CAIR Challenges Unconstitutional Anti-Islam Bills in Arkansas, Montana, Idaho, Oregon
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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/10/17) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today sent letters to elected leaders in the Arkansas, Montana and Idaho state legislatures calling on those assemblies to oppose unconstitutional, anti-Muslim legislation prohibiting state courts from considering so-called “foreign laws.” The bills’ sponsors and supporters make it clear these bill are part of a nationwide campaign designed to attack the religious principles of Islam, or “sharia.”
CAIR sent a similar letter last week to Oregon’s state senate leadership.
[MEDIA NOTE: 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., to obtain copies of the CAIR letters.]
“Legislation clearly designed to stigmatize a particular faith is a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government interference in religious affairs,” said CAIR Director of Government Affairs Robert McCaw. “The promotion and adoption of these unconstitutional bills sends a message that Islam is an officially-disfavored religion.”
BREAKING NEWS: CAIR Applauds Appeals Court’s Ruling Against Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Order
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| Hits: 211 (WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/9/17) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight welcomed a federal appeals court’s decision to maintain the freeze on President Trump’s controversial “Muslim ban” executive order, which barred entry into the United States by refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit today upheld a lower court’s ruling putting Trump’s travel ban on hold.
Full Text: 9th Circuit Rules Against Reinstating Travel Ban
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We applaud this ruling as a reaffirmation of the strength and independence of our system of justice. This decision adds to the long list of federal judges - both Republican and Democratic appointees - who found reason to block this discriminatory order.
“While this decision is critical, it is not the end of the legal process. Other courts across the country will be passing judgment on this order, and the U.S. Supreme Court will likely weigh in at some point.
“This victory should not lead to complacency. This and other Trump administration orders and policies still pose a threat to communities of color, religious minorities, women, and others.”
Awad noted that CAIR has filed its own federal lawsuit on behalf of more than 20 named and “john doe” individuals challenging the constitutionality of the “Muslim ban” executive order.
Sure it's Not a Muslim Ban
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| Hits: 151CAIR-MI Asks Anyone with Info on U of M Anti-Muslim Incident to Contact Police
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(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, 2/9/17) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today asked anyone with information about a recent hate incident targeting Muslim students on the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor campus to contact law enforcement authorities.
Earlier this week, students discovered that someone urinated on a prayer rug Muslims use in the Shapiro Undergraduate Library reflection room. The university has several reflection rooms used by community members of all faiths for prayer or reflection.
SEE: Muslim Students claim someone urinated on prayer rug at U of M (WXYZ)
UM Police Seek Person Who Urinated on Prayer Rug at Shapiro Library
The incident has been reported to the University of Michigan Campus Division of Public Safety and Security. The FBI is also currently probing the incident.
"Students on our university campuses should feel safe to express their faiths without fear of intimidation or harassment,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “We encourage anyone who has knowledge of this incident to immediately contact law enforcement authorities.”
Walid also noted that anti-Semitic and anti-African-American emails speaking of ethnic extermination and “Heil Trump!” have been recently sent to students on campus.
