Browsing All Posts filed under »Balance vs Extremism«

Shari’ah Law: A Matter of Belief

December 16, 2009

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Georgina Fuller, PersonnelToday.com With increasing numbers of Muslims employed in the UK is it time for employers to pay more than lip service to Islamic law? Georgina Fuller reports. The furore after Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, suggested earlier this year that integrating some aspects of Shariah law into the UK legal system might… [Read more…]

Muslim Customer Allegedly Harassed at CitiBank for Wearing Hijab

December 9, 2009

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CAIR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CAIR-Chicago Asks Citibank to Apologize for Hijab Incident Muslim customer allegedly harassed by bank guard because of Islamic scarf (CHICAGO, IL, 12/8/09) — The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today called on Citibank to apologize to a Muslim woman who was allegedly verbally abused by a security… [Read more…]

Switzerland Ban on Minarets Condemned

December 1, 2009

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“[The ban] raises concerns as to whether fundamental rights of individuals, protected by international treaties, should be subject to popular votes.” , Thorbjorn Jagland, secretary-general of Council of Europe. Al Jazeera Switzerland is facing international criticism and charges of intolerance following a shock referendum vote backing a constitutional ban on the construction of new minarets.… [Read more…]

Inside Islam: What A Billion Muslims Really Think

November 25, 2009

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Dear  Reader, How many times have you heard the following: “Islam has nothing to do with democracy,” “Muslims are violent,” “They oppress women?” In partnership with Unity Productions Foundation, the makers of a new PBS documentary “Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think,” Link TV broadcasts this prescient and important new film that reveals… [Read more…]

Filling A Gap in Pakistan’s School System

November 24, 2009

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Amna Nawaz, NBC News KARACHI, Pakistan – No one is exactly sure how old Taimur Muslim is. A soft-spoken, lanky lad with a chipped front tooth and eyes undecided between green and gray, Taimur told me that school is his favorite part of the day, that he hates having to watch over his younger siblings… [Read more…]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 34–”Going Muslim” vs. “Going Postal”

November 14, 2009

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Tunku Varadarajan, a clinical professor (akin to a lecturer hired because of professional, not academic experience) at NYU’s Stern Business School and a fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, is executive editor for opinions at Forbes. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree. He writes a weekly column for Forbes Forbes.com Tunku Varadarajan, 11.09.09, 12:00 AM ET  ”Going… [Read more…]

Islamophobia on the Rise After the Massacre at Fort Hood

November 14, 2009

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Robert Spencer on the Savage Nation Lt. Col. Ralph Peters Says The Problem Is Islam Source: CAIR “It is the proper role of national religious and political leaders to challenge those who promote hatred and intolerance,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Extremists who seek to exploit the Fort Hood tragedy are doing a… [Read more…]

Army Muslim Chaplain: No Hostility Since Fort Hood

November 12, 2009

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NPR Please click here to listen to the interview of a U.S. Army Muslim Chaplain after the tragic events at Fort Hood.

CAIR Director Discusses Fort Hood Shootings on Hardball with Chris Matthews

November 10, 2009

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Videos: U.S. Muslims Condemn Cowardly Fort Hood Attack

November 9, 2009

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Oklahoma Muslims Condemn Unequivocally Fort Hood Attack Fort Hood (Texas) Muslims Condemn The Deadly Rampage Rachel Maddow says Right-Wing Wrong on Fort Hood Attack Muslims Condemn Shootings, Urge Calm and Unity Cair Rep Discusses Fort Hood Attack on PBS ‘Newshour’ South Florida Muslims Pray Fr Peace Muslims Worry About Backlash N. Texas Muslims Fear Fort… [Read more…]

Swiss Muslims open mosque doors

November 7, 2009

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BBC News Muslims in many parts of Switzerland have invited the public into mosques – three weeks before a vote on whether to ban the construction of minarets. Muslim organisations say they hope their open day will counter what they say are fears and prejudices. The conservative group that initiated the vote – the largest… [Read more…]

Duke University News Tip: Muslim-American Values Not Reflected in Fort Hood Shooting

November 6, 2009

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——————————————- DUKE UNIVERSITY NEWS Duke University Office of News & Communications http://www.dukenews.duke.edu ——————————————- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 CONTACT: Camille Jackson (919) 681-8052 camille.jackson@duke.edu NEWS TIP: MUSLIM-AMERICAN VALUES NOT REFLECTED IN FORT HOOD SHOOTING, DUKE EXPERT SAYS Note to editors: Jen’nan Read can be reached for additional comment until 7 p.m. Friday at… [Read more…]

Indian Muslims Denounce Terrorism

November 4, 2009

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Al Jazeera Some of the most influential Muslim scholars in India have passed a resolution condemning all forms of violence in the name of Islam. The Deoband is an influential Islamic school inspiring tens of thousands of religious study centres across the world, which some say has even inspired the Taliban’s ideology in Afghanistan. Prerna… [Read more…]

Islamophobia: Muslim Interns Infiltrating Congress?

October 28, 2009

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The above video is referring to the attack by four Republican Congressional Representatives on Muslim interns in Congress and on CAIR. Please click here to read about the unjustified attack by these lawmakers. Rep. Ellison Speaks Out Against Muslim ‘Intern Spy’ Hunt [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STSqmcs-Y_U]

Double Standards for Freedom of Expression At Columbia University

October 21, 2009

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Al Jazeera Blog When President Ahmadinejad of Iran spoke to students at Columbia University in September 2007, the students, the faculty and the media were all given front row seats to condemn and to vilify. Even the President of the University, Lee Bollinger, took the opportunty to get a dig in, telling Ahmadinejad: ““Mr. President,… [Read more…]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 33–Muslim Interns “Spying” on Congress

October 18, 2009

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Rachel Maddow Exposes Anti-Muslim Extremists in Congress Media Matters and CAIR The Council of American-Islamic Relations has recently come under attack from four Congressional Republicans who accuse the group of attempting to plant spies in key Congressional offices in order to affect policy. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ),… [Read more…]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 32– Frank Gaffney calls Islam A Virus More Deadly than Swine Flu

October 1, 2009

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Frank Gaffney demonstates his ignorance of and his bias towards Islam. He says that according to the Shariah, “Allah’s Will says that you need to force others to submit to Islam”. Clearly, he has never read the Qur’an. Here are two verses and a chapter from the Qur’an that contradict Frank Gaffney and expose his… [Read more…]

U.S. attorney targeted N. Miss. store owners

September 29, 2009

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Clarion Ledger Jerry Mitchell jmitchell@clarionledger.com The U.S. attorney’s office in Oxford targeted convenience store operators in north Mississippi, many of Middle Eastern descent, despite a lack of any connection to terrorism, according to documents obtained by The Clarion-Ledger. The Convenience Store Initiative arose from meetings with local law enforcement officers in the years following 9-11… [Read more…]

Fault Lines – Religion and Evangelical Fundamentalism in the United States and Israeli Military

September 21, 2009

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Part 1 The United States is a deeply religious country, over 90% believe in god and 80% believe in miracles. For the US military, dealing with its own religious identity has become an internal battle. Growing evidence points towards a rising influence of evangelical Christianity, and with two wars still raging in Muslim countries with… [Read more…]

Perilous Job: Reporter Fired Upon By Israeli Soldiers on West Bank

September 13, 2009

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On September 4, 2009, Israeli soldiers have fired tear gas on Palestinians protesting against the Israeli separation barrier (apartheid wall) which cuts through their West Bank village of Bilin. The soldiers also fired tear gas at Jacky Rowland, Al Jazeera’s correspondent who was covering the event live from near the village of Bilin. Here is… [Read more…]

Americans See Muslims As Facing More Discrimination

September 12, 2009

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Pew Forum Eight years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Americans see Muslims as facing more discrimination inside the U.S. than other major religious groups. Nearly six-in-ten adults (58%) say that Muslims are subject to a lot of discrimination, far more than say the same about Jews, evangelical Christians, atheists or Mormons. In fact, of… [Read more…]

Pew Forum Poll: Only A Minority of Americans Hold Favorable Views of Muslims

September 10, 2009

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Time/ CNN Eight years after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Muslim Americans — particularly Muslim-American women — continue to face battles in their struggle for acceptance and the right to wear religious garb in public settings. A new poll from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life finds that Americans see Muslims as encountering… [Read more…]

When Muslims Saved Jews

August 31, 2009

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Dina Rabie, Islamonline.net “They came in as guests. They were given Muslim names, they were living with Muslim families,” Gershman told IOL. CAIRO — Norman Gershman has become accustomed to the reactions from people who see his photos and read his stories about Muslims sheltering Jews and saving their lives during the Holocaust. “I had… [Read more…]

Fired for comparing the Holocaust experience to the Naqba

August 27, 2009

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Haaretz Yad Vashem fires employee who compared Holocaust to Nakba By Yoav Stern Yad Vashem has fired an instructor who compared the trauma of Jewish Holocaust survivors with the trauma experienced by the Palestinian people in Israel’s War of Independence. Itamar Shapira, 29, of Jerusalem, was fired before Passover from his job as a docent… [Read more…]

Attack on Muslim Business Probed as Hate Crime

August 24, 2009

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/22/09) A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group reported today that anti-Iranian graffiti was scrawled inside a Philadelphia store ransacked by vandals earlier this week. According to the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the vandals also overturned counters, broke glass windows and doors and scattered food and other items around… [Read more…]

Will China Again Forbid its Muslim Uighurs to Fast During Ramadan?

August 21, 2009

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During Ramadan in 2008, our Muslim brothers and sisters were forbidden from fasting by Chinese authorities in Xinjiang. Students, teachers and civil servants were barred from fasting. For example, students in schools through out this region were being ordered to eat. Children under 18 years were being specifically targeted: they could not fast or enter… [Read more…]

Can Muslim Women Work Outside Their Homes?

July 22, 2009

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By Maulvi Waris Mazhari (Translated from Urdu by Yoginder Sikand) Some traditional ulema are of the view that Muslim women must not work outside their homes. They even argue that women can step out of their homes only under extreme necessity. Otherwise, they insist, they must remain within the four walls of their homes. Ironically,… [Read more…]

“A New Beginning”? President Obama Addresses the Muslim World

June 4, 2009

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Please click here to download the transcript of President Obama’s speech in Cairo.

American Muslims Condemn Alleged Temple Bombing Plot

May 25, 2009

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NEW YORK (CBS) ― As we saw after Sept. 11, 2001, the invisible victims of Islamic terrorism are other Muslims, millions of people who are horrified by the thought that some of their own could turn the words of the Quran into a justification for murder. On Thursday, some of them took a stand against… [Read more…]

Riz Khan: Unemployment in the Arab World

March 21, 2009

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Al Jazeera Riz Khan speaks with Ron Bruder, a successful American businessman who took a deep look at the problems of the Middle East after the attacks of 9/11 and founded Education for Employment which now operates in several Arab countries.

The Heights of Hysteria in Britain: Anti-terror code ‘would alienate most Muslims’

February 16, 2009

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• Draft strategy brands thousands as extremists  • Ministers ponder plan to be unveiled next month ·         Vikram Dodd ·         The Guardian, Tuesday 17 February 2009   The government is considering plans that would lead to thousands more British Muslims being branded as extremists, the Guardian has learned. The proposals are in a counterterrorism strategy which… [Read more…]

Islam in America

February 9, 2009

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CNN ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) — Hailey Woldt put on the traditional black abaya, expecting the worst. Hailey Woldt, in a traditional Muslim head scarf, studied how people react to her garb in Arab, Alabama. The last time she’d worn the Muslim dress that, with a head scarf, covered everything but her face, hands and feet,… [Read more…]

Obama extends a hand to all faiths, including Islam

February 5, 2009

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Excerpt from President Obama’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast: We know too that whatever our differences, there is one law that binds all great religions together.  Jesus told us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Torah commands, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.”  In Islam, there is… [Read more…]

“Artistic” Insensitivity Aimed At Insulting Muslims

February 4, 2009

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The Shoe The Toilet High Fashion Warning: please click here to see a more offensive picture of a model wearing Islamic writing.

Dallas rabbi emerges as leader in Muslim-Jewish dialogue

December 16, 2008

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02:28 PM CST on Saturday, December 13, 2008 By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News samhodges@dallasnews.com Rabbi Jeremy Schneider spends a lot of time talking to Muslims, and wants other Jews to do the same. At age 32, the assistant rabbi at Dallas’ Temple Shalom has emerged as a national leader in Jewish-Muslim dialogue.… [Read more…]

GA Muslims Barred from Court Because of Hijab

December 16, 2008

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www.cair.com (WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/16/08) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a series of incidents in which Muslim women in Georgia were prevented from entering courtrooms because they were wearing Islamic headscarves, or hijabs. In the most recent incident, a Muslim woman was jailed today following… [Read more…]

National U.S. Muslim Organizations Condemn Terrorist Attacks in India

November 28, 2008

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KAC calls Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Reprehensible Crimes Against Humanity Washington, D.C. November 27, 2008. The Kashmiri American Council (KAC) expressed its utter disgust at the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Mumbai, India. Condemning the bestiality in the strongest terms, the KAC pledged to contribute, in whatever form possible, to the rehabilitation effort of the affected families.… [Read more…]

Al-Zawahiri, isn’t time for you to shut up and turn yourself in?

November 19, 2008

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Note from Rafik Beekun: Muslims reject terrorism of any kind, and take particular offense to al-Zawahri’s use of the offensive term “house Negro” in reference to President-elect Barack Obama. Islam abhors racism and emphasizes universal peace and brotherhood. We reject any and all use of racial slurs or insults. Al-Qaida’s second in command releases new… [Read more…]

Key Obama Advisor Has Hindu Extremist Baggage from Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America

November 8, 2008

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For all the talk of change and hope, one of the first thing that Obama did after getting elected was appoint Sonal Shah, a right wing Hindu extremist figure, as a key advisor to his transition team. Folks may be aware that it is Hindu extremist groups such as the VHP and its student wing… [Read more…]

An American Muslim’s experience with democracy

October 24, 2008

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About a decade and a half ago, I ran for the office of state assemblyman in District 31 of Nevada.   My first name Rafik did not sit well with some, and one of my advisors (who happened to be a state assemblyman then) suggested that I change my name to “Rocko Beekun” from “Rafik Beekun”. … [Read more…]

Moved by a Crescent

October 22, 2008

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Note from Rafik Beekun: Very few commentators of an international stature like Maureen Dowd have examined at length Powell’s statement about the Islamophobic statements made by many in the Republican party over the past year. My wife is a Navy veteran. My son is now serving in the Navy. My father-in-law served in the Army.… [Read more…]

Islamophobic article from Republican Official in Alamogordo, New Mexico

October 21, 2008

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Why I’m a Republican Alamogordo Daily News Article Launched: 10/21/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT   I read in today’s paper what a woman wrote explaining why she’s a Democrat. Let me tell you why I’m not. I’m a Republican because: I believe in a sovereign God who sometimes gives us what we deserve. I believe Muslims are… [Read more…]

Kareem R. Khan, American Muslim Hero who made the ultimate sacrifice

October 19, 2008

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On “Meet the Press” today, Colin L. Powell concluded his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama by referring to the death of a Muslim soldier, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan of Manahawkin, N.J., who was killed in Iraq on Aug. 6, 2007, and whose remains were buried in Arlington. He and three other soldiers, including a corporal… [Read more…]

Repression of Muslims in China

October 18, 2008

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Edward Wong, New York Times KHOTAN, China — The grand mosque that draws thousands of Muslims each week in this oasis town has all the usual trappings of piety: dusty wool carpets on which to kneel in prayer, a row of turbans and skullcaps for men without headwear, a wall niche facing the holy city… [Read more…]

Good Samaritan 101: Rabbi Steven Jacobs Confronts Clarion Fund’s Gregory Ross

October 16, 2008

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After a press conference against the “Obsession” movie held by the Coalition for Renewing American Democracy, the Communications Director of the Clarion Fund confronted the coalition members. Here, Rabbi Steven Jacobs is shown talking to the Communications Director. Interfaith leaders call ‘Obsession’ DVD hateful Detroit News Critics say film instills fear of Muslims with misleading… [Read more…]

Campbell Brown Commentary: So what if Obama was a Muslim or an Arab?

October 13, 2008

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Note from Rafik Beekun: Kudos to Campbell Brown for stating the obvious. I have always admired her ability to speak her mind when she was at NBC. Now at CNN, she exhibits the same level of professional ethics that we have to expect from her in America. Editor’s note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN’s “Campbell Brown:… [Read more…]

An Islamic Perspective on Civic Engagement and Voting in America

October 9, 2008

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Islamic Shura Council of Southern California The future of America will be decided as Americans cast their votes this November for the next president of the United States. In looking to the coming months, the Muslim American community must remain steadfast in our commitment to political and civic participation in accordance to the guiding principles… [Read more…]

Making Islamophobia Mainstream: How Muslim-bashers broadcast their bigotry

October 9, 2008

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www.fair.org A remarkable thing happened at the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) nominations in February 2007: The normally highbrow and tolerant group nominated for best book in the field of criticism a book widely viewed as denigrating an entire religious group. The nomination of Bruce Bawer’s While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam Is Destroying the… [Read more…]

Election 08: Senator Obama, American Muslims and Islamophobia

October 7, 2008

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Daniel Varisco, Tabsir.net Statement of Concerned Scholars about Islamophobia in the 2008 U. S. Election Campaign Not since the election of John Kennedy in 1960 has the religious faith of a U.S. presidential candidate generated so much distortion as the false claims generated by extremist critics that Senator Barack Obama, the candidate of the Democratic… [Read more…]

Chemical Irritant Sprayed in Mosque Full of Children 4 days After Mass Mailing of Obsession DVD

October 6, 2008

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crooksandliars.com There’s no more key battleground state in America than Ohio — and sure enough thousands were delivered there on Monday in a number of newspapers, including the Dayton Daily News, which is in a hotly contested corner of the Buckeye State.  Four days after  [the mass mailing of the Obsession DVD], this chemical attack happened… [Read more…]

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