|
submit
articles |
| Muslims Taking Action
CAIR
American Muslim & Wider Community
Actions Just a few of the many other positive
actions taking place include: * The Center for Multicultural Human
Services in Virginia reports that they are helping Muslim children
who are being harassed. The center reports having five Muslim counselors
assigned to the project. * DC Web Women, an organization
representing 5,000 women, informs CAIR that they are planning to urge
their members to wear headscarves for one day to show solidarity with
Muslim women. * A woman brought flowers to the office of
Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, VA. She said that she was
expressing her regret at the actions some people are taking against
Muslims in America. "You do not deserve this. I am very sorry,"
she said. * The Vineyard Christian Fellowship of
Thousand Oaks, CA sent a letter of support to Muslims. "My heart is
breaking for all our Islamic friends who are being targeted by... ignorant
Americans," Deborah Ward said in the letter. * A letter from Miss. Montgomery of CA
states, "No right thinking people will hold all Muslims responsible
for the acts of a few extremists." She later adds, "I also know
that there were people of the Muslim faith who were lost in Tuesday's
tragedy, and that the American-Islamic community is in mourning,
too." * Anne of Homer, Alaska writes,
"Buddhists [are] praying for peace among everyone, especially at this
time for the safety of Muslims..." * An employee of the Catholic University of
America in Washington, DC offered to help develop educational
materials for non-Muslims in the wake of the WTC tragedy. * Joanna, a Muslim living in Seattle
was afraid to go to her local mosque. However, after overcoming her fear
she was elated by what awaited her outside the mosque. "I was so
surprised when I got there," she writes, "to see the entire
front of my mosque arranged with bouquets of flowers, flags, and cards.
The neighbors and other friendly residents [were] standing out
front greeting everyone as we arrived with words of encouragement and
kindness. * Rihan J. of Chicago, Il reports
participating in a Muslim community organized blood drive. * On Saturday, September 15, the Islamic
Center of Pittsburgh held a press conference. They report that the
event was well covered by local media and that several city officials
participated. * At the request of the Governor of Michigan,
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, founding Imam of the Islamic House of Wisdom,
delivered a prayer at the Cathedral of Lansing. This prayer was part of
Michigan's activities on the national day of prayer, Friday, September 14. * Friday's sermon at the Islamic Center of Albuquerque
was dedicated to denouncing Tuesday's terrorist acts. Tariq K. reports
that excerpts from the sermon were broadcast on local TV. * Muslims in the Washington, DC area
organized an interfaith prayer vigil on Sunday, September 16. * Muzammil A. of Michigan's Muslim
Community of the West Suburbs reported that the community hosted a
fundraising dinner for victims of the tragedy. He also reports that a
blood drive was conducted on Saturday, September 15 and that red, white
and blue ribbons were distributed to Muslim students. * In Washington, DC members of the
WBG/IMF Staff Afghan Association report that they are donating blood and
equipment to the American Red Cross. * The All Dulles Area Muslim Society in
Herndon, VA reports hosting a town hall meeting for Muslim youth on
Sunday, September 16. The Society is providing counselors to Muslim youth
to discuss Tuesday's tragedy and how to handle possible backlash at
school. * The Islamic Center of Orange County
announced a town hall meeting for Sunday, September 16. Community leaders
were slated to discuss proactive ways of addressing Tuesday's terrorist
acts. * At the National Cathedral in Washington,
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, President of the Islamic Society of North
American, delivered an opening prayer at the National Day of Prayer and
Remembrance ceremonies. This prayer was broadcast live over many major national media networks. Dr. Siddiqi quoted chapter 35, verse 10 of the Qu'ran: "If any do seek for glory and power, to God belongs all glory and power. To Him mount up all words of purity. He exalts all righteous deeds. But those that lay the plots of evil, for them is a terrible penalty; and the plotting of such will not abide." CAIR Local Chapters In New York, local CAIR activists
are conducting continuous fundraising efforts for the Red Cross. A Red
Cross official spoke at the Islamic Center of Long Island to educate the
community about direct action they can take to assist relief workers and
victims. CAIR-NY spokesman Kevin James is an active
duty fire marshal and president of the Islamic Society of Fire Department
Personnel. James published an opinion piece in Newsday on September 13. Muslim doctors have volunteered their
services from the first moments of the tragedy. It has been reported to
CAIR that Muslim paramedics are involved in the relief efforts. On Saturday, September 15 CAIR-NY Director
Gazi Khankan appeared on ABC with Peter Jennings for two hours. Khankan
also appeared on CNN's Talkback Live on Sunday, September 16. The office of the New York chapter is
contacting local mosques to document information on hate crimes that are
occurring in the wake of the attacks. CAIR-Ohio organized a fundraising
effort following prayers on Friday, September 14. All mosques in central
Ohio participated in raising more than $10,000 for victims. Muslim leaders
also urged their congregations to continue donating blood. At Sunrise Academy, the only Islamic school
in central Ohio, a wall was dedicated to the victims and their families.
Local city administrators, as well as representatives of the fire and
police departments attended the ceremony. Also on Friday, CAIR-Ohio members
participated in a multi-faith prayer and healing forum. On Saturday,
September 15, the chapter participated in a similar prayer event on the
campus of Ohio State University. In other efforts, CAIR-Ohio sent letters
mourning the tragic situation and requesting vigilance against possible
backlash to numerous elected officials and law enforcement
representatives. The chapter also assembled "Helping
Children Cope with Tuesday's Acts of Terrorism: Tips for Parents and
Teachers." This guide was sent to all Ohio superintendents and school
principals. The CAIR team in Southern California
began contacting local media to discuss potential backlash soon after the
initial tragedy occurred. They participated in meetings with the
sheriffs of both LA and Orange counties.
During that meeting, heightened police protection for local Muslims
and Arabs was discussed. CAIR-S.CA, along with numerous interfaith
groups, also took part in a press conference hosted by the Human Rights
Commission. CAIR-S.CA Director Hussam Ayloush gave a
Friday sermon asking Muslims to donate to help victims and their families.
Funds were collected on site. The mayor of Hawthorne, Calif., and
representatives of the local media attended the sermon. Chapter representatives also met with the
local Board of Education to discuss challenges facing Muslim students. On Sunday, September 15, CAIR-S.CA
participated in a Muslim community town hall meeting. CAIR representatives
presented effective ways to deal with hate crimes, the media and the wider
community. This theme of training Muslims to deal with these issues is
dominating numerous recent meetings with Muslim youth. The chapter is helping to organize a blood drive on October 5. Muslims Pledge to Rebuild Ohio Mosque (CLEVELAND, OH) -- The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joins the Islamic Center of Cleveland in urging Muslims to donate to repair the damage inflicted on the Parma Mosque when a man drove his car through the front entrance. www.cleveland.com/indepth/attack/index.ssf?/indepth/attack/more/parmamosque.html "This attack is not against a
mosque," said Imam Fawaz Damra, who talked to a group of officials
and neighbors offering support. "It's an attack against all
religions, against our liberties and against our values." The attack was not the first against the
Greater Cleveland Muslim community since last week's terrorist attacks.
Incidents in Cuyahoga County ranged from slurs to altercations. As more hate incidents against members of
the American Muslim community are reported, the CAIR-Ohio is calling upon
religious groups and media outlets to avoid creating an atmosphere of
intolerance. ACTION REQUESTED: Contact the Islamic Center of Cleveland to
offer your support. Send your donations to: CAIR |