U.S. Rep. John Conyers Calls for Independent Investigation into the Death of Imam Luqman

House Judiciary Chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) announced the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division will review the shooting death of Imam Luqman Abdullah at a news conference earlier today in Detroit sponsored by CAIR-MI and attended by a coalition of civil rights groups.

Click Here for the Press Conference

Click Here to See Conyer's Letter

Action Alert:

Attend Dismissal Hearing of Hijab Lawsuit

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 1/1/10) - CAIR-MI is asking Michigan Muslims and other people of conscience to attend a dismissal hearing in Federal court pertaining to a lawsuit filed against a Wayne County judge who demanded a Muslim female to remove her hijab during a name change procedure last year.

Click Here for More Details

Press Releases

CAIR-MI Welcomes Police Commissioners Resolution on Imam's Shooting

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 2/8/10) The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed a recent resolution from the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners calling "for objective scrutiny and resolution to the fatal shooting of Cleric Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah," which took place on October 28 of last year in Dearborn.

Click the link above for more details

Detroit Muslims Hold News Conference Condemning Al-Qaeda Involvement in Failed Airline Attack

(SOUTHFIELD MI, 12/28/09) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) along with Nigerian-American Muslim leaders will hold a news conference tomorrow to condemn Al-Qaeda's reported involvement in a failed airline attack on December 25th by a Nigerian national on a inbound flight to Detroit.

Click the above link for more info

Muslim Coalition Calls for Probe Into FBI Shooting Death of Mich. Muslim

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/30/09) -- The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), a coalition of major national Islamic organizations, is calling for an independent investigation into the death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, who was shot and killed by the FBI on Wednesday in Detroit during raids in which a number of individuals were arrested on charges unrelated to terrorism.

AMT is also calling on the FBI not to link the raids or the allegations against the suspects to the Islamic faith.

In a statement, the Muslim coalition said:

"It is imperative that an independent investigation of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah's death make public the exact circumstances in which he died. And unless the FBI has evidence linking the criminal allegations to the religious affiliation of the suspects, we ask that federal authorities stop injecting religion into this case. The unjustified linkage of this case to the faith Islam will only serve to promote an increase in existing anti-Muslim stereotyping and bias in our society."

AMT is also urging the Congressional Tri-Caucus (Black, Latino, and Asian) to call for a judicial inquiry.

In keeping with its charter, AMT works for civil rights of all Americans and plans to hold a series of meetings across the United States, culminating in a civil rights summit in Washington, D.C., to address growing civil and human rights concerns of seven to eight million American Muslims.

AMT is an umbrella organization that includes American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), MAS-Freedom, Muslim Student Association-ational (MSA-N), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), and United Muslims of America (UMA). Its observer organizations include American Muslims for Civic Engagement (AMCE), Islamic Educational Council of Orange County (IECOC), the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

CAIR-MI Rep Speaks To College Faculty About Diversity

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 10/28/09) - A representative from the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) yesterday spoke about awareness of cultural and religious diversity with faculty of the Downtown campus of Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) in Detroit.

CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid discussed the topic of "Bridging the Cultural Gap" at the campus' annual District Conference Day addressing the need for better understanding of the cultural and religious sensitivities of its growing Latino, Bengali-American and Yemeni-American student body.

The Downtown campus president, instructors and administrative staff were in attendance.

"We welcome such opportunities to sensitize educators about the importance of understanding various cultures and religious groups for the enhancement of learning environments," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com

CAIR-MI Offers ‘Know Your Rights’ Presentation to Hajj Travelers

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 10/27/09) The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), along with the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), yesterday offered a "Know Your Rights" presentation to travelers who are about to make Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca, from the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn.

The presentation included information on how to request same-gender screening in private rooms instead of going through full-body screening machines and how to file complaints if a traveler believes he or she has been subjected to ethnic or religious profiling.

In 2007, a hajj group from the Islamic Center of America was barred from boarding a Northwest
Airline plane. Northwest Airlines later apologized and gave compensation to those who were barred.

SEE: Northwest Apologizes to 'Bumped' Hajis (Arab News)

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=91127

CAIR-MI encourages all who plan on leaving forHajj in November to review CAIR's American Muslim Civic Pocket Guide.

SEE: Your Rights and Responsibilities as an American Muslim
http://www.cair.com/CivilRights/KnowYourRights.aspx

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com

CAIR-MI Rep Discusses Religious Attire in Courts with Law Students

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 10/22/09) - A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) yesterday took part in a panel discussion for law students at Michigan State University in East Lansing examining accommodation issues relating to religious attire in that state's courts.

CAIR-MI Attorney Melanie Elturk spoke about the recent Michigan Supreme Court administrative rule that gives judges unrestricted discretion to regulated attire of individuals in court rooms and discussed how the rule is of major concern to civil libertarians.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Clarification on Hijab in Michigan Courts

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=25978&&name=n&&currPage=1

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

CAIR-MI Rep Offers Info on Islam to Journalism Students

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 10/5/09) A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today gave a presentation about misconceptions about American Muslims to journalism students at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid discussed American Muslim demographics and mainstream Muslim organizations' records of encouraging civic engagement and condemning extremism.

"We welcome such opportunities to clarify common misconceptions about American Muslims and to answer basic questions about Islamic beliefs with our nation's future journalists," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-559-2247 or e-mail: dwalid@cair.com

Detroit Muslims to Serve the Needy During Ramadan

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 9/8/09) - On September 12, Detroit-area Muslims will mark the month-long fast of Ramadan by providing free food and clothing to the needy.

The Muslim Center in Detroit, in conjunction with Islamic Relief, will hold a "Day of Dignity" in which hot meals, food boxes and clothing will be distributed. Free health screenings will also be provided.

The Tawheed Center in Farmington Hills and eight other mosques in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Ypsilanti will distribute $60,000 worth of food items to those in need in the community.

Click on the link above for more details.

CAIR-MI Joins Rep. Conyers for Panel on Hate Crimes Bill

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 9/1/09) - A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) yesterday participated in a panel discussion on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2009 at St. Peter AME Zion Church in Hamtramck

CAIR-MI Meets With DHS Assistant Secretary Regarding Immigration Reform

( SOUTHFIELD, MI, 9/1/09) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) along with other immigration rights advocates yesterday met with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary of Intergovernment Programs Juliette Kayyem to discuss immigration reform at the Arab-American Museum in Dearborn.

Michigan Muslim to File Suit Over Judge’s Hijab Ban

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 8/25/09) - On August 26, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) will hold a news conference in Southfield to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against a Wayne County judge who demanded that a Muslim woman remove her religious headscarf (hijab) in court. The Muslim plaintiff felt so intimidated by the judge's repeated demand that she eventually removed her headscarf.

CAIR-MI Rep Speaks at International Interfaith Conference

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 7/20/09) - A representative from the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) recently participated in an international interfaith conference in Bamako, Mali.

CAIR-MI Hosts Town Hall Forum on Civil Rights

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 6/15/09) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) recently held a successful town hall forum at the Islamic Center of Detroit to discuss pressing civil rights issues impacting American Muslims and Arab-Americans.

Michigan Muslims Say FBI Using Spies to Entrap Worshippers

(WARREN, MI, 4/16/09) - The Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan (CIOM) today asks US Attorney General Eric Holder to launch an investigation into complaints that Michigan Muslims are being approached to spy on activities of Muslim congregations by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

1000 Turn Out for CAIR-MI Banquet

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 3/23/09) - Some 1000 people turned out yesterday for the 9th annual fundraising dinner of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) in Dearborn.

CAIR-MI Rep Speaks About History of African-American Muslims

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 2/17/09) – A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today participated in a school discussion pertaining to the historical significance between Muslims and Black History Month at Finney High School in Detroit, Mich.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers Calls for Independent Investigation into the Death of Imam Luqman

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Attend Dismissal Hearing of Hijab Lawsuit

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