• Holy Land Foundation Re-trial Update - CAIR Quoted
• Holy Land Foundation Re-trial Update - Interesting Questioning
• CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter Calls for End of Abuse, Neglect and Civil Rights Violations
• CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter To Participate in International Day of Quds
• CAIR Offers Response to 'Obsession DVD' Distribution in Swing States
• CAIR Reports on The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States - 2008
• CAIR: 2008 Elections Update

CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter is eligible for Zakat and needs your support. CAIR is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under U.S. Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Please mail your generous donations to:

CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter, 12200 Ford Rd., Suite 118, Dallas, Texas 75234.

Jazak Allah Khair.

News and Events:

Holy Land Foundation (HLF) Trial Update - CAIR Quoted

DALLAS, TX (09/14/2008). Federal Prosecutors tried once again to convict Holy Land Foundation members of sending money to the outlawed Middle East group, Hamas. Last year's lengthy case ended in a mistrial. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports:

While some charges have been reduced, in some cases drastically, this complex case is still expected to last weeks and be tough for jurors. Five leaders with the Richardson-based Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development are accused of funneling money to Palestinian charities, which secretly passed the funds along to aid terrorism. Prosecutors will have to overcome arguments like this, as explained by Mustafa Carroll, executive director of the locally based Council on American-Islamic Relations. He observed most of last year's trial.

Carroll: If the Holy Land gave to charities supported by Hamas, why are those charities not on the government's list, the treasury department's list? Why is the United States government, American Red Cross, still giving to the same exact charities?

Prosecutors have tried to streamline the case and focus their arguments to gain unanimous convictions this time. Last year's jury failed to reach such a conclusion. The re-trial starts today.

MORE INFORMATION:

Visit: http://publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1365374&sectionID=1

Holy Land Foundation (HLF) Trial Update - Interesting Questioning

Dallas, TX (09/24/208). Prosecutors introduced some interesting questioning and testimony asking Mr. Shafiq, FBI Senior Translator, if he could determine, by listening to certain Arabic dialogue, who was an 'Islamist' or extremist. Mr. Shafiq replied in effect that a person who constantly praises God (Allah) quotes from Qur'an, and hadith is one of the signs that he/she is an 'Islamist. He later added, upon cross-examination, that a person who is also bent on the destruction of the State of Israel.

Prosecutors also asked Dr. Matthew Levitt, the Government's first witness, if NOT being on the government's terror list made it ok to give to a particular charity. Mr. Levitt answered 'no', citing that a charity could still be controlled by HAMAS even though they were not on the government's designated terrorist organization list. By introducing this line of questioning, it appears the government is trying to weaken the argument that the HLF did not give goods or money to any charity or entity listed on the governments terror list.

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CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter Joins Advocacy Coalition Partners Calling for End of Abuse, Neglect and Civil Rights Violations in State Institutions

Denton, Texas (09/21/08). On Sunday, September 21, 2008, CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter joined coalition partners including the 'Dallas Down Syndrome Guild', 'The Arc of Dallas', 'Justice for Haseeb', 'Reach Resource Centers on Independent Living', 'Autism Spectrum Parent Group', and 'Community NOW!' at 2:00pm in front of the Denton State School advocating for allowing everyone out of State Institutions who wants to leave, developing a plan to enhance community services, and fully funding the 100,000 person waiting list.

CAIR representatives spoke before a crowd of approximately 150 persons calling for the end of abuse, neglect, and violation of civil rights that currently exists in these institutions. The highlight of the demonstration and rally was Haseeb Chishty and family. Haseeb was the young man who was a resident and was beat horrifically by a Denton State School employee in 2002. After six years of continuous and arduous struggle by his mother, Farhat Chishty, and siblings, Haseeb was finally released days before the event. The family is relieved and happy to have Haseeb home in their care. However, a new struggle begins. This is a small step towards achieving 'Justice for Haseeb'. The costs of caring for Haseeb is more than $50,000.00 annually or in-kind services.

HASEEB NEEDS YOUR HELP! Please donate generously to 'HASEEB CHISHTY' at any Washington Mutual Bank.
 

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information please contact CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter office at (972) 241-7233 or email: haseebmom@yahoo.com

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CAIR-TX, DFW Chapter To Participate in International Day of Quds

Dallas, TX (09/26/08). The MOMIN Center of Irving, Texas is sponsoring its 5th Annual International Day of Quds. The Day of Quds is the day of the oppressed. People of conscience worldwide gather to express solidarity with the oppressed and exploited of the world in general, and Palestine in particular. You and your family are cordially invited to come tomorrow, September 26, 2008 (25th Ramadan 1429) to Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Dr., Dallas, TX 75201. The program will begin with Jumah Khutbah at 1:30pm. Afterwards, there will be several speakers including:

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CAIR Part of 'Hate Hurts America' Multi-Faith Coalition: Offers Response to 'Obsession' Distribution in Swing States

WASHINGTON, D.C., (09/24/08). The Hate Hurts America Multifaith Community Coalition (HHA), a group of religious and civic organizations seeking to challenge hate speech in our society, today announced that it has launched a website as a positive response to the anti-Muslim bigotry used in an ongoing multi-million-dollar campaign to influence the presidential election.

The Clarion Fund, a U.S. group reportedly used as a front by an Israel-based organization, is distributing 28 million copies of the controversial film 'Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West' to voters in presidential election swing states.

HHA's new website, www.obsessionwithhate.com, offers a point-by-point rebuttal to propagandistic claims made in the film, as well as a list of newspapers that delivered the film's DVD as an insert, a sampling of bigoted statements made by controversial anti-Muslim figures interviewed for 'Obsession,' and examples of the overwhelmingly negative media coverage of the Clarion Fund's controversial campaign to influence voters. The HHA site also offers positive actions visitors may take to help challenge the 'Obsession' campaign's promotion of intolerance and misinformation.

'Obsession does not offer an honest critique of violent radicalism as one would have hoped; instead, it spends an hour attempting to blur the lines between the radical contingency in the Muslim world and mainstream Islam and Muslim society at large - that is it's unabashed theme,' said Ahmed Rehab, strategic communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Rehab said CAIR, a member of the HHA coalition, has asked the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to determine whether the Clarion Fund's 'gimmick' violates election laws.

Editorial writers have called the film 'propaganda' and 'misleading and dangerous.' One Middle East expert called it 'a blatant piece of anti-Muslim propaganda.' Those interviewed in 'Obsession' include an individual who once told a Missouri newspaper that 'Islam is not the religion of God - Islam is the devil' and another person who said a Muslim 'cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America.'
'That many of the spokespeople in this anti-Muslim hate film are uninformed Evangelical Christian and Jewish extremists - religious and otherwise - adds to the burden of refutation placed on the shoulders of all clergy, journalists and academics,' said Rabbi Haim Beliak of Jews on First and an HHA member.

The Hate Hurts America Multifaith Community Coalition was formed in response to talk show host Michael Savage's rhetorical attacks on religious and ethnic minorities. HHA members include public officials and civil rights advocates, as well as representatives of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Latino, and Asian communities.

MORE INFORMATION:

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Muslim Group Reports Jump in Workplace Bias Complaints

WASHINGTON, D.C., (09/24/2008). A report released today by a prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group shows an increase in American Muslim complaints of workplace bias in 2007.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations' (CAIR) report, called 'Without Fear of Discrimination' outlines 2,652 incidents and experiences of anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and harassment in 2007. That is the highest number of civil rights cases ever recorded in the Washington-based group's report - the only annual study of its kind. (Note: The higher number of cases is due in part to inclusion of a new category of cases related to mailed, faxed and e-mailed hate messages. Without the inclusion of those cases, the total number of cases dipped slightly over the previous year.)

According to the study, discrimination in the workplace against those already employed increased by 18 percent, with 384 cases reported in 2006 and 452 cases reported in 2007. There was also a 34 percent increase in reports of discrimination against those seeking employment. Cases involving denial of religious accommodation in the workplace jumped eight percent.

Since its founding in 1994, one of the main categories of CAIR's work has been employment discrimination and religious accommodation issues in the workplace. One of the most recent cases CAIR is dealing with involves religious accommodation for Muslim workers at JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Colorado and Nebraska. Another recent case involved allegations of a new 'English-only' policy for Somali Muslim workers at a Macy's department store in Minnesota.

SEE: Muslim Group Tries Mediation in Lunch Break Spat
SEE: Macy's Case Highlights Confusion Over English-Only Rules (NPR)
SEE: CAIR offers booklet: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

Highlights of the Report

Reports of passenger profiling jumped from 32 in 2006 to 141 in 2007, a 340 percent increase. Some categories in the CAIR report showed a decrease in the number of cases. Incidents of anti-Muslim hate crimes went down by 19 percent in this year's report. Incidents at schools or involving the police also decreased 31 percent and 42 percent respectively.

Marked decreases in cases involving due process issues (45 percent), physical violence (24 percent), denials of service or access (48 percent), and verbal harassment (35 percent) were also recorded.

Nine states and the District of Columbia accounted for almost 80 percent of all civil rights complaints to CAIR in 2007. The states include: California, Illinois, Florida, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Consistent with previous years, an individual's ethnicity, associations, religion, or 'Muslim name' remained the primary factors that triggered discrimination. These factors are believed to have triggered 86 percent of the total cases reported to CAIR last year.

CAIR said the decrease in reports of hate crimes and reports of discrimination by police and in schools during 2007 allows 'a note of cautious optimism.' The report also concluded: 'Some government agencies appear to be benefiting from an emphasis on cultural proficiency for employees who may deal with Muslims.'

Recommendations based on this year's data included asking elected representatives, public officials and candidates for elected office to 'clearly condemn anti-Islam bias in our society' and urging American Muslim groups to 'continue to maintain regular contacts with law enforcement agencies at the national, state and local levels.' The report also urged the passage of legislation banning racial, religious or ethnic profiling.

'The year's report is a somewhat positive indication that the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in our society is being rejected by ordinary Americans of all faiths,' said CAIR Legislative Director Corey Saylor, the report's author.

Saylor said this year's report includes a special section on 'Anti-Muslim Remarks and Acts on the Presidential Campaign Trail'. Last week, CAIR filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) over the distribution of some 28 million anti-Muslim DVDs in presidential election swing states.

MORE INFORMATION:

SEE: Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the US (2008) - Entire Report
CONTACT: CAIR Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857 || CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com  || CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com

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CAIR: 2008 Elections Update

The Council on American-Islamic Relations ((CAIR) is providing the following website to further empower American Muslim participation this election season.
http://www.cair2008election.com/news.php

This site will give you insights into election developments that concern America's Muslims and keep you informed of how America's Muslims are participating in the election.

As CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor said, 'Each election cycle America's Muslims become better organized and more savvy about asserting our voice into our nation's electoral dialogue. This is a community that is excited about the contributions our strong family values and foreign policy insights can make to this nation.'
This site provides you with the latest news and opinions relating to Muslims and election races nationwide. It also contains key issue positions of the presidential candidates, examples of anti-Muslim rhetoric from candidates for all levels of public office and links to the sites of Muslims running for public office.

MORE INFORMATION:

Visit: www.cair2008election.com