Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share this article with your facebook friends

 

Islamophobia in the US, July 18-31, 2016, CAIR Reports

August 2, 2016 

 

Editorial Note:

Islamphobia (exaggerated and baseless fear of Muslims) has been perpetrated and perpetuated to justify the continuous US wars and invasions of the Muslim World since 1990, in order for the war industry beneficiaries to justify the enormous and unprecedented US national debt, which has reached more than $19 trillion, as a result of the permanent-war military spending.

Tens of thousands of Americans are killed by non-Muslim other Americans every year, in gun violence. However, Islamophobes ignore that fact and focus on an incident or two perpetrated by Muslims in an entire year.

For example, in 2015, there were 53,228 shooting incidents, resulting in the killing of 13,415 Americans. Of these, there were only two incidents perpetrated by Muslims and resulting in the killing of 18 Americans.

The Zionist media, like Fox News and CNN, together with the  war industry agents and Zionist-controlled politicians like Trump, kept mentioning these two incidents while totally ignoring the other 53,226 incidents, which resulted in the killing of 13,398 Americans!

The end outcome is that the American people are indeed actual victims of a continuous warmongering campaign, Islamophobia, and a daily holocaust, perpetrated against them by the war industry beneficiaries and their agents in the media and politics.

For a background, read: 

Zionist Creative Destruction of the Middle East for the Benefit of the Apartheid Israeli Regime

The Terrorism Industry, A Merciless Continuous Attack on the American People's Blood and Treasure

 

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American Muslims Want Trump to Apologize

On Twitter, Muslim Women Ask Trump: #CanYouHearUsNow?

CAIR: California Muslims to Be Recognized at State Capitol

CAIR: Trump Doesn't Get Citizenship, Sacrifice More than 800,000 of them are registered to vote, according to the Council on American Islamic Relations. Their voices will be heard on Nov. 8, and are likely to be backed by millions of others.

CAIR: American Muslims Want Trump to Apologize (TIME) [Roula Allouch is the national board chair of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.] CAIR, the American Muslim community and patriotic Americans of all faiths and backgrounds are now calling on Donald Trump to apologize for his shameful and divisive remarks. A social media campaign, #CanYouHearUsNow, is encouraging Muslim women and activists to tweet at Trump about who they are and how they speak out. Unfortunately, I do not believe that Trump will apologize for this latest eruption of bigotry. It is not in his nature to apologize�for this or for any of the hate-filled statements he has made in the past year. Thus far, Trump has paid little or no political price for his sexism and bigotry. Perhaps his immunity to personal accountability is now at an end.

Video: CAIR Demands Apology from Donald Trump for Disparagement of Muslim Gold Star Family

CAIR: On Twitter, Muslim-American Women Ask Trump: #CanYouHearUsNow?

(NBC) "As the leader of America's largest Muslim civil rights organization, I urge Donald Trump to apologize for his shameful remarks disparaging a Muslim Gold Star family and for his repeated use and promotion of anti-Muslim stereotypes," Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) board chair Roula Allouch said in a statement. "Just as Donald Trump must apologize for his un-American remarks, Republican Party leaders must finally repudiate their candidate's divisive rhetoric."

CAIR: Muslim Women Adjust the Volume: #CanYouHearUsNow, Trump? (RNS)

CAIR: Muslim American Women Fire Back at Trump: 'Can You Hear Us Now?' (Huff Post)

CAIR: Top Muslim Group Urges Women to Speak Out Against Trump (The Hill)

CAIR: Pro-Trump Muslims Bash Kahn Family (Washington Post) AMC

Trump never explained how CAIR was connected to the Khan family's comments about Trump, but Phares and CAIR have been attacking each other publicly for many years. Groups including CAIR have publicly criticized Phares since 2012, when he worked on Mitt Romney's campaign advisory staff, for his past ties to Lebanese Christian militias. For its part, CAIR denied any connection to Khan's speech. "As much as we would like to claim credit for such a powerful speech as by Mr. Khan at the DNC, we had nothing to do with it," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

"These Islamophobes blame us for everything, including the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. It really gets to be a bit ridiculous at times." CAIR-Houston Joins Community to Speak Against Violence In the wake of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, on July 12, CAIR-Houston joined with our friends from the interfaith and community activism communities in sharing our sorrow, denouncing violence and expressing our solidarity with the LGBT community. Targeted violence against any group is in direct opposition to CAIR's mission, which includes protection of civil liberties and building coalitions that promote justice. We are proud to be among those calling for unity.

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CAIR Demands Apology from Donald Trump for Disparagement of Muslim Gold Star Family

Video: CAIR-San Antonio Rep Helps Shape DNC Policy Sarwat Hussain, with the San Antonio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, got elected this year to help write the platform for the Democratic party.

CAIR Report: Hate, Bias Against Muslims Spike in Sacramento

CAIR Demands Apology from Donald Trump for Disparagement of Muslim Gold Star Family Civil rights group joins #CanYouHearUsNow social media campaign by Muslim women activists

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/31/16) �

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today demanded that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump apologize for disparaging the parents of a Muslim who died while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq.

[NOTE: CAIR today also joined a #CanYouHearUsNow social media campaign by Muslim women activists challenging Trump's Islamophobic remarks. See below.] The father of the slain soldier spoke at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last week and criticized Trump, saying he "consistently smears the character of Muslims" and demanding to know what similar sacrifices Trump had made. Holding up a copy of the Constitution, the Muslim father asked if Trump had ever read it. His wife stood silently by his side during the DNC address.

In an interview aired today on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Trump implied that the Muslim parents were being used by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and seemed to exploit existing stereotypes of Islam by criticizing the Muslim mother, Ghazala Khan, for standing silently as her husband at the convention.

In fact, the wife did speak out in response to Trump's remarks.

Video: Muslim Gold Star Parents Speak Out Against Donald Trump's Disparaging Comments Ghazala Khan: Trump criticized my silence. He knows nothing about true sacrifice.

Trump's disparagement of the Muslim "Gold Star" family has drawn widespread condemnation.

CAIR: Donald Trump Criticizes Muslim Family of Slain U.S. Soldier, Drawing Ire (NY Times) CAIR: New Trump Outrage - He Disparages Muslim Family of Fallen U.S. Soldier (McClatchy)

In a statement responding to Trump's remarks, CAIR Board Chair Roula Allouch said:

"As the leader of America's largest Muslim civil rights organization, I urge Donald Trump to apologize for his shameful remarks disparaging a Muslim Gold Star family and for his repeated use and promotion of anti-Muslim stereotypes. Just as Donald Trump must apologize for his un-American remarks, Republican Party leaders must finally repudiate their candidate's divisive rhetoric."

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization also joined a social media campaign by American Muslim women demanding that Trump apologize for disparaging Ghazala Khan. In the #CanYouHearUsNow campaign, Muslim women activists are sharing the various ways they speak out every day.

Muslim women activists are being asked to tweet between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (EDT) tomorrow, Monday, August 1, using the hashtag #CanYouHearUsNow. The Muslim women will tweet about who they are and how they speak out.

CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in recent months, attributed at least in part to statements and policy proposals made by public figures like GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and others.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

***

CAIR-MN to Hold Free Legal Clinic

CA Assembly to Proclaim August 'Muslim Appreciation Month'

CAIR Welcomes MD County's Proclamation of Solidarity with Muslims

CAIR: Unity the Theme of American Muslims Luncheon at DNC Nihad Awad, head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, was even more to the point. In an election with an unprecedented amount of Islamophobia and unacceptable statements, he said, "we need an unprecedented level of unity and civic engagement." Awad said Muslims must work to eliminate profiling and fight a flawed terror watch list, as well as reclaim their religion from terrorists who distort it. But Muslims can't afford to separate themselves from the broader community. They shouldn't be viewed solely through a national security prism, he said.

CAIR-San Antonio: Islamophobia Increases Muslim American Participation in US Politics CAIR: Muslim-Americans Say Trump Could Inspire Record Voter Turnout - For Clinton

CAIR Welcomes Maryland County's Proclamation of Solidarity with Muslims The Maryland Outreach Department of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a proclamation of solidarity with Montgomery County Muslims issued earlier this month after a rise in hate crimes and anti-Muslim rhetoric nationwide. CAIR: California State Assembly to Proclaim August as 'Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month' On Monday, August 1, the California chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will join Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) in the presentation of House Resolution 59, which recognizes the month of August 2016 as "Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month."

CAIR-CA: Hate Crimes and Attacks Against Muslims Doubled in California Last Year � Report

CAIR-MN to Hold Free Legal Clinic at Dar Al Farooq Center in Bloomington

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 7/29/2016) -

On Saturday, July 30, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will hold a "Free Brief Advice Legal Clinic" at the Dar Al Farooq Center in Bloomington, Minn. The CAIR-MN clinic will provide free legal advice on issues such as civil rights, housing and employment. Volunteer attorneys and law students will provide intake and advice to clinic participants.

WHAT: Free Brief Advice Legal Clinic WHEN: Saturday, July 30, 1-4 p.m.

WHERE: Dar Al Farooq Center, 8201 Park Avenue, Bloomington, Minnesota

CONTACT:

CAIR-MN Civil Rights Attorney Ellen Longfellow, 612-206-3360, elongfellow@cair.com "Many people have legal issues they need to address, but don't have access to attorneys," said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Attorney Ellen Longfellow.

 "This free legal clinic will enable participants to talk to a lawyer about their legal problems without having to worry about the cost." CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT:

CAIR-MN Civil Rights Attorney Ellen Longfellow, 612-206-3360, elongfellow@cair.com;

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

***

U.S. Muslims Targeted by Hate in MN, NV, MA, NY, OH, CA

CAIR Condemns Killing of French Priest

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a deadly hostage-taking at a Catholic church in France, in which one priest was killed and another person was injured. The attack was reportedly committed in the name of the terror group ISIS. In a statement, CAIR said: "This heinous attack on a house of worship and on a man of God must be condemned and repudiated by people of all faiths worldwide. The apparent goal of the cowardly murderers is to create divisions between faiths and to breed hostility between the followers of different faiths. We must not allow the terrorists to achieve their twisted goal."

CAIR: Muslims at the DNC - Taking a Stand Against Islamophobia "You don't have to go to Canada, just register and vote," Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told members of the Muslim community who had come to Philadelphia for the four-day event. "We can defeat hate," he added. "Islamophobia is not a Muslim issue, it's an American issue. Hate crimes are on the rise. The biggest victim of Islamophobia is America and its future prospect."

CAIR-WA: At Least Six Washington State Muslim Delegates Take Part in 2016 Democratic National Convention

The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) today said that at least six American Muslim delegates � almost all delegates for Senator Bernie Sanders � from Washington State are attending the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Pa., this week.

 CONTACT:

CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari;

E-mail: abukhari@cair.com; 206.931.3655

CAIR-Florida Asks Feds, State Law Enforcement to Probe Possible Bomb Threat Targeting Mosque Dropped as Polling Site

CAIR Calls for Probe of Threats, Hate Vandalism Targeting Nevada Muslim Family

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has called on state and federal law enforcement authorities in Nevada to investigate alleged threats and hate vandalism targeting a Muslim family in that state as possible hate crimes. A Muslim business owner in Pahrump, Nev., reports repeated threats targeting his family and business in the past month and a half, and said hate graffiti was found yesterday on a building in which he operates his business. The hate graffiti include slurs and threats such as "sand n**ger," "camel Jockey," "I will kill you," and "towel head." The threats and the hate graffiti are being investigated by the Nye County Sheriff's Office. (Report #16NY2449)

Video: CAIR Calls for Probe of Threats, Hate Vandalism Targeting Nevada Muslim Family CAIR: Detectives Investigate Graffiti on Pahrump Auto Shop as Hate Crime (LV Review-Journal)

CAIR-MN Calls for Probe of Hate Message Left at Minnesota Mosque The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) has called for an investigation of a hate message left at a mosque in that state as a possible bias-motivated crime. The message, left at the door of the Dawah Mosque in St. Paul, Minn., contained a slur against Islam's Prophet Muhammad and the statement, "F**k Islam." "All Americans must be able to practice their faith and worship as they choose without fear of harassment or intimidation," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. "We urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime."

Video: CAIR-MN Calls for Probe of Hate Message Left at Minnesota Mosque CAIR-MN: Anthony Sawina Charged with Shooting at Five Somalis During Ramadan

CAIR: Massachusetts Man Charged with Threatening to Burn Mosque

Suspects Shouted Anti-Muslim Slurs, Threatened to Kill NY Gas Station Clerks Mass. Official Went Nuclear in Anti-Muslim Posts. Now, Town Deals with Fallout Kentucky Mosque Moving Forward After Viral 'RPG' Hoax

CAIR-CA Report:

Anti-Muslim Bias Incidents Jumped More Than 50 Percent in Past Year

The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-California) has published the 2016 CAIR California Civil Rights Report, which reveals that anti-Muslim bias incidents saw a significant increase since last year. A total of 1,556 incidents, 295 from the Bay Area alone, were reported to CAIR-California over the course of the 2015 year. These included complaints involving: employment discrimination, federal law enforcement questioning, housing discrimination, immigration issues, hate crimes, school bullying, and several others.

***

WATCH: New CAIR ISLAMOPHOBIN Ad 'Crushes' Islamophobia

Muslim civil rights group releases new animated advertisement for mock-medicine

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/25/16) �

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a new 30-second animated advertisement for ISLAMOPHOBIN® showing the mock-medicine "crushing" Islamophobia.

Video: CAIR's ISLAMOPHOBIN 'Crushes' Islamophobia

CAIR announced the release of the ISLAMOPHBIN advertisement at a news conference today near the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at which local Muslim and interfaith leaders urged convention attendees to focus on promoting civil rights, assisting refugees fleeing conflicts and seeking policing reforms designed to decrease racial profiling.

Video: CAIR News Conference at Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

Video: CAIR Urges Dems to Focus on Civil Rights, Refugees, Policing Reforms at DNC

CAIR recently launched the satirical public awareness campaign with the distribution of ISLAMOPHOBIN, described on its packaging as "Multi-Symptom Relief for Chronic Islamophobia," and the release of a faux television commercial for the product. (NOTE: ISLAMOPHOBIN is actually sugar-free-chewing gum. Use #ISLAMOPHOBIN.)

SEE: CAIR Launches Satirical 'ISLAMOPHOBIN' Public Awareness Campaign to Challenge Anti-Muslim Bigotry

ISLAMOPHOBIN is available for purchase at www.amazon.com.

Last night, the CAIR's Philadelphia chapter, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Jewish Voice for Peace hosted a town hall meeting on "Countering Islamophobia."

Speakers at the town hall meeting included Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN); CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad; Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York; Kameelah M. Rashad, Muslim chaplain at UPENN; Raed Jarrar, government relations manager at American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); Donna Nevel of the Network Against Islamophobia, Jewish Voice for Peace; and Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

Video: CAIR-Philadelphia town Hall Meeting on Countering Islamophobia

CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in recent months, attributed at least in part to statements and policy proposals made by public figures like GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and others.

CAIR-MN: Man Charged in Shooting of 2 Muslim Men

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html   

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

 ***

DOJ Sues Pa. Town for Rejecting Mosque

ISLAMOPHOBIN is Funny, Islamophobia is Not

Video: White House Call for Action to Protect People of Syria

CAIR-Cincinnati:

Looking Back at Japanese American Incarceration to Understand Modern-Day Islamophobia

This collaborative program is presented by the Cincinnati chapters of Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Special thanks to UC College of Law and the UC Diversity & Inclusion Office for their support.

CAIR: Justice Department Sues Pennsylvania Town for Rejecting Mosque (Washington Times)

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations previously filed a federal lawsuit against the township alleging the rejection of the zoning approval for the mosque violated constitutional protections for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and equal treatment. That lawsuit is still active in federal court and is scheduled for trial next year.

Video: CAIR-Cleveland Director Julia Shearson Says ISLAMOPHOBIN is Funny, Islamophobia is Not

CAIR: Muslim Group Considers Legal Action After Florida Islamic Center Removed as Voting Site (PBS)

CAIR: Man Mistaken as Muslim, Beaten Outside Nebraska Restaurant Video: CAIR Seeks DOT Probe of Muslim Passenger's Removal from American Airlines Flight

CAIR: Getting on the Bus - Mosques Take an Idea from Black Churches to Encourage Voter Turnout The Council on American-Islamic Relations predicts Muslim voting will be up this year. In a national poll, three-quarters said they plan to vote.

CAIR: Trump Sparks Activists' Quest to Register 1 Million Muslims to Vote Earlier this summer, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights group, put out a statement asserting that "more than 300,000 Muslims may have registered to vote since the 2012 presidential election."

Photo: CAIR Staffer Lori Saroya (Right) at Yesterday's White House Reception for American Muslim Community Leaders and Activists

At White House Reception for Muslims, Obama Urges End to Discrimination (USA Today)

NY Cops (One of Them Muslim) Drive Possible Bomb Away from Times Square (UPI)

The two men chose to drive nearly two blocks away with the bomb on their dash, and sacrifice themselves instead of putting other lives at risk. They found an uncrowded street and were able to put the device on the sidewalk. "We both said our prayers," said Armani, a Muslim immigrant from Afghanistan. "We thought this was it, we're not going to make it."

Video: CAIR, Muslim, Faith, Syrian-American Leaders at White House to Call for Action to Protect People of Aleppo

National Muslim, interfaith and Syrian-American leaders held a press conference in front of the White House today to call for immediate action to protect the people of Aleppo in Syria. This press conference came one day after the hand delivery of a letter to President Obama urging the U.S. government to act.

***

Muslims to Urge Dems to Focus on Civil Rights, Refugees, Policing Reforms at Philadelphia Convention

• CAIR: Muslim, Faith, Syrian American Leaders to Hold Press Conference Calling for Immediate Action by the U.S. Government in Aleppo to Protect Our National Security
• CAIR-MA Invites Official Who Posted Anti-Islam Messages Online to Visit Mosque, Meet Muslims
  
  The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) today invited Michael Goodman, a conservation commissioner for the town of Easton, Mass., to meet with his Muslim neighbors at the Islamic Center of New England � Sharon.
  
  Goodman recently posted a series of anti-Muslim posts on social media, including calls for direct violence against Muslim civilians.
• Video: CAIR-NJ Director James Sues Accuses Republicans of Fear-Mongering
• CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Nebraska Man Perceived to Be Muslim
  
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged attack on a Nebraska man by an assailant who reportedly shouted "ISIS" and obscenities at the victim.
• CAIR-OK Event with Scholar Imam Suhaib Webb to Address Misconceptions About Shariah
  
  On Saturday, July 23, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will host a special event to address misconceptions about sharia, or Islamic principles, in light of increased anti-Muslim rhetoric from public figures like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
• CAIR: Group Says Muslim Passenger was Removed from AA Flight Because of Bias and Wants DOT Investigation
  
  "Many of the cases we've seen they fail to provide an objectively reasonable cause or explanation, and they do ultimately seem that they're ultimately based on unsubstantiated fear or speculation of some sort," said Maha Sayed, a CAIR attorney who is handling the case. She said the federal government needs to do more to draft specific guidelines on acceptable criteria for removing people from flights that are based on their actions and not stereotypes.
  • CAIR: Muslim Group Calls for Probe of Passenger Pulled from Charlotte Flight
    
    

MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR: Muslims to Urge Dems to Focus on Civil Rights, Refugees, Policing Reforms at Philadelphia Convention

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/21/16) � On Monday, July 25, the Council on American-Islamic (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a news conference with local Muslim and interfaith leaders near the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to urge convention attendees to focus on promoting civil rights, assisting refugees fleeing conflicts and seeking policing reforms designed to decrease racial profiling.

At the news conference, CAIR will also announce the release of a new animated television commercial for its 'ISLAMOPHOBIN' public awareness campaign to challenge anti-Muslim bigotry.

WHAT: CAIR News Conference at Democratic National Convention
WHEN: Monday, July 25, 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 917-660-3805; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

[MEDIA NOTE: The CAIR news conference and the Islamophobia town hall described below will both be live-streamed on CAIR's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational/ ]

On July 24, the day before the CAIR news conference and the opening of Democratic National Convention, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Jewish Voice for Peace and CAIR's Philadelphia chapter will host a town hall meeting on "Countering Islamophobia."

Speakers at the town hall meeting will include Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN); CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad; Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York; Kameelah M. Rashad, Muslim chaplain at UPENN; Raed Jarrar, government relations manager at American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); Donna Nevel of the Network Against Islamophobia, Jewish Voice for Peace; and Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

View the Town Hall Flier

WHAT: Countering Islamophobia Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Sunday, July 24, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: The Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 917-660-3805; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

CAIR recently held a news conference at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, to challenge the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim stance of the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump and of other party officials and representatives.

Full Video: CAIR News Conference at Cleveland RNC Convention Challenges GOP Islamophobia

At that press conference, CAIR distributed free packets of "ISLAMOPHOBIN," a mock-medicine designed to "cure" Islamophobia. (NOTE: ISLAMOPHOBIN is actually sugar-free-chewing gum.)

SEE: CAIR Launches Satirical 'ISLAMOPHOBIN' Public Awareness Campaign to Challenge Anti-Muslim Bigotry

CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in recent months, attributed at least in part to statements and policy proposals made by public figures like GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and others.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html   

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: 

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

***

CAIR Asks Feds to Probe Removal of Muslim Passenger from American Airlines Flight | Campaign Aims to Register a Million U.S. Muslims Voters

• CAIR: Campaign Aims to Register a Million U.S. Muslims Voters in Anti-Trump Move (Reuters)
  
  The campaign began in December and is part of an effort among U.S. Muslims to combat an "unprecedented rise in Islamophobia," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
  • Video: CAIR Urges GOP to Disinvite Dutch Islam-Hater Geert Wilders from Cleveland Convention
  • CAIR Distributes 'Islamophobin,' A 'Cure' for Islamophobia, at RNC
• CAIR-GA: Countering Islamophobia with Outreach Instead of Outrage
  • Mass. Official's Anti-Muslim Post Leads to Calls for Resignation
  • CAIR-Florida Welcomes City Commission's Resolution Supporting Muslim Community
    
  • Florida Mosque Attack: Evidence Backs Stricter Charge
  •  
  • NY Cops Probing Terror Threat Against Muslim Family

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks Feds to Probe Removal of Muslim Passenger from American Airlines Flight

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/20/16) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to investigate a possible bias motive for the removal of a Muslim passenger from an American Airlines flight in December of 2015.

[NOTE: CAIR filed its DOT complaint after having previously attempted to resolve the matter directly with the airline.]

In a letter to the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division, CAIR alleges that the Muslim passenger was singled out for monitoring and subsequent removal from an American Airlines flight in Charlotte, N.C., after a flight attendant publically announced his name and seat number, and stated several times that she "will be watching" him during the flight.

The flight attendant reportedly said: "Mohamed Ahmed, Seat 25-A: I will be watching you." She did not did not make a similar announcement about any other passenger. When the Muslim passenger, Mohamed Ahmed Radwan, asked the flight attendant about her statements, she allegedly accused him of being "too sensitive." After reporting the incident to two other American Airlines employees, Radwan was informed that he must be removed from the flight because the flight attendant who made the announcement was "uncomfortable."

In CAIR's letter to the DOT, Staff Attorney Maha Sayed wrote:

SEE: Full Text of CAIR Letter

"By making several clear announcements that Mr. Radwan would be singled out as the subject of individual monitoring and then unjustifiably removing him from his flight, American Airlines discriminated against Mr. Radwan in violation of 49 U.S.C. S. § 40127(a), which prohibits an air carrier from subjecting 'a person in air transportation to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or ancestry.' Based on the facts outlined above, it is apparent that American Airlines removed Mr. Radwan from his flight not out of a legitimate and credible safety concern or need, but because of his identifiably Arabic and Muslim name.

"Given the continuing rise of anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate crimes occurring throughout the United States, this type of reckless and harmful conduct should not be tolerated by our nation's airlines, which are legally charged with safely carrying all individuals who are rightfully present in an equal and nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to their religious affiliation or ethnicity."

"This incident is particularly troubling given the recent wave of incidents in which airline personnel have arbitrarily removed passengers of Muslim and/or Middle Eastern background without an objectively reasonable cause or explanation."

SEE: CAIR to Call for Bias Probe After Maryland Muslim Removed from Southwest Flight in Chicago

In its letter, CAIR also called on the DOT to conduct a thorough examination into the prevailing practices of major American air carriers and to develop policy guidelines on the objective factors that are to be considered when determining a passenger may legally be removed from a flight.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization publishes a "Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" pocket guide that includes a section on "Your Rights as an Airline Passenger."

CAIR: Your Rights as an Airline Passenger

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

To request legal assistance from CAIR's Civil Rights Department, fill out the intake form at: https://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

CONTACT:

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

 ***

The Rise of Muslim-Friendly Workplaces in Corporate America (Bloomberg)

"The atmosphere is so toxic now that even having constitutionally protected religious accommodation in the workplace can somehow be controversial," said Mr Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which filed complaints on behalf of Muslims fired in January from a meat-packing plant after they staged a walk-out to protest what they said were restrictions on their ability to take prayer breaks.

CAIR Publication: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

Full Video: CAIR News Conference at Cleveland RNC Convention Challenges GOP Islamophobia

CAIR: Muslim Group Accuses Republicans of Intolerance (Detroit Free Press) CAIR: For Islamophobia, Take Two of These and Call a Muslim in the Morning (Reuters) Video: CAIR Hands Out ISLAMOPHOBIN at Republican National Convention in Cleveland

Video: CAIR Says GOP Should Disinvite Anti-Muslim Bigot Geert Wilders from Cleveland Convention

CAIR: Tennessee Politician Brings Controversial Critic of Islam to Republican Convention Ibrahim Hooper, communications director with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on the Republican Party "to disinvite notorious Dutch Islamophobe Geert Wilders from its national convention." "The Republican Party should not be importing foreign anti-Muslim bigots at a time when it should instead be addressing the growing Islamophobia within its own ranks," Hooper said.

CAIR-Cleveland: Muslims Dislike Trump, Unhappy with Clinton, Too

Muslim voters in the U.S. share that sense of unhappiness, said Julia Shearson, executive director of the Cleveland office of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group that looks out for the interests of Muslims and that tries to combat prejudice against Muslims.

On the one hand, American Muslims believe Trump has demonized them, for example by calling for a ban on admitting Muslims into the U.S., Shearson said. Newt Gingrich, who made the list of three finalists being considered for Trump's running mate before Trump finally settled on Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, "recently called for Muslims to be subjected to a kind of inquisition," quizzing them on their support for sharia, Shearson said. But people in the Muslim community generally are not happy with Hillary Clinton, either, because of her tilt toward Israel in the Middle East and her generally hawkish stance toward Muslim countries, Shearson said.

Video: CAIR-Houston Joins Call to Boycott Violent Video Games for Children

Video: CAIR-FL to Join Discussion of Race Relations, Police Policies

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CAIR Urges GOP to Disinvite Dutch Islam-Hater Geert Wilders from Cleveland Convention

• CAIR: For Islamophobia, Take Two of These and Call a Muslim in the Morning
  
  The normally straight-laced Council on American-Islamic Relations tried humor to win over Republicans at their national convention on Monday, handing out packets of a satirical medicine called "Islamophobin," a treatment for Islamophobia.
• CAIR: Michigan Muslims Want a Greater Turnout in the November Election
• CAIR: Muslim Group Spotlights Islamophobia, Distributes 'Blind Intolerance' Medicine at RNC
  
  A Muslim civil rights organization kicked off the first day of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland with a news conference Monday morning, criticizing GOP officials and presumptive nominee Donald Trump for what it says are their anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim stances.
  
  "We're trying to raise awareness about the rising tide of Islamophobia in America, and unfortunately Islamophobia has been flourishing within the GOP platform," Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a nonprofit group, told NBC News.
  • CAIR: Islamic Group Talks of Need for Inclusion Outside of GOP Convention
    
    "For too long the Islamic community has been marginalized," said Julia Shearson, executive director of the organization's Cleveland chapter, in the shadow of the Key Tower near downtown's Public Square.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Urges GOP to Disinvite Dutch Islam-Hater Geert Wilders from Cleveland Convention

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/18/16) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Republic Party to disinvite notorious Dutch Islamophobe Geert Wilders from its national convention in Cleveland.

Wilders noted last night on Twitter that he had arrived to attend the convention at the invitation of the Tennessee Republican Party.

CAIR: Anti-Islam Dutch Politician Geert Wilders a Tennessee Guest at GOP Convention
Dutch Politician Who Says the Quran is Worse Than Mein Kampf is Attending the RNC
Ketron Takes Islamophobe Geert Wilders to RNC

Wilders claims that "Islam is not a religion" and "the right to religious freedom should not apply to Islam." He has clearly stated: "I hate Islam." Wilders is also notorious for campaigning to ban Muslim immigration, the Quran, Muslim headscarves, and Islamic schools in the Netherlands.

Southern Poverty Law Center: Dutch Lawmaker Brings His Anti-Muslim Spiel to U.S.

In his home country, Wilders was put on trial for allegedly inciting hatred against the Dutch Moroccan minority. That trial has been postponed until September.

SEE: Dutch Far-Right Leader Geert Wilders Goes on Trial for Inciting Hatred

"The Republican Party should not be importing foreign anti-Muslim bigots at a time when it should instead be addressing the growing Islamophobia within its own ranks," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Earlier today, CAIR held a news conference at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, to challenge the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim stance of the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump and of other party officials and representatives.

CAIR's news conference was livestreamed on its Facebook page.

Full Video: Muslims Challenge GOP Islamophobia at Cleveland Convention
Video: CAIR Challenges Trump's Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Muslim Stance at GOP Convention

At the press conference, CAIR distributed free packets of "ISLAMOPHOBIN," a mock-medicine designed to "cure" Islamophobia. (NOTE: ISLAMOPHOBIN is actually sugar-free-chewing gum.)

SEE: CAIR Launches Satirical 'ISLAMOPHOBIN' Public Awareness Campaign to Challenge Anti-Muslim Bigotry
CAIR: Muslim Group Spotlights Islamophobia, Distributes 'Blind Intolerance' Medicine at RNC
CAIR: Islamic Group Talks of Need for Inclusion Outside of GOP Convention

Last week, CAIR condemned the terror attack in France and also condemned a suggestion by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who responded to the attack by calling for Inquisition-style religious "testing" and possible deportation of "every person here who is of a Muslim background."

SEE: CAIR Condemns Terror Attack in France, Newt Gingrich's Call to 'Test' and Deport American Muslims
CAIR: Trump Has Made America More Racist. Republicans Are OK With That. 

Since the recent attack in France, CAIR has received reports of hate incidents targeting American Muslims and their institutions.

Video: CAIR Seeks Stepped-Up Protection for Mosques After Rhode Island Islamic Center Vandalism

CAIR recently demanded that Donald Trump "stop the bigotry" after he falsely claimed on Fox News that assimilation of American Muslims is "pretty close" to nonexistent and that a "percentage" of American Muslims "want to do what this maniac did in Orlando." Trump also repeated his call for surveillance of American mosques.

Earlier this year, CAIR said Donald Trump's continued use of a debunked myth about U.S. Gen. John Pershing executing Muslim prisoners in the Philippines using bullets dipped in pig's blood was endangering ordinary American Muslims who were already facing a surge in hate.

CAIR has previously stated that Trump's pig's blood claim and other instances of his Islamophobic rhetoric, including his calling for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States, his false claim that "Islam hates us," his refusal to rule out special IDs for American Muslims, and his willingness to consider closing down American mosques place millions of innocent, law-abiding citizens in the American Muslim community at risk.

SEE: CAIR Says Donald Trump's 'Hibi-Jabis' Reply Endangers Muslim Women

CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim incidents nationwide since the Paris terror attacks, the San Bernardino shootings and Trump's bigoted call for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States. 

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html   

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: 

CAIR-Cleveland Chapter Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, 216.440.2247, jshearson@cair.com;

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CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.

Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com;

CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, nnaeem@cair.com

Council on American-Islamic Relations

453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003  

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