(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/8/2010) --

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced that a federal judge in Oklahoma has temporarily blocked an anti-Islam state ballot measure (SQ 755) that would have amended that state's constitution to forbid judges from considering Islamic principles (Shariah) or international law when making a ruling.

SEE: Order Blocks Okla. Constitutional Amendment

U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange of the United States District Court -- Western District of Oklahoma today granted a temporary restraining order blocking certification of the recently-passed ballot measure by the Oklahoma State Board of Elections.

Judge Miles-LaGrange also scheduled a hearing on November 22 for arguments as to whether she should grant a preliminary injunction that would extend the restraining order until a final determination is made in the case.

Last Thursday, Muneer Awad, executive director of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter (CAIR-OK), filed a lawsuit as an individual challenging the constitutionality of the ballot measure.

Awad's lawsuit, based on his own Shariah-compliant will, said SQ 755 violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that bars government bodies from making laws “respecting the establishment of religion.” 

SEE: Full Text of Awad's Lawsuit

"Today's ruling is a reminder of the strength of our nation's legal system and the protections it grants to religious minorities," said Awad. "We are humbled by this opportunity to show our fellow Oklahomans that Muslims are their neighbors and that we are committed to upholding the U.S. Constitution and promoting the benefits of a pluralistic society."

At an impromptu news conference following today's ruling, CAIR officials called on the sponsors of the ballot measure to repudiate hate messages that have been received by Islamic institutions in Oklahoma following the passage of SQ 755.

CAIR says the ballot measure would infringe on the constitutional rights of ordinary Oklahomans -- including the right to wear religious head scarves in driver's license photographs, choose Islamic marriage contracts, implement Islamic wills, or to be buried according to one's religious beliefs.

CAIR Q&A on Oklahoma Anti-Islam Ballot Measure CAIR Video: SQ 755 Sponsor Explains Purpose of Amendment on MSNBC Is There Really a Creeping Sharia Threat?

Video: CAIR NJ Rep Condemns Quran Burning, Defends First Amendment

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-Oklahoma Executive Director Muneer Awad, 405-248-5853, E-Mail: mawad@cair.com; CAIR Civil Rights Coordinator Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Questions Seizure of Hajj-Bound Muslims' Passports Packages containing passports flagged by UPS, turned over to CBP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/9/10) --

A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today questioned the legality of recent incidents in which United Parcel Service (UPS) flagged packages containing passports of American Muslims traveling on pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) and turned them over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said 17 Virginia pilgrims missed their flight to Saudi Arabia when UPS failed to deliver the package containing their passports that had been sent to a travel agent in California to receive visas. The package was instead turned over to CBP officials. Only after CBP released the passports and agreed to cover the additional travel costs incurred by the pilgrims were they able to leave for hajj.

A UPS spokeswoman told the Washington Post, "We did inform the customer that that particular package had a 'government seizure exception,'" but declined to define the term. CBP would not comment on whether UPS regularly shares packages with the agency. CAIR: Travel Delay for Mecca-Bound N. Va. Muslims (Wash. Post)

In another incident, CAIR said UPS flagged packages sent from California containing the passports of Muslims in Minnesota, California and Washington State seeking to go on hajj. The packages were flagged for "add'l security check by gov't or other agency." [UPS Tracking Information] A UPS official reportedly told the shipper of the packages, which were all ultimately delivered to their destinations, that they had been given to CBP.

"The American Muslim community needs to know whether packages sent from point to point within our borders are being screened based on the religion of the sender or recipient, and whether or not such packages can be seized and opened by government officials without a warrant," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper said CAIR is asking any American Muslims who have experienced similar actions by UPS or CBP to file a report with his organization.

Some 10,000 American Muslims go on hajj each year. Hajj is one of the "five pillars" of the Islamic faith. [The other pillars include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.]

When the main portion of the pilgrimage is completed, Muslims worldwide gather for communal prayers on the first day (November 16) of Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), the second of the two major Muslim holidays. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com