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Muslim American News Briefs, July 4, 2007

Opinion Editorials

News

News Photos

* Hadith: Mercy to Mankind
* CAIR-FL Says Keep Hate Charges for Assault on Muslims
* CAIR: Chicago Flight Delayed After ‘Security Incident’
            - CAIR: Flight Bringing Afghan Delegation to VT Delayed (AP)
            - CAIR-CA: UK Muslim Held in Los Angeles
* CAIR-MN: Muslim Cabbies Provide Free Rides for the Blind
* CAIR Seeks Applicants for Legislative Coordinator
* CAIR-Chicago Director Graduates FBI Citizens’ Academy
            - CAIR-FL Hosts Islamophobia Symposium
            - CAIR-MI Meets with Iraqi Parliament Member
* CAIR Views Conservative Commentary as ‘Incitement’
            - Background: Cal Thomas Recommended Ethnic Cleansing
* Incitement: Women in Burqas Are ‘Hateful Nazi[s]’ (Media Matters)
* DC: Muslim Women Discuss Human Rights
* Canada: Will Quebec Adopt France's Headscarf Stance?

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HADITH OF THE DAY: MERCY TO MANKIND - TOP

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “God will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 473

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CAIR SEEKS TO MAINTAIN HATE CHARGES FOR ASSAULT ON FL MUSLIMS - TOP

(TAMPA, FL, 7/3/07) - On Thursday, July 5, the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) will hold a news conference in Panama City to ask that hate crime charges be maintained in the case of a man who allegedly assaulted a Muslim family in that state.

WHAT: CAIR-Tampa News Conference About Assault on Muslim Family
WHERE: Bay County Courthouse, 300 E. 4th Street, Panama City, FL (main entrance off McKenzie Avenue)
WHEN: Thursday, July 5, 12:30 p.m. (local time)
CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506,
E-Mail: abedier@cair.com; CAIR-Tampa Civil Rights Coordinator Ramzy Kilic, 813-766-2745

According to the Muslim mother, she and her children were eating at a Taco Bell in Lynn Haven, Fla., in May when a man began to scream religious slurs such as "you Muslim bast**ds."

The assailant then reportedly spit food on a five-year-old child and shoved his 11-year-old brother. When the mother asked why the man was acting in such an abusive manner, he allegedly replied: "My problem is that you are f**king Muslims."

At that point, the manager of the restaurant intervened and witnesses to the assault called the police. The alleged assailant, who is a Bay County school bus driver, was eventually arrested and is due at a court hearing on Thursday in Panama City. (State of Florida vs. Thomas Plaisted, case no. 07002001CFMA)

SEE: Bay County School Bus Driver is Facing Hate Crimes Charges
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/8004297.html

"We urge that this alleged assault be prosecuted to the full extent of the law by maintaining the hate crime enhancement as allowed under state statues," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier. Bedier will ask prosecutors not to consider a plea agreement that might reduce the charges.

Florida Statute 775.085 allows enhanced penalties for crimes evidencing "prejudice based on the race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, mental or physical disability, or advanced age of the victim."

SEE:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_

Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0775/SEC085.HTM&Title=->2006->

Ch0775->Section%20085#0775.085

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices, chapters and affiliates 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.

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CAIR: FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO DELAYED AFTER SECURITY INCIDENT - TOP
Leslie Wright, Adam Silverman and Sky Barsch, Burlington Free Press, 7/3/07
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2

0070703/NEWS01/707030311/1009&theme

A flight from Chicago to Burlington was delayed for more than an hour after the flight's crew refused to take off without additional security screening.

Passengers on the flight included a group of Afghan men visiting Vermont whose interpreter suspected the group, dressed in traditional clothing, triggered the security scare.

"We always, always attract a lot of attention. This time was not an exception," said Wais Ahmad, an interpreter who was traveling among a delegation of nine, including five wearing traditional Afghan clothing. The group was coming to Vermont to learn about democracy and community development as part of a four-city tour of the United States sponsored by the State Department. Their trip to Vermont is through the Vermont Council on World Affairs.

The flight was United 868, a non-stop flight, that was scheduled to depart at 1:10 p.m. Central Daylight Time and arrive in Burlington at 4:20 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Boarding was delayed, however, and passengers heard a number of reasons for the delay.

Passenger David Williams said United personnel addressed passengers several times as they waited to board the flight. First, Williams recounted, United agents said a problem with the plane's kitchen was delaying departure. Next, passengers were told United's flight crew had logged too many hours and couldn't fly the leg to Burlington. . .

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for Council on American-Islamic Relations, was not surprised to hear that the security incident in Chicago may have been triggered by the Afghan men, especially in light of last week's terrorist attacks in Scotland and London.

"Unfortunately it's all too familiar," Hooper said. "We tend to see spikes in this kind of thing immediately following international incidents related to violence or terrorism in which Muslims are alleged to be involved. We are actually awaiting more of these things." (MORE)

SEE ALSO:

CAIR: FLIGHT BRING AFGHAN DELEGATION TO VERMONT DELAYED - TOP
Associated Press, 7/3/07
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=6741302&nav=menu183_4

A flight bound from Chicago to Burlington yesterday was delayed for extra security screening, and some on board say it was because of a group of Afghan passengers in traditional dress.

The group was part of a delegation in the US studying its democratic institutions.

A Transportation Security Agency spokeswoman says the United flight crew asked for the extra screening.

A spokesman for the Council of American-Islamic Relations says he's not surprised by the incident.

Ibrahim Hooper says such stepped-up scrutiny of Muslims is all too familiar, and usually increases following international threats of terrorism or violence.

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CAIR-CA: MUSLIM DETAINED - TOP
City News Service, 7/2/07
http://www.socalnews.com/

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is investigating the detention of a Muslim British citizen at Los Angeles International Airport, the organization announced today.

Rashid Ahmed Esakjee, 57, was detained Thursday when he arrived at LAX with four other family members. Less than 24 hours later, he was sent back to the United Kingdom, according to CAIR representatives.

"My father is a hard-working man and a respectable member of his community," Rashida Esakjee, who lives in California, said in a statement released by CAIR.

"He just came to see his grandchildren, but unfortunately was deprived of that opportunity," she said. "We want to know why my father, a law-abiding citizen, was treated this way."

Members of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of CAIR are calling for an explanation.

"We call on the government agencies involved to explain why Mr. Esakjee was barred from entering the United States without any explanation," said CAIR-LA civil rights coordinator Affad Shaikh. "These types of incidents may be perceived as discriminatory and have the potential to further damage our nation's image in Europe and the Muslim world," Shaikh said.

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CAIR-MN: MUSLIM CABBIES PROVIDE FREE RIDES FOR THE BLIND - TOP

(BLOOMINGTON, MN, 7/3/07) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today announced that Muslim cab drivers provided free rides to blind individuals (and their guide dogs) attending the American Council of the Blind (ACB) convention in Minneapolis.

CAIR-MN said the effort was designed to help build mutual understanding and to remind Muslims of the religious and legal obligation to accommodate those with physical challenges.

Muslim employees of the Twin Cities Airport Taxi, Viking Airport Taxi and Bloomington City Taxi provided free rides to ACB convention-goers from the airport to the convention site in downtown Minneapolis. The ACB annual convention will run until Saturday.

Muslim taxi drivers launched the free ride initiative earlier this year after reports surfaced of a small minority of drivers who refused to serve passengers with guide dogs.

"People were extremely appreciative and the Minnesota people are grateful for all your efforts, as well as the gesture of the drivers," said Ken Rodgers of the ACB. "I couldn't be more pleased."

CAIR-MN is currently working with Rodgers to plan presentations on blindness and service animals at Muslim community events.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices, chapters and affiliates 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-MN Communications Director Valerie Shirley, Tel: 763-226-5866; E-Mail: vshirley@cair.com; CAIR-MN Board Chair Lori Saroya, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR-MN Executive Director Omar Merhi, E-Mail: omerhi@cair.com

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CAIR SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR POSITION - TOP

Title: Legislative Coordinator
Location: Washington, DC

Resume and cover letter to: jobs@cair.com

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.

CAIR's expanding Government Affairs Department coordinates nationwide advocacy work on issues of public policy.

Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to promote an accurate image of Islam and Muslims in America. Through media relations, lobbying, education, and advocacy, CAIR puts forth an Islamic perspective to ensure the American Muslim voice is represented.

The Indianapolis Star once reported that CAIR "has developed a reputation for being something of a pit bull in protecting the civil rights of Muslims."

More information about CAIR is available at www.cair.com.

Purpose:

CAIR seeks a full-time Legislative Coordinator. Candidates for this position must demonstrate strong aptitude for advocacy work. The Legislative Coordinator will work closely with CAIR's National Legislative Director to fulfill government relations, communications and administrative functions.

Among the Legislative Coordinator's duties will be the following:

Government Relations functions:

* Tracking current events on specified topics and forwarding relevant articles and press releases;
* Maintaining relationships with partner organizations;
* Working with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies and other public service professionals
* Helping develop materials to encourage community participation in political advocacy and elections;
* Maintaining a database of CAIR's Congressional relations
* Aiding senior staff working on legislative and policy issues

Communications functions:

* Preparing and/or editing correspondence, presentations, legislative fact sheets, action alerts and other documents as needed;
* Maintain and expand e-lists that deliver CAIR's message to Hill staff and provide community spokespersons with talking points and information about jobs in the public affairs sphere, and
* Reviewing and responding to incoming telephone, mail, e-mail, and fax communications.

Administrative Functions:

* Managing the calendar and scheduling all meetings, appointments, conferences, and speaking engagements for the National Legislative Director, and
* Providing pertinent materials prior to meetings.
* Organizing all hard copy files, task lists, and call sheets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Bachelor's degree required;
* Passion for the mission of the Council on American-Islamic Relations;
* Ability to work independently and take initiative required;
* Diplomatic and professional communication skills required;
* Excellent writing and editing skills required;
* Strong organizational and time management skills required;
* Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook with internet research skills also required;
* Knowledge of PowerPoint and the ability to type 40 w.p.m. preferred;
* Excellent interpersonal skills to interact professionally within a diverse community, and
* Foreign language skills preferred, but not necessary.

CAIR offers an excellent package of benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. Additionally, time for attending regular Islamic prayers is built into the workday and Islamic holidays are paid vacation days.

To Apply: For immediate consideration please forward resume and cover letter to: jobs@cair.com or fax them to (202) 488-0833 and indicate Legislative Coordinator in the subject line. The Council American-Islamic Relations is an equal opportunity employer.

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CAIR-CHICAGO EXECUTIVE GRADUATES FBI CITIZENS’ ACADEMY - TOP

(CHICAGO, IL, 7/03/07) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today announced that its executive director, Ahmed Rehab, successfully completed the FBI Citizenship Academy Program for 2007. The class graduated Friday.

Now in its fifth year, the Citizens’ Academy is a stimulating eight-week (10-session) program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI, according to the Bureau’s pamphlet. Participants of the Citizens’ Academy are chosen by the Special Agent in Charge of the local FBI field office.

“Muslim-Americans are continuously working to build positive and effective relationships with law enforcement,” Rehab said. “It’s important that law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve relate to each other based on accurate knowledge of one another, not on stereotypes. Maintaining safe communities cannot be the work of the FBI and the police alone; we, the citizens, have a role to play in keeping our streets safe by staying vigilant and reporting unlawful activity. We commend the FBI for this valuable program.”

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

CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, Tel: (847) 971-3963 or (312) 212-1520, Email: arehab@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

150 TURN OUT FOR CAIR-FL ISLAMOPHOBIA SYMPOSIUM - TOP

(PEMBROKE PINES, FL, 7/3/07) – More than 150 people turned out Saturday when the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida) and the International Muslim Association at NSU hosted a symposium on Islamophobia.

The speakers at the event were:

* Dr. Robert Pape, 'Why the War on Terrorism is Heading South'
* Dr. Mohammed Nimer, Islamophobia & Anti-Americanism: An Action Agenda
* Dr. Aisha Musa, Islam in the popular media: The problem of pseudo-scholarship and misinformation

Special guests included Louis Wexler, Vice Mayor of Broward County, who offered the welcome address; the Florida Commission on Human Relations; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and several others. Three professors from Nova University brought their entire classes to the event.

CONTACT: Altaf Ali, CAIR-FL Executive Director, Tel: 954-272-0490, Email: aali@cair.com

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CAIR-MI MEETS WITH IRAQI PARLIAMENT MEMBER - TOP

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 7/3/2007) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) yesterday met with Dr. Sadettin Ergic, who is a member of the Parliament for the Republic of Iraq, in Farmington, Michigan.

Also attending the meeting were aides to Dr. Ergic, Ms. Nurten Ural, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Turkey and leaders from the Chaldean and Turkish American communities.

The meeting, which was coordinated by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was held at the Farmington Hills Manor in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Dr. Ergic discussed the plight of the Turkmen Iraqis since the toppling of Sadaam Hussein’s government and his frustrations with current American policy pertaining to Iraq.

CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com

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CAIR VIEWS CONSERVATIVE COMMENTARY AS 'INCITEMENT' - TOP
Susan Jones, CNS News, 7/3/07
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/

200707/CUL20070703b.html

An Islamic advocacy group is urging its supporters to call a Washington, D.C., radio station to "express your concerns about the Islamophobic attitudes" expressed by conservative columnist and author Cal Thomas.

In a commentary on news-talk WTOP radio Monday morning, Thomas discussed the car-bomb terror attacks recently thwarted in the United Kingdom. The eight Muslims arrested in connection with the plot include several physicians.

"How much longer should we allow people from certain lands, with certain beliefs to come to Britain and America and build their mosques, teach hate, and plot to kill us?" Thomas asked.

He also compared Muslims to a "slow spreading cancer" that must be stopped.

In its message to supporters, the Council on American-Islamic Relations described Thomas''s remarks as "incitement." The message included the name and work telephone number of WTOP's vice president of programming.

In recent years, CAIR has issued a number of "incitement watches" which CAIR''s critics view as efforts to squelch free speech.

On Tuesday, July 17, CAIR plans to host a panel discussion in Washington on "the increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric within the conservative movement in the United States."

The panelists will include David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, and Parvez Ahmed, CAIR chairman.

The discussion will focus "on the negative impact of [anti-Muslim] views on religious tolerance in America and on relations with the Muslim world," CAIR said.

SEE ALSO:

BACKGROUNDER: Cal Thomas has in the past recommended the ethnic cleansing of all Palestinian Arabs from Israel. He is now using the same kind of rhetoric in his attacks on American Muslims.

SEE CAIR’s 2001 NEWS RELEASE:

CAL THOMAS RECOMMENDS ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINIANS - TOP
Islamic group demands Tribune Media Services apologize, drop column

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/6/2001) - A prominent American Muslim advocacy group today called on Tribune Media Services (TMS), one of the nation's leading information syndicators, to drop a column by commentator Cal Thomas after he recommended the ethnic cleansing of all Palestinian Arabs from Israel.

Thomas' most recent column states: "It should now be clear that Israel cannot tolerate a huge Arab population within its borders, so a political decision must be made. Most Arabs and Palestinians appear to be nonviolent but it can be difficult to tell the difference...Israel should declare its intention to transfer large numbers of its Palestinian residents to Arab nations. . .Eviction is a better avenue to stability. Will it happen? Probably not. Should it? Yes."

SEE: http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/thomas.html

In a letter sent to TMS President David Williams, Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote that those views "would be more at home in the Nazi-era publication Der Sturmer than in newspapers subscribing to Tribune Media Services."

Hooper also wrote: "Perhaps Mr. Thomas will next recommend avoiding the costs and drain on resources associated with the elimination of a racial minority by instead setting up cheap and efficient extermination centers. After all, it seems Thomas believes Palestinians are a genetically inferior stock that must be prevented from polluting Israel's racial and religious purity.

“Thomas' racist and quasi-genocidal scenario raises some interesting issues. Is he recommending the transfer of his fellow Christians along with Muslim Palestinians? What about the children of a Jewish mother and an Arab Muslim father? Will the "one drop" rule apply? Some of these details could no doubt be worked out by obtaining a copy of Germany's Nuremberg Laws. . .”

Hooper told TMS that this is not the first time Thomas has offended the sensibilities of his readers. In the past, he questioned the honesty of the Prophet Muhammad and even called Islam itself "murderous." (Los Angeles Times Syndicate) "Unfortunately, when we challenged those bigoted views, we were told that no action would be taken because of the revenues generated by Thomas' column. This is no longer a matter of money, but of moral duty," wrote Hooper.

Along with the demand to drop Thomas' column, CAIR called on TMS to issue a public apology for distributing the writer's "fascistic" views.

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INCITEMENT WATCH: SAVAGE SAID HE SEES WOMEN WHO WEAR BURQAS AS "HATEFUL NAZI[S]" WHO WANT TO "KILL YOUR CHILDREN" - TOP
Media Matters, 7/3/07
http://mediamatters.org/items/200707030005?f=h_latest

On the July 2 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, discussing the recent terror-related arrests in Britain, radio host Michael Savage said, "[W]hen I see a woman walking around with a burqa, I see a Nazi," adding, "That's what I see -- how do you like that? -- a hateful Nazi who would like to cut your throat and kill your children." Savage also said that when a Muslim woman wears a burqa, "She's doing it to spit in your face. She's saying, 'You white moron, you, I'm going to kill you if I can.' "

The Savage Nation reaches more than 8 million listeners each week, according to Talkers Magazine, making it the third most-listened-to talk radio show in the nation, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show.

From the July 2 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation:

SAVAGE: Why are they calling one of the Muslim doctors -- one of the terrorists -- a brilliant neurologist? What has he done that makes him brilliant? Dr. Mohammad Asha came in on asylum. "Oh please, can we come into England? We're oppressed in our home country." Oh sure, come in. Bring your entire brood with you. Bring your, bring your -- I'd like to use the word I'd use in a bar -- bring your wife with you in a burqa.

You know, when I see a woman walking around with a burqa, I see a Nazi. That's what I see -- how do you like that? -- a hateful Nazi who would like to cut your throat and kill your children. Don't give me this crap that they're doing it out of a sacred ritual or rite. It's not required by the Quran that a woman walk around in a seventh-century drape. She's doing it to spit in your face. She's saying, "You white moron, you, I'm going to kill you if I can." That's how I see it! What do you want me to do, mince words with you? I'm not going to mince words. We're too far gone in this country. (MORE)

Please call or write to Michael Savage to express your concerns about his Islamophobic commentary. As always, be POLITE.

Michael Savage, michaelsavage@paulreveresociety.com
Talk Radio Network, Phone: 541-664-8827, Fax: 541-664-6250
The Savage Nation, The Paul Revere Society, Fax: 415-339-9383

Copy to: info@cair.com

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DC: MUSLIM WOMEN FROM AROUND THE WORLD DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS ON CAPITOL HILL - TOP

Washington, D.C: Monday July 2, 2007

"Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights," a DC-based non-profit organization, will host the opening of its fifth annual Law and Leadership Summer Program for Muslim women in the Mansfield room of the Capitol Building from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Monday,
July 9th. Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a globally renowned scholar of Islam, will address the topic of Human Rights in Islam.

His audience will be primarily a group of 25 Muslim women selected from around the world for their leadership qualities. These women hail from countries as far as Belgium, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Senegal. They also include women from Canada, and various parts of the United States. Members of Congress and staff have been invited to attend.

Dr. Nasr, a University Professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University, has authored more than twenty-eight books and over 200 articles in his life time. His academic career spans the globe, including teaching and lecturing at Princeton University, New York University, Tehran University in Iran and many other outstanding academic institutions. Additionally, he has delivered lectures throughout the world. Dr. Nasr is one of the foremost scholars of Islam and Human Rights in the world.

The Law and Leadership Summer Program (LLSP) is an intensive program designed to educate Muslim women about legal issues of importance to them, and to develop further their leadership qualities. The participants attend three weeks of thought-provoking programs, including lectures and cover a multitude of topics such as Leadership Development, Conflict Resolution, and Comparative Islamic and American Law. Established in 2002, LLSP influences how Muslim women at home and abroad approach their faith, understand their human rights, and exercise leadership.

Karamah is a charitable, educational organization that focuses on the domestic and global issues of human rights for Muslims, especially women. KARAMAH is committed to the principle that research and education are necessary tools for peaceful social change.

CONTACT: Raghida Haddad, Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, (202) 234-7302 or (202) 234- 7304, raghida@karamah.org, www.karamah.org

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CANADA: WILL QUEBEC ADOPT FRANCE'S PECULIAR BRAND OF LIBERTY? - TOP
Sheema Khan, Globe and Mail, 6/30/07
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070630.COKHAN30/TPStory/

In September of 1994, 12-year-old Emilie Ouimet arrived at her Montreal high school wearing an Islamic head scarf. The principal ordered her to remove the scarf or face expulsion for violating a school prohibition against all headgear. The code was meant to deter students from wearing symbols associated with gangs. Emilie insisted that her action was out of religious conviction, and transferred out.

Within months, Quebec society became engulfed in heated debate about the hijab. Did it symbolize an extremist trend? What did it mean for Quebec identity? Were there limits to religious expression in public space?

The rest of Canada, meanwhile, seemed puzzled by an issue that grabbed headlines in Quebec daily.

One view held that the tempest was due to events in Algeria and France. After the annulment of democratic elections in 1992, Algerians experienced a vicious civil war between the government and Islamists. The conflict spilled onto French soil when terrorists bombed a Paris Metro station. With France's Muslims under the microscope, scrutiny focused on the hijab. French officialdom branded the "foulard Islamique" as a political statement with tenuous connections to terrorism, despite assertions by Muslim women to the contrary.

The news from France was followed closely in Quebec. North African expats were often the most strident in their opposition to the hijab. In addition to fears of extremism, they stressed that there was no place for the "foulard Islamique" in a secular school system. (MORE)

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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

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

editor@ccun.org