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    Muslim American News Briefs, September 21, 2007

Opinion Editorials

News

News Photos

* Verse: God Intends Your Well-Being
* OH Islamic School Vandalized with Nazi, 'White Power' Graffiti
* CAIR Welcomes TSA Policy Change on Islamic Scarf
* CAIR: Giuliani Adviser Under Fire for Comments (AP)
            - DNC Condemns Congressman Peter King's Comments
* CAIR: Muslims Hope New Attorney General Defends Rights (Jewish Week)
* CAIR-NJ: Dispelling Myths About Islam (Herald News)
            - CAIR-NV to Co-Host Interfaith 'Sharing Ramadan' Event
            - CAIR-CA: Muslims to Feed Homeless on Humanitarian Day
* CAIR-NY: Elected Officials Support Arabic Language School
* TX: HLF Defense Denies Terror Ties (NY Times)
* West Bank: Food Runs Low in Raided Palestinian Camp (AP)

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VERSE OF THE DAY: GOD INTENDS YOUR WELL-BEING - TOP

"It is the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind with clear teachings showing the Right Way and a criterion of truth and falsehood. Therefore, anyone of you who witnesses that month should fast therein, and whoever is ill or upon a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. God intends your well-being and does not want to put you to hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period so that you should glorify His Greatness and render thanks to Him for giving you guidance."

The Holy Quran, 2:185

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OHIO ISLAMIC SCHOOL VANDALIZED WITH NAZI, 'WHITE POWER' GRAFFITI - TOP

(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/20/07) - The Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today called on local law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate vandalism at an Islamic school in that state as a possible hate crime. CAIR-Ohio also urged opinion leaders in American society to repudiate Islamophobia.

The principal of the Toledo Islamic Academy in Toledo, Ohio, told CAIR that vandals broke two school windows and sprayed-painted Nazi swastikas on doors, windows, trees, and a vehicle at the facility.

"White power" was also sprayed on a vehicle. The vandalism was discovered when the school opened this morning.

"Only strong support from mainstream religious and political leaders in Ohio and nationwide will counter the rising tide of Islamophobic rhetoric in our society that can lead to such disturbing incidents," said CAIR-Ohio Legal Director Jennifer Nimer.

Nimer said there have been a number of recent incidents targeting American Muslims. Worshipers at a Columbus, Ohio, mosque were attacked with rocks, a shot was fired into a Texas mosque, a Muslim woman in New York was badly beaten in a bias attack, arsonists torched a mosque in Northern California, and an Imam at an Arizona mosque was verbally harassed by intruders on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In Maryland, vandals slashed the tires of two vehicles owned by a Muslim activist whose family has suffered bias attacks over a number of years.

She urged Muslim individuals and institutions nationwide to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit." (See excerpts from the safety kit below.)

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 Legal Director Jennifer Nimer, 614-451-3232, 614-946-9675, E-Mail: jnimer@cair.com; CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, Tel: 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail: jshearson@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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EXCERPTS FROM CAIR MUSLIM COMMUNITY SAFETY KIT - TOP

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Muslims must do their part to ensure the safety and security of our nation. If anyone notes suspicious persons or activities in their community, they should report it immediately to the local Field Office of the FBI. SEE: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm

DEVELOP A LEGAL CONTACT LIST

Develop a list of attorneys who are willing to be consulted by the Muslim community in response to backlash incidents. Ask Muslim attorneys to volunteer their services to community members during this time of crisis.

DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Community leaders should immediately coordinate meetings between representatives of the Muslim community and local, state and national law enforcement agencies. These meetings should focus on ways in which the community can help national security and on how authorities can protect Muslims and Arab-Americans from harassment and discrimination.

MEET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Delegations of Muslim representatives should schedule meetings with local, state and national elected representatives or their key staff to discuss community concerns. To find out who represents your area on the national level, go to: http://www.capwiz.com/cair/home/

BUILD COALITIONS WITH INTERFAITH AND MINORITY GROUPS

Similar meetings should be coordinated with representatives of local interfaith and minority groups. These meetings should focus on building lines of communication and support, and hearing from these groups how they deal with discrimination and bigotry.

MEET WITH LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO DISCUSS STUDENT SAFETY

Representatives of the Muslim community should meet with local school administrators to discuss safety plans for students and to sensitize the administrators to harassment of Muslim students.

BUILD AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST

Community leaders should develop emergency e-mail and phone contact lists to be used in case of an incident that threatens the community's safety. Local imams, Islamic center board members, and
Muslim activists should be on the lists.

A second list should be developed containing contact information for all local law enforcement agencies.

HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING TO INFORM OTHERS OF SAFETY GUIDELINES

Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to discuss the information outlined in this kit. The meeting should take place at a local mosque or Islamic center and should be advertised using the emergency contact list.

ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK

Establish a network of community members who can offer emotional and material support to those who may be the victims of hate crimes or discrimination. Victims should not be left alone to deal with the negative impact of such incidents.

REACT TO INCIDENTS OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE

If you believe you have been the victim of an anti-Muslim hate crime or discrimination, you should:

1. Report the incident to your local police station and FBI office IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be treated as a hate crime. Ask witnesses to give you their name and contact information.
2. Inform CAIR even if you believe it is a "small" incident.
Incidents may be reported online at: http://www.cair.com/ireport/ or
TEL: 202-488-8787, FAX: 202-488-0833, E-MAIL: info@cair.com
3. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.
4. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not when convenient.
5. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.
6. Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local mosque or organization.
7. Stay on top of the situation.
8. Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make an announcement to the same people and organizations originally contacted.

CAIR MOSQUE SECURITY GUIDELINES

Areas of Vulnerability:

* Mosques located in isolated areas.
* Mosques left unattended for extended periods of time.
* Mosques with unsecured doors and/or windows.
* Absence of a burglar alarm system.
* Heavy exterior vegetation (shrubs, etc.) in which criminals may hide.
* Absence of exterior lighting.

Take the following safety measures:

* Build good relationships with neighbors of the mosque. Invite them to visit your center.
* Try to have people attend the mosque as much as possible. Activity deters perpetrators.
* Make an appointment with the community relations officer of your local police department to tour your center and make suggestions on improving mosque security.
* Request additional police patrols in the vicinity of your center.
Special attention should be paid to times of darkness and during prayers.
* Consider creating a security committee at your mosque.
* Post mosque members at entrances and parking areas during prayer times.
* Report suspicious packages to police. Do not touch them.
* Install perimeter floodlights outside the mosque.
* Install fire and burglar alarm systems.
* Replace hollow core doors with more secure solid doors.
* Install burglarproof bars on screens and large vents. (Note - Research local ordinances before beginning security renovations. For example, window bars should not limit evacuation in case of fire.)
* Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment.
* Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
* Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles.
* Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and records.
* Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris.
* Consider installing security cameras.

RESPONDING TO BOMB THREATS

1. Distribute written instructions on handling bomb threats.
2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask that the message be repeated. Record or write down everything that is said.
3. Ask for the location of the bomb.
4. Inform the caller that the detonation of a bomb could hurt many innocent people.
5. Pay attention to background noises such as music, which may give a clue to the caller's location.
6. Listen closely to the caller's voice. Make note of accents, voice quality (calm, excited) or speech impediments.
7. Report the threat immediately to the local police, ATF and FBI. Have appropriate phone numbers listed in written instructions.
8. If the threat comes in the form of a letter, save all materials, including the envelope. Handle the letter as little as possible.
9. Search the interior and exterior of the mosque. Evacuate the building if a suspicious package or device is found.

SUSPECT LETTERS AND PACKAGES

* What to look for:
* Name and title of addressee are not accurate.
* No return address, or the sender is not known to the addressee.
* Handwriting is distorted.
* Unprofessionally wrapped, uneven, bulky, lopsided.
* Contains bulges or soft spots.
* Poorly wrapped package is marked "Fragile-Handle With Care,"
"Rush," or has unusual restrictions such as "Personal" or "Private."
* Excess amount of postage.
* Protruding wires or tin foil.
* Package makes a buzzing or ticking noise, a sloshing sound, or emits an odor.

What to do:

DON'T open the package or letter.
DON'T put it in water or in a confined space such as a drawer.
DO isolate the article and secure the immediate area.
DO open windows if possible to help vent potential explosive gases.
DO contact your local police department and Postal Inspector.

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CAIR WELCOMES TSA POLICY CHANGE ON ISLAMIC SCARF - TOP
Most Muslim women should no longer face secondary screening at airports

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/20/07) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a policy change by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that would no longer mandate that Muslim women wearing religious head scarves go through secondary screening at airports.

To view the old policy, introduced August 4, go to:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1037.shtm

Following discussions with community leaders of several faiths, including a representative of CAIR's Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, TSA officials have accepted a proposed modification to the August 4 policy. According to the updated policy, Muslim women who wear a head cover that is attached to the contour of the head, with no space between the scarf and the head, should not be subjected to a secondary screening. That style of cover is worn by the majority of Muslim women who wear scarves.

A fact sheet outlining the policy modification will be distributed to airport security personnel nationwide."

"We welcome this positive move by the TSA and hope that similar changes can be made to accommodate the religious attire of other faiths," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper said CAIR urges airline passengers of all faiths to educate themselves about their legal rights.

SEE: Know Your Legal Rights as an Airline Passenger (CAIR)
http://www.cair.com/CivilRights/KnowYourRights.aspx#8

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 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: GIULIANI ADVISER UNDER FIRE FOR COMMENTS - TOP
Devlin Barrett, Associated Press, 9/20/07
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hOG0V81-bc-Yg3d6vsCIqDsWoxjg

A homeland security adviser to Rudy Giuliani came under fire Thursday for claiming there were "too many mosques" in the United States - and defended himself by saying his point was that not enough Muslim leaders cooperate with law enforcement.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., the former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and the top GOP member on the panel, said his comments to the Politico Web site were taken out of context. Democrats said Giuliani should drop him as a campaign adviser.

"I stand by everything I said other than the fact that the Politico totally took it out of context," King said Thursday.

In the Politico interview, King said: "Unfortunately we have too many mosques in this country, there's too many people who are sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully, we should be finding out how we can infiltrate, we should be much more aggressive in law enforcement."

As for any political fallout, King told The Associated Press: "Rudy can take care of himself. He's a tough guy, but I would think that campaigns would respect someone like myself who says things that might be politically incorrect but are accurate in that too many Muslim leaders in this country do not denounce extremism."

The congressman was denounced by the DC-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, a group that has long accused King of lobbing unfair attacks against American Muslims.

"We call on Republican leaders and other people of conscience to repudiate Representative King's bigoted remarks and to support the civil and religious rights of all Americans," said CAIR official Corey Saylor.

Both the Muslim group and the Democratic party called on Giuliani to drop King from the campaign. Giuliani spokeswomen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Democratic party spokeswoman Stacie Paxton called on King to apologize and urged Giuliani to drop King as his homeland security adviser, saying "this type of bigoted language has no place in public discourse." (MORE)

SEE ALSO:

DNC CONDEMNS CONGRESSMAN PETER KING'S COMMENTS AND CALLS ON RUDY GIULIANI TO FIRE HIS HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER - TOP
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,181817.shtml

The Democratic National Committee today condemned Peter King's statement that there are "too many mosques in this country," and called on Rudy Giuliani to fire King as his homeland security adviser. King is on Giuliani's Homeland Security Advisory Board and according to the New York Post is a "top adviser".

"Congressman King's comments are deplorable and he should apologize immediately. This type of bigoted language has no place in public discourse, especially from the Republican's top lawmaker on the House Homeland Security Committee," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton.

"Will Rudy Giuliani denounce Peter King's comments and fire King as his homeland security adviser? Given Rudy's history of using divisive tactics, he shouldn't be placing his trust in an adviser who seems to think an individual's religion is the problem with our homeland security.
Scapegoating a group of Americans to win elections is an ugly Republican campaign tactic Americans have already rejected. Our country was founded on the principle of religious freedom. Religious profiling and discrimination have no place in our country."

Peter King Is A Member Of Giuliani's Presidential Campaign. Peter King is on Giuliani's Homeland Security Advisory Board. The New York Post described King as a top advisor to Rudy Giuliani. King endorsed Giuliani's presidential bid in January 2007. [JoinRudy2008.com, ttp://www.joinrudy2008.com/article/pr/756, 09/04/07; New York Post, 09/05/07; Newsday (New York), 1/30/07]

Republican Rep. Peter King Tells The Politico There Are "Too Many Mosques in This Country." New York Rep. Peter King, a prominent House Republican, said there are "too many mosques in this country" in a recent interview with Politico. "There are too many people sympathetic to radical Islam," King said. "We should be looking at them more carefully and finding out how we can infiltrate them." [Politco.com, 9/19/07]

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MUKASEY A BLANK SLATE ON PIVOTAL ISSUES - TOP
First Orthodox attorney general nominee hailed, but record unclear on church-state, abortion, civil rights.
James D. Besser, Jewish Week, 9/21/07
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=14552

In a move with deep historic resonance for the Jewish community, President George W. Bush has turned to a respected Jewish jurist to restore credibility to a controversy-damaged Justice Department. The nomination is winning praise from a range of Jewish leaders, though his positions on a range of issues of concern to Jewish groups, including church-state law and abortion, remain a mystery.

This week's selection as attorney general of retired Judge Michael Mukasey, 66, who has deep roots in New York's Modern Orthodox community, echoes the 1974 appointment of Edward Levi to take over a department scarred and demoralized by the Watergate scandals. Levi is the only Jewish attorney general in American history until now. . .

Today, major Muslim groups are being cautious in responding to the appointment.

"We won't be taking any formal position on the nomination. Instead, we are hoping that whoever becomes attorney general will maintain the civil liberties of all Americans, an issue that has been the top concern of the American Muslim community," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

But he said his group will have "concerns about any nominee who favors aspects of the Patriot Act that we believe violate civil liberties."

Mukasey's status as an Orthodox Jew is "irrelevant," Hooper said. "We would hope he would not allow his political and religious beliefs to cloud his judgment as attorney general, but that goes for any attorney general of any faith." (MORE)

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CAIR-NJ: DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT ISLAM - TOP
Herald News, 9/15/07

Six years after Sept. 11, the Council on American Islamic Relations of New Jersey remains concerned with the growing trend of Islamophobia (fear of Islam and Muslims). New Jersey is among the top 10states in America to receive the most number of Muslim civil rights complaints and anti-Muslim hate crimes reports.

Since the previous year, civil rights complaints have increased by 25 percent and anti-Muslim hate crimes have increased by 9 percent nationwide according to CAIR's 2007 Civil Rights report.

Muslims frequently have to deal with people using terms such as "radical Islamists," "Islamofacism," "Islamic fanatics," etc. As a Muslim who has grown up in Muslim countries, these terms hold no meaning for me, but I recognize that they work to promote a fear of Islam and Muslims among our fellow Americans. CAIR-NJ hopes to dispel some of these misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims.

Islam is a religion of peace. There are many verses in the Quran (Holy Book of Islam) that illustrate this point such as Chapter 5, verse 32 which states, "To take one life is as if you take the life of all humanity and to save one life is as if you save all humanity."

The "radicalism" and "fanaticism" that is frequently referred to is not a function or product of Islam and therefore should not be associated with Islam. True, there may be Muslims, Christians or Jews who commit violent acts in the name of their religions, but it is important to note that their religions do not condone these acts of violence.

I hope that our fellow Americans realize that Muslims across the nation also mourn for the victims of Sept. 11. We consider America to be our homeland and like every other U.S. citizen, we also want to protect our country and ensure that it comes to no harm. In the near future, CAIR-NJ will be offering a course on Islam to the general public at no cost, and I hope that the audience of this newspaper will consider joining us to learn more about the peaceful nature of Islam and Muslims.

Afsheen Shamsi, communications director, CAIR-NJ

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-NEVADA TO CO-HOST INTERFAITH 'SHARING RAMADAN' EVENT - TOP

(LAS VEGAS, NV, 9/20/2007) - On Friday, October 5th, the Nevada chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NV), in partnership with the Muslim Student's Association (MSA) of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), will host a traditional Ramadan iftar, or fast-breaking dinner, at UNLV.

WHEN: Friday, October 5th, 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Community Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4765 Brussels Street Las Vegas, NV
CONTACT: CAIR-NV Executive Director Yasser Moten, Tel: 702-448-8601 or 702-824-3553, E-Mail: ymoten@cair.com; Nur Kauser, Tel: 702-985-9155, E-Mail: unlvmsa@gmail.com

"As more than one billion Muslims worldwide observe the fast of Ramadan, it is important for the Muslim American community to reach out to those of other faiths as an example of true Islamic ideals," said CAIR-Nevada's Executive Director Yasser Moten. "We are pleased to be able to share our Muslim American culture with our friends on the UNLV campus."

The evening's program will feature a presentation on Ramadan, a recitation of the Quran, and the Muslim call to prayer (adhan). Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments.

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CAIR-CA: FOURTH ANNUAL HUMANITARIAN DAY: MUSLIMS TO FEED HOMELESS IN SAN JOSE - TOP

(SAN JOSE, 9/20/07) - On Saturday, September 29, Muslims from the Greater San Francisco Bay Area will come together to hold the 4th Annual Humanitarian Day for the Homeless.

A coalition of Muslim organizations will provide hot meals, water, T-shirts, and hygiene packages to San Jose's homeless community. The Humanitarian Day is a day for the homeless to access multiple services without leaving their own precincts of the downtown community. Hundreds of deserving people in downtown San Jose are expected to be served

"Homelessness is a national epidemic in America, and can affect anyone at anytime," said Habibe Husain, founder of Rahima Foundation, the event's main organizer. "Since Ramadan is a time of increased compassion and caring for others, we aim to give the homeless community hope and relief to ease their struggle," she added.

The Day also coincides with the weekend that the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) will host open houses in coordination with various Bay Area Mosques. Titled "Ramadan: A Month of Enlightenment", the events are part of an outreach effort designed to celebrate the Ramadan spirit of giving with neighbors and friends.

The coalition selected the holy month of Ramadan as a global observance that transcends race, religion and gender in a spirit of love, equality, and respect for each other and all of humanity.

WHEN: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE: South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA), 325 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA (Across the street from Salvation Army Parking Lot)

SPONSORS: American Muslim Voice (AMV), Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center (BVMCC), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), Granada Islamic School (GIS), Hidaya Foundation, ILM Tree, Islamic Center of Fremont (ICF), Islamic Center of North America (ICNA), Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC), Islamic Networks Group (ING), Islamic School of Stanford, Islamic Society of East Bay (ISEB), Muslim Community Association (MCA), New Islamic Directions (NID), Northern American Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA), Peace Terrace Academy, Rahima Foundation, Silicon Valley Academy, South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA), SEMAH, United Muslims of America (UMA), Zaytuna Institute.

CONTACT: Asma Nemati, CAIR-SFBA, Tel: 408-986-9874, Email: anemati@cair.com; Sabiha Moinuddin, Rahima Foundation, Tel: 408-845-0050, Email: mail@rahima.org

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CAIR-NY: ELECTED OFFICIALS DEMAND SUPPORT FOR DUAL ARABIC LANGUAGE SCHOOL - TOP
Officials and community members call on the DOE to reinstate founding principal

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 9/20/07) - The New York chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) yesterday participated in a press conference at the NYC Department of Education (DOE) in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA) and its founding principal Debbie Almontaser.

Speakers included Senator Bill Perkins, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member and Chairman of Education Committee Robert Jackson, and Council Member John Liu.

"The DOE's inaction in the face of xenophobic smear campaigns against KGIA is a tacit acceptance of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry," said CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali. "We call on the DOE to immediately reinstate Ms. Almontaser and allocate resources to effectively minimize future attacks on the school and by extension attacks on all those who support diversity and tolerance."

CAIR-NY is member of the Communities in Support of KGIA, a diverse of group of New Yorkers and community based organizations committed to quality education for all communities.

SEE: Communities in Support of KGIA
http://kgia.wordpress.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.

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, alatif@cair.com

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TX: CASE AGAINST MUSLIM GROUP RESTS, WITH DEFENSE STILL DENYING HAMAS TIES - TOP
Leslie Eaton, New York Times, 9/20/07

Stressing her client's years of work helping impoverished Palestinian children, a defense lawyer on Wednesday asked a federal jury here to look beyond what she described as fear-mongering and politically motivated charges against a Muslim charity the government has accused of financing the terrorist group Hamas.

Her client, Ghassan Elashi, the former chairman of the charity, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, "did not support Hamas," said the lawyer, Linda Moreno. "He supported his people," who are living amid poverty and violence.

But the government, in its conclusion to this closely watched prosecution, said the foundation was, from its inception, linked to radical groups promoting jihad. Like Hamas, it was "born in the bosom of the Muslim Brotherhood," said Nathan F. Garrett, a federal prosecutor, using a phrase he repeated several times during his almost three-hour summation.

The Holy Land foundation, which was based in a Dallas suburb, and five of its officials are charged with conspiracy, money-laundering and providing financial support to a foreign terrorism organization by sending more than $12 million to Palestinian charities.

The government contends that these charities, known as zakat committees, were controlled by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization since 1995, and that the donations helped Hamas win popular support.

Lawyers for the defendants have argued here that there was no evidence that the charities were controlled by Hamas, and that the money the foundation sent to the charities was used to build hospitals and support needy families. Mr. Garrett said the government had not tracked all the money, but had identified some members of these zakat committees as Hamas leaders. (MORE)

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WEST BANK: FOOD RUNS LOW IN RAIDED PALESTINIAN CAMP - TOP
Ali Daraghmeh, Associated Press, 9/20/07
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jD4YSkDPlclqd9dHvg2f0Ij18zEg

A fierce Israeli army raid in a crowded West Bank refugee camp confined thousands to their homes for a third straight day Thursday and residents said they were running out of food and water.

In a separate Israeli raid Thursday on the Gaza Strip, a 17-year-old died when he was hit by shrapnel and run over by an army bulldozer, Palestinian hospital officials said.

There were indications that the West Bank operation targeting militants in the Ein Bet Ilmeh camp next to the city of Nablus was nearing its end. But the raid was especially painful for the 5,000 refugees who live there because it came during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslim families normally gather for large feasts at nightfall to end their daytime fast.

Israeli media reported before sundown Thursday that soldiers captured a cell of four militants from Hamas and the Popular Front groups who were allegedly planning a suicide attack. That was the stated goal of the raid, signaling that it was close to conclusion.

Israeli troops backed by tanks and bulldozers launched the raid Tuesday and two Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the first two days of fighting.

The army said it was allowing food, medicine and ambulances into the camp. But with a tight curfew since Tuesday, some residents said they could not leave their homes to buy food. (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

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