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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com