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 the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Warmongering Islamophobia in the US, February 11-20, 2017, CAIR Reports

February 24, 2017 

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 2016, there were 58,241shooting incidents, including 385 mass shooting, resulting in the killing of 15,060 Americans and injuring 30,607. Of these, there was only one incident perpetrated by a Muslim and resulting in the killing of 49 people in an Orlando, Florida night club.

The Zionist media, together with the  war industry agents and the Zionist-controlled politicians, kept mentioning this incident as a terrorist attack, just because the perpetrator was a Muslim, while totally ignoring the other 58,240 incidents, which resulted in the killing of 15,011 Americans!

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, together with the war industry agents and Zionist-controlled politicians, 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

 

CAIR Offers Reward for Info on Threats Targeting Jewish Community Centers Nationwide

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/20/17) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who threatened to bomb at least 10 Jewish community centers around the nation on the President's Day holiday.

CAIR said the threats targeted community centers in Birmingham, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Paul, Tampa, Albuquerque, Houston, Milwaukee, Nashville, and Buffalo. Today's threats were latest in a series of bomb threats targeting Jewish community centers nationwide in the last two months.

SEE: Series of Bomb Threats Targets Jewish Community Centers

"It is the duty of American Muslims to offer support to the Jewish community and any minority group targeted in the recent spike in hate crimes nationwide," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We hope this reward will aid in the swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators."

He noted the "tremendous level of support" offered to American Muslims by the Jewish community whenever Muslims have been targeted by hate in recent months.

Awad said CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in hate rhetoric and bias-motivated incidents targeting American Muslims, Jews and other minorities since the election of President Trump.

CAIR and the American Muslim community have in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian, Native American, African-American, and Sikh communities in New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and other states following acts of hate, threats, violence, vandalism, arson, or bombings.

SEE: CAIR-MN Condemns Hate Vandalism Targeting Asian Family
CAIR-FL Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Hate Vandalism

On Saturday, CAIR urged state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged call to violence against American Muslims during a meeting of hate groups in North Carolina.

Video: FBI Probes North Carolina Threats to 'Kill' American Muslims (CAIR)

On Sunday, CAIR's Alabama chapter called for stepped-up police protection for the state's Muslim community following emailed threats received by the Birmingham Islamic Society and Huntsville Islamic Center.

Video: CAIR-Alabama Says Other Mosques May Have Received Threats

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.

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

***

• Hadith of the Day: Keep Your Heart Free of Malice
  
  Narrated by Anas ibn Malik - "(The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him,) said to me: 'My son, if you are in a position to pass your morning and evening keeping your heart free of malice against anyone, then act according to (this high ideal).' He then said: 'That is my Sunnah (example), and he who loves my Sunnah loves me.'" Al-Tirmidhi

• GOP-Led House Panel OKs Iowa Anti-Islam Bill

• Steve Bannon is Preparing President Donald Trump for a Christian Holy War
  
  Islam is a religion that Bannon believes needs to be suppressed. He told that audience in the Vatican: "If you look back at the long history of the Judeo-Christian West's struggle against Islam, I believe that our forefathers kept their stance, and I think they did the right thing. I think they kept it out of the world."
  
  Bannon's words should be seen in the light of every executive order currently signed, or before, Trump. The Muslim ban. The proposed ban on the Muslim Brotherhood. The removal of white nationalists from the counter-extremism programme, to instead focus solely on Islam. And that's just in the first few weeks of office, all making for an Islamophobic perfect storm which will have disastrous consequences for the American Muslim community.

  • CAIR: Stephen Bannon's Breitbart is 'a White Supremacist, Anti-Islam Hate Site' (Washington Post)
    
    "We don't regard Breitbart as a legitimate news organization in any sense. They're a white supremacist, anti-Islam hate site," Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a D.C.-based Muslim advocacy group, said in an interview.

  • Talk of Terror Listing for Muslim Brotherhood Alarms Some Arab Allies (NY Times)

  • Trump's Revised Travel Ban Still Looks A Lot Like a Muslim Ban
    
    

  • CAIR: Ways to Resist Trump in NYC This Week - NY Indivisible Town Hall

• Video: CAIR-Alabama Says Other Mosques May Have Received Threats

  • CAIR: In Face of Threats, Alabama Muslims Receive Support, Welcome Visitors'
    
    The UAB Muslim Student Association will host a panel discussion of feminism in Islam, led by three women (doctoral students Hala Sabatto and Shima Dowla, and CAIR-AL Outreach Ream Shoreibah), tonight at 7 p.m. at the Resident Life Center of Blazer Hall.

  • CAIR: Muslim Group Asks for Federal Investigation of Death Threats in North Carolina

• CAIR-FL: Immigration Bans to Be Topic at Tampa Panel Discussion

CAIR-SFBA: SF Day of Remembrance Marks 75th Anniversary of Internment Order

***  

• American Muslim Travelers Are Quietly Having Global Entry Privileges Revoked
  
  As the Trump administration gears up to issue a new executive order regulating international travel following the legal challenge to its initial travel restrictions, some Muslim travelers outside the seven countries targeted by the ban, including naturalized U.S. citizens and green card holders, are indicating that their Global Entry status has been revoked.
  
  
• Tennessee State Senator Says Muslims Moving to Bible Belt for 'Jihad,' 'Infiltrating Churches'
  • GA: GOP Congressional Candidate Will 'End Muslim Immigration,' Fundraising Email Says
• Video: CAIR Calls on Feds to Probe Threat to 'Kill' U.S. Muslims
  • CAIR: Muslim Group Asks for Federal Investigation of Death Threats in N.C.
• CAIR-WA: Japanese Internment Anniversary - What Happened and Why Trump's Travel Ban Angers Civil Rights Groups 75 Years Later
  • Video: CAIR-Austin Joins 'Know Your Rights' Potluck for Immigrants

BREAKING NEWS:

CAIR Urges Stepped-Up Protection for Alabama Mosques Following Email Threats

(BIRMINGHAM, AL, 2/19/17) � The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama) today called for stepped-up police protection for the state's Muslim community following emailed threats received by the Birmingham Islamic Society and Huntsville Islamic Center.

Both organizations reported the threats to local law enforcement, the Department of Justice office in North Alabama and the FBI. 

CAIR-Alabama said the emails, with the subject line "YOUR ONE WARNING, stated in part, (grammatical and spelling errors maintained) ". . .MUZLIMS MEXICANS BLACKS WE WILL HUNTED NATION WIDE UNTIL ARE ARE DEAD OR GONE. . .PLAN TO RUN OR DIE, THIS IS A KINDNESS THAT WE GIVE YOU ALL WARNING, TAKE IT AND GO ."

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization believes the emailed threats may be part of a mass mailing to mosques nationwide and is urging Islamic institutions to report any such threats to local police and to CAIR at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

"We are coordinating with law enforcement authorities to reach out to Muslim community leaders to ensure additional safety measures at this time of increased anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide," said CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed. 

She added: "CAIR-Alabama also condemned the rhetoric that continues to embolden bigotry and Islamophobia leading to threats of terrorism such as these against Muslim, Jewish, African-American, and Latino communities. The Muslim community continues to receive support and cooperation from local law enforcement agencies."

"Hate and threats will make us firm in our resolution to fight hate with love.  We will take every opportunity to combat fear-mongering and build alliances and coalition that will give voices to all marginalized communities," said Birmingham Islamic Society President Ashfaq Taufiq.

"America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL as guaranteed by the constitution we cherish. We will work together to show the world, by example, how to live and love the diversity we find in this land we call home and defeat the forces of fear and bigotry that are trying to tear us apart. United we are strong," said Huntsville Islamic Center President Mateen Muhammad.

CAIR has noted an unprecedented spike in hate rhetoric and bias-motivated incidents targeting American Muslims and other minorities since the election of President Trump.

Yesterday, CAIR urged state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged call to violence against American Muslims during a meeting of hate groups in North Carolina.

Video: CAIR Calls on Feds to Probe Threat to 'Kill' U.S. Muslims

Last month, CAIR condemned a terror attack on a Canadian mosque by a suspect who had expressed anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments on social media. Six worshipers were killed in the attack and 17 others were wounded.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Terror Attack on Canadian Mosque, Urges U.S. Muslims to Take Security Measures

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, The number of anti-Muslim groups in the United States tripled between 2015 and 2016.

Report: Anti-Muslim Groups Triple in U.S. Amid Trump Hate Rhetoric

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.

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-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed, 205-313-6489, or 334-224-2196 kHadeed@cair.com

***

 

• Video: CAIR Joins in Remembrance of Japanese American Internment During WWII
  • Video: Mosque Open House to Feature CAIR-Missouri Speaker

BREAKING NEWS:

CAIR Calls on Feds to Probe Call to Violence Against U.S. Muslims at N.C. Meeting of Hate Groups

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/18/17) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged call to violence against American Muslims during a meeting of hate groups in North Carolina.

According to media reports, a "consortium of tea partiers, patriot groups and other conservative activists" met Thursday at a restaurant in Kernersville, N.C., to hear a presentation on "a supposed Muslim plot to conquer the United States."

The presentation on the "Islamization of America" included "frequent interruptions about supposed Muslim treachery paired with testimonials about preparedness for violent confrontation and even expressions of readiness to kill Muslims."

One meeting participant allegedly asked the presenter for recommendations about how to stop "Islamization," then added, "Because my only recommendation is to start killing the hell out them." That same person allegedly stated: "I'm ready to start taking people out." He replied, "Shed some blood, too," in response to the presenter's call to "shed some light" on the issue.

SEE: Local Conservative Activists Prepare for Violent Confrontation with Islam (Includes Audio of Presentation)

In response to the reported call to kill Muslims, a member of the hate group ACT for America allegedly stated: "I can understand that. But we're not there yet." ACT for America's anti-Muslim bigotry was highlighted recently in a Washington Post exposé.

SEE: This group believes Islam threatens America: 'It's a spiritual battle of good and evil.'

"Calls to violence against members of any minority group warrant a criminal investigation by state law enforcement authorities and the FBI," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We call on President Trump to repudiate the growing bigotry in our nation targeting Muslims, Hispanics, immigrants, refugees, and other minority groups."

He said CAIR has noted an unprecedented spike in hate rhetoric and bias-motivated incidents targeting American Muslims and other minorities since the election of President Trump.

Last month, CAIR condemned a terror attack on a Canadian mosque by a suspect who had expressed anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments on social media. Six worshipers were killed in the attack and 17 others were wounded.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Terror Attack on Canadian Mosque, Urges U.S. Muslims to Take Security Measures

Hooper noted that, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, The number of anti-Muslim groups in the United States tripled between 2015 and 2016.

Report: Anti-Muslim Groups Triple in U.S. Amid Trump Hate Rhetoric

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.

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

***

• New CAIR Employment Opportunities in DC
  
  Legal Assistant/Paralegal
  Trial Attorney
  Staff Attorney
• CAIR: Anti-Muslim Hate Group Claims 'Direct Line' to Trump (Washington Post)
  
  Stephen K. Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart who has described Muslim American groups as "cultural jihadists" bent on destroying American society, is Trump's chief strategist. Breitbart has published several articles Gabriel has written. Trump's CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, has spoken at ACT's conferences and sponsored an ACT meeting at the Capitol last year.
  
  Retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who sits on ACT's board of advisers, served as the president's national security adviser before stepping down after revelations that he might have violated the law in communications with a Russian diplomat.
  • CAIR: Who Is the Woman Who Finances the Anti-Muslim Refugee Movement?
    
    Foundation disclosures show that Rosenwald, through a foundation called the Abstraction Fund, has donated more than $10.8 million from 2010 through 2015 to groups identified by the Council on American-Islamic Relations as "Islamophobic." Through two other foundations controlled by Rosenwald and her family � including one named after her father � she has donated an additional $2.8 million to anti-Muslim activists since 2001.
• CAIR-LA: Hate Crimes Rose in Orange County After November Election, Commission Says
  
  Ojaala Ahmad, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles, blamed much of the problem on Trump.
  
  "We attribute it to the fact that people like Trump. . .have created a safe haven for bigots," Ahmad said. "Because someone in a higher office has spoken about these prejudices, it's emboldened bigots to act upon their prejudices."
• CAIR-MN: District to Host Meetings for Immigrant and Refugee Families
  
  MPS is hosting the meetings in conjunction with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, the Somali American Parent Association and Navigate MN. Visit mpls.k12.mn.us for more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks White House Clarification on DHS Proposal to Use National Guard for Immigration Roundups

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/17/17) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Trump administration to clarify the origins and current status of a draft U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal to mobilize National Guard troops to round up millions of undocumented immigrants.

According to The Associated Press (AP), a document that bears the name of DHS Secretary John Kelly and was addressed to the heads of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), calls for the militarization of immigration enforcement in 11 states. A White House spokesperson said the report was "not a White House document." A DHS official described the proposal as an early draft. AP reported that it sought comment from the White House on Thursday and from DHS on Friday, but had not received a response from either.

AP: DHS Weighed Nat Guard for Immigration Roundups

In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:

"The proposed use of our nation's military personnel in such a manner is eerily reminiscent of the dark days of World War II when Japanese Americans faced similar treatment.

"If this proposal is ever implemented, we urge state governors to use their executive authority and discretion to withhold deployment of National Guard units to round up undocumented immigrants, and to instead provide sanctuary to those targeted by federal actions.

"There is simply no justification for using such excessive force to round up and deport people, including the relatives of American citizens, who have not demonstrated that they a danger to this country.

"We urge the Trump administration to clarify the origin of this un-American proposal and to state unambiguously whether it is currently under consideration for implementation.

"By initially refusing to respond to media inquiries on this issue, government officials have created an unnecessary and counterproductive sense of panic in immigrant communities."

Muslim community members who believe their rights have been violated are being asked to contact local police and 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.

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 Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

***

• CAIR Event in Colorado: Challenging Islamophobia & Protecting Civil Rights

• CAIR-Chicago to React to Bomb Threat Targeting Des Plaines Mosque
  
  TODAY, Thursday, February 16, the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) will hold a press conference at the Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines (ICC Des Plaines) to discuss a bomb threat that was made by a trespasser yesterday against that Muslim congregation.
  
  Video footage taken by the security camera and photographs taken by bystanders show a white, middle-aged man carrying a backpack trespassing into ICC Des Plaines. It is reported he told one of the Muslim bystanders that "everything here will be blown up by Friday," the day of weekly congregation prayers.

• CAIR Welcomes Guilty Verdict for Tenn. Man Who Planned Attack on NY Muslims
  
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a guilty verdict in the trial of a Tennessee man who planned to attack a Muslim community in upstate New York.
  
  Robert Doggart, 65, was found guilty of all charges, including solicitation to commit a civil rights violation, solicitation to commit arson of a building and making a threat in interstate commerce, for the planned attack on a Muslim community in Hancock, N.Y., called Islamberg.
  
  "We welcome this verdict and hope it will serve as a deterrent to anyone who may contemplate acts of violence targeting American Muslims or any other minority group," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

  • Tulsa Man Accused of Killing Lebanese Neighbor Pleads Insanity

• CAIR Condemns 'Trump' Vandalism in Maryland County
  
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned several cases of vandalism reported in Howard County, Md., at least two of which involved the word "Trump" being spray-painted on vehicles.
  
  One of the families whose vehicle was vandalized identifies as Hispanic, and family members are concerned that they were targeted because of their national origin, even though they are legal residents.

  • CAIR: Spike in Sacramento-Area Anti-Muslim Hate Incidents Coincides with Trump Travel Ban

  • Video: Hate Poster Prompts CAIR-NJ Call for Protection of Rutgers Muslim Students

  • CAIR: Southern Poverty Law Center Records Rise in Anti-Muslim Hate Groups
    
    CORLEY: The count for anti-Muslim hate groups went up by nearly 200 percent, from 34 groups in 2015 to 101 in 2016. Ibrahim Hooper is with the Council of American-Islamic Relations.
    
    IBRAHIM HOOPER: Unfortunately, what we've seen over particularly the past year and during the presidential campaign was the mainstreaming of Islamophobia.

• CAIR Welcomes Maryland Vote Expanding AG's Power to Sue Trump Administration
  
  The joint resolution allows Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration for actions that are deemed to infringe on Marylanders' rights or access to health care, civil liberties, economic security, environment, immigration or international travel.

 

***

• CAIR: What Are Your Rights if Border Agents Want to Search Your Phone? (NY Times)

• CAIR: Sacramento Mosque Opens Doors to Oroville Dam Evacuees

• CAIR-Sacramento Welcomes Arrest in Davis Islamic Center Hate Vandalism Case

  • CA: Davis Police Announce Arrest in Davis Mosque Vandalism

• Video: CAIR-FL Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Hate Vandalism

  • CAIR-MA: Man Pleads Guilty to Threat to Burn Boston's Largest Mosque (Reuters)

  • Tenn. Man Who Plotted NY Mosque Attack Won't Face Terror Charges

  • CAIR-MN: Racial Slur Spray-Painted on Oakdale Home
    
    

• CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Anti-Muslim Signs Posted on Louisiana Mosque by White Supremacist Group
  
  Vandals posted two signs on the Islamic Association of Greater Shreveport, also known as Masjid Al Noor, in Bossier City, stating "Imagine a Muslim-free America" and referencing what appears to be a white supremacist website.

  • CAIR-NJ Calls for Stepped-Up Security for Muslim Students at Rutgers Due to Hate Poster
    
    The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called for increased security for Muslim students after a poster calling for a "Muslim-Free America" was found yesterday taped to the wall of a building on the Rutgers University campus that is used by Muslim students for programs and daily prayers.

  • CAIR-NJ: White Supremacist Group's Poster Found on Rutgers Campus

• DC: CAIR Rep to Join NJ Congressional Delegation at Meeting with Muslim Leaders to Address Immigration Concerns, Growing Islamophobia
  
  Later today, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Robert McCaw will join Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Jr., Leonard Lance, Albio Sires, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Donald Payne, Jr. to hear from constituents statewide on the impact of the now-halted travel ban and the growing concerns of safety in their communities.

  • CAIR to Join CASA, Community Partners to Condemn ICE Raid in Baltimore
    
    Later today, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will join CASA - a Latino and immigrant organization - and community partners to condemn an open-air U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that took place recently in Baltimore's Highlandtown neighborhood.

• CAIR-Missouri to Announce Discrimination Motion Filed Against North County City for Denying Muslim
  
  On Wednesday, February 15, the Law Offices of Jay Kanzler and the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MO) will hold a news conference to discuss a lawsuit against a North County mayor who allegedly denied an Arab Muslim family a business license based on their faith and ethnicity.

• CAIR-Georgia to Host Feb. 18 Banquet Featuring DC Women's March Organizer Linda Sarsour
  
  On Saturday, February 18, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) plans to host its annual banquet featuring Linda Sarsour, a national Muslim activist and a key organizer of the post-inaugural Women's March on Washington.

 

***

CAIR Welcomes Resignation of Islamophobic Trump Adviser Michael Flynn

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/13/17) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight welcomed the resignation of Michael Flynn as President Trump's national security adviser following revelations that he misled administration officials about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

SEE: Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser

CAIR previously urged the president not to appoint Flynn to a White House post because of his history of anti-Muslim comments and associations. Flynn has claimed that "Islam is not a real religion, but a political ideology masked behind a religion," compared Islam to a "cancer," stated that fear of Muslims is "rational," and is a current member of the board of advisers for the nation's most virulent anti-Muslim hate group, ACT for America.

SEE: CAIR Asks Trump Not to Appoint General Who Called Islam 'a Cancer' as National Security Adviser

"We welcome Michael Flynn's resignation and hope it is followed by that of all the other anti-Muslim bigots currently formulating domestic and international policies in the White House, including Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Sebastian and Katharine Gorka," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Our nation is best served by those who base their policy recommendations on facts, not fear."

Awad added that Flynn should be replaced by a career professional with rational views toward our national security challenges, not an ideologue.

SEE: How the Anti-Muslim Fringe Conquered the White House
I Told Steve Bannon: 'We Are Not At War With Islam.' He Disagreed.
Meet Stephen Miller, The Trump Aide Who Helped Draft the Muslim Ban
The Islamophobic Husband-And-Wife Team Driving Trump's National Security Policy

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.

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

***

• How the Anti-Muslim Fringe Conquered the White House
  
  Senior strategist Steve Bannon is a devotee of Gaffney's ideas, as are National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Trump's political adviser, Kellyanne Conway, has done polling for Gaffney designed to illustrate the scale of the threat Muslims pose to America. . .
  
  These ideas, ideas which when taken to their logical conclusion end in a mass campaign of persecution targeting Muslim Americans, are now the dominant approach to terrorism among the president's closest advisers.

  • I Told Steve Bannon: 'We Are Not at War with Islam.' He Disagreed. (Huffington Post)
    
    Bannon is of the belief that, if Europe is to be saved, there is no way to avoid armed conflict. The power of Islam cannot be stopped by peaceful means. In short, Bannon told me in no uncertain terms that the West is at war with Islam.

  • Meet Stephen Miller, The Trump Aide Who Helped Draft the Muslim Ban
    
    Much like most of his peers in the Trump Administration, Stephen Miller is a white nationalist who has become an influential voice in the West Wing. . .
    
    He also wrote a column entitled "A Time to Kill" for his school newspaper in an effort to spark fears against those who follow Islam.
    
    "We have all heard about how peaceful and benign the Islamic religion is, but no matter how many times you say that, it cannot change the fact that millions of radical Muslims would celebrate your death for the simple reason that you are Christian, Jewish or American," he wrote.
    
    When he got to Duke University, Miller continued writing columns with undertones of white supremacy.

  • CAIR: The Islamophobic Husband-and-Wife Team Driving Trump's National Security Policy (Politico)

• Video: CAIR-CT Rep Joins Sen. Blumenthal, Interfaith Leaders to Condemn Trump's Muslim Ban

• Anti-Muslim Leaders Urge Trump to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization
  
  Once again taking its cues from the anti-Muslim movement, the Trump Administration is reportedly weighing options to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization.
  
  

• Texas: Anti-Muslim Flier at UT Being Taken Down

  • Anti-Muslim, Immigration Fliers Found on UT Campus

  • MN: 'Mr. Basketball' Boss Under Fire for Anti-Muslim Tweets

• CAIR-MN Condemns Hate Vandalism Targeting Asian Family
  
  The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today condemned hate vandalism targeting an Asian-American family in that state.
  
  Vandals defaced the Oakdale, Minn., family's garage with a crude anti-Asian slur. A car in the driveway was also vandalized.

• CAIR-FL Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Hate Vandalism
  
  The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today expressed solidarity with that state's Jewish community after a Nazi swastika was painted on a vehicle in a predominately Orthodox Jewish neighborhood near Boca Raton, Fla., this past weekend.

 

***

• CAIR-Chicago: News of Immigration Raids Intensifies Fears
  
  Patel has been directing the families, now concerned about the raids, to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He's also inviting immigration lawyers to an informational meeting next month for families with questions about their rights.
  • CAIR: Immigration Activists Dispel Rumors Ignited By Trump Orders But Warn Dallas Residents to Be Prepared
    
    On Saturday a crowd gathered at the Kessler United Methodist Church to listen and then receive individual time with attorneys. They included the new civil rights director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR.
• CAIR: Trump's Plan to Declare Muslim Brotherhood a Terror Group is About Going After American Muslims
  
  Robert McCaw, director of government affairs for the Council of American-Islamic Relations, said in an email that designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization is the Trump administration's strategy to carry out McCarthyesque witch hunts on Muslim leaders and organizations within the United States.
  
  "In pushing this designation, Islamophobic hate groups and their congressional allies are seeking to create a new era of witch hunts and religious McCarthyism where being an American Muslim and political detractor is enough to disqualify you from civic participation," McCaw said.
  • Bloomberg Editorial Board: Don't Put the Muslim Brotherhood on the Terrorist List
    
    
• CAIR: A US-born NASA Scientist Was Detained at the Border Until He Unlocked His Phone
  
  In January, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed complaints against CBP for demanding that Muslim American citizens give up their social media information when they return home from overseas. And there's evidence that that kind of treatment could become commonplace for foreign travelers.
• CAIR: Basketball Players May Soon be Able to Wear Religious Headgear
  
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), together with 50 other inter-faith organizations jointly requested the FIBA to revise its rules so that Muslim, Jewish and Sikh players could participate in the games at a professional level. This was backed by an intense, two-year long study, which brought out a report on the impact of exceptions that were allowed at domestic level.
• Video: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Trump Supporter's Vandalism of Ohio Mosque as a Hate Crime
  • CA: Supporters of Muslim Ban Hold Rally Near San Diego Mosque
    
    

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ADC Reaffirms Position on CVE/CIV; Prepares for Legal Fight

Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | February 13, 2017 - ADC reaffirms our steadfast opposition to the government program known as Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).  Since the inception of the program ADC has never wavered on our opposition to the program in its entirety. As the Trump administration works to make troubling changes to the program, ADC is preparing for a legal fight. We will not stand by as our government continues to criminalize the Arab and Muslim American communities. Unfortunately, CVE is made possible because of the assistance from Arab and Muslim community organizations. It is time for these organizations to stand on principle and disconnect themselves form CVE related programs. 

In January a number of community organizations were awarded grants to conduct CVE and surveillance programs across the country. This past summer ADC came out unequivocally against the grant program, and urged community organizations against applying. Notwithstanding our warnings and concerns a number of organizations did apply for the funding. Despite coming at the 11th hour, some organizations are heeding to public pressure and rejecting the grant money. Some have yet to reject the money, clearly putting financial interests over the interest of the community. 

Those who have rejected the money must work to regain the trust of the community. Organizations must be transparent with the community and provide a detailed explanation as to their involvement in CVE programs. Additionally, they should release a copy of the grant application submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These organizations must immediately suspend any and all activity pertaining to government led CVE programs. 

Finally, there have been reports that the Trump administration will change the name of the program to Countering Islamic Violence (CIV). This signals an outward and public acknowledgment that the program targets Arab and Muslim Americans. The focus on the community goes beyond a name change. Continued implementation of the program will contribute to the ongoing chilling effect on the Arab and Muslim communities. ADC has begun reviewing all legal options aimed at challenging continued implementation of the CVE/CIV program. 

Attorneys who are interested in assisting in the pending legal action can fill out this form to learn about next steps and how you can be involved. 

You can read more about ADC's work on CVE by clicking here. 

 

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Council on American-Islamic Relations

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

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