CA: ‘Visualizing the Sacred: Islam on Film’ at UCLA
In the post-Sept. 11 world, images and impressions of Islam in the Western media have often been synonymous with extremism. To temper this, the UCLA Film and Television Archive is offering “Visualizing the Sacred: Islam on Film,” an attempt to present a more inclusive look at the religion. “Obviously Islam and images of Islam in […]
CA: Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam’s Face
When Ali Ardekani started fishing around on the Internet a couple of years ago for video blogs about Muslims, he did not like what he found: either the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims were depicted as bloodthirsty zealots, or they were offering defensive explanations as to why they were not. “Arabic sounds foreign and scary — […]
CAIR-CA: U.S. Muslims Find ‘Steady Allies’ in Japanese American Community
More than 100 Muslim Americans from across California joined Japanese Americans for the 39th annual Manzanar Pilgrimage on April 26.Many in the Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian community have found steady allies in the Japanese American community, both groups all too familiar with being the target of “anti-terror” xenophobia and discrimination during war time. […]
U.S. Officials Urged to Avoid Linking Islam, Jihad with Terrorism
U.S. officials are being advised in internal government documents to avoid referring publicly to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups as Islamic or Muslim, and not to use terms like jihad or mujahedin, which “unintentionally legitimize” terrorism. “There’s a growing consensus (in the administration) that we need to move away from that language,” said a former […]
IN: Second Muslim in Congress Wins Primary
Incumbent André Carson has won the Democratic primary race for the 7th Congressional District. Carson was elected less than two months ago by special election to replace his grandmother the late Julia Carson. He battled seven other candidates to hold on to his seat. (MORE)
IN: Muslim Rep Has Name Recognition
Congressman Andre Carson had an advantage in Indiana’s crowded Seventh Distict Democratic primary. He was the incumbent, and he had name recognition because of his grandmother, the late Congresswoman Julia Carson, who died in December after 11 years in Congress. Andre Carson earned the nomination by defeating several serious contenders last night: former state Health […]
NJ: Imam Ready to Fight Deportation
As he prepared to face an immigration judge in Newark on Thursday to fight deportation, Imam Mohammad Qatanani put his fate in God’s hands. “Whatever God wills,” Qatanani said earlier this week. “I am optimistic, but even if they want to get me out, I will be fine. I will accept any kind of decision.” […]
NJ: Rallies Planned for Imam’s Immigration Hearing
Proponents of a Paterson Imam who is facing deportation hope thousands of his supporters will attend three days of rallies planned around his immigration case. Imam Mohammad Qatanani, head of the Paterson-based Islamic Center of Passaic County, is scheduled to face a U.S. immigration judge in Newark on Thursday. Organizers say at least 18 buses […]
CAIR-LA: Muslims Pay Tribute to Japanese-American Sacrifice
The 39th Annual Manzanar Pilgrim­age was one of the most successful trips in its history, according to organizers, as upwards of 300 participants made the journey to the former Japanese Ameri­can internment campsite Saturday.It was a day best defined by its diversity, as pilgrims of varying ages, ethnicities and backgrounds visited the Manzanar National Historic […]
De-Link Faith, Terror to Stunt Extremism
The National Counterterrorism Center recently suggested that government officials stop linking extreme terrorist groups to Islam and avoid using offensive terminology like “Islamofascists.” They should also steer clear of terms like “jihad,” mujahideen” and “caliphate” when discussing terrorism, because all have positive connotations in the Muslim world. Our political leaders ought to adopt this strategic […]