Madina Hasson of Mechanicsburg, a nurse who volunteers as a community organizer among midstate Somali immigrants, contacted Justin Peyton, director of civil rights for CAIR in Philadelphia.
They met Jan. 11 with Amy Rafferty, human resources director for Arnold Logistics, to explain that five minutes was too short for the daily prayers required of Muslims.
The workers had been unable to make their case because of a “language barrier,” Peyton said Friday. He said Rafferty “graciously listened” and relayed the workers’ concerns to senior managers, who offered this week to rehire all 16 and provide them time each day for prayer.
– The Patriot-News, January 26, 2008
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The Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sponsored a panel discussion on November 4, 2007, at the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall at the University of Pennsylvania. The panel was comprised of Dr. Parvez Ahmed, Dr. Larry Davidson, Dr. Arthur Waskow, and Dr. Linda Hanna. Lorraine Ballard Morrill, the Director of News and Communications Affairs at Clear Channel Radio Philadelphia, moderated the event.
– Philadelphia Weekly Press
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Representing the Islamic faith was Dr. Mazhar Rishi of the Islamic Society of Chester County and board member Council on American Islamic Relations.
“Self-interest and greed are not good for humanity,” Rishi said. “This unnecessary war does has not made America more safe.” “We cannot live in isolation and maintain our sanity while the rest of the world falls apart.”
– Phoenixville News.com
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“Stereotypes are nothing new, of course; just ask the Irish, African Americans, Jews or women. But, said Iftekhar Hussain, chair of the council’s local chapter, resistance to those prejudices has coalesced on a wide scale. Today, Hussain said, stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims continue to be fueled by Hollywood images, media cliches, and just plain ignorance. They include the three B’s: bomber, belly dancer, billionaire.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, November 5, 2007
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The Zubaida Foundation is … one of a number of gathering places for Muslims that have been established, some informal and some with a building and board of directors, said Iftekhar Hussain, president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-PA).
The organization estimates there are 1,000 Muslim families in Bucks County. CAIR-PA is about to embark on a new survey of the Muslim community in the five-county Philadelphia area. The last study, four years ago, found that about 200,000 Muslims lived in the region.
“It’s a steadily growing population in Bucks, but that’s true of Montgomery County, Chester and Delaware County,” Hussain said.
– Philadelphia Inquirer, September 30, 2007
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“President Bush’s reluctance to call for an immediate cease fire “creates the impression that the administration places less value on lives from Muslim states,” said Adeeba H. Al-Zaman, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “It’s very sad and very disappointing.”
– Delaware Online, July 2006
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“We’re looking at this as an opportunity to educate and unify the community,” [CAIR-PA’s Adeeba] Al-Zaman said. “I really feel blessed to have the opportunity to be doing this, and that the community is willing to have a conversation on this issue. Not only the Muslim community, but the interfaith community as well.”
– DCCC Communitarian, May 2006 (pdf)
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“It’s very, very sad that the notion of profiling is really on the table; that it’s actually being discussed as a real way to deal with an issue.”
– KYW Newsradio
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“We call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all prisoners. By not going ahead with the ceasefire, it suggests to us that Arab and Muslim Americans are valued less in our government’s eyes.”
– KYW Newsradio
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“We have asked the Bush administration to assert our governments leverage to Israel and demand a complete cessation of fire and push for a political solution to this conflict.”
– CBS3, July 25, 2006
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“This class, “Understanding Islam and Muslims” is really going to help give you the tools to understand the context of the world around us.”
– KYW Newsradio, June 25, 2006
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“I urge you to engage your Muslim neighbors and colleagues and to explore Islamic texts and resources to learn for yourself what Islam actually promotes.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, June 17, 2006
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“In my eyes there is no ‘clash of civilizations.’ Rather, we are all brothers and sisters living together – each with a wealth of knowledge and experience to learn from.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, March 7, 2005
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“Since then, Al-Zaman has been at the forefront of much of the local Muslim community’s response to the issue. Al-Zaman has set up news conferences and film screenings. She has moderated panel discussions, met with Inquirer editors, and written an op-ed piece for the newspaper.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, February 26, 2006
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“For the next several Thursdays, Adeeba Al-Zaman, an instructor with the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Philadelphia, will be the guest speaker.”
– Daily Local News, February 24, 2006
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“We as Americans must show tolerance to all faiths,” [CAIR-PA’s Mazhar] Rishi said. “Whether we are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or any other religion we must spread ideals of faith and love because that is what our faiths tell us to do.”
– Daily Pennsylvanian, February 21, 2006
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“However, we are using this as an opportunity to build bridges within the Muslim community as well as within the Inquirer and to be able to move forward.”
– CBS 3, February 19, 2006
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“Tomorrow, the local branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR Philadelphia) will hold a public forum to address issues surrounding the cartoons. The organization is also launching a national “Explore the Life of the Prophet Muhammad” campaign.”
– Philadelphia Tribune, February 17, 2006
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“‘Dialogue and education are the best ways to combat this controversy,’ said Adeeba Al-Zaman, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia chapter of CAIR.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, February 15, 2006
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“People of all faiths in the West and in the Muslim world can succumb to a downward spiral of mutual mistrust and hostility or view this disturbing episode as a “teachable moment” that should not be wasted.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, February 14, 2006
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“CAIR and other American Muslim groups emphasize that they condemn any violent responses to publication of the cartoons in Europe.”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, February 12, 2006
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“Muslims who have protested by setting fires to embassies have been downright un-Islamic in their actions and have acted against Islamic teachings. Muslims have an Islamic obligation to show respect and human dignity even to those who level insults and denigrate our Prophet.” – Kareem Afzal
– Letter to the Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer, February 7, 2006
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“But Al-Zaman said the attack at the mosque was “quite disturbing” and easily the worst incident in the local chapter’s one-year existence…”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, November 9, 2005
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“Islam & the Theology of Power With Iftekhar Hussain, chairperson for Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Philly Interfaith Committee…”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 2005
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“The group’s Philadelphia office is collecting items for delivery to the airline. Donations are needed of new or used blankets, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets and coats…”
– The News Journal, October 15, 2005
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“…CAIR-Philly, the local branch of the Council on Islamic-American Relations, is urging American Muslims and other individuals of conscience, via e-mail and other publicity efforts, to contribute through local organizations…”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, October 11, 2005
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“…Boeing Co., Bell Helicopter and the National Journal magazine apologized yesterday to an Islamic advocacy group for creating and publishing an ad for the Osprey depicting American troops descending from the aircraft above a mosque…”
– OfficialWire, September 22, 2005
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“…Muslim group sets up shop[…] The fledgling Philadelphia office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national advocacy group, is offering a weekly class, “Understanding Islam and Muslims Through History…”
– Philadelphia Inquirer, September 17, 2005
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“…the Council on American-Islamic Relations said that the situation will bring more American Muslims together and show the United States that they don’t tolerate terrorism…”
– Delaware On-line, July 8, 2005
