are from South Asia. One in four are of Arab
descent and the rest from Africa and elsewhere.
Ellison, 43, was raised Catholic in Detroit and converted to Islam as a
19-year-old student at Wayne State University before moving to Minnesota
for law school.
Islam "makes a lot of sense to me. It works for me," Ellison
said in a phone interview Wednesday.
A criminal defense lawyer, he called for an immediate troop withdrawal
from Iraq, universal health care and the impeachment of President Bush.
Such stands and his passionate oratory recall Paul Wellstone, the
Minnesota senator killed in a plane crash in 2002, says Jacobs, although
he calls Ellison "pragmatic and someone who can work with others. He
won't be what people expect."
Ellison says he never brought up his religion or his race - he would be
Minnesota's first black member of Congress - during the campaign. Voters
did, however, ask about his position, as a Muslim, on Israel, the
separation of church and state, abortion rights and gay rights. He says
he supports them all. (MORE)
---
MN: ISLAMIC CONVERT WINS HOUSE
NOMINATION -
TOP
He Would Be First Muslim in Congress
Martiga Lohn, Associated Press, 9/14/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091302297.html
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 13 -- State lawmaker Keith Ellison didn't let
questions about his past slow down his campaign to become the first
Muslim in Congress.
On Tuesday, voters responded to his liberal message calling for peace,
withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and universal health care. He beat
three contenders in the Democratic primary in a Minneapolis-area district
long dominated by his party.
"You're not on your own," Ellison told supporters at an African
restaurant in a speech that had the call-and-response of a revival
meeting. "We are with you. We do these things together, y'all, and
we don't let nobody break us apart."
Ellison, a 43-year-old criminal defense lawyer who converted to Islam as
a college student, overcame questions about late parking tickets, overdue
taxes and his past ties to the Nation of Islam. He has since denounced
black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan and was endorsed by a Minneapolis
Jewish newspaper. He has also pledged to improve his personal
recordkeeping.
Ellison courted the liberal wing of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party by
comparing himself to the late senator Paul D. Wellstone -- and many
voters responded. Others clearly relished the chance to elect a minority
to Congress from Minnesota for the first time; Ellison is black.
(MORE)
---
IN MINNEAPOLIS RACE,
FRESH ATTACK ON MUSLIM CANDIDATE'S PAST -
TOP
Martiga Lohn, Associated Press, 9/13/06
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/15511611.htm
ST. PAUL - One day after a Muslim state representative, Keith Ellison,
captured the Democratic nomination for Congress, his Republican opponent
on Wednesday unleashed a bitter attack on Ellison's past ties with Louis
Farrakhan.
Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, has a history of harshly
criticizing Jews.
Business professor Alan Fine, who's running an uphill race in Minnesota's
bluest district, compared Ellison with former Ku Klux Klan leader David
Duke, emphasizing the black Democrat's Muslim background with a series of
pen names formerly used by Ellison.
"I'm extremely concerned about Keith Ellison. Keith Hakim. Keith X
Ellison. Keith Ellison Muhammad," Fine, who is Jewish, said at a
Capitol news conference. "I'm personally offended that this person
is a candidate for U.S. Congress. He is unfit to represent the voters of
the 5th District."
Fine added, "His selection is an embarrassment to our district, our
state, our country and our world."
Ellison - who spent months explaining a mid-1990s association with
Farrakhan's Nation of Islam during the primary contest - said in a
statement that Fine's remarks weren't worth a response.
"To engage them is to be sullied by them," said Ellison, a
43-year-old criminal defense attorney who converted to Islam as a college
student.
His statement added, "I intend to continue reaching out to the
marginalized, to the disenfranchised, the dispossessed and inviting them
in, to join us as we take our country back from those who would pander to
our worst fears."
Fine's attack could backfire in a Minneapolis-area district where
Democrats typically win by lopsided margins, said Larry Jacobs, a
University of Minnesota political scientist. He noted that even in a
competitive primary, Ellison's DFL opponents handled the issue
gingerly.
"I'm just not sure how that's going to play with many voters in the
5th Congressional District," Jacobs said. "I think this is a
risky proposition." (MORE)
-----
MI: POLITICAL ACTIVITIES DENOUNCED
-
TOP
College Republican National Committee intern had suggested campaign
events deemed insensitive by GOP
Andrew Grossman, Michigan Daily, 9/14/06
http://www.michigandaily.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=c14accc0-1718-40c0-9c87-41a70b2d98d0
Republicans on campus and in Washington distanced themselves yesterday
from controversial political activities discussed by an intern for the
College Republican National Committee.
The intern, Morgan Wilkins, a sophomore at the University of Louisville,
who is being paid to organize College Republicans throughout the state
told The Michigan Daily on Sunday that she was considering organizing an
event at campuses around the state that would have had participants shoot
paintball or BB gun at cardboard cutouts of prominent Democrats like
senators Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. She also said she might hold
"Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," where students would try and
find a volunteer hidden on campus wearing a shirt that said "illegal
immigrant" on it.
"We would never do those types of events or support them,"
College Republicans chair Robert Scott said. "First, because they're
offensive to some members of our club. Second, because they undermine one
of the goals of our organization, which is to include as many people as
possible."
A Daily report published Tuesday describing these events sparked a minor
national uproar. An editing error that misidentified Wilkins's employer
as the Republican National Committee, not the CRNC caused much of the
outcry. There is no official link between the RNC and the CRNC.
Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean sent a letter to his
counterpart at the RNC, Ken Mehlman, demanding that he denounce the
activities and put a stop to them. Mehlman called the events
"reprehensible" in his reply to Dean. He also noted that
Wilkins was not employed by the RNC, as was originally reported.
CRNC chair Paul Gourley said that while the group employs Wilkins, it had
nothing to do with the proposed events.
"These particular projects were not anything that was ever discussed
in our training for Morgan," he said. "It's not in any of our
training materials that we send out to thousands of College Republicans
around the country." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI: MUSLIMS ASK GOP GROUP TO
CANCEL 'RACIST' U OF MICH. EVENT -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=40906&theType=NB
-----
MUSLIMS: 'WE HAVE TO STAY TOGETHER' -
TOP
Michael Lafleur, Lowell Sun, 9/14/06
http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_4336929
In the days immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks, Jaafar Hammoumi
says, many Americans questioned Muslim neighbors about their faith and
sought answers about what could have led people to commit such horrible
acts.
"They figured out, finally, that it has nothing to do with Islam.
It's just there are bad people everywhere," says Hammoumi, a
41-year-old Chelmsford resident and native of Morocco.
Five years after the attacks, things are starting to "get back to
normal," he said, during an interview outside the Islamic Society of
Greater Lowell mosque on Stedman Street in Chelmsford.
Imam Hafiz Abdul Hannan, who has overseen the Islamic Society mosque for
nearly four years after moving to the U.S. from Pakistan nine years ago,
said a basic tenet of Islam is to never harm anyone else. Radical
Islamists violate those strictures, Hannan said.
"We're not even a part of them, and we don't even consider them as a
part of us," he said. "They are giving us a bad
name."
Hannan said the biggest change he has seen during the past five years is
in more unnecessarily harsh treatment of Muslims by federal officials
than before. Visa applications are stalled, and legal immigrants run into
problems with residency status, he said.
He said he experienced such treatment last year, when he was abruptly
asked to discontinue his role as Muslim chaplain at the Middlesex House
of Correction in Billerica and the Cambridge jail.
After working at the jails since 1998, Hannan said he was asked to stop
coming after jail officials told him "some agency contacted
them" and put a "restriction" on him.
He said he had no problems in the past with jail officials and has never
been contacted by any agency about his work. Then, about five months ago,
he was allowed to return without explanation. He has been back at the
jails since, but never learned why he was required to take a
leave.
"These are the things that happen," Hannan said. "This is
really something that's painful. People who are really moderate, who are
willing to do something for the community, are under more scrutiny."
(MORE)
-----
IN A PLACE ONCE SHATTERED,
SERENITY -
TOP
John Kelly, Washington Post, 9/11/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001040.html
A little before 1400 hours on Friday, Faisal Rana and Umar Abdul Wahhab
prepared the Pentagon chapel for worship.
Fridays are always busy at the chapel, on the Pentagon's first level,
E-ring, fourth corridor, about where American Airlines Flight 77 slammed
into the building that awful morning five years ago. The chapel hums all
week, but settle into one of the seats on Friday and you'll get a survey
course in the great religions. There's a Catholic Mass at 11:30, a Jewish
service at 12:30 and an Islamic service at 2.
The pulpit was moved from one side of the chapel to the other so
worshipers could face Mecca, the position of which was determined with
military precision after the chapel opened in 2002. The altar was lifted
and carried over against a wall, and two large green Persian rugs were
unfolded on the floor.
Faisal spread out some handwritten notes on the pulpit. A retired Marine
from Burke who now is a contractor at the Justice Department, he would be
delivering the day's khutba, or sermon. The topic he'd picked: "The
Purpose of Our Existence."
Men began to come in. Most were in civilian clothes, shoeless now, their
hard plastic photo IDs hanging from around their necks. There was a
sailor. And a soldier in desert camouflage -- 13 men in all. The soldier
unlaced his tan boots, slipped them off and padded onto the green
carpet.
Umar, an Air Force veteran who's now a civilian Defense Department
employee in Crystal City, gave the call to prayer in a strong tenor
voice. Then Faisal started talking. Allah, he said, created humans only
to worship. "That is the whole reason for existence in the
world," he said.
The chaplains who serve the Pentagon have always wanted a chapel. It took
Sept. 11, 2001 -- and the approval of the president -- to finally get
one, said the Pentagon chaplain, Col. William Broome , a former Vietnam
helicopter pilot.
"Here is a place on the site of disaster where faith has sprung to
bring hope," he said. "There is hope in this building."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
LOOKING FOR EXTREMISM IN THE WRONG
PLACES -
TOP
Efforts to discredit two prominent Muslim activists are misplaced.
Daniel Sokatch, Los Angeles Times, 9/14/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-sokatch14sep14,0,7582733.story
[DANIEL SOKATCH is executive director of the Los Angeles-based
Progressive Jewish Alliance.]
Moments after I heard about the shootings at the Seattle Jewish
Federation building earlier this summer, my phone rang. It was Salam
Al-Marayati, the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council,
calling to express his profound sorrow and anger over this attack by a
Muslim on the Jewish community. That Salam called me was not a surprise;
during this summer of conflict in the Middle East, we spoke to each other
almost daily, trying to keep lines of communication open and tensions
down between Los Angeles' enormous Muslim and Jewish
communities.
I am thus particularly pained by the recent efforts by some in our
community to pressure the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission
to reconsider honoring MPAC founder Maher Hathout with a prestigious
human relations award, and a similar effort directed at the ACLU of
Southern California for honoring Al-Marayati for his work protecting
freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. Both of these
attempts are part of a misguided campaign to marginalize and discredit
MPAC.
As those of us dedicated to improving community relations in Los Angeles
and to supporting the emergence of a moderate American Muslim voice know,
undermining MPAC is exactly the wrong thing to do.
Opposition to Hathout and Al-Marayati is based largely on their positions
on the Middle East conflict, something unconnected to either award.
Critics accuse both men of being anti-Israel and of supporting and
excusing terrorism. They are routinely described as extremists and
radical Islamic leaders.
Although both men have made comments with which I strongly disagree,
criticizing Israel is not the same as supporting that nation's
destruction, nor should it be equated with supporting terrorism. Hathout
and Al-Marayati have consistently opposed and condemned terrorism, and
both are on the record as supporting Israel's right to exist. MPAC's
board of directors has passed a resolution supporting a two-state
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and MPAC has dedicated
itself to improving relations between L.A. Muslims and Jews.
(MORE)
---
MD: TEACHER ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF
ANTI-ISLAM TIRADE -
TOP
Woman Escorted From Maryland High School
http://www.turnto23.com/education/9839832/detail.html
A Maryland substitute teacher was arrested after an alleged anti-Islamic
tirade in front of high school students.
Carol Joan McVey, 49, was charged with resisting arrest, trespassing,
disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
Police said McVey became upset when she heard some students at
Gaithersburg High School, who were being assisted by another teacher,
practicing a speech and using some Arabic words.
The Washington Post said she reacted after overhearing the group utter an
Islamic greeting of peace.
Charging documents allege McVey shouted, "Islam doesn't mean peace,
it means killing everyone for peace" and "Because of you, our
families died in New York!"
It's not known if anyone who heard the alleged remarks is
Muslim.
Authorities said McVey went to the school office to express her
displeasure about the speech and the assisting teacher and was told by
the principal that her services were no longer needed at the
school
Police said she refused to leave and was escorted from the school by the
educational facilities officer.
While being escorted from the building, McVey allegedly yelled at a
Hispanic teacher about the inappropriateness of speaking to students in
languages other than English. (MORE)
---
PA: ISLAMIC DRESS GOES HIGH-FASHION -
TOP
Stasia Demarco, Voice of America, 9/12/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2006-09-12-voa69.cfm
Muslim fashion is more than burkas and chadors. It's a hot industry that
is heating up in the United States, especially among African-American
Muslims.
Sakina Uqdah shops at the Al-Furqan Bazaar on the outskirts of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at least once a week. "The skirts...I
love the skirts and the pants outfits," she gushes. "He has a
couple of pants outfits and it's the color. He just has so many different
varieties of style and it's like every week. I come in here and I get mad
because I say 'You have something new in' and I have to get it." She
laughs as she admits, "I get upset when he has something new and I
haven't seen it first."
Mervin Khalil Ghani has owned the Al-Furqan Bazaar for 15 years. He says
he and his wife decide what to stock in the shop. "There are a few
factors; primarily what I think would sell. Some things are in more
demand than others like the Islamic dress. What we normally call the
over-garment. And other things are more non-traditional that Muslims as
well as non-Muslims can wear. Like the blouse and skirts and suits and
those types of things."
More and more, American Muslim women are mixing and matching their
outfits, incorporating Islamic with Western styles. Sakina's non-Muslim
friends regularly join her in shopping at Ghani's boutique "because
of the African styles he has," she says. "I have a girlfriend
who is a Christian. She and her husband come here and shop. The
neighborhood comes for the jewelry. So there is something here for the
entire family."
Muslim women around the world are also finding something they like in the
growing Islamic fashion industry. Young designers are infusing
traditional styles with a modern sensibility. Models showed off designer
burqas and colorful over-garments in July, in Kabul's first fashion show
in decades. Tehran also hosted a fashion week this summer, albeit with
more traditional styles. The International Festival of African Fashion
has attracted European designers Yves Saint Laurent and Jean-Paul
Gaultier, hoping to appeal to Muslim women.
Recognizing an untapped market, major clothing retailers are highlighting
how their top name fashions -- like a tailored jacket by Anne Klein or a
long ruffled skirt by Ralph Lauren -- already meet the Islamic
requirement of full coverage. (MORE)
-----
EXPERT: NO PEACE WITH MUSLIMS, EVER -
TOP
Professor Moshe Sharon tells counter-terrorism conference Iran's regime
is seeking Armageddon, says no peace ever possible with Muslim world
Yaakov Lappin, Y-Net News, 9/14/06
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3304024,00.html
The Iranian government is seeking nuclear weapons in order to bring about
an apocalypse, Professor Moshe Sharon, a professor of Islamic studies
from the Hebrew University, told the annual conference at the
Counter-Terrorism Institute in Herzliya Thursday.
Sharon said there was "no possibility of peace between Israel and
the Palestinians whatsoever, for ever," since the Arab and Islamic
world viewed the establishment of Israel as a "reversal of
history," and would never accept Israel.
He described peace agreements with Arab Muslim states as "pieces of
paper, parts of tactics, strategies," adding that they have "no
meaning."
"The root of the problem between us and the Arab world is Islam.
Islam is not only a religion. It is a culture, politics… a state, Islam
is everything. It has been like this, and it will be like this for the
foreseeable future," Sharon said.
"Islam is a messianic religion… from the very beginning, it talked
about the end of the world," Sharon said. In Islam, "Allah is
the king of the end of days," Sharon explained, before addressing
the Shiite Islam guiding Iran.
According to Sharon, the Iranian regime genuinely believes that the
Shiite messiah, the twelfth Imam (also known as the Mahdi), "is
here. And he will come. And first, he will establish the Shiite house of
Ali. This is a time of messianic expectation." (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. MUSLIMS CALL FOR DIALOGUE OVER POPE'S
COMMENTS ON ISLAM
CAIR seeks meeting with Vatican representative in
Washington, D.C.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/15/2006) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (
CAIR) today called for
increased dialogue between Muslims and Catholics over the controversy
sparked by remarks perceived as insulting to Islam and the Prophet
Muhammad made by Pope Benedict XVI. CAIR is also seeking a meeting with
the Vatican's representative in Washington, D.C., to discuss the
remarks.
In an address on Tuesday, the Pope quoted a 14th century Byzantine
Christian Emperor as saying: "Show me just what Muhammad brought
that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such
as his command to spread by the sword the faith he
preached."
SEE:
Muslim Leaders Blast Pope's Comments (Washington Post)
In a statement issued today, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group said:
"The proper response to the Pope's inaccurate and divisive remarks
is for Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach
efforts aimed at building better relations between Christianity and
Islam. This unfortunate episode also offers an opportunity for Christians
to learn more about Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic concept
of jihad.
"Jihad is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle
against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality
of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self-defense (e.g., -
having a standing army for national defense), or fighting against tyranny
or oppression. 'Jihad' should not be translated as 'holy war.'
"The Quran, Islam's revealed text, condemns forced acceptance of any
faith when it states: 'Let there be no compulsion in religion.' (2:256)
Islam calls for peace once oppression ends: 'Fight in the cause of God
with those who fight against you, but do not exceed the limits...If they
desist, let there be no hostility except against the oppressors."
(2:190-193)
"Muslims are also asked to maintain good relations with people of
other faiths, and to engage in constructive dialogue. 'And dispute not
with the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) except with means
better (than mere disputation). . .but say, 'We believe in the Revelation
that has come down to us and in that which came down to you.'"
(29:46)
"The Quran also states: '(Rest assured that) those who believe (in
the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the
Christians, and the Sabians - whoever believes in God and the last day
and performs good deeds - will be rewarded by their Lord. They will have
nothing to fear or to regret.' (2:62)
"In Islam, there is no contradiction between faith and reason. The
first verses revealed to the Prophet Muhammad included: 'Read! In the
name of your Lord. . .Read! Your Lord is the Most Gracious, Who taught by
the (use of the) pen, taught man what he knew not.' Historically,
whenever Islam flourished, so did knowledge and discovery.
"Let us all continue the interfaith efforts promoted by the late
Pope John Paul II, who made great strides in bringing Muslims and
Catholics together for the common good."
Along with a request for a meeting with a Vatican representative in the
United States, CAIR is urging Americans of all faiths to learn more about
Islam and about the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad by requesting
a free Quran or a book or DVD about Muhammad at
www.explorethequran.org and
www.cair.com/Muhammad.
CAIR has 32 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
cair@cair-net.org
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/15/06
*
Hadith:
Seek Knowledge
*
New:
Apply Online for
Rosa Parks Civil Liberties Scholarship
*
CAIR-San Diego 1st Annual Banquet
9/17
*
CAIR-CT:
Muslim Group Reports
Threat (Hartford Courant)
-
CAIR-MI:
New Site Proposed
for Muslim Cemetery
-
CAIR-Chicago:
Candidate's Profiling
Stand Angers Muslims
*
MN:
Opponent Smears
Muslim Candidate (Star Tribune)
-
NJ:
Suspended Muslim Safety Expert
Sues DHS (AP)
*
NY:
Top Cop Reaches Out to Muslims
Ahead Of Ramadan (NY1)
*
IAEA:
U.S. Report on Iran 'Dishonest'
(AP)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: SEEK KNOWLEDGE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The seeking of
knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 74
-----
APPLY ONLINE FOR ROSA PARKS
CIVIL LIBERTIES SCHOLARSHIP -
TOP
http://www.cair.com/pdf/CAIR_RosaParks_Scolarship_2006-07.pdf
-----
CAIR-SAN DIEGO 1ST ANNUAL BANQUET 9/17 -
TOP
CONNECTING AND SHARING BANQUET: 6 p.m., Sunday, September 17, at the
Holiday Inn on the Bay, 1355 N. Harbor Drive. Sponsored by the Council on
American-Islamic Relations-San Diego. Keynote speaker will be Imam Siraj
Wahhaj. Adults, $25; Under 12 yrs old, $5. CONTACT: (858)
278-4547
-----
CAIR-CT: MUSLIM GROUP REPORTS THREAT
-
TOP
FBI Told That Anonymous Caller Spoke Of Reprisal If Further Violence
Occurs
Frances Grandy Taylor, Hartford Courant, 9/15/06
http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-ctcairthreat0915.artsep15,0,7532381.story
The Connecticut office of a Muslim civil rights group has told the FBI it
received two phone calls Wednesday threatening retaliation against
Muslims "if anything happens again in this country."
Hamza Ismail Collins, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, said the calls were made to a cellphone used by the
group's New London office by a man whom Collins described as
"irate." He said the man made derogatory statements about Islam
and said he wanted Muslims "out of my country."
Although the organization has received phone calls from people who have
made lewd or derogatory remarks, Collins said it was the first time since
the New England office opened three years ago that it received a call
that seemed to be an actual threat.
Vicki Woods, an FBI spokeswoman in New Haven, said the bureau had
received the complaint from the council about the phone calls and was
investigating. The call could be considered a hate crime if there is any
indication life or personal safety is in danger because of a threat, she
said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI: NEW SITE PROPOSED FOR
MUSLIM CEMETERY -
TOP
Beata Mostafavi, Flint Journal, 9/15/06
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-39/1158328509167590.xml&coll=5
CLAYTON TWP. - Local Muslims are hoping a tree-dotted field here will
become a final resting place for their loved ones.
Three years after Flint Township officials rejected Dr. Khaled Shukairy's
proposal to build an Islamic cemetery there, he has plans for a similar
project north of Corunna Road that could potentially hold 2,453
gravesites.
The 56-acre farmland with the rust-red barn and patches of violet florets
on Morrish Road could be replaced by rows of grave sites of the first
Islamic cemetery in the county and second in the state.
Some say the rare project - whose conceptual plan includes an area for a
prayer building, cemetery and about 30 acres for 1-acre-lot, single
family homes in a future phase- is a sign of a growing Muslim community
carving a place in this end of the state.
"We respect the dead and want to have a place for them," said
Dr. Abdelmajid Jondy, president of the Islamic Center in Clayton
Township. "It's pretty simple. We have our own burial (rites) as do
the Christians, as do the Jews. I think it's time for us to have a
cemetery here." . . .
"Muslim cemeteries are extremely rare throughout America at this
time," said
Dawud Walid, executive director for the Michigan
branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "But with
the growing population, the community's needs grow as well."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-CHICAGO:
CANDIDATE'S PROFILING STAND ANGERING MUSLIMS IN STATE -
TOP
John McCormick, Chicago Tribune, 9/15/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0609150343sep15,1,1012871.story
It started as a simple campaign tour to commemorate Sept. 11 and
distribute more than 1,000 American flag yard signs in a western Illinois
congressional district where the incumbent has been sidelined by
Parkinson's disease.
But Republican candidate Andrea Zinga's comments earlier this week about
airport profiling and Middle Eastern men has set off a controversy that
has angered Muslims in the state.
"Profiling doesn't bother me if we are profiling the people who,
with one exception--and that would be Timothy McVeigh--have caused the
outrages against our nation and caused the deaths of American
citizens," she said, according to an Associated Press story.
"We're talking about Middle Eastern men."
But Zinga, who also drew criticism during an unsuccessful 2004 campaign
bid when she questioned the failing health of Rep. Lane Evans, said in an
interview Thursday that the quote fails to provide the full context of
what she was saying.
She said the point she was trying to make is that airlines need to have
the freedom to more thoroughly screen any passenger who sets off red
flags without worrying about whether they have exceeded any arbitrary
ratio for that racial or ethnic group.
"Unfortunately, the preponderance of the terrorist crimes have been
done by people from the Middle East," said Zinga, who narrowly won
the 17th District primary in March. "But if suddenly your triggers
started to show that everyone was, say, an Irish grandmother, then I
don't have any problem with you screening as many Irish grandmothers as
you need to screen to keep that plane from turning into a weapon of mass
destruction."
The
Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
meanwhile, has condemned Zinga's comments.
"She is misinformed and she is more concerned about votes than
issues," said
Ahmed Rehab, the group's executive director.
"This is language that we tend to hear during elections when
candidates feel they can tap into the fears of voters."
A comment Zinga made Tuesday to a Moline television station-- that
"the Islamic culture is bent on conquering and subjugating a great
deal of the world"--further angered Rehab.
"There's just no excuse for a candidate running for public office in
America to not know the difference between the threat of terrorism and
the faith of Islam," he said. (MORE)
-----
MN: MUD BUCKET IS LAST-RESORT
WEAPON -
TOP
Nick Coleman, Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/357/story/678216.html
Alan Fine is not a lawyer, but he has mastered a strategy that all trial
lawyers learn at the bar (the one across from the courthouse):
If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you,
argue the law. And if you don't have a snowball's chance in Hades of
winning, call the other guy names.
Especially if he's a Muslim.
Fine started slur-slinging the day after Keith Ellison -- a Democrat, an
African-American legislator and a Catholic-Muslim (he grew up Catholic
and converted) who makes some people go off their medications and howl at
the moon -- handily won the Fifth District DFL primary for Congress on
Tuesday.
Unfit, Fine called Ellison. An embarrassment. Offensive.
What Fine really was saying: "I have no chance, but I want people to
know I was here. Where did I put my mud bucket?" (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NJ: SUSPENDED MUSLIM SAFETY EXPERT
SUES DHS -
TOP
WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press, 9/14/06
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Aviation_Engineer_Lawsuit.html
NEWARK, N.J. -- An Egyptian-born aviation security expert is suing the
U.S. government, claiming he was wrongly suspended from his
Transportation Security Administration job based on a classified FBI file
the government won't let him see.
Wagih H. Makky filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Newark,
alleging he was harassed and discriminated against at work after the
Sept. 11 terror attacks based on his nationality and his Muslim
religion.
The lawsuit claims Makky is one of the world's leading experts in
designing and evaluating technology to prevent explosives from being
smuggled onto airplanes and rail cars. Makky, 55, a U.S. citizen, most
recently worked at the TSA aviation center outside Atlantic
City.
Following the Pan Am jet bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, Makky
was chosen to create a Federal Aviation Administration unit to focus
government efforts to prevent terrorist attacks on American
airliners.
According to the lawsuit, a new supervisor in 2002 asked Makky during
their first meeting about his ethnic background. When the U.S. invasion
of Iraq began in March 2003, the supervisor placed him on administrative
leave, based on the classified file, according to the lawsuit.
(MORE)
-----
NY: CITY'S TOP COP REACHES OUT TO MUSLIM
COMMUNITY AHEAD OF RAMADAN -
TOP
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=6&aid=62582
The city's top cop met with leaders of the Muslim community to
explain how the department is trying to become more understanding of
their needs. But as NY1 Criminal Justice reporter Solana Pyne explains,
it was also an opportunity to gauge the state of relations between that
community and the police.
Every year the NYPD meets with city Muslim leaders, in advance of
Ramadan, the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, and while most of
those invited to Wednesday's meeting praised the opportunity to sit down
with the police, some complained their community is being targeted in the
fight against terrorism.
"How can we build trust and help you to do your job of protecting
us, if we don't necessarily always know who we can trust and if there are
lots of confidential informants in our community," said one Muslim
community member.
The meeting began with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly detailing the extra
security that will be provided at mosques during Ramadan. Kelly also
brought along a rough cut of a new video designed to help teach police
officers about the Muslim faith. (MORE)
-----
IAEA: U.S. REPORT ON IRAN 'DISHONEST' -
TOP
GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press, 9/15/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iran15sep15,1,93432.story
A recent House of Representatives committee report on Iran's nuclear
capability is "outrageous and dishonest" in trying to make a
case that Tehran's program is geared toward making weapons, a senior
official of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has said.
The letter, obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday outside a
35-nation board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says
the report is false in saying Iran is making weapons-grade uranium at an
experimental enrichment site, when it has in fact produced material only
in small quantities that is far below the level that can be used in
nuclear arms.
The letter, which was first reported on by The Washington Post, also says
the report erroneously says that IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei removed a
senior nuclear inspector from the team investigating Iran's nuclear
program "for concluding that the purpose of Iran's nuclear program
is to construct weapons."
In fact, the inspector was sidelined on Tehran's request, and the Islamic
republic had a right to ask for a replacement under agreements that
govern all states relationships with the agency, said the letter, calling
the report's version "incorrect and misleading."
"In addition," says the letter, "the report contains an
outrageous and dishonest suggestion that such removal might have been for
'not having adhered to an unstated IAEA policy barring IAEA officials
from telling the whole truth about the Iranian nuclear
program.'"
Dated Aug. 12, the letter was addressed to Rep. Peter Hoekstra, chairman
of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. It was signed by
Vilmos Cserveny, a senior director of the Vienna-based agency.
An IAEA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to comment on the letter, said it was written "to set the
record straight." (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
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info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANADIAN MOSQUE VANDALIZED WITH SLURS, NAZI
SWASTIKAS
CAIR-CAN condemns vandalism, asks for probe as hate
crime
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 9/17/06) - The Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations (
CAIR-CAN)
today condemned the vandalism of the Manitoba Islamic Association mosque
in Winnipeg that was spray-painted with profanities, ethnic slurs such as
"packy" and Nazi swastikas. ("Paki" is a derogatory
term referring to people of Pakistani heritage.) The vandalism was
discovered early Saturday morning.
CAIR-CAN called on the Winnipeg Police to ensure that the incident is
investigated swiftly as a hate crime and that the perpetrators are
brought to justice.
This most recent episode is part of a disturbing trend of similar
incidents that have occurred recently across Canada.
In a statement, CAIR-CAN said:
"The defacement of any place of worship is deeply offensive and
hurtful and the accompanying slurs on the Winnipeg mosque clearly
constitute a hate crime.
"CAIR-CAN calls on local politicians and security officials in
Winnipeg to demonstrate leadership by standing firm against all forms of
hate. They must investigate this hate crime incident as a matter of
urgency and bring the criminals responsible to justice.
"CAIR-CAN encourages the people of Winnipeg and citizens of
conscience across Canada to engage in outreach efforts. By strengthening
relations and building bridges, Canadians stand united in defense of our
democratic values. We must show hate groups that their malicious agendas
will not be tolerated in civil society."
- END -
For more information, please contact
CAIR-CAN Executive Director Karl
Nickner at 613-853-4111
-----
CAIR-CAN
Council on American-Islamic Relations CANADA
P.O. Box 13219, Ottawa, ONT, K2K 1X4
Tel: 1-866-524-0004
Fax: 613-254-9810
URL:
www.caircan.ca
-----
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/17/06
*
Hadith:
Prayer Washes Away Sin
*
FL:
CAIR-Tampa Dinner a Success
*
Canadian Mosque Attacked by Vandals -
Again (CTV)
*
CA:
Defining Today's
Moderate Muslim (Los Angeles Times)
*
MN:
Keith Ellison May Be First Muslim
in U.S. Congress (Reuters)
*
TX:
Schools Try to Balance Dress
Codes, Faith (Houston Chron)
*
Pope 'Sorry' About Reaction to
Islam Remark (Wash Post)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: PRAYER WASHES AWAY SIN -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The five prayers
(required by Islam are) like an overflowing river passing by (your) gate
in which (you) wash five times daily."
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 323
-----
CAIR-TAMPA DINNER A SUCCESS -
TOP
(TAMPA, FL, 9/17/06) - More than 600 people turned out for the 4th Annual
banquet of CAIR's Tampa chapter this weekend. Some $330,000 was raised to
support CAIR's mission to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage
dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build
coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
-----
WINNIPEG MOSQUE ATTACKED BY VANDALS - AGAIN
-
TOP
CTV.ca, 9/17/06
Vandals have desecrated an Islamic centre and family home in
Winnipeg.
Furqan Rajput swoke Sunday to find not only his car and home
spray-painted, but also his mosque -- the Manitoba Islamic Centre in St.
Vital -- across the street.
The vandals had painted a swastika on the building and phrases like
"I'm a Packy (sic) fag."
"Probably a hate crime. But maybe just ignorance they were trying to
have some fun at someone's own risk," he told CTV Winnipeg.
This isn't the first time the mosque has been targeted. In 2001, vandals
smeared animal feces and eggs on the walls, and in 2004, the windows were
smashed.
"Usually there are acts like this especially post-September
11," Rajput said. (MORE)
-----
DEFINING TODAY'S MODERATE
MUSLIM -
TOP
Teresa Watanabe,
Los Angeles Times, 9/17/06
Who is a moderate Muslim?
Is it Maher Hathout, the Los Angeles Muslim leader who has promoted
interfaith relations and women's equality but denounced Israel as a
brutal apartheid regime?
Is it Tashbih Sayyed, a journalist based in Alta Loma, Calif., who
praises Israel's behavior toward Palestinians as tolerant and criticizes
Muslims for corrupting Islam?
The question has come under intense debate since 9/11 as the public
struggles to distinguish peaceful Muslims from Al Qaeda terrorists, and
is at the heart of two Southern California skirmishes over who represents
moderate Islam.
In a dinner scheduled for tonight, the American Jewish Congress plans to
honor Sayyed and four others for what it sees as their friendly attitudes
toward Israel and courageous efforts to reform Islam. . .
The organization's choice of honorees, however, has offended some
Muslims, in part because three of them no longer practice the faith. .
.
Despite the dissent, Muslims, Christians and Jews named similar
attributes when asked to define religious moderation. They included
problem-solving without violence, affirmation of human rights, religious
freedom and other Western values, and respectful attitudes toward
women.
But on one key issue, there was sharp disagreement: attitudes toward
Israel.
Ratner said his group believes support for Israel's right to exist as a
Jewish state is central to the definition of a moderate because it speaks
to the larger qualities of tolerance and acceptance.
Others, however, reject that as a litmus test.
"It's un-American," said John Esposito, Georgetown University
professor of religion and international affairs. "Your principal and
only obligation in terms of loyalty as an American is to America. You can
have a variety of positions regarding foreign policy."
Still others say labels and litmus tests aren't terribly useful for
either side.
"The question is … can we find points of agreement, a place from
which to build trust and move forward?" asked Rob Eshman, editor of
the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. "I deal with Jews every
day whom I don't consider moderate, but I don't write them off. And we
can't afford to write off Muslims."
Since 9/11, Esposito and others said, the quest for moderate Muslims has
become widespread as policymakers, journalists, terrorism experts and
religious leaders seek to understand Islam and assess who is
"safe" and who is extremist.
Often, those seeking moderate Muslims are looking for people to affirm
their own values, said Reuven Firestone, a professor of medieval Jewish
and Islamic studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
in Los Angeles.
"When we say we want moderate Muslims, what we are really saying is
that we want Westernized Muslims who have the same kinds of sensibilities
we have," Firestone said. "But that's not realistic. It's a
false but human assumption that moderates must agree with us on most
issues."
To Firestone, moderates are those committed to settling disputes without
violence and willing to hear and consider other points of view,
especially those contrary to their own.
Others said that whatever yardstick is chosen must be consistently
applied. If Muslims who condemn Israeli treatment of Palestinians are
extremists, all Christians, Jews and atheists who feel likewise must be
similarly described, said Khaled Abou El Fadl, a UCLA Islamic law
professor and author of "The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the
Extremists."
Many said a key criterion for Muslim moderates is that they in fact be
Muslim.
Among the Jewish Congress honorees are Indian-born British author Salman
Rushdie, a self-described atheist, and two women who say they left the
faith years ago, Wafa Sultan and Nonie Darwish.
Darwish is a Southern California writer and founder of Arabs for Israel.
Sultan is a Corona psychiatrist, writer and activist who has said she is
particularly concerned about women's status in Islam.
"By honoring Muslims who are not practicing Muslims, the given
message, even if unintentional, is that these people are good because
they left the faith," said Firestone, who recently returned from a
six-month sabbatical in Cairo. "But there are hundreds of millions
of moral, deeply believing Muslims."
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, said Jewish groups have long tried to promote alternative
Islamic leaders who may be friendly to Israel but in fact have little
following among Muslims. "It's a slap in the face," he said.
(MORE)
-----
KEITH ELLISON MAY BE FIRST MUSLIM IN U.S.
CONGRESS -
TOP
Todd Melby,
Reuters, 9/17/06
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Keith Ellison, who could become the first Muslim
to win a seat in the U.S. Congress, is a former Catholic who says both
religions and family roots in the civil rights movement shaped a fiery
liberal philosophy.
The chance to make history thrust the 43-year-old lawyer into the
spotlight last week when he won the Democratic nomination to run for the
U.S. House of Representatives.
Ellison's faith hardly came up in the campaign in a heavily Democratic
district but his former ties to controversial Nation of Islam leader
Louis Farrakhan were discussed.
Ellison said he had renounced Farrakhan and his group long ago because of
their "bigoted and anti-Semitic ideas." But the issue may not
die down.
His Republican opponent, Alan Fine, said after the primary he was
"personally offended, as a Jew, that we have a candidate like this
running for U.S. Congress." (MORE)
-----
SCHOOL DRESS CODES -
TOP
SARAH VIREN,
Houston Chronicle, 9/17/06
WHEN Principal James May took over I.H. Kempner High School, a
pecan-tree-lined campus named after the Imperial Sugar founder, the
35-year public school veteran found himself facing a new sort of
quandary.
Although the Sugar Land school has a dress code barring goatees and short
skirts alike, a number of bearded Muslim students came to him asking for
a reprieve for their facial hair.
May knew little about Islam at the time but is schooled enough in
constitutional law to quote Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School
District, the precedent-setting 1969 Supreme Court decision:
"It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their
constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the
schoolhouse gate."
So he granted their request.
That was seven years ago.
Today, May and other school leaders say they spend even more time
maintaining the delicate balance between protecting Islamic students'
religious rights and school dress-code policies designed to maintain
order. The conflicts typically come to a head about this time each fall,
with the Islamic holiday of Ramadan about a week away. (MORE)
-----
POPE 'SORRY' ABOUT REACTION TO ISLAM
REMARK -
TOP
Alan Cooperman,
Washington Post, 9/18/06
Pope Benedict XVI said yesterday that he is "deeply sorry"
about the reaction in some countries to a recent speech in which he
quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor as saying that the prophet
Muhammad brought "only evil and inhuman" things to the
world.
The pope said that the quotation from Manuel II Palaeologus did not
reflect his personal views, and that his speech last Tuesday at Germany's
University of Regensburg was intended to invite inter-religious dialogue
"with great mutual respect."
Benedict's brief statement was the third attempt by Vatican officials in
as many days to cool the reaction to his speech, which escalated from
diplomatic protests to violence over the weekend. . .
But John L. Esposito, director of the Center for Muslim-Christian
Understanding at Georgetown University, said that the pope "has
apologized," and that an apology was appropriate because the
Regensburg speech was "inaccurate and offensive."
Esposito said the nonviolent condemnations of the pope's speech by
"mainstream Muslim leaders and governments" were "wholly
predictable and legitimate," because Benedict began his speech on
the relationship between faith and reason with an inflammatory quote from
a medieval source and did not, at the time, make clear whether he agreed
with it.
"It's like saying, 'I want to talk about the problem of hating other
people,' and then putting out a flagrantly anti-Semitic comment as a
starting point and not deconstructing it," he said.
Esposito also said the speech contained an important factual
error.
Benedict noted in the Regensburg address that one verse, or sura, of the
Koran says, "There is no compulsion in religion," meaning that
conversions should not take place by force. "According to the
experts, this is one of the suras of the early period, when Muhammad was
still powerless and under threat," the pope said.
Esposito said that, in fact, the "no compulsion in religion" is
a later verse, from Muhammad's time in Medina -- when he had effectively
established a state, not from the Mecca period in which he was under
threat. "The pope was suggesting that the ban on forcible
conversions was overtaken by later verses advocated the spread of Islam
by the sword, but that is false," the professor said.
A leading U.S. Muslim group also called Benedict's speech inaccurate but
appealed for calm.
"The proper response to the pope's inaccurate and divisive remarks
is for Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach
efforts aimed at building better relations between Christianity and
Islam," the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations said. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
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info@cair.com
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http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REPORT: ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS INCIDENTS JUMP 29
PERCENT
Total number of Muslim civil rights cases tops 1,900 in
2005
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/06) - A
report released today by a prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group indicates an almost 30 percent increase in the total
number of complaints of anti-Muslim bias from 2004 to 2005.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations'
(
CAIR) report - the only annual study
of its kind - outlines 1,972 incidents and experiences of anti-Muslim
violence, discrimination and harassment in 2005, the highest number of
civil rights cases ever recorded in the Washington-based group's annual
report. (Hundreds of anti-Muslim incidents reported immediately following
the 9/11 attacks were detailed in a separate report.) According to the
study, called
"The Struggle for Equality," that figure
is a 29.6 percent jump over the preceding year's total of 1,522
cases.
CAIR also received 153 reports of anti-Muslim hate crime complaints, an
8.6 percent increase from the 141 complaints received in 2004. As in past
years, CAIR said factors contributing to the sharp increase in reported
incidents included the lingering impact of post-9/11 fears, increased
awareness of civil rights issues in the Muslim community and a general
increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric in American society.
"We believe the biggest factor contributing to anti-Muslim feeling
and the resulting acts of bias is the growth in Islamophobic rhetoric
that has flooded the Internet and talk radio in the post-9/11 era,"
said
CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar, the report's
author.
Iftikhar said the report also outlines CAIR initiatives taken in the past
year designed to decrease anti-Muslim prejudice. The report cites CAIR's
coordination of the
fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling, by U.S. Muslim scholars
repudiating terrorism and religious extremism, the
"Not in the Name of
Islam" public service announcements (PSA) and the
"Explore the
Quran" and
"Muslims
Care" educational and volunteerism campaigns.
A statement issued today by
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
(D-TX) thanked CAIR for its "steadfast dedication to ameliorating
the civil rights of American Muslims" and stated in part: "By
all accounts, racial profiling, harassment, and discrimination of Muslim
and Arab Americans have increased since 9/11. . .We cannot allow
xenophobia, prejudice, and bigotry to prevail, and eviscerate the
Constitution we are bound to protect."
Overall, nine states and the District of Columbia accounted for almost 79
percent of all civil rights complaints to CAIR in 2005. They are (in
descending order): California (19 percent), Illinois (13 percent), New
York (9 percent), Texas (8 percent), Virginia (7 percent), Florida (6
percent), District of Columbia (5 percent), Maryland (4 percent), Ohio (4
percent) and New Jersey (4 percent).
The complete "The Struggle for Equality" report may be viewed
at:
http://www.cair.com/pdf/2006-CAIR-Civil-Rights-Report.pdf
CAIR began documenting anti-Muslim incidents following the 1995 attack on
the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The council is America's
largest Islamic civil liberties group, with 32 regional 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.
- END -
CONTACT: Arsalan Iftikhar, 202-488-8787 or 202-415-0799, E-Mail:
aiftikhar@cair.com; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726,
E-Mail:
ihooper@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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/18/06
*
Verse:
A Spider's Dwelling
*
CAIR Rep Discusses Pope's Comments
on MSNBC's 'Tucker'
*
CAIR Urges Dialogue
Over Pope's Comments on Islam (UPI)
-
Karen Armstrong:
Reject
Prejudice Against Islam (Guardian)
-
Cardinal:
'Islam is a Different
Culture' (Der Spiegel)
*
CAIR:
Anti-Muslim
Harassment Complaints Jump 30 Percent (Wash Post)
-
CAIR:
Anti-Muslim Civil Rights Cases Up 30 Percent (AP)
-
CAIR:
Bias
Incidents Against Muslims Hold Steady in NJ (AP)
-
CAIR Report:
Anti-Muslim Bias on Rise in
US (VOA)
*
CAIR Board Chairman's 9/11/06 Speech:
Tolerance and Respect
*
CAIR-FL:
Jews, Muslims Share
Their Faiths (Tampa Trib)
-
CA:
Rare Confluence for Three Major
Faiths (OC Register)
*
CAIR Rebranding Stresses Group's
Cooperative Efforts (PR Week)
*
VA Muslims Cite Koran to Fight
Global Warming
*
Palestinian Officials Allege
Torture (CS Monitor)
*
CAIR-CAN:
Muslims Uneasy Over
Detention Abroad (Toronto Star)
-
U.S. War Prisons Legal Vacuum for
14,000 (AP)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: A SPIDER'S DWELLING -
TOP
"The parable of those who choose protectors other than God is that
of a spider who builds for itself a dwelling; but surely the weakest of
all dwellings is (that) of a spider, if they but knew."
The Holy Quran, 29:41
-----
CAIR REP DISCUSSES POPE'S COMMENTS ON
MSNBC'S 'TUCKER' -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt62dLZkBaw
-----
CAIR: U.S. MUSLIM GROUP URGES
MORE DIALOGUE -
TOP
United Press International, 9/18/06
http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060918-122957-2467r
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S.
Council on American-Islamic
Relations has called for a stepped-up dialogue between Muslims and
Catholics.
The CAIR statement was issued Friday following the public controversy
over Pope Benedict XVI's remarks last week that were criticized by
various Muslim groups and activists as insulting to the Prophet Mohammed.
The pope's comments were followed by some attacks against Catholics
around the world. CAIR said it also wanted to arrange a meeting with the
Vatican's representative in Washington to discuss the pope's
comments.
CAIR is a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group. In
its statement Friday, it said, "The proper response to the Pope's
inaccurate and divisive remarks is for Muslims and Catholics worldwide to
increase dialogue and outreach efforts aimed at building better relations
between Christianity and Islam. This unfortunate episode also offers an
opportunity for Christians to learn more about Islam, the Prophet
Mohammad and the Islamic concept of jihad."
"Jihad is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle
against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality
of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self-defense . . .
(having a standing army for national defense), or fighting against
tyranny or oppression. 'Jihad' should not be translated as 'holy
war,'" the CAIR statement said.
"Muslims are also asked to maintain good relations with people of
other faiths, and to engage in constructive dialogue," the group
said.
SEE ALSO:
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MAINTAIN
THESE ANCIENT PREJUDICES AGAINST ISLAM -
TOP
The Pope's remarks were dangerous, and will convince many more Muslims
that the west is incurably Islamophobic
Karen Armstrong, Guardian, 9/18/06
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1874653,00.html
In the 12th century, Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, initiated a
dialogue with the Islamic world. "I approach you not with arms, but
with words," he wrote to the Muslims whom he imagined reading his
book, "not with force, but with reason, not with hatred, but with
love." Yet his treatise was entitled Summary of the Whole Heresy of
the Diabolical Sect of the Saracens and segued repeatedly into
spluttering intransigence. Words failed Peter when he contemplated the
"bestial cruelty" of Islam, which, he claimed, had established
itself by the sword. Was Muhammad a true prophet? "I shall be worse
than a donkey if I agree," he expostulated, "worse than cattle
if I assent!"
Peter was writing at the time of the Crusades. Even when Christians were
trying to be fair, their entrenched loathing of Islam made it impossible
for them to approach it objectively. For Peter, Islam was so
self-evidently evil that it did not seem to occur to him that the Muslims
he approached with such "love" might be offended by his
remarks. This medieval cast of mind is still alive and well.
Last week, Pope Benedict XVI quoted, without qualification and with
apparent approval, the words of the 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel
II: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you
will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by
the sword the faith he preached." The Vatican seemed bemused by the
Muslim outrage occasioned by the Pope's words, claiming that the Holy
Father had simply intended "to cultivate an attitude of respect and
dialogue toward the other religions and cultures, and obviously also
towards Islam".
But the Pope's good intentions seem far from obvious. Hatred of Islam is
so ubiquitous and so deeply rooted in western culture that it brings
together people who are usually at daggers drawn. Neither the Danish
cartoonists, who published the offensive caricatures of the Prophet
Muhammad last February, nor the Christian fundamentalists who have called
him a paedophile and a terrorist, would ordinarily make common cause with
the Pope; yet on the subject of Islam they are in full
agreement.
Our Islamophobia dates back to the time of the Crusades, and is entwined
with our chronic anti-semitism. Some of the first Crusaders began their
journey to the Holy Land by massacring the Jewish communities along the
Rhine valley; the Crusaders ended their campaign in 1099 by slaughtering
some 30,000 Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem. It is always difficult to
forgive people we know we have wronged. Thenceforth Jews and Muslims
became the shadow-self of Christendom, the mirror image of everything
that we hoped we were not - or feared that we were.
The fearful fantasies created by Europeans at this time endured for
centuries and reveal a buried anxiety about Christian identity and
behaviour. When the popes called for a Crusade to the Holy Land,
Christians often persecuted the local Jewish communities: why march 3,000
miles to Palestine to liberate the tomb of Christ, and leave unscathed
the people who had - or so the Crusaders mistakenly assumed - actually
killed Jesus. Jews were believed to kill little children and mix their
blood with the leavened bread of Passover: this "blood libel"
regularly inspired pogroms in Europe, and the image of the Jew as the
child slayer laid bare an almost Oedipal terror of the parent faith.
(MORE)
---
CARDINAL WALTER KASPER: "ISLAM
IS A DIFFERENT CULTURE" -
TOP
Der Spiegel, 9/18/06
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,437587,00.html
Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Catholic Church's ecumenical representative,
discusses the Vatican's relations with Muslims and the furor over the
pope's recent remarks.
SPIEGEL: Cardinal, are you surprised by the intense reaction of Muslims
worldwide to the pope's speech in Regensburg?
Kasper: Because the Christian faith constitutes a voluntary personal act,
the pope has every right to address the justifiable concerns of the
Enlightenment: the concept of universal human rights, religious freedom
and the distinction between religion and politics. After all, the
Catholic Church is a world church and more of a global player today than
ever before.
SPIEGEL: Which means that conflicts with other religions are apparently
inevitable.
Kasper: The conflict with Islam has, after all, existed throughout
European history, which is what the pope was pointing out. The encounter
with Islam now seems to be entering a new phase. Many have called it a
'clash of civilizations.' But this phrase must be handled with great care
to prevent it from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The alternative
to conflict is called dialogue. This is the option the churches choose,
and it's also what the pope favors. We want a peaceful difference of
opinion, which, of course, is based on reciprocity. But one shouldn't
harbor any illusions over the difficulties this involves.
SPIEGEL: Why is dialogue with Islam so difficult for the Catholic
Church?
Kasper: There is no such thing as one Islam. The Koran is ambiguous and
Islam is not a monolithic entity. The distinction between radical Islam
and moderate Muslims is important, as are the differences between Sunnis
and Shiites, and between militant and mystical Islam. Islam in the Arab
world coexists with Indonesian, Pakistani and Turkish Islam. There is
limited solidarity, even within the Arab world. Muslims living among us
(in Germany) haven't managed to build an organization that represents all
Muslims. Such an organization could protect us against irrational
fantasies driven by fear, fantasies that completely demonize Islam. But
it is difficult, under the current circumstances, to find representative
counterparts to talk with. (MORE)
-----
CAIR:
ANTI-MUSLIM HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS JUMP 30 PERCENT -
TOP
Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 9/18/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091800597.html
Complaints of anti-Muslim harassment, violence and discriminatory
treatment registered with a national Muslim civil rights group jumped 30
percent in 2005 from the previous year, the group said today in releasing
its annual report.
The 1,972 complaints made to the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
are the most the group has received since it began the annual reports
following anti-Muslim incidents after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
The group said it actually received 2,300 reports but deemed some of them
illegitimate.
The number of complaints has continually risen since 1995, but began
spiking significantly in 2003, the report said. CAIR officials said the
jump between 2004 and 2005 seems to be due to "a rise in anti-Muslim
rhetoric fed by the Internet and also on talk radio," group
spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said at a news conference.
"You can't turn on the radio without hearing negative, bigoted
comments about Islam."
The District and nine states, including Maryland and Virginia, accounted
for 79 percent of complaints. These places also account for the highest
population of Muslims, Hooper said.
The highest number of complaints fall into the "due process"
category, said
CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar; those include
complaints such as racial profiling and unreasonable arrest or
interrogation. Second are complaints of religious accommodation being
denied and third are complaints of employment discrimination, according
to the report. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: U.S. MUSLIM ADVOCACY GROUP SAYS NUMBER OF ANTI-MUSLIM CIVIL
RIGHTS CASES UP BY 30 PERCENT -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/18/06
WASHINGTON (AP) - The largest advocacy organization for American Muslims
reported Monday an increase of almost 30 percent in civil rights
complaints in 2005 from the year before.
Almost one in five of the complaints came from California, which with
eight other states and the District of Columbia accounted for close to 80
percent of the 1,972 complaints.
Behind California in the listing were Illinois, New York, Texas,
Virginia, Florida, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio and New
Jersey. Half those -- New York, Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland
and New Jersey -- are mid-Atlantic states along the eastern U.S.
seaboard.
The survey result is not scientific.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the figures represent
complaints made directly to CAIR or otherwise gleaned by the
council.
"What it shows is a general trend, and the fact is that each year
the number has been going up," Hooper said.
CAIR began tabulating anti-Muslim incidents after the 1995 destruction of
the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Early media
reports of that bombing, which killed 168 people including a nursery and
19 children, speculated that the bombers might have been Muslims. Former
U.S. Army soldier Timothy McVeigh eventually was convicted and
executed.
In the 2005 report, "Most categories either remained at the same
levels or increased in frequency from last year's report," the
survey said. Complaints involving Muslim-owned businesses and "due
process" issues showed major decreases, it said.
"Due process" included unreasonable arrest and detention,
surveillance, interrogation and the like. Despite a drop of 8 percentage
points to 17.39 percent of the total, "due process" cases
remained the largest single category.
CAIR received more than 2,320 reports. The 1,972 included in the
tabulations were the ones determined by CAIR investigators to warrant
inclusion.
---
CAIR: BIAS
INCIDENTS AGAINST MUSLIMS HOLD STEADY IN NJ, UP 29% IN US -
TOP
Wayne Parry, Associated Press, 9/18/06
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--muslims-bias0918sep18,0,2654946.story
The number of bias incidents against Muslims in New Jersey remained
virtually unchanged last year, even as they increased by nearly a third
nationwide from the year before, according to a survey released Monday by
a national Islamic group.
The survey by the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic
Relations counted 70 incidents of discrimination or bias against
Muslims in New Jersey in 2005, up from 69 in 2004.
Nationwide, the group counted 1,972 incidents in 2005, up from 1,522 in
2004. That is the highest level reported to the group in its 12-year
history.
"When you have the president of the United States equating Islam
with fascism, how do you expect the numbers to go down?" asked
Hesham Mahmoud, a spokesman for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee's New Jersey chapter.
Other Muslim leaders said the lack of a significant increase in
anti-Muslim bias in the Garden State shows that New Jersey residents are
becoming accepting of differences in religion and ethnicity.
"New Jersey is the most diverse of all the states, and that
certainly plays a part in keeping down these kinds of events," said
Yaser El-Menshawy, chairman of the Majlis Ash-Shura of New Jersey, the
state's council of mosques. "New Jersey is just a more tolerant
place."
Sohail Mohammed, a Clifton lawyer who has represented many Muslims
alleging bias by private and public entities, said New Jersey authorities
have taken a firm, public stand against such crimes.
"The message is going out to lunatics _ if you are thinking about
causing harm to people because of their religion, New Jersey is going to
take it seriously," he said.
He said the Muslim community, particularly in northern New Jersey, has
built strong ties to key law enforcement officials including the FBI and
state attorney general. (MORE)
---
CAIR REPORT: ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS
ON RISE IN US -
TOP
Meredith Buel, Voice of America, 9/18/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-09-18-voa42.cfm
A prominent U.S. Islamic civil rights group has released a study showing
a significant increase in the total number of complaints of anti-Muslim
bias in the United States between 2004 and 2005.
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released its
annual study outlining nearly 2,000 incidents of anti-Muslim violence,
discrimination and harassment in 2005, the highest number of such cases
in the United States ever recorded by the organization.
The executive director of the group, Nihad Awad, says, since the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the number of
such complaints has continued to grow. "We have witnessed, one more
time, an increase in the anti-Muslim discrimination, hate crimes and
bias," said Awad. "This is due, in our research and
understanding, to the negative and politically charged climate against
American Muslims, and Islam in general."
-----
CAIR BOARD CHAIRMAN'S 9/11/06 SPEECH:
TOLERANCE AND RESPECT -
TOP
Speech to high school students at St. Johns Country Day School September
11, 2006
Parvez Ahmed, Florida Times-Union, 9/16/06
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/091606/met_speech.shtml
Today marks the 5 year anniversary of the ill-fated terrorist attacks
against our country and against humanity. What happened on 9-11 five
years ago is utterly condemnable and a crime against humanity.
Most American's believe that 9-11 changed the world. Not only have we to
put up with such inconveniences as long lines at the airport but also
live in fear, perceived or real, of the next attack.
For American-Muslims, life too has changed. In addition to the things
that worry all Americans, Muslims have to put up with increased scrutiny
of their activities and constant second guessing of their motives, not to
mention discrimination at jobs or profiling by law enforcement.
A 2004 Pew Foundation poll finds thirty-two per cent of Americans with an
unfavorable view of Muslims. Forty-four per cent believe that Islam is
more likely to encourage violence than other religions. A 2006 poll by
Gallup found that 4 in 10 Americans admit to feeling prejudiced against
Muslims. 1 in 4 do not want to live next to Muslims or fly with them on
an airplane.
Such negative views are not mere opinion but have real consequences on
people's lives and livelihoods. A Cornell University poll finds nearly
half of all Americans want the rights, liberties and freedom that you
take for granted to be restricted for American-Muslims. Twenty-seven per
cent want all American-Muslims to register their home addresses with the
federal government and twenty-nine per cent believe undercover agents
should infiltrate Muslim organizations.
It is precisely during such difficult times we need to examine our core
beliefs. We need to question, we need to dialogue and we need to develop
the courage to understand others.
Pluralism and tolerance based upon mutual respect and understandings are
the cornerstone of great civilizations. Such noble ideas are not
exclusive to any one religion. All great religions of the world teach
mutual respect towards each other.
God says in the Quran - the book Muslims turn to for inspiration and
guidance - "O mankind! Surely We have created you of a male and a
female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other;
surely the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah (God) is the most
righteous of you; surely God is Knowing, Aware of all things."
[49:13].
Despite such universal values being part of Islam, Muslims constantly
face two questions - Is Islam tolerant of other faiths? Can Muslims
coexist with people of other faiths?
We have to realize that normative Islam or Islam as proscribed in books
is not identical with the actions of its "followers." Like
other religions, followers are imperfect fallible human beings. At times
the actions of Muslims will conform to the teachings of Islam while some
times their actions will be either independent of or in violation of
Islam's normative teachings. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-FL: JEWS, MUSLIMS SHARE THEIR
FAITHS -
TOP
Carlos Moncada, Tampa Tribune, 9/18/06
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBV5ODA8SE.html
Halfway around the world, tensions are high between Jews and Muslims, but
Sunday afternoon, members of the two religions sat side by side, prayed
and broke bread here.
More than 100 Tampa Bay area Jews and Muslims, as well as Christians,
gathered at a downtown waterfront park to mark the confluence of the
Jewish and Muslim holy months, a coincidence that happens once every 30
or so years.
An interfaith group called Serving The One organized the event at North
Straub Park to announce the arrival of Ramadan and Tishri, which both
begin Sept. 23-24.
Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset every
day.
During Tishri, Jews observe Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom
Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
"Especially in these times where there's tensions recently because
of certain things happening in the Middle East, it was a very nice
experience,"
Ahmed Bedier, a founding member of Serving The
One, said of Sunday's event.
"In the Lebanon-Israeli conflict, there's been tensions between
Muslims and Jews," said
Bedier, director of the Tampa chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic relations. "And events like
these help heal those tensions." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CA: RARE CONFLUENCE FOR THREE MAJOR
FAITHS -
TOP
Ann Pepper, Orange County Register, 9/18/06
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1279315.php
At a time when religious conflict has turned lethal for so many people
and shattered their peace and security, a rare confluence of the sacred
seasons of the three Abrahamic faiths - Christianity, Islam and Judaism -
begins this week.
Scores of Orange County residents - people of all faiths who say they've
had enough of division, discord and senseless death in the name of
religion - are planning to seize this convergence as a chance to show
solidarity, celebrate and defy those who promote hate.
"I don't know about the feast of St. Francis or Ramadan," said
Sande Hart, 45, the mother of two teens and an organizer of one of the
largest local events, "Sharing Sacred Seasons," set for Oct. 7
in Aliso Viejo.
"For me, it's a real learning experience. But I do know that
ignorance breeds hatred. And we want to be a light in the
darkness."
Here's what's happening:
o Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, begins at sunset Friday leading off
Tishri, the month of the High Holy Days.
o Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and contemplation, begins with the
sighting of the new moon on Saturday.
o A few days later on Oct. 4 comes the feast day of perhaps the most
popular of Christian saints, St. Francis of Assisi, who was one of the
few Christian leaders of his day to oppose the Crusades against Muslims
and Jews.
o The birthday of the great Hindu statesman and peacemaker, Mahatma
Gandhi, fortuitously also falls during this time, on Oct. 2.
It will be three decades before a similar convergence occurs.
Nationwide, the National Council of Churches, the Islamic Society of
North America, the Shalom Center and others are calling on people to
seize the moment to build bridges among believers as well as those who
don't belong to any faith group. (MORE)
-----
CAIR REBRANDING STRESSES GROUP'S
COOPERATIVE EFFORTS -
TOP
Ted McKenna, PR Week US, 9/18/06
http://www.prweek.com/us/login/required/592792
WASHINGTON: The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a
nonprofit civil rights and advocacy organization, has launched a
rebranding effort, including a new logo, to better convey its work with
other community groups and the government.
CAIR board chairman Parvez Ahmed said the 12-year-old group
decided to create a more 'open' logo, make its annual report available
online, and establish more uniform communications practices among its 33
US chapters to combat the sometimes hazy perceptions of CAIR's
mission.
CAIR debuted its new logo at the Islamic Society of North America
convention in Chicago over Labor Day weekend. Media relations will be a
part of its public outreach.
'We needed a way to communicate more clearly that, yes, we are an Islamic
organization (and) our policies and viewpoints are certainly informed by
Islam, but we are also an American organization, which means that we work
in the best interest of America,' Ahmed said.
CAIR wants to stress that it works with a variety of advocacy and
inter-faith groups on shared goals, meets regularly with members of
Congress, and works with law enforcement authorities, he added.
The rebranding was conceived and managed entirely in-house, though a
design firm created the new logo, which features four people of different
colors holding hands around the five pillars of Islam. CAIR will also
relaunch its Web site in the coming months.
-----
VIRGINIA MUSLIMS CITE KORAN TO FIGHT
GLOBAL WARMING -
TOP
Islamic group joins interfaith initiative
Erik Curren, Augusta Free Press, 9/18/06
http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$40562
"In the Koran, God said that He created nature in a balance or
mizam, and that it is mankind's responsibility to maintain this fragile
equilibrium," says Richmond-based Islamic leader Dr. Imad Damaj.
"We cannot maintain it by blaming each other, but must do so by
working together."
Last week, the faith-based movement to fight global warming came to
Virginia when a coalition of environmental and religious groups issued a
report showing that average temperatures in the state's major cities have
risen alarmingly over the last five years.
I asked Rev. Pat Watkins, one of the religious leaders involved in the
announcement, why global warming is an issue for the devout.
"Global warming is an indication that God's creation is suffering a
bit," says Watkins, a Methodist clergyperson and member of the
Virginia Interfaith Center. "There are all kinds of different
theologies in terms of creation. But if all people of faith understand
that God had some kind of hand in creation, then how can we participate
in harming creation, and how can we not do something to restore
creation?"
For the last few years, religious devotees have started beating the drum
louder and louder that global warming is a big threat to God's creation.
Most notably, in February a group of 86 Evangelical Christian leaders
released a public letter calling for more aggressive action to limit
global-warming pollution, saying this was a "pro-life" position
dictated by the Gospels. Signers included Rick Warren, author of The
Purpose Driven Life, Rich Stearns, president of World Vision, and Todd
Bassett, national commander of The Salvation Army.
This movement is significant because it takes climate-change activism out
of liberal big cities and green-friendly states like California and into
conservative, red-state America.
Last week's announcement about heating in Virginia came from U.S. Public
Interest Research Group, Wetlands Watch and the Virginia Interfaith
Center for Public Policy and echoed the concern that religious leaders
have already expressed about global warming, but with a focus on
Virginia.
"Another difference is that now there's such a growing network of
consensus in and out of the faith community," says Jim Burke,
co-chair of the Committee on Stewardship of Creation for the Episcopal
Diocese of Virginia. "In the last 18 months, there's been a momentum
that we're in this together."
As a Muslim leader, Imad Damaj, also affiliated with the Interfaith
Center, often finds himself having to answer questions about terrorist
attacks. But now, with the chance to talk about global warming, he says
that it's a big issue for Muslims as it is for other Americans. And Damaj
worries that climate change threatens America's national
security.
"Terrorism is a big issue, but global warming could also be an issue
of national security," says Damaj. "If there's an increase in
the intensity of hurricanes, that means we'd have to be prepared for
worse storms and provide all sorts of measures to protect people's homes
and property and then to rebuild afterwards. This would cost billions of
dollars. We have all sorts of factories and ports, and if affected that
could become a serious national-security issue."
Damaj is president of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs in
Richmond
(
www.vmcpa.org). His
group was founded six years ago to "communicate the truth about the
mercy, peace and justice of Islam" to Muslims and non-Muslims
alike.(MORE)
-----
PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS ALLEGE TORTURE
-
TOP
Three ministers claim Israel used a banned method of interrogation on
them known as the shabah.
Ilene R. Prusher, Christian Science Monitor, 9/18/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0918/p07s02-wome.html
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - A government minister in the Palestinian Authority,
who was arrested and held by Israeli authorities for more than six weeks
this summer, says that during his interrogation he was tied for hours in
a painful position known as the shabah. The technique, which Israeli
security officials had argued was an effective way to put pressure on a
suspect, was banned by Israel's Supreme Court in 1999.
An East Jerusalem lawyer says that two other top-level officials in the
Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, who were arrested in the aftermath of
the June 25 kidnapping by Hamas militants of an Israeli army corporal,
have been subjected to the same treatment. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CAN: OTHERS SEEK ANSWERS, TOO -
TOP
Justice O'Connor releases his report today, amid growing unease among
Muslim and Arab citizens over allegations of Canadian complicity in
detention abroad.
Faisal Kutty, Toronto Star, 9/18/06
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1158357011979&call_pageid=970599119419
Since the tragic events of 9/11, many Muslims and Arabs have been living
in a climate of fear and uncertainty. The draconian and hastily enacted
Anti-Terrorism Act and questionable national security practices have had
a profound effect on their psyche.
Arguably, times have changed. One of the most pressing contemporary
debates in liberal democracies today is whether to trade off rights for
greater security. Seems neutral in theory, but all members of society do
not equally bear this burden. Canadian Muslims/Arabs are increasingly
realizing that trading off rights mean, more specifically, forfeiting
their rights.
"I received a lot of complaints from members of the Muslim
community," says Shirley Heafey, a former chair of the RCMP
complaints commission and former member of the CSIS review committee.
"They had all kinds of stories but most were too afraid to lodge
formal complaints."
Indeed, she said, fully half of those at a community event she addressed
in London during her tenure, had been approached, questioned or harassed
by the RCMP or CSIS.
Showing up at homes and workplaces unannounced at odd hours; speaking
with employers; offering money and favours for "information";
intimidating and threatening newcomers; questioning about specific
institutions and individuals; inquiring about one's religiosity and
discouraging them from consulting lawyers are some of the recurring
themes that we have come across.
The fear is becoming all the more widespread given allegations by at
least nine Canadians - Maher Arar, Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Almaati,
Muayyed Nureddin, Dr. Aly Hindy, Helmy Elsherief, Arward Al-Boushi,
Kassim Mohamed and Dr. Mahboob Khawaja - that they were detained,
questioned and, in some cases, even tortured abroad at the request of, or
with, Canadian complicity.
After much public pressure, the Liberals finally appointed Justice Dennis
O'Connor to look into the allegations by Arar, who was deported to Syria
in 2002 during a transit stop in New York.
The commission, which featured heated verbal sparring between commission
counsel and government lawyers intent on disclosing as little as
possible, is set to release its findings today. (MORE)
[
Faisal Kutty, a lawyer with Kutty, Syed & Mohamed, is counsel
to the
Canadian Council on American Islamic Relations, an
intervener in the Maher Arar Inquiry, and in the more recently
constituted Air India Inquiry.]
SEE ALSO:
U.S. WAR PRISONS LEGAL VACUUM FOR 14,000 -
TOP
Patrick Quinn, Associated Press, 9/17/06
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060917/ap_on_re_mi_ea/in_american_hands
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - In the few short years since the first shackled
Afghan shuffled off to Guantanamo, the U.S. military has created a global
network of overseas prisons, its islands of high security keeping 14,000
detainees beyond the reach of established law.
Disclosures of torture and long-term arbitrary detentions have won rebuke
from leading voices including the U.N. secretary-general and the U.S.
Supreme Court. But the bitterest words come from inside the system, the
size of several major U.S. penitentiaries.
"It was hard to believe I'd get out," Baghdad shopkeeper Amjad
Qassim al-Aliyawi told The Associated Press after his release - without
charge - last month. "I lived with the Americans for one year and
eight months as if I was living in hell."
Captured on battlefields, pulled from beds at midnight, grabbed off
streets as suspected insurgents, tens of thousands now have passed
through U.S. detention, the vast majority in Iraq.
Many say they were caught up in U.S. military sweeps, often interrogated
around the clock, then released months or years later without apology,
compensation or any word on why they were taken. Seventy to 90 percent of
the Iraq detentions in 2003 were ``mistakes,'' U.S. officers once told
the international Red Cross. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/19/06
*
Hadith:
Peace and God's Mercy
*
CAIR Director Discusses Pope's Comments
on PBS 'Newshour'
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims to Meet with
Cardinal (Press-Enterprise)
-
CAIR-MI:
Pope's Comments
Test Dialogue (Detroit News)
-
CAIR-Chicago:
Pope's Comments
Threaten Dialogue (Chicago Trib)
-
CAIR-PA:
Remarks
'Distressful,' Muslim Leader Says
-
CAIR-AZ:
Muslims Extend
Hand (East Valley Trib)
-
OH:
Pope's Past Reveals Other
Affronts to Muslims
-
When Does Criticism of Islam Devolve
into Bigotry?
*
CAIR:
American Muslims Say
Discrimination Is on the Rise (Record)
-
Report:
Record Anti-Muslim
Bias (CBS)
*
CAIR-FL:
Ministers Preach
Against 'Evil' New Mosque
*
Bush Assures Muslims U.S. Not at
War with Islam (AP)
-
Bush:
'If It's About
Christianity Versus Islam, We'll Lose' (AJC)
-
Bush Meets with
Islam-Bashing Radio Host (Media Matters)
*
CA:
L.A. Panel Reaffirms
Muslim's Award (LA Times)
*
New Book:
How Islam Created the
Modern World
*
It's Muslim Boy Meets Girl,
But Don't Call It 'Dating' (NY
Times)
-
DC:
Navy Muslim Chaplain Finds
His Calling in America
-
VA:
Muslim, Jewish
Communities Secure Halal-Kosher Law
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: PEACE AND GOD'S MERCY -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked permission to enter a
house by saying, "peace and God's mercy be upon you," to the
inhabitants. The person in the house replied, "and upon you be peace
and God's mercy," but spoke so softly that the Prophet could not
hear him. The Prophet gave the salutation three times and man responded
three times, but in the same low voice. Because he could not hear a
reply, the Prophet went away without entering the house.
The person in the house later explained his actions to the Prophet. He
said: "You did not give a salutation without my hearing it and
responding to you, but I did not speak loud enough for you to hear
because I wanted to receive many of your salutations and so receive great
blessing." After hearing the explanation, the Prophet entered the
man's house, ate some food, and said: "May the righteous eat your
food, may the angels invoke blessings on you, and may those who have been
fasting break their fast with you."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1132
The Prophet also said: "Eat together and not separately, for the
blessing is associated with the company."
Al-Trimidhi, Hadith 1137
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CAIR DIRECTOR DISCUSSES POPE'S COMMENTS ON
PBS 'NEWSHOUR' -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aZg0VygFQc
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: MUSLIMS TO MEET WITH
CARDINAL -
TOP
An association representing 70 mosques in the region also seeks a
convening of bishops.
Bettye Wells Miller, Press-Enterprise, 9/18/06
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_pope19.38d8b30.html
Leaders of Southern California's Muslim community will meet this week
with Cardinal Roger Mahony in Los Angeles to voice concern about
controversial remarks Pope Benedict XVI made in Germany last week and to
reinforce an interfaith relationship some leaders characterized as
positive.
Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern
California, said leaders attending the meeting also will ask the cardinal
to convene Catholic bishops in the region to further encourage interfaith
discussions. The Shura Council is an association of more than 70 mosques
in Southern California.
A spokesman for Mahony confirmed that the cardinal will hold a private
meeting with Muslim leaders this week. . .
Hussam Ayloush, a Corona resident and executive director of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations' Southern California chapter,
said American Muslims and Catholics have had a good relationship based on
mutual understanding and cooperation.
The meeting with Cardinal Mahony is not intended to debate the theology
of the pope's remarks, he said.
"The point is to reinforce our friendship, that we oppose any
language or action that tends to shake that friendship and
alliance," Ayloush said.
Ayloush and others condemned violent reactions to the pope's
address.
"Someone has to take a step back and diffuse the tension," he
said. "We cannot afford to be pulled away from dialogue and mutual
understanding. The other option is mistrust, hatred and immoral acts of
violence." (MORE)
---
CAIR-MI: POPE'S COMMENTS TEST
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE -
TOP
Dawud Walid, Detroit News, 9/19/06
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/OPINION01/609190305/1008
In a Sept. 12 homily in Germany, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14th-century
Byzantine emperor who criticized the Prophet Mohammed. He has apologized
for reading the statements, "which do not in any way express my
personal thought." The following are reactions from Michigan's
religious community:
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American Islamic
Relations, Michigan chapter: Pope Benedict XVI's comments are
extremely disappointing. It appeared that he was affirming the negative
and historically incorrect statements of the 14th century emperor
concerning Prophet Muhammad.
The pope wields influence that is unequaled among world religious
leaders; hence, he should be extremely sensitive that his comments not
trigger his followers to distance themselves from Muslims in a unhealthy
manner.
Sadly, those who wish to divide the Christian and Muslim worlds will use
his comments in conjunction with the heinous, un-Islamic vandalism of
churches in the West Bank and proclamations of terrorists in Iraq against
the pope as fuel for their concept of the "clash of
civilizations."
It is my hope Metro Detroit's Muslim community will be able to maintain
its close relationship with the Archdiocese of Detroit and use this
opportunity to increase dialogue and education. (MORE)
---
CAIR-CHICAGO: POPE'S
COMMENTS THREATEN DIALOGUE -
TOP
Margaret Ramirez, Chicago Tribune, 9/18/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060918pope-ramirez,1,7229962.story
Despite a rare expression of regret and deep sorrow from Pope Benedict
XVI over his use of an inflammatory 14th Century quote on Islam and
violence, Roman Catholics and Muslims alike said they fear the incident
may damage the increasingly important dialogue between the two world
faiths.
Outrage in the Islamic world over the remarks represents the first crisis
of Benedict's 17-month-old papacy, and the Vatican expanded efforts to
defuse the situation Monday by ordering representatives to discuss the
matter with leaders of Muslim countries. Catholic bishops meeting in
Istanbul said the pope would visit Turkey in November as scheduled,
though several Turkish leaders continued to object.
Even as Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed war on Christianity and violent protests
continued in Syria and Indonesia, some Muslim leaders said the remarks
demonstrated the crucial need for more dialogue between Catholics and
Muslims, and many vowed they would continue such interfaith
efforts.
On Sunday, Benedict issued a carefully worded apology for his remarks,
saying he was "deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a
few passages of my address ... which were considered offensive to the
sensibility of Muslims."
Many Muslim leaders worldwide, as well as some in Chicago, said the
apology was inadequate because it was directed toward the
"reactions" of Muslims and not an actual admission that he had
done wrong. Other Muslim leaders called for further clarification about
the point the pope had intended to make in his speech.
"Pope Benedict's apology is incomplete because it expresses remorse
for Muslim anger to his questionable selection of quotations, rather than
his own poor judgment in choosing them. Yet, we welcome it as a step in
the right direction," said
Ahmed M. Rehab, executive director of
the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations.
"Muslims are still waiting for this pope to reclaim the
reconciliatory path of Muslim-Catholic dialogue Pope John Paul mastered;
when he does, he'll find many willing Muslim partners just as Pope John
Paul did." (MORE)
---
CAIR-PA: REMARKS
'DISTRESSFUL,' MUSLIM LEADER SAYS -
TOP
Mary Warner, Patriot-News, 9/19/06
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1158636319183800.xml&coll=1
A midstate Muslim leader, responding to what he called "extremely
distressful" remarks by Pope Benedict XVI about Islam, called
yesterday for more dialogue between Muslims and Roman Catholics.
"That is our approach," said
Abul Hasan, a Penn State York
professor who is spokesman for the local chapter of the Council of
American Islamic Relations.
Hasan said the violent reaction of some Muslims elsewhere to
Benedict's speech was "the emotional outbursts of people who cannot
control their emotions. ... You cannot defend it in any way."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-AZ: EAST VALLEY MUSLIMS
EXTEND HAND -
TOP
Lawn Griffiths, East Valley Tribune, 9/19/06
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=74430
Roman Catholics have an open invitation to spend an evening at any of the
Valley's 14 mosques when Muslims' holy month of Ramadan begins Saturday,
and it could serve to mend fences in the aftermath of comments by Pope
Benedict XVI.
Many Muslims say the pope insulted their religion last week by
referencing old texts to describe Islam as "evil and inhuman"
and gaining converts at the end of swords.
"We were quite upset about the remarks . . . but we are pushing
Muslims and Catholics worldwide to take this opportunity to engage in
dialogue with each other," said
Bushra Khan, spokeswoman for the
Arizona chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.
(MORE)
---
OH: POPE'S PAST REVEALS OTHER CASES
OF AFFRONTS TO MUSLIMS -
TOP
Gwynne Dyer, Columbus Dispatch, 9/19/06
http://www.dispatch.com/editorials-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/19/20060919-A9-01.html
On a scale of 1 to 10, Pope Benedict XVI's first attempt at an apology
was barely a 3. He said nothing himself, but on Saturday Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, told the world that
"The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may
have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim
believers."
That didn't stop the protests that have been building in the Muslim world
since the Pope gave the speech on Sept. 12 to an academic audience in
Germany, so on Sunday he tried again. Speaking from his summer residence
at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, he said: "I am deeply sorry for
the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the
University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the
sensibility of Muslims."
That won't stop the protests either, because he really isn't sorry for
what he said. He's sorry for "the reactions in some countries"
to his remarks, but he implicitly stands by what he said in Regensburg.
So is the new pope really anti-Muslim?
After the 9/11 attacks five years ago, the former Cardinal Ratzinger told
Vatican Radio that "it is important not to attribute simplistically
what happened to Islam." But then he added that "the history of
Islam also contains a tendency to violence." True enough, but
Christianity has its own history of violence: the Crusades, the
Inquisition, the religious wars that devastated Europe in the 16th and
17th centuries and several other detours from the path of peace and
tolerance.
Just before he became pope last year, Benedict declared that Turkey
should not be allowed into the European Union because its Islamic culture
is incompatible with the "Christian" culture of Europe. But the
real case for the prosecution rests on his invitation to Italian
journalist Oriana Fallaci to visit him at Castel Gandolfo last
September.
It certainly wasn't a religious visit, since Fallaci, who died last week,
was an atheist, and her fame as a war correspondent and interviewer was
decades behind her. But she carved out a second career as the most
extreme anti-Muslim writer in Europe, producing two best-selling books
since 2002 that vilified Muslims as dirty subhumans who multiply
"like rats," and portraying Islam as an irrational religion
that breeds hatred.
The title of her second-to-last book, the one that presumably inspired
the pope's invitation, was The Force of Reason, whose core argument was
that the West is rational and reasonable, whereas Muslims aren't. And
there was Benedict in Germany last week, saying exactly the same thing.
What a coincidence. (MORE)
---
THE JIHAD AGAINST MUSLIMS -
TOP
When does criticism of Islam devolve into bigotry?
Cathy Young, Reason Online, June 2006
http://www.reason.com/0606/co.cy.the.shtml
Few supporters of the War on Terror voiced grief at the death of Slobodan
Milosevic, the Serbian leader who instigated the brutal "ethnic
cleansing" campaigns in Croatia and Bosnia. Some, such as the
editorialists at The Wall Street Journal, used the occasion to declare
that U.S. intervention in Kosovo was unquestionably right and to attempt
an analogy with the war in Iraq. But there were exceptions. In some
"anti-jihadist" circles, the Butcher of the Balkans was mourned
as a misunderstood hero in the war against the Muslims.
On March 12, the group blog Infidel Bloggers Alliance ran an item titled
"Memorable moment in the Milosevic trial." It described,
without further comment, an episode in which Milosevic tried to portray
himself as fighting the same forces of terrorism now threatening the
West. Co-bloggers chimed in with such comments as "Wouldn't it be
strange if Milosevic ends up being remembered by history as a hero and a
kind of prophet?" and "Ever since 9/11, one question after
another about whether we were on the wrong side in the Bosnian conflict
has come up. The only thing you can trust a Muslim to be is a
Muslim." (Including, it seems, the famously secularized and
nonradical Bosnian Muslims, some 100,000 of whom died in Milosevic's
assaults of the 1990s.) Similar attitudes, somewhat less stridently
expressed, could be found on Jihad Watch, FrontPage, and other popular
right-wing sites.
Words like Islamophobia and phrases like anti-Muslim bigotry are bandied
about too liberally, often applied to those who merely criticize
fanatical Islamic radicalism or point out the deep-seated problems in
much of Muslim culture today. But the real thing does exist, and it
frequently takes the cover of anti-jihadism.
Jihad Watch-a fixture on the blogrolls of MichelleMalkin.com and Little
Green Footballs, two of the most popular right-wing blogs-traffics fairly
openly in such stuff. After the sister of Mohammed Taheri-Azar, the
Iranian-born young man who had plowed his car into a crowd of students in
North Carolina this March, expressed shock at her brother's act,
contributor Hugh Fitzgerald commented, "Why should Infidels take a
chance, if the likelihood of their being able to distinguish the
'moderate' from the 'immoderate' Muslim is even slimmer than that of the
closest relatives of those Muslims found to have engaged in…acts of
terrorism?"
Fitzgerald's phrasing may be fuzzy, but his sentiment is clear: All
Muslims are a threat. Indeed, in another post Fitzgerald asserted that
any Muslim who claims Islam's teachings have been distorted by terrorists
is "objectively furthering the Jihad"-and that a moderate
Muslim who has not renounced Islam is still dangerous because his
children may revert to the extremist form of the religion.
Is Islam inherently more intolerant and violent than other faiths? That's
a complex question that many scholars, and many Muslim reformers, have
grappled with for years. Because of the historical circumstances in which
Islam emerged, its scriptures include many passages mandating armed
struggle against "unbelievers," ostensibly in response to
oppression or persecution of Muslims. Other parts of the Koran, however,
explicitly discourage aggression and counsel moderation in the struggle.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR: AMERICAN
MUSLIMS SAY DISCRIMINATION IS ON THE RISE -
TOP
John Chadwick, North Jersey Record, 9/19/06
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTk0MTI4JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==
A record number of American Muslims said they were victims of
discrimination in 2005, a national Islamic group said Monday.
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations said it received nearly
2,000 civil rights complaints, ranging from reports of physical violence
to mosque desecration to verbal abuse.
The numbers, released in a 46-page report by the council, are the highest
in the agency's 12-year history and reflect a 30 percent jump from
2004.
The report comes five years after 9/11 at a time when public opinion
polls show a growing public unease with Muslims and Islam.
"It is apparent that post-9/11 backlash against Muslims, Arabs and
South Asians continues to be a societal problem," the report said.
"With the recent renewal ... of the infamous USA Patriot Act, it is
imperative for our society to ensure that all Americans are treated
equally under the law."
In New Jersey, home to an estimated 300,000 Muslims, the number of
complaints -- 70 -- represented an increase of one from 2004, but was
enough to make the state the 10th highest in the nation.
And, some of the complaints attracted national attention -- including an
incident in which several Muslim men were detained at a Giants football
game in the Meadowlands after they were seen praying in a
corridor.
The report said the most common complaint, about 17 percent, was what it
called due process violations and included improper arrest, detentions
and interrogations.
Some of the more serious cases in the report include the pipe bombing of
a Cincinnati mosque, and the firing of 50 shots at two cars at a
Philadelphia mosque.
Arsalan Iftikhar, the author of the report, described a second New
Jersey case in which a man who worked in Wayne was harassed by his
co-workers after they found religious books on his desk. The books were
thrown in the trash, and a co-worker declared, "These [expletive]
books don't belong here!" (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
REPORT: RECORD ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS
-
TOP
CBS NEWS, 9/19/06
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/19/national/main2022395.shtml
-----
CAIR-FL: BLACK MINISTERS PREACH
AGAINST 'EVIL' NEW MOSQUE -
TOP
Coalition to Distribute Comic Strip Booklet About 'Islamic Fascism'
Local 10, 9/19/06
http://www.local10.com/news/9883283/detail.html
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- A coalition of ministers led by the Rev. O'Neal
Dozier plan to distribute comic strip booklets about the Islam religion,
which they believe "teaches evil and hatred," in opposition to
a zoning change that allows the Islamic Center of South Florida to begin
construction on a new mosque in a predominantly black community.
The city council voted 3-2 in June to change the zoning of the proposed
site from residential to commercial, allowing the Islamic Center to erect
a larger mosque on undeveloped land on Northwest 16th Avenue.
Dozier, who is black, said he hopes the booklets he and his religious
peers plan to distribute Saturday morning will "educate the public
concerning the Islamic fascism."
Although the booklets are comic strips, the message they deliver is
serious.
"This guy leaves a briefcase there and then he runs out, and the
briefcase happens to have a bomb in it, so it blows up not only the
building that he placed the bomb (in), but the entire city block,"
Dozier said as he described one of the comic strips.
Altaf Ali, executive director of the Council of American Islamic
Relations, called Dozier a "bigot" and
"prejudice."
"I think his information and knowledge of Islam is very
limited," Ali said. (MORE)
-----
BUSH ASSURES MUSLIMS U.S. NOT AT WAR
WITH ISLAM -
TOP
President Bush calls for a more peaceful, tolerant and democratic Middle
East without terror
Nedra Pickler, Associated Press, 9/19/06
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060919-0947-bush.html
UNITED NATIONS Sep 19, 2006 (AP) - President Bush on Tuesday appealed
directly to Muslims to assure them that the United States is not waging
war with Islam as he laid out a vision for peace in the Middle East
before skeptical world leaders at the United Nations.
On the sidelines, Bush pressed Iran to return at once to international
talks on its nuclear program and threatened consequences if they do
not.
But his speech to the United Nations General Assembly was less
confrontational and aimed at building bridges with people in the Middle
East angry with the United States.
"My country desires peace," Bush told world leaders in the
cavernous main hall at the U.N. "Extremists in your midst spread
propaganda claiming that the West is engaged in a war against Islam. This
propaganda is false and its purpose is to confuse you and justify acts of
terror. We respect Islam."
Addressing Iraqis specifically, Bush said, "We will not abandon you
in your struggle to build a free nation."
Bush said Iran "must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was scheduled to speak to the body
later Tuesday, but he was not at the country's table in the hall when
Bush spoke.
Speaking to Iranians, Bush said their country's future has been clouded
because "your rulers have chosen to deny you liberty and to use your
nation's resources to fund terrorism and fuel extremism and pursue
nuclear weapons."
On the crisis in Sudan's violence-wracked region of Darfur, Bush
delivered strong warnings to both the United Nations and the Sudanese
government, saying that both must act now to avert further humanitarian
crisis. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BUSH: 'IF IT'S ABOUT
CHRISTIANITY VERSUS ISLAM, WE'LL LOSE' -
TOP
Atlanta Journal, 9/17/06
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2006/09/17/an_evening_with_ann_and_lynn.html
First, Coulter found herself in the uncharacteristic position of being
upstaged by her introducer, Mike Gallagher.
He told the audience he was fresh back from an hour-and-45-minute session
which President Bush held in the Oval Office Friday afternoon with him
and four other conservative talk show hosts: Atlanta's
Neal
Boortz, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity and Michael Medved. Rush
Limbaugh couldn't make it, he said.
Though he said this session was supposed to be off the record, Gallagher
described it at some length, including Bush's observation to the
right-wing radio jocks that the War on Terror has to be about right
versus wrong, "because if it's about Christianity versus Islam,
we'll lose."
---
BUSH MEETS WITH RADIO HOST WHO
CALLED ISLAM RELIGION OF 'VIOLENT, BLOODTHIRSTY CRETINS' -
TOP
Media Matters, 7/20/06
http://mediamatters.org/items/200607200012
Neal Boortz claimed that
"at its core," Islam is a
"violent, violent religion," called
"this Muhammad
guy. . .just a phony rag-picker," and asserted that
"[i]t is perfectly legitimate, perhaps even praiseworthy, to
recognize Islam as a religion of vicious, violent, bloodthirsty
cretins." (MORE)
-----
CA: L.A. PANEL REAFFIRMS MUSLIM'S
AWARD -
TOP
But controversy shrank commission's support, and abstentions outnumber
yes votes.
Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 9/19/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-muslim19sep19,1,5066150.story
The Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission voted Monday to
reaffirm its selection of Muslim leader Maher Hathout for a human
relations award, ending a bitter, two-week battle that many lamented has
seriously set back the region's Muslim-Jewish relations.
After a hearing marked by vitriolic name-calling and the expulsion of one
unruly audience member, only four of the 14 commission members voted to
support Hathout, chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California
and the first Muslim to receive the county's John Allen Buggs Award. Five
members abstained; four were absent.
Hathout said he was not concerned by so many abstentions and called the
vote a victory for free speech, inclusiveness and a rejection of the
"tactics of intimidation."
"We will not allow untouchable and sacred cows in the midst of our
democracy," said Hathout, referring to Israel. He added that he was
accepting the award for the "Jews, Christians, Buddhists, atheists
and Muslims" who supported him.
The furious fight over what has normally been a quiet award selection
process was sparked when some Jewish groups charged that Hathout, a
70-year-old retired cardiologist, was a closet extremist who denounced
Israel as an apartheid state and was soft on terrorism. Their opposition
prompted the commission to reopen its July decision selecting
Hathout.
Hathout's supporters, who spanned a wide ethnic and religious spectrum,
called him a pioneer in promoting moderation, tolerance and
understanding.
The Muslim leader, in remarks before the commission vote, offered to meet
in a dialogue with critics and expressed regrets for harsh language
toward Israel. (MORE)
-----
NEW BOOK BRINGS EAST AND WEST TOGETHER
-
TOP
Beltsville, MD, September 10, 2006: Amana Publications has just released
its newest selection, "How Islam Created the Modern World,"
written by award-winning author Mark Graham. In the Middle Ages, while
Europe was mired in superstition and feudal chaos, Baghdad was the
intellectual center of the world. "How Islam Created the Modern
World" tells the story of how a religion many have come to see as
barbaric and anti-modern built an empire of wealth and splendor the like
of which the world had never seen. At the dawn of the Renaissance,
Christian
Europe was wearing Persian clothes, singing Arab songs, reading Spanish
Muslim philosophy and eating off Mamluk Turkish brassware.
To order the book from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Islam-Created-Modern-World/dp/1590080432/sr=8-1/qid=1157638890/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0126589-7657723?ie=UTF8&s=books
To order the book directly from Amana Publications:
http://www.amana-publications.com/order_form2.shtml
If you'd like more information on the book or to schedule an interview
with Mark Graham, please contact Amana Publications at (301) 595-5777 or
email
amana@igprinting.com
-----
IT'S MUSLIM BOY MEETS GIRL, YES,
BUT PLEASE DON'T CALL IT DATING -
TOP
Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 9/19/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/us/19dating.html
CHICAGO - So here's the thing about speed dating for Muslims.
Many American Muslims - or at least those bent on maintaining certain
conservative traditions - equate anything labeled "dating" with
hellfire, no matter how short a time is involved. Hence the wildly
popular speed dating sessions at the largest annual Muslim conference in
North America were given an entirely more respectable label. They were
called the "matrimonial banquet."
"If we called it speed dating, it will end up with real
dating," said Shamshad Hussain, one of the organizers,
grimacing.
Both the banquet earlier this month and various related seminars
underscored the difficulty that some American Muslim families face in
grappling with an issue on which many prefer not to assimilate. One
seminar, called "Dating," promised attendees helpful hints for
"Muslim families struggling to save their children from
it."
The couple of hundred people attending the dating seminar burst out
laughing when Imam Muhamed Magid of the Adams Center, a collective of
seven mosques in Virginia, summed up the basic instructions that Muslim
American parents give their adolescent children, particularly males:
"Don't talk to the Muslim girls, ever, but you are going to marry
them. As for the non-Muslim girls, talk to them, but don't ever bring one
home."
"These kids grew up in America, where the social norm is that it is
O.K. to date, that it is O.K. to have sex before marriage," Imam
Magid said in an interview. "So the kids are caught between the
ideal of their parents and the openness of the culture on this
issue."
The questions raised at the seminar reflected just how pained many
American Muslims are by the subject. One middle-aged man wondered if
there was anything he could do now that his 32-year-old son had declared
his intention of marrying a (shudder) Roman Catholic. A young man asked
what might be considered going too far when courting a Muslim
woman.
Panelists warned that even seemingly innocuous e-mail exchanges or online
dating could topple one off the Islamic path if one lacked vigilance.
"All of these are traps of the Devil to pull us in and we have no
idea we are even going that way," said Ameena Jandali, the moderator
of the dating seminar.
Hence the need to come up with acceptable alternatives in North America,
particularly for families from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, where
there is a long tradition of arranged marriages. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DC: NAVY MUSLIM CHAPLAIN FINDS HIS
CALLING IN AMERICA -
TOP
Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service, 9/18/06
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,113901,00.html
Washington D.C. - Newly promoted Navy Lt. Cmdr. Abuhena M. Saifulislam
had always wanted to serve Islam, even as a young boy growing up in
Bangladesh.
"Islam is not just a religion to Muslims. It is a way of life,"
Saifulislam said. "That's how I was brought up."
Saifulislam, now 44, realized his dream. Today, he tends to
servicemembers' spiritual needs as the second Muslim chaplain
commissioned in the U.S. Navy. His current duty station is Marine Corps
Base Quantico, Va.
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England promoted Saifulislam during a
Sept. 11 Pentagon ceremony.
Saifulislam also received a Joint Service Commendation Medal, his second,
for his work this June at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There,
he performed death rites for three Muslim detainees who'd committed
suicide.
The Muslim chaplain was also at Guantanamo when the detention facility
first opened in early 2001. He was the only Muslim chaplain there at the
time, he recalled, and he set up the diet and prayer regimes for the
detainees.
Saifulislam took an indirect path to his current calling.
He immigrated to the United States in 1989, after earning a Master's
degree in commerce in Bangladesh. He enlisted in the Navy as a payroll
specialist in 1992 with dreams of becoming an officer - something he
couldn't yet do because he wasn't a U.S. citizen.
Saifulislam became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1995. Three years later,
he signed up for a chaplain's candidate program that offered a commission
as well as a way to serve his fellow Muslims' spiritual needs.
"When I came to America I realized that I had to make an effort to
be faithful to my religion," he said.
People shouldn't associate the worship of Islam with the so-called
religious theology espoused by terrorists like Osama bin Laden,
Saifulislam said. "Terrorism has no religion, and no religion
condones terrorism," he said. "These terrorists just happen to
be Muslims."
Saifulislam's personal loyalty is firmly aligned with his adopted
country, he said, noting his 6-year-old daughter was born in the United
States. (MORE)
---
VA: MUSLIM, JEWISH
COMMUNITIES SECURE HALAL-KOSHER LABELING LAW -
TOP
Diverse communities in Virginia work to further common interests
Michael Jay Friedman, Washington File, 9/18/06
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=September&x=20060918162613jmnamdeirf0.1142389
Muslim and Jewish communities in the state of Virginia successfully have
lobbied for enactment of a halal/kosher labeling statute. The new
Virginia law requires that any food offered for sale as kosher or halal
be labeled with the name of the person or organization certifying the
item kosher or halal. Violations are punishable by a $500 fine.
Observant Muslims and Jews observe similar, but not identical, dietary
restrictions. These practices -- halal for Muslims and kashrut (kosher)
for Jews -- forbid consumption of certain foods and regulate how animals
may be slaughtered. Trained individuals and organizations ensure
compliance with these standards and permit vendors to affix their symbol
of compliance on the product packaging.
In the United States, the "Crescent M" is a leading halal
certification symbol. There are a number of common kosher symbols, or
hekhshers.
Legal issues arise when state governments' legitimate desire to protect
their citizens from fraud bumps up against the constitutional prohibition
against laws "respecting an establishment of
religion."
In recent years, the courts have invalidated laws that use religious
standards to categorize food products. The New Jersey Supreme Court, for
example, in 1996 declared unconstitutional regulations that defined
kosher as complying with "Orthodox Jewish law." That
definition, the court held, "impose[s] substantive religious
standards … and authorize[s] civil enforcement of those religious
standards with the assistance of clergy, directly and substantially
entangling government in religious matters."
After that decision, several states enacted laws that focus not on
whether food meets religious standards but instead on fraudulent
labeling. These laws typically require those who represent their food as
kosher or halal to make public names and other information about the
certifying authority. These measures allow consumers to decide for
themselves whether a particular item comports with their dietary
code.
The growing Muslim community in Virginia "had little recourse if
food labeled halal turned out not to be genuine," civic leader Imad
Damaj told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The onus fell on the consumer,
Muneer A. Baig, vice president of the nonprofit Muslim Association of
America, told to the Washington File. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/20/06
*
Verse:
The Middle Way
*
Reminder:
CAIR D.C. Banquet November
18
*
CAIR Asks Muslims to
Help Repair Damaged Churches
*
CAIR:
Pope has Veered
Away from Interfaith Efforts (Balt Sun)
-
CAIR-CA:
Local
Religious Leaders React to Pope
-
FL Muslims Decry Anti-Pope
Violence (Orlando Sentinel)
-
Pope Mistaken on Islam and
Reason (Time)
-
TN:
Muslims Call for Dialogue Over
Pope's Comments
-
CT:
Islamic Leader Decries
Violence
*
CAIR-NY to Participate in
Racial Profiling Event
-
CAIR-CA:
NJ Woman Tries to Provide
Chic Muslim Women's Clothes
-
CAIR-FL:
Threat Case Dropped
(SP Times)
-
CAIR-CT:
Faith Leaders Call
Torture Immoral (Courant)
-
CAIR-CA:
Town Hall Meeting with Law
Enforcement Agencies
*
US May Ban Sale of Cluster Bombs to
Israel (Independent)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: THE MIDDLE WAY -
TOP
"And thus have We 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."
Holy Quran, 2:143
-----
REMINDER: CAIR D.C. BANQUET NOVEMBER 18 -
TOP
CAIR's 12th annual banquet will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2006,
in Arlington, Va. This year's theme will be "American Muslims:
Connecting and Sharing."
-----
CAIR ASKS MUSLIMS TO HELP
REPAIR DAMAGED CHURCHES -
TOP
Palestinian churches damaged following Pope's comments on Islam
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/20/2006) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) today called on Muslims in America and worldwide to donate to help
repair Palestinian churches damaged following recent remarks by Pope
Benedict XVI perceived as critical of Islam and the Prophet
Muhammad.
SEE: Churches Targeted Over Pope's Comments
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/nation/15541943.htm
CAIR is urging Muslims to help repair the churches in the West Bank and
Gaza by sending a donation to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
SEE:
http://www.cnewa.org/ (Earmark
donations for: "Palestine Damaged Churches")
On Thursday, September 21, CAIR's Florida office will hold a news
conference at the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg to deliver
seed money to repair the churches.
WHAT: CAIR-FL to Deliver Seed Money for Repair of Palestinian
Churches
WHEN: Thursday, September 21, 2006, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, 6363 9th Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, Florida
CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier,
813-731-9506
"Our campaign is designed to send the message that attacks on any
houses of worship are not acceptable and will not be tolerated,"
said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier.
In a statement released following the Pope's remarks, CAIR called for
increased dialogue and outreach efforts aimed at building better
relations between Christianity and Islam. CAIR's statement read in part:
"Let us all continue the interfaith efforts promoted by the late
Pope John Paul II, who made great strides in bringing Muslims and
Catholics together for the common good."
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
-----
CAIR: POPE NEEDS TO REFOCUS,
CRITICS SAY -
TOP
He has veered away from interfaith efforts, some say
Liz F. Kay, Baltimore Sun, 9/20/06
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.pope20sep20,0,6467396.story
When Pope Benedict XVI was elected almost 18 months ago, some people
within and outside the Roman Catholic Church predicted that his
background would shift the papacy away from the interfaith outreach that
was the legacy of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
They say the flap over Pope Benedict's comments regarding Islam and the
Prophet Muhammad support their predictions and illustrate the need for
him to recognize that he has grown from high-ranking Vatican official to
the dominant face of the Catholic Church.
"I think his problem is that he's a German academic who hasn't
realized yet he's a pope," said the Rev. Thomas J. Reese of the
Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.
"There's certain things that an academic can say and have
intellectual, unemotional discussions of. ... He's an extremely bright
man, but he doesn't have any street smarts."
Before becoming pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger focused on protecting
Christianity as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, a position in which he became known as a hard-line enforcer of
church orthodoxy.
"He's not as political or diplomatic as was John Paul II," said
Frank J. Coppa, a professor of history at St. John's University in New
York. "He's more theologically oriented than he is diplomatically
oriented." . . .
The conflict stemmed from the pope's comments to scholars at Germany's
University of Regensberg last week. He included a quote from a
14th-century text that referred to some teachings of the Prophet Mohammed
as "evil and inhuman."
Government and religious leaders from Muslim countries immediately called
for the Vatican to apologize. Protests and some violence have broken out
in Pakistan and elsewhere. The pope has since expressed regret for the
outrage the speech had caused, but there has been neither a specific
apology nor a retraction.
Muslim leaders in the United States say they are concerned about the
direction of the church's relationship with Muslims.
"When you compare his efforts to reach out to the Muslims to
those of the previous pope, there's a lot to be desired," said
Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director of the Council of
American-Islamic Relations. "We hope that the incident is not a
signal of things yet to come.
"Unfortunately, these most recent remarks are harming relations
that were built up over years."
In the United States, local Catholic leaders have agreed to meet with
representatives of the Muslim community, Hooper said. Cardinal Roger
Mahony, the archbishop of Los Angeles, agreed to meet with a council
representing 70 mosques in Southern California. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: LOCAL
RELIGIOUS LEADERS REACT TO POPE -
TOP
Jonathan Jones, Inside Bay Area, 9/20/06
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_4366178
Pope Benedict XVI hoped to stimulate a frank and sincere dialogue on
religion between Islam and Christianity.
But by quoting the view of a 14th century Christian emperor that
characterized some of Islam's teachings as "evil" and
"inhuman," he seems to have stimulated more fury than
discourse.
The Rev. Jeffrey R. Keyes, a priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in
Newark, noted that most of the reaction is based on what was quoted in
the media, rather than the totality of his address on the relationship
between faith, religion and science. (The entire transcript of the pope's
Sept. 12 speech at the University of Regensburg can be viewed on the
Vatican Web site, http://www.vatican.va ).
"This was not doctrine, not a homily, not encyclicals, not
apostolic," Keyes said. "This (speech) has no status in terms
of the Catholic faith. This was an academic discussion about faith and
reason." . . .
Mohammad Rajabally, former president of the Islamic Society of the East
Bay, said he recognizes that the pope was quoting a 14th century emperor.
But he said it is still frustrating to hear those comments when many
moderate Muslims are working to prevent extremists from representing
their faith. . .
"Senseless burnings and killings, that is not the way of
Islam," Rajabally added. "What we're seeing is 'mobbish
Muslims' who are taking the law into their own hands. We don't want that.
We want to have an intellectual dialogue with the pope."
Sameena Usman, public relations director for the Council on American
Islamic Relations in the San Francisco Bay Area, agreed.
"It's so frustrating. It is not Islamic to destroy churches and
burn effigies," Usman said. "At the same time, as the pope,
he's one of the most influential people in today's world. Whatever he
says has great impact, so it's crucial to be accurate and careful that
what he's saying does not hurt the relationship (between Muslims and
Catholics)." (MORE)
---
CAIR-FL: CENTRAL FLORIDA
MUSLIMS DECRY ANTI-POPE VIOLENCE -
TOP
The remarks and the mayhem are `hurtful to Muslims and non-Muslims,' they
say.
Mark I. Pinsky, Orlando Sentinel, 9/20/06
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-muslimreact06sep20,0,5140934.story
While upset and in some cases insulted by Pope Benedict XVI's recent
remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, Central Florida Muslims are also
appalled by the violent and threatening reactions around the
world.
In a speech last week, the pontiff quoted a 14th-century Byzantine
emperor, who declared that Muhammad brought "things only evil and
inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he
preached." After a firestorm of protests, Benedict and Vatican
spokesmen issued several expressions of regret and clarifications, which
many Muslims said have fallen far short of the apology they thought was
due.
"What was the point of saying it at that time?" asked
Abdelrahman Zeini, 26, a law student at Florida A&M University
College of Law in Orlando. "I was shocked at the words. But I wanted
to reserve judgment because that is what I [would want] others to do for
Muslims."
Both the comments and the attacks were "hurtful to Muslims and
non-Muslims," said Longwood business owner Muhammad Kermalli, 32.
"The pope's comments and any violent reactions . . . were likely
based more on emotional motives than religion."
In particular, Central Florida Muslims rejected and condemned the angry
street demonstrations, the killing of an Italian nun in Somalia, the
burning of churches in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and threats against
the pontiff.
"I was shocked and disgusted," said Zeini, a native of Egypt
who has been in the U.S. for 13 years. . .
Even before the most recent controversy, local Muslims paid tens of
thousands of dollars for an anti-terrorism advertising campaign,
including 30-second radio spots and five billboards.
The signs read, "Islam Condemns Terrorism & Terrorists
PERIOD!" and were paid for by a group called United Muslims of
America, organized by the Islamic Society of Central Florida.
"I hope people are reading them," said Imam Muhammad Musri,
president of the society. "We are always accused of not saying loud
and clear that we condemn terrorists and terrorism. We want Muslims in
other cities to do this." (MORE)
---
DOES ISLAM FLOUT REASON? WHY THE
POPE'S CASE IS A FLIMSY ONE -
TOP
Viewpoint: The issue is important, but Benedict has presented neither the
evidence nor insight to make his argument stick
David Van Biema, Time, 9/19/06
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1536581,00.html
In a viewpoint entitled "The Pontiff Has a Point" in this
week's TIME, the headline on the piece by TIME's Rome correspondent Jeff
Israely announces that Pope Benedict's "take on Islam," as
propounded in his controversial speech last week in Regensburg, Germany,
raises "tough truths." In the part of the speech that has
become famous, the Pope was actually putting forth only one central
"truth"- certainly a provocative one-that Christianity is
beholden to reason while Islam is not. My own viewpoint is that this
supposed "truth" rings false in a number of ways.
But wait! Didn't the Pope apologize Sunday for the speech?
Well, he did and he didn't. He issued a statement saying that he is
"deeply sorry for the reactions" of some Muslims. More
specifically, he distanced himself from a 15th-century Byzantine emperor
he quoted. Emperor Manuel II Paleologos's line that "Show me just
what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only
evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he
preached," the Pope explained, does not "in any way express my
personal thought." And he refers offended Muslims to a previous
apology by the Vatican Secretary of State, who said that Benedict had
meant only "to undertake... certain reflections on the theme of the
relationships between religion and violence in general."
Maybe so. But to my eye, it seems that the part of Benedict's speech that
deals with religious violence extends beyond Manuel's statement and is
precisely a slap at Islam. The truly problematic text, in fact, is a
mixture of quotes from the Byzantine emperor, his German translator
Theodore Khoury, a medieval Muslim scholar named Ibn Hazm, and the Pope's
own musings. In combination, they seem to suggest that Islam's idea of
God is so oblivious to the virtue of reason that it tolerates unthinking
violence in Allah's name.
It goes like this. Benedict quotes Khoury as saying that Islam
understands God as "absolutely transcendent," so much so that
the deity's "will is not bound up with any of our categories, even
rationality." The Pope then quotes Khoury quoting "a noted
French Islamist" paraphrasing Ibn Hazm, who lived in Cordoba during
the 11th century, saying that "God is not bound even by his own
word, and that nothing would oblige him to reveal the truth to us."
Got that? It's a lot of attribution, but I think that my colleague is
correct when he concludes that "the risk [Benedict] sees implicit in
this concept of the divine is that the irrationality of violence might
thereby appear to be justified to somebody who believes it is God's
will." (MORE)
---
TN: MEMPHIS MUSLIMS CALL FOR DIALOGUE
OVER POPE'S COMMENTS ON ISLAM -
TOP
ABC 24, 9/19/06
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=DC42F940-1BA5-4DA6-B445-B1E7C4F99922
The Muslim Society of Memphis is calling for an increased dialogue
between local Muslims and Christians over the controversy sparked by
remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI.
In an address on Tuesday, September 12, the Pope quoted a 14th century
Christian emperor saying, "Show me just what Muhammad brought that
was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as
his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." The Pope
went on to speak about Jihad and Holy War.
Local Muslims are urging Mid-Southerners of all faiths to learn more
about Islam and about the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad. A
Muslim Open House will be held Sunday, September 24 at 1: 45 p.m. at the
Muslim Society of Memphis. It is located at 1065 Stratford Road in
Memphis. For more information, call 901-849-0440.
---
CT: ISLAMIC LEADER DECRIES
VIOLENCE -
TOP
Danbury-area clergy say pope's remarks were taken out of context
John Pirro, News-Times
http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1015433
While Pope Benedict XVI exhibited a shocking lapse of judgment by
"quoting bigots from what are appropriately called the Dark
Ages," a local Islamic leader Tuesday said the violent reaction to
the pope's words in parts of the Muslim world "smacks of
insanity."
"The Islamic Society of Western Connecticut wishes to express
outrage at the violence resulting from Pope Benedict's remarks last
week," said Mohammed Akhtar, president of the society. "These
are not the standards Islam set, certainly not the type of behavior
Prophet Muhammad ever condoned."
-----
CAIR-NY TO PARTICIPATE IN A RACIAL
PROFILING EVENT -
TOP
(NEW YORK, NY, 9/20/06) - On Thursday, September 21, the Association of
Muslim American Lawyers ("AMAL") will host "Racial
Profiling Post 9/11: The Evolution of Sanctioned Prejudice". This
presentation has been triggered by the recent comments made by
politicians such as Dov Hikind, Peter King and John Faso in favor of
racial profiling and the recent increase in complaints of racial
profiling at airports.
AMAL will examine how racial profiling has become the norm since 9/11 and
why we should speak out against it. At a time when racial profiling is
deemed to be "common sense", it is imperative that society
reassess the direction of our public policy.
WHAT: Racial Profiling Post 9/11: The Evolution of Sanctioned
Prejudice
WHEN: Thursday, September 21, 2006 6 p.m.
WHERE: New York University Kimmel Center Room 914, 60 Washington Square
South, New York, New York 10012
CONTACT: Afsheen Shamsi, Communications Director, 212-870-2002
The FBI, ACLU, NYCLU, the Center for Constitutional Rights and CAIR-NY
will participate in the discussion.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: SHORE WOMAN TRIES TO PROVIDE
CHIC MUSLIM WOMEN'S CLOTHES -
TOP
Kevin Penton, Asbury Park Press, 9/20/06
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/BUSINESS/609200333/1003/NEWS03
Young Muslim women don't always have it easy when they decide to go out
shopping for clothes in the United States.
For those who fall between needing to cover all of their bodies with a
burqa and wearing contemporary clothing, with its revealing features,
finding something chic at the mall that also covers their arms and legs
can be a challenge.
Brooke Samad hopes to fill that niche with her new clothing line,
Marabo.
Working out of a room in her Atlantic Highlands home, the 27-year-old
designs clothes that are comparable to fashions at stores such as Banana
Republic or J. Crew but also respect the Islamic need to dress
conservatively.
"My friends and I have always had a frustrating time shopping,"
Samad said. "So I decided to do something about it." . .
.
She is selling the clothes exclusively on
www.maraboonline.com, her Web
site, but dreams of one day seeing her line overseas.
"Everyone who comes into contact with my clothes reacts
positively," Samad said. "The key now is getting more people to
see it."
Sameena Usman, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nonprofit Islamic advocacy
group, said Islam generally requires women to dress modestly, keeping
everything but their hands and faces covered when in public.
A woman's cultural background tends to dictate whether she will dress
modestly by wearing more traditional Eastern clothing or by wearing
Western clothing that covers the parts of her body that her religion does
not allow to be seen by other than close family members, she
said.
Given that younger Muslim women in the United States looking to dress in
more Western clothing don't tend to live in one specific neighborhood, as
older generations or immigrants do, clothing stores that cater to them
tend to be found online, Usman said.
"These types of stores have been seen more and more in the last 10
years," Usman said. "I think they are great for younger women
who struggle to shop for something that fits them." (MORE)
---
CAIR-FL: THREAT CASE DROPPED -
TOP
The defendant was accused of saying he would blow up USF's soccer
coach.
Justin George, St. Petersburg Times, 9/20/06
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/20/Hillsborough/Threat_case_dropped.shtml
TAMPA - For more than seven months, Nabil Mouad has sat in a Hillsborough
County jail cell, initially isolated from the general
population.
Guards thought charges lodged against him could make other inmates think
he was a terrorist.
But in a five-minute hearing Tuesday, a prosecutor dropped the case
against Mouad, 20, accused of threatening to blow up the University of
South Florida soccer coach.
Behind the dismissal was the coach, George Kiefer, who didn't want the
schizophrenic man to go to prison, Mouad defense attorney Lyann Goudie
said.
He had been charged with threatening to discharge a destructive device
and assault on a specified official or employee.
"It isn't that they didn't take the threats seriously; they took the
threats seriously," Goudie said of university officials. "They
just didn't believe him to be a terrorist."
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement now plans to deport Mouad to
Morocco, though Goudie didn't know when. His temporary visa has
expired.
Mouad is Muslim.
Ahmed Bedier, director of the Tampa branch of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, said 9/11 undertones led to his
prolonged jailing.
Mouad was simply a young man who wanted to play professional soccer,
Bedier noted, but mental illness derailed the dream.
---
CAIR-CT: FAITH LEADERS CALL TORTURE
IMMORAL -
TOP
Clerics Call For Campaign to Take Opposition to Congressmen
Frances Grandy Taylor, Hartford Courant, 9/20/06
http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-cttorture0920.artsep20,0,4207271.story
Calling torture a religious issue, Connecticut faith leaders demanded
Tuesday that the state's congressional delegation oppose any changes of
federal law that would allow violation of the Geneva Conventions, which
prohibit torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners of war.
"Torture is immoral, always," the Rev. Allie Perry said during
an afternoon press conference on the lawn of Hartford Seminary. "I
find myself wondering what have we come to as a country that we are
having to debate something that is so very wrong in every
way."
To give the CIA more methods to get information from Guantanamo
detainees, President Bush is proposing legislation that would exclude
terrorism suspects from Geneva Conventions protections. But his plan has
met with mounting opposition in the Senate - even from members of his own
party.
Religious leaders are rejecting Bush's plan, calling the debate a
defining moment for the nation, one that has put America's reputation as
a defender of human rights in jeopardy. "Nothing less is at stake
than the soul of our nation," said Perry, a member of the National
Religious Campaign Against Torture, and of Reclaiming the Prophetic
Voice, a clergy activist group.
Legislation sought by the administration would also require changes to
the 1996 U.S. War Crimes Act, which makes it a war crime under American
law to violate any of the Geneva Conventions.
The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree, Connecticut Conference Minister of the
United Church of Christ, called Bush's plan "an outrageous proposal
that cannot go unchallenged."
"The issue before us today is torture - it may be called by
different euphemisms, but let's be clear: the issue before us is
torture," Crabtree said. The group called on people of faith to
raise the issue with their elected officials and all candidates for
public office. . .
Others at the briefing included the Rev. Robert Evans of Plowshares
Institute, Rabbi Jeffrey Glickman of Temple Beth Hillel, the Rev.
Kathleen McTigue of the Unitarian Society of New Haven, Heidi Hadsell of
Hartford Seminary and
Badr Malik of the Connecticut Council on
American-Islamic Relations. (MORE)
---
CAIR-SAN DIEGO: LOCAL MOSQUE SPONSORS TOWN
HALL MEETING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES -
TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 9/20/06) - On Tuesday, September 19, the Islamic Center
of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, sponsored its first
town hall meeting with various law enforcement agencies.
The San Diego office of the FBI, San Diego County Sheriff's Department
and San Diego Police Department were among the law enforcement agencies
invited to listen and address the concerns of the San Diego Muslim
community on issues ranging from hate crimes to profiling.
In addition to the various law enforcement agencies invited, local Muslim
leaders and organizations such as CAIR-San Diego and MAS Freedom
Foundation San Diego also took part in the meeting to express their
concerns.
"This proactive approach by the Muslim community to dialogue and
build bridges with our various law enforcement agencies will hopefully
break down barriers and create a relationship of trust," says Edgar
Hopida, Director of Public Relations for CAIR-San Diego.
CONTACT: Edgar D. Hopida, Tel: 858-278-4547 or 619-9130719, E-mail:
ehopida@cair.com
-----
US MAY BAN SALE OF CLUSTER BOMBS TO ISRAEL
-
TOP
Patrick Cockburn, 9/20/06
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1621755.ece
The discovery of hundreds of US-made cluster bombs among the tens of
thousands of unexploded munitions carpeting the south of Lebanon, has led
to calls on Washington to impose a moratorium on sales of the weapons to
Israel.
Bomb disposal experts are working around the clock to clear the lethal
leftovers after Israel fired 1.2 million bomblets in the last three days
of the war. The pods containing the 650 bomblets, which burst apart at a
pre-determined height, have a failure rate of up to 30 per cent, leaving
clear evidence of their American origin.
The US State Department is investigating Israel's use of American-made
cluster bombs during the war in Lebanon. In particular, whether or not
Israel broke a secret agreement with the United States not to use cluster
bombs against civilians. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/21/06
*
Verse:
Fasting is Prescribed for
You
-
CAIR Launches 'Sharing Ramadan'
Initiative
-
Ramadan Begins for Muslim
Soldiers (Army News Service)
-
GA:
Eating Plan Helps Athlete with
Ramadan Fast (AJC)
-
FL:
Holidays Mark Beliefs Jews,
Muslims Share (Herald)
*
CAIR:
U.S. Muslims
Meet with Vatican Ambassador in DC
-
CAIR-FL:
Muslims
Reach Out Amid Uproar (SP Times)
-
CAIR:
Remarks and
Reaction Denounced (USA Today)
*
CAIR:
FBI and
Muslim Leaders Establish Better Ties (Wash Post)
*
CA:
Libraries May Ban Prayer in
Meeting Rooms
*
FL:
Muslims'
Treatment at Airport Spurs Outcry (Sun-Sentinel)
-
MI:
Driving While Muslim
(The Nation)
-
Medved:
Islam is 'a Primitive Religion'
(Media Matters)
-
NY:
Peter King's Holy War
(Newsday)
*
CA:
Religious Panel
Lets Muslim Women Have Their Say
-
TX Native Tells Story of
Muslims Living in Post-9/11 U.S.
-
NY Panel: Israel Lobby's
Influence on Foreign Policy
*
UN:
Iraq Torture May Be
Worse Now Than Under Saddam (AP)
-
Kurdish Soldiers Trained by Israelis
(BBC)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: FASTING IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU -
TOP
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you so that you may learn
self-restraint."
The Holy Quran, 2:183
SEE ALSO:
CAIR LAUNCHES 'SHARING RAMADAN' OUTREACH
INITIATIVE -
TOP
http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2266&theType=NR
---
RAMADAN BEGINS FOR MUSLIM
SOLDIERS -
TOP
Bob Bellin, Army News Service, 9/21/06
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=9604
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 21, 2006) - Muslim believers around
the world will begin observing the month of Ramadan on Saturday, and many
Muslim Soldiers will join them.
Ramadan is named after the ninth month on the Islamic Lunar calendar when
the Qu'ran commands Muslims to abstain from food, drink and other
physical comforts and pleasures, from dawn to sunset, every day until the
end of the month.
"It's one of the five pillars of faith, fasting in the month of
Ramadan," said Chaplain (Capt.) Abdullah Hulwe, battalion chaplain
for Fort Jackson's 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. "Muslims
pray five times a day, perform pilgrimage during the month of Ramadan,
fast during Ramadan, give charity - or alms - and declare faith."
(MORE)
---
GA: EATING PLAN GETS ATHLETE THROUGH
RAMADAN FASTS - TOP
Chris Rosenbloom, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/21/06
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/living/food/fit/stories/2006/09/19/092106.html
College athletes often find it hard to eat healthfully while juggling all
the demands on their time. Classes, homework, team meetings, practice and
games can leave little time for cooking and eating. However, athletes
know that proper fueling can improve performance.
So what's an athlete to do when religious beliefs call for fasting from
sunrise to sunset for a full month during the competitive sports season?
Muslim athletes will be facing that challenge as Ramadan, the month of
fasting, begins this weekend. Athletes who adhere to the tenets of Islam
avoid all food and drink at daybreak until sunset.
Weiss Tahmass, a Georgia State University soccer player, met with me last
year to develop a plan to get adequate nutrition for the two meals a day
he consumed during Ramadan. Tahmass is a midfielder who typically runs
five to six miles during practice that occurs in the middle of the
afternoon, when heat and humidity are at their highest. We devised the
following strategy to keep him running strong and performing at his
best.
* We determined his calorie needs or energy expenditure, based on his
height, weight, age, sport and workout schedule. Tahmass needed slightly
more than 3,500 calories a day.
* We devised meal options based on his usual eating habits for the
pre-fast meal (called suhoor) and the post-fast meal (called
iftar).
* He was encouraged to eat about one-third of his calories and drink
one-half of his fluids before sunrise and two-thirds of his calories with
the remainder of the fluids after sunset.
* We determined the official times of sunrise and sunset using data from
the U.S. Naval Observatory found at
www.usno.navy.mil
(click on sunrise/set). Athletes travel, so identifying the precise
times of sunrise and sunset in various cities helps identify when it is
time to eat.
* I encouraged him to alert his athletic trainer if he got dizzy or
lightheaded in practice or in a competition. It is permissible to break
the fast for illness, and heat exhaustion is an illness that must be
monitored to ensure the athlete's safety.
Tahmass had competed during Ramadan in high school, but this was the
first time a specific plan was developed for Ramadan. This year, Ramadan
is later than last year and falls right in the heart of the competitive
season for soccer. (MORE)
---
FL: HOLIDAYS MARK BELIEFS JEWS, MUSLIMS
SHARE -
TOP
Richard Dymond, Bradenton Herald, 9/21/06
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/15569051.htm
When autumn is in the air, Sandy Clark knows the Jewish holidays Rosh
Hashana and Yom Kippur are not far behind, along with their invitation
for personal growth.
"Every new year, I try to start fresh," Clark, the executive
vice president of Bradenton's Temple Beth El, said of the holidays, which
begin sundown Friday with services marking the night before Rosh Hashana.
"I try to do better than I did last year."
One of the things on Clark's list this year for Rosh Hashana and Yom
Kippur is to learn about the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, which,
coincidentally, also begins with Friday services this year.
"I am not familiar with the Muslim religion and I should be,"
Clark said. "I think we can all learn from one another and all live
together. That is what God wants."
Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar year, and Yom
Kippur, which follows 10 days later, is a time of atonement, said Rena
Moreno, religious leader for the Jewish congregation of Chavurah Ner
Tamid.
"It is all really one inclusive span," Moreno said. "It's
a 10-day period that begins with the New Year, and it's a time of
contemplation on just what one can do to have a positive effect on the
world in the coming year."
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur mark a time when God is saying, " 'Here
I am, giving you the opportunity. Let's be friends again,' " Rabbi
Mendy Bukiet of Chabad of Bradenton said.
"We have to think about the past year to see what we could have done
better," Bukiet said. "We have to reflect inward to see how we
can change."
Ramadan - the month when the Quran, the Islamic holy book, was revealed
by the angel, Gabriel, to the Prophet Muhammad - has similar themes,
Samir Khatib, president of the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton,
said Monday.
"Ramadan is a test for humans," Khatib said. "The test is
to abstain from everything bad and partake in everything good, like
prayer to God and being close to family."
Ramadan is the fasting month, a time when Muslims abstain from tobacco
and alcohol and other vices and devote their thoughts and actions to
positive action, Khatib said.
Jews also fast during their High Holy Days.
The Jewish and Muslim holidays fall together after a year when Muslim and
Jews clashed in Lebanon and elsewhere, Clark said. (MORE)
-----
U.S. MUSLIMS MEET WITH
VATICAN AMBASSADOR IN DC -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/06) - Representatives of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), along with other American Muslim
leaders, met today with the Vatican's ambassador to the United States in
Washington, D.C., to discuss the controversy surrounding recent comments
on Islam by Pope Benedict XVI.
CAIR Legislative Director Corey Saylor and Legal Director Arsalan
Iftikhar delivered a letter to Papal Nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi that
outlined the Washington-based group's call for greater dialogue and
outreach in response to the controversy.
The CAIR officials also discussed the American Muslim community's
specific concerns over the Regensberg speech and subsequent
developments.
CAIR's letter read in part:
"It is our belief that the proper response to this situation is for
Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts
aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam. We
oppose any language or action that tends to shake the friendship and
alliance between our faiths."
Archbishop Sambi cited a recently released statement from the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). That statement notes that
dialogue is urgent so that Christians and Muslims can together promote
"peace, liberty, social justice and moral values for the benefit of
all humanity."
SEE:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2006/06-180.shtml
The two-hour meeting, arranged by the Interfaith Conference of
Metropolitan Washington, took place at the Vatican Embassy in Washington,
D.C. Attendees included the CAIR officials, representatives of the
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and an official from the Dar
al-Hijra Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va. Also participating was a
representative of the Most Reverend Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of
Washington.
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: MUSLIM
GROUPS REACH OUT AMID UPROAR -
TOP
It hopes to raise money to repair Christian churches damaged after a
controversial speech by the pope.
Sherri Day, St. Petersburg Times, 9/20/06
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/20/Tampabay/Muslim_groups_reach_o.shtml
Hoping to foster goodwill, a group of Tampa Bay Muslims is launching a
nationwide effort to raise money to repair Christian churches in the
Middle East that were damaged by Muslims after a controversial speech by
Pope Benedict XVI.
Local Muslims, led by the
Central Florida Chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, plan to announce their campaign
this afternoon at the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St.
Petersburg.
They hope to fight the perception that Islam and its followers,
particularly those in America, approve of violence and destruction.
CAIR's national office also has signed on, pledging to lobby its members
around the country for donations.
Valrico neonatologist Mohamed Ghabour jumped at the chance to join the
campaign, worried that American Muslims might suffer for the acts of
others.
"It hurts me that an action like this is done by a minority, and a
majority could be blamed for that action," Ghabour said. "That
action is not defensible. It is not justifiable."
Ghabour declined to say how much he donated to the restoration effort,
but he plans to encourage other Muslims to join him.
The effort comes as American Muslims express increasing angst about how
the public perceives them in the face of a seemingly constant barrage of
negative news and violent acts associated with the Islamic faith. U.S.
Muslim civil rights groups, including CAIR, have long condemned terrorism
and extremist behavior by Muslims.
But translating the message to the public has proved difficult. The group
hopes its church restoration campaign will show that American Muslims do
not condone such acts.
"We're putting our money where our mouth is," said
Ahmed
Bedier, executive director of CAIR's local chapter. So far, the
effort has raised about $5,000. . .
"A lot of this is symbolic in the sense that we want to lead by
example and send a message to Muslims that it's not appropriate to attack
houses of worship out of emotion and anger," Bedier said.
"We're not taking the blame because no one should be condemned for
the sins of another person. But at the same time, we're concerned about
further friction." (MORE)
---
CAIR: IN U.S., REMARKS
AND REACTION DENOUNCED -
TOP
Oren Dorell, USA Today, 9/21/06
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-09-21-pope-muslims-reaction_x.htm
Some Muslims in the USA say the pope's use of a medieval quote about the
prophet Mohammed in a speech in Germany last week was insulting but
violent reactions to it were also unacceptable.
Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday that his address to the University of
Regensburg on Sept. 12 was meant as a "call for a dialogue of the
Christian faith with the modern world, and for a dialogue between all
cultures and religions."
The 45-minute speech began with a quote from a 14th-century figure who
described Mohammed's command to "spread by the sword the faith he
preached" as "evil and inhuman."
"It's not helpful to begin a dialogue with a quote that says your
prophet is evil and inhuman and brought things that were only evil and
inhuman," says
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. CAIR says it condemns any violence by
Muslims based on the pope's comments. The group has called for more
dialogue between Catholics and Muslims. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: LOCAL FBI AND
MUSLIM LEADERS TRY TO ESTABLISH BETTER TIES -
TOP
Sari Horwitz, Washington Post, 9/21/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001675.html
Don't let an FBI investigation be the reason for your first visit to an
Arab home, a U.S. Muslim leader told 500 FBI agents gathered at Quantico
yesterday, urging them to reach out to Arab communities.
"You say 'FBI' to the average Yousef out there and they picture a
middle-aged white guy talking in their sleeve," said Nawar Shora of
the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "Recent immigrants
don't have the comfort level, because in their countries oftentimes the
equivalent of the FBI is the secret police."
Shora dispensed his advice to FBI agents from the bureau's second-largest
office, the Washington Field Office, as part of an effort by Muslim
community leaders and FBI officials to build a more trusting
relationship.
Shora and other Muslim leaders met last week over tea and cookies with
Joseph Persichini Jr., acting assistant director in charge of the FBI
office. The group included representatives from the
Council on
American Islamic Relations, the Sikh American Legal Defense Education
Fund, the Arab America Institute, the Muslim Public Affairs Council and
the ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center.
"We need to reach out and develop better contacts in the Shia
community in light of the Lebanon-Israel war," Persichini told the
group, gathered around his conference table.
The FBI helped create the group, called the Arab, Muslim and Sikh
Advisory Council, after Sept. 11, 2001. They meet about every two months
to discuss a range of issues, including hate crimes and concerns about
the Patriot Act.
Persichini said the relationships developed through this committee allow
him and Muslim leaders to be in constant touch by phone or electronic
message. He said he hopes that inroads into the Muslim community will
help the FBI attract much-needed Arab American agents. "We have to
recruit better," he said.
When Muslim leaders recently learned that an FBI agent wrote an e-mail
insinuating that some area Muslim groups were linked to terrorists, they
immediately talked by phone to Persichini and Shora said the controversy
was resolved.
Two days ago Persichini heard a radio broadcast about a report released
by a national Muslim advocacy organization detailing an increase in hate
crimes in the Washington area. The report was news to him. "I fired
off a BlackBerry message to
Arsalan [Iftikhar from the Council on
American Islamic Relations]," Persichini said. "I said,
'Hello? Where did that come from?' "
While the report raised questions about overzealous arrests and
interrogation practices, Iftikhar told Persichini that he had praised the
FBI Washington Field Office at a news conference about the report for its
efforts in trying to combat hate crimes in the area. (MORE)
-----
CA: PUBLIC LIBRARIES MAY BAN RELIGIOUS
WORSHIP IN MEETING ROOMS -
TOP
Steven Cischke, Metropolitan News-Enterprise, 9/21/06
http://www.metnews.com/articles/2006/fait092106.htm
Public libraries which open their meeting rooms to private groups can
prohibit use of the rooms for religious worship, the Ninth U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals ruled yesterday.
The court reversed U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White of the Northern
District of California, who granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting
Contra Costa County from enforcing such a ban in its public
libraries.
Judge Richard A. Paez, writing for the Ninth Circuit, said:
"[T]he County's decision to exclude . . . religious worship services
from the meeting room is reasonable in light of the library policy so
that the . . . [library] is not transformed into an occasional house of
worship."
The county makes its public library meeting rooms available to the public
during library hours for "educational, cultural and community
related meetings, programs and activities." The county prohibits use
of the rooms for "religious services."
Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries is a non-profit religious
corporation led by Pastor Hattie Mae Hopkins. Hopkins testified that she
believes there are many individuals who need to hear about the gospel of
Jesus Christ but who may never enter a traditional church building. To
reach those individuals, Hopkins holds meetings and worship services in
non-church buildings under the auspices of Faith Center.
Faith Center applied for and was granted permission to use a meeting room
at Antioch Library. A flyer advertising the event divided the day's
activities into a morning "Wordshop" and an afternoon
"Praise and Worship" service with a sermon by Hopkins.
Toward the end of the afternoon service, library staff informed Faith
Center representatives that they were not permitted to use the meeting
room for religious activities. The library subsequently rescinded its
permission for Faith Center to use the room at a future date.
(MORE)
-----
FL: MUSLIM
SCHOLARS' TREATMENT AT MIAMI AIRPORT SPURS OUTCRY -
TOP
Ruth Morris, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/21/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cback21sep21,0,6226161.story
Federal immigration authorities held four Muslim scholars for 24 hours at
Miami International Airport, denying them access to a bed or a phone,
then sent them back to Egypt without a clear explanation for their
removal, an American Muslim association charged Wednesday.
Sofian Abdelaziz, director of the American Muslim Association of North
America in Miami, said his group had invited the four to lead prayers at
mosques in Broward and Miami-Dade counties during the holy month of
Ramadan, which starts Sunday.
He called the incident an "outrage," and said it thwarted
efforts to expose Muslim youths to religious leaders who reject the
extremist views that have inspired terrorists. During Ramadan, observant
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk to focus energy on their inner
faith.
"I consider this a big disaster for our community this year,"
Abdelaziz said. "We are against extremism, and we are not dealing
with sheiks and imams who have a policy to teach extremism ... We lost
four good educators." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MI: DRIVING WHILE MUSLIM -
TOP
Spencer Ackerman, The Nation, 9/21/06
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/ackerman
Ali Houssaiky and Osama Abulhassan left their homes in this historic
Muslim-American enclave as college students and came home as terrorists.
On August 8 Houssaiky and Abulhassan drove to an Ohio Wal-Mart to buy
hundreds of cheap cellphones, intending to sell them back to a
distributor they knew to earn some extra cash for tuition. The Wal-Mart
employee, fearing two young men of Arab heritage were terrorists, called
police, who promptly apprehended Houssaiky and Abulhassan. Making matters
worse, they were in Houssaiky's mother's car, which contained a manual
outlining airline checkpoints, a necessity for her job at Royal Jordanian
Airlines. To the police and the Washington County, Ohio, prosecutor,
Houssaiky and Abulhassan were the sum of all fears: two young Arabs with
airline manuals and hundreds of devices that could be used as bomb
detonators.
Houssaiky and Abulhassan were quickly convicted in the press. "I
went to our cell," Houssaiky remembers. "The inmates showed us
on TV, there was a line going across the screen [saying], Is This an Act
of Terrorism at Work?" Yet within a week of their arrest, it became
clear to prosecutors that there was no evidence linking either student to
terrorism. Returning home to Dearborn, Houssaiky and Abulhassan called a
press conference to denounce the "paranoia and xenophobia that is
gripping the country." To Houssaiky, the fact that he and his friend
were cleared of all charges is no comfort. "The media made us into
animals," he says. "This is going to stick to us the rest of
our lives." (MORE)
---
MEDVED: ISLAM IS 'A PRIMITIVE RELIGION' -
TOP
Media Matters for America, 9/20/06
http://mediamatters.org/items/200609200004
Medved: "[T]he subject of my conversation with the president of the
United States" was that "Islam, as a faith, as a culture, as a
vision of civilization" has "a special violence
problem"
On the September 18 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show,
Michael Medved stated that the "crucial issue" of whether
"the violence and the bloodshed and the horror and the misery and
... the disgusting behavior throughout the Muslim world ... is ... based
upon some problems within Islam itself" was "the subject of my
conversation with the president of the United States on Friday, when I
had the privilege of sitting with him in the Oval Office for 90
minutes." Medved was apparently referring to a reported meeting held
by President Bush at the White House, which also included conservative
radio hosts Neal Boortz, Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, and Laura
Ingraham. Boortz wrote about the event in a September 16 posting to his
weblog. Medved asserted that "there are problems with Islam, as a
faith, as a culture, as a vision of civilization, or actually a vision of
barbarism in the world" and that these "problems ... go very,
very deep."
Later in the program, Medved confirmed that he believes there is "a
violence problem in the Muslim world because that is an inherent problem
in Islam" and that "a core foundational difference between
Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, if you will, even Hinduism and
Islam" is that Islam is "a primitive religion."
(MORE)
---
NY: PETER KING'S HOLY WAR -
TOP
Guilt by association bad tactic in race
Newsday, 9/21/06
http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/opinion/ny-bottom4899765sep21,0,4192248.story
Rep. Peter King is playing with fire. He lit the torch when he told
selected constituents in a recent letter that "radical" Muslim
leaders who've branded him "a Muslim hater" are supporting
David Mejias, the Democrat running for his seat in Congress. That's an
ugly attempt at guilt by association.
There is scant evidence that the Islamic Center of Long Island, the group
King fingered so darkly in his letter, is the hotbed of radical, 9/11
conspiracy theories that King implies. And Mejias' connection to the
group is tenuous at best.
So, what's the fuss? Mejias accepted campaign contributions from some
Muslim supporters associated with the center. That's it. King previously
took contributions from some of the same center members. There's nothing
wrong with that. After 9/11, leaders of the center in Westbury condemned
the attacks and supported international action against global terrorism.
Earlier this year, five young people from the center joined Jewish and
Catholic youths in a study tour of the Holy Land. Those actions couldn't
be more at odds with the picture King painted of leaders who
"publicly stated that the CIA or the 'Zionists' may have been behind
the 9/11 attacks." (MORE)
-----
CA: RELIGIOUS PANEL LETS
MUSLIM WOMEN HAVE THEIR SAY -
TOP
Shannon Wingard, North County Times, 9/21/06
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/09/21//news/inland/6_01_029_20_06.txt
Misconceptions about Islam, the reality of Muslim women's lives and the
hope of building bridges among religious faiths were topics of a panel
discussion Wednesday at San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo.
Tehseen Lazzouni, a coordinator of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of San
Diego, led the panel discussion, which included seven Muslim women from
San Diego County from various backgrounds. After the panelists and
Lazzouni spoke, the audience of about 50 people had a chance to ask
questions.
Lazzouni said that discussing the similarities between faiths is
important, because Muslims, Christians and Jews can all trace their
religious roots to one biblical man ---- Abraham.
For the event, she said the panelists were trying to put into perspective
the lives of "the most misunderstood population ---- Muslim
women."
"In Islam, a woman's role as a mother and a wife are her most
essential roles," said Lazzouni, who added that "more and more
women are working outside of the home" as long as the family isn't
negatively affected by it.
She also said Muslim women have the same "religious moral
duties" as men.
"Muslims believe that God has accorded women the same spiritual
qualities as men," she said. "A woman has a right to accept or
reject marriage proposals. She also has a right to initiate a
divorce."
Lazzouni also said that education is considered to be equally important
for women and men under Islamic teaching.
"Parents should ensure that their child is educated," she said.
"(They) cannot prefer their sons over their
daughters."
A woman asked the panel how they felt about the Sept. 11 tragedies, and
other violent acts in which those responsible have claimed to be acting
on behalf of Islam.
Lazzouni said Muslim leaders have spoken out against the violence, and
the Sept. 11 tragedies.
"There were many Muslim leaders that came out and said this was
against Islam," said Lazzouni, who added that the Quran emphasizes
peace and not violence. She said self-defense and oppression are the only
reasons cited in the Quran where violence can be used on a restrictive
basis, and civilians "aren't to be targeted." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
TX: DALLAS NATIVE TELLS STORY OF MUSLIMS
LIVING IN POST-9/11 U.S. -
TOP
Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News, 9/21/06
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-ramadan_0921gl.ART.State.Edition1.3ef7061.html
Consider the images conjured by the phrase "Muslims on
television." That phrase has one meaning in today's media
marketplace: angry crowds, burning American flags, guns being fired,
bombs going off.
For obvious reasons, it's a hard time to be a Muslim living in America.
It's that cultural context of anxiety and suspicion, not to mention
misunderstanding and ignorance, that inspired Naeem Randhawa, a
36-year-old Dallas native and IT project manager, to undertake what
became the documentary American Ramadan.
"I was tired of all the negative stereotypes; I was looking for
films dealing with Ramadan and the best I could come up with was a
25-year-old documentary by the BBC," Mr. Randhawa says.
"I wanted something contemporary, that applied to me and other
Muslims of my generation, and I realized that since there wasn't a film,
I should make one."
So he became a first-time director and started looking for Ramadan
stories he could tell. The result is a film that follows five families
through the month of fasting and prayer followed by practicing Muslims
every year. American Ramadan airs tonight on KERA (Channel 13) at
11.
Watching it as newscasts are brimming with fresh images of angry,
flag-burning protests in reaction to comments by Pope Benedict XVI only
underscores Mr. Randhawa's motivation for making American Ramadan. In
providing diverse portraits - a student, a divorced dad, an interracial
couple - the film reflects the diversity of Muslim culture.
"It's a bridge-building exercise. It's a very intimate movie,"
Mr. Randhawa says. "For Muslims, it's a chance to see people like
themselves struggling with fears and problems they share. For
non-Muslims, it's an eye-opening experience as they see Muslims as people
they can connect with and relate to." (MORE)
-----
DOES THE ISRAEL LOBBY HAVE TOO MUCH
INFLUENCE ON U.S. FOREIGN POLICY? -
TOP
CONTACT: Jonathan Freedman, 212.751.3326,
jf@groupsjr.com
John Mearsheimer debates critics in panel discussion hosted by the London
Review of Books
NEW YORK, NY, September 14, 2006 - A prominent panel of leading
academics, politicians, and intellectuals will debate the extent of the
pro-Israel lobby's influence on United States foreign policy - in an
effort to foster a rational and open discussion on our national strategic
interests.
The event, hosted by the London Review of Books, will be held at Cooper
Union's Great Hall, located at 7 East 7th Street, New York. The debate
will take place at 7PM, Thursday, September 28th, and tickets may be
purchased at
www.ticketcentral.com or
212.279.4200.
WHEN: Thursday, September 28th, 7pm
WHERE: Great Hall, Cooper Union 7 East 7th Street
PANELISTS: Shlomo Ben-Ami, Martin Indyk, Tony Judt, Rashid Khalidi, John
Mearsheimer, Dennis Ross, Moderator: Anne-Marie Slaughter
COST: $25 per person, $15 Students
TICKETS: Call Ticket Central 212-279-4200 or visit
www.ticketcentral.com
PRESS PASSES: Jonathan Freedman, 212.751.3326,
jf@groupsjr.com
-----
U.N. EXPERT: IRAQ TORTURE MAY BE
WORSE -
TOP
Eliane Engeler, Associated Press, 9/21/06
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060921/ap_on_re_mi_ea/un_iraq_torture
GENEVA - Torture in Iraq may be worse now than it was under Saddam
Hussein, with militias, terrorist groups and government forces
disregarding rules on the humane treatment of prisoners, the U.N.
anti-torture chief said Thursday.
Manfred Nowak, the U.N. special investigator on torture, made the remarks
as he was presenting a report on detainee conditions at the U.S. prison
in Guantanamo Bay as well as to brief the U.N. Human Rights Council, the
global body's top rights watchdog, on torture worldwide.
Reports from Iraq indicate that torture "is totally out of
hand," he said. "The situation is so bad many people say it is
worse than it has been in the times of Saddam Hussein."
Nowak added, "That means something, because the torture methods
applied under Saddam Hussein were the worst you could
imagine."
Some allegations of torture were undoubtedly credible, with government
forces among the perpetrators, he said, citing "very serious
allegations of torture within the official Iraqi detention
centers."
"You have terrorist groups, you have the military, you have police,
you have these militias. There are so many people who are actually
abducted, seriously tortured and finally killed," Nowak told
reporters at the U.N.'s European headquarters.
"It's not just torture by the government. There are much more brutal
methods of torture you'll find by private militias," he
said.
A report by the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq's Human Rights office
cited worrying evidence of torture, unlawful detentions, growth of
sectarian militias and death squads, and a rise in "honor
killings" of women.
Iraq's government, set up in 2006, is "currently facing a
generalized breakdown of law and order which presents a serious challenge
to the institutions of Iraq" such as police and security forces and
the legal system, the U.N. report said, noting that torture was a major
concern.
Nowak has yet to make an official visit to Iraq and said such a mission
would be unfeasible as long as the security situation there remains
perilous. He based his comments on interviews with people during a visit
to Amman, Jordan, and other sources.
"You find these bodies with very heavy and very serious torture
marks," he said. "Many of these allegations, I have no doubt
that they are credible."
According to the U.N. report, the number of Iraqi civilians killed in
July and August hit 6,599, a record-high that is far greater than initial
estimates suggested, the U.N. report said Wednesday. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
KURDISH SOLDIERS TRAINED BY ISRAELIS -
TOP
BBC, 9/20/06
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/5363116.stm
Newsnight has obtained the first pictures of Kurdish soldiers being
trained by Israelis in Northern Iraq, as well as an interview with one of
the former commandos who carried out the work.
When the former Israeli special forces soldiers were sent to Iraq in 2004
they were told they would be disowned if they were discovered.
Their role there was to train two groups of Kurdish troops.
One would act as a security force for the new Hawler International
Airport (near Erbil) and the other, of more than 100 peshmerga or Kurdish
fighters, would be trained for "special assignments", according
to one of Newsnight's interviewees. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
BREAKING NEWS:
AMERICAN MUSLIMS LAUNCH EFFORT TO FUND REPAIRS OF DAMAGED CHRISTIAN
CHURCHES IN MIDEAST
Richard Dymond,
Bradenton
Herald, 9/21/06
ST. PETERSBURG - The
Council on American-Islamic Relations
presented a check for $5,000 this afternoon to the Catholic Diocese of
St. Petersburg as seed money for a campaign to fund the repair of
churches damaged by violence in reaction to Pope Benedict's comments.
(MORE)
-----
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FL AG ASKED TO RESCIND APPOINTMENT OF
ISLAM-BASHER
(MIAMI, FL, 9/21/2006) - The Florida office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today called on that state's
attorney general and
gubernatorial candidate Charlie
Crist to rescind his appointment of a man who claims Islam is
"evil" to a campaign policy council.
SEE:
Policy
Councils
The deputy press secretary of the Crist campaign told CAIR-FL that Rev.
O'Neal Dozier will not be removed from the "Strengthening Florida's
Families" council despite his rhetorical attacks on Muslims and
Islam. Dozier has openly opposed the building of a mosque in Pompano
Beach and has repeatedly called Islam a "cult" that
"teaches evil and hatred."
SEE:
Black Ministers
Preach Against 'Evil' New Mosque
After Dozier made public statements attacking Islam, Governor Jeb Bush
removed him from the Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating
Commission.
SEE:
Pastor Who Insulted Islam is Replaced on Political Panel
"Florida Muslims and other people of conscience call on Charlie
Crist to repudiate Dozier's anti-Muslim hatred and to rescind his
appointment to the policy council," said
CAIR-FL Executive
Director Altaf Ali. "Crist's refusal to act on this important
issue sends the message that a public official and candidate for governor
endorses religious bigotry and intolerance."
CAIR has 32 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-MAIL:
altaf@cairfl.org; Melissa Matos,
Communication Director, 954-272-0490, E-MAIL:
melissa@cairfl.org
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE and
RESPECTFUL)
CONTACT Charlie Crist and ask him to remove Rev. Dozier from the
Strengthening Florida's Families policy council.
CONTACT:
Charlie Crist for Governor
2032 Thomasville Road, Suite C
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Phone: 850-656-9445
E-Mail:
campaign@charliecrist.com
COPY ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
info@cair-florida.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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
CAIR TO HOST RAMADAN 'IFTAR' ON CAPITOL HILL
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/22/06) - On
Tuesday, September 26, the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
(
CAIR) will hold its fourth annual
Capitol Hill Ramadan "iftar," or fast-breaking meal, for
congressional staffers, American Muslim community leaders and diplomats
from Muslim nations.
WHAT: Fourth Annual Ramadan Iftar on Capitol Hill
WHEN: Tuesday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (fast-breaking is at 6:59
p.m.)
MEDIA RSVP: E-Mail:
arubin@cair.com or call 202-742-6412
(Limited space is available for media outlets that wish to cover the
iftar.)
The iftar will feature the breaking of the fast and the Islamic sunset
prayer (maghrib). It is designed to allow Muslim leaders, congressional
staffers and elected officials to network on issues of mutual concern, to
foster greater understanding of Islam and the American Muslim community
and to show appreciation for staffers who have been working closely with
Muslims.
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.
CAIR has 32 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor,
202-742-6413 or 571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726,
E-Mail:
ihooper@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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/22/06
*
Hadith:
One Who Fasts Has Two
Joys
*
Breaking:
FL Candidate Drops Anti-Islam
Preacher
-
CAIR-FL:
Crist Urged to Remove
Minister (Sun-Sent)
*
CAIR-CA Condemns
'Inflammatory' Claims of Jewish Group
*
CAIR-FL:
Med School
Updates Policy to Accommodate Muslims
*
CO:
Muslim Congressional Staffer
Calls Tancredo 'Hateful'
-
CO Congressman Addresses
Hate Group (S. Poverty Law Center)
*
CAIR-Tampa Reaches Out to Bridge
Differences
-
CAIR:
Muslims Raise Funds for
Catholic Churches (Wash Post)
-
Videos:
America Muslims
Deliver Money to Repair Churches
-
CAIR-CA:
Mahony
Discusses Papal Comments with Muslims
-
CAIR:
Catholic-Islam
Discussions All Over (Chicago Trib)
-
Ex-Catholic Muslim
Seeks to Strengthen
Ties (Wash Post)
*
CAIR-San Diego First Annual
Fundraising Banquet a Success
-
CAIR-AZ Hosts First Annual Ramadan
Media Breakfast
-
CAIR-CT:
Connecticut
Muslims Prepare to Mark Holiest Month
-
CAIR-St. Louis,
FBI Open
Communications at Town Hall Mtg
-
CAIR-Chicago,
OIC, ADC Panel on
Islam-West Relations
*
Musharraf:
U.S. Threatened to Bomb
Pakistan (Reuters)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: ANYONE WHO FASTS HAS TWO JOYS -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) quoted God as saying:
"Fasting is Mine and it I who give reward for it. . .Fasting is like
a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: joy when he breaks his fast and
joy when he meets his Lord."
Hadith Qudsi 10
-----
BREAKING NEWS: FL CANDIDATE DROPS ANTI-ISLAM
PREACHER -
TOP
(MIAMI, FL, 9/22/2006) - Florida Attorney General and gubernatorial
candidate Charlie Crist has dropped a controversial minister who claims
Islam is "evil" from a campaign policy council web
site.
The listing for Rev. O'Neal Dozier has been removed from the Crist
campaign's "Strengthening Florida's Families" council web page.
Dozier has openly opposed the building of a mosque in Pompano Beach and
has repeatedly called Islam a "cult" that "teaches evil
and hatred."
SEE:
http://www.charliecrist.com/policyCouncils.asp
SEE: Black Ministers Preach Against 'Evil' New Mosque
http://www.local10.com/news/9883283/detail.html
After Dozier made public statements attacking Islam, Governor Jeb Bush
removed him from the Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating
Commission.
Yesterday, the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-FL) urged Crist to drop Dozier.
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Communications Director Melissa Matos, 954-272-0490,
E-Mail:
m_matos@cairfl.org;
CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-Mail:
altaf@cairfl.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: CRIST URGED TO REMOVE
MINISTER FROM COUNCIL -
TOP
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/22/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-fstatedigest21sep22,0,7582993.story
The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations on
Thursday called on Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist to
rescind the appointment of a controversial Pompano Beach minister to one
of his policy councils.
Crist, the Republican nominee for governor, has named the Rev. O'Neal
Dozier to his "Strengthening Florida's Families" policy
council. CAIR criticized the appointment because Dozier, who has led
protests against a mosque relocating to a black neighborhood in Pompano
Beach, calls Islam a "cult'' that teaches "evil and
hatred.''
Altaf Ali, Florida CAIR executive director, said Erin Isaacs, Crist's
deputy press secretary, told him Dozier would remain on the policy
council.
-----
CALIF. MUSLIMS CONDEMN
'INFLAMMATORY' CLAIMS OF JEWISH GROUP -
TOP
AJC claims Muslim leader given award because of fears over
violence
(LOS ANGELES, CA, 9/22/06) - The Southern California office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned a
controversial Jewish group for "inflammatory" remarks made by
one of its top officials who claimed Muslims in that state may turn to
violence.
In an interview with the Jewish Journal, the associate director of the
American Jewish Congress Western Region said the Los Angeles County Human
Relations Commission was intimidated into giving an award to a Muslim
leader.
Allyson Rowen Taylor said commissioners were afraid to vote against the
award because: "They're afraid of the Muslim community burning cars,
burning effigies and burning synagogues."
SEE: Controversial Muslim Leader Hathout Gets Award Despite
Opposition
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=16513
"It is unconscionable for a group that claims to seek the
'preservation of religious freedom in the United States' to smear an
entire faith community with baseless and inflammatory allegations,"
said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.
Ayloush asked the American Jewish Congress to stop "demonizing"
Muslims and instead to promote mutual understanding and respect with all
groups in the state. The AJC faced criticism recently for honoring three
"Muslim reformers" who in fact say publicly that they have left
Islam.
SEE: Defining Today's Moderate Muslim (Los Angeles Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-muslim17sep17,1,7504824.story
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, (714) 776-1847
or (714) 851-4851; E-Mail:
socal@cair.com
-----
CAIR-FL: MED SCHOOL UPDATES
POLICY TO ACCOMMODATE MUSLIM STUDENTS -
TOP
CAIR assisted in review of NSU-COM religious accommodation
policy
(DAVIE, FLA. - September 22, 2006) -- Nova Southeastern University's
College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) has, for more than seven years,
maintained a policy to reasonably accommodate and respect students who
closely adhere to their core religious beliefs.
This policy was implemented in recognition of certain religious beliefs
that prohibit female students from revealing parts of the bodies in
public. The policy is reviewed every few years with religious scholars
and leaders, as well as with health professionals and community members
who are representative of certain faiths.
This year's review was made in cooperation with the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Changes to the policies were agreed
upon and are being implemented to better accommodate our
students.
"We thank Nova Southeastern University for accommodating the
religious beliefs and practices of Muslim students," said CAIR-FL
Executive Director Altaf Ali. "We believe this updated policy meets
the needs of Muslim students while maintaining the high standard of
instruction we have come to expect from the university."
Established in 1979, NSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine accepted its
first class in 1981. NSU-COM is currently ranked as the 15th largest
medical school and the 5th largest osteopathic medical school in the
nation. For more information about NSU-COM, please visit
http://medicine.nova.edu.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the largest independent
not-for-profit institution of higher education in the Southeastern United
States and the 6th largest nationally. The university confers the most
total minority doctorates in the nation, according to Diverse Issues in
Higher Education (July 13, 2006) and is ranked 3rd by US News and World
Report for Racial Diversity for the 2005-2006 academic year.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Communications Director Melissa Matos, 954-272-0490,
E-Mail:
m_matos@cairfl.org;
CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-Mail:
altaf@cairfl.org
-----
CO: TANCREDO URGES POPE TO STAND HIS
GROUND -
TOP
Tom Tancredo's letter drew ire from a Muslim aide for Rep. John
Salazar.
M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, 9/21/06
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5009484,00.html
Controversy over the pope's recent statements about Islam spilled into
Colorado politics on Wednesday, as Rep. Tom Tancredo urged the pontiff to
"resist calls to apologize," and a Muslim congressional staff
member accused Tancredo of throwing "fuel on the fire with his
hateful words."
Tancredo, a Littleton Republican, sent a letter urging Pope Benedict XVI
to stand his ground on a recent speech in which he quoted a 14th century
Byzantine emperor who said, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that
was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as
his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
"It is not surprising that your statements prompted such a visceral
reaction in much of the Islamic world, where the free exercise of
religion is largely proscribed," Tancredo wrote. "Conversion
from Islam to any other religion is illegal. Punishment is swift and
severe - in some cases death."
Tancredo was raised Roman Catholic but is a member of the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church. He has spoken about what he sees as a "clash of
civilizations" between Islamic radicals and Western societies. He
drew worldwide ire in 2005 when, in response to a hypothetical question,
he told an interviewer that the U.S. could threaten to bomb the holy site
of Mecca in the event of terrorist attacks.
In Wednesday's letter, Tancredo cited four quotations from the Quran that
he believes prove the point the pope was making, including calls to
"smite" unbelievers and "slay the idolaters wherever you
find them."
The letter drew an angry response from Nayyera Haq, communications
director for Rep. John Salazar. Haq, who is Muslim, stressed in an e-mail
that she was speaking for herself and not for her boss.
"As a man, Tom Tancredo has always been articulate in expressing his
hatred of Islam and immigrants - no surprise there," Haq said.
"In his arrogance, he chooses to disregard the existence of millions
of law-abiding Muslim American citizens. What is surprising is that as an
elected representative, someone who should be working towards our
collective safety, Tancredo chooses to throw more fuel on the fire with
his hateful words."
"Tancredo is being irresponsible with his congressional authority
and is knowingly creating a more dangerous environment for all of us.
Congressman Tancredo should focus more on building bridges with the
progressives in the Muslim world rather than burning the few bridges we
have left."
Many Muslim leaders have called for the pope to make a more direct
apology.
SEE ALSO:
CONGRESSMAN ADDRESSES HATE GROUP
-
TOP
Alexander Zaitchik, Southern Poverty Law Center, 9/11/06
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/news/item.jsp?aid=79
COLUMBIA, S.C. | Sept. 11, 2006 -- For a college football game day, the
South Carolina State Museum in downtown Columbia was a busy place on the
afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 9.
On the ground floor, a United States Army brass band commemorated the
victims of 9/11. One level up, not far from the museum's permanent
Confederate Army exhibit, the state chapter of the League of the South
(LOS), a neo-Confederate hate group, hosted a barbeque in honor of
Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, head of the House Immigration Reform
Caucus and likely contestant in the 2008 GOP presidential primary.
Proceeds from the $15 per-plate fundraiser went to Americans Have Had
Enough!, a South Carolina-based non-profit coalition for which Tancredo
serves as honorary chairman.
While Tancredo's hard-line "deport 'em all" stance on
immigration has made him a favorite politician of white supremacists,
this marked the first time the congressman has appeared at a hate group
event.
Dressed casually in a yellow t-shirt, Tancredo addressed the
standing-room audience of 200-250 from behind a podium draped in a
Confederate battle flag. To the congressman's right, a portrait of Robert
E. Lee peered out at the crowd of Minutemen activists, local politicians,
and red-shirted members of LOS and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The
Confederate trappings of the event found a mismatch in Tancredo's
standard nativist polemic, which stayed clear of references to Southern
heritage or direct plaudits for the LOS, a Southern white nationalist
organization dedicated to "Southern independence, complete, full,
and total."
-----
CAIR-TAMPA REACHES OUT TO BRIDGE
DIFFERENCES -
TOP
Richard Dymond, Bradenton Herald, 9/22/06
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/15578297.htm
In his 25 years as a priest, the Rev. Robert Gibbons, vicar general of
the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, said he never had official
contact with a Muslim.
"I didn't even know Tampa had a chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations," Gibbons said.
That's why Gibbons was startled earlier this week when
CAIR's Tampa
executive director, Ahmed Bedier, called him and said his
organization had raised money to help repair churches on the West Bank
and Gaza damaged after a speech made by Pope Benedict XVI.
At a press conference Thursday at the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Gibbons
stood next to Bedier and held his end of a large poster-board check from
CAIR for $5,000 made out to The Catholic Near East Welfare Association in
Washington, D.C.
The funds are seed money in a worldwide campaign, which will also include
the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton, to repair the churches in
Palestine, Bedier said.
"We have always said we deplore any violent act carried out in the
name of Islam," Bedier said. "Now we are putting our money
where our mouth is." . . .
Gibbons - who said he enjoys Bedier's positive outlook on life so much he
has invited him to speak Sunday at his home church, St. Paul Catholic
Church on 12th Street North, St. Petersburg - said Muslims and Christians
need to have more bonding time, like he and Bedier have now had.
"I think part of the problem is that there has been so little
interaction that we can build up prejudices," Gibbons said.
"The instant I met Ahmed, I could tell he was authentic."
(MORE)
HOW TO HELP:
Donations for churches damaged in the West Bank and Gaza after the pope's
speech can be mailed to: CAIR Palestine Damaged Churches, CNEWA, 1011
First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022-4195 or sent on-line at
www.cnewa.org and click DONATE.
Earmark donations for CAIR Palestine Damaged Churches.
SEE ALSO:
VIDEO: MUSLIMS RAISE FUNDS FOR
CHURCHES DAMAGED BY RIOTS OVER POPE COMMENTS -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaLMaZSkel8
---
VIDEO: AMERICA MUSLIMS DELIVER MONEY TO REPAIR DAMAGED CHURCHES -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvX3IqnvWzk
---
CAIR: MUSLIMS RAISE FUNDS FOR
CATHOLIC CHURCHES -
TOP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/21/AR2006092101603.html
Though Palestinian Muslims have reacted violently to recent remarks
by Pope Benedict XVI, Muslims in the United States are raising money to
help rebuild churches damaged in the protests and met with a Vatican
envoy to call for more interfaith dialogue.
In Tampa, a branch of the Washington-based
Council on American-Islamic
Relations gave $5,000 to help repair the churches in the West Bank
and Gaza. Council officials said it was the first gift in a national
fundraising campaign. CAIR has criticized the pope's Sept. 12 speech at
Regensburg University in Germany, but it has also condemned the violent
protests.
In Washington, representatives of CAIR, the Islamic Society of North
America and the Falls Church-based Dar al-Hijra Islamic Center met for
two hours with Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the papal nuncio, as the Vatican
ambassador is called. The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan
Washington arranged the meeting.
"We want to build on the legacy of John Paul II and use this
opportunity to encourage dialogue and not divisiveness," said
A
rsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's legal director.
---
CAIR-CA: MAHONY DISCUSSES
PAPAL COMMENTS WITH MUSLIMS -
TOP
CBS2, 9/21/06
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_264223036.html
(CBS) LOS ANGELES Cardinal Roger Mahony met Thursday with representatives
from the Southland's Muslim community to discuss Pope Benedict XVI's
recent remarks about Islam.
The meeting took place Thursday morning at Mahony's office, and included
representatives from the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California,
Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, Muslim Public Affairs
Council and Southern California Council on American Islamic Relations.
(MORE)
---
CAIR: CATHOLIC-ISLAM
DISCUSSIONS GOING ON ALL OVER THE AREA -
TOP
Both sides seek to defuse uproar
Margaret Ramirez, Chicago Tribune, 9/22/06
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0609220302sep22,1,2888233.story
The outrage and violence that erupted after Pope Benedict XVI used an
offensive quote to describe Islam pushed the need for interfaith dialogue
to the world's attention.
Yet even before that controversial incident occurred, Christian and
Muslim leaders in the Chicago area already were engaging in constructive
dialogue and planning to expand those efforts. This week alone, three
universities in the area are holding lectures or conferences to discuss
interfaith relations between Muslims and Christians.
On Thursday night, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago marked the
opening of its new Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and
Justice. The director of the center is Harold Vogelaar, a retired
professor of world missions and interfaith dialogue who lived in the
Middle East for nearly 25 years.
Vogelaar said the 14th Century quotation used by Benedict, in which a
Christian emperor spoke of Islam being spread by the sword, shows that
altercations between Muslims and Christians have a long, painful
history.
But in the opening of the new center, Vogelaar sees some hope.
"We often tend to lift up the worst and overlook the best. But with
this center, we want a place where we can bring Muslims and Christians
together, where we own up to our past and envision a more creative
future," he said. "Owning up to that past can be painful. But
in smaller groups, we can try to get a deeper understanding." . .
.
On Thursday in Washington, D.C., representatives of the
Council on
American-Islamic Relations met with the Vatican's ambassador to the
U.S., Archbishop Pietro Sambi. Muslim leaders delivered a letter calling
for more conversation between the two faiths.
"It is our belief that the proper response to this situation is for
Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts
aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam. We
oppose any language or action that tends to shake the friendship and
alliance between our faiths," the letter said. (MORE)
---
IN EMBRACING ISLAM,
EX-CATHOLIC SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN CULTURAL TIES -
TOP
Caryle Murphy, Washington Post, 9/22/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/21/AR2006092101975.html
Chris Moore was an aspiring rock musician with earrings and a shaved head
when he walked into a Northern Virginia mosque a dozen years ago and
began asking questions about Islam.
A month later, the Christian-raised son of a U.S. Navy man became a
Muslim. His conversion initiated a spiritual odyssey that took him to
several Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, where he adopted and
then rejected the ultraconservative Wahhabi approach to Islam.
Moore's faith journey ultimately brought the Annandale resident home, and
today he is pursing a master's degree at St. John's College in Annapolis,
a university noted for its demanding curriculum based on reading classic
works of Western civilization.
Like many other young Muslims in the United States, Moore is seeking to
fashion an Islamic identity that flourishes in American society and
influences it for the better. He feels a responsibility, he said, to
contribute to a more harmonious relationship between Islam and the West
-- a task that is on his mind as he observes this year's Islamic holy
month of Ramadan, a period of daytime fasting and spiritual introspection
that starts at sundown today. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-SAN DIEGO 1st ANNUAL
FUNDRAISING BANQUET A SUCCESS -
TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 9/21/06) - More than $70,000 was raised at the historic
1st annual banquet of the CAIR San Diego office (CAIR-San Diego) held on
Sunday, September 17. More than 330 people attended the dinner. Guest
speakers included Congresswoman Susan Davis, State Assembly Member Lori
Saldana, ACLU San Diego and Imperial Counties Executive Director Kevin
Keenan, and various interfaith leaders. Hussam Ayloush, executive
director of CAIR-Southern California and Fouad Khatib, Chairman of
CAIR-California and Board Member of CAIR National, also addressed the
audience.
"The overwhelming attendance and support in our very first banquet
shows that the Muslim community in San Diego recognizes the work of CAIR
and that it is among the vital organizations needed in a community to
build bridges of understanding and tolerance for all," says Edgar
Hopida, Director of Public Relations for CAIR San Diego.
Banquet attendees also included a number of local government
representatives, community leaders and activists.
CONTACT: Edgar Hopida, (858) 278-4547or (619) 913-0719, E-mail:
ehopida@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-AZ HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL RAMADAN
MEDIA BREAKFAST -
TOP
(PHOENIX, AZ, 9/21/06) - On Thursday, September 21, The Arizona Chapter
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR- AZ) hosted its first
annual Ramadan Media Breakfast at the Islamic Community Center of
Tempe.
The purpose of the event was to acquaint media professionals with the
basics of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, which will begin
this weekend. Attendees included representatives from local newspapers,
radio stations and television channels. Numerous Muslim community leaders
were also present, including Imam Ahmed Shqeirat who provided a short
presentation on Ramadan.
"We are thrilled to see the initiative that local media have taken
in learning about Ramadan and its essence for us as Muslims. We hope this
will encourage our friends of other faiths to join us in dialogue,"
said Nure Elatari, CAIR-AZ Communications Director.
CONTACT: CAIR-AZ, (602) 262-2247, or (602) 312-2223
---
CAIR-CT: EASTERN CONNECTICUT
MUSLIMS PREPARE TO MARK HOLIEST MONTH -
TOP
Liz Mugavero, Norwich Bulletin, 9/22/06
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060922/LIFESTYLE/609220319/1024
Muslims all around the world are preparing for the holiest month of their
year: the ninth month, when they will celebrate Ramadan.
That is the time period when, according to Muslim belief, the Koran was
revealed. In the United States, Ramadan begins Saturday, in accordance
with the lunar cycle.
Combining 30 days of fasting during daylight hours along with night
prayers and reflections, Ramadan focuses on self-control and devotion.
Muslims are asked to reflect on the past months while looking forward to
a better future, according to
Hamza Collins of the Council of American
Islamic Relations of New London. "Ramadan is a time to offer
apologies for past wrongs, to better ourselves and to prepare for the
time ahead," Collins said. (MORE)
---
CAIR-ST. LOUIS:
AMERICAN-ISLAMIC GROUP, FBI OPEN COMMUNICATIONS DURING TOWN HALL MEETING
-
TOP
Diane Plattner, West Newsmagazine
http://www.westnewsmagazine.com/news01.html
A day of mourning on the recent five-year anniversary of the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks reminded many people that the American way of
life has forever changed, particularly for those with Islamic
backgrounds.
On Sept. 8, the St. Louis Chapter of the National Council on
American-Islamic Relations hosted a town hall meeting for the Islamic
Foundation of Greater St. Louis in Manchester, to address concerns about
civil rights with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
officials.
About 100 people attended the 2-hour meeting, held at the mosque located
on Weidman Road, and asked several questions and raised various issues
with FBI officials.
"It was a way to offer a line of communication about any concerns
within the Muslim community," said Gulten Ilhan, vice president of
the council.
People expressed concerns about hate speech and asked whether it violated
any laws.
"Sometimes people on television and radio or private individuals say
almost anything," Ilhan said.
FBI officials said free speech is allowable under the law as long as it
does not involve action, such as starting a riot or causing other
physical damage, which could jeopardize the safety of others.
"Speech is protected as long as there is no overt action that
jeopardizes the safety of others," said Peter Krusing, of the
FBI.
Attendees also asked FBI officials questions about how to determine
whether a charitable organization is legitimate.
"During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to donate to
charities," Ilhan said. "But how can they distinguish between a
legitimate charity and a terrorist organization?"
FBI officials said there is no clear-cut answer and advised people with
questions about a particular organization to contact them.
(MORE)
-----
OIC, CAIR, ADC TO
HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON ISLAM/WEST RELATIONS -
TOP
The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and
Local Chicago leaders to comment on Muslim-US relations, Muslim-Catholic
relations
(CHICAGO, IL 9/22/2006) - The Chicago office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) and the Chicago chapter of the
American Arab Anti-Discrimination committee (ADC) will join his
Excellency, Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), in a press conference this
Saturday on the subject of US-Muslim relations 5 years after
9/11.
(See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3811205.stm and
http://www.oic-oci.org/english/main/Secretary_General.htm )
The panel will address members of the press on recent news like the
Pope's comments, general issues like Extremism and Terrorism, and other
timely issues affecting today's news.
WHAT: US / Muslim world Relations Five Years After 9/11
WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Parkside Room, Mezzanine level of the Drake Hotel, 140 E Walton
pl, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 787-2200
WHO: OIC Secretary General, Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu; CAIR-Chicago
Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab; Dr. S.M. Budron, President, Greater
Chicago Chapter; American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
(ADC)
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 312 212 1520,
847-971-3963, E-Mail:
director@cairchicago.org;
Dr. S.M. Budron - President, Greater Chicago Chapter, American Arab Anti
Discrimination Committee (ADC) (847) 489-7999
-----
MUSHARRAF: US THREATENED TO BOMB PAKISTAN AFTER
9/11 -
TOP
Reuters, 9/21/06
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-09-21T182900Z_01_N21359284_RTRUKOC_0_US-PAKISTAN-USA-MUSHARRAF.xml
NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan said that
after the September 11 attacks the United States threatened to bomb his
country if it did not cooperate with America's war campaign against the
Taliban in Afghanistan.
Musharraf, in an interview with CBS news magazine show "60
Minutes" that will air Sunday, said the threat came from Assistant
Secretary of State Richard Armitage and was given to Musharraf's
intelligence director.
"The intelligence director told me that (Armitage) said, 'Be
prepared to be bombed. Be prepared to go back to the Stone Age,'"
Musharraf said. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/23/06
*
Help Support CAIR's Important
Work
*
Breaking News:
Gunmen Fire at FL Mosque
During Prayers
*
Video:
Two FL Men Accused of
Anti-Arab Hate Crime
-
CAIR-FL:
Two Men Arrested on
Hate Crime Charges (SP Times)
*
VA:
Imam from South Africa Denied Entry to
US (Wash Post)
*
VT:
Trustee Sends E-Mail
Disparaging Muslims (Herald)
*
CAIR-OH:
Stations Say 'Jihad' Car Spots Go
Too Far (Dispatch)
*
CAIR-FL:
Crist Removes
Dozier Over Islam Comments (Sun-Sentinel)
-
Crist Dumps Preacher Who
Ranted on Islam (Miami Herald)
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Donate
to Repair West Bank, Gaza Churches (AP)
-
CAIR:
Muslim Group Meets
Vatican Envoy to U.S. (UPI)
*
CA:
LA Mayor Appoints Muslim
Homeland Security Deputy (LA Times)
*
Ramadan Mubarak from CAIR's Board and
Staff
-
CAIR-CT:
Ramadan a Time to Renew
Spirituality (The Day)
-
CAIR-AZ:
Call for
Unity During Ramadan (AZ Republic)
-
CAIR-Chicago:
Ramadan Fast
More Than Food, Water (Sun-Times)
-
CAIR-CA:
Muslims,
Jews Prepare for Holy Days (Sac Bee)
-----
HELP SUPPORT CAIR'S IMPORTANT WORK -
TOP
DONATE
BECOME A
MEMBER
JOIN CAIR-NET
-----
BREAKING NEWS: SNIPER SHOOTING AT BREVARD
MOSQUE -
TOP
http://www.cfnews13.com/StoryHeadline.aspx?id=18834
Several shots were fired and now police are searching for gunmen in
possible Melbourne hate crime.
Police in Melbourne say the Islamic Mosque was crowded when last night as
members celebrated the start of Ramadan.
Sources in the Melbourne Police Department say it appears a sniper opened
fire on the Islamic Society of Brevard County on 550 East Florida
Avenue.
Police tell us it appears a two people were hiding in the woods across
from the mosque and when one member came outside from services, the
gunman in the woods opened fire.
"The officers responded to a call of shots fired at the building.
There was a gentleman who had stepped outside the building. He had exited
the service to use his cell phone when the shots were fired, said Public
Information Officer Jill Frederiksen, Melbourne Police
Department.
Nobody was shot in the possible hate crime. (MORE)
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214,
E-Mail:
altaf@cairfl.org;
CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
SEE: Anti-Muslim Bias Incidents Jump 29 Percent -
Report
-----
VIDEO: TWO FL MEN ACCUSED OF ANTI-ARAB
HATE CRIME -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrylu_VXpu4
CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier held a joint news
conference with the Tampa police department and the FBI to speak out
against a hate crime targeting an Arab-American man.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: TWO MEN ARRESTED ON HATE
CRIME CHARGES -
TOP
REBECCA CATALANELLO, St. Petersburg Times, 9/23/06
http://sptimes.com/2006/09/22/Tampabay/Two_men_charged_with_.shtml
TAMPA - Two Polk County men were jailed on hate crime charges after they
threw beer bottles at an Ybor City club owner and threatened to kill him,
police say.
Joseph Azzi, manager of Club Fuel on 7th Avenue, was in the rear parking
lot of his club speaking Arabic early Friday when two white men got out
of a light blue sport utility vehicle and began yelling across the
lot.
"Towel head," the men shouted, along with other offensive
phrases for people of Arab descent.
According to
Ahmed Bedier, the head of the Council for
American-Islamic Relations in Tampa, Azzi didn't know what was
happening. Bedier spoke to Azzi by telephone on Friday after the
incident.
Though Lebanese-born, Azzi recently became a U.S. citizen.
(MORE)
-----
VA: IMAM FROM SOUTH AFRICA DENIED ENTRY AT DULLES
-
TOP
Jerry Markon, Washington Post, 9/23/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/22/AR2006092201485.html
A South African imam who flew to Dulles International Airport yesterday
to lead Ramadan prayers at a Northern Virginia mosque was denied entry
into the Unites States, prompting questions from local Muslims.
The imam, Ismail Mullah, arrived at 5:55 a.m. yesterday on a flight from
South Africa, said
Arsalan Iftikhar, national legal director for the
District-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR. He
said Mullah was delayed for several hours by customs officers and then
sent back to South Africa.
The Islamic Community Center of Northern Virginia in Woodbridge had
invited Mullah, who has come to the United States for Ramadan for the
past three years, said Nasir Chhipa, the center's director. Ramadan, the
Muslim holy month, started at sundown yesterday.
Chhipa and CAIR officials called on federal authorities to explain
whether Mullah was targeted because he is Muslim. They said they were
especially concerned about a possible pattern, because four other foreign
imams were denied entry at an airport in Florida this week.
(MORE)
-----
VT: TRUSTEE SENDS E-MAIL
DISPARAGING MUSLIMS -
TOP
DANIEL BARLOW, Rutland Herald, 9/23/06
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/NEWS/609230338/1003/NEWS02
BELLOWS FALLS - Village trustee Stefan Golec forwarded at least two
Internet jokes and messages this month to town officials and community
leaders that contain derogatory terms for Muslims and are critical of
their culture and religion.
One e-mail he forwarded labeled Muslims as "brutal and
uncivilized" and another referred to them as "Towel
Heads." The e-mails were sent to friends, community leaders and this
reporter.
On Thursday Golec said he forwards many e-mails to people and does not
always agree with their content or language. He refused to say if he
agreed with these messages or articulate his feelings toward
Muslims.
"Creating an e-mail and forwarding one are two different
things," he said. "I have friends that send me jokes and
e-mails and sometimes I forward those along."
Golec has been a member of the Bellows Falls Board of Trustees for a
decade.
Rockingham Select Board member Ann DiBernardo received one of the e-mails
this week and called the comments they contained
"inappropriate." But she also said she does not believe Golec
"dislikes or hates Muslims."
"Stefan is very patriotic," DiBernardo said. "He loves
this country. I don't think he is anti-Muslim, I think he is just very
patriotic."
Village President Clark Barber said he had not seen the e-mails and has
no control over what trustees do in their free time.
"I myself deplore any kind of discrimination or prejudice,"
Clark said. "But unless this becomes a town issue, I don't think we
can do anything about it."
One e-mail Golec forwarded Sept. 20 was titled, "Towel Heads,"
and contained a cartoon showing an elderly Caucasian woman in slippers
and holding a coffee mug. The text of the cartoon suggests that
"Islamic terrorists" do not like being called "Towel
Heads" because "the item they wear on their head is not
actually a towel, but in fact, a small folded sheet."
"Therefore, from this point forward, please refer to them as 'Little
Sheet Heads,'" the cartoon reads. . .
The Internet has become a prominent source of anti-Muslim rhetoric, and
e-mail has made it quick and easy for people to redistribute the
offensive material, said
Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesperson for the
Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Ignorance of Islam also may run high in communities with few or no
Muslims, Hooper added. Vermont's minority population was estimated to be
about 4 percent in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is not
clear how many Vermonters identify themselves as Muslims.
"It's unfortunate that an elected official choose to send out
statements like those," Hooper said. "I recommend that he take
the time to speak with a Muslim about their faith." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-OH: STATIONS SAY 'JIHAD' CAR SPOTS GO TOO FAR
-
TOP
Tim Feran, Columbus Dispatch, 9/23/06
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/23/20060923-D1-04.html
Some Columbus radio stations have rejected as insensitive an
advertisement for a car dealership that invokes Islamic
references.
The general manager of the dealership, though, says the promotions -
which he called "tongue-in-cheek" - will air on some stations
beginning next week.
In the spot, Keith Dennis of
Dennis Mitsubishi talks about "launching a jihad on the
automotive market."
Sales representatives "will be wearing burqas all weekend
long," the ad says. One of the vehicles on sale "can
comfortably seat up to 12 jihadists in the back."
"Our prices are lower than the evildoers' every day. Just ask the
pope! " the ad says. "Friday is fatwa Friday, with free rubber
swords for the kiddies."
Jeff Wilson, general manager of Radio One stations WCKX (107.5 FM), WJYD
(106.3 FM) and WXMG (98.9 FM), doesn't intend to air the spot.
"We won't play that," Wilson said. "With no disrespect to
their creativity or their desire to build business, everything we're
about is promoting the values of diversity. To air things of that sort
would go against our mission statement."
Representatives of WSNY (94.7 FM), WBNS (97.1 FM), WWCD (101.1 FM),
WJZA/WJZK (103.5/104.3 FM), and WODB (107.9 FM) also said they won't air
the ad.
But Aaron Masterson, general manager of
Dennis Auto Point, which
writes and produces its own commercials, promised that the commercial
will air.
"It starts next Friday morning," Masterson said. "As far
as I can see, the top 10 stations - minimum - in the market. We made it
very clear we wanted market saturation to get the point across." . .
.
The president of the Columbus chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, doesn't think terrorism is to be taken
lightly.
Asma Mobin-Uddin said she is concerned the ad's tone and imagery are
"mocking and disrespectful to many different areas. One is Islamic
faith and Islamic culture."
"Using that as a promotional pitch when so many are dying from the
criminal activity of suicide bombers, that's not funny," Mobin-Uddin
said. "I don't think it's appropriate when it causes real pain. It
exploits or promotes misunderstanding in terms already misunderstood or
misused. That type of ad does nothing but promote discord in a very
difficult time. The timing is just amazing. Maybe that's part of the
shock value." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-FL: CRIST REMOVES DOZIER
OVER ISLAM COMMENTS -
TOP
Pompano minister called faith a `cult'
Gregory Lewis, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/23/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pncdozier23sep23,0,4190037.story
Republican gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist on Friday removed from his
"Strengthening Florida's Families" policy council the Rev.
O'Neal Dozier, a controversial Pompano Beach minister who has called
Islam a "cult."
Erin Isaacs, Crist's deputy campaign press secretary, said Dozier was
taken off the campaign advisory panel.
A statement from the Crist campaign said Crist respects Dozier's right to
express his political and religious beliefs, but he does not agree with
Dozier's statements on Islam.
"Charlie Crist believes that we must not confuse those who practice
any religion with a prayer toward peace with extremists who pervert
religion to further a radical cause," the statement said.
Dozier, the pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach,
has led the charge against a mosque moving to a predominantly black
section of Pompano Beach.
He has called Islam a "cult" that teaches "evil and
hatred."
Dozier, who for months has been one of Crist's key African-American
supporters, said he was told he was being removed from the council
"because of the pamphlets I've been passing out in the area where
the Muslims want to move."
Crist, Florida's attorney general, is the second Republican leader to
distance himself from Dozier and his comments. Gov. Jeb Bush in July
removed Dozier from the Broward Judicial Nominating Committee after the
minister called Islam a "cult" on a radio show.
Crist's move came a day after the Council on American-Islamic
Relations called on him to rescind Dozier's appointment to the policy
council.
"I think [Crist] did the right thing, the honorable thing, the
appropriate thing," said
Altaf Ali, executive director of
Florida CAIR, who was told by the campaign it had removed Dozier from the
policy council.
"You can't allow people who want to prevent people in certain
neighborhoods," Ali said. "It's a victory for people of
goodwill and faith." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: CRIST DUMPS PREACHER
WHO RANTED ON ISLAM -
TOP
Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist ordered his staff on Friday to
remove a Pompano Beach minister from his campaign because of his stand
against Islam.
DARRAN SIMON, Miami Herald, 9/23/06
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15588239.htm
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier suffered another political slap Friday.
Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist told his staff to take the Pompano
Beach minister off all his campaign committees. The move comes after the
Rev. Dozier characterized Islam as a "cult" and a
"dangerous religion," on a South Florida radio talk show in
July.
Dozier also recently announced plans to distribute booklets to residents
living near the site of a future mosque in a black Pompano Beach
community.
"While Charlie Crist respects Rev. Dozier's right to express his
political and religious beliefs, he does not agree with Rev. Dozier's
recent statements and writings concerning Islam," according to a
statement issued Friday by Crist's deputy press secretary Erin Isaac. .
.
"It sends a very strong message that public officials are not going
to endorse people who espouse racial bigotry, intolerance and hate,"
said
Altaf Ali, executive director the Florida chapter of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS DONATE MONEY
TO REPAIR WEST BANK, GAZA CHURCHES -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/23/06
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Florida/floSTAT02092306.htm
ST. PETERSBURG -- A group of Tampa Bay-area Muslims donated $5,000 to
help repair churches on the West Bank and Gaza Strip damaged after a
speech made by Pope Benedict XVI.
Members of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations gave the
check Thursday to the Rev. Robert Gibbons, vicar general of the Catholic
Diocese of St. Petersburg.
"We have always said we deplore any violent act carried out in the
name of Islam," said Ahmed Bedier, a spokesman for the group.
"Now we are putting our money where our mouth is."
The check was made out to The Catholic Near East Welfare Association in
Washington and was intended as seed money in a worldwide campaign to
repair the churches in the Palestinian territories, Bedier said.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: MUSLIM GROUP MEETS VATICAN
ENVOY TO U.S. -
TOP
MARTIN SIEFF, United Press International, 9/22/06
Representatives of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations met
Thursday with the Vatican's ambassador to Washington.
Other American Muslim leaders attended the meeting, which was held to
discuss the international row that has erupted following Pope Benedict
XVI's controversial comments about Islam in Regensburg, Germany, last
week.
CAIR said in a statement that its legislative director Corey Saylor and
its legal director, Arsalan Iftikhar, handed a letter to Papal Nuncio
Archbishop Pietro Sambi urging "greater dialogue and outreach"
between the world's two most populous religions that have 2.3 billion
believers between them.
"It is our belief that the proper response to this situation is for
Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts
aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam. We
oppose any language or action that tends to shake the friendship and
alliance between our faiths," the CAIR letter said. (MORE)
-----
CA: VILLARAIGOSA NAMES PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPUTY -
TOP
Arif Alikhan, 37, will oversee homeland security issues for L.A. He comes
from the Justice Department and the U.S. attorney's office.
Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times, 9/23/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-homeland23sep23,1,2943733.story
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa named a senior official from the U.S.
Department of Justice on Friday to serve as his new deputy mayor in
charge of counter-terrorism, emergency preparedness and criminal justice
matters.
Arif Alikhan, who currently oversees a national computer hacking program
for the Justice Department, will replace Maurice Suh in overseeing
homeland security and public safety issues for Los Angeles. Suh, an
attorney, will return to private practice after 15 months at City Hall. .
.
A Muslim born to Pakistani and Indian parents, Alikhan said his personal
background will inform his role as City Hall's leading counter-terrorism
official. "I hope my experience as a Muslim will help [me] address
one of the most important issues of our" time, he said. "I
think the Muslim community is just as concerned about terrorism as any
other." (MORE)
-----
RAMADAN MUBARAK FROM CAIR'S BOARD AND STAFF
-
TOP
"Without doubt, it is in the remembrance of God that hearts finds
satisfaction."
The Holy Quran, 13:28
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CT: RAMADAN A TIME TO RENEW
SPIRITUALITY -
TOP
Local Muslims Encourage Questions About Religion To Reduce Ignorance,
Promote Peace
Izaskun Larrañeta, The Day, 9/23/06
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=8bfc83fa-b1b3-4c9f-81cf-df5458e8cfb5
HAMZA COLLINS HOPES THAT people will ask him questions about Ramadan, a
month during which Muslims fast during daylight hours.
"Islam is often shown in a bad light," said
Collins,
director of civil rights for the Connecticut chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. "I hope during this month that
people will read more about Ramadan, ask questions and learn its true
meaning." (MORE)
---
CAIR-AZ: LEADERS CALL ON
MUSLIMS TO PROMOTE UNITY, FIGHT IGNORANCE DURING MONTH OF RAMADAN -
TOP
Beth Duckett, The Arizona Republic, 9/23/06
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0923phxramadan0923.html
Valley Muslims begin their holy month of Ramadan today, after the
sighting of the new moon Friday night.For the next month, Muslims will
fast during the day, abstain from smoking and strive to be better
individuals.
This year's Ramadan comes at a time when Islam has been on the minds of
people across the world as a result of Pope Benedict XVI's comments about
Islam, the war between Israel and Hezbollah and the fifth anniversary of
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
In a speech this month, Pope Benedict cited the words of a Byzantine
emperor, who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed
as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread
by the sword the faith."
Mohammed AbuHannoud, civil rights director at the Council on American
Islamic Relations in Phoenix, said, "I think if I was an
American, I would see only the negative side of the story on TV with
these stereotypes." (MORE)
---
CAIR-CHICAGO: RAMADAN FAST MORE
THAN FOOD, WATER -
TOP
Stephanie Zimmermann, Chicago Sun-Times, 9/23/06
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-ramadan23.html
Chicago attorney Janaan Hashim will begin fasting for Ramadan the morning
after the new moon is first sighted over North America, probably tonight.
Her husband will start when it's seen over the Middle East.
And many other Muslims, such as A
hmed Rehab, executive director of the
Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, will
begin fasting at dawn today, based on a newer interpretation of lunar
cycles.
Regardless of when the holy month of Ramadan begins, local believers say
it's a time to do much more than just sacrifice food and water. .
.
Rehab said he, too, is reminded to not take things for granted.
"When I see a homeless person at Ramadan, I have a lot more
understanding," he said.
---
CAIR-SACRAMENTO: AREA
MUSLIMS, JEWS PREPARING FOR SEPARATE HOLY DAYS -
TOP
Jennifer Garza, Sacramento Bee, 9/23/06
http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/27718.html
Like other Muslims, Basim Elkarra will begin the day with a light early
meal and then fast until sunset.
Leslie Kuperstein, who is Jewish, will call family and friends and spend
most of the next two days in synagogue.
For both, this is the holy season. This weekend, Jews around the world
are celebrating Rosh Hashana while Muslims are beginning the monthlong
observance of Ramadan. . .
Although the strict fasting may seem difficult to others, Elkarra says it
builds self- control and spirituality.
Elkarra, executive director of the Council on American Islamic
Relations of Sacramento Valley, says Ramadan is a spiritual and
solemn time of the year that is full of traditions.
"When I was young, I remember breaking the fast at the mosque during
the nightly prayers," Elkarra says. "It was very special to do
that with people you are close to. I try to do that now."
(MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OHIO CAR DEALER DROPS 'JIHAD' RADIO ADS, OFFERS
APOLOGY
(COLUMBUS, OH, 9/25/2006) - The Ohio chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) said today that proposed
"jihad-themed" radio advertisements for a car dealer in that
state will not be aired.
The ads reportedly would have proclaimed a "jihad" on the U.S.
auto market and offered "Fatwa Fridays" with sales
representatives in "burqas" giving free swords to
children.
SEE:
'Jihad' Auto Dealer Ad Upsets U.S. Muslims (Reuters)
SEE ALSO:
Ohio Car Dealership Blasted for Jihad Ad (AP)
An official with
Dennis
Mitsubishi in Columbus, Ohio, told CAIR-Ohio that the dealership has
issued an apology for any misunderstanding caused by "an attempt at
humor that fell short."
In a statement, Dennis Mitsubishi owner Keith Dennis said his company
ultimately decided not to air the spots:
"The public reaction to this story has been significant. A large
number of people have contacted us. Lots of them have seen the humor we
were trying to convey, but far too many were clearly bothered by it. This
was simply an attempt at humor that fell short.
I wish to offer my
sincere apology to anyone who was offended. We do not wish to
alienate anyone in our community - all of whom are potential
customers."
"We appreciate the dealership's constructive reaction to feedback
about the proposed advertisements," said
Adnan Mirza, director of
CAIR-Ohio's Columbus office. "We accept the apology from Mr.
Dennis and hope that it and the decision not to air the spots will bring
this incident to a close."
CAIR has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Adnan Mirza, 614-451-3232, 614-905-8492, E-Mail:
director@cair-ohio.com; CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the
Compassionate
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/25/96
*
Verse:
God Intends Your Well-Being
*
Help Support CAIR'S Important
Work
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Visit Church in
Gesture of Reconciliation
-
CAIR-MI Rep Speaks at Rosh Hashanah
Service
-
CAIR-CA:
Press
Conference Marking Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah
-
NV:
Area Muslims, Jews Building
Ties
-
CAIR:
Embassy Row: 'Alliance' of
Faiths (Wash Times)
*
CAIR-IL:
Muslim Leader
Says Pope's Speech Improper (Sun-Times)
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims
Increase Security After Mosque Sniper Attack
-
CAIR-FL:
Bullets Hit Mosque as
Muslims Mark Ramadan (AP)
-
CAIR-FL:
Mosque Tightens
Security (Orlando Sentinel)
*
CAIR-OH to Host
'Sharing Ramadan' Iftar
-
CAIR-CA:
Area Mosques to Open Up
for Ramadan
-
MI:
US Muslims
Celebrate Ramadan with Heavy Hearts (AFP)
*
CAIR:
Contender May Become
First Muslim in US Congress (CSM)
*
ACLU:
No Visa for Muslim
Scholar (AP)
*
Torture Victim Had No Terror Link,
Canada Told U.S. (NYT)
-
Retired Officers Criticize Rumsfeld
(AP)
*
'Islamo-Fascism' Had Its Moment
(NY Times)
*
Canada:
Arsonists Torch Islamic School on 1st
Day of Ramadan
-
CAIR-CAN Condemns Attack
Against Islamic School
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD INTENDS YOUR WELL-BEING -
TOP
"It is the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed, 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
-----
HELP SUPPORT CAIR'S IMPORTANT WORK -
TOP
DONATE
BECOME A
MEMBER
-----
CAIR-FL: TWO FAITHS SHARE ONE MESSAGE -
TOP
Nicole Johnson, St. Petersburg Times, 9/25/06
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/25/Southpinellas/Two_faiths_share_one_.shtml
SEE THE VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
TPijUH2MalU
Unity. Selflessness. Peace.
They were common themes at Sunday morning Mass at St. Paul's Catholic
Church, where a group of Muslims were visiting in a gesture of
reconciliation between the religious communities. "God created us
different so we could get to know each other better," said
Ahmed
Bedier, director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Central
Florida.
His visit to the church came on the heels of news that a mosque in South
Florida had come under gunfire Friday while people inside celebrated the
first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
The rift between the faiths also has been widened by Muslim outrage over
remarks by Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict, who quoted words of a Byzantine
emperor that characterized some of the teachings of the prophet Mohammed
as "evil and inhuman."
In St. Petersburg, between hymns and the Eucharist, Bedier spoke to the
congregation about the similarities between Islam and Christianity and
how to bring about better relations.
"We need to look for ways to forge a bridge between Islam and
Christianity," Bedier said. "As Muslims, we have to act more
like Mohammed and as Christians you have to act more like
Jesus."
Bedier's visit was a part of a larger campaign by his organization, and
other American Muslim groups, to change the tide of associating violence
with Islam.
Last week, the council announced that it would work through the Catholic
Diocese of St. Petersburg to donate money for repairing churches in the
Middle East damaged by violence following the Pope's remarks.
The Rev. Robert Gibbons, the diocese's vicar general and the pastor of
St. Paul's, thought a message from Bedier would also be beneficial to his
congregation.
On Sunday, Bedier and a handful of other Muslims from CAIR sat in the
front row for Mass. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI REP SPEAKS AT ROSH HASHANAH
SERVICE -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/25/06) - On Sunday, September 24, the Michigan
chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI)
participated in a service marking the second day of the Jewish New Year,
Rosh Hashanah, at the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County in Ann
Arbor, Michigan.
The two-hour service focused on the importance of Abraham and sacrifice
in the Jewish and Islamic faiths. CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid
addressed the congregation for approximately 20 minutes and fielded
numerous questions about Islam after the service.
CAIR-MI was invited to participate at the same location for the
fast-breaking service of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, on
October 2, which again falls during the month of Ramadan in which Muslims
also fast.
CONTACT: Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203,
director@cairmichigan.org
---
CAIR-CA: PRESS
CONFERENCE COMMEMORATING RAMADAN AND ROSH HASHANAH -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/25/2006) - Senator Carole Migden, (D-San Francisco
& North Bay) and Assembly Member Paul Koretz, (D-West Hollywood)
announced today that they will be joined by Sacramento area Muslim and
Jewish leaders next week to issue a joint statement regarding the
coinciding Jewish and Muslim holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan this
year.
WHAT: Press Conference Commemorating Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah
WHEN: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Room 122 of the State Capitol
"To those who think that we are in a clash of civilizations, I say
let them come to California. Here, no one bats an eye when Ramadan is
celebrated just a day after Rosh Hashanah. California is proof that
anything especially peace is possible if good people are willing to
work hard and achieve it, instead of sowing seeds of discord to further
their own political ends," Said Senator Migden. "On the eve of
solemn and holy observances among the Jewish and Muslim people, we should
all say a prayer for peace and understanding in the world."
The statement will assemble religious organizations and leaders such as
Basim Elkarra from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Rabbi David
Wechsler- Azen, Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen from Congregation Beth Shalom,
and the Sacramento Committee on Conscience.
"As we welcome Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah at a time of increased
prayer we wish both communities a blessed holiday" Said Basim
Elkarra, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,
Sacramento Valley Office. "We believe the coincidence of the two
holidays will be a great opportunity for continued dialogue and to
promote understanding to make California a center of interfaith
harmony."
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and beginning of the 10 days of
introspection and reflection which culminates at Yom Kippur. Ramadan is
the period of daytime fasting and contemplation which lasts for a lunar
month of about 28 days. It commemorates the transmission of the Qur'an by
the archangel Gabriel to Muhammad.
CONTACT: CAIR-Sacramento Valley Executive Director Basim Elkarra, Email:
sacval@cair.com, Tel: 916-441-6269.
Office of Senator Carole Migden, Djibril Diop, Email:
Djibril.Diop@SEN.CA.GOV,
Tel: 201-9813
---
NV: AREA MUSLIMS, JEWS BUILDING TIES
-
TOP
David Jacobs, Reno Gazette-Journal, 9/25/06
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060925/NEWS10/609250318/1002/NEWS
A visit by Reno-area Jews to the Northern Nevada Muslim Community Center
on Sunday involved more than Ramadan and the Jewish High Holy Days
falling at the same time.
It's about building ties between Muslims and Jews.
Local Muslims invited Temple Sinai members to the community center and
mosque to break a Ramadan fast at sundown Sunday.
The gathering in Sparks was planned as Jews observe the High Holy Days
and Ramadan gets under way.
At least a dozen members of Temple Sinai visited the Muslim community
center.
"A lot of Muslims and Jews are cousins, neighbors, and we have a lot
of common problems," said Mike Medvin of Temple Sinai. "If we
can't sit down and have dinner together and talk, we're never going to be
able to solve the problems.
"If people do not stand up together and speak against inhumanity,
there will always be inhumanity," he added.
Waseem Akhtar, a Muslim, called the visit "good for the community.
It will bring us closer together, and that's definitely good for
all," he said.
Imam Abdul Barghouthi of the Muslim community center in Sparks said he
borrowed the idea for the gathering from other states.
"I believe there is a move toward that from the different faith
groups where people, religious people, are feeling that their faith --
regardless of what it is -- can contribute to a better world, should
contribute to a better world," he said.
"The only way we can do that is by reaching out to the other faiths
and working together, instead of against each other," Barghouthi
said. "I hope we can minimize our differences and emphasize our
similarities and see where it goes from there.
"I am hoping to start a interreligious and interfaith dialogue so
our groups, our respective groups, will get to know one another. By doing
that, we will have a relation(ship) that is based on knowledge and
respect, and we will try to get rid of the ignorance of each other's
faith and each other's practices."
Rabbi Myra Soifer of Temple Sinai was asked to speak about Rosh Hashana
-- the Jewish new year-- and Yom Kippur, the year's holiest day for
Jews.
Barghouthi and Soifer wrote about the gathering in a joint column in
Saturday's Reno Gazette-Journal. "World politics often divide Muslim
and Jewish communities," they wrote. "Tragically, often that
divide is a violent one. We see blessing in this confluence of our
communities' most sacred times."
Rosh Hashana and Ramadan started over the weekend. (MORE)
---
CAIR: EMBASSY ROW: 'ALLIANCE' OF FAITHS -
TOP
James Morrison, Washington Times, 9/25/06
http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060924-092117-8851r.htm
Islamic-American leaders met with the Vatican's ambassador in Washington
to call for a better dialogue between Muslims and Christians after
worldwide Islamic protests over remarks by Pope Benedict XVI.
Representatives of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
delivered a letter to Archbishop Pietro Sambi last week and pledged to
oppose "any language or action that tends to shake the friendship
and alliance between our faiths."
"It is our belief that the proper response to this situation is for
Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts
aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam,"
said the letter delivered by
CAIR legislative director Corey Saylor
and legal director Arsalan T. Iftikhar.
Archbishop Sambi called on Christians and Muslims to work together for
"peace, liberty, social justice and moral values for the benefit of
all humanity."
-----
CAIR-CHICAGO: VISITING MUSLIM
LEADER: POPE'S SPEECH IMPROPER -
TOP
Maudlyne Ihejirika, Chicago Sun-Times, 9/24/06
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-muslim24.html
In one fell swoop, Pope Benedict XVI imploded bridges built by his
predecessors with his recent remarks that sparked fury across the Muslim
world, one of the world's top Muslim leaders said here Saturday.
Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organization of
the Islamic Conference, an intergovernmental agency of 57 Islamic
countries, also said Benedict's efforts to defuse the situation fell
short of an apology.
'An astonishing statement'
"One does not expect the pope to speak on leaders of other religions
as such. That was an astonishing statement, taking into consideration his
predecessors' efforts toward building bridges over the last 46 years,
that have met with good response from the world's Muslim
population," Ihsanoglu said at a press conference at the Drake
Hotel.
Ihsanoglu was here to meet with the
Chicago Chapter of the Council on
American Islamic Relations and the Greater Chicago Chapter of the
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee at the onset of
Ramadan.
He was responding to the pope's speech at a German university Sept. 12.
Benedict quoted a Byzantine emperor who called some teachings of the
Prophet Muhammad "evil and inhuman," particularly "his
command to spread by the sword the faith."
A week later, Benedict said he did not mean to malign Islam when he
quoted the medieval emperor, but he failed to issue the direct apology
demanded by some Muslims.
"Academically, the lecture by his holiness on the relationship
between faith and reason is a very good subject, but he built his
comparison from a polemic book written in the 14th century. ... So of
course, there is some information that is scholarly wrong when the pope
speaks of the Quran," Ihsanoglu said.
"This is not the proper way for the pontiff to deal with the prophet
of 1.4 billion people. ... What we have seen officially from the Vatican
does not include an apology. It includes regret for the reaction of the
Muslim world, not for the lecture itself," he asserted.
-----
CAIR-FL:
FLORIDA MUSLIMS URGED TO INCREASE MOSQUE SECURITY FOLLOWING SNIPER ATTACK
-
TOP
(ORLANDO, FL, 9/25/06) - On September 23, the Orlando office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Orlando) held a news
conference outside a Florida mosque that was targeted in a sniper attack
during Ramadan prayers Friday night.
Representatives from CAIR-Florida, Islamic Society of Brevard County,
FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Melbourne
Police Department spoke in support of the Muslim community and sent a
message that hate crime perpetrators will be found and brought to
justice. They also urged the public to report any information related to
the mosque shooting to the authorities.
SEE VIDEO NEWS COVERAGE:
WFTS ABC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8cBYWfVa1I
WFLA NBC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0M8NrsZuo
SEE PHOTOS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10168364@N00/sets/72157594297790563/
"An attack on one house of worship is an attack on all houses of
worship," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier. "We
should not allow events that happen overseas to affect what happens in
our country." He also called upon Governor Jeb Bush to step up
police patrols of mosques and Islamic centers in Florida.
According to news reports, shots were fired at the Islamic Society of
Brevard County, narrowly missing a worshipper.
SEE: Sniper Shooting at Brevard Mosque
http://www.cfnews13.com/StoryHeadline.aspx?id=18834
Commander Ron Bell of the Melbourne Police Department, FDLE Special Agent
Supervisor Bob O'Connor and FBI special agent Kevin Farrington all said
that they are increasing security at the mosque. The shooting is being
investigated as a possible hate crime.
Last week, CAIR released its 2006 Civil Rights report in which it
indicated an almost 30 percent increase in the total number of complaints
of anti-Muslim bias from 2004 to 2005.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 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.
SEE ALSO:
FL ISLAMIC CENTERS INCREASE SECURITY AFTER SNIPER ATTACK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPvyqWGYv-Y
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-Mail:
altaf@cairfl.org; CAIR-Tampa
Executive Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org
---
CAIR-FL: BULLETS POCK MOSQUE AS
MUSLIMS MARK RAMADAN -
TOP
No members are injured, but one outside takes cover. Patrols are being
beefed up around the mosque, Melbourne police say.
Associated Press, 9/24/06
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/24/State/Bullets_pock_mosque_a.shtml
A mosque was hit by gunfire as members inside celebrated the start of the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan, authorities said Saturday.
No injuries were reported, and there were no arrests.
A member of the Islamic Society of Brevard County stepped outside the
mosque Friday night to use his cell phone when he heard several gunshots,
police said.
The man, who was not immediately identified, took cover behind a wall as
several rounds struck the building, police said. He then ran inside and
told mosque members, who called police.
Authorities searched the surrounding area for suspects but found
none.
A pair of binoculars, footprints and tire tracks were found in the woods
across from the mosque, said Melbourne police spokeswoman Jill
Frederiksen. Investigators are still trying to determine if they are
related to the case, Frederiksen said.
No other details were released, but the investigation is ongoing,
Frederiksen said. Detectives were working to determine a reason for the
shooting.
Police will begin extra patrols around the mosque in Melbourne, about 50
miles east-southeast of Orlando.
The shooting happened on the start of Ramadan, a holiday that centers on
inner reflection and reconnecting with God and family, a spokeswoman for
the Council on American-Islamic Relations said.
"It was very scary that this happened under what most regard as a
peaceful time of year,"
CAIR-Orlando executive director Sabiha
Khan said.
Ibrahim Hooper, a national CAIR spokesman, said that while no
motive had been determined by police, the shooting fit a pattern of
incidents at mosques this year.
A bullet-riddled Koran was left outside a mosque in Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and an Indiana mosque was vandalized. There were other incidents at
mosques in Maine, Arizona and Maryland.
"Worshipers of the mosque would obviously be disturbed if (religion)
was the motive for the attack," Hooper said Saturday.
---
CAIR-FL: MOSQUE TIGHTENS SECURITY
-
TOP
Orlando Sentinel, 9/24/06
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/orl-mcfbriefs24_506sep24,0,7897965.story
There was heightened security Saturday at a Brevard County mosque where
Muslims continued their observance of the holy month of Ramadan, one day
after someone opened fire on the facility.
Shots, apparently from a high-power rifle, rang out about 10 p.m. Friday
and appeared to be aimed at a man who walked out of the Islamic Society
of Brevard County on East Florida Avenue in Melbourne to use his cell
phone, said A
hmed Bedier, executive director of the Council on
American Islamic Relations.
Some of the bullets went into a room where nightly prayers were taking
place, Bedier said. No one was injured.
The FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are joining Melbourne
and Brevard County authorities in the investigation. Authorities said
binoculars were found in a wooded area across from the mall.
Bedier said his organization has called on authorities statewide to
protect Muslim houses of worship while calling on Islamic centers to step
up their own security.
-----
CAIR-OH TO HOST 'SHARING
RAMADAN' IFTAR -
TOP
RELIGION EVENTS, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/23/06
Ramadan dinner
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 6, 7-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cleveland State University, Joseph Cole Center, 3100 Chester
Ave.
Details: Sharing Ramadan Iftar Dinner, an interfaith family event
sponsored by the
Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Reservations requested by Friday, Sept. 29. Tel: 216-830-2247.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: AREA MOSQUES TO OPEN UP -
TOP
Muslims welcome visitors during Ramadan
By Jonathan Jones, Inside Bay Area, 9/23/06
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_4385856
As they have in years past, Bay Area mosques and the Council on
American-Islamic Relations are planning to hold open houses for
non-Muslims and local leaders to learn about Islam as part of Ramadan,
the monthlong fast during daylight hours to celebrate the revelation of
the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Islamic Society of the East Bay, the largest mosque in the Tri-City
area, plans to hold its open house on Sunday, Oct. 8, with booths opening
at 4 p.m. and the program beginning at 4:30 p.m. at 33330 Peace
Terrace.
This year, though, organizers say they considered holding the open house
in the courtyard due to logistics and the sheer number of visitors in
what is, until the new construction is completed, cramped
quarters.
But holding the open house outdoors also conveniently avoids thorny
issues such as the separation of men and women during prayers and the
iftar dinner - the meal served at the end of the day during Ramadan - as
well as other awkward issues such as cell phones going off in the middle
of the worship.
"When we're in a place of worship, we need to respect that place and
we like that etiquette to be followed," said Khalid Baig, the
president of Islamic Society of the East Bay. "But if we have a
general meeting in the courtyard, we don't have to maintain or be as
serious about those issues."
Jitu Choudhury, outreach committee chairman for the Islamic Society of
the East Bay and organizer of the open house, admitted it's a balancing
act of reaching out to the greater community while also trying not to
offend more conservative Muslims.
He acknowledged that cultural issues sometimes create tricky situations,
or misunderstandings, during open houses, citing an incident last year
when one woman wore a short skirt to the event.
"Am I really going to kick them out?" Choudhury said. "I
want people to be respectful but, more importantly, I want people to come
and learn about our religion. I want them to know what I stand for and
how I raise my children."
Choudhury said he still expects most of the presentations to be held
upstairs in the main prayer hall, although some booths will be outside in
the courtyard.
"When Muslim families go to the mosque, we have different rooms for
prayers; we don't stay together," Choudhury said. "But if a
non-Muslim family wants to sit together, it's not going to be frowned
upon."
Sameena Usman, spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations in the San Francisco Bay Area, said they leave it up to
each mosque to determine how to plan an open house.
"Every mosque that participates (in the open house) has held
interfaith events in the past," Usman said. "I think most
people understand that many women will not wear a head scarf, nor should
they feel compelled to. They're not Muslim and it's not a part of their
culture." (MORE)
---
MI: US MUSLIMS CELEBRATE
RAMADAN WITH HEAVY HEARTS -
TOP
Mary Chapman, Agence France Presse, 9/24/06
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060924/ts_afp/usislamramadan_060924164104
DEARBORN, United States (AFP) - During what should be a joyous time of
fellowship, worship and reflection, many Muslims streamed into the
Islamic Center of America on the first night of Ramadan with heavy
hearts.
Sick of the suspicious glances, slurs and false accusations of being
terrorists, they feel like second-class citizens in their own
country.
"I feel comfortable at home but once I leave there, and leave my
community, I feel like I'm in a whole different atmosphere right
now," 18-year-old Zeinab Zahreldin, a freshman at the University of
Michigan-Dearborn, told AFP late Saturday. "It's not at all
comfortable."
The Detroit area has around 200,000 Muslims and the suburb of Dearborn
has one of the highest concentrations of Arab-Americans in the United
States. Businesses here post Arabic signs, most restaurants serve Halal
meat, and Arabs are prominent in local politics.
But five years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, it seems like
a new reason for anxiety and alienation comes every week. Most recently,
it was
Pope Benedict XVI's remarks linking Islam to violence.
Before that was President George W. Bush's use of the term Islamofacists.
And then there were the local college students arrested as terrorists
because they bought pre-paid cell phones.
"I have to pray real hard when I come to Ramadan, everything is so
different now," said Ali Almuna, an Iraqi immigrant who moved to the
United States 11 years ago. "The way the people look at us and treat
us. There's a lot of discrimination. I've had bad language used toward
me, my wife and kids. One day strangers called us terrorists. I didn't
say anything, I just thought that was so sad." (MORE)
-----
CAIR: CONTENDER MAY BECOME FIRST
MUSLIM IN US CONGRESS -
TOP
Amanda Paulson, Christian Science Monitor, 9/25/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0925/p01s02-uspo.html
When Keith Ellison arrives at the Karmel Square, one of Minneapolis's
Somali malls, a rock star might as well be walking by the bustling stalls
of bright fabrics, jewelry, phone cards, and videos.
People laugh and cheer as they hug Mr. Ellison and pat him on the back.
Some speak quickly in Somali as an interpreter translates, and others
offer congratulations in fluent English.
"Asalamu aleikum, brothers," Ellison says with a smile.
"Thanks for voting." He is not Somali, or even an immigrant,
but for these voters, Ellison is one of their own. After his victory in
this month's Democratic primary in the Fifth District, he's likely to
become the first Muslim elected to Congress. He would also be the first
black congressman to come from Minnesota.
The distinctions are ones Ellison tries to downplay, always directing
conversation back to the issues, but national media and many Minnesotans
want to talk of little else.
"You think of the stereotype of Minnesota - Garrison Keillor and
white Norwegian farmers. The first Muslim congressman coming from
Minnesota? It says a lot about the changing face of the United States and
Minnesota," says Larry Jacobs, director of the University of
Minnesota's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. "I
think it's one of the most interesting races in the country." . .
.
Muslims, both in Minneapolis and around the country, are quick to cheer
his success as well.
"It sends two very positive messages," says
Corey Saylor,
national legislative director for the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, an advocacy group in Washington. "It sends a message
about the American people, that five years after 9/11 they're comfortable
sending an American to Congress, on issues not based on faith. And for
the American Muslim community, it says our community has grown in
political inclusion to the point where we can get someone elected to
higher office." (MORE)
-----
ACLU: NO VISA FOR MUSLIM SCHOLAR -
TOP
Larry Neumeister, Associated Press, 9/25/06
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4212610.html
NEW YORK - The U.S. government has rejected a prominent Muslim scholar's
application to enter the country on the grounds that he donated several
hundred dollars to French and Swiss groups that provide humanitarian aid
to Palestinians, a civil rights group announced Monday.
Tariq Ramadan learned that his visa application was rejected last week,
three months after a judge ordered the government to decide whether he
can enter the country to speak before groups that had invited him, the
American Civil Liberties Union said.
The Bush administration contends the French and Swiss groups, which the
ACLU said are legitimate charities, gave funds to Hamas and invoked a law
allowing it to exclude individuals whom it believes have supported
terrorism.
Ramadan, who teaches at Oxford University, said in a statement that he
was disappointed by the government's decision but was glad that the State
Department had abandoned its initial allegation that he endorsed
terrorism.
"I think it's clear from the history of this case that the U.S.
government's real fear is of my ideas," he said. "I am excluded
not because the government truly believes me to be a national security
threat, but because of my criticisms of American foreign policies in the
Middle East; because of my opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and
because of my criticism of some of the Bush administration's policies
with respect to civil liberties."
A message left for comment with the State Department was not immediately
returned.
Jameel Jaffer, an ACLU lawyer, said the civil rights group would decide
whether to pursue the issue through the courts once it speaks with
organizations it represents that filed a lawsuit challenging the
government's exclusion of Ramadan. (MORE)
-----
TORTURE VICTIM HAD NO TERROR LINK, CANADA
TOLD U.S. -
TOP
Scott Shane, New York Times, 9/25/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/world/americas/25arar.html
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 - When the United States sent Maher Arar to Syria,
where he was tortured for months, the deportation order stated
unequivocally that Mr. Arar, a Canadian software engineer, was a member
of Al Qaeda. But a few days earlier, Canadian investigators had told the
F.B.I. that they had not been able to link him to the terrorist
group.
That is one of the disclosures in the 1,200-page report released last
week after a two-year Canadian investigation of Mr. Arar's case found him
to be innocent of any terrorist ties. The report urges the Canadian
government to formally protest the American treatment of Mr. Arar, a
recommendation Canadian officials are considering.
Mr. Arar, 37, who now lives in British Columbia, has a lawsuit against
United States officials and agencies that is on appeal, and he has
demanded an explanation for his treatment from the Bush
administration.
A close reading of the Arar Commission report offers a rare window on
American actions in the case, describing seemingly flimsy evidence behind
the American decision in 2002 to send Mr. Arar to a country notorious for
torture; a deliberate attempt by American officials to deceive Canada
about where Mr. Arar was; and lingering confusion among top American
officials about the two countries' roles in the case.
President Bush earlier this month acknowledged for the first time that
high-level people suspected of being terrorists had been held in secret
prisons overseas by the Central Intelligence Agency. But he and other
officials have said nothing publicly about the American practice of
rendition, in which dozens of suspects have been seized and turned over
for interrogation to other countries, including several known to engage
routinely in torture.
Cases like that of Mr. Arar would not be affected by the compromise
legislation on detainee treatment worked out between the White House and
Republican senators last week, since it would have no effect on
interrogation methods used by other countries. In fact, the proposed bill
would strip non-Americans held overseas under United States control of
the right to challenge their detention in federal court.
"It's a huge hole in what Congress is doing," said Michael
Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York,
which represents Mr. Arar in his lawsuit. "The government can still
send people secretly to other countries where they'll be
tortured."
For nearly four years, the United States government has refused to make
public any information on the case of Mr. Arar, which has become an
international symbol of American excesses in the campaign against
terrorism. The Bush administration refused to cooperate with the Canadian
commission, so many questions about American actions and motives remain
unanswered.
But Mr. Arar's case is more public than other cases of rendition, because
he was detained inside the United States and legally deported, creating a
modest paper trail. The three-volume report describes Canadian contacts
with American officials in meticulous detail, offering by far the fullest
account of any rendition case to date.
The commission's report says inexperienced Canadian police officials
originally passed inaccurate information to the United States linking Mr.
Arar to terrorism, based largely on his acquaintance with other men under
suspicion. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
RETIRED OFFICERS CRITICIZE RUMSFELD -
TOP
DAVID ESPO, Associated Press, 9/25/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15603486.htm
WASHINGTON - Retired military officers on Monday bluntly accused Defense
Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld of bungling the war in Iraq, saying U.S.
troops were sent to fight without the best equipment and that critical
facts were hidden from the public.
"I believe that Secretary Rumsfeld and others in the administration
did not tell the American people the truth for fear of losing support for
the war in Iraq," retired Maj. Gen. John R. S. Batiste said in
remarks prepared for a forum conducted by Senate Democrats.
-----
'ISLAMO-FASCISM' HAD ITS MOMENT -
TOP
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 9/24/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/weekinreview/24stolberg.html
Shortly after terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001,
President Bush's speechwriters began grappling with a linguistic puzzle:
What to call the enemy? In the five years since, Mr. Bush has road-tested
an array of terms: evildoers, jihadists, Islamic extremists, even
"Al Qaeda suiciders."
But no phrase has crashed and burned as fast as the president's most
recent entry into the foreign policy lexicon: Islamic fascists, or,
Islamo-fascism.
This latest iteration, which has percolated in neoconservative circles
for several years, turned up in one of the president's speeches last
year, and resurfaced in August when British authorities foiled a plot to
blow up airliners headed for the United States. It was, Mr. Bush said
then, "a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic
fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love
freedom."
By Labor Day, Islamic fascists and Islamo-fascism were the hot new
conservative buzzwords.
And then, just as suddenly, they were gone - at least from the
president's lips.
"The debate that we wanted to launch was about an ideological
struggle against an enemy that has very specific plans, ambitions and
aspirations, much like movements of the past, like fascism and
Nazism," said Dan Bartlett, counselor to the president. Addressing
the term Islamic fascists, Mr. Bartlett said, "I'm sure he'll use it
again."
But it seems unlikely Mr. Bush will use it again, given the outcry it
provoked.
Muslims, both here and in other countries, were deeply offended. Even
Karen Hughes, the former counselor to Mr. Bush who now runs the public
diplomacy arm of the State Department, pushed back, telling CNN's Wolf
Blitzer that she typically does not "use religious terms" for
fear they will be misinterpreted around the world.
"The problem with the phrase is that it confuses more than it
clarifies," says David Gergen, a former speechwriter for Richard
Nixon. "It's important to find a phrase that's meaningful in the
Arabic world, and Islamic fascism has no meaning."
The precise etymology of "Islamo-fascism" is unclear. Some say
that the writer Christopher Hitchens introduced it into post-9/11
discourse. But Stephen Schwartz, executive director of the Center for
Islamic Pluralism, which promotes moderate Muslim views, also takes
credit, describing the phrase in a recent article as one that
"refers to the use of the faith of Islam as a cover for totalitarian
ideology."
If "Islamic fascists" and "Islamo-fascism" have
disappeared from Mr. Bush's oratory - they were nowhere to be found in
his 9/11 anniversary speeches, for instance - questions about the phrases
have not. The president was forced to grapple with such inquiries twice
last week alone. On Friday, in response to a Pakistani journalist, Mr.
Bush invoked a far more general term: "these
extremists."
All of which leaves the central problem - what to call the enemy -
unresolved. (MORE)
-----
CANADA: ARSONISTS TORCH ISLAMIC SCHOOL ON 1ST DAY OF
RAMADAN -
TOP
CBC News, 9/25/06
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2006/09/25/schoolfire.html
Ottawa police say a fire at a private Islamic school in the city's west
end early Saturday morning was not a hate crime - but the chairman of the
school's board disagrees.
The fire at Abraar School on Grenon Avenue broke out around 3 a.m. ET on
the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.
The fire caused $100,000 in damages and destroyed part of the roof. There
were no injuries.
Police said the fire was the work of arsonists but added that they found
no indication it was motivated by hate.
"At this time, we haven't got any evidence pointing towards a hate
crime," Det. Will Hinterberger of the Ottawa Police Hate Crime Unit
told the Ottawa Sun.
But Abdala Kheireddine, the chairman of the school board, told the paper
he disagreed with the police assessment.
"As far as we're concerned, it's still under investigation [as a
hate crime]," he said.
"In my time [at the school], neighbourhood kids would disturb some
of the playground toys and things like that but never anything of this
magnitude."
Abraar School made headlines in 2005 when two teachers were suspended
after allegedly praising a student for an anti-Semitic essay he wrote.
The story was about revenge on Israel for the assassination of Sheik
Ahmed Yassin, the leader of the Hamas militant group.
School officials said they expected classes to run as usual on
Monday.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CAN CONDEMNS ATTACK AGAINST
ISLAMIC SCHOOL IN OTTAWA -
TOP
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 9/23/06) - The
Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN) has condemned the recent act of vandalism
committed against a Muslim school in the Ottawa area. The attack took
place early Saturday morning with the resulting fire causing extensive
damage to the property. One media report has cited the amount of damage
to be close to a hundred thousand dollars.
This most recent episode is part of a disturbing trend of similar
incidents that have occurred across Canada this year.
To view the CAIR-CAN release concerning the mosque attack that took place
in
Manitoba two weeks ago, please click here:
http://www.caircan.ca/itn_more.php?id=2699_0_2_0_C
In a statement released today, CAIR-CAN said:
"CAIR-CAN is calling on local politicians and security officials in
Ottawa to demonstrate leadership by standing in support with the Muslim
community against this latest attack. Security officials must investigate
this incident and bring the criminals responsible to justice. CAIR-CAN is
confident that the prompt response of the Hate Crime Unit as well as
other division of the Ottawa Police will provide the answers to the
questions that many in the community are looking to them to
provide.
"CAIR-CAN further encourages all Ottawa residents and citizens of
conscience across Canada to engage in outreach efforts within their
communities. By strengthening relations and building bridges to defend
democratic values, Canadians can stand united and show hate groups that
their malicious agendas will not be tolerated in civil
society."
CONTACT Karl Nickner at 613-853-4111
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/26/06
*
Help Support CAIR's Important
Work
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Hadith:
The Gates of Heaven are
Opened
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Ramadan Health and Spirituality
Guide
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Reminder:
CAIR to Host Ramadan
'Iftar' on Capitol Hill
*
CAIR-MI:
Muslims Seek Mtg
Over Rep's 'Polarizing Language'
*
CAIR-FL:
Attack on FL Mosque is
Intolerable
-
PA:
Sikh Sign Defaced With Anti-Arab
Graffiti
-
Canada:
Hate Comes Knocking on Mosque's
Doorstep
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Video:
CAIR-OH Rep Discusses 'Jihad' Ads on
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*
'Jihad' Ad Articles:
USA
Today,
Reuters,
AP,
Columbus Disp
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CAIR:
Guantanamo's Uneasy
Ramadan (LA Times)
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FL:
Anti-Extremist Scholars
Sent Home (Sun-Sent)
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AZ:
Tucsonan Finds Her Way with
Islam
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GA:
Muslim Convert
Catches Flak from Both Sides
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WI:
Art Museum
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GA:
Gainesville Islamic
Center is Expanding
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Muslims Break Fast with
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German Study Challenges Notions About
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HADITH OF THE DAY: THE SUPPLICATIONS OF THREE PEOPLE
ARE NOT REJECTED BY GOD -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The supplications of
three people are not rejected (by God): the supplication of a fasting
person at the time of breaking fast, of a just ruler, and of a person who
is wronged. God causes their supplications to rise above the clouds, and
gates of heaven are opened for them, and God says: 'By My Majesty, I will
help you, even (if) it be after a while.'"
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 113C
SEE ALSO:
RAMADAN HEALTH AND SPIRITUALITY GUIDE -
TOP
http://www.thpct.nhs.uk/uploads/guides/DH%20health%20guide.pdf
-----
CAIR TO HOST RAMADAN 'IFTAR' ON
CAPITOL HILL -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/26/06) - CAIR will this evening hold its fourth
annual Capitol Hill Ramadan "iftar," or fast-breaking meal, for
congressional staffers, American Muslim community leaders and diplomats
from Muslim nations.
WHAT: Fourth Annual Ramadan Iftar on Capitol Hill
WHEN: Tuesday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (fast-breaking is at 6:59
p.m.)
MEDIA RSVP: E-Mail:
arubin@cair.com
or call 202-742-6412 (Limited space is available for media outlets that
wish to cover the iftar.)
The iftar will feature the breaking of the fast and the Islamic sunset
prayer (maghrib). It is designed to allow Muslim leaders, congressional
staffers and elected officials to network on issues of mutual concern, to
foster greater understanding of Islam and the American Muslim community
and to show appreciation for staffers who have been working closely with
Muslims.
-----
MI MUSLIMS SEEK MEETING OVER REP'S
'POLARIZING LANGUAGE' -
TOP
Rep. McCotter introduces term 'jihadist-fascist' in Congress
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/26/06) - The Michigan chapter of Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called for a meeting with
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) over his use of "polarizing
language" on the House floor yesterday. SEE:
http://mccotter.house.gov/
On Wednesday, McCotter used the term "jihadist-fascist" in
reference to the violent situation in Iraq saying, "The crushing
weight of putting Iraq back into the terrorist and the jihadist-fascist
camp will have enormous ramifications. . ."
"Representative McCotter should use his time on the House floor to
foster dialogue and mutual understanding, not to introduce hot-button
terms that will further damage our nation's image in the Islamic
world," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid said President Bush has stopped using the term "Islamic
fascist" after Muslims in America and around the world expressed
concerns that it was ill-defined and counterproductive in winning hearts
and minds in the war on terror.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203, Email:
director@cairmichigan.org
-----
CAIR-FL: HATRED AMONG US -
TOP
Attack on Melbourne mosque is intolerable; offenders must be found
Florida Today, 9/26/06
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/OPINION/609260339/1004
Friday's attack on a Melbourne mosque is more than deplorable. It
represents an apparent and potentially deadly escalation in a series of
attacks on local houses of worship.
Only by chance was Delacie Phillips, a member of the Islamic Society of
Brevard, not killed by shots fired from a wooded area across from the
mosque.
But he was nicked in the hand as a shot shattered a window above his
head, and was forced to take cover as five more bullets struck the
building's south side.
Authorities have not classified it as a hate crime, although it appears
to be one. That's why investigators are pulling out the stops: The FBI,
federal Joint Terrorism Task force and Florida Department of Law
Enforcement are joining Melbourne Police in the probe.
Fortunately, the cowardly shooter or shooters left behind footprints and
a pair of binoculars that indicates possible premeditation and might
offer evidence of identity.
Punishing the guilty is essential to show this community wholly rejects
violence or intimidation against people of any faith, whether they be
Muslims or others whose victimization displays the pointless destruction
of blind ignorance.
Such action is on the rise, with 334 hate crimes reported last year in
Florida, up 22 percent over 2004.
Locally, in the past 12 months, Cocoa's Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
was defaced with the statement "I eat babies to stay young,"
and a Nazi swastika was painted on the Kol Mashiach Messianic synagogue
in Melbourne.
But Melbourne's mosque now has been targeted three times: A crude
crucifix was scrawled on its wall last October; last week, shots,
possibly from an air rifle, were fired at the mosque, and then there was
Friday's far more dangerous attack.
The shooters might, in some twisted way, be responding to Islamic
militants' attacks on Christian churches in the Mideast that followed a
14th-century quotation by Pope Benedict XVI to show the need for dialogue
between Christians and Muslims.
The pope has since apologized for having offended some Muslims, met with
Islamic leaders, and reiterated his respect for the Muslim
faith.
In that same spirit, the Central Florida chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations has collected money to repair the damaged
Mideast churches, giving credence to Islamic statements against such
destruction. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
PA: SIKH SIGN DEFACED WITH ANTI-ARAB GRAFFITI
-
TOP
Billboard graffiti shows Sikhs 9/11 bias victims
A sign promoting Sikhism is defaced. A Sikh leader says adherents of the
religion have been harassed nationwide because people believe they are
Muslims.
Darrin Youker, Reading Eagle, 9/26/06
http://www.readingeagle.com/re/news/1574060.asp
Local Sikhs have used billboards to draw the distinction between their
religion and Islam.
That message apparently hasn't gotten through to some people.
A billboard in Bethel Township along Interstate 78 rented by a group
promoting awareness of Sikhism was spray-painted with profanity and
phrases such as "Arab Go to Hell" and "Jesus
Saves."
"We are not Arabs," said Shivinder Singh Athwal, founder of the
World Sikh Syndicate, which rented the billboard. "We wanted people
to know where we come from and what we believe in." (MORE)
---
CANADA: HATE COMES KNOCKING ON MOSQUE'S DOORSTEP -
TOP
Two suspects charged with causing mischief to religious property
Lorianna De Giorgio, Town Crier, 9/26/06
http://www.towncrieronline.ca/main/main.php?direction=viewstory&storyid=5744&rootcatid=21&rootsubcatid=%23rootsubcatid
An east-end mosque was the scene of a hate-crime investigation earlier
this month when police arrested and charged two men for attempting to
damage the religious property.
On Aug. 9 just after 1:30 a.m. police were called to Madinah Mosque, on
Danforth Ave. after two men were allegedly caught damaging the mosque's
door.
"Several men were inside the mosque and they heard a bang on the
rear door," said Det. Sgt. William Stanley of 55 Division.
The mosque's door was slightly damaged and the men from the mosque found
two men walking to a vehicle in the mosque's parking lot.
They allegedly had weapons on them -an axe and a mallet. Also one man was
wearing a balaclava, said Stanley.
"Once they were confronted, one (suspect) shoved one of the men from
the mosque," he said.
Police arrived on scene, arrested and later charged the two men.
Stanley said while the incident was an isolated event, police class it as
a hate-crime investigation and not just a case of vandalism or
assault.
"There were utterances made that make us believe that it is a
hate-crime," explained Stanley, adding one of the suspects was in
possession of an Israeli flag.
The other suspect was carrying a flag bearing the Union Jack.
(MORE)
-----
VIDEO: CAIR-OH REP DISCUSSES 'JIHAD' CAR ADS ON MSNBC
-
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iJqFxNH-HM
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-OH: ADS ARE YANKED AS
OFFENSIVE TO ARABS, MUSLIMS -
TOP
Wendy Koch, USA Today, 9/26/06
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-09-26-offensive-ads_x.htm
Not so funny.
Keith Dennis came to that reckoning after a radio ad planned by his Ohio
car dealership was criticized as anti-Muslim and refused by several radio
stations.
The commercial called for a "jihad on the automotive market."
It said salespeople would be wearing burqas, a traditional garment in
some Muslim nations, and kids would get rubber swords on "fatwa
Friday."
"Our prices are lower than the evildoers' every day," the
script said. "Just ask the pope!"
"Jihad," an Islamic term for an utmost struggle, is sometimes
used to mean a religious war. A "fatwa," a legal pronouncement
in Islam, can be a declaration of war. "This was simply an attempt
at humor that fell flat," Dennis, owner of Dennis Mitsubishi in
Columbus, said in a statement apologizing "to anyone who was
offended."
The canceled ad, which was to start airing Friday, was the latest in a
string of ads withdrawn after criticism that they were anti-Arab or
anti-Muslim.
"It's definitely something that's become more prevalent in the last
two to three years," says Tony Kutayli of the American-Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee. Such ads "spread hatred and
fear," he says.
Objections in May from the Arab American Institute and other groups
stopped billboards planned by the Missouri Corn Growers Association to
promote ethanol, a corn-based product used in a blend with gasoline. The
billboard showed a farmer standing in a cornfield and King Fahd of Saudi
Arabia. Between them was the question: "Who would you rather buy
your gas from?"
The institute and other Arab-American groups helped kill billboards in
December slated for North Carolina and New Mexico. The ads, designed by
the New York-based Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, showed a man
in a traditional Arab head scarf clutching a grenade and a driver's
license. The caption read, "Don't License Terrorists, North
Carolina." Lamar Advertising, a national firm, refused to handle the
ads.
In the past year, other ads have been pulled:
o Boeing and Bell Helicopter apologized in October for a magazine ad that
showed their product, the CV-22 Osprey, and members of the U.S. armed
forces descending by rope from a plane onto a mosque surrounded by smoke
and fire.
o The Nutritional Health Alliance stopped including flyers in mail orders
for vitamins and supplements early this year that said, "Get a
Turban for Durbin!" It pictured Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of
Illinois, who has sought regulation requiring the industry to report
serious side effects of their products, in a turban and said, "Keep
Congressional Terrorists At Bay!"
The Council on American-Islamic Relations protested the latest
jihad-themed car ad. "We appreciate the dealership's constructive
reaction," said Adnan Mirza, director of CAIR-Ohio's Columbus
office. "We accept the apology from Mr. Dennis."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-OH: OHIO CAR DEALER
DROPS "JIHAD" COMMERCIAL -
TOP
Reuters, 9/26/06
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=motoringSummary&storyID=2006-09-26T083215Z_01_NOA630726_RTRUKOC_0_LIFE-AUTOS-JIHAD.xml
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A car dealership in Ohio has decided not to run a
commercial proclaiming a "jihad" on the U.S. auto market, a
Muslim activist group said on Monday.
The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a
letter from the dealership offering an apology and saying the radio ad,
which had never been aired, was a misguided attempt at humor.
"We appreciate the dealership's constructive reaction to feedback
about the proposed advertisements," said Adnan Mirza, director of
the group's Ohio's office. "We accept the apology ... and hope that
it and the decision not to air the spots will bring this incident to a
close."
The statement from the dealership, Dennis Mitsubishi in Columbus, said
"A large number of people have contacted us. Lots of them have seen
the humor we were trying to convey, but far too many were clearly
bothered by it. This was simply an attempt at humor that fell
short."
It also offered a "sincere apology to anyone who was
offended."
The group on Sunday had complained publicly about plans for a commercial
it said would have proclaimed a "jihad" on the U.S. auto market
offering "Fatwa Fridays" with sales representatives giving play
swords to children.
---
CAIR-OH: CAR DEALERSHIP DUMPS
'JIHAD' AD -
TOP
Owner Says Everyone Is Potential Customer
AP, 9/26/06
http://www.nbc17.com/automotive/9935042/detail.html
Here's an ad you won't hear on the radio.
Dennis Mitsubishi in Columbus, Ohio, planned to air an ad calling for
"a jihad on the automotive market." The spot also boasted sales
representatives wearing traditional head-to-toe burqas selling vehicles
roomy enough to seat "12 jihadists in the back."
The ad went on to say: "Our prices are lower than the evildoers'
every day. Just ask the pope!"
Even before Dennis Mitsubishi dumped the ad, several stations had
rejected it. The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced it as
disrespectful and divisive.
Dealership president Keith Dennis said it "was simply an attempt at
humor that fell short" and that he apologizes to anyone who was
offended.
Dennis said "a large number of people" contacted the dealership
and while lots saw the humor, "far too many" were
bothered.
"I wish to offer my sincere apology to anyone who was offended. We
do not wish to alienate anyone in our community -- all of whom are
potential customers."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations accepted the apology and said
it hopes the issue is now over.
---
OH: RADIO AD WON'T AIR, CAR DEALER
DECIDES -
TOP
Story about 'jihad' spot generated opposition
Tim Feran, Columbus Dispatch, 9/26/06
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=215008
Strong reaction to a radio ad that never aired has led the car dealership
behind the spot to apologize and cancel plans to run it.
In the spot, which was presented to radio executives last week, Keith
Dennis, principal owner and CEO of Dennis Mitsubishi, talks about
"launching a jihad on the automotive market."
Some radio stations told Dennis that the spot was insensitive, and they
would not run it if Dennis went through with plans to buy air
time.
The ad featured several references to terrorism and the war in Iraq. It
referred to one car that "can comfortably seat up to 12 jihadists in
the back" and said that on "fatwa Friday," free rubber
swords would be offered to children. Aaron Masterson, general manager of
Dennis Auto Point, said last week that the ad would run. But on Sunday,
the dealership pulled the ad from consideration after The Dispatch's
story on Saturday about the proposed ad attracted widespread
attention.
"The story has sparked a significant reaction," Keith Dennis
said in a news release. "Many Internet-based media outlets have
picked up this story. … A large number of people have contacted us. Lots
of them have seen the humor we were trying to convey, but far too many
were clearly bothered by it. This was simply an attempt at humor that
fell short.
"I wish to offer my sincere apology to anyone who was
offended," he said in the statement. "We do not wish to
alienate anyone in our community - all of whom are potential customers.
And we especially want to re-emphasize our support of the U.S. troops in
harm's way overseas.
"Never have I seen a commercial that never aired generate such a
huge response," Dennis said. "It is my hope that this statement
clarifies our position, and we can return to business as
usual."
Mitsubishi Motors North America said in a statement yesterday that it had
"strongly urged him (Dennis) not to run the campaign," noting
that the campaign "runs contrary to our company
values."
"We are pleased that this campaign will not run," Mitsubishi
said, "and apologize to all those who were offended."
-----
CAIR: GUANTANAMO'S UNEASY RAMADAN -
TOP
Tensions and religious teaching mix at prison, as a court challenge calls
for Muslim chaplains.
Rich Connell and Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 9/26/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gitmo26sep26,0,4193516.story
In the court challenge filed Friday in Washington on behalf of a
Pakistani detainee, attorney Gaillard T. Hunt said Muslim chaplains would
help reduce suicide attempts among detainees, a problem that has fueled
calls in the U.S. and abroad to close the camp.
An official with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, as well as
two Muslim chaplains who work in the federal prison system, filed
declarations in support of the motion. They, along with a third chaplain,
said they were willing to counsel prisoners at Guantanamo.
"Counseling is what disarms them from the very hostile environment
they are in. It's very useful in calming tensions," Shakeel Syed,
one of the chaplains, said in an interview.
The motion was filed on behalf of Saifullah Paracha, 59, who is accused
of being an Al Qaeda financier and taking part in a plan to smuggle
weapons into the United States. Hunt said Paracha has never been charged
with a crime and is "pro-American and anti-terrorist."
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FL: ANTI-EXTREMIST ISLAMIC
SCHOLARS SENT HOME -
TOP
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board, 9/26/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-edittdmuslimssep26,0,3200317.story
It's tough to be a Muslim in America these days. Witness what happened to
four Islamic scholars who were sent back to Egypt last week after being
detained for 24 hours at Miami International Airport.
They were in South Florida to lead prayers at mosques and to preach
against Islamic extremism, as they have in past years during Ramadan,
supporters say. It's just the sort of preaching all Americans need to
hear. Yet, according to Muslim organizations, the scholars were treated
shabbily and sent home without explanation.
Of course, Muslims must understand that it is the violence practiced by
many of their coreligionists that leads to incidents such as this. Still,
U.S. officials must be careful not to lump all Muslims together. The
law-abiding ones, which make up the vast, vast majority, can greatly
assist the war on terror.
-----
TUCSONAN FINDS HER WAY WITH ISLAM -
TOP
Lourdes Medrano, Arizona Daily Star, 9/23/06
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/148021.php
As the Sept. 11 attacks tainted Islam as a religion of extremists,
Tucsonan Leslie Travaglione said, she kept thinking of Muslims who didn't
fit the description.
Could Islam harbor terrorists? What was this religion really all about?
Travaglione kept asking herself.
Her mind kept wandering back to the Muslim nurse in Mesa who had watched
over her after a car accident years earlier, soon after she moved to
Arizona from the Hudson Valley in New York. "She sat by my bedside,
and she read to me," Travaglione recalled. "She was so kind;
she kept my spirits up all the time."
Seeking answers about Islam, Travaglione immersed herself in the study of
the religion, which pulled her in like a magnet. A year ago, she became a
Muslim.
"I discovered that Islam is a tolerant, very kind religion,"
she said.
Until she converted to Islam, Travaglione said, her life had been
punctuated by family conflict, depression and alcoholism. Now Islam fills
her life.
"Islam gives me a reason to live," said Travaglione, as she
prepared to observe Islam's holy month of Ramadan. Like other Muslims,
she will begin a daily fast today that lasts from dawn to dusk.
The monthlong observance, which highlights prayer, reflection and
charity, gives Travaglione a chance for contemplation and renewal, she
said. "It's also a communal experience because we break fast with
other Muslims, and we get to meet other people." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
GA: MUSLIM CONVERT CATCHES
FLAK FROM BOTH SIDES -
TOP
Rick Badie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/26/06
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/badie/entries/2006/09/26/muslim_convert.html
The criticism comes from both sides.
Some accuse her of being anti-American, unpatriotic, a
terrorist.
Others call her anti-Muslim for denouncing terrorists who kill in the
name of Islam.
Nearly 20 years ago, Shannon Imran became friends with a Muslim woman
when Imran was a college student in Central Texas. Imran, now a
39-year-old white mother of three who lives in Norcross, liked the way
her friend carried herself and the way Muslim men treated her.
So she converted to the faith.
"All the Muslims were very well-reserved gentlemen and ladies,"
Imran told me. "It was almost like the way Americans used to act in
the 1950s."
Well, it's not 1950 anymore. It's the 21st century, and terrorists killed
thousands on Sept. 11, 2001. The United States has retaliated with a
so-called war on terror. Radical Muslims figure prominently in
it.
And in her own way, so does Imran, a Texas native who grew up in a
military family.
She spent 12 years in the Marines and saw duty in Operation Desert Storm.
Today, she's a disabled veteran because of a non-combat back injury that
was sustained during the war.
"When you carry a backpack that weights 60 to 80 pounds and run in
combat boots, it's going to take its toll," she said. "Lots of
veterans wind up with back problems."
Until recently, Imran wore hijabs, the head scarfs worn by Muslim women.
The scarfs attracted unwanted attention. Passing motorists who yelled
obscenities. Subtle and overt forms of rudeness. (MORE)
---
WI: FAMILIAR FACE,
NEW NAME: ART MUSEUM ALUM LEADS ISLAMIC SOCIETY -
TOP
Tom Heinen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/26/06
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=503112
An important player in Milwaukee's arts community in recent years has
returned -- but in a significantly different role, and with a name the
public might not recognize. Muhammad Isa Sadlon, formerly Christopher
Goldsmith, began work Monday as executive director and CEO of the Islamic
Society of Milwaukee. The former executive director of the Milwaukee Art
Museum, a convert to Islam who is well-connected with civic leaders, was
hired to move the volunteer-run society into professional administration
and to be a public spokesman.
The hiring of a paid executive director, unusual for Islamic centers in
the United States, is a sign of the continuing growth of Islam here.
(MORE)
---
GA: GAINESVILLE ISLAMIC
CENTER IS EXPANDING -
TOP
Fokes Link, Access North Georgia, 9/26/06
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=107300
GAINESVILLE - Growth in Northeast Georgia's Muslim population is
prompting the Gainesville Islamic Center to expand.
Imam Bilal Ali said that the Center has been at its current Summitt
Street location since 1994, when it moved across street from a house it
occupied since its establishment in the early 1980s. Membership is now at
160, with more growth expected.
"We're doing some cosmetic work in the front part of the mosque, and
in the back of the mosque we are expanding because we are out of room. We
have a piece of property directly behind the Mosque where, in the next
couple of years, we are going to build a new facility from the ground
up," he said, "Hopefully, by the end of 2007 or the beginning
of 2008 we're going to start on our new mosque."
Ali attributes the recent growth of Islam in part to the exposure the
religion has received in the media.
"The more they talk about Islam, the more people are encouraged to
learn about it," he said, "Actually since September 11, the
community has more than doubled since that time. We have a lot more
Muslims here. A lot of people are inquisitive and want to know more
things about Islam."
He said that when the American media talks negatively about Islam, it
prompts the neighbors of Muslims to ask questions and step to their
neighbors' defense. These people often become Muslim themselves, Ali
says, based on their experience with the character of their Muslim
neighbors. (MORE)
---
IN: MUSLIMS BREAK FAST WITH DANIELS
-
TOP
Ramadan meal at governor's residence recognizes the role of Islam in
Indiana
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 9/26/06
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/LOCAL19/609260408/-1/ZONES04
Gov. Mitch Daniels reached out to more than 150 Muslims from across the
state Monday night, welcoming them to his official residence for a meal
to end their daily fasting for Ramadan.
Shortly after sunset, the Muslim call to prayer rang out over the home's
back garden in the voice of Henry Hane, an immigrant from
Senegal.
The Muslims followed that by breaking their daily fasts with dishes from
three continents. Then they performed their ritual prayers in two tents
in the backyard of the residence at 4750 N. Meridian St.
Daniels told the crowd, "All God's people are equal in his eyes. I
am glad to welcome you to this home. You should think of this as your
home." (MORE)
-----
GERMANY: STUDY CHALLENGES WIDELY-HELD
NOTIONS ABOUT ISLAMIC HEADSCARF -
TOP
Deutsche Welle, 9/25/06
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2179580,00.html
The headscarf is widely regarded in German society as a religious or
political symbol that stands for the suppression of women or Muslim
fundamentalism. A new study dismantles some of the clichés.
The familiar thinking regarding the Islamic headscarf in Germany goes
something like this -- it's a symbol of female suppression, a badge of
sexual inhibition as well as a protest against Western cultural and moral
decadence.
For those who thought they knew everything there is to why certain Muslim
women opt to cover their hair, a study published in Germany last week is
likely to give them some food for thought.
Called "The Headscarf -- Unveiling of a Symbol?" and conducted
by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the study polled 135 religious women
of Turkish origin between the ages of 18 and 40 in various conservative
and liberal Muslim communities across Germany. The interviews were
conducted by bilingual volunteers.
"Our aim was to gain access to how such women think and find answers
to the question of what the headscarf means for the women who wear
it," said Christoph Kannengiesser, the deputy secretary general of
the foundation, which has close links to the conservative Christian
Democratic Union political party.
Far from being suppressed and intimidated
Some 97 percent of the women polled said they wear the headscarf for
religious reasons. For most, the decision to don a headscarf is personal
and one that -- contrary to widespread perception -- is hardly influenced
by the father, brother or husband. Instead, female role models within the
family played a larger role in the decision, according to the
study.
Nine out of 10 women said the headscarf gave them self-confidence -- a
point that the authors of the study say is "needed" because
more than half the women feel discriminated against on account of their
headgear at the work place or during a job search. Half of Germany's 16
federal states have already banned the wearing of a headscarf in public
buildings and while performing state jobs. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSE MEMBERS ATTEND CAIR CAPITOL HILL
'IFTAR'
Elected officials express appreciation for CAIR's civil
liberties work
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/27/06) - More than 100 people, including nine
members of the U.S. House of Representatives, turned out last night for
the fourth annual Capitol Hill Ramadan "iftar," or
fast-breaking meal, hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(
CAIR).
A number of congressional staffers, American Muslim community leaders,
members of the military and law enforcement, representatives of civil
rights groups, and diplomats from Muslim nations joined the House members
in the networking event.
Several of the elected officials who spoke at the iftar expressed
appreciation for CAIR's civil liberties advocacy work.
"CAIR is more important now than maybe ever in our lifetime,"
said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) said: "I do want to give a great deal of
credit to the Council on American-Islamic Relations because you have
spoken up against discrimination, against religious profiling, against a
great deal of the misunderstandings that have been perpetrated and cause
people so much hurt."
"We thank all the elected officials, diplomats and members of our
armed forces and law enforcement agencies who took the time to gain a
greater understanding of Islam and the American Muslim community,"
said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.
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.
CAIR has 32 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:
Facts About
CAIR
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor,
202-742-6413 or 571-278-4658, E-Mail:
csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726,
E-Mail:
ihooper@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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/27/06
*
Help Support CAIR's Important
Work
*
Verse:
Those Who Are Loved by God
*
Important Note:
CAIR to Change Domain
Names
*
FL:
CAIR Board Chairman Joins
Interfaith Dialogue
*
CAIR-OH:
Cincinnati Muslims
Feed Needy During Ramadan
-
CAIR-Philly to Host 'Sharing Ramadan'
Dinners
*
CAIR-MI Rep Addresses
Homeland Security Students
*
CAIR-FL Video:
American Muslims
React to Pope's Comments
*
Rep. Salazar Says He Stands by
Muslim Staffer (Denver Post)
-
Salazar Says Press
Secretary Used as Scapegoat (RM News)
*
FL:
Reward Offered in Mosque
Shooting (Florida Today)
-
Canada:
No Motive Yet in Ramadan Arson
(Ottawa Sun)
*
New Books:
'Faith Club'
and
'Mecca and Main Street'
*
LA:
Muslim and
Jewish Communities Plan Dialog
-----
HELP SUPPORT CAIR'S IMPORTANT WORK -
TOP
DONATE
BECOME A
MEMBER
JOIN CAIR-NET
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: THOSE WHO ARE LOVED BY GOD -
TOP
"God loves the righteous who are good to others." The Holy
Quran, 3:148
"God loves those who put their trust in Him." 3:159
"God loves those who are fair and just." 49:9
"God loves those who are kind to others." 5:13
"God loves those who judge with fairness." 5:42
"For God loves those who do good deeds." 5:93
"In fact God loves the equitable." 60:8
"Surely God loves those who turn to Him in repentance."
2:222
-----
IMPORTANT NOTE: CAIR TO CHANGE DOMAIN NAMES
-
TOP
Beginning October 2, 2006, all CAIR e-mail addresses will use the
"cair.com" domain name instead of the old
"cair-net.org." This change is part of CAIR's new brand
identity and logo. The new identity focuses on openness, professionalism
and the pursuit of mutual understanding and justice.
The new CAIR general e-mail address will be:
info@cair.com
The
info@cair.com address will be used
for the delivery of messages on CAIR-NET, ISLAM-INFONET and other CAIR
e-mail lists.
Personal e-mail addresses of CAIR staffers will use the first initial
followed by the last name. For example, the e-mail address of CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper will be:
ihooper@cair.com
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. CHANGE e-mail addresses for CAIR staffers in databases and e-mail
address books.
2. SUBSCRIBE
info@cair.com to any
lists that receive CAIR posts through the current cair@cair-net.org
address.
-----
FL: CAIR BOARD CHAIRMAN JOINS
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ON PUBLIC PRAYER -
TOP
http://www.onejax.org/events/dialogues.asp
Join four of our area's most influential religious leaders as they
discuss the sensitivities surrounding public prayer in Northeast
Florida.
WHAT: "Public Prayer... Respecting All Traditions. Including All
People.
WHEN: September 28, 2006, 10 a.m. - Noon
WHERE: Congregation Ahavath Chesed, 8727 San Jose Blvd.
Panelists:
*
Dr. Parvez Ahmed, Board Chair, Council on American-Islamic
Relations
* Paul Hooker, Interfaith Council of Jacksonville
* Willie C. "Pete" Jackson, Westside Church of Christ
* Rabbi Michael Matuson, Congregation Ahavath Chesed, The Temple
* Charlene Taylor Hill, Executive Director, Jacksonville Human Rights
Commission
Moderator: Bill Scheu
-----
CINCINNATI MUSLIMS FEED NEEDY
DURING RAMADAN -
TOP
(CINCINNATI, 9/27/06) - On Sunday, October 1, 2006, the Cincinnati office
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Ohio (CAIR-Ohio), the
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and Al As-hab Islamic Center will
mark the Muslim fast of Ramadan by providing hot meals to more than 500
residents of the city's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
WHAT: 4th Annual Ramadan "Feed the Hungry" Program
WHEN: Sunset, Sunday, October 1, 7:25 p.m.
WHERE: On 13th St. between Vine & Race Street, Cincinnati, OH (near
Al As-hab Islamic Center)
CONTACT: CAIR-OH, Cincinnati, Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, E-Mail:
cincinnati@cair-ohio.com;
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, 513-755-3280, E-Mail:
islamiccenter@fuse.net
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-PHILLY TO HOST 'SHARING RAMADAN' DINNERS -
TOP
CAIR-Philadelphia invites people of all faiths to join American Muslims
at the annual "Sharing Ramadan" event.
The CAIR initiative is designed to address 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.
WHERE: The Foundation for Islamic Education, 1860 Montgomery Ave.,
Villanova, PA
WHEN: Saturday October 7th at 6:30 p.m. (Please RSVP by Wed. 10/4),
Saturday October 14th at 6:15 p.m. (Please RSVP by Wed. 10/11)
RSVP to Tel: 215-592-0509 or Email:
cairphilly@cairphilly.org
Dinner will be served immediately after sunset prayers and then a short
presentation on the significance of Ramadan.
CONTACT: Keagan Furfari, 267-255-2716
-----
CAIR-MI REP ADDRESSES HOMELAND
SECURITY STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/27/06) - A representative of the Michigan chapter
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today addressed
students and faculty at Madonna University in Livonia, Mich., in a class
called "Homeland Security & Terrorism." CAIR-MI Executive
Director Dawud Walid lectured and answered questions for 90 minutes about
basic beliefs and practices of Muslims, demographics of the Muslim
community in America and Islam's position on political violence and
extremism.
CONTACT: Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203,
director@cairmichigan.org
-----
CAIR-FL VIDEO: AMERICAN MUSLIMS REACT TO
POPE'S COMMENTS -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aBiPuUwPHs
CAIR Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier joined other American
Muslims on "Your Turn," a live 1/2 hour television show, to
offer the Muslim reaction to Pope Benedict XVI comments on Prophet
Muhammad and Islam.
-----
REP. SALAZAR SAYS HE STANDS BY MUSLIM
STAFFER -
TOP
Nayyera Haq ripped Rep. Tancredo's views on Islam, and Salazar's GOP
rival called on him to "rein in" his aide.
Nancy Lofholm, Denver Post, 9/27/06
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4401286
U.S. Rep. John Salazar on Tuesday said he stands behind his Muslim
staffer who has been lambasted by his Republican opponent for using a
personal e-mail to criticize comments about Islam made by Rep. Tom
Tancredo.
Nayyera Haq, Salazar's communications director for the past two years and
currently a staffer on his re-election campaign, wrote in an e-mail in
response to a question from a reporter at The Rocky Mountain News last
week that Tancredo "has always been articulate in expressing his
hatred of Islam and immigrants."
The question, and Haq's answer, were related to Tancredo's recent letter
to Pope Benedict XVI urging him not to apologize for remarks the pope
made about Muslims.
Tancredo wrote to Salazar's office, saying the congressman should clarify
whether he agreed with Haq. Scott Tipton, who is running against Salazar
and has been endorsed by Tancredo, issued a statement calling on Salazar
to "rein in" his spokeswoman.
Salazar, a Catholic, said his staffer was free to express her personal
opinions about her religion.
"Nayyera was speaking on her own behalf. She was stressing the
importance of building bridges, rather than knocking them down,"
Salazar said Tuesday. "These attacks are desperate measures from a
desperate campaign. When a candidate cannot run on the issues, he reverts
to attacks against 24-year-old staffers."
Haq was contacted for comments about Tancredo's letter to the pope as a
member of the Muslim Staffers Association, a Capitol Hill social and
networking group with 25 members.
Haq voluntarily took several days off after the tempest over her remarks
was picked up by right-wing Internet groups and questions were raised
about the Muslim Staffers Association.
The group is sanctioned by Congress, as are other staff associations.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
SALAZAR SAYS PRESS SECRETARY
USED AS SCAPEGOAT -
TOP
M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, 9/27/06
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5023536,00.html
WASHINGTON - Rep. John Salazar defended his Muslim press secretary
Tuesday, saying she is a "true-blue American" who is being used
as a scapegoat by desperate Republican opponents.
Salazar, D-Manassa, broke his silence Tuesday about a case that has added
a new wrinkle to his re-election campaign in southwest Colorado's 3rd
Congressional District.
The first-term congressman has been under pressure from re-election
opponent Scott Tipton, a Republican businessman, to say whether he agrees
with the personal statements of his communications director. Nayyera Haq
lashed out at Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo after Tancredo's latest missive
questioning the tenets of Islam.
"That was her statement. She made it on her own. She didn't do it
with my permission," Salazar said Tuesday at his Capitol Hill
office. "She probably should have been more careful. What's done is
done, and she certainly has paid the price."
Salazar said Haq has not deserved the intense scrutiny she's gotten since
the controversy erupted, including an anonymous video circulating on the
Internet that delves into her personal social-networking page and
questions her membership in the Congressional Muslim- American Staff
Association.
Salazar said that the group, which is officially sanctioned by Congress,
tries to promote cross-cultural understanding, like with a recent forum
titled "Muslim Americans as Partners in the Fight Against
Terrorism."
Conservative activists "are trying to use a staffer who is a
true-blue American and who cares deeply about America to get at me,"
Salazar said. (MORE)
-----
FL: REWARD OFFERED IN MOSQUE SHOOTING -
TOP
J.D. Gallop, Florida Today, 9/27/06
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/BREAKINGNEWS/60926016/1086
Local and federal authorities today are turning to the public with a
$1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the sniper who
fired on a south Melbourne mosque Friday night.
Melbourne police today also released a description of a man wearing jeans
and a dark-colored T-shirt spotted hiding in the bushes across the street
from the mosque in another incident involving an air gun on Sept.
18.
"If anybody knows anything or somebody matching the description in
the first incident, please come forward," said Jill Frederiksen,
spokeswoman for the Melbourne Police Department.
"We're considering this person as dangerous, as any individual who
would stand across from a mosque and open fire."
In the Sept. 18 incident, several pellets from an air rifle were heard
ricocheting off the Islamic worship hall.
Friday night, the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, someone
fired five bullets at the mosque as a 59-year-old worshipper stepped out
on the south side of the building to talk on a cellular phone.
Police do not know if it was related to the earlier air-gun shooting, or
if the shooter harbored anti-Islamic sentiments that pushed him to target
the mosque. Either way, Friday's shooting was the third incident to take
at the mosque in less than a year, escalating from graffiti of a
stick-figure crucifix left behind on a wall to gunfire. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CANADA: NO MOTIVE YET IN RAMADAN ARSON -
TOP
Nelly Elayoubi, Ottawa Sun, 9/27/06
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/OttawaAndRegion/2006/09/27/1905276-sun.html
Ottawa police arson investigators are still not calling an arson last
weekend at a west end Islamic school a hate crime as they continue their
search for a suspect.
Abraar School at 1085 Grenon Ave. was the site of a fire early Saturday
morning that caused about $100,000 in damage.
It fell on the first day of the Muslim religious month of Ramadan,
observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset and extra prayers.
Const. Isabelle Lemieux said arson officers are investigating but so far
the hate crimes unit is not involved.
Specific criteria are used to assess whether an incident is a hate crime.
Although the fire targeted a religious site and fell on a significant
date, there was no "messaging" on the school that would
indicate religious motivations.
It isn't entirely being ruled out, however.
"Saying it's a hate crime is a big thing and ... we're not ready to
jump the gun on this one," said the school board's chairman, Abdala
Kheireddine. (MORE)
-----
TX: 'MAIN STREET' LEADS TO ISLAM'S NEW
WAY -
TOP
Erika N. Morgan, Paisano, 9/25/06
http://www.paisano-online.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/09/25/45194a9606a9b
When is it acceptable to make assumptions, be wrong about them, and
continue to propagate these false ideas without being corrected or
contradicted?
When people talk about Muslims and Islam, the whole issue becomes 'open
season,' journalist and author Geneive Abdo, contends.
"You can say anything you want about Muslims or Islam and it goes
unchallenged," she said.
Abdo, a former Middle East correspondent and current liaison for the
United Nations (UN) Alliance of Civilizations project, was invited by the
Muslim Student Association to talk about her new book: "Mecca and
Main Street: Muslim Life in America after 9/11." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NY: MOMS FIND SPIRITUAL FRIENDS IN
FAITH CLUB -
TOP
Cathy Lynn Grossman. USA Today, 9/26/06
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-09-26-faith-club_x.htm
The pope ignites Muslim anger by quoting a 14th-century source who called
the Prophet Mohammed's teachings "evil."
American Christians square off - theological liberals vs. conservatives -
over whose voting values are more godly.
When the news abounds with incendiary stereotypes, contradictory
theologies and confusing cultural identities, can any ordinary person
sort it all out?
Yes, if they're bold, persistent and open-minded, say the three women of
the Faith Club: Ranya Idliby, a Muslim; Suzanne Oliver, a Christian; and
Priscilla Warner, a Jew.
This New York City trio is out to share with a fractious world their way
of fostering interreligious understanding soul to soul.
A memoir of their experiences, The Faith Club (Simon & Schuster),
arrives in stores Monday, on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and
during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (MORE)
-----
LA: NORTHSHORE MUSLIM AND
JEWISH COMMUNITIES PLAN OPEN DIALOG -
TOP
Milena Merrill, St. Tamany Parish News, 9/27/06
http://sttammany.com/news-detail/article/571/northshore-m.html
Five years ago, a young rabbi brought his daughter to a Mandeville health
clinic for immediate medical attention. He impatiently paced the waiting
room until he was ushered into an examination room by a friendly Southern
office worker who announced, "Dr. Yousuf will be right with
you."
Relieved that his little girl was to be attended, the rabbi wondered if
the doctor was Jewish, thinking that Joseph is an old Biblical name. The
doctor entered the room in traditional Western doctor's attire and
introduced himself as Dr. Muhammed Yousuf, a Dominican Republic-trained
medical family practitioner, and a Muslim.
Both men sized each other up. The rabbi - Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner of
Mandeville's Northshore Jewish Congregation - is not a political man. As
he shook the doctor's hand, he was more concerned about taking care of
his daughter, yet he could ponder the irony of their encounter.
Dr. Yousef also put the care of his patient first and foremost, later
saying that the Hypocratic oath obligates all doctors to administer to
everyone, not "pick and choose among the sick." And yet, the
doctor too was fascinated with his encounter with the rabbi, interested
in getting to know him better and expanding his first-hand experience
with those of the Jewish faith, adding that "true believers in Islam
are committed to tolerance."
What ensued from that encounter at the Redi-Med Clinc on Highway 22 was a
friendship that, over the years, has brought together the two men of
different faiths historically in conflict. It is a friendship based not
on their differences, but their commonalities.
Both men are devoted to their communities and their families. Both have
children; the rabbi has two small children, the doctor four, including a
daughter who is a teacher in Chicago and a son who recently moved to
Oklahoma City. There, the doctor said, he saw one of the most inspiring
sights he's seen in America: the parking lot of a mosque.
It is a metaphor, he said, and hopefully an omen for things to come. The
Oklahoma City mosque shares the parking lot with an Indian shrine. On
Fridays, the Muslim holy day, the lot is filled with Islamic worshippers.
On Saturdays, the lot is packed with Hindus. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of
Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
:
Ask Post
Offices to Stock Eid Stamps
*
CAIR Good News Alert:
VA Muslim
Student Allowed Islamic Attire in Gym Class
-----
ASK POST OFFICES TO
STOCK EID STAMPS -
TOP
Stamps marking two Eids to be re-issued October 6,
2006
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/28/06) - CAIR is asking members of the
American Muslim community to contact local postmasters and request that
they stock the stamp commemorating Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha when it is
re-issued on
October 6, 2006, as part of the "Holiday
Series." In past years, there have been reports that the Eid stamp
was unavailable in some post offices.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1.
CONTACT your local postmaster
TODAY to request
that he or she stock the "Eid stamp."
2.
BUY AND USE Eid stamps for all your mailing needs.
Post offices may be located and stamps may be ordered
after October
6th through the United States Postal Service
website.
Eid stamps may also be ordered by calling
1-800-STAMP-24.
CAIR GOOD NEWS ALERT
CAIR-MD/VA: VA MUSLIM
STUDENT ALLOWED ISLAMIC ATTIRE IN GYM CLASS -
TOP
(HERNDON, VA, 9/28/06) - The Maryland and Virginia chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MD/VA) announced today that a
Muslim ninth-grader attending Lake Braddock High School in Burke, Va.,
will now be allowed to wear Islamic attire in gym class after initially
being threatened with failing the class if she did not wear shorts. The
teacher allegedly wrongfully asserted that the law required that the
student wear the shorts.
The student's family contacted CAIR-MD/VA for assistance in resolving the
issue. Following discussions with school officials, the student was moved
to a different gym class and will be allowed to dress in attire that
meets her religious needs.
CAIR-MD/VA will conduct diversity training for some of the school's newer
staff.
CAIR-MD/VA has also launched an initiative to visit local middle and high
schools to review their policies for accommodating the religious needs of
Muslim students during Ramadan, Eid and throughout the school
year.
CAIR also offers a booklet, called "An Educator's Guide to Islamic
Religious Practices," that is designed to help school officials
offer reasonable religious accommodation to Muslim students.
CONTACT: CAIR-MD/VA Project Manager Iman Zenhom, E-Mail:
iman_zenhom@cairmd.org, Tel:
703-689-3100 or 571-723-8763
- PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE -
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
Muslim community. Subscribers to the list receive news releases and other
materials dealing with American Muslim positions on issues of importance
to our society.
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
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http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/28/06
*
Hadith:
Adopt a Moderate Course
*
FL:
More US Hispanics Drawn to
Islam (CS Monitor)
-
AL:
Islam's Soul of the South (CS
Monitor)
*
Reminder:
CAIR-DC Banquet 11/18
*
CAIR to Change Domain
Name
*
Help Support CAIR's Important
Work
*
CA State Reps Attend
CAIR-CA Capitol 'Iftar'
-
CAIR-CA:
Voter Education Forum
10/7
*
CAIR-MI:
MI Muslims
Meet with Cardinal
-
CAIR-CA:
The Perpetuation of
a Myth
-
CAIR:
Imam Denied Entry
into U.S. (AP)
-
CAIR-OH:
Reaction to 'Jihad' Ad Was
Appropriate
*
Incitement:
WI Rep - 'Islam is Not a
Religion of Peace'
*
CAIR-OH:
City to Protest
Darfur Genocide (Enquirer)
*
CAIR:
Moderate Muslims
are Everywhere (Miami Herald)
-
Frontline Examines Lodi Terror
Case (PBS)
-
NJ:
Muslims, Christians
Call for Mutual Respect (AP)
-
CA:
Intersection to Be
Named After Islamic Minister
*
Italy:
Muslims Offended by
Controversial Film
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: ADOPT A MODERATE COURSE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do good deeds
properly, sincerely and moderately. . .Always adopt a middle, moderate,
regular course, whereby you will reach your target (of
paradise)."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 470
-----
FL: MORE US HISPANICS DRAWN TO ISLAM
-
TOP
Marriage, post-9/11 curiosity, and a shared interest in issues such as
immigration are key reasons.
Amy Green, Christian Science Monitor, 9/28/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0928/p03s02-ussc.html
With her hijab and dark complexion, Catherine Garcia doesn't look like an
Orlando native or a Disney tourist. When people ask where she's from,
often they are surprised that it's not the Middle East but
Colombia.
That's because Ms. Garcia, a bookstore clerk who immigrated to the US
seven years ago, is Hispanic and Muslim. On this balmy afternoon at the
start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, she is at her mosque dressed in
long sleeves and a long skirt in keeping with the Islamic belief in
modesty. "When I was in my country I never fit in the society. Here
in Islam I feel like I fit with everything they believe," she
says.
Garcia is one of a growing number of Hispanics across the US who have
found common ground in a faith and culture bearing surprising
similarities to their own heritage. From professionals to students to
homemakers, they are drawn to the Muslim faith through marriage,
curiosity and a shared interest in issues such as immigration.
The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some
200,000 since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American
Muslim Council in Chicago. Many attribute the trend to a growing interest
in Islam since the 2001 terrorist attacks and also to a collision between
two burgeoning minority groups. They note that Muslims ruled Spain
centuries ago, leaving an imprint on Spanish food, music, and
language.
"Many Hispanics . . . who are becoming Muslim, would say they are
embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a
sense," says Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at
the University of Kentucky.
The trend has spawned Latino Islamic organizations such as the Latino
American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by Hispanic converts in
New York City. Today the organization is nationwide.
The growth in the Hispanic Muslim population is especially prevalent in
New York, Florida, California, and Texas, where Hispanic communities are
largest. In Orlando, the area's largest mosque, which serves some 700
worshipers each week, is located in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood. A few
years ago it was rare to hear Spanish spoken at the mosque, says Imam
Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
AL: ISLAM'S SOUL OF THE SOUTH -
TOP
The improbable rise of a black Muslim politician in deepest Alabama.
John Fleming, Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0928/p20s01-lihc.html
SELMA, ALA. - Yusuf Salaam's dedication to racial reconciliation started
when a white man died for his sister. It was 1965 Alabama, the height of
the civil rights movement, and Mr. Salaam's 16-year-old sister, Ruby
Sales, was in the thick of it, working to end segregation. That August
day she, with a handful of others, was confronted by a shotgun-wielding
avowed racist. As he leveled his gun, shouting obscenities, Ruby was
shoved out of the way by an Episcopal seminarian named Jon Daniels who
died instantly from the blast.
"If you want to understand what I stand for, and why I do what I do
here in this place that isn't known for its tolerance and its
understanding, you really have to go back to Ruby and that Jon Daniels
thing," Salaam says referring to the incident that occurred not far
from this city aside the churning Alabama River.
When Daniels was killed, Salaam was at a summer prep school in Colorado
"along with a bunch of rich kids," as he puts it. "They
offered me a scholarship. But after what happened, I felt like I had to
go back to my Jim Crow school in the South and start being a part of
it.
"I felt such a sense of gratitude then that someone from outside the
black race would make such a sacrifice for us, that it nullified any
inclination I had toward looking at it racially myself."
Today's Selma, he will tell you, is a different place than it was during
the height of violence and suffocating oppression of 1965. And he's
right. Gov. George Wallace's state troopers no longer menace peaceful
marchers, Sheriff Jim Clark and his posse no longer terrorize blacks
registering to vote. The city has a black mayor and a majority black city
council. Enfranchisement at least has been achieved. . .
It would be hard to find anyone so out of the ordinary and unlikely to be
accepted in middle Alabama. Yet, here's a Muslim convert of 30 years who
is Selma and Dallas County's representative to the state house in
Montgomery. The county is 47 percent white and 99 percent Christian - and
many of them, black and white, are deep-water, conservative Baptists.
With demographics like that, it would seem a Muslim vying for public
office wouldn't have a prayer - especially with central Alabama's record
of resistance to change. (MORE)
-----
REMINDER: CAIR-NATIONAL BANQUET NOVEMBER 18 -
TOP
Please mark your calendars for CAIR's 12th annual banquet, "American
Muslims: Connecting and Sharing," on Saturday, November 18.
It will be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, 1700 Jefferson Davis
Hwy, Arlington, Va. Tickets cost $65 / person and will be made available
soon. For more information please email:
events@cair.com
-----
CAIR TO CHANGE DOMAIN NAMES -
TOP
Beginning October 2, 2006, all CAIR e-mail addresses will use the
"cair.com" domain name instead of the old
"cair-net.org." This change is part of CAIR's new brand
identity and logo. The new identity focuses on openness, professionalism
and the pursuit of mutual understanding and justice.
The new CAIR general e-mail address will be:
info@cair.com
The
info@cair.com address will be used
for the delivery of messages on CAIR-NET, ISLAM-INFONET and other CAIR
e-mail lists.
Personal e-mail addresses of CAIR staffers will use the first initial
followed by the last name. For example, the e-mail address of CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper will be:
ihooper@cair.com
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. CHANGE e-mail addresses for CAIR staffers in databases and e-mail
address books.
2. SUBSCRIBE
info@cair.com to any
lists that receive CAIR posts through the current cair@cair-net.org
address.
NOTE: If you are currently subscribed to any CAIR e-mail list, your
subscription will carry over to the new domain name; no action is
required.
-----
HELP SUPPORT CAIR'S IMPORTANT WORK -
TOP
DONATE
BECOME A
MEMBER
JOIN CAIR-NET
-----
CAIR-CA: CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATORS ATTEND CAIR-CA CAPITOL 'IFTAR' -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/28/06) - On Wednesday, September 27, several
California state legislators attended the third annual iftar, or Ramadan
fast-breaking meal, hosted by the California chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) at the California State
Capitol.
The Muslim community was presented with a resolution recognizing the
commencement of the month of Ramadan. Several legislative staff were
honored by CAIR-CA for their dedication to serving the local
community.
Assembly Member Dave Jones, who sent a greeting to the local Muslim
community at the beginning of Ramadan, gave the keynote address and
expressed his appreciation to the local Muslim community for its
contributions to the diversity and richness of California.
"We thank all the elected officials who co-sponsored the resolution
and demonstrated that American Muslims are a part of the social and
religious fabric of this country," said Hamza El-Nakhal, President
of CAIR's Sacramento Valley chapter.
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.
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: Basim Elkarra, 916-441-6269, E-Mail:
sacval@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: VOTER EDUCATION FORUM
OCTOBER 7 -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA) On Saturday, October 7th, the Sacramento Valley office
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) will participate
in a Voter Education Forum hosted by the Asian Pacific American Islander
Public Affairs Association (APAPA) at the Radisson Hotel in
Sacramento.
The event will feature a number of candidates, who will be running in the
upcoming election, including a highly anticipated Lt. Governor Debate
between John Geramandi and Tom McClintock.
The local community is encouraged to attend and participate in the event.
The event is open for free to the public.
WHAT: Voter Education Forum
WHEN: Saturday October 7, 2006 1 - 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Radisson Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA
Volunteers are needed to host the event. For more information, contact
Maren Shawesh at
mshawesh@cair.com
-----
CAIR-MI: MICHIGAN MUSLIM
LEADERS MEET WITH CARDINAL REGARDING POPE'S COMMENTS -
TOP
Religious Leaders Foster Dialogue in the Face of Controversy
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 9/28/06) - Muslim leaders met with Cardinal Adam
Maida and top officials from the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit to
solidify the Archdiocese's commitment to continue respectful dialogue
between Metro-Detroit Catholics and Muslims.
CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid participated in the one-hour
meeting, which was hosted by Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini at the Islamic
Center of America in Dearborn.
"With some religious and political leaders promoting a 'clash of
civilizations' between the Christian and Muslim worlds, it gives us hope
that our local Muslim leaders and the Archdiocese of Detroit have
committed themselves to continue civil dialogue," said CAIR-MI
Executive Director Dawud Walid.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203, E-Mail:
director@cairmichigan.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: THE PERPETUATION OF A
MYTH -
TOP
Pope reinforces the misunderstanding about Islam
Edgar D. Hopida, 9/28/06
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060928/news_lz1e28hopida.html
There is no question that throughout history, empires and religious
institutions have abused and perverted religion to further their own
agendas. In light of the comments made by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam, and
with the growing trend of Islamophobia in the West, we should ask
ourselves: Was the quote he cited from a 14th century Byzantine emperor
appropriate to make his point? Did the Prophet Muhammad actually command
his followers to "spread by the sword the faith he preached?"
What are the ramifications of his statement, knowing that Catholics
around the world consider him the infallible supreme authority of the
church?
The Sept. 20 San Diego Union-Tribune editorial ("The pope's
speech/Violent responses only prove pontiff's point") unfortunately
reinforces the growing trend of misunderstanding about the teachings of
Islam. It was not just the radical and fringe Muslim groups that were
offended by the pope's comments but also a vast majority of Muslims. The
pope quoted from a source that made inaccurate assertions completely
contrary to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The prophet never taught any of his followers to spread the religion of
Islam by the sword. The Quran, Islam's revealed text, actually condemns
the forced acceptance of any faith when it states, "Let there be no
compulsion in religion" (2:256).
The pope apologized for the extreme reaction that it caused, not the
statement itself. What Muslims are waiting to hear from the pope is a
commitment to interfaith dialogue as well as an apology for the
inaccurate quote. Genuine religious dialogue cannot be achieved when one
party continues to perpetuate the common myths.
Faith and reason have never been a problem for Islamic civilization. The
first verses of the Quran that were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
were, "Read! In the name of your Lord - Read! Your Lord is Most
Gracious taught by the (use of the) pen, taught man what he knew
not." Historically, whenever Islam flourished, so did the
development of knowledge and discovery. This is evident in many fields of
study we see at colleges and universities around the world today, such as
sociology, mathematics, astronomy and medicine, which owe their
development to Muslim scholars. . .
Edgar Hopida is the director of public relations for the San Diego
chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He may be reached
by e-mail at
ehopida@cair.com.
---
CAIR: IMAM PLANNING RAMADAN
VISIT TO MOSQUE DENIED ENTRY INTO U.S. -
TOP
Associated Press, 9/28/06
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2006/09/28/ap3052481.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - An Islamic cleric from South Africa was denied entry
into the United States, disrupting his trip to visit northern Virginia
Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ismail Mullah arrived at Dulles International Airport on Sept. 22, but
was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Customs officers held
him for several hours before he was allowed to board a flight back to
South Africa.
Mullah has visited the Islamic Community Center of Northern Virginia for
Ramadan for the past three years. He had been expected to lead prayers
there following his arrival. Ramadan began in North America last
Saturday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Bill Anthony said Mullah
"withdrew his application for admission after being talked to by our
people."
About 1,000 people are denied entry into the United States daily for
reasons that include inadequate travel documents or because their names
appear on a U.S. government watch list.
"This doesn't preclude him from seeking admission in the
future," Anthony said.
Nasir Chhipa, director of the Islamic Center in Woodbridge, Va., says
federal authorities should explain whether Mullah was targeted because of
his religion.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations says four other foreign imams
were denied entry at a Florida airport immediately before the
holiday.
---
CAIR-OH: REACTION TO 'JIHAD' AD PLAN WAS
APPROPRIATE -
TOP
News-Register, 9/28/06
http://www.news-register.net/editorials/articles.asp?articleID=11024
A Columbus car dealership seems to be backing away from an advertising
campaign that would have declared "a jihad on the automotive
market." Sales people would have been dressed in "burqa"
outfits traditionally worn by Muslim women. Rubber swords would have been
given out to the kids. Vehicles that can "comfortably seat 12
jihadists in the back" were to be featured.
One particularly interesting aspect of controversy concerning the
campaign involves the Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations.
Nationally, the CAIR sometimes has been accused of taking greater offense
at misconceptions concerning Muslims than at terrorism perpetrated by
Islamic militants. Many of the complaints about the car dealer's plan
indeed did accuse the company of misrepresenting those of the Islamic
faith.
But the comment from CAIR's Columbus chapter was different. Chapter
President Asma Mobin-Uddin had this to say about the proposed advertising
campaign: "Using that as a promotional pitch when so many are dying
from the criminal activity of suicide bombers, that's not funny. I don't
think it's appropriate because it causes real pain."
How refreshing. The advertising campaign indeed would have been
objectionable to many Muslims. How else could they be expected to take
"Fatwa Friday" promotions, in view of the fact that a fatwa is
a religious edict involving any subject?
Still, the local CAIR chapter's reaction - placing emphasis on the
victims of Islamic extremism - will do much good in bringing
Columbus-area residents of different faiths together. CAIR leaders in
Ohio, unlike the car dealer, have the right idea.
-----
INCITEMENT WATCH: WI STATE REP:
"ISLAM IS A RELIGION INTENT ON CONQUERING THE WORLD" -
TOP
"Today the Koran carries Muhammad's message of Islamic domination
forward to new generations of Muslims"
Lasee's Notes, 9/19/06
Lasee's Notes is a weekly column by Representative Frank Lasee, 2nd
Assembly District, covering events in the Legislature and
statewide.
Will Islamic Theocracies Stop in the Middle East?
Last week, Catholic Pope Benedict XVI quoted from a medieval text that
criticized the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, for spreading his
religion through violence and destruction. ( Click here to read the full
text of his remarks) Many in the Moslem world found the Pope's comments
offensive.
How did they respond? With violence and destruction - including the
murder of a Catholic nun at a children's hospital in Somalia, fire
bombings of churches, and angry protests complete with signs that read
"Islam Will Conquer Rome" and "Jesus Will Rise the Sword
of Islam." Many on the left, including Senator Feingold, want us to
believe Muslims are a peaceful people who want to live a peaceful life in
co-existence with us. I am certain many of them do. There is a
significant number that are violent and are willing to cause death and
destruction to non-believers (of Islam) even at the cost of their own
lives (suicide bombers).
The Pope's comments were right on the mark. Islam is NOT a religion of
peace. It doesn't have a peaceful history of co-existence. And has
created empires whose main goal was to convert or destroy all
non-believers.
Islam IS a religion intent on conquering the world. This global
domination is preached and encouraged by Imams in mosques. And it is a
central theme in the Koran, the Islamic Bible, and is an important part
of their history.
As I discussed last week, if we hope to defeat this emerging global
threat that wants to dominate the world, we must know where they are
coming from. Here's a quick history lesson on Islam.
The creation of Islam centers around one person, the Prophet Muhammad.
During his time, many people in the Arab world believed in and worshiped
many gods. This troubled Muhammad greatly as he believed in the existence
of only one true God, Allah.
In his mid forties he began to have visions where he received revelations
from Allah. These visions later became part of the Koran. He created many
of his writings and beliefs while in seclusion in a cave near Mecca, the
holiest city of Islam.
Muhammad's views of one great and all powerful God were not accepted by
his people. He was tossed out of his home and persecuted for his beliefs.
After retreating to another village, his followers grew. At first he was
sympathetic to both Christians and Jews. In time, both groups rejected
his beliefs. He turned from Jerusalem as the center of worship for Islam
and conquered Mecca by sword. Lest we forget, Islam fought for hundreds
of years to conquer Europe and held Spain and reached as far north as
Budapest in the east.
Today the Koran carries Muhammad's message of Islamic domination forward
to new generations of Muslims - including the Islamic extremists of Al
Qaeda and other fundamentalist groups. The young, idealistic men that
join these groups are taught that they will be given an immediate pass to
heaven along with access to virgins if they die fighting us, the
non-believers. This is actually preached in some Mosques around the
world.
These are a few of the passages from the Koran about the importance of
fighting and waging war against non-believers. . .
What do you think about this issue? Click on this link
[laseesnotes@yahoo.com ] and
send me an email with your thoughts.
COPY TO:
info@cair.com
-----
CAIR-OH: CITY TO PROTEST DARFUR
GENOCIDE -
TOP
Rebecca Goodman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/28/06
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/NEWS01/609280366/1056
Cincinnati has added its voice to a rising global protest against the
genocide taking place in Darfur, Sudan.
Mayor Mark Mallory designated Wednesday through Sunday as "Five Days
for Darfur" in the city. The proclamation was read Wednesday morning
by Councilman David Crowley at a kickoff of the Darfur awareness program
at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Among the speakers were former Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls;
Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, Rabbi Abie Ingber, director of
Cincinnati Hillel; Shakila Ahmad of Muslim Mothers Against Violence; and
columnist Nick Clooney. Clooney and his son, actor George Clooney, spent
five days in Darfur in April.
In the last three years, more than 400,000 people have been killed there
by government-backed Arab militias called Janjaweed. The victims are
farmers and their wives and children. They militias are killing people,
raping women and burning villages in areas of Sudan inhabited primarily
by black Africans.
More than 2.5 million people have fled their homes and live in makeshift
refugee camps in Sudan and neighboring Chad, where they lack water and
medicine and are dying of malnutrition. Sudanese authorities make it
difficult for humanitarian organizations to help these people.
At Wednesday's event, Qualls spoke of the devastating effects of the rape
of Darfuri women.
Because victims often are ostracized by their families and communities,
it is used as a means to destroy their culture.
Qualls said that Cincinnatians can help put a stop to it by demanding
that national leaders take a stand.
"Five Days for Darfur" is sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati
Advocates for Darfur Coalition, a group of religious and secular
organizations including the Catholic Social Action Office of the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and
the Isaac M. Wise Temple Political Action Committee. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: WHERE ARE THE MODERATE
MUSLIMS? EVERYWHERE -
TOP
Meher Sultana, Miami Herald, 9/28/06
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/15625345.htm
Re Cal Thomas' Sept. 23 Other Views column, Where are the moderate
Muslims? : The simple answer is: They are everywhere.
Many of us are Americans, study in American institutions and go on to
work and pay American dollars to our tax system. Like everyone else, we
eventually find our better half, have chubby babies, go to zoos, get
season tickets to the Miami Dolphins, go on our childrens' field trips
and fix the leaks in our roofs.
With all the growing pains in the life that we lead as normal Americans,
every day we turn our face to Mecca to pray to what our Christian
brothers call God, our Jewish sisters call Yahweh and whom we call
Allah.
I am a small-business owner. I am not the only woman who works in my
Muslim community. Many are engineers, pediatricians, teachers, research
analysts and attorneys. Some are PTO volunteers.
America's Muslims have time and again issued statements denouncing 9/11
and the gruesome killing of innocent Americans. We have denounced the
London bombings, the arrests of Americans in Iraq and the Iranian
holocaust-cartoon contest. The list goes on and on.
Muslims also ran a full-page ad in several newspapers distancing us from
the fringe ideology of the few. In addition, we ran an Internet campaign,
''Not in the name of Islam,'' in which we denounced all acts of terror on
innocent civilians. To date it has been signed by more than 700,000
people -- mostly Muslims.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (
www.cair.com ) has called on Muslims to
help repair Palestinian churches damaged following Pope Benedict XVI's
remarks, which were perceived as critical of Islam and the Prophet
Mohammed.
Our actions rarely make it into print. When they do, the coverage is
relegated to some corner of the paper or a brief spot on a local TV
channel. On the other hand, when someone from some other country issues a
controversial statement, it rates headlines and becomes a topic of
discussion by all TV hosts.
After last year's hurricanes, Muslims formed a task force and pledged $10
million. At the local level, we had truckloads of food, medicine and
clothing sent to New Orleans from South Florida. Are we passionate about
America? Of course.
Meher Sultana, Fort Lauderdale
SEE ALSO:
FRONTLINE EXAMINES LODI TERROR CASE TO GAUGE U.S.
RESPONSE TO HOMEGROWN THREAT -
TOP
http://www.pbs.org/frontline/enemywithin
FRONTLINE presents 'THE ENEMY WITHIN'
Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 9 P.M. ET on PBS
Soon after 9/11, an FBI informant made an alarming claim: Osama bin
Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, had visited the town of Lodi, Calif.,
in the late 1990s and attended a mosque there. Moreover, two Pakistani
imams preaching at the mosque came from a conservative Islamic school, or
madrassa, linked to the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan. According
to McGregor Scott, the U.S. attorney who led the federal anti-terror
investigation, this was "an attempt by a group of radical Islamic
religious figures to come to this country and ... establish a madrassa to
serve as a recruiting ground."
However, a deeper look at the evidence creates uncertainty about what
kind of threat actually did exist in Lodi and provides a case study of
America's response to the threat of domestic terrorism. FRONTLINE and New
York Times reporter Lowell Bergman examines the Lodi case and interviews
FBI and Homeland Security officials to assess U.S. anti-terror efforts in
The Enemy Within, airing Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, at 9 P.M. ET on PBS
(check local listings).
The Lodi case drew the attention of senior U.S. officials. "A
network of Islamic extremists in Lodi," Director of National
Intelligence John Negroponte told Congress in February 2006,
"maintained connections with Pakistani militant groups, recruited
U.S. citizens, . . . [and] allegedly raised funds for international
jihadist groups."
But when Bergman interviews one of the defendants, Umer Hayat, an ice
cream truck driver in Lodi, about the terror investigation, the story
seems less clear. "I just make [up] a story, that's all," says
Hayat, "because they would not believe me when I was telling the
truth." At the trials of Hayat and his son, Hamid, the FBI showed a
videotape in which the Hayats confessed to attending a terrorist training
camp in Pakistan, but questions remain. After arriving at the bureau's
Sacramento office voluntarily, the Hayats were interrogated nonstop for
15 hours without a lawyer present. Separated, they gave different
accounts of the camp they had visited, and the FBI did not conduct a
follow-up investigation in Pakistan. "You can hear the agents
literally dictate to [Hayat] what it is that they thought he was involved
in," says James Wedick, a retired 35-year veteran of the FBI, who
reviewed the videos for the defense. "And then he mimics back to
them what he thinks that they want to hear."
According to Wedick, from the beginning, the case was based on bad
intelligence. He tells FRONTLINE that the idea that Zawahiri had visited
Lodi was "totally ludicrous," and prosecutors now admit that
the informant was mistaken. The trial ended April 25 with the conviction
of Hamid Hayat for attending a training camp and lying to the FBI; the
defense has filed an appeal. After the jury deadlocked over charges
against Umer Hayat, he pled guilty to an unrelated charge of making a
false claim on a customs form and was released. (MORE)
---
NJ: MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN LEADERS
CALL FOR MUTUAL RESPECT -
TOP
Wayne Parry, Associated Press, 9/28/06
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1159421894259490.xml&coll=1
Amid worldwide tensions between Muslims and Christians, leaders of both
faiths pledged last night to work together for better understanding in
New Jersey.
The American Muslim Union invited leaders of Christian denominations to
its annual Ramadan dinner in Paterson, hoping to ease tensions and
strengthen ties.
The dinner came amid renewed tension after a speech by Pope Benedict XVI
that angered Muslims when he quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor who
questioned Islam's contributions to civilization. The speech, for which
the pontiff has expressed regret, touched off violence in several
countries.
Roman Catholic Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson stressed the common
ground that both religions share.
"I want you to know we have a deep, powerful respect for our Muslim
brothers and sisters," he said. "You worship the one God,
merciful and almighty, creator of heaven and Earth."
Imam Mohamed Qatanani, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic
County, where the dinner was held, said his congregation went out of its
way to open its doors to others and reach out to other faiths,
particularly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
"I look at this responsibility to build bridges between people of
all religions -- Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims,"
he said. "The good understanding of each other will make the world a
more peaceful" place.
Gov. Jon Corzine also pledged to make Muslims feel fully included and
accepted as an integral part of New Jersey.
"I am here to send a message -- that the people of New Jersey admire
the role and contributions of the Muslim community to our society,"
he said. "We are all children of Abraham. There is absolutely common
heritage that we all have as human beings. We need to live that way and
we need to make policy that way." (MORE)
---
CA: INTERSECTION TO BE NAMED
AFTER ISLAMIC MINISTER -
TOP
41st Street and Central Avenue will be designated Abdul Karim Hasan
Square
CBS2, 9/27/06
http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_270155644.html
(CBS) LOS ANGELES A South Los Angeles intersection will be named for a
prominent local Islamic minister under a plan approved Wednesday by the
City Council.
The intersection of 41st Street and Central Avenue will be designated as
Imam Abdul Karim Hasan Square for the Muslim clergyman who has worked at
the Bilal Islamic Center for 35 years.
"Imam Abdul Karim Hasan is a distinguished clergy leader who has
also provided leadership to the community and has been a leader in the
Ninth District for over 35 years at Bilal Islamic Center,"
Councilwoman Jan Perry said in a motion introduced in August calling for
the intersection name change.
"In addition to his community service and leadership efforts, he has
also been working on behalf of humanity for over 50 years as a member of
the Muslim community," she said.
-----
ITALY: MUSLIMS OFFENDED BY CONTROVERSIAL
FILM -
TOP
Adn Kronos International, 9/27/06
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=CultureAndMedia&loid=8.0.344734679&par=
Rome, 27 Sept. (AKI) - An Italian film has sparked a debate in the Muslim
community for its representation of Islam. 'Il mercante di pietre' (The
Stone Merchant) by Italian filmmaker Renzo Martinelli "brings back
to mind Nazi propaganda against the Jews," accuses Dacia Valent, the
spokesperson of the Islamic Anti-Defamation League, an Italian group. Her
view is shared by the association of Young Muslims of Italy whose forum
is full of messages comparing the movie to Nazi anti-Jewish
propaganda.
The film released mid-September tells the story of an Italian convert to
Islam (interpreted by Harvey Keitel) and Al-Qaeda member who seduces a
woman (the actress Jane March) to use her as an unwitting suicide bomber
on a ferry. As the story evolves the protagonist - who officially deals
in precious stones - starts having doubts over his operation as he falls
in love with the woman.
The movie is controversial as all the Muslims it portrays are
terrorists.
At a recent press conference, Martinelli said his film was meant to
"sound the alarm against multiculturalists who justify everything
and are in favour of opening up Europe - all signs the Muslim world
perceives as a weakness, taking advantage of us." The filmmaker -
who told reporters he goes around armed just in case some militant
attacked him - added that he "didn't attack Muslims but tried to
understand them."
According to Ali Shuetz, a member of Milan's Muslim community who was
Martinelli's consultant on Islam for the movie, "'il mercante di
pietre' is against Islamic terrorism and this is positive, the problem is
it leaves no room for moderate Islam, which belongs to the real life and
to people." (MORE)
-----
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-----
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 9/29/06
*
Hadith:
Love the Poor
*
Subscribe New CAIR E-Mail Address to Your
List
*
Video:
NY Congressman Exploits Anti-Muslim
Bias (CNN)
-
Check Out CAIR's Video Library
Online
*
CAIR-MD/VA:
Muslim Girl
Exempted from Gym Shorts (UPI)
-
CAIR-TX Welcomes Christian Prayers
(ABP)
*
CAIR:
Maida Reaffirms Bond with
Muslims (Free Press)
-
CAIR-AZ:
Great Religions Have Much in
Common
-
AL:
Local Muslims,
Catholics Discuss Pope's Speech
*
CAIR-CA Joins
Interfaith Push for Immigrant Rights
*
PA Muslims:
Not all Muslims are
Terrorists (Sun Herald)
-
MI:
'Cell Phone' Suspects Still
Without Money
-
FL:
Muslim Athletes Fasting in Ramadan
(Tampa Trib)
-
DC:
Effort Aims to Push Muslims to
the Polls (Wash Post)
*
Spain:
Bearded Spaniard Prof. Forced
Off Plane (AP)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: LOVE THE POOR -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If you love the poor
and bring them near you. . .God will bring you near Him on the Day
of
Resurrection."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376
-----
SUBSCRIBE NEW CAIR E-MAIL ADDRESS TO YOUR LIST -
TOP
Beginning October 2, 2006, all CAIR e-mail addresses will use the
"cair.com" domain name instead of the old
"cair-net.org." This change is part of CAIR's new brand
identity and logo. The new identity focuses on openness, professionalism
and the pursuit of mutual understanding and justice.
The new CAIR general e-mail address will be:
info@cair.com
The
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for the delivery of messages on CAIR-NET, ISLAM-INFONET and other CAIR
e-mail lists.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. SUBSCRIBE the
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addresses to any e-mail list or internet group you may moderate.
2. SUBSCRIBE the posting address for your list or group to CAIR-NET by
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NOTE: If you are currently subscribed to any CAIR e-mail list, your
subscription will carry over to the new domain name; no action is
required on your part.
-----
VIDEO: NY CONGRESSMAN EXPLOITS ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS (CNN)
-
TOP
CNN's "Paula Zahn Now," 9/28/06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSL8-bK5DKM
ZAHN: Our "Top Story" coverage moves now to the controversy
here in Washington over one key congressman's claims about Muslims in
this country.
Representative Peter King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security
Committee, has said that the vast majority of mosques here in the U.S.
are controlled by Muslim extremists. And that's only the beginning of the
charges he's making, charges that are causing a lot of outrage.
Jason Carroll has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the holy month of
Ramadan, and this is the image Muslims here say truly reflects who they
are: law-abiding, peaceful people, not, as their own congressman claimed
in a recent campaign letter, part of an Islamic threat that could cause
another 9/11.
And New York Republican Peter King has also said, according to law
enforcement sources he spoke with, 85 percent of mosques in the United
States, including this one, are run by extremists.
FAROQUE KHAN, MOSQUE MEMBER: Where is this 85 percent? Who did the study?
On what basis? What questions were asked? And how did he come up with
this number?
CARROLL: Several members of the mosque agreed to speak to us about the
claim.
KHAN: It's very painful to have a senior politic to make those
statements, without really having any direct interaction with the
community.
ERIC BYASERIC, MOSQUE MEMBER: You have extremists in basically any
community, any -- any belief system. So what? You deal with them
accordingly.
CARROLL: A federal law enforcement official agrees that there are some
extremists in American mosques, but dismisses the validity of 85 percent,
saying it was much too high.
(on camera): Do you actively try to seek out those who may have extreme
thoughts or extreme points of view?
KHAN: Do we conduct interviews with all the people who come in and out?
No. But, if we hear something -- and I haven't heard anything yet --
believe me, I will be the first to call the FBI.
CARROLL (voice-over): There's another concern King has raised. He says
the mosque fosters 9/11 conspiracy theories that the CIA or Zionists may
have been behind the attacks. But, of those we interviewed, just one had
reservations about who was behind the terrorist attacks.
MUNIRE TERPIS, MOSQUE MEMBER: How do we know they did it? I mean, it was
just -- it happened -- like, instant, as -- as soon as the towers fell,
it was, like, Muslims did it. How -- how do you clarify? How do you prove
that?
CARROLL (on camera): Well, who do you think is responsible for what
happened?
TERPIS: I don't know. I don't know. To this day, I don't know.
CARROLL (voice-over): A recent Zogby poll showed 42 percent of all
Americans believe the government is covering up something surrounding the
attack. So, Muslims here wonder, why focus on them?
The national director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says
this is about King trying to win reelection.
NIHAD AWAD, NATIONAL DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC
RELATIONS: It's very disturbing to see a member of the United States
Congress exploit the anti-Muslim prejudice and fear within the society
just to get a few more votes and some money.
CARROLL: So, during this holiest of months for Muslims, some here will be
praying for forgiveness and the hope there will be more
understanding.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)
SEE ALSO:
CHECK OUT CAIR'S VIDEO LIBRARY ONLINE -
TOP
http://www.cair.com/videos/
-----
CAIR-MD/VA: 9TH GRADE MUSLIM GIRL
EXEMPTED FROM GYM SHORTS -
TOP
United Press International, 9/28/06
http://www.religionandspiritualityforum.com/view.php?StoryID=20060928-042901-3259r
BURKE, September 28 (UPI) - A Muslim ninth-grader attending a Virginia
high school may wear Islamic attire in gym class, although she had faced
failure in the class for such action.
The
Maryland and Virginia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations said Thursday that a teacher at Lake Braddock High School
"allegedly wrongfully asserted that the law required that the
student wear the shorts."
The girl's family contacted CAIR-MD/VA for assistance in resolving the
issue. Following discussions with school officials, the student was moved
to a different gym class and will be allowed to dress in attire that
meets her religious needs.
CAIR-MD/VA also agreed to conduct diversity training for some of the
school's newer staff.
Finally, the group said it has launched an initiative to visit local
middle and high schools to review their policies for accommodating the
religious needs of Muslim students during Ramadan, Eid and throughout the
school year.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-TX WELCOMES CHRISTIAN PRAYERS -
TOP
Hannah Elliott, Associated Baptist Press, 9/29/06
http://www.abpnews.com/1394.article
Mostafaa Carroll, a board member of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, said he welcomes Christians' interest in his faith. He
told an Associated Baptist Press reporter that he has worked in
interfaith efforts with Christians for the last 20 years but had not
heard of the Ramadan project until recently.
"There is nothing wrong with prayer whenever you can get it. I
encourage it," he told ABP. "I see the prayer as something that
is good -- that can help people to understand. Everything counts"
when it comes to understanding Ramadan, he said. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: MAIDA REAFFIRMS BOND WITH MUSLIMS -
TOP
Religious leaders seek to end tension over pope's remarks
David Crumm, Detroit Free Press, 9/29/06
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060929/NEWS05/609290387/1007
Muslim and Catholic leaders in metro Detroit said that Cardinal Adam
Maida's visit to the state's largest mosque Thursday put an end to any
lingering local tension over controversial remarks about Islam made
earlier this month by Pope Benedict XVI.
"There is no need for a clash of cultures between us," Imam
Achmat Saleh of the Unity Center in West Bloomfield said as he left the
meeting with Maida. "The cardinal took time to come here, to meet
with us and to show, once again, that there is a closeness between our
communities."
At the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, a private, hour-long
meeting between Catholic and Muslim leaders was followed by Maida and
Imam Hassan Qazwini giving brief, public talks about the long-standing
bonds between the two faiths.
Maida said the close relationship stretches back at least 41 years, to a
historic Vatican declaration of respect for Islam.
"Many aspects of your traditions resemble elements of our own
Catholic practices, especially the importance of daily prayer, fasting
and pilgrimage," Maida told the Muslim leaders in his public
remarks. He was paraphrasing portions of the 1965 Vatican declaration
about the church's need to improve relations with both Jews and Muslims.
. .
Other Muslim leaders at the meeting said the
U.S.-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations is raising money to help repair Christian
churches damaged in the incidents. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-AZ: 3 GREAT RELIGIONS HAVE MUCH IN
COMMON -
TOP
Mohamed El-Sharkawy, West Valley View, 9/29/06
http://westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=25&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=23497&TM=8033.905
I am a Muslim.
While our religious beliefs may vary, our love and respect for one
another should not.
Islam is the continuation of the same message that prophets Abraham,
Moses and Jesus taught: that there is one God, there is Heaven and Hell,
and that we are responsible for our beliefs and actions.
Islam, Christianity and Judaism have more in common, but unfortunately,
the similarities are being overlooked. Examples are:
* All three faiths honor Abraham as a patriarch.
* Jesus is seen as a sinless prophet in Islam, and his name is mentioned
99 times in the Koran.
* The three faiths believe in one God, angels, prophets, have holy books
and judgment.
* Mary, the mother of Jesus, is honored in the Quran; where there is a
whole chapter about Mary and the miracle birth of Jesus.
* Jesus is the messiah that not only Christians believe will return, but
so do Muslims. However,
Muslims do not believe Jesus is the son of God.
There are also remarkable similarities between the Ten Commandments and
the Quran. They should not be surprising, because Muslims believe that
Judaism, Christianity and Islam all originate from the same God. God's
laws are universal but their adoption is a matter of choice.
(MORE)
[
Mohamed El-Sharkawy is a member of the board of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, Arizona chapter (CAIR-AZ), which is
dedicated to presenting an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to
the American public.]
---
AL: LOCAL MUSLIMS, CATHOLICS
DISCUSS POPE'S SPEECH -
TOP
Kay Campbell, Huntsville Times, 9/29/06
http://www.al.com/living/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/living/1159521618220410.xml&coll=1
Leaders hope fresh cooperation can arise from furor
What the pope had in mind when he quoted a 14th-century remark about
Islam may never be clear.
But local Muslim and Catholic leaders do agree on one thing: Pope
Benedict XVI is far too astute not to have had an objective behind his
use of an obscure reference in a talk on faith and reason at the German
university where he used to teach.
Muslim and Catholic leaders gathered recently at The Times to discuss the
pope's remarks, the understanding - or lack thereof - between Christians
and Muslims, and the need for more interfaith conversations.
The pope met with Muslim leaders Monday at his summer residence near Rome
over the furor his remarks have caused. He spoke to them for about five
minutes, news reports say, on the need for more interfaith dialogue and
on the need for Christian and Muslim action to fight intolerance and
violence.
On Monday, news reports say, Benedict expressed his own "esteem and
profound respect" for Muslim believers. After his talk, he shook
hands with each of the men present, exchanging a few words as they were
ushered out of his presence.
"It was a meeting on dialogue, and the pope spoke about dialogue,
but it was a monologue," said Sergio Yahe Pallavicini, an Italian
Muslim whose remarks were reported in a Los Angeles Times story Tuesday.
"It was a very positive meeting, and it could be more positive if we
can consider this a starting point." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA, INTERFAITH
GROUPS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS -
TOP
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 9/29/2006) The Sacramento Valley office of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) recently participated in an
Interfaith Prayer Service & Rally at the California State
Capitol.
The interfaith groups called on Governor Schwarzenegger to support fair
Immigrant legislation in California.
CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra and Auxiliary Bishop of
Sacramento Richard Garcia led the rally with prayers.
"As American Muslims we must do our utmost to help ensure that the
immigration debate is free of bigotry and xenophobia," said Elkarra.
"California laws should respect immigrants with legislation that
fair and comprehensive."
The rally was sponsored by: California Interfaith Council, California
Council of Churches, California Catholic Conference, Interfaith Service
Bureau, Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California, PICO California,
Council on American-Islamic Relations-California, and the Interfaith
Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
Contact: CAIR-Sacramento Valley Executive Director Basim Elkarra, E-mail:
sacval@cair.com, Tel:
916-441-6269
-----
PA: COAST MUSLIMS: NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE
TERRORISTS -
TOP
Jean Prescott, Sun Herald, 9/29/06
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/15635984.htm
Representatives of the Coast Muslim community met with the Sun Herald
late last week to talk about Pope Benedict's Muhammad comments, news
headlines referring to "war on Christianity" and the perception
of Muslims in general.
Imam Tariq Abdul Mu min of The All Embracing Mosque in Gulfport and John
Ellis Ishmael Briggs Be, a former Baptist minister, led a small group,
the consensus of which was that much written about Muslims today is
inflammatory. Their message is that all Muslims are not terrorists or
members of al-Qaida, and their wish is to promote harmony.
"It is sometimes disheartening," the Imam said. "Muhammad
did not fight Christians and Jews. God called upon him to fight people
who worshipped other things (idols)," adding the Quran states
religion cannot be forced and "a person must come willingly to this
(religious) life." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MI: ARAB-AMERICAN SUSPECTS STILL WITHOUT
MONEY, CELL PHONES -
TOP
Tom Gilchrist, Bay City Times, 9/28/06
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-8/11594565668090.xml&coll=4
A magistrate tossed out federal charges against Louai Othman, Adham
Othman and Maruan Muhareb a month ago, "restoring their
hearts," in the words of their lawyer.
The Texas trio's wallets, though, are far from restored, as authorities
haven't yet returned tens of thousands of dollars of bond money, cell
phones and high-tech electronic devices the men want back.
"They haven't even returned the ($30,000) bond money yet. They
didn't get their own clothes back or their own cell phones.
Nothing," Abdel Othman, father of Louai and Adham Othman, said on
Monday.
U.S. Magistrate Charles E. Binder dismissed federal conspiracy and
money-laundering charges against the Othmans and their cousin, Muhareb,
all of Mesquite, Texas.
Police in Caro in Tuscola County stopped the Arab-American men inside a
rented minivan at around 2 a.m. Aug. 11 and found about 1,000 cell phones
inside the vehicle. Officers said they also found a laptop computer,
digital camera and a BlackBerry handheld device and a Palm Treo
smartphone, both of which allow wireless Internet access and e-mail
transmissions.
The next day, Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark E. Reene charged the trio
with terrorism-related charges, alleging the men intended an act of
terrorism against Michigan's Mackinac Bridge.
On Aug. 16, a Tuscola County judge dismissed those charges at Reene's
request. That same day, U.S. attorneys issued federal charges against the
men, but charges that did not include terrorism. (MORE)
---
FL: THE FAST TRACK -
TOP
Anwar S. Richardson, Tampa Tribune, 9/29/06
http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBSK831OSE.html
After watching nearly 40 teenage bodies collide with the frequency of
lightning strikes, all in a Florida afternoon humidity that makes
blinking a strenuous exercise, King football coach Joe Severino finally
gave his team its biggest reward.
A water break.
King senior defensive end Ali Khan trotted over to the portable water
station with his teammates. The players took turns at the spigots,
drinking with the ferocity of people who had been stranded in the Sahara
for several days.
Khan was more careful.
He sprayed the cool water over his face, never once letting it touch his
tongue. Khan used the water to satisfy his outer body, but his inner body
was quenched with a deeply rooted belief.
Khan is a practicing Muslim who is observing Ramadan, which requires him
to fast from sunup to sundown, avoiding water and food. The religious
observation began Saturday and runs through Oct. 23.
King backup kicker Achmed Chehab is also a Muslim observing
Ramadan.
Both will be fueled by determination when King (2-3) hosts Alonso (3-1)
in a Class 5A-District 6 game tonight at 7:30.
"I've been doing this two years prior, and I have to prepare myself
in the morning when I wake up - drink a lot of fluids and get ready for
practice that day," Khan said. "You've got to work with it.
You've got to live with it. You just have to wait until sunset, 7:20 p.m.
or 7:23 p.m., and prepare yourself mentally. Physically, I'm a little
tired, but when it comes down to it, it's all about the
mentality."
Ramadan is considered the holiest month to Muslims, who believe that
during this span, the revelation of the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad
began. According to Wikipedia, "Fasting is supposed to redirect the
heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the
inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast brings on a
comfortable feeling of peace and calm." (MORE)
---
EFFORT AIMS TO PUSH MUSLIMS TO THE
POLLS -
TOP
Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 9/29/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/28/AR2006092801615.html
National Muslim civic leaders announced a new push yesterday to get the
country's estimated 2.2 million registered Muslim voters to the polls,
unveiling a Web site that spells out key races of "Muslim
interest" and ATM-like voter registration machines that will be put
in mosques and Islamic student centers.
The campaign by the Washington-based Muslim American Society is a
continuation of an effort that has been underway since the Sept. 11,
2001, attacks to increase American Muslims' involvement in the political
process. A 2005 survey by the Muslim American Political Action Committee
said 84 percent of registered Muslims voted in the November 2004
election, compared with 41 percent in 2000.
The efforts are getting more tailored, Muslim leaders said in announcing
the creation of the society's Center for Electoral Empowerment. The
center's main feature is a Web site that offers details on issues that
the political action committee says are the most important to Muslim
voters: concerns about "the erosion of civil liberties,"
"fair" immigration reform and foreign policy, said Mukit
Hossain, president of MAPAC.
The site,
http://www.masvip.org/ , highlights 30 races in 11 states where there
are significant Muslim populations, including Illinois, New Jersey,
California and Texas.
The focus on Muslim voting -- both by Muslim American leaders and
political candidates -- rose again after the 2004 election, when the
Muslim vote moved significantly away from the Republican Party.
According to a September 2004 poll conducted by Zogby International for
Georgetown University's Project MAPS, 76 percent of Muslims backed the
Kerry-Edwards ticket, compared with 7 percent for Bush-Cheney. This was a
significant change from 2000, when President Bush received 42 percent of
the Muslim vote compared with Al Gore's 31 percent. (MORE)
-----
SPAIN: BEARDED SPANIARD PROF. FORCED OFF
PLANE -
TOP
Jessica Bernstein-Wax, Associated Press, 9/28/06
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/09/28/international/i134200D58.DTL
A Spanish university professor with a long beard and dark complexion said
Thursday he was briefly forced off an airliner during a layover on the
Spanish island of Mallorca by passengers who feared he was an Islamic
terrorist.
Pablo Gutierrez Vega told The Associated Press that he was humiliated
when three German passengers on an Air Berlin flight approached him
during a layover in Palma de Mallorca on Aug. 30 en route from Seville,
Spain, to Dortmund, Germany, and asked to search his carry-on
luggage.
The men told him that other passengers were frightened by his appearance,
said Gutierrez Vega, a 35-year-old law professor at the University of
Seville.
"They treated me like an Islamic terrorist because of my
appearance," Gutierrez Vega said, according to an account posted
Thursday on the Web site of the newspaper El Pais.
The airline confirmed the incident to the AP and called it regretful.
(MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/1/06
*
Verse:
Be Truthful in Word and
Deed
-
Hadith:
A Truthful Tongue
*
CAIR-PA:
Muslims Received
Threats (Patriot-News)
*
CAIR-OH:
Muslims Feed the
Hungry (Enquirer)
-
CAIR-CA:
Torture
Compromise Violates American Values
*
CAIR-St. Louis:
Muslims in
U.S. are Wary (Post-Dispatch)
-
CAIR:
Heed
Muslims Who Decry Terrorism (Sun-Sent)
*
CAIR:
VA Teens Take Over Duties
of Imam Denied Entry to U.S. (WP)
*
MA:
Islamic Society of
Boston Suit Moves Forward (Globe)
-
MN:
Muslim Cabbies May Signify
Alcohol-Free Cars (AP)
-
LA:
Arab Store Owners Upset After
Raids
*
Australian PM Condemns Shooting at
Mosque (AP)
-
UK:
Pig's Head Found Outside Mosque
(BBC)
-
Molotov Cocktails Thrown at Russian
Mosque
-
Jewish Passenger 'Arrested'
for Looking 'Arab'
*
Iraq:
Secret Reports Dispute
White House Optimism (Wash Post)
-
Tariq Ramadan:
Why I'm Banned in the
USA (Wash Post)
-----
VERSE: BE TRUTHFUL IN WORD AND DEED -
TOP
"O you who have faith! Remain conscious of God and be with those who
are truthful in word and deed."
The Holy Quran, 9:119
HADITH OF THE DAY: A TRUTHFUL TONGUE -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication
in his prayers: "O God, I beg of Thee steadfastness in (righteous)
affairs and firm determination (to adhere to the path) of righteousness.
I beg Thee to make me grateful for Thy favor and the excellence of the
worship of Thee. I beg of Thee a sound heart and a truthful tongue. .
."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 302
-----
CAIR-PA: MIDSTATE MUSLIMS
RECEIVED THREATS, REPORT SAYS -
TOP
MARY WARNER, Patriot-News, 10/1/06
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1159664142133350.xml&coll=1
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission says it knows of "at
least seven" threatening letters and e-mails sent to Muslims in the
York and Harrisburg areas in the past two months.
The most recent came to
Abul Hasan of Springettsbury Twp., a Penn
State York physics professor active in the
Council of American Islamic
Relations.
The anonymous, handwritten letter he received last week called Islam
an "evil, violent cult" that "must be wiped from the face
of the earth." The letter closed by saying, "It would be a good
idea to reactivate those ovens at Auschwitz." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-OH: MUSLIMS FEED THE HUNGRY -
TOP
Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/30/06
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS01/609300412/1056/NEWS01
The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and the
Council on American
Islamic Relations Cincinnati Office are co-sponsoring the annual
"Feed the Hungry" program Sunday at 7:25 p.m. on 13th Street
between Vine and Race streets in Over-the-Rhine, near the Al As-hab
Islamic Center.
"As we observe Ramadan, it is imperative for us to realize the
sacrifices that others make every day," said Shakila Ahmad, a
trustee at the Islamic Center. "Sharing food is an integral part of
the lessons of Ramadan."
Observing Ramadan through abstinence and fasting from food and water
during daylight is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month continues
through Oct. 24.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: COMPROMISE ON
TORTURE VIOLATES AMERICAN VALUES -
TOP
Diana Gibson and Craig Wiesner, Mercury News, 10/1/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/15654177.htm
During the exact time that the so-called "compromise" on
torture was being discussed in Congress, religious leaders gathered in
Palo Alto to make their concerns about torture heard loud and clear.
Muslims, Jews, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics,
Quakers, Buddhists and others shared prayers of repentance and
intercession for our country at this critical time.
As their "Religious Leaders Statement Against Torture" was
read, those present who had signed the statement stood in front of the
sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church. Over 150 religious leaders,
local and national, and 17 religious organizations endorsed the
statement, "Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment
are shocking and morally intolerable. Nothing less than the soul of our
nation is at stake on this issue.". . .
From the
Council of American-Islamic Relations, Sameena Usman
offered a prayer in Arabic and English, "I pray that God will
guide us all on the straight path, may God restore the sanctity of human
life, may he protect people all around the world from the evil of torture
regardless of faith, race or nationality, may he bring us all together in
his fold of peace and justice." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-ST. LOUIS: MUSLIMS IN U.S. ARE
WARY -
TOP
Tim Townsend, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/30/06
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/nation/story/AD366C44902B5D73862571F90060D615?OpenDocument
Since June, area Muslims have become increasingly uncomfortable and even
fearful not because of overt attacks or threats against them, but because
a sequence of incidents have built upon each other to form an intense,
low-grade foreboding.
Beginning with the monthlong Israel-Hezbollah conflict through Pope
Benedict XVI's inflammatory lecture last month, American Muslims say they
feel more uneasy in their own country. Local incidents, including the
August screening of a controversial anti-terrorism movie and an FBI raid
on the home of a Muslim in Columbia, Mo., have heightened the anxiety,
according to dozens of St. Louis Muslims interviewed over the last few
weeks. . .
"It's possible that those who want a tougher stance on terrorism and
against Muslims have felt election campaigns might benefit from bringing
this issue to the forefront," said
Khaled Hamid, a member of the
St. Louis chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: HEED MUSLIMS
WHO DECRY TERRORISM -
TOP
Teresa R. Herrero, Sun-Sentinel, 10/1/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-pbmail889oct01,0,7288655.story
Your article on Americans' view of Islam as promoting violence, "A
religion under siege" (Outlook, Sept. 24), gives a clue as to what
may be the most effective way of addressing this issue.
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations hit the nail on the head
with its new ad campaign: "Not in the name of Islam." Americans
need to hear Muslim leaders decry terrorism in the name of Islam and have
both the Muslim community and the media quit suggesting that Americans'
views are due to prejudice, ignorance or religious antipathy.
(MORE)
-----
CAIR: AFTER HOMEWORK, DUTY AS AN IMAM
-
TOP
With Cleric's Visa Denied, Va. Center Enlists Its Most Learned: Two
Teens
Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 10/1/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093000976.html
The boy, round-faced and thin, stood in front of the hundred or so men,
his arms crossed, his eyes closed. When he knelt, they knelt. When he
stood, they stood. When he stumbled for a word, squinting to access the
search engine of his mind, they waited.
In a few hours, 13-year-old Aman Chhipa would be back at home sitting in
front of his computer playing a video game, pretending he was a knight
slaying giant spiders with a gem-laden sword. But at that moment, and for
an hour each night this month, he is a boy leading a room full of
men.
Aman and another teenager, Uzair Jawed, 16, were thrust into the revered
role of imam, or prayer leader, at the Islamic Community Center of
Northern Virginia, mostly out of desperation. A cleric from South Africa
was supposed to lead the center's nightly prayer for Ramadan, the holiest
month for Muslims, as he had done for the past three years. But after
Ismail Mullah arrived at Dulles International Airport on Sept. 22, he was
detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and sent back to
South Africa.
The center, in Woodbridge, had prepared for months for Mullah's arrival
and had paid thousands of dollars for his airfare. Without him, its
leaders had less than a day to find a hafiz -- someone who had memorized
the more than 6,200 Arabic verses of the Koran and could recite them
without looking at the text.
They searched among the adults. No one. They called other mosques. No
one.
They then turned to the two boys, the only ones among them who had
mastered the text enough to guide the congregation through the 30
sections in 30 days. The Koran is divided into 114 chapters containing
more than 6,200 verses comprising about 80,000 words. It is like learning
part of the Bible in Latin when you don't speak Latin.
"I thought, how am I going to do this?" Aman said. "I was
nervous. It's a huge responsibility."
Aman is an eighth-grader at Fred M. Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge
whose family is from India. He memorized the Koran by age 10. Uzair, 16,
is a ninth-grader at Woodbridge Senior High School whose family is from
Pakistan. He memorized it by the time he was 13.
Together, they lead the nightly prayer, correcting each other when
needed, as is custom. Days that were once spent perched in front of a
PlayStation 2 for hours, they said, are now heavy with studying that
starts about 5 a.m. and stretches to about 11:30 p.m., with school and
life in between.
"Before we were hafiz, we were just kids," Uzair said.
He and Aman might be the nation's youngest imams, said
Nihad Awad, the
national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, the largest Islamic civil liberties group in the United
States. The two are also a testament to the post-9/11 need for U.S.
Muslims to groom their own leaders and stop depending on those from other
countries, he said.
"Imams who come from overseas, sometimes they bring a different
mentality. They come from Muslim-majority places. They have different
cultures, norms and traditions," Awad said. "I think it's
important that we develop our own." (MORE)
-----
MA: ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF BOSTON
SUIT MOVES FORWARD -
TOP
Boston Globe, 9/30/06
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/09/30/islamic_society_of_boston_suit_moves_forward/
A judge ruled yesterday that a lawsuit brought by the Islamic Society of
Boston asserting that news media outlets and other individuals had
conspired to publish false and defamatory information about mosque
leaders could go forward.
The Islamic Society sued a group of individuals and entities including
the Boston Herald, WFXT-TV (Channel 25), a pro-Israel group The David
Project, and terrorism specialist Steven Emerson asserting that they
coordinated a campaign falsely linking mosque officials to Islamic
extremism and terrorist groups in television and newspaper
stories.
The plaintiffs say that the connections were fabricated and that the
stories have interfered with their right to the free exercise of their
religion. They also said the stories stalled development of their planned
Roxbury mosque, drying up donations to the project. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MN: MUSLIM CABDRIVERS MAY HAVE TO
SIGNIFY ALCOHOL-FREE CARS -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/1/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/us/01taxi.html
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 30 - Hundreds of Muslim cabdrivers at Minneapolis-St.
Paul International Airport may soon be required to put different colored
lights atop their vehicles after refusing to take customers they know are
carrying alcohol.
The proposal, which would allow airport workers to direct travelers to
cabs more efficiently, needs approval from the airport's taxicab advisory
committee, and airport officials hope to have the lights ready by year's
end.
If the proposal is adopted, cabdrivers without the light who refuse a
fare will be sent to the back of the line, which often means a three-hour
wait.
Some said they would rather wait for another fare than carry a passenger
with alcohol. "It is forbidden in Islam to carry alcohol," said
Muhamed Mursal, a cabdriver.
Pat Hogan, an airport spokesman, said a handful of drivers began refusing
to carry alcohol 10 years ago. Now he estimates that three-quarters of
the 900 airport cabdrivers are Somali, most of them Muslim.
(MORE)
---
LA: ARAB STORE OWNERS UPSET AFTER
RAIDS IN HOUMA AREA -
TOP
Robert Morris, Houma Courier, 9/29/06
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl092906tpconvenienceraids.2bc13be3.html
HOUMA -- The FBI temporarily shut down and raided a handful of local
convenience stores Thursday, leading Arab store owners to decry the
search-and-seizure operations as racial profiling. (MORE)
-----
AUSTRALIAN PM CONDEMNS SHOOTING AT MOSQUE -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/1/06
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/01/asia/AS_GEN_Australia_Mosque_Shooting.php
SYDNEY, Australia Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday
condemned a shooting at a west coast mosque, saying all Australians have
a right to worship in peace.
Police have yet to identify the gunman who fired into a crowded mosque in
the city of Perth on Friday evening as 400 men, women and children
observed the holy month of Ramadan. The offender fled in a car after a
single shot, police said.
No one was injured, but a witness said the shot narrowly missed
worshippers and left children screaming.
Howard described the shooting as a criminal act that should be
punished.
"Attacks on religious buildings, be they churches, synagogues,
mosques or any other religious buildings, are completely unacceptable and
whenever they occur those responsible should be hunted down and brought
to justice," Howard told reporters in his hometown of Sydney.
(MORE)
SEE ALSO:
UK: PIG'S HEAD FOUND OUTSIDE MOSQUE -
TOP
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/5392154.stm
A pig's head was found dumped outside a mosque in south Wales hours
before the holy festival of Ramadan began, police have said.
It was discovered outside the Jamia Mosque in Newport at 2230 BST on
Saturday, 23 September.
Gwent Police were called to the scene and have begun a hate crime inquiry
to identify the culprit in what is being seen as "premeditated"
attack. (MORE)
---
FASCIST ATTACK MOSQUE IN RUSSIA -
TOP
Faruk Akkan, Cihan News Agency, 10/1/06
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20061001&hn=36952
As the discussion over Islamophobia continues in the Western world, a new
attack targeting Muslims took place in Moscow.
A group of people threw Molotov cocktails at a mosque in the Yaroslavi
district of Moscow, where discrimination has increases dramatically. The
small fire caused by the Molotov cocktail was put off by officers. The
incident is reported to be the second attack the same place in the last
five days.
The attackers drew swastikas on the walls of the mosque and chanted
racist slogans. (MORE)
---
HUMILIATION AT 33,000 FEET -
TOP
Sophie Goodchild, Independent, 10/1/06
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1777847.ece
Seth Stein is used to jetting around the world to create stylish holiday
homes for wealthy clients. This means the hip architect is familiar with
the irritations of heightened airline security post-9/11. But not even he
could have imagined being mistaken for an Islamist terrorist and
physically pinned to his seat while aboard an American Airlines flight -
especially as he has Jewish origins.
Yet this is what happened when he travelled back from a business trip to
the Turks and Caicos islands via New York on 22 May. Still traumatised by
his ordeal, the 47-year-old is furious that the airline failed to protect
him from the gung-ho actions of an over-zealous passenger who claimed to
be a police officer. He has now instructed a team of top US lawyers to
act for him.
The London-based interiors guru, whose clients have included Peter
Mandelson and the husband-and-wife design team Suzanne Clements and
Ignacio Ribeiro, said he felt compelled to speak out to protect other
innocent travellers from a similar experience.
"This man could have garrotted me and what was awful was that one or
two of the passengers went up afterwards to thank him," said Mr
Stein. He has since been told by airline staff he was targeted because he
was using an iPod, had used the toilet when he got on the plane and that
his tan made him appear "Arab".
-----
IRAQ: SECRET REPORTS DISPUTE WHITE
HOUSE OPTIMISM -
TOP
Bob Woodward, Washington Post, 10/1/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093000293.html
On May 22, 2006, President Bush spoke in Chicago and gave a
characteristically upbeat forecast: "Years from now, people will
look back on the formation of a unity government in Iraq as a decisive
moment in the story of liberty, a moment when freedom gained a firm
foothold in the Middle East and the forces of terror began their long
retreat."
Two days later, the intelligence division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
circulated a secret intelligence assessment to the White House that
contradicted the president's forecast. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
TARIQ RAMADAN: WHY I'M BANNED IN THE USA -
TOP
Tariq Ramadan, Washington Post, 10/1/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092901334.html
For more than two years now, the U.S. government has barred me from
entering the United States to pursue an academic career. The reasons have
changed over time, and have evolved from defamatory to absurd, but the
effect has remained the same: I've been kept out. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MN RADIO STATION THANKED FOR 'MUSLIM JEOPARDY'
SKIT APOLOGY
Contest categories reportedly included 'smells like a
Shia'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/2/06) - A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today thanked a Minnesota radio station for
reacting positively to concerns about an on-air skit that offended Muslim
listeners.
A complaint received by the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations (
CAIR) stated that
KDWB-FM recently aired a segment called
"Muslim Jeopardy" in which a person reportedly used a fake
South Asian accent in announcing contest categories such as
"infamous infidels," "potent portables" and
"smells like a Shia." The complaint also stated that a female
host was threatened with beheading when she got an answer wrong.
In a letter sent last week to KDWB, CAIR wrote:
"Given the existing prejudice against and stereotyping of Islam
and Muslims, we believe Islamophobic rhetoric can and does have a
negative impact on the lives of ordinary American Muslims.
"CAIR issues an annual report on the status of American Muslim civil
rights outlining hundreds of incidents involving anti-Muslim
discrimination, harassment and even physical violence. Just this past
week, there was a sniper attack on a mosque in Florida. In August, a
Minneapolis mosque was targeted by arsonists.
"It is our belief, based on years of experience, that many of these
incidents result from the images of Islam and Muslims put forward in the
news and entertainment industries.
"We have no desire to inhibit free speech or freedom of expression.
However, it is our duty to defend both America's traditions of ethnic and
religious tolerance and the safety of the American Muslim
community."
The letter asked KDWB to investigate the matter and to take
"appropriate action" based on the results of the
investigation.
As a result of complaints about the skit, KDWB morning host Dave Ryan
issued an apology and the station placed the following "Public
Statement" on its web site:
"KDWB does not condone making light of Islam and Muslims. We regret
that listeners found the 'Muslim Jeopardy' comedy skit of one of our
on-air hosts to be insensitive."
The station has also agreed to work with CAIR and the Minnesota Muslim
community to offer public service announcements that would promote
interfaith understanding.
"We thank KDWB for responding positively to the Muslim community's
concerns," said
CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper. "Freedom of expression and respect for the religious
sensitivities of others need not be mutually exclusive
concepts."
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 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.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR national Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair.com; Rabiah Ahmed,
202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair.com
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/2/06
*
Hadith:
A Clean Heart
*
CA:
Bishop Makes Good-Will Gesture
to Muslims (Fresno Bee)
*
CAIR:
TN Muslims
Critical of Mosque Incident Probe Delay
-
CAIR-San Antonio Trains Texas Police
About Islam
*
CAIR:
MN Radio Station
Apologizes For Muslim Satire (AP)
*
CA:
Wait Ends for
Muslims Exiled by FBI Inquiry (NY Times)
-
MI:
Tour Group Sees
Cost of Lebanon War (Free Press)
-
KY:
Jews Mark Days of Awe, Muslims
Celebrate Ramadan
-
TN:
Students Join in Ramadan
Fast-A-Thon (Newsweek)
*
Afghanistan:
Inmates Detail U.S. Prison
Near Kabul (AP)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: A CLEAN HEART -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "No companion of mine
should tell me anything bad about another person. For when I meet you, I
would like my heart to be clean (unbiased.)"
Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 1539
-----
CA: BISHOP TO MAKE GOOD-WILL GESTURE -
TOP
Steinbock to appear at Islamic center in wake of pope's remarks.
Doug Hoagland, Fresno Bee, 10/2/06
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/12828754p-13514425c.html
Fresno Catholic Bishop John Steinbock will make a public gesture of good
will toward Muslims following the pope's controversial comments about
Islam, a Valley Muslim leader says.
Steinbock will appear Oct. 13 at the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno,
said Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, director of the center.
"Our commitment is to pursue stronger relationships with people of
faith," Abu-Shamsieh said. "We want the Catholic Church to
share with the Muslim community their respect of Islam, and we thought a
visit by the bishop would be sending a message of respect."
(MORE)
-----
CAIR: ISLAMIC OFFICIALS
CRITICAL OF PROBE DELAY -
TOP
Brian Lazenby,
Chattanooga Times, 10/2/06
More than two months after officials at the
Council on
American-Islamic Relations called for an investigation into a video
of a man shooting a copy of the Quran and throwing it on the doorstep of
a local mosque, authorities said they are unsure if they will
prosecute.
"It is contingent upon how long it takes us to gather and
investigate the material," said Cynthia Magnuson, spokeswoman with
the U.S. Department of Justice.
She said there is no timeline regarding when a decision will be
made.
That doesn't sit well with officials with the Annour Islamic Center here
in Chattanooga who view the act as a hate crime.
"We strongly feel that this is taking too long," said Khalid
Hashmi, spokesman for the Islamic Center at 1410 Cemetery Ave. "We
feel that a decision should be quickly made because all the information
is readily available."
Arsalan Iftikhar, national legal director with the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, said he, too, is concerned with the
delay.
"It is very disconcerting to see that two men who shoot up a Quran
with a semi-automatic rifle and throw it on the front steps of a
Tennessee mosque would not be promptly prosecuted for religious
intimidation," he said. "This racist act is the millennial
moral equivalent of burning a cross in front of an African-American
church."
Federal authorities in Chattanooga said they passed information on to the
U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division in July, when
officials at the Council on American-Islamic Relations discovered the
video clip titled "kill the koran" posted on MySpace. com, an
online networking service. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-SAN ANTONIO TRAINS TEXAS POLICE ABOUT
ISLAM -
TOP
(SAN ANTONIO, TX, 10/2/06) - The San Antonio office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Antonio) recently held a diversity
training workshop on Islam and American Muslims at the Texas Municipal
Police Association in Austin, Texas.
The workshop outlined basic Islamic beliefs, common stereotypes of Islam
and Muslims, Muslim demographics, and ways to improve
interactions/communication with the community. A question and answer
session followed the workshop.
"We need this kind of workshop to help keep channels of
communication open and to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies
to protect both civil liberties and our nation's security," said
Sarwat Husain, chairwoman for CAIR-SA.
CAIR-San Antonio offers these workshops to different organizations
throughout the year to promote understanding of Islam and American
Muslims in South Texas.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 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.
CONTACT: Sarwat Husain, Tel: 210-378-9528, E-Mail:
sarwat@nazirh.com
-----
MINNEAPOLIS RADIO STATION
APOLOGIZES FOR MUSLIM SATIRE -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/2/06
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/15662109.htm
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Top 40 radio station KDWB-FM has apologized for an
on-air comedy skit called "Muslim Jeopardy."
The skit included an announcer using a fake South Asia accent introducing
contest categories such as "infamous infidels" and "potent
portables," according to the Washington-based
Council on
American-Islamic Relations, which said it had received complaints
about the skit.
The skit also included a threat to behead a female host when she got an
answer wrong, CAIR said.
On Monday, the station's Web site contained a short apology: "KDWB
does not condone making light of Islam and Muslims. We regret that
listeners found the Muslim Jeopardy comedy skit of one of our on-air
hosts to be insensitive."
CAIR issued a statement on Monday applauding the station's response. .
.
Gregg Swedberg, operations manager for Clear Channel's Minneapolis
office, said it was against company policy to discuss whether any
disciplinary action had been taken against morning host Dave Ryan. Ryan
remains on the air, Swedberg said.
-----
CA: WAIT ENDS FOR FATHER
AND SON EXILED BY F.B.I. TERROR INQUIRY -
TOP
Randal C. Archibold, New York Times, 10/2/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/us/02terror.html
Two American citizens of Pakistani descent returned to the United States
on Sunday, five months after they were denied permission to fly home to
California unless they submitted to an interrogation by F.B.I. terrorism
investigators.
The men, Muhammad Ismail, 45, and his son, Jaber, 19, of the Northern
California farming town of Lodi, returned from Pakistan on a flight that
landed at Kennedy Airport in New York around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. They
were scheduled to arrive in California on Sunday night or early Monday on
a connecting flight, their lawyer said Sunday.
The Ismails are an uncle and cousin of Hamid Hayat, a Lodi man who was
convicted in April in federal court of providing material support to
terrorists. Mr. Hayat told investigators he had attended a terrorism
training camp during a long stay in Pakistan and intended to carry out
unspecified attacks in the United States. Mr. Hayat's father, Umer, was
convicted on a lesser charge of lying to investigators about the amount
of cash he carried to Pakistan on a 2003 trip, but a jury deadlocked on
terrorism charges.
The Ismails were not charged in the case. They attributed their
predicament to being related to the Hayats, the only people to have been
charged in what federal prosecutors have described as an investigation
into possible terrorism links in Lodi.
Julia Harumi Mass of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern
California, who is representing the Ismails, said the pair had no
terrorism connections. In a complaint in August to the Department of
Homeland Security, she urged the authorities to explain any accusations
against them and why they had been denied permission to fly
home.
Legal experts said the matter raised questions about balancing terrorism
investigations against American citizens' right to travel freely without
having been charged with a crime or detained as a suspect.
On Sept. 6, nearly a month after Ms. Mass's complaint, the Homeland
Security Department notified her in a letter and telephone call that
unspecified records had been modified "to address any delay or
denial boarding" the pair had encountered. Ms. Mass said she took
that to mean they were cleared to fly, and the Ismails arranged financing
and bought tickets home.
"I never imagined that the country I was born in would stop me from
coming home for five months and separate me from my family, especially
when I was not charged with a crime," Jaber Ismail said in a
statement released through the A.C.L.U. (MORE)
-----
MI: METRO ARABS SEE COST OF
WAR -
TOP
Group tours Lebanese city
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 10/2/06
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061002/NEWS05/610020357/1001/NEWS
Baalbek, Lebanon -- On most weekends, the ancient Roman temples of
Baalbek attracted hundreds of visitors.
But on Sunday, despite clear skies and a cool breeze, there was only a
trickle of tourists to the picturesque town nestled between two mountain
ranges.
Located east of Beirut in the fertile Bekaa Valley, the town has seen its
economy suffer after this summer's conflict between Hizballah and Israel.
Tourism throughout Lebanon has taken a big hit, U.S. officials and
Lebanese residents say.
At the Roman temples, tour guide Hussein Al-Outa, 66, said visitation is
down 90% since the conflict started in July.
And down the street, Ali Awad, 45, said his restaurant is
struggling.
"This street is for tourist people," Awad said, standing on a
narrow path once popular with tourists. "And now, I haven't
worked."
As he spoke, he pointed to a pile of rubble behind him that was once a
five-story commercial building. He said the building was bombed during
the fighting between Hizballah and Israel.
Israel says it was just defending itself against Hizballah. The militant
group had captured Israeli soldiers, setting off the conflict.
The conflict, which ended Aug. 14, was the main topic of discussion
earlier in the day between U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman and
a group of metro Detroiters touring the region with the Dearborn-based
American Arab Chamber of Commerce. The Free Press is accompanying the
group.
Before the war started, "Lebanon was moving forward," Feltman
told the group at a meeting in Beirut.
In the first six months of this year, Lebanon had more exports than in
all of 2005, Feltman said. And in June, Lebanon had the highest number of
tourists in decades, Feltman said.
Now, he said, "all of that is lost."
The metro Detroiters saw the damage firsthand Sunday en route to Baalbek.
They gazed at the Mdairej bridge -- once the tallest bridge in Lebanon.
The structure was a symbol of the country's determination to recover
after years of civil war, said Ahmad Chebbani, the owner of a Dearborn
tax and accounting firm.
But during the conflict, Israel struck the bridge, sending a section of
its road crashing down hundreds of feet below.
Many metro Detroit families have roots in the Bekaa Valley and have heard
stories from relatives of the destruction in the region. (MORE)
-----
KY: JEWS MARK DAYS OF AWE, MUSLIMS
CELEBRATE RAMADAN -
TOP
Frank E. Lockwood, Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/2/06
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/15657860.htm
With Lexington Jews marking the Days of Awe and Muslims celebrating
Ramadan, members of both communities paused yesterday to honor God and to
remember their religious inheritance.
Holocaust survivor Sylvia Green, 82, stood in the Lexington Cemetery,
surrounded by Jewish graves, and prayed for the departed members of her
community.
It's a yearly ritual that she and many other Jews faithfully observe
during the High Holy Days.
With the beginning of Yom Kippur -- the holiest day of the Jewish
calendar -- only hours away, Green and about 65 others recited Psalms in
Hebrew and in English. Then many of them placed small mementoes on the
tombstones -- rocks, pennies, acorns and apples. . .
While Jews gathered at houses of worship to mark the Day of Atonement,
Muslims assembled at Veterans Park Elementary School yesterday evening to
pray and feast after a day of fasting for Ramadan. During this month of
spiritual renewal, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex
from dawn to dusk.
As the sun set, worshipers ate dates and listened to the call to prayer:
"God is great. God is great. ... There is no God, but
God."
Leaving tables heaped high with delicacies, about 200 Muslims filed into
the school's gymnasium, took off their shoes and turned toward Mecca. Men
in the front, women in the back, they bowed in reverence to the Almighty.
Afterward, men in one line, women in another, they waited to pass through
the potluck line.
The menu ranged from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to pizza and
there was plenty to go around.
The fellowship was more important than the food, Dr. Ahmad Ramadan said.
"It's basically hearts and souls united together. You meet your
fellow Muslims from all over the world." (MORE)
---
TN: STUDENTS JOIN IN FAST-A-THON
-
TOP
Beliefwatch: Fast Friends
Dilshad D. Ali and Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Newsweek, 10/9/06
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15079909/site/newsweek/
The Roman Catholic peace group Pax Christi USA has decided to fast, but
it's not waiting for Lent. After Pope Benedict XVI quoted a Byzantine
emperor's statement that Islam is "evil and inhuman," the group
said that, to soothe tensions, thousands of its members are fasting for
Ramadan. (For the 30 days of the Islamic holy month, observant Muslims
abstain from food, drink and other earthly pleasures from sunup to
sundown; the practice is one of the five required Pillars of Islam.) The
people of Pax Christi are not alone. Especially since 9/11, non-Muslims
have fasted to express political solidarity with Muslims, to increase
awareness of global hunger, as a spiritual discipline, or to strengthen
interfaith friendship.
More than 250 colleges are expected to participate this year in a
Fast-a-thon, a one-day event for non-Muslim and Muslim students to draw
attention to world hunger and raise money for local food banks. The event
began after 9/11 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and has
spread around the nation. Last year almost 1,800 students participated at
Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Some Ramadan fasts have a
political message. Members of a local antiwar group in Ann Arbor, Mich.,
have organized a "solidarity fast"-three-day shifts or for the
entire 30 days-to demonstrate opposition to the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, plus the recent fighting in Lebanon. But dozens of American
service members in Al Anbar province in Iraq are fasting, too, according
to Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher, a spokesman for Coalition forces in Iraq. He says
the fast is "a gesture of good will, a gesture of respect for the
nation of Iraq, for the culture of Iraq." (MORE)
[For more information on the fast-a-thon, to go to
www.fast-a-thon.org ]
-----
AFGHANISTAN: INMATES DETAIL U.S. PRISON NEAR
KABUL -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/2/06
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,115441,00.html
KABUL, Afghanistan - Capt. Amanullah, a former mujahedeen commander,
smooths his black beard with his palm and gives a deep and ironic laugh
as he recounts his 14 miserable months in Bagram, the U.S. prison for
terror suspects in Afghanistan.
"There were lots of stupid questions and accusations with no
proof," said the 56-year-old veteran of combat against the Soviet
occupation. He insists he was there only because Afghan rivals lied about
him to the U.S. Army.
He's far from alone in his assertion of innocence - or his inability to
make that heard for so long. Like many who have passed through the
secretive jail set up after the fall of the Taliban regime, Amanullah
found himself entangled in a system where he had no protection and no
rights, and not even the pressure of public scrutiny that helped inmates
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or Abu Ghraib, Iraq.
"There's been a silence about Bagram, and much less political
discussion about it," said Richard Bennett, the chief U.N. human
rights officer in Afghanistan.
Originally intended as a short-term holding pen for al-Qaida and Taliban
suspects later shipped to Guantanamo, Bagram has expanded and acquired
its own notoriety over abuse allegations though attracting much less
international attention than the U.S. detention facility in
Cuba.
The U.S. plans to turn over the Afghan nationals in its custody to the
Afghan government by next summer. They will be sent to a new
high-security wing at the Afghan government's main Policharki prison in
Kabul - scene of repeated deadly riots and escapes in recent years. But
non-Afghans currently held at Bagram will stay in U.S. custody, officials
say.
Bagram's estimated 500 inmates are mostly Afghans, but also are believed
to include Arabs, Pakistanis and some Central Asians. They wear the same
orange jump suits and shaven heads as the "enemy combatants" at
Guantanamo, but lack even the scant legal rights granted to the inmates
at that facility, such as the right to appear at military hearings that
assess whether they pose a security threat. In some cases, they have been
held without charge for three to four years, rights workers say.
New legislation would extend anti-torture protections to all prisoners in
U.S. custody. But only those hand-picked by the president or the military
would get rights to legal representation and a hearing. So far, that has
been accorded to only a handful of men at Guantanamo, and none held at
Bagram or in Iraq, where more than 13,000 are in U.S. custody without
charge. (MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/3/06
*
Hadith:
Helping Others is a Form of
Worship
*
CAIR-NY Takes Part in Pace U
Mtg on Quran Desecration
-
Copy of Quran Found in NY College
Toilet (AP)
*
Incitement:
Heritage Foundation Hosts
Islam-Basher
*
CAIR-FL:
Muslims Must Not
Use Violence
-
CAIR-FL:
Muslims
Meet with Archbishop
-
CAIR-MI:
Muslims Join Yom
Kippur/Ramadan Program
-
CAIR-MI Welcomes
Training About Islam at MSU
*
CAIR:
Workplace Bias Against
Muslims on Rise (LA Times)
*
CA:
Supreme Court Declines Case
Objecting to Teaching Islam (AP)
-
OR:
Parent Objects to
Educational Unit on Islam
*
CA:
Muslim,
Christian, Jewish Students Find Commonalities (OC Reg)
-
MA:
Faiths Meet to End
Fast (Harvard Crimson)
-
MA:
Muslims Donating to the Less
Fortunate (Telegram)
-
NY:
Ramadan Fast
Teaches Muslims American Virtues
-
FL:
Ramadan
Challenging Time for Muslim Athlete (Herald)
*
MI:
Students Want U-M
to Divest from Israel (Detroit News)
*
UK:
Boy Stabbed as Mosque Stoned
(Yorkshire Post)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: HELPING OTHERS IS A FORM OF
WORSHIP -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The person who looks
after a widow or the poor is like. . .someone who prayers all night and
fasts all day."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 265
-----
CAIR-NY TO TAKE PART IN MTG ON
QURAN DESECRATION -
TOP
(NEW YORK, NY, 10/3/06) - On Tuesday, October 3, the New York chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) will participate in a
town hall meeting at Pace University to discuss a recent incident in
which a Quran, Islam's revealed text, was found in the toilet in a campus
men's room. CAIR-NY is calling on the university to treat the incident as
a possible hate crime.
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting at Pace University
WHEN: Tuesday, October 3, 2006, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Schimmel Center, Pace University (NYC campus)
CAIR-NY sees this incident as evidence of the growing phenomenon of
Islamophobia in the United States and will encourage Pace University to
hold more town hall meetings for the student population in order to
create a better understanding of Islam.
CONTACT: Afsheen Shamsi, CAIR-NY Communications Director,
212-870-2002
SEE ALSO:
MANHATTAN COLLEGE INVESTIGATES AFTER
QURAN FOUND IN TOILET -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/3/06
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--vandalism-quran1003oct03,0,4709559.story
NEW YORK (AP) - A lower Manhattan college is investigating how a
paperback copy of the Quran from the campus library ended up in a public
toilet, school officials said Tuesday.
The discovery at Pace University was among three separate incidents in
the past two weeks involving vandalism with racial or religious
overtones. In the other two, racial slurs were scrawled on a student's
car parked at a satellite campus in Westchester County and on a bathroom
wall at the downtown campus.
University President David A. Caputo said the incidents did not appear to
be related. But he called them "deeply disturbing" and invited
faculty and students to discuss them Tuesday afternoon at a meeting.
(MORE)
-----
INCITEMENT: HERITAGE FOUNDATION HOSTS
ISLAM-BASHER -
TOP
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events/ev092706a.cfm
WATCH THE VIDEO:
http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-092706a.wvx
-----
VIDEO:
CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS MUST NOT USE VIOLENCE WHEN ACCUSED OF BEING VIOLENT -
TOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kx7VeugIJA
CAIR-Florida Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier appears on the
Political Connections "Soapbox" segment to share his views on
the violent reaction by a few Muslims to the Pope's recent remarks on
Islam. In his statement, Bedier urges Muslims to respond within the
guidelines of Islam, using peaceful non-violent means.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS MEET
WITH ARCHBISHOP -
TOP
(MIAMI, FL, 10/03/2006) - Representatives of the Florida office of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), along with other
American Muslim leaders, met yesterday with the Archbishop of Miami, to
discuss the controversy surrounding recent comments on Islam by Pope
Benedict XVI.
The Islamic delegation discussed the Florida Muslim community's specific
concerns over the Pope's remarks and stated that the proper response to
the incident is for Muslims and Catholics in the state to increase
dialogue and outreach efforts aimed at building better relations between
Christianity and Islam.
Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora welcomed the Muslim delegation and
reiterated a statement made earlier during Mass: "The dialogue will
not be complete until there is dialogue that includes
Islam."
"The Archbishop's approach is most welcome and we look forward to
creating a united front on matters of religious tolerance and interfaith
efforts," said
CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-298-8214, E-MAIL:
altaf@cairfl.org; Melissa Matos,
Communication Director, 954-272-0490, E-MAIL:
melissa@cairfl.org
---
CAIR-MI: MUSLIMS
PARTICIPATE IN YOM KIPPUR/RAMADAN FAST-BREAKING PROGRAM -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 10/3/06) - Representatives from the Michigan
chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the
Islamic Center of America in Dearborn and the Shadhuli Sufi Center of
Peace and Mercy in Ann Arbor joined the Michigan Jewish community at the
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor for a joint
fast-breaking program yesterday in observance of Yom Kippur and
Ramadan.
This is the first event of its kind in the Ann Arbor area, which is home
to large Jewish and Muslim populations.
"As fellow children of Abraham, it is important for us to share our
spiritual traditions to help enhance respect and interfaith understanding
in Michigan," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203,
director@cairmichigan.org
---
CAIR-MI: MUSLIMS WELCOME
TRAINING ABOUT ISLAM FOR MSU FACULTY, STUDENTS -
TOP
(LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI, 10/3/06) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed a decision by
administrators at Michigan State University to hold diversity training
sessions for its faculty and student body.
The training will include an Islamic awareness workshop funded by the
university and given in conjunction with the Muslim Students Association
(MSA).
Representatives of CAIR-MI and the MSA at Michigan State University met
with university officials to discuss instituting diversity programming
for faculty as a result of an incident earlier this year in which a
tenured professor sent an offensive e-mail to the MSA.
In the
e-mail sent on February 28, 2006, Dr. Indrek Wichman referred to
Muslims as "dissatisfied, agressive (sic), brutal, and uncivilized
slave-trading Moslems."
"We are glad that Michigan State University affirmed its commitment
to inclusion and to creating a healthy academic environment for its
students by instituting these measures," said CAIR-MI Executive
Director Dawud Walid.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-569-2203,
director@cairmichigan.org
-----
CAIR: WORKPLACE BIAS AGAINST MUSLIMS,
ARABS ON RISE, ADVOCATES SAY -
TOP
A tally of complaints jumped in 2005. Some victims may fear reporting to
authorities.
Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times, 10/3/06
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-eeoc3oct03,1,3563037.story
The restaurant manager from Morocco, the Armenian caterer from Syria and
the Yemeni sailor aren't all Muslims and hail from different homelands.
But all three say they suffered discrimination at work after Sept. 11,
2001, because of their national origin or perceptions that they were
Muslim.
Now, they are among those who have filed lawsuits through the California
offices of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - reflecting
increasing discrimination against people of Middle Eastern and South
Asian descent, according to advocacy groups.
"I did not think this would happen when I came here," said
Abdellatif Hadji, who moved from Morocco to the United States in 1989 and
recently filed an EEOC suit against a Mendocino County restaurant where
he was a manager. "America is the land of
opportunity."
Reports of workplace discrimination against people perceived to be Muslim
or Arab soared after the Sept. 11 attacks and then declined, government
statistics indicate. But some advocates say they've seen a resurgence in
the last year that corresponds to global political events.
"Anytime there's anything in the news . . . that is related to the
Middle East, you see a spike in hate-motivated and employment-related
incidents," said Kareem Shora, director of the legal department of
the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
After 9/11, the EEOC introduced a category of employment discrimination
against people who are or are perceived to be Arab, Muslim, Middle
Eastern, South Asian or Sikh. Nationwide statistics from the EEOC
indicate that such complaints - so far exceeding 1,000 - have decreased
each year since 2002.
However, the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations
says it processed more civil-rights and workplace discrimination
complaints in 2005 than ever before. The annual total jumped to 1,972 in
2005 from 1,522 in 2004. The discrepancy may indicate that victims fear
reporting discrimination to the government.
"We only see the tip of the iceberg," said Joan Ehrlich,
district director of the EEOC office in San Francisco. "It's
probably not even reflective of the amount of discrimination going on
because people are afraid to come to the government for help."
(MORE)
-----
CA: SUPREME COURT DECLINES TO TAKE CASE
FROM PARENTS OBJECTING TO TEACHING ISLAM TO SEVENTH-GRADERS -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/2/06
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/02/america/NA_GEN_US_Teaching_Islam.php
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider a lawsuit by parents
objecting to a three-week class for seventh-graders on Islam.
Jonas and Tiffany Eklund say pupils at a public school in California were
given pages from the opening chapter of the Koran to read and studied
Islam's Five Pillars of Faith in a world history unit on Muslim
culture.
The Eklunds wanted the Supreme Court to find that the world history unit
entitled "The Roots of Islam and the Empire" violates
constitutional guarantees separating church and state.
"Parents entrust public schools with educating their children, not
indoctrinating them in religion," the Eklunds' lawyers stated in a
brief asking the Supreme Court to take the case. "The public school
here had children become Muslims for three weeks."
The Byron Union School District "moved far beyond a mere explanation
of the historical or literary significance of Islam," the parents'
lawyers argued. The district is east of San Francisco.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Islam program activities
were not overt religious exercises and therefore did not raise U.S.
constitutional concerns. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
OR: NYSSA PARENT TAKES
EXCEPTION TO EDUCATIONAL UNIT ON ISLAM -
TOP
Jennifer Colton, Argus Observer, 10/2/06
http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2006/10/02/news/local_news/news02.txt
One Nyssa parent said she is upset about the amount of time and detail
the school district has allocated for an educational unit on Islam in her
son's seventh-grade social studies class.
Kendlee Garner said her son studied world geography for one week and then
the class launched the Islam unit that has already spanned four
weeks.
She said that isn't right.
"I bet if you took a world map into the middle school, not one kid
could plot Iraq, but now they can all put on a Muslim headdress,"
Garner said.
The class has spent far too much time studying Islam, she said.
"When they only spent a week on geography, I figured if they were
only going to spend a week on Islam it wouldn't be so bad," Garner
said. "But it has just dragged on and on."
The unit has involved guest speakers, skits and reports, but an activity
on Thursday where students in all three social studies classes dressed in
traditional Islamic outfits upset Garner because of the religious nature
and the lack of parental notification.
She said she did not want her children putting on garb from other
religions, and when she complained, her son was given an alternative
assignment and sent to the library.
"The only reason I knew about it was because my son told me about
it," she said. "They sent him to the library instead of
stopping what they were doing. I'm sure people would be outraged if they
dressed up as the Pope."
Nyssa School District Superintendent Don Grotting said as part of
Benchmark 3 of the state standards, the school has taught similar units
in the past.
"I've been here six years," Grotting said. "This is the
only person who has ever voiced, to me, a complaint about it."
(MORE)
-----
CA: PROJECT
LETS MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN AND JEWISH STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL,
SPIRITUAL COMMONALITIES -
TOP
Alejandra Molina, Orange County Register, 10/3/06
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/homepage/article_1295183.php
In a society where religious differences can be sensitive, sometimes all
it takes are young, eager minds to break the ice.
To learn more about one another's faiths, students from Morasha Jewish
Day School, St. John's Episcopal School and New Horizon Islamic
Elementary School will interact, engage in hands-on activities, and
create art and poetry pieces over the next few weeks.
The fourth- through eighth-grade students are taking part in a
semesterlong study of Christianity, Islam and Judaism orchestrated by the
Anti-Defamation League Orange County/Long Beach Region's Jerusalem Sky
Project.
The children recently held the first of four meetings, focusing on the
Muslim faith at New Horizon in Irvine. . .
After learning about Islam, students played a game to share their common
interests, despite their different religious backgrounds. . .
Students will meet next at Morasha Jewish Day School on Oct. 12 and will
meet on Nov. 8 at St. John's Episcopal School, both in Rancho Santa
Margarita. At the end of the program, students will exhibit poetry and
art from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at Rancho's Bell Tower.
"We're not very different," said Benjamin Siegel, a
sixth-grader from Morasha. . .
SEE ALSO:
MA: FAITHS MEET TO END FAST -
TOP
Hungry Muslims and Jews meet to bridge the religious
Andrew Okuyiga, Crimson, 10/3/06
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=514641
Over 100 members of Harvard's Jewish and Muslim communities packed
Ticknor Lounge last night to break their religious fasts
together.
In an event organized by the Harvard Islamic Society (HIS) and Harvard
Hillel, Muslim and Jewish students feasted on falafel and hummus after
sundown to break the fasting observed during Yom Kippur and
Ramadan.
The Jewish Holy Day occurred during the holiest month of the Islamic
calendar this year and both groups abstained from food until
sundown.
The fast to observe Yom Kippur began at sundown on Sunday and ended last
night. Those observing Ramadan will continue fasting from sunrise until
sunset everyday until the end of the Holy Month on Oct. 22.
United by their hunger, participants from both communities said they were
pleased with the large turnout and cooperation between the religious
groups.
HIS President Ali A. Zaidi '08 said that interfaith events like this one
help to "open dialogue, clear misconceptions, and help create common
community between seemingly disparate groups."
The collaboration between members of the two religions was well received
by students, who mingled and discussed everything from the politics in
the Middle East to their class work.
"When problems come up, it's good to have the foundation of a
friendship to discuss matters, whether religious or political," said
Harvard Hillel's Vice President for Community Relations Erica L. Farber
'07.
"This [event] represents what's awesome and unique about this
community," Matthew R. Greenfield '08 said.
This was not the first time that HIS and Hillel have brought their
members together. Last year, leaders of Hillel and HIS realized that Yom
Kippur and Ramadan would fall during the same period for the next couple
of years, according to Farber. A joint breaking of the fast was organized
last year as well, resulting in the creation of "Jews and
Muslims," a group of freshmen who met every week for meals in
Annenberg Hall, Farber said. (MORE)
---
MA: MUSLIMS DONATING TO THE LESS
FORTUNATE -
TOP
Area Ramadan events aiding the needy
Bronislaus B. Kush, Telegram & Gazette, 10/3/06
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/NEWS/610030617/1008/NEWS02
During Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, practicing
Muslims worldwide fast, pray, and take part in acts of charity to better
themselves.
However, they're not the only ones who benefit from the observance.
Locally, a number of needy people, many of them not Muslims, will reap
rewards from the sacrifices made by followers of the prophet
Muhammad.
For example, about $35,000 was raised on Sept. 23, the start of Ramadan,
at an event at the Worcester Islamic Center. The money will be given to
the Muslim Community Support Service.
That money will be used to help people from all around New England who
desperately need financial assistance.
"The Quran tells us that we must reach out to the poor," said
Tahir Ali, a spokesman for the Worcester Islamic Society. "Charity
is an important part of Ramadan."
Rasha Boura, a member of the center's Social Service Committee and
secretary at the MCSS, said the money raised will be used to help people
pay debts such as utility bills or funeral arrangements for a family
member. The service also provides doctors who offer free medical
consultations to the poor.
"We (the MCSS) are a group of Muslim individuals who volunteer our
time and efforts to help improve the lives of the less fortunate,"
said Ms. Boura, a real estate agent who lives in Northboro.
The Sept. 23 event drew about 500 people, and many Worcester-area Muslims
are expected to take part in the Humanitarian Day for the Homeless, which
will be held Oct. 14 at the Tobin Community Center on Tremont Street in
Boston.
The event, sponsored by Islamic Relief, will benefit about 2,000 homeless
people living in shelters in Greater Boston. (MORE)
---
NY: RAMADAN FASTING
TEACHES MUSLIMS MANY AMERICAN VIRTUES -
TOP
Etin Anwar, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 10/3/06
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/OPINION02/610030337/1039/OPINION
The Muslim celebration of Ramadan, a season of penance and purification,
started on the weekend of Sept. 23-24. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset
for the month of Ramadan. At the conclusion of their fasting season comes
Idul Fitr, one of the two biggest feasts in Muslim society.
When fasting, Muslims start their day by having early breakfast (sahur)
about 4 a.m. They go about their regular activities, except they are
required to abstain from eating, drinking, having sex and smoking. At
sunset, they traditionally break their fast with something sweet,
traditionally dates.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is
required of those who have reached puberty and are physically and
mentally healthy. Children, pregnant, menstruating and/or breast-feeding
women, sick people, and those who are traveling are exempt from this
exercise. If a person finds it impossible to fast, he or she instead may
give away some food/money equivalent to what he or she would eat
daily.
However, if fasting merely were physical deprivation, it would only leave
Muslims with hunger, insincerity and greediness. The deepest meaning of
fasting relates closely to the human embodiment of suffering and poverty.
It cultivates love for the needy, here and elsewhere in the world, and it
motivates Muslims to give back to the community. In this sense, fasting
instills virtues common to Americans, especially religious freedom,
self-control, volunteerism, tolerance and hope for the future.
* Religious freedom: Muslims exercise the freedom to become spiritually
better off so that they can become well-rounded individuals and better
members of society and citizens of the world.
* Self-control: Fasting demands Muslims to be good at all times, not
causing or inciting harm to others. Any harm done by Muslims during
Ramadan or at any other time does not reflect the spirit of Islam that
fosters peace.
* Volunteerism: The act of fasting helps us to understand the plight of
the poor and to build solidarity within our own communities. Many Muslims
come to mosques during Ramadan to break fast together, followed by
evening prayer. They also gather for taraweeh (a set of recommended
prayers only performed during Ramadan).
Muslims act on this sense of community by getting involved in food
drives, food distribution to the needy and giving to local charities.
This generosity reflects Muslims' compassion and care for humanity.
(MORE)
(Etin Anwar is an assistant professor of religious studies, Hobart and
William Smith Colleges in Geneva. E-mail her at
anwar@hws.edu.)
---
FL: A CHALLENGING
TIME FOR MUSLIM ATHLETE -
TOP
Chris Rosenbloom, Miami Herald, 10/3/06
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/15658412.htm
College athletes often find it hard to eat healthfully while juggling all
the demands on their time. Classes, homework, team meetings, practice and
games can leave little time for cooking and eating. However, athletes
know that proper fueling can improve performance.
So what's an athlete to do when religious beliefs call for fasting from
sunrise to sunset for a full month during the competitive sports season?
Muslim athletes are facing that challenge now, during Ramadan, the month
of fasting. Athletes who adhere to the tenets of Islam avoid all food and
drink at daybreak until sunset.
Weiss Tahmass, a Georgia State University soccer player, met with me last
year to develop a plan to get adequate nutrition for the two meals a day
he consumed during Ramadan.
Tahmass is a midfielder who typically runs five to six miles during
practice that occurs in the middle of the afternoon, when heat and
humidity are at their highest. (MORE)
-----
MI: STUDENTS WANT U-M TO
DIVEST FROM ISRAEL -
TOP
Dearborn student government group wants the school to cease interaction
with firms doing business with Israel.
Karen Bouffard, Detroit News, 10/3/06
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/METRO01/610030314/1003/METRO
In a move already sparking debate, the student government at the
University of Michigan-Dearborn passed a resolution last week demanding
the school stop doing business with Israel.
The student Senate unanimously approved a resolution last Tuesday calling
on the Board of Regents, which also sets policy for Michigan's campuses
in Ann Arbor and Flint, to divest from companies that profit from the
actions of the Israeli military in what the resolution claims are
"illegally occupied territories."
"We want the university to withdraw their investments so these
companies think twice about selling their products or their services to
the military," said Bilal Dabaja, 21, a senior political science
major.
The vote passed unanimously, and Dabaja said it had nothing to do with
the campus's location in Dearborn, the heart of the region's
Arab-American community. Dabaja said student leaders at UM-Dearborn hope
students at the university's Ann Arbor and Flint campuses will pass
similar resolutions.
Julie Peterson, spokeswoman for the university, said investment and
divestment decisions are made according to a policy established by the
Board of Regents with input from the faculty.
"Students are students, and they have all kinds of ways of
expressing themselves -- that's part of what being a student is
about," Peterson said.
Dabaja said the 33-member student Senate is a diverse body,
representative of the entire campus community. UM-Dearborn spokesman
Terry Gallager said the university doesn't track students by ethnicity,
but about 11 percent of students who fill out information forms at
registration say they are Muslim. (MORE)
-----
UK: BOY STABBED AS MOSQUE STONED -
TOP
Gangs of white youths threw stones at a mosque and an Asian boy was
stabbed in "racially motivated" street violence, police have
said.
Yorkshire Post, 10/3/06
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1800484
Muslims praying heard stones hitting their cars outside the Jamia Masjid
mosque in Preston, Lancashire, at 9pm yesterday.
About 200 worshippers emerged to confront the stone-throwers and about
100 police were deployed to defuse the situation. A 16-year-old boy was
stabbed during the confrontation but suffered only a minor
injury.
Police said this was one of a series of incidents in which the Asian
community had been targeted in the city.
Chief Supt Mike Barton said: "These problems are being caused by a
small group of criminals in the area who are intent on intimidating the
local community.
"Last night a number of cars were damaged outside the mosque and
people who were worshipping inside came out to see what was going on. Not
surprisingly, they have been very angry.
No one from the mosque was available for comment.
The disturbance follows the death of an Asian man in Preston in July in
what police said was a racially motivated attack.
Shezsan Umarji, 20, died during a mass street fight between Asian and
white youths. Three teenagers have been charged over the attack.
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/4/06
*
Verse:
None Will Be Dealt With
Unjustly
*
Good News:
MN Muslim Workers Granted
Ramadan Break
*
CAIR:
Muslim Bias Hits All-Time
High (Herald News)
-
CAIR:
Patriot
Act Lawsuit to Proceed (Detroit News)
*
CA:
Faith Compels
Muslim Doctors to Help Others (Tribune)
*
PA:
Anti-Islam Slurs Mar
Sikh Billboard (Patriot-News)
*
NY:
Koran in Toilet: 3rd Pace
Bias Shocker (NY Daily News)
-
NY:
Messages of Hate
Discovered at Pace University
-
Video:
Pace U
Investigates Vandalism at Two Campuses
*
MD:
Muslim Leader Seeks
Position on School Panel
-
CT:
Muslim-Jewish Relations
Bridged With Exercise
-
WV:
Muslims Invite
Neighbors to Share Ramadan Feasts
-
U.S. Muslims Observe
Ramadan (Voice of America)
-
OR:
Consider Saint Francis'
Words about Muslims
*
Video:
Mearsheimer, Walt on
Impact of 'Israel Lobby'
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: NONE WILL BE DEALT WITH UNJUSTLY -
TOP
"Be conscious of the Day when you will all return to God; when every
human being will be paid in full what they have earned, and none will be
dealt with unjustly."
The Holy Quran, 2:281
-----
GOOD NEWS: MN MUSLIM WORKERS GRANTED RAMADAN
BREAK -
TOP
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/06) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today said that Muslim employees at Lake Region
Manufacturing in Chaska, Minn., have been given the right to take their
break at sunset during the month of Ramadan.
The Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group received a
report that employees were being forced to wait to break their Ramadan
fast until almost two hours after sunset.
(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.)
After CAIR sent a letter to the company, the workers were allowed to take
their break at sunset.
CONTACT: CAIR Civil Rights Manager Khadija Athman,
202-646-6033
-----
CAIR: MUSLIM BIAS HITS ALL-TIME HIGH -
TOP
Samantha Henry,
Herald News, 10/4/06
Despite educational outreach programs, sensitivity training and
cross-cultural soul searching in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, a
recent report has found anti-Muslim bias attacks are at an all-time
high.
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide nonprofit
Islamic civil liberties organization, showed a nearly 30 percent increase
in anti-Muslim bias incidents between 2004 and 2005, the highest number
of complaints since the group started compiling statistics more than a
decade ago.
The report, released in late September, found 80 percent of the
complaints concentrated in just eight states and the District of Columbia
-- with 4 percent of cases in New Jersey.
Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's national legal director, said the fact
that CAIR now has offices in 32 states and that a lot more people are
coming forward to report bias incidents have contributed to the increased
numbers, but not enough to skew the bottom line.
"The primary reason is there is still rising anti-Muslim sentiment,
and Islamaphobia is becoming more institutionalized," Iftikhar said.
"You hear a lot more anti-Muslim rhetoric in media outlets, and
Muslim-bashing has sort of become the acceptable racism in this country
now."
New Jersey has the fifth-largest Arab-American population in the United
States, with an estimated 240,000 Arab-Americans, according to a census
analysis by the Washington D.C.-based Arab American Institute. New
Jersey's Arab-American Diaspora includes people of many different
religions, and the state is also home to several non-Arab populations of
Muslim faith.
Amal Elrafei, who works at the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination
Committee in Clifton, said the recent CAIR findings reflected her own
experience with racial profiling this summer.
Elrafei, an American citizen, was returning from her native Egypt with
her three children in August when she said she was detained with more
than 200 other passengers at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New
York. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: DETROIT JUDGE
ALLOWS PATRIOT ACT LAWSUIT TO GO FORWARD -
TOP
Paul Egan, Detroit News, 10/3/06
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/UPDATE/610030453
A federal judge in Detroit has ruled that a lawsuit by the Michigan ACLU
aimed at striking down the U.S. Patriot Act may proceed.
The 2003 lawsuit brought on behalf of Muslim and Arab groups alleges the
anti-terrorist law passed following the September 11 terror attacks is
unconstitutional because it allows searches without due process and
removes First Amendment rights, among other reasons.
The government argues amendments enacted over the last three years have
cured any deficiencies in the Patriot Act, but the ACLU
disagrees.
U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood said in an order Friday that the
plaintiffs in the case, which include the American Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee and the
Council on American-Islamic
Relations, have shown sufficient evidence of harm to allow the
lawsuit to proceed.
"Plaintiffs have alleged that their members are afraid to attend
mosque, practice their religion, and express their opinions on religion
and political views," Hood said in her order.
She gave the ACLU 30 days to amend its complaint in light of amendments
to the act. (MORE)
-----
CA: FAITH COMPELS MUSLIM
DOCTORS TO HELP OTHERS -
TOP
Faith, hope and charity: two SLO Muslim doctors have put their faith into
action in charitable works that they hope display the true nature of
their religion
Sarah Arnquist, San Luis Obispo Tribune, 10/4/06
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/15674444.htm
Two San Luis Obispo doctors hope the 10th anniversary celebration of a
free clinic they helped found while in medical school will shed light on
the positive things Muslim-Americans do for their country.
Since their medical school days, Rushdi and Nishi Abdul Cader have put
their faith into action, serving in war zones, helping at-risk youth and
teaching their community about Islam.
They say they hope their work helps more Americans realize that the vast
majority of Muslims subscribe to a faith that compels them to help others
- not instigate violence. (MORE)
-----
PA: ANTI-ISLAM SLURS MAR BILLBOARD
ABOUT SIKHISM ON INTERSTATE -
TOP
Midstate police are investigating threatening letters and e- mails sent
to Muslims in the Harrisburg and York areas
Mary Warner, Patriot-News, 10/4/06
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115992873040130.xml&coll=1
A billboard designed to educate drivers on Interstate 78 about Sikhism,
an Indian religion that Americans often confuse with Islam, has been
removed after it was marred by profanity aimed at Muslims.
"Arabs go to hell," someone wrote across the billboard in
black, along with "Jesus Saves," "Hell Yeah USA" and
a four-letter expletive directed at "Alah." Muslims pray to
Allah, which is Arabic for God.
The vandalism in Berks County came as midstate police were investigating
threatening letters and e-mails sent to Muslims in the Harrisburg and
York areas. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission said Friday there
have been "at least seven" such messages in the past two
months. (MORE)
-----
NY: KORAN IN TOILET: 3RD PACE BIAS
SHOCKER -
TOP
Kerry Burke and Adam Nichols, New York Daily News, 10/4/06
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/458362p-385542c.html
A paperback copy of the Koran was tossed into a toilet on the lower
Manhattan campus of Pace University - the latest in a spate of bias
incidents upsetting students and administrators at the college, officials
said yesterday.
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the vandalism of the
Koran, and the university's private security also is probing the
incident, sources said.
"A Koran thrown into the toilet? I am hurt, not just as a Muslim but
as a human being," said Zeina Berjaoui, 20, president of Pace's
Muslim Student Association.
In the past two weeks, vandals also scrawled a swastika and .anti-black
slurs on the same bathroom wall at Pace's campus near City Hall. Someone
also sprayed the N-word onto a car parked at the school's Westchester
County campus, cops and university sources said.
"One of our university's greatest strengths is its diversity,"
Pace President David Caputo wrote in a letter describing the incidents.
"When speech is hurtful towards a class of people or incites
violence, we must condemn it and take measures to stop it."
The copy of the Koran had been taken from the university .library before
being defaced Sept. 21. It turned up in the toilet approximately two
weeks ago. Today, cops will quiz the student who last withdrew the book,
police sources said. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
NY: MESSAGES OF HATE
DISCOVERED AT PACE UNIVERSITY -
TOP
In one case, a copy of the Koran was thrown in the toilet
Lucy Yang, WABC, 10/3/06
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=4625757
Officials at Pace University are investigating three separate incidents
of vandalism. In each case the vandalism was laced with religious or
racial overtones.
Pace University may be a diverse college but there are some who are
lashing out at its ethnic makeup:
Two weeks ago, someone threw a Koran from the library into the
toilet.
Several days later, there were anti-black slurs smeared against a
student's car.
And on Friday, more racial remarks in the men's room as well as a
swastika scrawled on the wall.
Douglas Whiting, Pace University Public Relations: "I think the
assumption going into the investigation that it's a member of the
community, which makes it even more disturbing."
The university invited the student body to a town meeting on Tuesday
night where they announced there are three separate investigations now
underway. . .
Right now, campus police are investigating the cases, not the police. The
cases are not being considered hate crimes. (MORE)
---
NY: PACE UNIVERSITY
INVESTIGATES VANDALISM AT TWO CAMPUSES -
TOP
NY1, 10/4/06
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=63151
VIEW THE VIDEO
Three acts of vandalism of racial or religious nature over the last two
weeks are prompting an investigation at Pace University.
Over the past two weeks, racial slurs have been found on a bathroom wall
inside the school's Downtown campus and on a student's car at the
Westchester County campus. Most recently a copy of the Quran ended up in
one of the school's toilets at the Downtown campus.
Some students are complaining that the school has under-reacted.
"We're upset because we know when a hate crime occurs proper
protocols need to be taken. Reports need to be filed; investigation needs
to occur; the police need to be notified. All of which have not
happened," said Zeina Berjaoul of the Muslim Students
Association.
"The fact that we communicated so early and as aggressively as we
did should indicate to them that we are taking this seriously and want to
move this forward," said Pace University Vice President Douglas
Whiting.
As of now, university officials say they are classifying the cases as
vandalism, because they don't meet the legal definition of a hate
crime.
-----
MD: MUSLIM LEADER SEEKS POSITION ON
SCHOOL PANEL -
TOP
Julia Wilson, Jeffersonian, 10/03/06
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=811&NewsID=751911&CategoryID=9045&show=localnews&om=1
The president of the Baltimore chapter of the American Arab Anti-
Discrimination Committee has asked he be named a member of a minority
advising committee formed by the Baltimore County School Board.
Bash Pharoan, in a Sept. 10 letter to the school board, said his interest
in the committee is an extension of his commitment to all children and
his belief in public education.
"My first son was a special education student," Pharoan, who is
also a board member of the Baltimore County Muslim Council, wrote.
"Private schools did not know what to do with him. The public school
knew what to do. Now he is almost ready to graduate as a computer
engineer from Villa Julie College."
Barbara Dezmon, liaison for the Minority Achievement and Advisory Group,
said Pharoan's request had been received and was being reviewed. .
.
Pharoan said an increased understanding of the Muslim culture would be
beneficial to a minority advisory group.
"I (would) like to work with you on issues in a positive way,"
he wrote. "My community and I feel marginalized and discriminated
against for no reason but our religion or national origin."
Pharoan and an associate, Muhammad Jameel, have repeatedly asked the
board to include Muslim holy days as days off on the school calendar, and
so it was at the board meeting Sept. 19. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CT: MUSLIM-JEWISH RELATIONS
BRIDGED WITH EXERCISE -
TOP
Muslim and Jewish Fitness Trainers Join Forces to Get Women in New Haven,
CT Fit
New Haven Independent, 10/4/06
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2006/10/muslimjewish_fi.php
BALANCE fitness studio has a reputation for innovation in the fitness
field. From its owner who is a Muslim woman to its innovative fitness
programs like Wednesday night belly dancing. Now the studio may get a
reputation as a common ground for women of all faiths as it welcomes a
new personal fitness trainer, Jamie Kaplan, into its family. Kaplan, who
is Jewish, is new in town and has joined a business that will introduce
her to the eclectic and diverse city New Haven, CT is.
"I am excited about working at the studio" says Kaplan who just
finished assisting in a research study on adolescent obesity at Brown
University's Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. "Jamie's credentials
speak for themselves. I welcomed her because of her experience, warm
personality and great smile" says owner and head trainer Mubarakah
Ibrahim. "The fact that she's Jewish is just a perk that puts an
interesting twist to things".
Ibrahim who herself is an orthodox Sunni Muslim is use to breaking
stereotypes. As a certified personal trainer that covers in the
traditional Muslim women dress she knows a thing or two about twisting
more than a yoga pose. "I want the studio to be a place where all
women of every faith, nationality and culture can be comfortable. Health
and fitness is a common ground that can make bridges where most people
think there are none, says Ibrahim who was born Muslim. "As women we
all face the same physical issues. How to avoid mid-life weight gain and
how to get your abs back after having a baby is universal concern no
matter what building you pray in".
As the only all women personal training and fitness studio in New Haven,
Ibrahim says it is a perfect resource for women of devout faith. Devout
Muslim and Jewish women both adhere to a very similar modest dress code
that requires covering in public around non-related males. The studio can
provide complete privacy for fitness training in an all female
environment. It is a haven in the middle of the city and is known as
"the spot" for women fitness.
BALANCE fitness studio for women is New Haven, CT's only all woman
personal training and group fitness studio. In addition to one on one
personal training they offer a variety of innovative fitness services,
including outdoor fitness boot camp for women and group fitness
classes.
Website:
http://www.balancect.com
---
WV: ISLAMIC COMMUNITY INVITES
NEIGHBORS TO SHARE IN RAMADAN FEASTS -
TOP
Charlotte Ferrell Smith, Charleston Daily Mail, 10/4/06
http://www.dailymail.com/news/Life/2006100412/
South Charleston's Islamic Center is hosting community dinners as a way
to attract people of all faiths to learn about the Muslim faith.
The dinners have been scheduled this month, which is when Muslims
celebrate Ramadan.
"This is for our neighbors and other congregations to share with
us," said the center's imam, Jamal Daoudi, who recalls sitting at a
table during past dinners with a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi.
"I am so happy with this tradition. We have had groups from
different churches and even colleges. We talk and exchange
ideas."
Daoudi started the tradition of inviting guests for the dinners when he
came to the area four years ago to serve as spiritual leader of the
Islamic Association of West Virginia. Last December, he graduated from a
United Methodist seminary, where he did a dissertation on building
bridges between Christianity and Islam.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and the holiest
one because it was during this time that the word of Allah (the name of
God in Arabic) was revealed, he said.
"Our Prophet Muhammad tells us that the scripture of Abraham was
revealed the first night of Ramadan, the Torah of Moses was revealed at
the sixth of it, the Gospel of Jesus was revealed at the 13th, and the
Quran (Koran) of Muhammad was revealed on the 24th," he
said.
Muslims observe fasting during Ramadan as a way of strengthening
self-control and the desire to follow God. (MORE)
---
MUSLIMS OBSERVE RAMADAN UNDER
HIGHLY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES -
TOP
Amin Fekrat, Voice of American, 10/4/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-10-04-voa21.cfm
The month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar and the
holiest month of Islam, has begun. Muslims the world over have embarked
on a month of abstinence from eating and drinking, reflection,
purification and soul searching.
More than 1.2 billion Muslims, one sixth of humanity, have started this
year's Ramadan under highly unusual circumstances. It is now five years
since the United States was attacked by terrorists in the name of Islam
and more than three years since the war in Iraq, a predominantly Muslim
country.
The rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the bloody battles fought daily in
Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, have brought into focus one of the most
complex issues of our time.
The battle was joined recently by Pope Benedict XVI, when he quoted
unflattering language about the Prophet of Islam. The Pontiff quoted a
14th Century Byzantine emperor as saying, "show me just what
Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil
and inhuman."
The Pope's speech created an uproar in the Islamic world and made a bad
situation only worse. But the criticism of his remarks was generally
muted and non-confrontational. Realizing the delicate situation the world
was facing, Islamic leaders, by and large, tried to minimize the impact
of the Pontiff's comments, emphasizing more on the commonalities of the
world's three major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and
Islam.
Imam Elahi of the "House of Wisdom" in Dearborn Heights,
Michigan, says terror and terrorism are condemned in Islam and such
condemnation is absolute and without reservation - as sanctioned by the
holy Koran and the "sunnah," the deeds of the prophet of Islam
as recorded and passed to the successive Muslim generations. Imam Elahi
speaks for many Muslims when he talks about their trials and trepidation,
given the "Christian" nature of the Western culture in which
they live and the suspicion surrounding them. Still Elahi, alongside with
many other Islamic thinkers, takes a positive view of the situation and
says there is a common spiritual dimension to Ramadan, among the
monotheistic religions - one that could become a more powerful leverage
of strength and solidarity.
"A big part of this prejudice and discrimination against Islam and
Muslim community comes out of ignorance," Elahi said.
"Extremism is a disease that affects many people with different
religious backgrounds. This is not only a Muslim community problem. In
general, many Muslims are suffering from the same problem. We only suffer
more because we are also accused. Islam is a religion of balance, a
religion of reason and a religion of peace and justice. The violence and
extremism that exist in the Middle East, you need to go to the root
causes of the problem. We condemn any kind of terrorism, individual or
otherwise." (MORE)
---
OR: CONSIDER SAINT FRANCIS'
WORDS ABOUT MUSLIMS -
TOP
Statesman Journal, 10/4/06
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061004/OPINION/610040304/1050
This is in response to the comments about Islam made by Pope Benedict,
and the subsequent firestorm and tragedy that have been their result. The
words of a truly great and prophetic Christian from the Middle Ages,
Saint Francis of Assisi, would have been wiser to have
referenced.
During the time of the Crusades, Pope Urban II, who himself organized
crusades, viewed the Saracens (the name given by the Christian crusaders
to the Muslims against whom they fought), as "vile, degenerate and
servants of the devil" (sound familiar).
Saint Francis, however, after meeting with them and conversing with the
Sultan, said, "They are our brothers and friends and we must love
them very much."
Linda Weisensee, Monmouth
-----
MEARSHEIMER AND WALT INTERVIEWED ON
IMPACT OF 'ISRAEL LOBBY' -
TOP
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=109554353&blogID=175731026
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/5/06
*
Verse:
A Resting Place in the
Hereafter
*
CAIR-CAN:
Canadian Muslims Question
Entry of Franklin Graham
*
CAIR-CA:
Muslims Gear Up
for 'Humanitarian Day'
-
CAIR-MI:
E-Mail to MSA Spurs
Diversity Training
-
CAIR-PA:
Springettsbury Township Man
Gets Hate Mail
-
CAIR-NY:
When Ugliness Visits a
Campus
*
NY:
Rabbi Defends NY Muslims
Against Rep's Smears (Newsday)
*
ADL Accused of Blocking Speech by Israel
Critic (NY Sun)
-
Scholars Land Book Deal on
'Israel Lobby' (Forward)
*
CNN Segment on American Converts
to Islam
-
Community/Ramadan News:
DC,
CA,
CA,
CT,
IL,
IN,
MD
*
UK:
Petrol Bomb Attack on Muslim
Dairy (Press Association)
-
Israeli Held for Vowing Attack on
Al-Aqsa (Reuters)
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: A RESTING PLACE IN THE HEREAFTER -
TOP
"He is the One Who has created you from a single soul and granted
you a dwelling on earth and a resting place in the
hereafter."
The Holy Quran, 6:98
"There is no living creature on earth whose sustenance is not
provided by God. He knows its time limit (on earth) and its resting place
(after death)."
The Holy Quran, 11:6
-----
CANADIAN MUSLIMS CLAIM DOUBLE STANDARD ON
HATE SPEECH -
TOP
Muslim speaker barred from country, while Christian leader who calls
Islam 'evil' is granted entry
(OTTAWA, CANADA - 10/05/06) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-CAN) today called on Minister of Immigration Monte
Solberg to clarify an apparent double standard on barring controversial
foreign religious leaders from Canada.
On June 12th of this year, following the decision to deny the entry of a
British Muslim speaker, CAIR-CAN sent a letter to Solberg asking the
federal government to clarify regulations on freedom of speech and the
entry of clerics and international speakers.
"Minister Solberg has not given Canadians the courtesy of a response
as of yet," said Karl Nickner Executive Director of
CAIR-CAN.
A spokesperson for Citizenship and Immigration said "we do not
welcome hate-mongers in Canada" when referring to the government's
decision to bar the British Muslim leader.
However, American Christian evangelist Reverend Franklin Graham is still
scheduled to speak at the Central Canada Franklin Graham Festival
(
http://www.grahamfestival.org/winnipeg/) in Winnipeg on October 20th,
even after making public pronouncements that Islam is "a very evil
and a very wicked religion" and that Hindus are "bound by
Satan's power."
For more information about Graham's hateful comments, see:
http://cbs2.com/topstories/topstories_story_075065149.html
None of the interest groups who called for the British Muslim to be
barred from entry have spoken out about Graham's views or his visit to
Canada.
"Based on the different reactions to the comments of both religious
leaders, many Canadian Muslims are wondering whether a double standard is
being applied," said Karl Nickner, CAIR-CAN Executive Director.
"As Canadians, we must stand firmly against hate
speech."
CAIR-CAN is a federally incorporated, non-profit organization working to
empower Canadian Muslims in the fields of the media, human rights, and
political activism.
CONTACT: CAIR-CAN Media Coordinator Sameer Zuberi at 613-795-2012, or
CAIR-CAN Executive Director Karl Nickner at 613-254-9704 or
613-853-4111
-----
CAIR-CA: MUSLIMS GEAR UP FOR
3RD ANNUAL 'HUMANITARIAN DAY' -
TOP
Feeding the Homeless in the Spirit of Ramadan
(SAN JOSE, CA, 10/4/06) - On Saturday, October 7, the Rahima Foundation,
the San Francisco chapter of the Council on American Islamic-Relations
(CAIR-SFBA) and other Muslim organizations from around the Greater San
Francisco Bay Area will host the third annual Humanitarian Day for the
Homeless in San Jose, CA.
During the event, Muslims will provide hot meals, water, t-shirts, and
hygiene packages to San Jose's homeless community.
The coalition selected the holy month of Ramadan as a global observance
that transcends race, religion and gender in a spirit of love, equality,
and respect for each other and all of humanity.
"Ramadan is a time of increased compassion and caring for others.
Our goal is to give the homeless community hope and relief to ease their
struggle," said Habibe Husain, founder of the Rahima Foundation, the
event's primary organizer.
WHEN: Saturday, October 7, 2006 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: South Bay Islamic Association, 325 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA
(Across the street from the Salvation Army Parking Lot)
Event Co-Sponsors: American Muslim Voice (AMV), Blossom Valley Muslim
Community Center (BVMCC), Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-SFBA), Granada Islamic School (GIS), Hidaya Foundation, Islamic
Center of Fremont (ICF), Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC),
Islamic Networks Group (ING), Islamic School of Stanford, Islamic Society
of East Bay (ISEB), Muslim Community Association (MCA), New Islamic
Directions (NID), Northern American Islamic Shelter for the Abused
(NISA), South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA), SEMAH, United Muslims of
America (UMA), Zaytuna Institute.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 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: Sameena Usman, CAIR-SFBA, 408-986-9784, E-mail:
susman@cair.com ; Sabiha Moinuddin,
Rahima Foundation, 408-945-0050, E-mail:
mail@rahima.org ; Samina Faheem,
AMV, 650-387-1994, E-mail:
samina_faheem@yahoo.org
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-MI: E-MAIL TO MSA SPURS
DIVERSITY TRAINING -
TOP
Professor's Feb. statement draws MSU response
Alex Altman, State News, 10/5/06
http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=37972
MSU officials plan on providing diversity training on Islam-related
subjects to interested members of the university in response to an e-mail
an MSU professor sent to the Muslim Students' Association, or MSA, in
February.
The initial request for the training came from the
Michigan chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, after Indrek
Wichman, a mechanical engineering professor, wrote an e-mail to the group
in response to controversial cartoons that portrayed Muhammad, the
prophet and founder of the Islamic religion, as a terrorist.
In the e-mail, Wichman insisted that Muslims should return to their
ancestral homeland if they don't "like the values of the West."
He also generalized them as "dissatisfied, aggressive, brutal, and
uncivilized slave-trading Moslems."
"As a tenured professor who literally can influence the academic
future of Muslims, we felt that the statements were inappropriate and can
intimidate Muslim students of the engineering school," said
CAIR
Executive Director Dawud Walid. . .
The MSA and MSU administrators worked together to organize diversity
training for MSU faculty, staff and students. The meetings won't be
mandatory for anyone, but both organizing parties are hoping the topics
discussed will attract a wide range of people, said Paulette Granberry
Russell, senior adviser to the president for diversity and director of
the Office for Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring for MSU . .
.
"The MSA calls it diversity training, but that's not a good name for
it," Granberry Russell said. "They are educational
opportunities. Some of their concerns extend beyond a one- or two-day
training seminar."
Both MSU and the MSA hope these programs will create a better
understanding of Muslims by providing those who attend the classes with a
better education of Islam, Walid said.
"We have a saying in our religion that people are the enemy of that
which they don't know," Walid said. "So we're hoping that some
professors who may have uneasy feelings about Muslims and carry those
feelings into the classroom can have some of those feelings abated."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-PA: SPRINGETTSBURY
TOWNSHIP MAN GETS HATE MAIL -
TOP
Abul Hasan, a Muslim, received a letter after being published in the
Sunday News
York Daily Record/Sunday News, 10/5/06
http://www.ydr.com/religion/ci_4443892
A Springettsbury Township man received anti-Muslim hate mail last week
after the York Daily Record/Sunday News published a guest column he wrote
responding to the pope's remarks about Islam last month.
Abul Hasan, a physics professor at Penn State York, received the
anonymous letter Sept. 28 and reported it to township police, who are
investigating.
The handwritten letter called Islam an "evil violent cult" that
teaches hatred and intolerance and should be "wiped from the face of
the Earth."
It closed, suggesting, "It would be a good idea to reactivate those
ovens at Auschwitz. In the meantime . . ."
Hasan received an anti-Muslim letter in 2002 with similar handwriting -
also shortly after the Daily Record published his comments, he
said.
The anonymous letter read in part, "It should be legal to shoot
Muslims on sight; unfortunately, it's not. Summary
execution."
Hasan reported last week's letter to the FBI and the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Commission, which has received seven other reports of
anti-Muslim incidents this year statewide. . .
Hasan, 56, said the letters won't stop him from speaking out to explain
the views of Muslims to the broader community.
"I'm not going to stop writing," said
Hasan, an active
member of the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. . .
Last year, the Council on American-Islamic Relations received 153 reports
of anti-Muslim hate crime complaints from all over the country.
This was an 8.6-percent increase from the 141 complaints received in
2004.
CAIR processed an additional 1,972 civil-rights complaints - a 30-percent
increase in the number of complaints of anti-Muslim harassment, violence
and discriminatory treatment received in 2004. (MORE)
---
CAIR-NY: WHEN UGLINESS VISITS A
CAMPUS -
TOP
Inside Higher Ed, 10/5/06
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/10/05/pace
Every once in awhile on university campuses, the unthinkable, even the
unutterable, happens. A scrawled message shows up on a bathroom stall, a
religious symbol is defaced - and administrators and faculty members are
left to try to contain the fallout and forestall another
explosion.
Pace University, in New York, has been plagued by a series of three
racially charged incidents, beginning with the discovery of a
library-owned copy of a Koran in a toilet on its main campus in Manhattan
September 20. Just four days later, a car parked at Pace's location in
the suburb of Briarcliff, N.Y. was found strewn with litter, the word
"nigger" written in the condensation on the windshield, and, on
September 29, the same racial epithet and a swastika were found scribbled
on a bathroom stall door at the Manhattan campus. No suspects have been
identified, although campus officials are operating under the assumption
that the perpetrators are insiders, students or employees with access to
the buildings.
"This is a major concern for us. Our concern is that we are a very
diverse community; we have been a very inclusive community, in terms of
welcoming individuals from all faiths, all backgrounds, all religions and
so forth," said Pace's president, David A. Caputo. "This seems
to all of us to be an attack on that." . . .
In September, the
Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations, an Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, reported 1,972
incidents of anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and harassment in 2005
- up 29 percent from 2004. The proportion of the total reported incidents
occurring at elementary and secondary schools and universities - the
group does not categorize incidents under "higher education" -
increased from 6 percent in 2004 to 8 percent in 2005,
Afsheen Shamsi,
community liaison coordinator for CAIR, said. (MORE)
-----
NY: RABBI DEFENDS NY MUSLIMS AGAINST
REP'S SMEARS -
TOP
Newsday, 10/5/06
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/letters/
King wrong on Islamic Center
I was dismayed by Rep. Peter King's (R-Seaford) letter to Newsday
concerning the Islamic Center of Long Island, whose leadership he has
accused of Muslim extremism ["King: Newsday wrong about Islamic
Center," Letters, Sept. 27]. Temple Beth-El of Great Neck's
15-year-long relationship with the mosque reflects anything but that.
Rather, our dialogue programs, meetings and joint worship services
represent the best of America: Tolerance, respect and the freedom that
allows different peoples to sit together in peace.
A few weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, when the leader of the Islamic Center
and my dialogue partner, Dr. Faroque Khan, returned from his family's
home in Kashmir, from which he had been able to travel during the crisis,
our two religious institutions held a joint Sabbath eve service in our
synagogue. The people of the mosque had been subjected to harassment,
ridicule and worse and felt comforted by our welcome. Many of our members
and theirs know one another as friends. To imply that this group, or
Faroque Khan, for a moment believed Jews or Israel were responsible for
9/11 is utterly irresponsible.
So, too, is Rep. King's charge that "people like Khan are
insinuating themselves into our political system." Is that the way
we refer to American citizens who take part in the political
process?
Why is Rep. King beating his demagogic drum? Perhaps an election is
coming.
Rabbi Jerome K. Davidson
Temple Beth-El of Great Neck
Recent comments by Congressman Peter King regarding the Islamic Center of
Long Island and its programs have no factual basis. We invite the readers
to view the official statements regarding the terror attacks of Sept. 11,
2001, at our Web site: icliny.org, under "opinions" and
"community speaks."
The ICLI board categorically condemns the terror attacks of 9/11 and
issued a press release saying as much on Oct. 11, 2001.
Congressman King was invited to a special commemorative event at the ICLI
in November 2001. Had King or his staff attended, they would have heard
firsthand the condemnations and other relevant statements.
Subsequently we sent an outline of the presentation made at the Sabbath
service at Temple Beth-El to King, in which the ICLI position was clearly
outlined. Sadly, King ignores all these facts and uses the classic
"cut and paste" technique from statements of individuals made
in 2001 to create fear and panic.
We find it ironic that King's diatribes against Muslims get magnified
when he is peddling his book or at the time of a close election against a
dynamic young candidate, David Mejias, and we wonder why King did not
speak out during the election of 2004 or 2002.
In these difficult times, we would expect our elected officials to
promote peaceful coexistence among the various communities in this great
country. Congressman King does not seem to realize the extent of the
damage he's causing to this country.
Habeeb Ahmed
Editor's note: The writer is president of the Islamic Center of Long
Island.
-----
ADL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING SPEECH BY ISRAEL CRITIC
-
TOP
Poland Abruptly Cancels a Speech by Local Critic of the Jewish State
Ira Stoll, New York Sun, 10/4/06
http://www.nysun.com/article/40911
The government of Poland, moving to avoid getting embroiled in
anti-Israel politics, last night abruptly canceled a scheduled speech by
a professor at New York University who has become hostile to the Jewish
state, just hours before the event was to have taken place at Poland's
consulate here in New York. . .
The canceled speaker himself, Mr. Judt, who is director of the Remarque
Institute at NYU and a professor of European studies and of history,
blamed the Anti-Defamation League and Mr. Foxman for the cancellation.
"The pressure was brought by the ADL," Mr. Judt said.
"They had no choice. Foxman had been leaning on the consulate all
afternoon."
Mr. Judt said he was happy to have an unexpected free evening, but
"sad at what this means for the country." He said he had
planned to speak for about 30 minutes, and then to answer questions,
about the paper on the influence of the "Israel Lobby" that was
authored by professor John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and
Stephen Walt of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. That paper
described what it alleged to be a vast Israel lobby that included the
editors of the New York Times, "neoconservative gentiles," the
Brookings Institution, and students at Columbia. The
""Lobby," the paper said, had the "ability to
manipulate the American political system," "a stranglehold on
the U.S. Congress," and was actively "manipulating the
media." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
SCHOLARS LAND BOOK DEAL FOR ATTACK
ON 'ISRAEL LOBBY' -
TOP
Farrar, Straus and Giroux to Publish Work by Walt and Mearsheimer
Gabriel Sanders, Forward, 10/3/06
http://www.forward.com/articles/scholars-land-a-book-deal-for-attack-on-israel-lob/
John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, the authors of a controversial paper
criticizing the role of the "Israel Lobby" in American foreign
policy, are at work on a book-length version of their findings to be
published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
-----
CNN SEGMENT ON AMERICAN CONVERTS TO ISLAM -
TOP
American Morning, 10/4/06
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/04/ltm.01.html
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN FAITH & VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Miles, it's the
holy month of Ramadan for Muslims, a religion which is attracting a
growing number of converts in this country.
You'll meet some of them when AMERICAN MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Since the 9/11 attacks, we've told you numerous stories of
Muslims being unfairly singled out for retribution and discrimination by
angry Americans. As a result, you might conclude the number of Muslims in
this country would be on the decline.
But as it turns out, it appears just the opposite is happening.
AMERICAN MORNING'S faith and values correspondent, Delia Gallagher,
joining us with this story -- good morning, Delia.
GALLAGHER: Good morning to you, Miles.
According to one report, there is, on average, one conversion per mosque
every month in this country. With about 1,500 mosques in the United
States, that's an average of 18,000 new Muslim converts a year.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
(AUDIO CLIP OF CONVERSION CEREMONY IN ARABIC)
GALLAGHER (voice-over): Allison Poole (ph) says this phrase three times
in Arabic and then in English.
ALLISON EL-GAMAL, MUSLIM CONVERT: There is no god...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But god.
EL-GAMAL: But god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I bear witness...
EL-GAMAL: And I bear witness...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That Muhammad...
EL-GAMAL: That Muhammad...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... is the messenger of god.
EL-GAMAL: ... is the messenger of god.
GALLAGHER: And her conversion ceremony is complete. She's now a
Muslim.
Moments later, she'll marry Sammy (ph) and become Allison El- Gamal. But
Allison, who was raised a Southern Baptist in North Carolina, says faith,
not marriage, made her want to become a Muslim.
EL-GAMAL: I think for a long time I've been looking for something.
There's been like a piece missing, always one little thing that maybe
wasn't right.
GALLAGHER: At a ceremony marking the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, she
explained why Islam appeals to her.
EL-GAMAL: I think because it's much more about peace. I'm praying five
times a day. It's kind of hard to go out and say bad things or do bad
things when you're praying five times a day.
GALLAGHER: The imam who married Allison says he's seen more American
converts recently, in part because of the prominence of Islam in the
news.
FEISAL ABDUL RAUF, IMAM: Well, it may sound paradoxical, but what happens
is that when something becomes more in the news, people tend to want to
know about it.
GALLAGHER: Allison says she was already on a spiritual quest when she
began to hear a lot about Islam post-9/11.
Barbara Cartabuke, another recent Muslim convert, says 9/11 also played a
part in her conversion.
BARBARA CARTABUKE, MUSLIM CONVERT: After 9/11, I thought this is the time
when people really have to start looking for real answers, to get away
from everybody fighting back and war. You have to start looking toward
god.
GALLAGHER: Barbara says through Islam, she found a one-on-one
relationship with god she was unable to find as a Roman
Catholic.
CARTABUKE: And I always felt when you go to church you're praying to
Jesus or you're doing Hail Mary's. You're not -- I used to think, well,
where's god?
GALLAGHER: She says her family has been mostly supportive of her
conversion.
Allison says her family is completely behind her decision, but
occasionally she's reminded that not everyone is.
EL-GAMAL: I was walking around down near the World Trade Center. And this
woman walked by and she said, "I want to just go bomb those Muslim
bastards."
And I heard her say it and it just -- it really struck me, because I was
like you know what? You know, that's me.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
GALLAGHER: Now, some studies suggest that the number of Muslims in the
United States now slightly outnumbers adherents to Judaism, both
religions making up about 1 percent of the total U.S. population, as
compared to about 80 percent Christians in the United States.
M. O'BRIEN: It's interesting seeing so many women, because a lot of us
would look at the Muslim faith and see inequalities in the faith, as it
relates to women.
Not so?
GALLAGHER: Well, they wouldn't necessarily see them as inequalities. They
are separate. In the mosques, for example, the women are in the back.
They pray behind the men. But they don't consider that an inequality,
necessarily.
But it is true that the growing number of converts are majority
women.
M. O'BRIEN: And they call it a reversion, right?
GALLAGHER: Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Tell us about that.
GALLAGHER: They're called reverts, not converts, because in the Muslim
religion, they actually consider that in a certain -- to a certain
extent, everybody is already Muslim, in the sense that if you believe
already in the one god, as Jews and Christians do, then for Islam, you
are -- in a certain sense you already have that seed of Islam within you.
And so all you need to do is say this prayer to become a full-fledged
Muslim.
M. O'BRIEN: Interesting.
Delia Gallagher, thanks for dropping by.
GALLAGHER: Thank you.
SEE ALSO:
DC: MUSLIM AMERICANS PREPARE FOR
EID-UL-FITR -
TOP
Diverse community draws on old traditions, new customs
Lea Terhune, Washington File, 10/4/06
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=October&x=20061004154703mlenuhret0.6527063
When American Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr they observe the same
religious traditions familiar to Muslims around the world, but celebrate
in a distinctly American way, as people from diverse national and
cultural backgrounds come together to share the feast.
Imam Mohamed Magid from the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) center
in Sterling, Virginia, says that Muslims in America look forward to
Eid-ul-Fitr for several reasons. Besides the religious observances,
breaking the monthlong Ramadan fast and socializing, Muslims receive
special greetings from the president of the United States. "It makes
Muslims feel their holiday is part of mainstream American holidays,"
the imam told the Washington File.
It has been a tradition to mark the occasion of eid in the White House
since George H. W. Bush was president. The Clinton White House continued
the observance, as has George W. Bush. In 2001, a U.S. postage stamp was
issued commemorating eid. (MORE)
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
---
CA: CONEJO VALLEY MUSLIMS FEEL FORTUNATE -
TOP
Chelsea Ma, Thousand Oaks Acorn, 10/5/06
http://www.toacorn.com/news/2006/1005/Faith/052.html
Memories of Sept. 11, 2001 recently resurfaced on its fifth anniversary.
The tragedy initially caused some suspicion about Islam, but Muslims in
Conejo Valley said they have found that for them, not much has
changed.
When it became known that those responsible for the World Trade Center
and Pentagon at- tacks were followers of Islam, Muslims in America were
out- raged that so many innocent civilians had been killed because of
hatred by a radical group. Some were initially afraid to attend prayers,
recognizing that the acts of violence would be associated with religion,
de- spite their conviction that the terrorists responsible were not
representative of the Islamic faith.
"At the moment I felt mostly sadness and a realization of a struggle
between people that are not agreeing," said resident Abdullah
Fathma. "For us, it's not a religious thing."
Since that Sept. 11, it seems the words "Islam" and
"terror- ism" cannot stand alone-one must always follow
another. It's been said that Americans of Middle Eastern descent are
given extra attention during security checks at airports, and the wearing
of a taqiyah (an Islamic cap worn by men) is a cause for mistrust. This
may very well be the case in many places across the U.S. but is not so in
the Conejo Valley.
"At work nothing has changed, and with my neighbors nothing has
changed. The only place that it has changed is in the media," Fathma
said. (MORE)
---
CA: MUSLIMS GATHER TO HONOR RAMADAN -
TOP
During month of fasting and prayer, students aim to affirm their faith,
improve themselves
Udeitha Srimushnam, Daily Bruin, 10/4/06
http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/articles.asp?id=38208
With the sun setting on their backs, more than 100 Muslim students
gathered at the loading dock behind Kerckhoff on Monday to break their
fast, but before they could take their first sip of water since sunrise,
they prayed.
As a fellow student led them in prayer, Shehab Ahmed, a third-year
biology student, knelt with his forehead against the stone floor. He said
he is thankful for this chance to be humble before God and reflect on
Ramadan, the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for Muslims to
better themselves and bring themselves closer to God.
It is not an easy endeavor. He tries to get up each day before sunrise to
eat and pray. He admits there are days he doesn't quite wake up for that
morning prayer, and while he can make up for his missed prayer later, the
opportunity to start his day with a meal is lost. He said he still goes
to class and goes about business as usual.
For Ahmed, truly participating in Ramadan means living life day to day
and changing small things about himself. He sees it as a way to keep
something meaningful from this month with him all year. (MORE)
---
CT: DONATIONS HELP REPAIR MOSQUE -
TOP
Catherine Hart, Yale Daily News, 10/5/06
http://www.yaledailynews.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=33570
With a little help from the Yale Muslim Students Association, the Masjid
Al-Islam mosque managed to put a new roof on its house of prayer just in
time for Ramadan.
The mosque, located in the Dwight neighborhood, cost approximately
$19,000 to repair, almost half of which was borrowed from the mosque's
general fund. Masjid Al-Islam's board president, Jimmy Jones DIV '81,
said he was able to raise 40 percent of the remaining funds from the
approximately 300 families that regularly use the mosque within the first
two weeks. But Jones said donations have since tapered off.
"We try to be self-reliant, but we are a working-class community, so
it is a tough goal," Jones said.
Jones said time has taken its toll on the mosque, which urgently needed
the repairs in order to continue to serve as a place of worship for the
New Haven Muslim Community.
"There was grass growing on the old roof and water was leaking in,
causing damages," he said.
Due to considerable community growth, the mosque, founded in 1987, moved
to its current home at 624 George St. in 1995. The house the mosque
occupies was purchased in February 1995 for $40,000, according to a press
release issued by Masjid Al-Islam's treasurer. Darul Quran, the mosque's
educational center, shares the same location and will also benefit from
the recent repairs. (MORE)
---
IL: IFTAR MEAL AN IMPORTANT PART OF CELEBRATING RAMADAN
-
TOP
Beckie Supiano, Medill News Service, 10/5/06
http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2006/10/05/news/illiana/be5676fec7273296862571fe00073682.txt
"Most people don't know what Ramadan is, and don't know why we
fast," said Thamreen Siddiqui.
Siddiqui, social services coordinator at the Council of Islamic
Organizations of Greater Chicago, made her remarks as she was explaining
the importance of her organization's upcoming Iftar.
An Iftar -- indeed, not a name that most Westerners would be familiar
with -- is a meal, an important part of the process of celebrating
Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims. Throughout Ramadan, which
commemorates the revelation of the words of the Quran to the Prophet
Muhammad, Muslims fast from sunup until sundown. Muslims share an Iftar
to break their fast each of the 28 days of Ramadan.
But this year, as in recent past years, they won't be just sharing with
each other. The Council will hold its 10th Annual Interfaith Iftar on
Oct. 9 in south suburban Orland Park.
Iftars are traditionally inclusive, and therefore provide a natural
interfaith setting, according to Jason Renken, assistant to the directors
at the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious
Affairs.
The Archdiocese invites Catholics to the Iftar each year.
The interfaith Iftar provides an "opportunity for those who are not
Muslim to attend the breaking of the fast, prayer, dinner and
program," Renken said.
The event's importance to Muslims makes the inclusion of other faiths
just that more significant, he explained. . .
The interfaith Iftar is held at a different mosque each year. This year
the Prayer Center of Orland Park, 16530 S. 104th Ave., will host.
(MORE)
---
IN: MUSLIMS' TIME OF DENIAL, JOY -
TOP
Christine Cox, South Bend Tribune, 10/5/06
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061005/Lives05/610050473
At the young age of 10, Waseem Albaba of Elkhart is not required to fast
during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
But he chooses to do it anyway because he is not too young to feel the
spiritual elevation that comes when he focuses on Allah instead of the
needs of his body.
"It makes me feel good inside," he says of the daylong denial
of food and water his parents allow him on weekends. "It's better
than eating."
Waseem and his sister Sara, 14, sit with their mother Saturday in the
downstairs social hall at the Al Noor Mosque in South Bend. It's almost
10 p.m. and Imam Mohammad Sirajuddin, of the Islamic Society of Michiana,
is leading congregants in a recitation of a section of the Quran and
Ramadan prayers. The praying, which will continue for another 20 minutes
or so, is heard through speakers downstairs.
Waseem's mother, Safa, says all her children are devout. Her youngest
son, 8-year-old Tarek, has started fasting this year in short stretches.
Her oldest children, Sara and 16-year-old Kareem, began fasting at a
young age of their own accord.
Sara insists it's not difficult, especially if people keep busy during
the day. Plus, "It's a holy month and God makes it easy on us,"
she says. (MORE)
---
MD EVENT: 'ANSWERING THE INTERFAITH CALL TO PEACE' -
TOP
Pax Christi Baltimore, Islamic Society of Baltimore and local interfaith
coalitions present a special event:
WHAT: Under the tent of Abraham: "Answering the Interfaith Call to
Peace"
WHEN: Sunday, October 8, 2006, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: American Friends Service Committee building, 4806 York Road,
Baltimore, MD
PROGRAM:
Panel discussion: "Declaring our Peacemaking Tradition" (3:30
to 5 p.m.)
Christian: Rev. Robert E. Albright, Campus Ministry, Towson
University
Jewish: Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton, Congregation Beit Tikvah
Muslim: Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University
Contemplation and Reflection (5 to 5:30 p.m.) (Muslims will offer Asr
prayers)
"Tent of Abraham" Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace, 5:30 to
6:30 p.m., under outdoor tent, weather permitting.
Christian: Sr. Tricia Kirk, OSB
Jewish: Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton
Muslim: Imam Irfan Kabiruddin
Interfaith prayer service will conclude at sunset with Muslim Iftar,
sharing of food and drink to end the daily Ramadan fast.
All are welcome. Admission is free. (Free with offering
requested)
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Chuck Michaels
(cwmichaels@igc.org) or see Pax
Christi Baltimore website
www.paxchristibaltimore.org ; Attaulla Khan (410-903-1157,
attaulla2000@yahoo.com); Raza
Durrani
(raza_durrani@hotmail.com
)
CO-SPONSORS: American Friends Service Committee, Islamic Society of
Baltimore, St. Vincent DePaul Parish/Peace&Justice, Tikkun/Baltimore,
United Religions Initiative.
-----
UK: PETROL BOMB ATTACK ON MUSLIM DAIRY -
TOP
Press Association, 10/5/06
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6127367,00.html
A Muslim-owned dairy has been targeted by youths over three nights in a
campaign of harassment culminating in a petrol bombing, a worker
said.
The Medina in Windsor, Berkshire, has suffered at the hands of local
youths who have been targeting staff for the past three nights, the
unnamed worker claimed.
He said the youths would gather in gangs of up to 30 and throw stones and
hurl abuse at staff working at the dairy late at night.
Police have been patrolling the area since Monday when the attacks
started, he said.
But on Wednesday night an attacker riding a motorbike threw a home-made
petrol bomb at the dairy's perimeter wall. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
ISRAELI HELD FOR VOWING ATTACK AT MUSLIM
SHRINE -
TOP
Reuters, 10/5/06
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L05858504&WTmodLoc=World-R5-Alertnet-6
TEL AVIV, Oct 5 (Reuters) - An Israeli Jew has been arrested for
threatening to carry out an attack at a major Muslim shrine in Jerusalem
and could face criminal charges, police said on Thursday.
The suspect, described in media reports as a rabbi in his early 50s, was
taken into custody on Wednesday after making the threat about al-Aqsa
mosque at a Tel Aviv hotel, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
"He was overheard at the hotel and, under interrogation, repeated
his threat to carry out an attack at the Temple Mount," Rosenfeld
said, using the Jewish term for the al-Aqsa plaza, which is known to
Muslims as Haram al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary.
Rosenfeld said the suspect would appear at Tel Aviv magistrates' court on
Thursday and police were seeking a criminal indictment against
him.
Al-Aqsa mosque, located in Arab East Jerusalem, has been a frequent
flashpoint during decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel
captured East Jerusalem during a 1967 war and annexed it as its capital
in a move not recognised abroad.
The mosque is Islam's third holiest shrine. Jews revere the site as the
last vestige of two ancient temples.
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/6/06
*
Hadith:
Fear and Faith
*
CAIR-LA Applauds Decision to Grant
Muslims Citizenship
-
CA:
Seven Muslims Granted
Citizenship (LA Times)
*
NY:
Group Helps Abused Muslim
Women (NY Daily News)
*
FL:
Mosque Shooting Investigation
Continues (Florida Today)
-
CAIR:
A Troubling Trend Toward
Discrimination (Herald News)
*
CAIR:
Plans in
Annapolis for Islamic High School (Baltimore Sun)
*
CAIR-CA:
Helping Others
Understand Islam (Mercury News)
-
CA:
Chances to Learn About
Islam (Mercury News)
*
NY:
Muslim Piety Collides
with Prison Work Rules (Times Union)
*
CA:
Muslims and Jews Must
Strengthen Ties (Jewish Journal)
-
MA:
Group Opposed to
Roxbury Mosque Sues (Globe)
*
Video:
Israeli Lobby's
Influence on US Foreign Policy
*
AP Learns Gitmo Guards Brag of
Beatings (AP)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: FEAR AND FAITH -
TOP
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) departed from a group of
people, he would often say: "O God! Grant us enough fear (of
displeasing Thee) that it may serve as a barrier between us and our sins.
. .and grant us enough faith that it may help us to face the misfortunes
of this world easily."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 265
-----
CAIR-LA APPLAUDS DECISION TO GRANT MUSLIMS
CITIZENSHIP -
TOP
Class action lawsuit challenging naturalization delays to
continue
(ANAHEIM, CA, 10/6/06) - The Southern California office of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today applauded a government
decision to naturalize seven Muslims who have fulfilled all the
requirements for citizenship, including passing a naturalization exam and
interview, but have been waiting up to seven times the legal
limit.
The Muslims were plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit (Aziz v. Gonzales)
filed by CAIR-LA, the ACLU of Southern California and the ACLU
Immigrants' Rights Project.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
"The plaintiffs are hard working, patriotic Americans. There is
absolutely no reason they should have to wait unusually long periods of
time, in some cases seven times the legal limit, to obtain their
citizenship. We hope to find a speedy resolution to this legal problem
not only for our plaintiffs but for many others who want to become legal,
contributing members of our society."
U.S. immigration law gives officials 120 days to grant or deny
citizenship to residents who have passed their naturalization exams and
interviews. Dozens of Southern Californians and hundreds more seeking
citizenship nationwide report that they are not given a decision within
that time limit.
CAIR-LA and ACLU/SC will still seek a fix for a policy that leaves
final-stage citizenship applicants in legal limbo.
CAIR has 32 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.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda at (714)
776-1847, (714) 851-4851 or E-Mail at
socal@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
SEVEN MUSLIMS ARE GRANTED
CITIZENSHIP AFTER YEARS OF WAITING -
TOP
'Now I really feel free and equal to everybody,' one plaintiff says.
H.G. Reza, Los Angeles Times, 10/6/06
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-aclu6oct06,1,5190346.story
Seven Muslims who have been waiting years to become U.S. citizens were
notified Thursday that their applications had been approved, two months
after they joined a lawsuit accusing immigration officials of illegally
delaying background checks and allowing applications to linger
indefinitely.
The settlement was announced by ACLU attorneys in Los Angeles who filed
the suit on behalf of 10 Southern California Muslims. Attorney Ranjana
Natarajan said the government did not explain the delays or why the
applications were approved so quickly after the filing of the
suit.
Marie Sebrechts, spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services, said only that the agency was also frustrated by
the lengthy delays.
Three plaintiffs are still waiting for approval, Natarajan said. Under an
agreement with the government, the seven who were approved should be able
to be sworn in as citizens by Nov. 30. In turn, they agreed to drop their
cases against the government.
Mustafa Aziz, 25, an Irvine resident who was born in Afghanistan, said he
hoped to be sworn in earlier so he could vote in the Nov. 7 election.
Voters must register at least 15 days before an election.
Aziz, who served four years in the Air Force, said gaining U.S.
citizenship would also allow him to pursue his dream of becoming a
commercial pilot. He has a degree in aeronautics and holds a private
pilot's license, but he said being a citizen would make it easier to find
an airline job. (MORE)
-----
NY: GROUP HELPS ABUSED MUSLIM WOMEN
-
TOP
Clem Richardson, New York Daily News, 10/6/06
http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/458835p-386074c.html
Robina Niaz, founder of the Turning Point for Women and Families, a
Jamaica, Queens group dedicated to empowering Muslim women and children,
says a single statistic shows one thing women of all faiths have in
common.
Every nine seconds, a woman is the victim of domestic violence in this
country.
"When people ask me if domestic violence is a problem in the Muslim
community, I tell them domestic violence is a problem in every
community," Niaz said. "A woman is victimized every nine
seconds. Some of them are Muslim; some of them aren't."
No matter who the victim is, Niaz said, "a society can never be free
of violence if our homes are violent.
"We must call it what it is," she said. "Domestic violence
is wrong under Islam and any other standard you want to
apply."
Niaz, a native of Pakistan, founded Turning Point 12 years ago. A social
worker in her native country with a master's degree in psychology, Niaz
earned a second master's in social work from Hunter College two decades
after earning her first.
Turning Point offers social services that are sensitive to the cultural
differences of Muslim women, who were often victimized a second time by
language and religious barriers when seeking help with domestic violence
issues. (MORE)
-----
FL: MOSQUE SHOOTING INVESTIGATION CONTINUES -
TOP
Kaustuv Basu, Florida Today, 10/5/06
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061005/BREAKINGNEWS/61005044/1086
The investigation into the shooting at a Melbourne mosque on Sept. 22
continues, Melbourne Police said today.
Shots were fired at the Islamic Society of Brevard mosque in Melbourne on
Sept. 22 around 10 p.m. as services went on inside.
Detectives have been going to nearby neighborhoods and talking to members
of the community. No suspects have been located so far, police
said.
The FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement have also conducted interviews in the area.
Anyone with more information can contact Detective Paul Fravel at
321-409-2200 or call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: A TROUBLING TREND TOWARD
DISCRIMINATION -
TOP
Anti-Muslim incidents are on the rise
Herald News, 10/6/06
In so many ways, Arab-Americans in North Jersey are just like any other
Americans in North Jersey. They want to provide for their families,
worship as they see fit and make sure their children receive a proper and
safe education.
Many of them have been here for generations. However, despite widespread
assimilation, many Arab-Americans remain under false suspicion. Indeed,
recent data from a report released by the Council on Arab-Islamic
Relations point to troubling signs. The report, issued last month, shows
a significant rise in anti-Muslim bias across the United States over the
past two years. It also shows that Arab-Americans, regardless of nation
or origin or religious beliefs, have become increasingly targets of
ethnic profiling, if not outright racial bias.
CAIR, a nationwide nonprofit Islamic civil liberties group, reported
1,972 incidents of anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and harassment in
2005, an increase of 29 percent over 2004. The number is the highest
since the group began compiling the statistics a decade ago.
"The primary reason is there is still rising anti-Muslim sentiment,
and Islamaphobia is becoming more institutionalized," said
Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's national legal director. "You hear a
lot more anti-Muslim rhetoric in media outlets, and Muslim-bashing has
sort of become the acceptable racism in this country now."
That dangerous rhetoric has even reached the top levels of U.S.
government. It was only in the past several months that the Bush
administration began throwing out the reckless term
"Islamo-fascists," to refer to the enemy in the so-called
"war on terror."
It is unfortunate, indeed, for the elected leader of a nation that claims
to put a premium on civil rights to engage in such terminology in what is
already a difficult and anxious time. To say the least, it shows little
regard for the more than 3.5 million Arab-Americans who reside in this
country - many of them Muslims - including the estimated 240,000 who live
in New Jersey. (MORE)
-----
CAIR: ANNAPOLIS GROUP PLANS
FOR PRAYER CENTER, LIBRARY AND AREA'S FIRST ISLAMIC HIGH SCHOOL -
TOP
Anica Butler, Baltimore Sun, 10/6/06
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.islamic06oct06,0,6311214.story
Right now, it's just 20 acres of exceptionally green, overgrown
vegetation and a few mounds of red dirt.
But in the middle of the wide, lush field, near the junction of two
highways in Millersville, is a large sign that's difficult to miss. It
reads: Future Home of Makkah Learning Center.
It might take several years, and several million dollars, say members of
the Annapolis Islamic Society, but here will stand the Baltimore region's
first Islamic high school. Next to it will be a media center with radio
and TV stations, sports fields and a library. And, maybe one day, a small
college.
The Makkah Learning Center - named for Islam's holiest city - has been a
dream of the society's members for more than a decade. But the vision
gained urgency after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
"This is our way in the Muslim community to fight back against
terrorism - by education," said Mohammad Arafa, president of the
society.
Hoping to open the prayer center later this month, during the holy month
of Ramadan, organizers say they want to create a place of solace and
learning for local Muslims while building a bridge to the community at
large. The planned high school will accept non-Muslims and the library
and sports fields will be open for public use. Interfaith activities are
planned for the center as well.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the national Council on American-Islamic
Relations in Washington, said that nationally, there is a growing
demand for Islamic schools, and high schools in particular.
"A stand-alone high school has not been accomplished very often in
the United States. A facility of that size and nature would be almost
unique," Hooper said. "It would be a great step forward for the
Muslim community." (MORE)
-----
CAIR-CA: HELPING OTHERS UNDERSTAND
ISLAM -
TOP
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Muslims have made efforts to reach
outside their faith in a campaign to dispel misconceptions about the
nature of their religion
Kim Vo, Mercury News, 10/6/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/religion/15693595.htm
In a Milpitas mosque where wall decorations tout love and peace, Saadia
Ahmed ushered her guests from prayer room to kitchen. She explained the
special prayers for Ramadan, the flat bread called naan, and why Islam
doesn't condone violence.
It's a scene that will be replayed throughout mosques nationwide as
Muslims welcome visitors during the holy month of Ramadan. Since
terrorists steered planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon in
2001, American Muslims have undertaken a public-relations campaign to
distance themselves from terrorists who, they say, hijacked Islam as well
as the planes.
In the past five years, Muslims have given away free copies of the Koran.
They've initiated letter-writing campaigns to local newspapers and
public-service announcements for television shows like "24,"
which includes terrorist plots. And every Ramadan, they hold open houses
-- as many Bay Area mosques will do this weekend -- so non-Muslims can
visit mosques and learn about the religion they too often see in
headlines and news channels.
"There's so much misconception about Islam right now," said
Ahmed, a member of Bait-ul-Baseer mosque. "We need to tell people:
What you see on the media, what you hear, it's not the truth about
Islam."
Despite their efforts, some reports suggest attitudes are hardening
against Muslims. A Washington Post-ABC News poll earlier this year found
that 46 percent of Americans have a negative view of Islam; the poll
suggests that prejudice is higher now than immediately after the Sept. 11
attacks. The advocacy group the
Council on American-Islamic
Relations also found that a quarter of Americans believe
"Muslims value life less than other people."
CAIR said it received the highest number of complaints in its 12-year
history in 2005, ranging from employment discrimination to verbal
harassment to profiling.
In the Bay Area, such complaints spiked from 35 in 2004 to 113 last year,
according to
Sameena Usman with CAIR's Santa Clara branch. Cases
include people being insulted on the job, or women having their head
coverings torn off by strangers. So far this year, the office has
processed 165 complaints.
Usman said growing Islamophobic rhetoric is partly responsible for the
rising numbers, as is Muslims' greater willingness to report problems to
Islamic advocacy groups. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CA: CHANCES TO LEARN ABOUT ISLAM -
TOP
San Jose Mercury News, 10/6/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/15693597.htm
Bay Area mosques are hosting open houses during Ramadan, Islam's holy
month when Muslims fast during daylight hours. American Muslims have
launched several outreach projects since Sept. 11, 2001. For the Ramadan
events, organizers ask that guests RSVP at
http://www.myvillage.us/my/ramadan
Saturday, Oct. 7
Muslim Community Association, 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara,
Registration: 4:30 p.m., Program begins: 5 p.m.,
http://www.mcabayarea.org
South Valley Islamic Center, 14770 Columbet Ave., San Martin,
Registration: 4:30 p.m., Program begins: 5 p.m.,
http://www.svic.org
Sunday, Oct. 8
Islamic Society of East Bay, 33330 Peace Terrace, Fremont, Booths open: 4
p.m., Program begins: 4:30 p.m.,
http://www.iseb.org
Zaytuna Institute, 631 Jackson St., Hayward, Registration begins: 5 p.m.,
Program begins: 5:30 p.m.,
http://www.zaytuna.org
-----
NY: MUSLIM PIETY COLLIDES WITH
PRISON WORK RULES -
TOP
Guard's religious head wear at center of dispute with state corrections
department
Michele Morgan Bolton, Times Union, 10/6/06
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=523147
For nine years, Abdus Samad N. Haqq wore a kufi, a traditional Islamic
religious head covering, along with his uniform as a state correction
officer in Harlem.
On May 8, 2005, his supervisor ordered him to remove it.
Haqq, 53, who was born in Brooklyn and converted to Islam in the 1980s,
complied with the request, but that decision has been difficult
emotionally and spiritually, the New York Civil Liberties Union stated in
a federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Manhattan.
The challenge to the policy that forbids state prison guards from wearing
religious head coverings comes just months after another NYCLU suit
persuaded the U.S. Coast Guard to change its rule that barred members of
the Merchant Marine from wearing religious head coverings in their
license photographs.
The latest case raises questions about freedom of religion and the
state's fairness to its workers.
"The state of New York cannot force public employees to surrender
their religious beliefs as a condition of keeping their jobs," said
Donna Lieberman, the NCYLU's Manhattan-based executive director.
Linda Foglia, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Correctional
Services, said she could not comment on pending litigation.
(MORE)
-----
CA: MUSLIMS AND JEWS MUST MOVE ON AND
STRENGTHEN TIES -
TOP
Omar Ricci, Jewish Journal, 10/6/06
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=16601
Muslim-Jewish relations in Los Angeles have undoubtedly undergone a test
the past several weeks, the outcome of which is still unclear. But out of
an acrimonious political battle, many Muslims would like to move on and
attempt to re-establish discussion and dialogue with our fellow Jewish
Angelenos.
What is being referred to is last week's decision by the L.A. County
Commission on Human Relations to give its John Allen Buggs Humanitarian
Award to Muslim leader Dr. Maher Hathout and the vitriolic rhetoric from
a segment of the Jewish community in the weeks preceding. It has, amongst
other things, been a trial for Muslim-Jewish relations. But interestingly
enough, the period has also seen certain bonds between the two groups
solidify.
Based on his past criticisms of Israel, a segment of the Jewish community
engaged in what can be fairly called a smear campaign against Hathout. In
doing so, it took a long-standing moderate and intellectual Muslim leader
and painted him as an extremist in an attempt to make him, and the
organizations he represents, politically radioactive.
In a Sept. 1 press release, the American Jewish Committee (AJCommittee)
called Hathout "a radical Islamic leader masquerading as a moderate
and deceiving the American public." The Zionist Organization of
America (ZOA) on Sept. 6 accused Hathout of "promoting violence,
hatred and divisiveness"; this again because Hathout likened
Israel's treatment of Palestinians to "apartheid," a term even
Israeli news organizations use to characterize Israel's ongoing
occupation of Palestinian territories.
Led by these two groups, and eventually joined by others such as The
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the FBI-designated terrorist
group, the Jewish Defense League, an unsuccessful campaign to rescind the
award was orchestrated.
This unfortunate effort, filled with more anger by some of these groups
than I care to describe, did nothing but build resentment in Muslims. In
their view, this campaign continued a pattern of opposing Muslim
political integration purely because of its differing viewpoint on a
foreign country. (MORE)
[Omar Ricci is chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.]
SEE ALSO:
MA: GROUP OPPOSED TO ROXBURY
MOSQUE SUES BRA FOR DOCUMENTS -
TOP
Charles A. Radin, Boston Globe, 10/6/06
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/06/group_opposed_to_roxbury_mosque_sues_bra_for_documents/
The David Project, a non profit Jewish advocacy organization, yesterday
charged in Suffolk Superior Court that the Boston Redevelopment Authority
is withholding public records related to the authority's sale of land to
the Islamic Society of Boston for construction of a mosque.
The organization asked the court to order the BRA to surrender the
documents, in particular copies of e-mails written and received by BRA
deputy director Mohammad Ali-Salaam regarding the Roxbury land deal, and
documents relating to travel by Ali-Salaam to the Middle East on behalf
of the mosque project.
Susan Elsbree, spokeswoman for the redevelopment authority, said the
authority is ``confident the court will find that the BRA has complied
with all public records requests."
The David Project is among numerous organizations and individuals sued by
the Islamic Society for allegedly conspiring to circulate false and
defamatory information about its leaders in order to prevent the building
of the mosque. (MORE)
-----
VIDEO: THE ISRAELI LOBBY: DOES IT
HAVE TOO MUCH INFLUENCE ON US FOREIGN POLICY? -
TOP
http://blog.scribestudio.com/articles/2006/10/03/the-israeli-lobby-does-it-have-too-much-influence-on-us-foreign-policy
-----
AP LEARNS GITMO GUARDS BRAG OF BEATINGS -
TOP
Thomas Watkins, Associated Press, 10/6/06
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061006/ap_on_re_us/guantanamo_alleged_abuse_5
Guards at Guantanamo Bay bragged about beating detainees and described it
as common practice, a Marine sergeant said in a sworn statement obtained
by The Associated Press.
The two-page statement was sent Wednesday to the Inspector General at the
Department of Defense by a high-ranking Marine Corps defense
lawyer.
The lawyer sent the statement on behalf of a paralegal who said men she
met on Sept. 23 at a bar on the base identified themselves to her as
guards. The woman, whose name was blacked out, said she spent about an
hour talking with them. No one was in uniform, she said.
A 19-year-old sailor referred to only as Bo "told the other guards
and me about him beating different detainees being held in the
prison," the statement said.
"One such story Bo told involved him taking a detainee by the head
and hitting the detainee's head into the cell door. Bo said that his
actions were known by others," but that he was never punished, the
statement said. The paralegal was identified in the affidavit as a
sergeant working on an unidentified Guantanamo-related case.
(MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/8/06
*
Verse:
God Forgives All Sins
*
CAIR-LA:
Islam's Appeal Spans
Many Cultures
*
American Muslims
Get Involved in
U.S. Politics (VOA)
-
MN:
Democrat May Become First
Muslim in Congress (NYT)
*
Ramadan:
Fast for the
Body, Feast for the Soul (Wash Post)
-
Books About Islam
Will Enlighten Kids
(Plain Dealer)
-
MA:
Islamic Superheroes Take
Aim at Youth (Reuters)
-
NJ:
School Kids
Learn About Ramadan (Herald News)
*
CAIR-FL Takes Part in Interfaith
Peace Gathering
-
CAIR-MI Rep Speaks at Ford
Ramadan Iftar
-
CAIR-TX:
Crackdown on Charities Slows
Donation Delivery
-
CAIR-CT Takes Part in 'Taste of Culture'
Event (Day)
*
CA:
Muslim Lawyers Group
Honored By State Bar (Mercury News)
*
PA:
Me, Arab. You, Wholesome American
Fearing for Your Life
-
For Muslim Recruiter, Saying 'Go Army' is
a Hard Job (NYT)
*
Denmark's PM Condemns Latest
Mocking of Prophet Muhammad (AP)
-
UK:
Colleagues Turn on Straw
Over Islamic Veil Row
-----
VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD FORGIVES ALL SINS -
TOP
Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against your own souls, do
not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. It is He who is
the Forgiving, the Merciful."
The Holy Quran, 39:53
HADITH OF THE DAY:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "I would not trade
this verse for the whole world."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 752
-----
CAIR-LA: ISLAM'S APPEAL SPANS MANY
CULTURES -
TOP
By Mark Petix, Whittier Daily News, 10/8/06
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_4454856
CHINO - When the sun finally sets and the fast of Ramadan ends for the
day, Luqman Malik joins the faithful at the Baitul Hameed Mosque for a
feast of chicken, rice, potatoes.
And Mexican food.
Islam is a tapestry, Imam Shamshad A. Nasir says, a religion that
attracts men and women of many cultures.
More Latinos are embracing the faith, said
Hussam Ayloush, a Corona
man who is spokesman for the Southern California chapter of the Council
on American-Islamic Relations. While he has no exact numbers, he said
the shift is clear.
"Go to the mosque in downtown L.A. and you'll see a large number of
Latinos," he said. "People are seeking a place where they feel
the spirit of peace."
He said they are willing to make sacrifices to find that peace.
That includes Latinos like Malik, a Catholic by birth, who found solace
in Islam in the days after Sept. 11, 2001.
He was in college, and didn't like the way his Muslim friends were being
treated.
"People were saying they were not good people," he said.
"That's not true."
It made him want to learn more about Islam, and he found himself drawn to
its teachings and traditions. After much study and thought, the
26-year-old Chino man decided to convert. (MORE)
-----
AMERICAN
MUSLIMS GET INVOLVED IN U.S. POLITICS -
TOP
Faiza Elmasry, Voice of America, 10/7/06
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2006-10-07-voa32.cfm
Minnesota is home to thousands of Muslims from around the world. Like
other immigrants, they have worked hard to establish themselves and
support their families. But, since 9/11, the state's Muslims have become
more concerned about presenting the real image of their faith and getting
involved in their local communities. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
MN: DEMOCRAT POISED TO BECOME FIRST
MUSLIM IN CONGRESS -
TOP
NEIL MacFARQUHAR, New York Times, 10/8/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/us/politics/08muslim.html
MINNEAPOLIS - Keith Ellison, the Democratic candidate for Congress here,
strode among the stalls of exotically printed fabric, telephone cards and
sweet tea at a Somali mall, shaking hands with his fellow
Muslims.
"The community showed up big!" Mr. Ellison, 43, said,
dispensing hugs as he thanked the many immigrant Somalis whose votes had
helped him beat six other candidates in a primary race in
September.
Mr. Ellison, a stocky criminal defense lawyer who converted to Islam in
college, is expected by experts to make history on Election Day by
becoming the first Muslim elected to Congress, as well as the first black
representative from Minnesota.
"If he wins, he will take the oath of office on a Koran," Ali
Ahmed, a social services worker, said as he wandered through the Karmel
Square mall, a popular shopping and social destination for Somali
immigrants.
"Our main concern is that Muslims are treated differently from
Christians," Mr. Ahmed said. "So he can show that we are all
the same people."
The Fifth Congressional District is a Democratic citadel. The last
Republican to represent it lost re-election in 1962.
Mr. Ellison's Republican opponent, Alan Fine, has made a concerted effort
to discredit him for previous ties to the Nation of Islam, the radical
group founded by Louis Farrakhan, but experts do not expect Mr. Fine to
pose a serious challenge.
Though Mr. Ellison usually mentions his faith on the campaign trail only
when asked, his candidacy has amounted to something of a political
awakening among Muslims tired of being vilified since the attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001.
"They were resistant to voting because a lot of them thought it
wouldn't make a difference," said Abdisalam Adam, the director of a
Somali cultural center who helped send scores of volunteers door to door
to bring out voters in the primary. "This is the first time we saw
people get excited and identify with the issues." (MORE)
-----
RAMADAN, WHEN LESS IS MORE -
TOP
A Fast for the Body Can Be a Feast for the Soul
Dina ElBoghdady, Washington Post, 10/8/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100700392.html
Ashraf Sarsour was at an obligatory business lunch for a longtime client
when he got what he describes as "the look."
Table by table, his co-workers made their way to the buffet. But he
remained seated, his stomach rumbling. A waft of fried chicken filled the
air. Forks and knives clinked. Waiters filled and refilled water glasses
to the brim. And he sat, acutely aware that he'd become an oddity.
Patience, he kept telling himself, patience.
Oooh, then he spotted the sweet potato pie, his favorite.
Patience.
"Ash, what are you doing? Go eat, man," one colleague urged
him.
"Thanks, but I'm fasting."
"Uh, well, here, have a drink."
"It doesn't really work that way."
The exchange last year was like many others Sarsour has had during
Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day.
His Christian friends know about Lent and his Jewish friends fast on Yom
Kippur. But the duration and rigor of Ramadan -- underway this month --
baffle many non-Muslims and make the ritual a curiosity in the
working-lunch /coffee break /water cooler office culture. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
BOOKS ABOUT ISLAM
WILL ENLIGHTEN KIDS -
TOP
Kathy Englehart, Plain Dealer, 10/8/06
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/11602103477140.xml&coll=2
We are now mid-Ramadan, the joyful Muslim holi day that lasts a month and
celebrates the gift of the Koran to Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.
Sharing some of these good books about Islam can teach your children
well. (MORE)
---
MA: ISLAMIC SUPERHEROES TAKE AIM AT
MUSLIM YOUTH -
TOP
Jason Szep, Reuters, 10/8/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100800353.html
BOSTON (Reuters) - In Saudi Arabia, a gawky teenager is transformed into
a hulking creature. In Paris, a historian chases legends about mystical
gemstones. In South Africa, a boy discovers a sparkling rock with healing
powers.
The characters are from a new genre of superheroes endowed with Muslim
virtues and aimed at young Muslims in a comic book series called
"The 99." Launched in July, it is being billed as the world's
first superhero project drawn from Islamic culture. (MORE)
---
NJ: SCHOOL KIDS LEARN
ABOUT RAMADAN -
TOP
Danielle Shapiro,
Herald News, 10/7/06
PATERSON - Some people say Passaic County is the most diverse region in
New Jersey because of the area's rich ethnic mosaic.
But intolerance and intemperance are not new human phenomena in the
United States. And a report last month by the Council on American Islamic
Relations showed that anti-Muslim bias incidents were at an all-time high
in the U.S. - 80 percent of the complaints were reported in eight states
and the District of Columbia and 4 percent originated from New
Jersey.
The September release of the report coincided with the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan.
Local schoolteachers find themselves in a unique position to counter
misunderstandings by providing timeless information about cultural
diversity. (MORE)
-----
CAIR-FL: GIVING BACK IS REVEREND'S
BIRTHDAY WISH -
TOP
Heather S. Walker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 10/6/06
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Peace, harmony and love were words used by the Rev. Ernest Chu to
describe what he and guests experienced at the Ecumenical Candlelight
Peace Service and dual celebration of his 60th birthday.
Chu, assistant minister at Religious Science Ft. Lauderdale, organized
the event in an effort to give back to the community. . .
Altaf Ali, executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations
in Pembroke Pines, spoke to the gathering about achieving
peace.
"The way I achieve peace is reflecting on the majesty of God's
creation," said Ali, adding that he is deliberately not affiliated
with one place of worship because his organization represents all
Muslims. "I think it's commendable that a group came together to
appeal for peace. It sets a good example for others to follow."
(MORE)
---
CAIR-MI: FORD MOTOR HOSTS IFTAR DINNER
-
TOP
Arab-American News, 10/6/06
DEARBORN - Ford Motor Company hosted its 6th annual Ramadan fast breaking
Wednesday, an event attended by around 150 Muslim and non-Muslim
guests.
The evening program took place in the Ford Credit building's cafeteria
and was themed, "Ramadan: The Month of Forgiveness and
Reconciliation."
Speakers included Mike Bannister, CEO of Ford Credit; Paul Nussbaum,
Executive Vice President of Ford Credit;
Dawud Walid, Executive
Director for the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic
Relations (CAIR-Michigan); and Ramzi Mohammad, a scientist and
professor of cancer biology at Wayne State University (WSU). . .
After the Ford officials, Walid - the first keynote speaker - came up.
"These types of gatherings are a good way for all of us to become
more acquainted with one another and open up the way to
communication," he said.
"When a Muslim involves himself with reading the Qur'an more in this
month, as regardful Muslims do, this reading should awaken them to the
mistakes that they have made for themselves and to others.
"The act of fasting should sharpen one's mind as blood flow which is
ordinarily used for digesting the food is diverted to the brain. It is a
great time for reflection and deep thought as well as change.
"Asking for forgiveness in Islam should mean recognizing one's
mistakes and having a desire to not commit those mistakes again. This is
the true repentance. And whoever does not show mercy to others shall not
receive mercy. This is a central theme present in the holy month of
Ramadan." (MORE)
---
CAIR-SAN ANTONIO: CRACKDOWN ON CHARITIES
THREATENS TO SLOW DONATION DELIVERY -
TOP
Sarwat Husain, Express-News, 10/7/06
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/stories/MYSA100706.01R.SPEAKOUT.254fdbf.html
[Sarwat Husain is president of the Council on American Islamic
Relations in San Antonio.]
Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Muslim charities have
been under increased scrutiny by Washington. American Muslims are facing
a very difficult question regarding which charity their Zakat can be
given without inadvertently being linked to terrorism.
Sadly, many of these charity organizations have been raided or closed
down by our government linking their work to funding terrorism, creating
a huge gap in the charity delivery service among the needy Muslim
communities throughout the world. Most disturbing for American Muslims is
to see that none of the alleged charities has been convicted of any
crime. Five years later, it is still happening, resulting in the freezing
of millions of dollars in bank assets.
The government's ban on charities that provide aid in certain countries
only magnifies the miseries of the poor resulting in the unnecessary
spread of diseases and deaths. Innocent men, women, elderly and children
are the main victims.
Last year in Illinois, a coalition of Muslim and other religious
organizations pushed the Illinois State Assembly to pass a resolution
called "Charity Without Fear." The resolution called on the
federal government to create a list of organizations that are safe for
people to contribute to without fear of being questioned by the
government. The Bush administration has made no move to respond.
With a need for a safe charitable organization to donate Zakat, Muslims
continue to wait anxiously for the president's response. Until then,
American Muslims put their faith and their Zakat donations in God's
hands, hoping that it reaches those who are the most in need.
---
CAIR-CT: HANDY WITH HENNA -
TOP
The Day, 10/8/06
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=d6fe670c-c3a9-453f-9dcc-a57a4c1f65e1
Henna artist Tasnia Hasan, 14, of East Lyme, draws designs on the arm of
Katie Novick of Newton, Mass., while friends Meghan Hewitt and Holly
Simpson watch. Hasan was working the
Council for American-Islamic
Relations booth at the Taste of Culture at New London Waterfront Park
on Saturday.
-----
CA: MUSLIM LAWYERS GROUP HONORED
BY STATE BAR -
TOP
Kim Vo, Mercury News, 10/7/06
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/religion/15702686.htm
Since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the American Muslim community has
offered a series of ``Know Your Rights'' workshops at area community
centers and mosques. The State Bar of California on Friday awarded a
Presidential Pro Bono Award to the Bay Area Association of Muslim Lawyers
(BAAML) for its work. In an edited interview with religion writer Kim Vo,
BAAML president and San Jose attorney Marwa Elzankaly discussed civil
rights, the war on terror and the concerns of Muslim women.
(MORE)
-----
PA: ME, ARAB. YOU, WHOLESOME AMERICAN FEARING
FOR YOUR LIFE -
TOP
Moustafa Ayad, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10/7/06
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06280/728044-109.stm
If it had eluded my consciousness before, it was clear at that moment:
This was my new American reality.
Me, Arab.
You, wholesome American fearing for your life.
But if it has come down to whether this country stays safe or whether I
become the scapegoat for all the racist and xenophobic feelings that grow
day by day in this country -- I choose the latter. Freedom, after all, is
not free. Right, Mr. President? (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
FOR RECRUITER, SAYING 'GO ARMY' IS A HARD JOB
-
TOP
ANDREA ELLIOTT, New York Times, 10/7/06
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/07/us/07recruit.html
EL CAJON, Calif. - Sgt. Cameron Murad wanders the strip malls and parking
lots of this Iraqi immigrant enclave in the arid foothills beyond San
Diego. Wherever he goes, a hush seems to follow.
He stands by the entrance of a Middle Eastern grocery in khakis and a
baseball cap, trying to blend in. He smiles gently. He offers the
occasional Arabic greeting.
Quietly, he searches the aisles for a version of himself: an Iraqi
expatriate with greater ambition than prospects, a Muslim immigrant
willing to fight an American war.
There are countless hard jobs for American soldiers supporting the
occupation of Iraq. Few seem more impossible than the one assigned to
Sergeant Murad. As the conflict grows increasingly violent and unpopular,
the sergeant must persuade native Arabic speakers to enlist and serve
with front-line troops.
"I feel like a nomad in the middle of the desert, looking for green
pastures," said Sergeant Murad, 34, who is from the Kurdish region
of Iraq.
Linguists have emerged as critical figures in the occupation. They
interpret for commanders in meetings with mayors and sheiks. They
translate during the interrogation of Iraqi prisoners. They shadow troops
on risky missions.
In the pressing search for Arabic speakers, the military has turned to
Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States. Sergeant Murad is a
rising star in this effort. He has recruited 10 men to the program in
little more than a year, a record unrivaled in the Army National
Guard.
Still, he is an unlikely foot soldier in the campaign. His own evolution
- from a teenage immigrant who landed in North Dakota after the first
gulf war to a spit-and-polish sergeant - has been marked with private
suffering.
In boot camp, he was called a "raghead." Comrades have
questioned his patriotism. Last year a staff sergeant greeted him by
calling out, "Here comes the Taliban!"
He remembers a day in 2002 when the comedian Drew Carey visited a base in
Saudi Arabia where he was working. During a skit, Sergeant Murad
recalled, Mr. Carey dropped to the ground to mimic the Muslim prayer. As
the troops roared with laughter, Sergeant Murad walked out.
"I thought about my mom when she prays, how humble she is," he
said. (MORE)
-----
DENMARK'S PRIME MINISTER CONDEMNS
LATEST MOCKING OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD -
TOP
Associated Press, 10/8/06
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/08/europe/EU_GEN_Denmark_Prophet_Drawings.php
COPENHAGEN, Denmark Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Sunday
condemned the youth wing of an anti-immigrant party for mocking the
Prophet Muhammad during a summer camp meeting earlier this year.
"I strongly condemn the behavior of members of the youth wing of the
Danish People's Party," Fogh Rasmussen said. "Their tasteless
behavior does in no way represent the way the Danish people or young
Danish people view Muslims or Islam."
The videos were posted online earlier this week, drawing criticism and
condemnation from Muslim leaders in Egypt and Indonesia.
Members of the youth group could be seen in the video having a drawing
contest in August. One woman presented a cartoon showing a camel with the
head of Muhammad and beer cans for humps. A second drawing showed a
bearded man wearing a turban next to a plus sign and a bomb that equals a
nuclear mushroom cloud. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
UK: CABINET COLLEAGUES TURN ON STRAW
OVER ISLAMIC VEIL ROW -
TOP
Muslim women take to the streets to protest against minister's
stance
Gaby Hinsliff, Sunday Observer, 10/8/06
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1890492,00.html
Ruth Kelly yesterday defended the wearing of the veil as a 'personal
choice' by Muslims that must be respected. She made her comments as the
Cabinet began distancing itself from Jack Straw's disclosure that he
asked women attending his constituency surgery to uncover their faces.
(MORE)
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
To reach the list moderator, send a message to:
info@cair.com
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/cair-net/
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #502
REGISTER ONLINE FOR CAIR'S NOV. 18 BANQUET IN
VA
Registration is now available online for CAIR's 12th Annual Banquet,
"American Muslims: Connecting & Sharing," in Arlington,
Virginia. To learn more about the dinner, or to register, GO TO:
https://www.cair.com/2006banquet/
CAIR 12TH ANNUAL BANQUET:
"American Muslims: Connecting & Sharing"
WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2006
Registration begins at 5 p.m., Program begins at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway,
Arlington, VA
SPEAKERS:
* Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
* Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
* Amy Goodman (Democracy Now)
Program will also feature the "2006 Rosa Parks Civil Liberties
Award Recipient" and the "2006 Muslim Community Service
Awards"
TICKETS: $65/person; $15/child babysitting (ages 6 months-12
years.)
TABLE SPONSORSHIPS: Call 202-488-8787
Registration deadline is Friday, November 10.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. REGISTER ONLINE by going to:
https://www.cair.com/2006banquet/
If you would like to make a reservation over the phone, call
202-488-8787, or e-mail:
events@cair.com
2. LET OTHERS KNOW about the dinner. Contact
events@cair.com to give a list of
people who should be contacted about the dinner. Also send this notice to
your personal e-mail list.
3. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE DINNER, but would like to
support CAIR's important work, make a donation at:
https://www.cair.com/asp/donate.asp
4. TO REGISTER BY FAX, fill out the form below.
--- CLIP AND FAX/MAIL/E-MAIL ---
____
YES, I will attend. Enclosed is my check to "CAIR"
in the amount of $______ for _____ seats.
___
SORRY, I will not be able to attend. But I would like to
support CAIR's important work defending the image of Islam and the rights
of Muslims by sending a donation of $______.
Name of Person Purchasing Tickets:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Daytime Phone:
Names of Other Attendees:
Payment: ___Check ___VISA ___MasterCard ___Discover ___Money Order
Card Number:
Exp. Date:
Name as on Card:
Signature: ________________________________________________
FAX TO: 202-488-0833,
MAIL: CAIR Dinner, 453 New Jersey
Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003,
E-MAIL:
events@cair.com
- PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE -
-----
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:
info@cair.com
URL:
http://www.cair.com
-----
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a window to the American
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful
AMERICAN MUSLIM NEWS BRIEFS
- 10/9/06
*
Hadith:
Mercy, Forgiveness and
Freedom
*
DC/VA/MD:
Register Online
for CAIR 11/18 Banquet in VA
*
NY:
Religious Leaders
Support Mosque (Newsday)
- AL:
Local Jews, Muslims in
Rift (Birmingham News)
*
NY:
U.S. Jewish
Groups Block Speech by Israel Critic (Wash Post)
-
DC:
C-SPAN's CAIR 'Israel Lobby'
Panel Video
-
NY:
'Israel Lobby' Panel
Discussion Video
*
MI:
Muslims &
Christians Come Together to End Barriers
*
KY:
Muslims Reject
Violence, Decry Guilt by Association
-
KY:
Don't Lump All Muslims with
Fanatics (Herald Leader)
*
CA:
Yemenis Stuck Between a Bottle
and a Hard Place
*
PBS 'Frontline' Examines Lodi Terror
Case (PBS)
-----
HADITH OF THE DAY: MERCY, FORGIVENESS AND FREEDOM -
TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said of Ramadan: "It is the
month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is the
month of sharing with others. . .It is a month whose beginning is mercy,
whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is freedom from
Hell."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 614
-----
DC/VA/MD: REGISTER ONLINE FOR
CAIR 11/18 BANQUET IN VIRGINIA -
TOP
Registration is now available online for CAIR's 12th Annual Banquet,
"American Muslims: Connecting & Sharing," in Arlington,
Virginia. To learn more about the dinner, or to register, GO TO:
https://www.cair.com/2006banquet/
-----
NY: LEADERS SUPPORT MOSQUE -
TOP
Jennifer Maloney, Newsday, 10/9/06
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liserv094925759oct09,0,7173424.story
Local religious leaders spoke out in support of the Islamic Center of
Long Island at an interfaith celebration at the Westbury mosque, which
Rep. Peter King has alleged is run by extremists.
"We will not be fooled by fearmongering and appeals to
bigotry," the Rev. Mark Lukens, pastor of Bethany Congregational
Church in East Rockaway, said at a news conference yesterday. "We
stand with you proudly, shoulder to shoulder." (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
AL: LOCAL JEWS, MUSLIMS IN
RIFT -
TOP
Greg Garrison, Birmingham News, 10/9/06
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1160385481149500.xml&coll=2
An Alabama Muslim's ties to an Islamic charity, shut down by the U.S.
government for funding activities by the Palestinian militant group
Hamas, has caused a rift between Birmingham's Jewish and Muslim
communities.
Raed Awad, a Palestinian who moved to Birmingham two years ago, has taken
part in numerous interfaith programs, including chanting prayers in
Arabic from the pulpit at South Highland Presbyterian Church during a
Thanksgiving week interfaith service last year.
But his critics note that when he lived in Florida, Awad raised funds for
The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which the U.S.
government shut down in December 2001 for its connections to Hamas. .
.
Unfairly characterized:
The Rev. Steve Jones, pastor of Southside Baptist Church and a friend of
both Awad and Miller, said he fears that Awad has been unfairly
characterized as a terrorist sympathizer, a label that will be hard to
shed. He said other participants in interfaith dialogue, such as
Christians, Buddhists and Baha'is, are also negatively affected by the
dispute.
"The Muslim and Jewish community are really at odds here,"
Jones said. "There's all this feeling and energy about Raed. It's
not justified. He disavows violence of any kind. He abhors
terrorism."
Awad said he's willing to meet with concerned Jewish leaders.
"We were making good strides in reconciling the Muslim and Jewish
community," Awad said. "Until I die, I'll have my hand extended
to Rabbi Miller and the Jewish community."
-----
NY: IN N.Y., SPARKS FLY
OVER ISRAEL CRITICISM -
TOP
Polish consulate says Jewish groups called to oppose historian
Michael Powell, Washington Post, 10/9/06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100800817_pf.html
Two major American Jewish organizations helped block a prominent New York
University historian from speaking at the Polish consulate here last
week, saying the academic was too critical of Israel and American
Jewry.
The historian, Tony Judt, is Jewish and directs New York University's
Remarque Institute, which promotes the study of Europe. Judt was
scheduled to talk Oct. 4 to a nonprofit organization that rents space
from the consulate. Judt's subject was the Israel lobby in the United
States, and he planned to argue that this lobby has often stifled honest
debate.
An hour before Judt was to arrive, the Polish Consul General Krzysztof
Kasprzyk canceled the talk. He said the Anti-Defamation League and the
American Jewish Committee had called and he quickly concluded Judt was
too controversial.
"The phone calls were very elegant but may be interpreted as
exercising a delicate pressure," Kasprzyk said. "That's obvious
-- we are adults and our IQs are high enough to understand
that."
Judt, who was born and raised in England and lost much of his family in
the Holocaust, took strong exception to the cancellation of his speech.
He noted that he was forced to cancel another speech later this month at
Manhattan College in the Bronx after a different Jewish group had
complained. Other prominent academics have described encountering such
problems, in some cases more severe, stretching over the past three
decades.
The pattern, Judt says, is unmistakable and chilling. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
DC: C-SPAN'S CAIR 'ISRAEL LOBBY' PANEL
VIDEO -
TOP
rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/intl/intl082806_lobby.rm
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