Muslim American News Briefs, June 25, 2007
In the Name of God, the Compassionate,
the Merciful
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* Hadith: Share with Those in Need
* Muslims Care: CAIR-San Diego Co-Hosts Health Fair
* PA: Woman Pleads Guilty to Anti-Muslim Hate
Crime
* 'Reel Bad Arabs' Takes on Hollywood Stereotypes
(Wash Post)
* CAIR-FL: Islamophobia Symposium
* CAIR: NC Will Not Appeal Quran Oath Ruling (AP)
* FL Speaker May Be Linked to Destruction of
Indian Mosque
* UK: Hijab Ban Red-Cards Muslim Soccer Team
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HADITH OF THE DAY: SHARE WITH THOSE IN NEED - TOP
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone whose assets
exceed his needs, let him support those with few assets. And anyone whose
food exceeds his needs, let him share it with those who do not have
food."
Ali said: "God. . .has placed an assessment on the properties of the
rich to meet the needs of the poor. Thus, if the poor go hungry or naked or
struggle because of the neglect of the rich, then God will hold (the rich)
accountable on the Day of Judgment. . ."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 93C
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MUSLIMS CARE: CAIR-SAN DIEGO CO-HOSTS HEALTH FAIR - TOP
(SAN DIEGO, CA, 6/24/07) – On Sunday, June 24, the San Diego chapter of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego), along with
Logan Islamic Community Center (LICC) and Al Tabib UCSD Medical Student
Group, will hold a Community Health Fair at the LICC parking lot as part of
CAIR’s national “Muslims Care” campaign.
Muslims Care is a new annual initiative designed to encourage volunteerism
in the American Muslim community.
SEE: http://www.cair.com/muslimscare/
WHAT: Local Muslim Community Holds Health Fair
WHEN: Sunday, June 24, 10 a.m-2 p.m.
WHERE: Parking Lot, Logan Islamic Community Center, 5075 Logan Avenue, San
Diego, CA 92113
CONTACT: CAIR-San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida,
619-913-0719, E-Mail: ehopida@cair.com
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: AMERICAN MUSLIMS CARE - TOP
Farah A. Chowdhury, IOL,
6/20/07
NEW YORK American Muslims are making the best of their summer engaging in
different volunteering activities across the nation, to give back to society
and also clear misconceptions that they care about Muslim countries more
than they do about their own.
"Muslims are volunteering, but we just don’t see it being covered in
the media," Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman and one of the founders of the
Muslims Care program, told IslamOnline.net.
Muslims Care, organized by the civil liberties group the Council of American
and Islamic Relations (CAIR), is a three-year program dedicated to promoting
the ethic of volunteerism. (MORE)
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PHILA. WOMAN ADMITS THREATENING SUPERVISOR - TOP
Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/24/07
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/philadelphia/8154677.html
A Philadelphia woman pleaded guilty Friday to committing a federal hate
crime.
Federal authorities said Kia Reid left an anonymous threatening letter in
her supervisor's office at the Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport one
morning last October. Reid had affixed words and phrases that appeared to be
cut from publications, including the phrases "REMEMBER 9/11,"
"you and your kids will pay," and "death." (MORE)
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'REEL BAD ARABS' TAKES ON HOLLYWOOD STEREOTYPING - TOP
William Booth. Washington Post, 6/22/07
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062202158.html
LOS ANGELES -- A full house has turned out at the Directors Guild of America
for the L.A. premiere of the new documentary "Reel Bad Arabs,"
which makes the case that Hollywood is obsessed with "the three
Bs" -- belly dancers, billionaire sheiks and bombers -- in a largely
unchallenged vilification of Middle Easterners here and abroad. (MORE)
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CAIR-FL: ISLAMOPHOBIA SYMPOSIUM – TOP
Sun-Sentinel, 6/23/07
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-fvcal23nbjun23,0,4815541.story
Islamophobia, symposium, 2-4:30 p.m. June 30 at Nova Southeastern
University, Terry Building, 3301 College Ave., Davie. Topics:
anti-Americanism, the war on terror, Islam in the popular media. Speakers:
Robert Pape, professor of political science, University of Chicago; Mohammed
Nimer, research director, Council on American-Islamic Relations; Aisha
Musa, assistant professor of Islamic studies, Florida International
University. Free, but RSVP required. Call CAIR Florida, 954-272-0490.
SEE ALSO:
CAIR: NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIAL WILL NOT APPEAL QURAN
RULING AFFECTING COURTROOM OATHS - TOP
Associated Press, 6/22/07
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/22/america/NA-GEN-US-Quran-Courtroom.php
RALEIGH, North Carolina: North Carolina officials said Friday they will not
challenge a judge's ruling that allows the Quran or any other religious text
to be used to swear in witnesses or jurors in the state's courtrooms.
The ruling by Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway last month came
after judges in another North Carolina county declined to accept donated
copies of the Quran, saying that swearing an oath on anything other than the
Bible violated state law. The American Civil Liberties Union sued, claiming
that allowing oaths only on the Bible was unconstitutional because it
favored Christianity over other religions.
The state had until Monday to appeal Ridgeway's ruling, which came months
after the issue rose to the national level when U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, the
first Muslim to be elected to Congress, used a Quran when being sworn into
office in January. . .
In a letter this week, Democratic state Sen. Larry Shaw asked Cooper
to not appeal the ruling "because we are sure to stray away from the
pluralistic society and great ideas of our founding fathers."
Shaw, a Muslim who represents Cumberland County, also serves on the board
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Islamic advocacy
group. (MORE)
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CAIR-LA: IN A FILM ABOUT A TRAGEDY, SIGNS OF HOPE - TOP
Many seeing a preview of the Daniel Pearl movie praise its depictions of
various religions and cultures. But it's not a consensus.
Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles times, 6/23/07
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-beliefs23jun23,1,6319406.story
Can a high-profile film about a horrific event, the 2002 kidnapping and
killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl, serve as a vehicle to promote
religious and cultural understanding?
For many who attended an interfaith discussion that followed a screening of
"A Mighty Heart" at Paramount Studios this week, the answer
appeared to be yes, with panelists and audience alike generally praising the
film for its sensitive depiction of the events surrounding Pearl's death.
A reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Pearl was abducted and killed in
Karachi, Pakistan, where he and his wife, Mariane, had traveled to cover the
war in Afghanistan and investigate the activities of Al Qaeda. The film is
based on a memoir written by Mariane Pearl, a French radio journalist, and
traces the harrowing period from Daniel's disappearance Jan. 23, 2002, to
the discovery of his dismembered body several weeks later.
Yet several panelists noted that the film, despite its tragic central story,
also offers a measure of hope in its portrayal of the culturally and
religiously diverse group of investigators, diplomats, journalists and
friends that joined in the effort to rescue Daniel Pearl and support his
wife, then nearly six months pregnant.
"The overall message of the movie is to be able to look beyond the
labels and see each of these people as human beings, and it does that very
well," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Southern
California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Ayloush, whose organization cosponsored Thursday's panel discussion, said
one of the most wrenching aspects of the film for him was the implicit
question it raised about Islam and whether acts such as Pearl's killing
could ever be justified under its tenets.
But he said he was certain of the answer. "This is a real story, about
a real person who lost his life, and it's painful for me as a Muslim because
it shows people who use the name 'Muslim' to justify killing," Ayloush
said. "But these people were not Muslim. They were not Pakistani. They
were criminal."
The audience of about 300, which included women in colorful scarves and a
scattering of men with skullcaps, applauded. (MORE)
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CAIR-CAN INTERVIEW ON ‘NO-FLY LISTS’ – TOP
CBC Politics, 6/18/07
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-newsworld/politics/politics_mon.ram
(Go to 37:46)
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VIDEO: CAIR-TAMPA/ACLU NEWS CONFERENCE ON CIVIL RIGHTS
- TOP
http://www.cairfl.org/ViewArticle.asp?Code=PR&ArticleID=778
The Tampa chapters of CAIR and the ACLU recently held a joint news
conference to discuss the annual CAIR Muslim civil rights report. The news
conference was held at CAIR-Tampa’s office and featured victims of recent
acts of discrimination.
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HINDU'S TALK CENTER OF SQUABBLE - TOP
TODD WRIGHT, Miami Herald, 6/23/07
http://www.miamiherald.com/467/story/148834.html
A Hindu speaker headlining a religious ceremony on Hollywood beach has
religious groups angry throughout Broward County and the mayor canceling an
appearance at the event.
Sadhvi Ritambhara, billed as an inspirational Hindu speaker, is slated to be
part of Bhajans, a religious ceremony filled with songs and joyous praise at
the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center today.
But the event has not brought joy to city officials, who have been inundated
with calls from angry protesters. A press conference denouncing the event
was held Friday by several Indian-American organizations on the steps of
City Hall.
About 15 religious organizations are expected to stage a peaceful protest
outside the beach community center today.
Turns out Ritambhara is a controversial figure in India. . .
Published reports indicate the controversial speaker is among those
implicated in the destruction of a historic mosque in 1992, which is being
investigated by the Central Intelligence Bureau in India. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
IN: STATE MUSLIMS CONVERGE IN 'A COMING OF AGE' - TOP
Inaugural conference offers music, seminars and chance to be part of a
community
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 6/23/07
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070623/LOCAL
18/706230469/-1/LOCAL17
A Muslim film festival will feature titles like "Little Mosque on the
Prairie."
Muslim comics will seek laughs with jokes about being confronted by bigots
and airport security checks.
And a local band, Sonz of the Crescent, will bring a little Muslim hip-hop
to the house.
But beyond its lively entertainment, the first statewide convention of
Indiana Muslims taking place this weekend is seen by some as a milestone.
For a diverse community under great scrutiny since the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks, they say it represents a sign of staying power and their
desire to become fuller participants in their state's future.
"I would say this is a coming of age," said Louay Safi, a
Plainfield resident and staffer with the Plainfield-based Islamic Society of
North America. "This is a very significant threshold."
The weekend's agenda includes serious discussions about the need for greater
Muslim political activism, epitomized by a scheduled speech from Democratic
presidential candidate and former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska, who wants
to end the Iraq war immediately.
There will be sessions for Muslim youths, including one on how to balance
the faith's strict rules on gender relations in a modern society.
The three-day event, which began Friday, is the product of a relatively new
organization called the Muslim Alliance of Indiana. The group's greatest
previous efforts were landing an invitation for Muslims to stage Ramadan
suppers in the governor's residence and "Muslim Days" with
legislators in the Statehouse. (MORE)
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MA: MUSEUM REFLECTS ISLAMIC HERITAGE - TOP
FRED CONTRADA, Republican, 6/23/07
http://www.masslive.com/news/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-
9/118249895751180.xml&coll=1
NORTHAMPTON - If you are interested in Islam, you might get some insights
into the religion at the Islamic Arts and Crafts Museum of America. With
proprietor Bashir Ahamed showing you around, you are likely to get a lot
more.
Ahamed's new museum, located in the basement of his 213 Main St. store,
Basha's Oriental Rugs, boasts copper samovars, Kani shawls and crewel works
from Kashmir. The real education, however, is delivered courtesy of Ahamed
and his eclectic, passionate world view.
"Some of us are driven on this Earth," Ahamed said. "I am not
a passenger. I am here to produce beauty." (MORE)
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NY: HONEST TEEN RETURNS 12GS IN LOST CASH - TOP
JOHN ANNESE, Staten Island Advance, 6/13/07
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1181735191213270.xml&coll=1
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Had someone else stumbled upon an envelope stuffed
with almost $12,000 cash in a New Jersey restaurant, this story might have
turned out differently.
Luckily, it was Yousry Desooky who found the missing wad, which he gave back
to its rightful owner yesterday at the Advance offices in Grasmere. . .
The teen's father, Abdelaziz Desooky, said they were never tempted to keep
the cash, since doing so would have gone against their Muslim precepts.
(MORE)
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UK: HIJAB BAN RED-CARDS MUSLIM TEAM - TOP
MARC HORNE, Scotland on Sunday, 6/24/07
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=986932007
SCOTLAND'S first female Muslim football team has been prevented from playing
competitive matches after soccer chiefs imposed a worldwide ban on wearing
religious headdress during games.
Ansar Women's FC, from the east end of Glasgow, were looking forward to
their first league games this summer, until it became clear they could not
play while wearing their hijab headscarves. (MORE)
SEE ALSO:
CAIR-CA: SCHOOL APOLOGIZES FOR DEMANDING MUSLIM GIRL
REMOVE HEADSCARF - TOP
Juliana Barbassa, ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/22/07
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070622-1431-ca-headscarfflap.html
SAN FRANCISCO – A Muslim teenager who was ordered by a school monitor to
take off a headscarf she wore for religious reasons returned to classes
after school officials apologized to the family.
Issra Omer, 13, told her parents she was too embarrassed to show up for
summer school classes at Seaside High School in Monterey County on
Wednesday, the day after a monitor demanded she remove her hijab, the Muslim
scarf covering the head and neck, to conform to the district's no-hat
policy.
Issra, whose family is originally from Sudan, explained that her scarf is
worn for religious reasons, but the school employee still yelled at her,
said her father, Yousif Omer. The teenager, who will be starting 9th grade
in the fall, felt humiliated by being singled out in front of her peers, and
started crying, he said.
The school's principal, Syd Renwick, explained the employee didn't intend
any harm.
“It was a religious expression that wasn't recognized as such,” Renwick
said. “There was not malicious intent.”
Renwick sent a letter of apology to the family and offered to apologize in
person.
But the family and a national Muslim civil liberties organization would like
the school to issue a public apology.
“We don't want the students to walk away thinking it's OK to humiliate
someone who is different, particularly in an educational institution,”
said Abiya Ahmed, with the San Francisco chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. (MORE)
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URL: http://www.cair.com
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