Eid greetings from CAIR
CAIR Hosts Farewell Reception for Outgoing OIC Secretary General
(Washington, D.C., 10/14/2013) – On Friday, October 11, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was honored to host a reception at its Capitol Hill headquarters for Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the outgoing secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations; its membership comprises […]
In push for Muslim school holiday, some Montgomery students will stay home
By Donna St. George, Washington Post On other holidays, the choice has been difficult: Education or faith? But this year, with the Muslim holy day of Eid al-Adha on Tuesday, the Shraim family decided against school. Their teenagers might fall behind in their classes. They might feel torn. But they will stay home to celebrate. […]
CAIR-MN Asks GOP to Repudiate Michele Bachmann’s Anti-Mosque Remarks
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 10/13/13) — The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on state and national Republican leaders to repudiate comments by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who falsely claimed in a recent radio interview that American mosques are seeking to “advance the goals†of foreign nations and organizations. In that interview […]
American Muslims to Mark End of Hajj with Prayers
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/11/13) – On Tuesday, October 15, American Muslims will mark the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, with communal prayers and celebrations at locations around the country. The prayers and the holiday that follows are called Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), or “festival of the sacrifice.” Eid ul-Adha also commemorates the Prophet […]
Muslim school simulates Hajj for students
Elisabeth Parker, Tampa Bay Times “Congratulations,” Mahmoud Gomaa said to a class of first-graders standing under a model airplane. “You’ve just arrived in the holy city of Mecca.” Gomaa, vice principal of the American Youth Academy, came to the school seven years ago and brought the annual hajj simulation to teach children about the rite, […]
Why So Many Latinos Are Becoming Muslims
Tim Padgett, WLRN Most Latinos know the country is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month right now. What far fewer Latinos know is that next week marks Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s most sacred holidays. And yet the two observances are more related now than most Latinos realize. Just as the U.S. Latino population is on the […]
CAIR ads on HART buses a win for tolerance
Joe O’Neill, Tampa Tribune Would that this were not a big deal. Officially, it’s now permissible for the Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to advertise on local buses. This means we can soon expect to see some Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) buses wrapped with the message: “CAIR FLORIDA: Embracing Diversity at Work, Defending […]
Obama Appoints ‘Guantanamo Closer’ After Letter from Rights Groups
Carol Rosenberg, Miami Herald The Obama administration has chosen a former U.S. Marine and seasoned congressional lawyer to serve as the special envoy at the Defense Department for the closure of the Guantánamo prison, which Tuesday held 164 prisoners. Paul Lewis will fill the job that has been vacant since President Barack Obama created it […]
Man allegedly fired over beard awarded $66,000 in back pay
A SeaTac man who wears a closely cropped beard in observance of his Muslim faith has been awarded back pay and other costs after alleging that he was fired for refusing to shave his beard. By Lornet Turnbull, Seattle Times A federal judge has awarded back pay and other costs to a Muslim man who […]