CAIR-Philadelphia

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Thank You and Farewell

I write to you with bittersweet news. I will be stepping down as the Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia exactly a month from today. This was a very difficult decision because I love this job, but I have chosen to move on and pursue graduate studies so that I may become a more effective public servant, God willing, and perhaps return to Philadelphia in a few years. Working with CAIR has been one of the greatest, most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life, and I am thankful to have been given the opportunity.

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Philadelphia Muslims offer $20,000 reward to find criminals wearing Islamic garb

Amara Chaudhry, civil rights director at CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter, told msnbc.com that one community member, who went to a bank to deposit the paycheck of her son in the military, was not allowed to enter the branch before first removing her hijab, making her feel as naked as removing her blouse and bra. “She couldn’t even serve her son who is serving our country,” Chaudhry said.

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Dr. Zuhdi Jasser Appointed to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

A common practice of the right-wing is to target minorities by using puppets and enablers within those minority groups to affirm xenophobic views. Dr. Zuhdi Jasser serves this role for the most vile anti-Muslim organizations and funders in this country. His organization, the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, is almost entirely funded by Islamophobe entities, including the Clarion Fund.

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Challenging Pennsylvania’s Misguided ‘Anti-Shariah’ Bill

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has led the effort to challenge the constitutionality of "anti-Shariah" bills as these are introduced throughout the country, and CAIR-Philadelphia has led the effort to challenge HB 2029 here in Pennsylvania. More than 50 "anti-Shariah" bills have been introduced in 25 states based upon the model "American Laws for American Courts" (ALAC) legislation drafted by the American Public Policy Alliance (APPA). Because ALAC legislation raises significant constitutional concerns, most of these bills have died in committee without going to a vote. In the end, only five states have adopted the bills.

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Workplace discrimination claims from Muslims spike in York County

Workplace religious discrimination takes many forms, said Amara Chaudhry, civil rights director for the Philadelphia office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. It can be overt discrimination from a boss against an employee or from another employee. It can take the form of rules disproportionately applied to a Muslim employee. But it can also be non-confrontational and almost unseen, Chaudhry explained.

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