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    Muslim American News Briefs, September 19, 2007

* Hadith: A Man of Paradise
            - CAIR-OH: Carving Out Time for God
* Action: Urge Congress to Restore Detention Challenge
* CAIR-OH: Ohio Muslims Assaulted Outside Mosque
            - Florida Mosque Targeted by Vandals
* CAIR-AZ: Tempe Mosque Reports 9/11 Harassment (AZ Rep)
            - CAIR-NY: Police Probing 'All Avenues' in Bias Attack
            - TX: Mosque Shooting Probe Expands
* CAIR-OK Takes Part in Interfaith Dinner
* Muslim Student Group Launches 'Peace Not Prejudice' Campaign
* Qatar: Exhibit on American Muslim History Opens
* CA: Muslim, Mormon, Jew Cooperate to Recover Torah Ark
            - DC: Muslim University Chaplain Ministering to Faithful
* Muslim Rep to Join Rabbi in Living on $21 for a Week (AP)
* US Says Israel Harasses Arab-Americans (Haaretz)
            - IA: Time to Stop Painting Israel as Good Guy (DM Reg)

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HADITH OF THE DAY: A MAN OF PARADISE - TOP

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said: "Tell me of a deed that will make me enter Paradise if I carry it out." The Prophet replied: "Worship God, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five daily prayers) perfectly, pay the charity you owe (zakat), and fast (during) the month of Ramadan." The man then said: "I will not do more than this." When the man left, the Prophet said: "Whoever would like to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at that man."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 480

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-OH: CARVING OUT TIME FOR GOD - TOP
Asma Mobin-Uddin, Religion News Service, 9/17/07
http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/278875.html

[Asma Mobin-Uddin is the board chairwoman for the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). A version of this column first appeared in the Columbus Post-Dispatch.]

Busy with the worldly demands of our hectic lives, many of us leave the deepest needs of the human heart unattended. For Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan, which began this year Sept. 13, is a time to subjugate the needs of the body to tend to the needs of the heart.

During Ramadan, the call of the heart and its longing for connection with God take precedence.

Every year before Ramadan starts, I am filled with anticipation, hope and usually some apprehension. I wonder if I will be able to meet the demands of the daily fast. Abstinence from all food and drink - even water - is required during daylight hours. Even in a state of hunger and fatigue, a fasting person must do his or her best to be patient, avoid harshness with anyone, show compassion and mercy to others, give of time and wealth in charity and avoid any falsehood or bad deed.

Yet each year, I quickly realize that the greatest challenges of this month lie not in the physical abstinence but in the struggle to improve my character.

Muslims believe that during Ramadan, God provides tremendous support, love, mercy and forgiveness for those struggling to attain piety and nearness to him. During Ramadan, Muslims believe God binds the forces of evil so their negative influences on people are restrained. With the gates of God's swung wide open, even the smallest acts of goodness are rewarded exponentially.

What I cherish most about Ramadan are the opportunities for quiet moments in solitude with God. The stillness of the morning before dawn provides a perfect setting for communication with God. In a silence far removed from the frenzied pace of the day, with intimacy, I pour out my soul's thoughts to God. In those moments of devotion, I deeply sense God's love and compassion. (MORE)

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CAIR ACTION ALERT #516: CALL CONGRESS TO RESTORE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE DETENTION - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/18/2007) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to urge their elected officials to protect individuals from arbitrary detention.

Long regarded as one of the most effective safeguards of liberty, habeas corpus is the right of anyone imprisoned by the government to demand a show of evidence to convince a judge there is a reason for the detention.

The Military Commissions Act (MCA), hastily passed prior to last year's election, strips habeas corpus from every non-U.S. citizen, including legal U.S. residents.

The Senate is expected to consider restoring this important safeguard for challenging arbitrary detention this week. Soon both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee will consider similar measures.

"The right to challenge your detention before a judge is a cherished aspect of American liberty," said CAIR National legislative Director Corey Saylor. "What is good for American citizens should be good for everyone, and that is the standard we must project to the world."

Call your elected officials and remind them that each individual must have the right to challenge their detention before a judge.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1. CONTACT your elected officials (one US Representative and 2 US Senators) and ask them to restore habeas corpus.

Click here to find your representative:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

Talking points:

US REPRESENTATIVE: As your constituent, I urge you to support H.R. 2826, which would restore the right to habeas corpus that was stripped by the Military Commissions Act.

US SENATOR: As your constituent, I urge you to support the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act.

* This right is enshrined in the Constitution. It was put there by the Founding Fathers and should remain as they wished it.

* Imprisoning people for years without giving them a right to challenge that detention is a stain on America's reputation. I hope the congressperson will act quickly to remove that stain.

2. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by forwarding this release to at least five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the same.

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OHIO MUSLIMS ASSAULTED OUTSIDE MOSQUE - TOP
Rocks thrown at worshippers attending Ramadan prayers

(COLUMBUS, OH, 9/18/07) - The Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for an attack on Muslim worshippers at a Columbus mosque.

CAIR-OH says the worshippers were attacked as they attended prayers Friday night at Masjid As-Sahaaba marking the month-long fast of Ramadan. According to the police report, the attackers shouted "derogatory statements" and then began throwing rocks, injuring one person in the back and smashing two windows on the front of the mosque. The report states the incident was clearly a "biased attack on Muslim men leaving the mosque after prayer during the Ramadan season."

To view the police report, go to:
http://www.columbuspolice.org/Reports/PublicReport.aspx?case=575331

"We hope that this was not a bias-related attack, but based on the police report, we urge the FBI to investigate this disturbing incident with that possibility in mind," said CAIR-Ohio Staff Attorney Romin Iqbal.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Staff Attorney Romin Iqbal, 614-451-3232, E-Mail: riqbal@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

FLORIDA MOSQUE TARGETED BY VANDALS - TOP

(TAMPA, FL, 9/18/07) - The Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) reported today that a local mosque has been targeted by vandals.

Representatives of the St. Petersburg Islamic Center told CAIR-Tampa that bricks were thrown through mosque windows early Sunday morning. Local police are investigating the incident. CAIR-Tampa is calling on local and national law enforcement authorities to investigate the possibility of a bias motive. The mosque had received harassing phone calls in the past.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506, E-Mail: abedier@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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CAIR-AZ: TEMPE MOSQUE REPORTS 9/11 HARASSMENT - TOP
Eugene Scott, Arizona Republic, 9/17/07
http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/0917tr-islam0919.html

On the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a Tempe imam said three men entered the downtown Tempe mosque and forcefully questioned him about his practices before cursing at him.

"It was fortunate no one was there. These guys came with the intention to insult, attack maybe, do whatever they wanted to do, and weren't afraid of any authority," said Mohammed AbuHannoud, civil rights coordinator for the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

According to Ahmed Shqeirat, the imam at the Islamic Community Center of Tempe, one of the three men entered the prayer hall on the second floor of the mosque at about 3:30 p.m. and asked Shqeirat what he hid in the room. The man was asked to remove his shoes before entering the prayer hall, Shqeirat said, but the man repeated his question while the other two men with him laughed.

Because Shqeirat believed the men wanted trouble he said he told them, "What we are doing here is not your business."

He said he told the man who questioned him that he could call for an appointment if he wanted a tour, but then the man began cursing at him and making profane hand gestures.

The men continued cursing before leaving and making negative comments about Muslim children passing by, Shqeirat said. (MORE)

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-NY: POLICE PROBING 'ALL AVENUES' IN BIAS ATTACK - TOP
Michael Frazier, Newsday, 9/17/07
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-libias0918,0,3685138.story

Nassau police continued searching Monday for two men wanted in a Locust Valley nail salon robbery they say was motivated not only by greed, but also hate, including an attack on the Iranian-born business owner, slurs and anti-Muslim graffiti.

The high-end Givan Nail and Skin Center at The Plaza was robbed about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. The suspects made off with jewelry, police said, and $2,000, according to the owner, Zohreh Assemi.

Assemi, 50, of Bayville, was accosted by the two men and forced inside the business, where they assaulted her. They slammed her head on a counter, shoved a towel in her mouth, repeatedly smashed her hand with a hammer and used a knife and box cutter to slice her face, neck, back and chest.

Last month, Assemi said she began receiving threatening phone calls from people calling her a terrorist and telling her to leave the shopping center, where her salon is located. . .

During the robbery turned hate crime, the men used "anti-Islamic language" and wrote anti-Muslim graffiti on a mirror with a marker, May said. "We are investigating all avenues from the robbery to the assault to the bias incident," he said. . .

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, there was a 9 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes nationwide in 2006. (MORE)

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TX: MOSQUE SHOOTING PROBE EXPANDS - TOP
Time of suspected attack thought to be earlier in day
David Kassabian, Caller-Times, 9/18/07
http://www.caller.com/news/2007/sep/18/mosque-shooting-probe-expands/

A shooting at a Southside mosque on Friday that sent a large-caliber bullet through an interior hallway happened much earlier in the day than originally thought, authorities said Monday.

OsamaBah-loul, imam of the Islamic Society of South Texas at 7341 McArdle Road, said he discovered broken glass above a rear door of the mosque at about 6:10 p.m. Friday. Police first reported the shooting likely happened between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. -- when the building was vacant.

But after police and the FBI conducted interviews during the weekend, at least one person reported hearing gunfire at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, a time authorities now believe the shooting happened, said FBI special agent Patricia Villafranca.

The bullet pierced the top of a metal door frame, traveled about 30 yards down the hall and pierced a window above the back door 10 inches higher than where it entered. Investigators found that a second round struck a metal fence made of spaced rods spanning the mosque's perimeter, Villafranca added.

Corpus Christi Police Chief Bryan Smith said he is convinced the incident is a hate crime instead of a random act.

"To me there are too many coincidences," Smith said. "We found what we think is a round from a high-power rifle that tore through a building that happens to be a mosque at the start of Ramadan." (MORE)

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CAIR-OK TAKES PART IN INTERFAITH DINNER - TOP

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 9/18/07) - The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) recently took part in the Fourth Annual Interfaith Dinner in Oklahoma City hosted by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog.

CAIR-OK officials joined other religious leaders, state representatives and community activists at the dinner. The program began with a proclamation from the House of Representatives congratulating the Institute of Interfaith Dialog for its efforts to bring together people of all faiths in an atmosphere of peace and understanding.

Speakers at the dinner included representatives from the United Methodist Church, the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, state and national government, and the FBI.

Imam Imad Enchassi of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City closed the event with a benediction. He said: "Two words in Islam always come together, righteousness and piety. Righteousness is one's relationship with others and piety is one's relationship with God, and righteousness must come first before piety."

"The collective interfaith-based movement is helping to bring peace and understanding to a world that is plagued by poverty, hatred and ignorance," said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi. "This movement will help to shape a better, brighter future for our children."

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-Mail: rhashmi@cair.com; CAIR-OK Chairperson Lobna Hewedi, E-Mail: lhewedi@cair.com; CAIR-OK Board Member Saad Mohammed, 405-210-4775, E-Mail: islam68@att.net

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MSA LAUNCHES 'PEACE…NOT PREJUDICE' NATIONAL CAMPAIGN - TOP
National Muslim student group begins Islamic education campaign on campuses
http://www.msanational.org/statement6.html

(Washington, D.C., 9/13/07) - The Muslim Students Association National (MSA National) is proud to announce the launch of a national education campaign aimed at building bridges of understanding between students of all faiths and races on university and college campuses across North America.

The "Peace…Not Prejudice" Campaign is a proactive and positive effort to further facilitate understanding about Islam and Muslims in our local university and college communities. By engaging students of diverse racial and religious backgrounds, MSA National hopes to eliminate stereotypes and racism among campus communities.

While introducing the campaign, MSA National President, Asma Mirza, said:

"By launching the 'Peace…Not Prejudice' national campaign, Muslim students around the nation and in Canada are continuing to extend their hands in peace and tolerance by hosting educational interfaith events for their fellow students, professors and local college communities.

"Instead of people seeking to divide our nation's college campuses on racial, religious or ethnic grounds, American Muslim students are promoting the American principles of the free and responsible exchange of ideas and interfaith dialogue through our 'Peace…Not Prejudice' campaign.

She concluded with: "Whether it is anti-Islamic, anti-Semitism or any other form of racism and bigotry, the Muslim Students Association, at the local and national levels hope to combat racism by promoting the American ideals of pluralism for people of all faiths, races and socioeconomic backgrounds."

MSA chapters from all around the United States and Canada will be participating in the 'Peace…Not Prejudice' campaign on their local campuses.

MSA National, with over 200 affiliated chapters in the United States and Canada, was established in 1963. MSA National's goals are to empower Muslim students through educational programs, provide management training for local chapters, and serve as a broad platform for students of all backgrounds.

For more information on the program, please visit: www.msanational.org.

- END -

CONTACT: Ms. Asma Rehman, MSA National Manager, 703-820-7900 Email: peacenotprejudice@msanational.org.

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QATAR: EXHIBIT ON AMERICAN MUSLIM HISTORY OPENS - TOP
Gulf Times, 9/18/07
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=

173478&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

An exhibition on American Muslim history opened for public at the City Center Doha yesterday.
The exhibition titled "Forgotten Roots: Muslims in Early America" is open from 9am-12noon and 8pm-midnight today.

It will move to the Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar) tomorrow and will continue there until Friday. The exhibition will be open to the public there from 9pm.

On Friday, the exhibition curator Amir Mohamed will give a lecture at Fanar.

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CA: MUSLIM, MORMON, JEW COOPERATE TO RECOVER TORAH ARK - TOP
Chabad Lubavitch, 9/17/07
http://lubavitch.com/article/2020234/Muslim-Mormon-and-Jew-Cooperate-to-Recover-Torah-Ark.html

A recently recovered and restored ark for a Torah scroll was donated to Rabbi Shmuel Fuss to be used in the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Riverside, California in time for this Rosh Hashana.

It took a cooperative effort of members of three different faiths to rescue and restore the antique ark.

First discovered by a Muslim in an antique store and estimated to be at least a half-century old, the ark was then bought by Jewish friends of the Muslim, who then found a 16 year old Mormon boy to undertake the job of restoration as a community service project.

"What I find so beautiful is that we're from the same G-d, the same universe," Fuss said. "We all came together with total respect."

SEE ALSO:

DC: MUSLIM CHAPLAIN MINISTERING TO THE FAITHFUL - TOP
The Hoya, 9/18/07
http://www.thehoya.com/news/091807/news9.cfm

As the nation's first ever Muslim chaplain, Imam Yahya Hendi has always played a unique role on campus, but this month, he'll be even more busy than usual. In addition to his dual role as the university's Imam and as the senior Imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick in Frederick County, Md., he has been preparing various seasonal activities.

With Ramadan beginning last week, Hendi is working to coordinate a special iftar on Oct. 3 called "Fast-a-Thon" that hopes to bring Muslim and non-Muslim students together to celebrate Islamic culture and raise money for charity. Hendi took time from his schedule to discuss the importance of interfaith dialogues and the role he plays both at and outside Georgetown.

In 1999, you became the first full time Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown, also making you the first Muslim Chaplain at any American university. What was the significance of that event, and how have times changed?

I think it was quite important to have a Catholic university be the leading college doing this. We have always wanted to strengthen the relationship between Catholics and Muslims, but also Christians and Muslims. Muslims worldwide started looking up to the Catholic Church, especially because of Pope John Paul II and his vision of reaching out and building bridges. Since then, things have improved - other colleges have imitated Georgetown and have been taking this as a challenge for them to be as outreaching and as inclusive as Georgetown. Now we have five Muslim Chaplains at universities in the country, and I have a feeling the number will grow.

In addition to being the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown, you serve as the senior Imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick in Frederick County, Md. Do you ever have trouble managing your dual roles?

I am the leader who gives vision and leadership, but I am not there every day - I am here, at Georgetown. It is a challenge, but it can be done if one knows how to organize one's time and if you know how to say "no," and when to say "no," when to say, "Sorry, I can't do it." I schedule myself to completely honor my commitment here and my commitment there. (MORE)

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ELLISON TO JOIN RABBI IN LIVING ON $21 FOR A WEEK - TOP
Associated Press, 9/18/07
http://wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=7090929

Congressman Keith Ellison wants to make a point about food stamps.

Ellison will be joined at a news conference today by Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. They, and others, plan to live for a week on $21 -- the national average for food stamp benefits.

Ellison and others will announce a weeklong "Food Stamp Challenge." 1 of the goals is to raise the minimum food stamp benefit.

Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, is the first Muslim elected to Congress. The week that he and the rabbi will join the challenge falls during Islam's holy month of Ramadan and between the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The food stamp challenge is part of a yearlong initiative on poverty.

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U.S. OFFICIALS: ISRAELI BORDER AUTHORITIES HARASS ARAB AMERICANS - TOP
Barak Ravid, Haaretz, 9/18/07
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/904785.html

American officials have complained recently that Israeli immigration authorities harass American citizens of Arab origin at Israeli border crossings.

During meetings between senior State Department officials and their counterparts in Israel, the Americans said that in recent months there has been a troubling increase in the number of complaints by American citizens of Palestinian and Arab origin, regarding the treatment they receive at border crossings and airports in Israel.

The Americans complained about long delays, a suspicious attitude, and degrading security checks.

The State Department officials stressed that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was very perturbed by this issue and said they expected immediate improvement.

They also warned their Israeli counterparts that unless there was a change, they would update the travel warning for Americans visiting Israel to include a statement that "Israel harasses American citizens of Arab and Palestinian origin."

SEE ALSO:

IA: TIME TO STOP PAINTING ISRAEL AS GOOD GUY AND WORK FOR PEACE - TOP
Des Moines Register, 9/18/07
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2007091

8/OPINION04/709180361/-1/BUSINESS04

Thank you for publishing Wilhelmine Bennett's Sept. 6 letter, "U.S. Is Party To Ethnic Cleansing in Palestine."

If the Israeli occupation of Palestine is based on solid legal, moral and ethical grounds, and if Israeli policies are fair and just, why are so many American and Israeli scholars and experienced former U.S. diplomats questioning both Israel's occupation and its policies?

Jimmy Carter gave Israel its only peace treaty with an Arab nation, yet pro-Israel extremists attempted to smear him as an anti-Semite for saying that Israel engages in apartheid-like policies. When he spoke in Iowa City in April, Carter's words on behalf of a just resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict brought 7,000 cheering Iowans to their feet.

The question of an equitably shared Holy Land, accommodating communities of all three Abrahamic faiths, Jews, Christians and Muslims, seems, like so many other disputes, to come down to a basic philosophical divide. Either one subscribes to the notion of an eye for an eye, or one believes in the ethic of reciprocity: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. As Gandhi (a Hindu, by the way) pointed out, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

The ethic of reciprocity allows us to live together in peace and with eyes capable of recognizing our shared values and common goals.

Let's give peace a chance, before it's too late.

Michael Gillespie,
Maxwell.

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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: info@cair.com
URL: http://www.cair.com

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