This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2551
November 21, 2006
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WASHINGTON, NOV 19, SPA -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) last night held its 12th Annual Fundraising Banquet in Arlington, Virginia.
At the dinner, some 1,000 Muslim community members and activists, interfaith representatives and diplomats from Muslim nations heard addresses by several members of Congress, a representative of the FBI and by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now.
Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim ever elected to Congress on November 7, who was slated to give the keynote address was unable to attend tonight s dinner, Instead Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) spoke on his behalf thanking the American Muslim community for their support and urged them to continue to work together with the American community, government officials and their representatives in order to fight terrorism and make the United States a safer country to live in.
For his part, Congressman Albert Wynn (D-MD) praised CAIR s leadership, saying: I am very impressed with CAIR s leadership and their involvement in the community.
He said that there must be a balance between security and civil liberties, adding: Regarding Guantanamo prisoners, as Americans, we must adhere to the Geneva Convention to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to appear before a judge.
Rep. Wynn stressed, saying: I am the sponsor of a Hate Crime Legislation. Hate against Muslims is unacceptable. That is truly un-American.
Commenting on the war on terror and the war in Iraq, Rep. Wynn said: We made mistakes. It is time to take a new direction. We cannot win the war in Iraq militarily.
Meanwhile, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad thanked the participants for their support and contribution to the Muslim cause during the difficult times that Muslims are witnessing in the United States.
CAIR is America s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
--SPA
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 people turned out on Saturday at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) banquet in Arlington, Va., to hear addresses by several elected officials, including Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress.
The event raised more than $620,000 to support CAIR's civil rights and advocacy work on behalf of the American Muslim community. (Another dinner held by CAIR's Southern California chapter (CAIR-LA) over the weekend raised more than $430,000. Some 1,800 people attended that event.)
Elected officials who spoke at the sold-out event included Representative- elect Ellison (D-MN), as well as Reps. Mike Honda (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Albert Wynn (D-MD). Ellison and Jackson Lee offered their addresses by video. Saqib Ali, who was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates (District 39) on November 7, was also in attendance.
To view Keith Ellison's address, go to: https://www.cair.com/videos/keith_ellison.wmv To view Jackson Lee's address, go to: https://www.cair.com/videos/sheila_jackson.wmv SEE ALSO: Keith Olbermann, Jon Stewart Slam Glenn Beck for Questioning Keith Ellison's Patriotism http://mediamatters.org/items/200611180006 http://mediamatters.org/items/200611160004
Other speakers included Special Agent in Charge Joseph Persichini, Jr. of the FBI's Washington Field Office, Fairfax County Police Chief Col. David M. Rohrer and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now. Most members of CAIR's national board also took part in the banquet, which was emceed by Julia Shearson of CAIR- Ohio's Cleveland office.
Several Muslim community members received CAIR Islamic Community Service Awards during the dinner. The annual CAIR Rosa Parks Civil Liberties Scholarship went to Raashida Muhammad of Stillman College.
"We would like to thank all those who, through their hard work and generosity, made CAIR's annual banquet such a success," said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed. "Special thanks go to all those who volunteered their time and talents to make the dinner possible."
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Web site: http://www.cair-net.org/
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2551