News, July 2009

Verse: Invite with Wisdom and Beautiful Preaching Update: Quran Sponsorships Top 1,000 CAIR #3 Most Viewed Non-Profit Today on YouTube

CAIR-TV: Floridians Protest Over Anti-Islam Church Sign

CAIR-Tampa Asks to Speak at Church with Anti-Islam Sign

FL: Muslims Rally for Tolerance after Mosque Vandalism

CAIR-Chicago: Muslim Worker Alleges Harassment CAIR: American Muslims to Meet in Mississippi WA: Man Says Threats Against Muslims Were to 'Defend America'

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VERSE OF THE DAY: INVITE WITH WISDOM AND BEAUTIFUL PREACHING - TOP

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.”

The Holy Quran, 16:125

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UPDATE: QURAN SPONSORSHIPS TOP 1,000 - TOP

In just one week since the launch of CAIR’s “Share the Quran” initiative, more than 1,000 Qurans have been sponsored for delivery to opinion leaders and policymakers nationwide.

Won’t you do your part in making this campaign a success by sponsoring a Quran for governors, state attorney generals, educators, law enforcement officials, state and national legislators, local elected and public officials, media professionals, and other local or national leaders who shape public opinion or determine policy.

SPONSOR A QURAN TODAY by visiting: http://www.explorethequran.com/

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CAIR #3 MOST VIEWED NON-PROFIT TODAY ON YOUTUBE - TOP FLORIDIANS HOLD PROTEST OVER ANTI-ISLAM CHURCH SIGN - TOP

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CAIR-TAMPA ASKS TO SPEAK AT CHURCH WITH ANTI-ISLAM SIGN - TOP (TAMPA, FL, 7/9/2009) - The Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) today asked to speak about Islam and the American Muslim community at a Gainesville, Fla., church that has a sign claiming “Islam is of the devil” on its property. In his address to church members, Kiliç would ask that the offensive sign be taken down as a gesture to promote greater interfaith understanding and tolerance. The church's senior pastor has been quoted saying: "We actually posted the sign because there is a tremendous growth in Islam at this time. It is a violent and oppressive religion and does not have anything to do with the truth of the Bible." SEE: Anti-Islam Church Sign Stirs Up Community Outrage (Gainesville Sun) SEE ALSO: Crowd Gathers in Protest in Front of Church (Gainesville sun) Floridians Hold Protest Over Anti-Islam Church Sign “Our research has shown that anti-Muslim prejudice is linked to low levels of awareness of what Muslims really believe,” said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kiliç. “By speaking to the church’s congregation, I would hope to dispel misconceptions and enhance their understanding of Islam and the American Muslim experience.” Kiliç said stereotyping of Islam and Muslims can lead hate incidents such as a recent assault on a Muslim woman and her baby in Seattle.

SEE: Man Charged with Hate Crime for Threatening Muslim Woman (Seattle Times) He said other recent bias-motivated incidents include two teens arrested after vandalism of an Islamic school and mosque in the Miami area. They told the police the vandalism had been planned for months. One of the teens charged in the hate crime said “all Muslims are terrorists.” SEE: Police: 2 Vandalized Mosque (Miami Herald) The same school and Mosque was attacked when it was riddled with bullets early January of this year. SEE: Still No Answers in West Kendall Mosque Shooting (Miami Herald) Last month, a Los Angeles area Islamic Center was the target of a hate crime when graffiti death-threat messages were left on its walls. SEE: Islamic Center Tagged with Graffiti (OC Register) Earlier this year, more than 20 people used bullhorns to shout slurs against the faith of Islam and Islam’s Prophet Muhammad at those attending a Tampa area Mosque. Anti-Muslim literature was handed out. The act was classified as a hate incident by the FBI. SEE: Group Protests Islam Outside Tampa Mosque (Tampa Tribune) As a precaution, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group is urging Muslims nationwide to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

CAIR recently launched a major initiative, called “Share the Quran,” to educate American leaders about Islam. In that initiative, American Muslims are being asked to sponsor distribution of free copies of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, to 100,000 local, state and national leaders. SEE: Share the Quran SEE ALSO: Muslim Group Shares Quran to Promote Understanding CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 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 Ramzy Kiliç, 813-486-2529; E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com

SEE ALSO: FL: MUSLIMS RALLY FOR TOLERANCE AFTER MOSQUE VANDALISM - TOP

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CAIR-CHICAGO: MUSLIM WORKER ALLEGES HARASSMENT, UNJUST TERMINATION - TOP (CHICAGO, IL, 7/9/09) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today announced the filing of a complaint in federal court on behalf of a Muslim man of South Asian descent who alleges that he suffered harassment at his workplace, culminating in an unjustified termination from his position. The former employee of Affiliated Computer Services claims that he faced discrimination by co-workers based on his race and religion throughout his tenure there. A particularly abusive employee allegedly began targeting him with racial slurs such as “terrorist” and “Bin Laden” after attempting to convert the plaintiff to Christianity. In one incident, the abusive employee reportedly sprayed aerosol cleaner into the Muslim worker's eye. A new manager allegedly escalated the discriminatory treatment by cutting the plaintiff's bonuses in half (well below the bonuses of other employees), increasing his work load, issuing written warnings over minor issues, and finally firing the plaintiff without justification. “No individual should suffer harassment at work based on their race or religious preference,” said CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Kevin Vodak. “In our pluralistic society, everyone's basic rights under federal law must be protected.” In response to the allegations of harassment and unfair termination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a right to sue notice on May 19, 2009. CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization, has 35 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-Chicago Communications Coordinator Reem Rahman, E-Mail: rrahman@cair.com, 312.212.1520 or 217.493.0912; Kevin Vodak, Attorney, CAIR-Chicago, E-Mail: civilrights@cairchicago.org, 312.212.1520

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CAIR: AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO MEET IN MISSISSIPPI - TOP SHELIA BYRD, Associated Press, 7/9/09

JACKSON, Miss. - Seizing on President Barack Obama's call for a partnership between America and Islam, some of the nation's prominent Muslim leaders will meet in Jackson for a conference they say will begin a dialogue of mutual respect and reconciliation.

"With the new administration, everybody is inspired by the message of hope and change. American Muslims are playing a pivotal role in this relationship and this conference sheds some light on opportunities," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on Islamic-American Relations in Washington. (More)

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WA: MAN SAYS THREATS AGAINST MUSLIMS WERE TO 'DEFEND AMERICA' - TOP KOMO-TV, 7/8/09

Police have arrested a man accused of threatening a local woman and her baby because of their race and religion.

The incident took place on July 1 when the 25-year-old woman and her 6-month-old baby visited the Seattle Indian Health Board at 611 12th Ave. South, according to the statement of probable cause.

Investigators said Eric Gardner reportedly made derogatory comments such as,"You Muslim people scare people when you wear that clothing," and "When I see a black woman, it makes me want to throw up."

The alarmed mother said she asked him what was wrong, to which he responded, "I'm talking to you (expletive), Muslim people," the document said.

When the woman said, "What I wear does not make me a bad person," Gardner told her, "You scare people," and cursed at her, the woman told detectives.

The woman tried to move away from the aggressive man, but he followed her. He then pulled out a sheath knife with an 8- to 10-inch blade, held it in front of her face and said, "I'm going to cut you and your baby with this knife," the statement said. (More)