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Islamophobia in the United States, a CAIR Report, November 11-16, 2014





CAIR-Minnesota Asks FBI to Stop Recruiting Informants in Mosques

The head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS she would like the FBI to stop visiting Mosques to ask Muslims to spy on each other.

Lori Saroya, CAIR-Minnesota Executive Director, speaking on behalf of other Muslims who do not wish to come forward on this issue, says "the FBI has visited every Mosque in the Twin Cities area and in most mosques across Minnesota asking Muslims to become informants."

Saroya says CAIR wants to cooperate with the FBI and says "we, as Muslims, have a religious and civic duty to report information about possible crimes, to law enforcement and we will." But, Saroya says when FBI agents show up at mosques it is intimidating and creates an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.

For background, see: FBI Approaching U.S. Mosque Leaders for Questioning

Lori-FBI-MN


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CAIR-MI, ADC Michigan to File Federal Suit Over Denial of Service to Muslim Woman

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee-Michigan (ADC-MI) will hold a joint news conference in Inkster, Mich., to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against Advance America Cash Advance for denying a Muslim and Arab-American woman money order services at one of its locations. At the time of the press conference, a video clip of the incident will be made available.

WHAT: Press Conference to Announce Lawsuit Against Advance America Cash Advance
WHERE: Advance America, 27353 Cherry Hill Rd, Inkster, MI 48141
WHEN: Wednesday, November 12, 10 a.m.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com; ADC Michigan Director Fatina Abdrabboh, 313-510-5832, E-Mail: Fatina@adc.org; Akeel & Valentine, PLC Attorney Shereef Akeel, 248-269-9595, E-Mail: shereef@akeelvalentine.com
CAIR: Is there anything in Islam that would prevent a devout follower from standing for the national anthem? (Deseret News)

In a word, no, one Islamic group says. "When this came up in 1996, we consulted with Islamic scholars, who said there was no prohibition" of patriotic rituals in the religion, Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, said from Washington. Hooper added, "saying that it doesn't violate Islamic principles doesn't take away anyone's right to freedom of expression it would be their personal choice and not something mandated by the faith."
CAIR-Philadelphia: Black Women and Islam

Other Philadelphia Black Muslim women activists, in addition to Auston and Simmons, include Kateria Moore, who sits on the executive committee of the local chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and doctoral candidate Kameelah Mu'Min Rashad, the Interfaith Fellow and Muslim Chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the Muslim Wellness Foundation.

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Video: CAIR-MI, ADC-MI File Federal Suit Against Advance America Over Hijab Ban CAIR-MI and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee-Michigan (ADC-MI) today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against Advance America Cash Advance (Advance America) for denying a Muslim and Arab-American woman money order services at one of its locations.   CAIR 'Disappointed' with Md. School Board's Decision on Muslim Holidays CAIR today expressed "disappointment" with the Montgomery County Public Schools' Board of Education's decision to remove reference to all religious holidays from the 2015-16 school calendar rather than accommodate CAIR and the Equality for Eid Coalition's request to grant Muslim holidays equal billing as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. CAIR-OK: The Challenge of Islamophobia in Oklahoma Workshops at the Islamic Society of Tulsa on Saturday November 15 featuring CAIR's Hussam Ayloush and Zahra Billoo. Photo: Almost 2,000 Turn Out to Hear Nobel Laureate at CAIR-LA Banquet Almost 2,000 people turned out on Saturday at the Anaheim Hilton to hear Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman speak at the 18th annual banquet of the Greater Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) CAIR: Muslim Friday Prayer to Be Offered At National Cathedral The event is being held with South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim Public Affairs Council and The Nation's Mosque.

CAIR Launches 'Unite Humanity' Initiative to Bring Americans Together

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/12/2014)

"The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today launched its "Unite Humanity" initiative to bring Americans together through positive community-based actions.

SEE: Unite Humanity Campaign Portal

CAIR's online initiative is designed to show that the collective national ideal of valuing diversity and uplifting neighborhoods is more powerful than the destructive forces that seek to generalize entire faith traditions due to the misguided actions of few.   The objective of CAIR's Unite Humanity campaign is to facilitate and raise awareness of interfaith and community-based partnerships between groups representing diverse beliefs and backgrounds by highlighting the joint service projects these groups are carrying out together. 

Unite Humanity is a web portal through which Americans of all faiths and backgrounds may inform others of their local service projects or find service projects to join.

CAIR's portal includes a community calendar, a social media campaign and a series of services CAIR offers to help connect groups performing community service.

"Through 'Unite Humanity,' we hope to increase public awareness of the positive actions of American Muslims and their community partners and to assist communities in organizing and launching cooperative public service projects," said CAIR Outreach and Events Manager Lauren Schreiber. "By coming together to overcome negative narratives, this campaign will provide a collective voice rooted in service."

ACTIONS REQUESTED:

Go to CAIR's Unite Humanity portal and 1) submit an existing service project, and/or 2) join the campaign by taking part in existing projects.

GO TO: Unite Humanity Campaign Portal

You may also download the CAIR resource guide for planning and increasing public awareness of collaborative service projects.

GO TO: Unite Humanity Toolkit

The toolkit contains information about possible service projects and partners, about planning and holding a service project and about promoting your service project. It also contains advice on media relations best practices, a resource list of national service organizations and an event planning checklist.

For other questions about the campaign or about scheduling a training, contact events@cair.com.

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

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CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Anti-Islam Hate Vandalism in St. Paul CAIR-MN today called on the FBI to investigate anti-Islam vandalism apparently targeting Muslims in a St. Paul neighborhood as a hate crime. Neighbors contacted CAIR-MN to report that someone wrote "F*** Islam" using motor oil near the driveway of a home. Islamophobia Watch: Louisiana Pro-Veteran TV Segment Turns to Bigotry Against 'Middle Eastern' Business Owners, Clerks The anti-Islamic flavor was evident at the Wednesday demonstration as well. . ."I am doing this because I do not support un-Americans," he said. Asked precisely what he meant by the phrase, Sargent wasted no time with his answer. "These people. Muslims. Let's get to the point here."

Video: Louisiana TV Host Tells 'Foreign' Business Owners to 'Change Faith' or Move Out Islamophobia Watch: "Ma'am, please don't hate me because I look like a Muslim" Most said they were there without consideration of race or religion, though slurs like "pig's blood and Muslims don't mix" were also uttered by some.

Video: CAIR-MI Backs Muslim Woman Denied Service Because of Hijab Video: CAIR Rep Interviewed on Denial of Muslim School Holidays in Maryland

CAIR: Maryland School District Scraps Religious Names on Calendar (AP) Video: CNN Airs CAIR Statement on Md. Denial of Muslim School Holidays

CAIR-LA: Muslim, Civil Rights Leaders to Comment on Meeting with DHS Director  CAIR-LA, along with leaders of other civil rights and Muslim organizations, held a media availability following a meeting with DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson at the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley in Rowland Heights.

DOJ's Countering Violent Extremism Program Ripe for Abuse (Slate)

Video: CAIR-SFBA Rep Expresses Concern About Drone Surveillance-State

CAIR-SFBA: Surveillance-State Worries Fly at Drone Hearing

CAIR: Islam and Hollywood CAIR: U.S. Muslims' Initiative to Unite Humanity

CAIR Video Calls Out Fox News' Faux 'Condemn Islamic Extremism' Challenge to Muslim Leaders

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/13/14) --

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today issued a public video response to Fox News for demanding that an American Muslim leader come on the network to condemn "Islamic Extremism" and then failing to interview a leader who accepted that challenge.

On October 6, Fox News Host Greta Van Susteren issued an on-air challenge, stating:

"So here's my offer. I will give any Muslim leader of national or international stature the platform right here 'On the Record' to condemn Islamic extremism and to make a call to arms of every Muslim leader of every mosque to do the same. Condemn Islamic extremism." Despite CAIR's immediate agreement to have its National Executive Director Nihad Awad appear on her program to repeat the American Muslim community's consistent condemnation of religious extremism and terrorism, Van Susteren's producers changed the terms of the challenge and ultimately dropped Awad's appearance.

In the video, CAIR's Awad states in part:

"Time after time, we hear Fox hosts and commentators calling for Muslim leaders to speak out, asking where the Muslim condemnations of terrorism and religious extremism are.

"That's a good question. Where are those condemnations? The answer?

"Those condemnations are in the in-boxes of Fox staffers. CAIR has more than 170 email addresses belonging to Fox News hosts, producers and reporters on our media list. "Every time CAIR issues a statement or a press release, it is sent to all those email addresses. Fox News crews often show up to our press conferences, take notes, record video, and then leave, and the footage never makes it to air. "So the real question is, why isn't Fox News telling its viewers the truth?"

Watch CAIR's video calling Fox News out on this apparently fake challenge and outlining the network's consistent pattern of ignoring Muslim condemnations of extremism and terrorism.

WATCH THE VIDEO.

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.

***

Video: CAIR Board Chair Roula Allouch Speaking Prior to Friday Prayers Today at Washington National Cathedral CAIR: Fox's Greta Van Susteren Changes Tune on Fake 'Condemn Extremism' Challenge - Now Claims She Only Wanted Local Leader (Washington Times) Fox News is being criticized for issuing a challenge for Muslim leaders to condemn "Islamic extremism," and then refusing to let any leaders from the Muslim community come on the network to participate in the challenge.

CAIR: Muslim Community Denounces Fox News Bigotry Against Islam CAIR Video: Why Won't Fox News Tells Its Viewers About Muslim Condemnations of Terrorism and Religious Extremism?

CAIR: Clergy Prepare Their Sanctuaries and Prayers Ahead of the Ferguson Grand Jury Decision Dawud Walid, the Detroit-based executive director of the Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and a co-founder of#Muslims4Ferguson, said the latter network of spiritual leaders and activists had a representative on the ground in St. Louis and was preparing its response. Hassan Shibly: CAIR Strikes Right Balance Between Protecting Security, Liberty Just as taking precautionary measures to protect our security is reasonable, taking precautionary measures to protect our rights is also reasonable. That is why CAIR's recommendation of having legal counsel present when talking to law enforcement is the right balance. Neither liberty nor security is sacrificed. Instead, both are protected.

CAIR-MN: Suspicions Grow as FBI's MN Terror Probe Churns (MPR) "The problem is that people don't know what to report," said Lori Saroya, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Her office has fielded calls from Muslims worried about possible extremists or even government informants in their midst.

CAIR-LA: Homeland Security Chief Touts Cooperation with Muslims (PE) Corona's Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the greater Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and one of the Muslim leaders with whom Johnson met, gave Johnson credit for meeting with area Muslims.

CAIR-LA: L.A. Groups Criticize White House Program on Extremism (LA Times) In the statement, groups that include the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Civil Liberties Union said the U.S. government had been less than forthcoming with details about the program and raised concerns that it would lead to religious profiling and stigmatization and infringe on the rights of the Muslim community. CAIR-LA: DHS Head Aims to Build Trust in L.A. Muslim Community (LA Times)

CAIR-MN: Anti-Muslim Graffiti in St. Paul Prompts Call for FBI Probe (MPR)

Video: CAIR-MN Seeks Probe into St. Paul Anti-Islam Vandalism Video: CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Anti-Islam Hate Vandalism

CAIR: Facing Race Bus Tour Shows Dallas Stories of Struggle, Hope (Dallas MN) Alia Salem, executive director of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, described the group's battles against phobias about Islam. Hate crimes and other vitriol have combined to intimidate Muslims, she said, who often hope that staying quiet will allow trouble to pass by.

 Video: CAIR Rep Interviewed by Al Jazeera America About Md. Denial of Muslim School Holidays

CAIR: Maryland School District Erases Religious Holidays From Calendar

Debate Over Sharia Panel Riles CPAC Organizers (Slate)

 
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Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003

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

CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com

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Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah & ccun.org.

editor@aljazeerah.info & editor@ccun.org