Download CAIR's app here: http://www.cair.com/app
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 1/30/18) -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on the Republican Party in that state to dismiss an official who claims that he uncovered a plot to “mobilize Muslims to infiltrate our Republican caucuses on Feb. 6.”
Dave Sina, chair of the Fourth Congressional District GOP, claimed Monday that a friend went to a mosque and witnessed Muslims being taught to “penetrate” and “infiltrate” the political process.
SEE: Local GOP Official Warns of Muslims 'Infiltrating' Precinct Caucuses
“It is a sad state of affairs when encouraging positive civic engagement by a minority community provokes such a bigoted, conspiratorial and un-American reaction,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “The Minnesota Republican Party needs to clean its own house by removing Mr. Sina from its ranks.”
Hussein noted the disturbing rise of Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry targeting Muslims and other minority groups nationwide since the election of Donald Trump as president.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Firing of White Supremacist, Islamophobic Maine Official
CAIR recently welcomed the resignation of a Trump administration official who made remarks disparaging African-Americans, Muslims, immigrants, and others.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Resignation of Racist, Anti-Muslim Trump Appointee
CAIR-Missouri, Muslim and Jewish Groups Say Self-Described ‘Confederate’ School Board Candidate Has History of Islamophobia, Racism
CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter similarly welcomed the resignation of two McKinney ISD middle school teachers who posted Islamophobic and hateful tweets on their social media.
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(TAMPA, FL, 1/29/2018) -- On Tuesday, January 30th, The Council of American Islamic Relations of Florida (CAIR-Florida) will join several Tampa community allies at the Circle of Witness & Protection event to accompany Luis Blanco Reyes as he checks in at the local immigration office in Tampa, Florida. CAIR-Florida is urging the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reconsider the denial of his most recent application to withhold deportation.
Blanco Reyes, a citizen of Mexico and decades-long resident of Plant City, Florida, has been an exemplary member of the immigrant community.His case had previously received favorable determination, and he has complied with all your instructions. He continues to deserve the utmost in latitude of discretion on humanitarian grounds - particularly considering the changed circumstances in this case.
WHAT: Circle of Witness & Protection in Solidarity with Luis Blanco & Family
WHEN: Tuesday, January 30th at 8:30 AM - 10 AM
WHERE: 5524 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607-1708
SEE LETTER HERE:
Blanco Reyes Letter of Support
(Miami, FL, 1/29/2018) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida (CAIR-Florida), the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization announces the official launch of Florida Muslim Capitol Day 2018 in cooperation with Florida Immigrant Coalition, ICNA Relief, Muslim Women's Organization, Knowledge for Living, American Muslim Democratic Caucus, Hearken Media Group, UCF Muslim Student Organization, Florida Rights Restoration Committee, Helping Hands, and several other community partners,
Florida Muslim Capitol Day comprises a coalition of various Muslim organizations, institutions, mosques, community centers, schools, professionals, and individuals. Legislators will be meeting with their Muslim American constituents who make economic, cultural, and social contributions to the state.
WHAT: Florida Muslim Capitol Day Press Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, January 30th at 12:00 PM
WHERE: 3rd floor Rotunda, Capitol Building
Florida Muslim Capitol Day is a unique two-day, non-partisan event where Muslims across the state of Florida advocate for policies that protect their values, their neighbors, and the community in its entirety. With Islamophobia up by 500% in the state of Florida, Muslim Americans stand by the values of the U.S. Constitution which ensure equal representation for all individuals living in the United States regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, or immigration status.
"Florida Muslim Capitol Day's participants together with their legislators represent the monumental strides in working together for the best interest of our State. Muslim Americans are advocating for legislation that protects and serves the immigrant and marginalized communities of Florida and shields their community from islamophobic attacks. Efforts include the Florida TRUST Act, legislation affecting the restoration of civil rights, and criminal justice reform. As Floridians, we oppose any unconstitutional legislation that suppresses our freedom of speech and the right to protest. Florida Muslims are speaking up", said Rasha Mubarak, CAIR-Florida Orlando Regional Director.
There are three opportunities for elected officials participation and media coverage:
CAIR-Florida is the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties of all people, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT:
CAIR-Florida's Communications Director, Wilfredo A. Ruiz, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 305.502.6749
CAIR-Florida's Orlando Regional Director, Rasha Mubarak, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 407.440.9252 ext. 310
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 1/26/18) - The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, today welcomed new evidentiary hearings granted for Hamid Hayat, a Lodi Muslim convicted in 2006 on terrorism-related charges. CAIR-SV said the hearings were granted to determine whether Hayat was denied a fair trial.
“We welcome the court's decision to hear new evidence in this case and hope that Mr. Hayat will be given a fair chance to present his appeal,” said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. “As American citizens, the right to a fair trial is critical to our democracy. With Mr. Hayat’s case, there are legitimate concerns that he did not receive a fair trial.”
CAIR-SV will continue to follow the hearings over the coming weeks and provide updates through social media on Facebook and Twitter (@CAIRSacramento).
WHAT: Hearing on Hamid Hayat's Petition to Overturn His Conviction on the Grounds That He Was Denied a Fair Trial
WHERE: Courthouse 27 (8th Floor) of Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse (501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)
WHEN: Monday, January 29, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BACKGROUNDER ON THE CASE:
"Judge in Infamous 'Sleeper Cell' Case Agrees to Hear New Evidence That Could Help Convicted Terrorist" (The Intercept 2017)
In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Hayat’s case drew national media attention, while concerns were raised about the role that emotions and prejudice may have played during a period of heightened tensions.
Hayat, an American citizen, was convicted of having attended a jihadi training camp for 3 to 6 months while he was in Pakistan between 2003-2005. In the petition to overturn his conviction, Hayat presented sworn statements from 18 family and community members who stated that he could not have attended the camp because they saw him on a daily basis during the entire time he spent in Pakistan.
This evidence was never presented to the jury that convicted him. At this hearing, Hayat will offer testimony from four of those Pakistani witnesses, as well as from his sister and cousin who were also in Pakistan at the time.
In the upcoming hearings at the US District Court Eastern District of California, Hayat's legal team will also present expert witnesses challenging the evidence used to convict him of providing material support to terrorists, including allegedly false claims by the government that a written copy of a very common du'a (Muslim prayer) found in Hayat’s wallet was direct proof of Hayat's “jihadi heart” and “jihadi mind.”
In an interview with The Intercept, Hayat’s lead appellate attorney Dennis Riordan said, “Finally, after 11 years, the bankruptcy of this conviction is going to be exposed at this hearing. . .It's going to be obvious that, not only should he have prevailed at trial, but that he's factually innocent."
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV Civil Rights Attorney Saad Sweilem, 916-441-6269, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR-SV; CAIR-SV Outreach & Communications Fellow Hammad Khan, (916) 581-0063, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR-SV CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Family reunification of CAIR Muslim Ban plaintiff’s family is result of one of first-ever waivers granted to Trump administration executive order
CORRECTED: Jackson International Airport incorrectly listed as being in “Jacksonville.” Corrected to “Jackson, Mississippi”
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/25/18) – On Friday, January 26, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will welcome home to Mississippi the wife of Fahed Muqbil, a CAIR plaintiff challenging Muslim Ban 3.0 who has received one of the first-ever waivers from that Trump administration executive order.
Muqbil and his wife Amal, are scheduled to land at Jackson International Airport in Jackson, Miss., Friday evening at 11 p.m. CAIR will host a press conference at the airport with the family.
WHAT: CAIR News Conference at Jackson International Airport for a Mississippi Family Impacted by the Muslim Ban
WHERE: Jackson International Airport, Jackson, Mississippi
WHEN: Friday, January 26, 11 p.m. (Central) Scheduled Arrival Time, News Conference to Follow the Family’s Arrival
CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Muqbil’s wife, a Yemeni national, will use her visa to enter the United States to be reunited with her baby daughter -- a U.S. citizen -- who suffers from severe medical conditions that led to life-threatening surgeries. That child, the youngest of the family’s two daughters, suffers from a debilitating birth defect and requires advanced medical care not available in war-torn Yemen.
Due to the Muslim ban, Muqbil and his one-year old critically-ill daughter have been separated from his wife and older daughter, who live abroad and have been awaiting the approval of the wife’s visa to come to the United States.
“The Trump administration’s Muslim Ban affects the lives of Americans like Fahed, whose family has been separated by these discriminatory immigration restrictions,” said CAIR National Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas. “We expect customs officials to spare Fahed’s family more heartache, and to allow them to enter the United States without delay.”
Just last month, the Supreme Court issued two orders staying the Hawaii and Maryland federal courts' injunctions that had, until December 4, 2017, largely prevented the Trump administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0's visa restrictions.
Although the Supreme Court's December 4th decision allowed Muslim Ban 3.0 to go into effect now, the Supreme Court will soon have the opportunity to reinstate the injunctions issued by lower courts in October later this year.
In October of last year, CAIR and the Brennan Center for Justice filed suit against President Trump's Muslim Ban on behalf of six American Muslims impacted by the immigration restrictions. Civil rights attorneys, including CAIR National attorney Gadeir Abbas, delivered oral arguments against the ban in mid-October.
On appeal, this case, Zakzok v. Trump, was consolidated with two others, and all are pending before the Fourth Circuit. Oral argument was held on December 8th, in Richmond, Va.
Video: CAIR, Other Civil Rights Groups Hold Presser After Md. Court Arguments on Trump’s Muslim Ban
The appeal regards a Maryland court's decision to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing most of Muslim Ban 3.0. In a broad ruling on October 18th, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang granted CAIR and other groups' request for a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing its latest attempt to exclude Muslims from the United States.
Judge Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to ultimately succeed in proving that anti-Muslim animus motivated the travel ban in violation of the Establishment Clause. He also noted that the ban violates federal law, which forbids the government from discriminating against visa applicants based on their nationality.
SEE: Second Judge Rules Against Latest Travel Ban, Saying Trump’s Own Words Show It Was Aimed at Muslims
In September, CAIR -- with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Profeta & Eisenstein -- filed an amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of seven American Muslims.
READ Amicus Brief
These groups also filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in August.
Read CAIR’s Amicus Brief
In January 2017, just days after Trump signed the first Muslim ban executive order, CAIR filed suit.
SEE: CAIR Files Federal Suit Challenging Constitutionality of Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(JACKSONVILLE, FL, 1/25/2018) -- On Thursday, January 25th, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida) and CAIR's National Legal Defense Fund will file a lawsuit on behalf of Hashem Nader Sehwail, an American Muslim and U.S. citizen who was prevented from boarding a flight back to his home in the United States from Turkey.
CAIR's lawsuit will be filed in the Middle District of Florida.
The lawsuit challenges the methods used to place law-abiding American citizens on the unconstitutional "no-fly list" and calls for injunctive and declaratory relief for Sehwail because he was denied re-entry due to his placement on the list.
SEE COMPLAINT HERE: Complaint for Injunctive And Declaratory Relief
"As a proud veteran of the United States Navy, and an American Muslim, I know that freedom of religion is a foundational ideal of our nation," said Wilfredo Ruiz, CAIR-Florida's communications director. "CAIR-Florida is committed to fighting against the biased unconstitutional placement of American Muslims on no-fly lists. No agency may deprive a United States citizen from returning to their homeland without a due process."
Lena Masri, CAIR's National Litigation Director and an attorney representing Sehweil, said: "This lawsuit challenges the U.S. government's apparent policy of using the unconstitutional no-fly list as a tool to prevent innocent, law-abiding American Muslims from returning to their homes."
"It's a growing phenomenon and an urgent concern that American citizens, almost all of whom are upstanding, law-abiding American Muslims, are being denied entry into their own country without any means to address or challenge these denials. Mr. Sehwail was born in the United States and works in South Florida. He is now stuck abroad waiting to return home," said Omar Saleh, one of Sehwail's attorneys.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Ruling that No-Fly List Appeals Process is Unconstitutional
CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed a similar lawsuit last year on behalf of another Florida Muslim, Zijad Bosnic, who was also prevented from boarding a flight back to his home in the United States from Bosnia.
SEE: Jacksonville Man Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging National No-Fly List
http://news.wjct.org/post/jacksonville-man-files-federal-lawsuit-challenging-national-no-fly-list
CAIR-Florida is the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties of all people, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT:
CAIR-Florida's Communications Director, Wilfredo A. Ruiz, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 305.502.6749
CAIR-Florida Civil Rights Attorney Omar Saleh, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 954.272.0490, Ext. 140
CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 248-390-9784
CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 720-251-0425
(LOS ANGELES, CA, 1/25/18) – On Friday, January 26, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will join local immigrant, refugee, community, and civil rights organizations at a news conference to mark the one-year anniversary of the first Trump administration Muslim and refugee ban that impacted thousands of community members and dismantled the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
WHAT: Community leaders and advocates will stand in solidarity after a year of Muslim and refugee bans and will honor those who have been impacted
WHEN: Friday, January 26, 2:15 p.m. PST
WHERE: Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley, 19164 E. Walnut Dr. N, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
WHO: CAIR-LA, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley, MPower Change, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - LA, ACLU of Southern California, World Relief, Refugee Forum of Los Angeles, UNITE HERE LOCAL 11
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Advocacy Manager Masih Fouladi, 714-851-4851, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Over the course of the past year, community advocates witnessed the Trump administration’s increased attacks on immigrants, refugees and minorities with the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of individuals.
Some of these attacks on immigrants and minorities is documented by a recently released report by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) titled “We Won’t Be Banned: Fighting the 2017 Muslim Bans.”
READ FULL REPORT AT: https://ca.cair.com/downloads/Muslim_Ban_Final.pdf
CAIR is part of the #NoMuslimBanEver campaign, a grassroots awareness and mobilization effort focused on resistance against the Muslim Ban.
On the one-year anniversary of the administration’s Muslim and refugee ban, the #NoMuslimBanEver and We Are All America campaigns will launch a week of nationwide actions.
As part of the We Are All America and #NoMuslimBanEver campaigns, this solidarity event aims to uphold and strengthen our nation’s commitment to welcoming and protecting those seeking freedom, safety, and refuge in the United States.
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR-LA Advocacy Manager Masih Fouladi, 714-851-4851, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Family reunification of CAIR Muslim Ban plaintiff’s family is result of one of first-ever waivers granted to Trump administration executive order
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/25/18) – On Friday, January 26, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will welcome home to Mississippi the wife of Fahed Muqbil, a CAIR plaintiff challenging Muslim Ban 3.0 who has received one of the first-ever waivers from that Trump administration executive order.
Muqbil and his wife Amal, are scheduled to land at Jackson International Airport in Jackson, Miss., Friday evening at 11 p.m. CAIR will host a press conference at the airport with the family.
WHAT: CAIR News Conference at Jackson International Airport for a Mississippi Family Impacted by the Muslim Ban
WHERE: Jackson International Airport, Jackson, Mississippi
WHEN: Friday, January 26, 11 p.m. (Central) Scheduled Arrival Time, News Conference to Follow the Family’s Arrival
CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Muqbil’s wife, a Yemeni national, will use her visa to enter the United States to be reunited with her baby daughter -- a U.S. citizen -- who suffers from severe medical conditions that led to life-threatening surgeries. That child, the youngest of the family’s two daughters, suffers from a debilitating birth defect and requires advanced medical care not available in war-torn Yemen.
Due to the Muslim ban, Muqbil and his one-year old critically-ill daughter have been separated from his wife and older daughter, who live abroad and have been awaiting the approval of the wife’s visa to come to the United States.
“The Trump administration’s Muslim Ban affects the lives of Americans like Fahed, whose family has been separated by these discriminatory immigration restrictions,” said CAIR National Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas. “We expect customs officials to spare Fahed’s family more heartache, and to allow them to enter the United States without delay.”
Just last month, the Supreme Court issued two orders staying the Hawaii and Maryland federal courts' injunctions that had, until December 4, 2017, largely prevented the Trump administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0's visa restrictions.
Although the Supreme Court's December 4th decision allowed Muslim Ban 3.0 to go into effect now, the Supreme Court will soon have the opportunity to reinstate the injunctions issued by lower courts in October later this year.
In October of last year, CAIR and the Brennan Center for Justice filed suit against President Trump's Muslim Ban on behalf of six American Muslims impacted by the immigration restrictions. Civil rights attorneys, including CAIR National attorney Gadeir Abbas, delivered oral arguments against the ban in mid-October.
On appeal, this case, Zakzok v. Trump, was consolidated with two others, and all are pending before the Fourth Circuit. Oral argument was held on December 8th, in Richmond, Va.
Video: CAIR, Other Civil Rights Groups Hold Presser After Md. Court Arguments on Trump’s Muslim Ban
The appeal regards a Maryland court's decision to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing most of Muslim Ban 3.0. In a broad ruling on October 18th, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang granted CAIR and other groups' request for a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing its latest attempt to exclude Muslims from the United States.
Judge Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to ultimately succeed in proving that anti-Muslim animus motivated the travel ban in violation of the Establishment Clause. He also noted that the ban violates federal law, which forbids the government from discriminating against visa applicants based on their nationality.
SEE: Second Judge Rules Against Latest Travel Ban, Saying Trump’s Own Words Show It Was Aimed at Muslims
In September, CAIR -- with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Profeta & Eisenstein -- filed an amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of seven American Muslims.
READ Amicus Brief
These groups also filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in August.
Read CAIR’s Amicus Brief
In January 2017, just days after Trump signed the first Muslim ban executive order, CAIR filed suit.
SEE: CAIR Files Federal Suit Challenging Constitutionality of Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(AUSTIN, TX, 1/25/17) -- On Saturday, January 27th, the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Austin) will host an “Open Mic Night” on the anniversary of the first Trump administration Muslim Ban executive order that barred refugees and individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
This event, held in support of the National Day of Action, will offer attendees an opportunity to express their thoughts on a variety of issues related to the impact of the Muslim Ban, current challenges faced by marginalized communities and what it means to be an American.
Attendees are encouraged to share personal stories, along with selections of poetry, prose and songs under the theme of “We are All America.” Those wishing to participate may also visit the event page.
WHAT: We Are All America, Open Mic Night
WHEN: Saturday, January 27, 7 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Malvern Books (613 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705)
NOTE: The Open Mic Night is intended to bring the community together in solidarity and support. CAIR-Austin and Malvern Books ask that all speakers and attendees be kind and respectful to one another.
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Austin Executive Director, Maira Sheikh, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(ANAHEIM, CA, 1/25/18) – Today, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) released a report, We Won’t Be Banned: Fighting the 2017 Muslim Bans, and its impact on callers who contacted one of the four CAIR-CA offices in the Greater Los Angeles Area (CAIR-LA), the San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA), San Diego (CAIR-San Diego), and the Sacramento Valley (CAIR-Sacramento).
READ FULL REPORT AT: https://ca.cair.com/downloads/Muslim_Ban_Final.pdf
An online version of the report can be accessed at the link below. The report provides a concise history of discrimination against Muslim immigrants as well as an overview of the various iterations of the Muslim Ban and related litigation.
"The impact of the Muslim Bans is not limited to family members who are being separated from one another, visa applicants who are facing lengthy delays, or travelers that are being denied entry into the U.S. This administration's anti-Muslim immigration policies reflect a culmination of a longstanding and problematic history of Muslim discrimination and scapegoating." said CAIR-LA Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney and author of the report, Farida Chehata.
This report analyzes the data collected by CAIR-CA offices from 282 callers in the six months following the announcement of the first executive order. An overwhelming two-thirds of calls came from concerned individuals who expressed apprehension with travelling due to the issuance of the first two executive orders relating to the Muslim Bans. Additionally, twenty-eight percent of travelers experienced problems of some kind when traveling, of which 63% experienced delay.
"The public outcry against all iterations of this administration's Muslim Bans, and the many steps advocates and lawmakers have taken to defend justice assure me that the American people will continue to stand up against any and all discriminatory and xenophobic policies," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.
READ We Won’t Be Banned: Fighting the 2017 Muslim Bans
In November, CAIR-CA filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in coordination with the Muslim Justice League and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
READ CAIR-CA 9th Circuit Amicus Brief
These groups also filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in November.
READ CAIR-CA 4th Circuit Amicus Brief
In October, CAIR filed suit on behalf of six individuals challenging the lawfulness of the third iteration of the executive order.
SEE: CAIR Files Legal Challenge to Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban 3.0’ In September, CAIR-CA along with other groups filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
READ CAIR-CA Supreme Court Amicus Brief
CONTACT:
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. La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/24/2018) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest civil rights and advocacy organization, is urging all Americans of conscience to contact their elected representatives in Congress and encourage them to support a bipartisan resolution 376 introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) condemning the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma (Myanmar).
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION & EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
On January 23, 2018, Senators Merkley, Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and John McCain (R-AZ) introduced bipartisan S.Res.376 condemning the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and called for the “safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return” of the displaced refugees.
They were joined by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
“We welcome this strong bipartisan stance against the human rights abuses suffered by Rohingya Muslim families and children. It is time that the Burmese government and military are held accountable for their ethnic cleansing, and for the Rohingya refugees to safety return home with dignity, respect and full rights as citizens,” said Government Affairs Department Coordinator Amineh Safi.
In November 2017, Sen. Merkley led a congressional fact-finding mission to Burma and Bangladesh where he heard first-hand accounts of systematic rape, murder, and children’s stories of seeing their houses burned down by the Burmese military.
“Kabir*, male, nine years old and Hadi*, male, 11 years old, missing presumed dead; recounted by their father Hakim*, male, 41 years old. ‘When the military came to our village they told us to go in our house and stay there. If we didn’t comply, they said, they would beat us up. So I took my four children and wife inside. Then they set our house on fire with us still in it. We panicked and tried to get out of our house, but everything happened so quickly. I saw my six-year-old daughter’s skirt on fire, so I grabbed her and ran out of the house. My wife and 12-year-old son also made it out of our house, but we lost two of our children in the chaos. I still don’t know what happened to them. I fear that they didn’t make it out of the house in time and were burned alive. As people tried to run away the military attacked them with machetes. We all ran away as fast as we could. It took us 15 days to get to Bangladesh. The whole way my daughter was crying. She needs urgent medical attention. She has really bad burns on her upper legs and in her genital area. She is in so much pain.’”
SEE: “HORRORS I WILL NEVER FORGET”
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Department Coordinator Amineh Safi, 202.646.6033, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR-Oregon Board Chair Zakir Khan, 626-502-8450, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(WASHINGTON, DC, 1/24/17) -- On Saturday, January 27, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will offer a town hall-style webinar to mark the one year anniversary of President Trump's "Muslim ban" executive order that will provide an update to the status of the ban, explain who the ban impacts, outline current legal challenges to the ban, and offer actions concerned citizens may take to keep fighting the ban.
The free webinar will be held at 7 p.m. EDT.
Participants will be able to submit questions during the webinar, which will be answered during the Q&A portion of the online event.
All participants must register online prior to the event to participate.
Presenters include CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas and CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert McCaw.
NOTE: This webinar is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
WHAT: CAIR Town Hall: Muslim Ban One Year Anniversary Webinar
WHEN: Saturday, January 27, 7 p.m. EST
REGISTER: CLICK HERE
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(ST. LOUIS, MO, 1/24/18) – The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis (IFGSTL), the Imam Council of Metropolitan St. Louis (ICMSTL), the St. Louis Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and the Missouri Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri) today expressed concern about a self-described “confederate” candidate for Parkway School Board who has espoused Islamophobic and racist views on social media.
Content on candidate Jeanie Ames’ social media accounts includes calling for a ban on Islam in America and a reference to Michelle Obama as a “giant rat.” An image retweeted by Ames states: “Let the Crusade Begin! Ban Islam In America!” Ames’ Twitter account profile describes her as a “Confederate” and has an image of a woman who may be Ames firing an assault rifle.
In a statement, CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed said:
“Parkway is a school district that proudly educates students of all backgrounds and faiths. Jeanie Ames’ history of anti-Muslim bigotry, xenophobia and outright racism is evidence that she is unfit to serve on any school board.”
SEE: Screenshots of Ames’ Tweets
“Jeanie Ames' record of racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other bigotry prove beyond any doubt that she has no place on the Parkway School District's Board of Education,” said Anna Baltzer from JVP. “Children of all backgrounds should feel welcome and safe at school, especially in today's political climate with basic freedoms under increasing attack. All people of conscience who believe in the value and place of all children at Parkway schools should oppose Ames' candidacy in the strongest terms.”
“It is quite disturbing to say the least that a person with views such as ‘banning Islam from America’ is running for the Parkway School Board,” said Mufti Asif Umar of the ICMSTL and the Imam of Daar-Al-Islam Masjid whose congregation resides within the Parkway School district. “We are proud to say that Parkway schools are home to many American Muslims who were born and raised right here in St. Louis. The students deserve leaders who will be supportive to all of them, regardless of their race and ethnic background. We hope others take notice of her bigoted views.”
CAIR offers a booklet, “An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," which is designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
SEE: An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
A recent report by CAIR’s California office revealed that Muslim students are bullied at twice the rate as the national average.
CAIR-CA Report: More Than Half of Muslim Students in California Experience Bullying, Discrimination
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MO Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Anna Baltzer with JVP This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mufti Asif Umar, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, 1/24/18) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on behalf of a Muslim Student who alleges the college denied him and other Muslim students access to a Muslim Student Organization.
The student, who attends Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD), reports having applied with several other students to have a Muslim Student Organization at the college. After submitting the application, they were told that the administration had started its own Muslim Organization that was being run by one of the school administrators who is not Muslim.
Requests for the student organization to be turned over to Muslim students on campus were either ignored or rejected.
"It is inconceivable that a religious student group would exclude the very students it was intended to benefit," said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 313-405-9130, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marking One Year of Resistance: Impacted refugees, leaders and dozens of organizations will host an Islamic prayer -- circled by a human chain-- in front of the White House, followed by a rally and march to CBP headquarters in protest of continued anti-Muslim, anti-refugee and anti-immigrant policies
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/23/18) – On Saturday, January 27, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will join hundreds of local and national Muslim, immigrant, refugee, and civil rights organizations at a rally in front of the White House to protest the one-year anniversary of the Trump administration’s first Muslim and refugee ban.
Organizers say that first ban, and subsequent versions of the ban, have discriminated against communities and dismantled the refugee resettlement program.
Impacted leaders still affected by the current bans on Muslim-majority nations will speak about family separation and other negative impacts. Refugee leaders will protest the most recent refugee ban, which alongside other policy changes is estimated to result in only 15,000 refugees arriving this year, just a third of the 45,000-cap set by the President -- the lowest in history.
RSVP: Facebook Event Page: Muslim/Refugee Ban: A Year of Resistance
WHAT: Faith leaders, Muslim community members, refugees, and advocates express opposition to a year of Muslim and refugee bans. Allies will form a human chain during an Islamic midday prayer and then march to Trump Hotel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) headquarters.
VISUALS: Human chain protecting Muslims during midday prayer. Pro-refugee and Muslim posters.
WHO:
WHEN:
WHERE:
Co-Sponsors: Poligon Education Fund, Council on American-Islamic Relations, National Immigration Law Center, Muslim Advocates, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Defending Rights and Dissent, Veterans For Peace, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Franciscan Action Network, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, National Iranian American Council, National Council of Jewish Women, Church World Service, Justice for Muslims Collective, MPower Change, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, We Are All America, South Asian Americans Leading Together, Dulles Justice Coalition, Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, American Civil Liberties Union, MomsRising, Shoulder to Shoulder, Emgage Foundation, MoveOn.org
CAIR is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: https://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.