Without CAIR, Anti-Muslim laws take hold
Right now, during Ramadan, the conservative/right-controlled North Carolina state legislature has passed anti-Muslim legislation that now awaits the signature of its Governor, Pat McCrory. NC House Bill 522 passed the state House 75 to 37 and sailed through the state Senate 31 to 2. While the bill is inspired by bigotry against Muslims, it can deal a blow to all minority faith communities including Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and others.
The symbolic implications, of a State publicly coming out against a particular faith, are essentially endorsing bigotry and discrimination. A citizen can think, “if the government is banning these laws, then they must be dangerous.” The reality of anti-Muslim legislation could make it difficult to pray in the workplace, prohibit halal businesses or establishments, and embolden nativist opposition to mosque construction and expansion projects. But even more subtly, these laws can increase discrimination in hiring, mortgage applications, apartment leasing situations, and school admissions, in effect, all parts of your life.
Just last year, here in Pennsylvania, the conservative-controlled Pennsylvania state House, Senate and Governor were on the road to do the same with HB2029, before that misguided effort was derailed. The only difference between the two situations: North Carolina does not have a CAIR chapter. We in Pennsylvania are blessed with a proactive CAIR chapter staffed by a dedicated team, including our own Amara Chaudhry, one of the most successful Civil Rights attorneys in the CAIR system. CAIR-Philadelphia built a coalition that persuaded the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh City Councils, as well as the Philadelphia Bar Association to publicly oppose the bill. Additionally, CAIR-Philadelphia submitted a 70-page Memorandum to the House Judiciary Committee detailing the case against the bill.
In the past couple of years, at least 25 states have introduced or proposed anti-Muslim legislation in state legislatures across the country. However only a handful have become law in states such as South Dakota, Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and now North Carolina. The difference: not a single one of those states has a CAIR chapter!
The rights granted and freedoms enjoyed by you under the US Constitution, particularly the First Amendment, continue to be under uncompromising siege and therefore in need of an equally constant and unyielding defense! CAIR-Philadelphia’s well-trained, credentialed, and experienced professionals are dedicated to preserve your rights and our freedoms. The only way to vigorously guard the rights of the American Muslim community is through your continued, consistent and considerate support.
CAIR-Philadelphia is Zakat-eligible
Many scholars and jurists of Islam, of the past and present, have confirmed that Zakat is payable to organizations that exist to serve the Muslim community by protecting their rights. This is because the work done by CAIR can be classified as fi-sabilillah, which is one of the eight categories of zakat recipients detailed in the Quran 9:60. It is permissible and vital that we give our zakat to CAIR, since it provides an essential service for the security and growth of the community.
This Ramadan, we are still very much behind our goal. You need to help CAIR-Philadelphia be fully prepared to advocate and defend current discriminations and future challenges. Rush a donation now, to help us make up for this year’s fundraising shortage and ensure that our projects and advocacy do not wither from lack of resources.
Also, please consider signing up for the Dollar-A-Day program. It takes just 800 memberships to cover our full budget so that we would never need to fundraise again. Please be among the team of supporters that will help give us reliable resources to do what we do best: defend your rights in the media, in the legal arena and in society at large.
Thank you in advance for your support. Remember that CAIR-Philadelphia donations are zakat-eligible and tax-deductible. As always, thank you for your support. We wish you and your family an early Eid Mubarak!
