(Washington, D.C., 12/23/16) - The Maryland Outreach Department of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today released its annual Maryland Highlights newsletter, summarizing some of the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization’s key priorities and accomplishments in Maryland during 2016.

SEE: 2016 Maryland Year in Review

CAIR has been at the forefront of advocacy and civil rights issues throughout the year, working to build coalitions and strengthen and empower Muslim communities across the state. Organization leaders expressed their appreciation to allies, partners and friends for their support.

(SACRAMENTO, CA, 12/22/16) The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV), today welcomed the guilty verdict in the case of the murdered Iraqi American Hassan Alawsi.

Hassan Alwasi, a Muslim man of Iraqi heritage was shot and killed in a Home Depot parking lot allegedly because the assailant had "severe hatred" of Middle Easterners and was incensed by the Islamic headscarf (hijab) worn by the victim's sister.

Police say Hassan Alawsi's assailant stalked him in the Sacramento, Calif., parking lot before gunning him down on March 16, 2014.

SEE: Authorities Describe Killing of Man Outside Home Depot as Racially Motivated (Sacramento Bee)

In a statement, CAIR-SV Executive Director, Basim Elkarra, said:

Civil rights group pledges to challenge any Trump administration attempts to revive Muslim registry

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/22/16) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed President Obama’s decision to permanently dismantle the regulatory framework behind the National Security Exit-Entry Registration System (NSEERS).

SEE: Obama Administration Ending Program Once Used to Track Mostly Arab and Muslim Men

President-elect Donald Trump and advisors close to him have publicly said that would revive and expand the federal registry that once targeted visitors mostly from Muslim-majority countries, which was phased out in 2011 for being "ineffective."

(SACRAMENTO, CA, 12/20/16)- Hundreds of Sacramento area Jews, Muslims, members of other faith communities and secular people of conscience will join forces Wednesday and say no to Islamophobia, no to racism and yes to justice.

What: Vigil Against Islamophobia & Racism

When: December 21, 2016 @5:30 PM

Where: State Capitol West Steps

Facebook Event Page

Local chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), both national organizations, are collaborating to sponsor the event. News of the vigil has met enthusiastic responses in the Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as others, and hundreds are expected to attend. Speakers will include Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, Jewish and Muslim community leaders and others under threat.

"Now, more than ever, on the shortest day of the year, after a dark election season, we must pledge to challenge injustice and build a society rooted in love and dignity for all peoples and communities," said Nancy Fleischer, a leader of the local JVP chapter. "These days, we must all unite to protect and support each other," said Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of CAIR-SV.

JVP's Network against Islamophobia will be holding similar events in 30 other cities across the country, timed to coincide with the winter solstice and days before Hanukka, the Jewish festival of light.