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    Muslim American News Briefs, September 22, 2007

Opinion Editorials

News

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* Hadith: Few Possessions Involve Less Reckoning
* Action Alert: Call Congress to Challenge Domestic Spying
* CAIR Honors OIC Head at Capitol Hill Iftar
            - CAIR Rep Joins Roundtable on Religion in Workplace
* FL: Police Taser Muslim Who Refused to Drop Quran
* CAIR-NJ: Man Could Become First Muslim State Judge in NJ
* OH Islamic School to Host Community Event in Wake of Vandalism
            - CAIR-OH: Islamic School Vandalized (Blade)
            - CAIR-CA: Interfaith Groups March Against Hate
* CAIR-TX: Knowledge Reduces Intolerance of Islam
* CAIR: Rudy Giuliani Backs Pete King in Mosque Flap (Daily News)
            - Giuliani's Proposal for Endless Middle East Wars (Salon)
* IN: Pastor Opposes Airport Sinks for Muslims (Indy Star)
* US Companies Aim Advertising at Muslim Americans (VOA)

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HADITH OF THE DAY: FEW POSSESSIONS INVOLVE LESS RECKONING - TOP

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "There are two things which the son of Adam dislikes. He dislikes death. . .and he dislikes few possessions, but few possessions involve less reckoning (on the Day of Judgment)."

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1379

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CAIR ACTION ALERT #518 - CALL CONGRESS TO CHALLENGE DOMESTIC SPYING - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/2007) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to urge their elected officials to protect privacy rights.

The Protect America Act (PAA), quickly passed by Congress before the August recess, enables the National Security Agency (NSA) to use massive, untargeted collection of international communications without court order or oversight.

The legislation expires in six months, so Congress is eager to pass permanent legislation. Congress is also considering making changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow warrantless wiretapping without even knowing if any abuses were committed.

"A core principle of American liberty is distrust of unchecked authority," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "This was true when the founding fathers objected to British writs of assistance; it remains true today."

Call your elected officials and tell them there needs to be congressional oversight of FISA and PAA.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1. CONTACT your elected officials (one US Representative and two US Senators) and ask them to challenge domestic spying.

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

Talking points:

"As your constituent, I urge you to investigate all surveillance activities conducted since 9/11 before making any permanent changes to FISA. Also, the Protect America Act must be fixed to stop domestic spying."

*Expanding wiretapping authority without oversight can lead to abuse.
Oversight is necessary to ensure that abuse does not occur.

*If the administration has a concern about potential terrorist attacks, FISA allows wiretapping for several days before getting a warrant. There is no need to make changes before Congress investigates what surveillance activities were conducted.

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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CAIR HONORS OIC HEAD AT CAPITOL HILL IFTAR - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/07) - The Council on American-Islamic (CAIR) was honored to host a Ramadan iftar, or fast-breaking meal, last night at its Capitol Hill headquarters for Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). SEE: http://www.oic-oci.org/

CAIR presented Secretary General Ihsanoglu with an award in recognition of his leadership in building bridges of understanding between the Islamic world and the West.

Local and national Muslim community leaders, Muslim diplomats, media professionals, congressional staffers, and elected officials also took part in the iftar honoring Ihsanoglu.

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 REP JOINS ROUNDTABLE ON RELIGION IN WORKPLACE - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/07) - A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) yesterday took part in a roundtable discussion on religion in the workplace sponsored by DiversityInc at its headquarters in Newark, N.J.

CAIR Civil Rights Manager Khadija Athman joined religious leaders and other representatives of minority advocacy groups to discuss reasonable accommodation of religious practice in the workplace. Topics included how to address antagonism toward specific groups and how corporations can be leaders in creating workplaces where people of all religious beliefs can resolve their differences.

The roundtable will be featured in DiversityInc magazine and videotape excerpts will be on DiversityInc.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 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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FL: MAN FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST OFFICERS WHO STUNNED HIM - TOP
Police used Taser when Ocalan refused order to drop his Quran
Austin L. Miller, Star-Banner, 9/21/07
http://www.ocala.com/article/20070921/NEWS/209210364/1001/NEWS01

The Ocala Police Department has launched an internal affairs investigation involving four officers accused of roughing up and stunning a man with a Taser when he refused to drop his Quran or even take his hand off the bulky book, which was tucked into his waistband.

Deputy Chief Greg Graham said the complaint - made by Jeffrey Shields, 49, of Ocala - was sent to his office late Wednesday evening. Graham said he ordered the investigation Thursday morning.

The incident happened Aug. 31, when officers sought to question Shields. They said he fit the description of a man said to be carrying a gun and a large amount of drugs.

The officers are Officer Bernard Smith and Cpls. Jamie Buchbinder, Phillip Hazel and Doug Russell. They could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Graham said the officers are still on the job.

"Based on the reports that I read from all parties, I don't see any reason to take those officers off the road," he said.

There's no video of the incident.

When police use force, like a Taser or firearm, the agency reviews what happened. The officer's supervisor starts, then sends his findings up the chain of command through a lieutenant, captain, major and then Graham.

In this case, Graham said, the completed internal incident report was on his desk when the complaint from Shields came in.

The deputy chief would not say what the completed report said. The report is not a public record because of the pending internal affairs investigation.

The report and its findings were subject to public review before the Shields complaint came in. OPD spokesman Lou Biondi said the agency would not release the internal incident review report until the other investigation was complete.

The use of force incident report must be completed within 20 days of the incident. Wednesday was Day 20. (MORE)

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CAIR-NJ: MUSLIM STANDS TO MAKE HISTORY IN THE STATE - TOP
John Chadwick, Bergen Record, 9/21/07

A Clifton man could become the first Muslim state judge in New Jersey.

Sen. John Girgenti said he recently submitted the name of Sohail Mohammed to Governor Corzine's office, asking the governor to consider the prominent North Jersey Muslim for a Superior Court judgeship.

"I have known him for a number of years, and he's extremely well qualified," Girgenti, D-Hawthorne, said Thursday. "I based it on his integrity and intelligence. He's very fair."

Mohammed, who specializes in immigration law, is a Sunni Muslim who has worked to educate the public about Islam and to build bridges between his community and the state's political and law enforcement establishments.

Mohammed said Thursday it is premature to discuss the potential judgeship but added that he feels honored.

"I'm really humbled," said Mohammed, 44. "If chosen to be a judge, I would do my best to serve and see that justice is served."

Girgenti's submission of Mohammed's name signals the start of a lengthy evaluation process that includes interviews and background checks and will probably not conclude until 2008, the senator said.

In New Jersey, the governor makes nominations for judges that then go before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate.

Girgenti, who is vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Mohammed said they know of no Muslims serving as state judges. Tamara Kendig, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Judiciary, said the state does not track the religious affiliation of its judges.

A New Jersey Muslim leader said the potential appointment is exciting.

"I think it helps the general public realize that Muslims are part of the fabric of American society," said Afsheen Shamsi of the New Jersey office of the Council on American Islamic Relations. "Just like them, we are law-abiding citizens who believe in justice and equality for all. This is a good step toward Muslims achieving the American dream." (MORE)

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OHIO ISLAMIC SCHOOL TO HOST COMMUNITY EVENT IN WAKE OF VANDALISM - TOP

(TOLEDO, OH, 9/21/07) - On Saturday, September 22, the Toledo Islamic Academy and the Masjid Saad Foundation will hold a press conference, candle-light vigil and community dinner with civic and interfaith leaders to promote healing and understanding after a recent vandalism attack at the school. The vandals painted Nazi swastikas on the school building, trees and vehicles and broke windows at the facility. The crime is under investigation.

SEE: Sylvania Islamic School Vandalized (Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/NEWS03/709210357

WHEN: Saturday, September 22, 2007
TIME: Press Conference at 7 p.m.; Prayers at 7:37 p.m.; Community Dinner at 7:50 p.m.
WHERE: Masjid Saad Foundation & Toledo Islamic Academy, 5225 Alexis Road, Sylvania, Ohio

CONTACT: Alaa Eldeib, Principal, Toledo Islamic Academy, 419-882-3339 or 419-283-5001; Dr. Abed E. Alo, Chairman of the Board, Masjid Saad Foundation, 419-345-9140, e-Mail: dralo@thealo.com; Dr. Ronney Abaza, Spokesperson, Masjid Saad Foundation, 419-699-1095, E-Mail: ronneyabaza@hotmail.com; Julia A. Shearson, CAIR-Ohio Cleveland chapter executive director, Tel: 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com

The mosque and school are inviting neighbors, civic and interfaith leaders, and members of law enforcement to attend the evening's events. A Ramadan iftar dinner will be served in the school gymnasium. ("Iftar" is the meal eaten after sunset each day during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.)

"By reaching out to our neighbors and the wider public, we hope to turn this crime of ignorance and hate into a chance to promote harmony, tolerance and understanding," said Alaa Eldeib, principal of the Toledo Islamic Academy.

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

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-OH: ISLAMIC SCHOOL VANDALIZED - TOP
Despite swastikas, incident not yet deemed hate crime
Laren Weber, Toledo Blade, 9/21/07
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/NEWS03/709210357

Federal agents are investigating whether vandalism at an Islamic high school in Sylvania early yesterday morning where swastikas and "white power" slogans were spray-painted on the property was racially motivated, authorities said.

The incident is not being considered a hate crime - a conclusion that cannot be made until later in the investigation, authorities said.

Six windows of the Toledo Islamic Academy High School, 5242 McGregor Lane, were painted with red swastikas, and two windows were shot with what authorities believe was a BB gun.

Swastikas also were spray-painted on the school's entrance doors and on eight trees on the northeast side of the school. The words "white power" were painted on the side of a truck in the school's parking lot along with several green swastikas.

"To see something like this was disappointing," said Principal Aalaa Eldeib, who reported the vandalism to Sylvania police when she arrived at the school about 8:15 a.m.

"I feel like it was done out of ignorance."

Detective Laura Bliss said there were no suspects last night, but believes teenagers were involved. The detective said it doesn't appear that any-one associated with the school was a specific target of the vandalism, which occurred between 3 and 6 a.m.

Julia Shearson, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Cleveland chapter, is concerned about the recent number of incidents targeting American Muslims throughout the country. (MORE)

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CAIR-CA: INTERFAITH GROUPS MARCH AGAINST HATE - TOP

(SANTA CLARA, CA, 9/14/07) - The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) urges all communities to take part in the "East County United: Marching Together Against Hate in East Contra Costa County."

WHEN: Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: City Hall to ICEB and a program at Antioch High School
CONTACT: Asma Nemati 408-986-9874, Abdul Rahman 925-727-4211, Will McGarvey 925-597-9797

For more information, visit: www.eastcccunited.org

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa, along with the Islamic Center of the East Bay (ICEB), are sponsoring this joint effort after the August 12th Arson of ICEB's building, and in support of the Golden Family from Brentwood, whose home was broken into and vandalized on August 22.

On Sunday, August 12, a fire occurred at ICEB making the building uninhabitable. Fire officials say there were four separate attempts to start the blaze, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damages. Many leaders joined the ICEB at a press conference on August 15 to voice sympathy and intolerance of such heinous attacks on the community.

The arson fire burned the ICEB, but sparked a fire of unity amongst the greater community. Leaders of various backgrounds invite the community to a march against hate, and in solidarity for peace, tolerance, and coexistence.

CONTACT: Asma Nemati, Communications Coordinator, anemati@cair.com, 408-986-9874

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CAIR-TX: KNOWLEDGE REDUCES INTOLERANCE OF ISLAM - TOP
Monte Ashqar, Ranger, 9/20/07

Informing people of other religions about Islam is important because the more people know about Islam, the less hostile toward it they will be.

For that purpose, the Council on American-Islamic Relations assisted with an open house event June 23 with the Islamic Center of San Antonio.

"The less people know about Islam, the more of a deformed view they form about the faith," said Khalil Meek, vice president of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The center, which is in the Medical Center area on 8636 Fairhaven St., has been planning this for a while and it is not the first time that it held such an event, said President Solomon Hamideh.

The center also offers a class called Islam 101 at 7 p.m. every Wednesday to teach people about Islam, Hamideh said.

The event started at 2:45 p.m. with the movie "Legacy of the Prophet" that showed the life of the prophet Mohammad, his accomplishments and the basic fundamentals of his message.

Meek has been a Muslim since 1989 and grew up in Lewisville.

"If I sound like I'm preaching, please do not think so because I'm teaching actually," Meek said. "I was going to be a Baptist minister before I converted to Islam."

Meek began his speech saying that the council had hired a company to conduct a survey about Muslims and Islam in 2002.

The company asked the participants to rate themselves on their knowledge about the religion, Meek said, while looking at about 55 people who were sitting before him.

"People who knew nothing had very hostile answers, while the ones that knew more had more favorable opinions about Islam," Meek said. (MORE)

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CAIR: RUDY GIULIANI BACKS PETE KING IN MOSQUE FLAP - TOP
Michael McAuliff, New York Daily News, 9/21/07
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/09/21/2007-09-21_

rudy_giuliani_backs_pete_king_in_mosque_.html

Democrats want Rudy Giuliani to fire one of his top homeland security advisers, Long Island Rep. Pete King, for saying America has "too many mosques."

King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, made the comments in an article and video posted online by Politico.com.

"We have - unfortunately - we have too many mosques in this country," King said. "There are too many people who are sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully."

Asked yesterday if he truly believes the United States has too many mosques, King said, "No," telling the Daily News his words were taken out of context.

"What I have always said, or for the last four or five years, is that we have too many mosques in this country that don't cooperate with law enforcement," he said. "Unfortunately, Politico was incapable of making this distinction."

Giuliani stood by King yesterday. "I knew exactly what he meant," which is that violence is preached in mosques, he said. "I know that from my own investigations of Islamic terrorism."

A spokesman for an Arab-American group, who echoed the call for Giuliani to jettison King, accepted the congressman's explanation but said it wasn't enough.

"I'm not going to call the man a liar," said Corey Saylor of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "I'd like to see something strong from him distancing himself from those remarks because we've seen a pattern from him."

SEE ALSO:

GIULIANI'S PROPOSAL FOR ENDLESS MIDDLE EAST WARS ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL - TOP
Glenn Greenwald, Salon.com, 9/21/07
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/09/21/giuliani_israel/index.html

In London this week, Rudy Giuliani proposed what is probably the single most extremist policy of any major presidential candidate, certainly this year and perhaps in many years:

Rudy Giuliani talked tough on Iran yesterday, proposing to expand NATO to include Israel and warning that if Iran's leaders go ahead with their goal to be a nuclear power "we will prevent it, or we will set them back five or 10 years." . . . .

While Giuliani did not explicitly address the implications for Iran of adding Israel to NATO in his speech, his aides later highlighted a 2006 Heritage Foundation paper by Nile Gardiner, a former Thatcher aide who was announced as a new Giuliani adviser yesterday.

That step would "leave the mullahs with no illusions about the West's determination to respond to Iran's strategic threat to the region," Gardiner wrote. "Any nuclear or conventional attack on Israel, be it direct or through proxies such as Hezbollah or other terrorist groups, would be met by a cataclysmic response from the West."

Adding Israel to NATO has been opposed by France and some other European nations in the past, largely because it would entangle the alliance in the Middle East.

Like most countries, Israel deems all of its wars to be defensive wars in response to threats. So Rudy Giuliani, as President, would in essence deem any war in which Israel is involved to be, by definition, a war on the U.S., and would use American resources and lives to become involved in any such war and fight on behalf of Israel. Shouldn't the fact that the leading GOP candidate for President believes such a thing be the source of a bit more discussion? Other than John Edwards' views regarding haircuts, is there any major presidential candidate who has espoused a view anywhere near this radical or controversial? (MORE)

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IN: PASTOR OPPOSES AIRPORT SINKS FOR MUSLIMS - TOP
Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 9/21/07
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/LOCAL/709200579/1196

A Baptist pastor who lost a son in Iraq objects to the placement of special sinks that would aid Muslims at the Indianapolis airport in preparing for prayer because he opposes "the fraternization with our open enemies during a time of war," according to a statement from his church.

The Rev. Jerry Hillenburg, pastor at Hope Baptist Church on the city's Far Westside, is calling on Mayor Bart Peterson to halt the installation of the floor-level sinks at the Indianapolis International Airport.

The sinks, which would be installed near the parking lot where taxi drivers wait between runs, would aid Muslims in washing their feet in preparation for their ritual prayers. Many cab drivers serving the airport are Muslims. They currently wash their feet in regular sinks or by using bottles of water.

Hillenburg, who plans to preach a sermon Sunday titled "Stop Caving in to Islam," sent a letter to the mayor seeking a face-to-face meeting to discuss his concerns.

In a press release, Hillenburg said he opposes the use of taxpayer funds for the support of a single religion.

"We also oppose the fraternization with our open enemies during a time of war," he stated in a news release.

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US COMPANIES AIM ADVERTISING AT MUSLIM AMERICANS - TOP
Mohamed Elshinnawi, Voice of America, 9/19/07
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-19-voa31.cfm

A recent study by the nation's largest advertising firm shows that the Muslim American community has an estimated purchasing power of about $170 billion. JWT Advertising conducted the study, and it is now working with a wide variety of companies to develop strategies to attract Muslim American customers. VOA's Mohamed Elshinnawi examined the new trend in Dearborn, Michigan, near Detroit, where there is a dense population of Muslims.

The six to eight million Muslims in the U.S. are beginning to be sought after by marketers and consumer goods manufacturers

JWT Advertising says companies in the Detroit area are leading the way in using the cultural aspects of the Muslim faith to expand their share of the Muslim American market.

Ann Mack is JWT's director of trends spotting. "Some marketers -- I am not going to name them specifically -- are having Ramadan advertisements," she says, "and because they are speaking specifically to these populations, they will appeal, they will resonate and those consumers will tend to gravitate towards these brands."

The study shows that the six to eight million Muslims in the United States are looking for recognition and respect, and that companies should make sure they are not neglecting or offending their community.

One company that is not is the Swedish furniture company IKEA. It has a store near Dearborn that initially attracted few Muslim shoppers. So the company consulted with Nasser Baydoun, Chairman of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. He recalls, "What we were able to do was to teach them how to market to our community -- how does our community get its information, how do they choose which store they go to and how does IKEA create a working staff that is friendly to the community." (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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