Civil Rights News
Forced to Pray by a Dumpster, then Terminated for Hajj A local Muslim man who worked at a prominent grocery store chain had been experiencing pervasive harassment from supervisors due to his Islamic faith. At one point, he was not…
Outreach News
CAIR-PA Representative Meets with Muslim Leaders from the Republic of Bulgaria CAIR-Philadelphia Outreach Director Rugiatu Conteh, along with other interfaith representatives met with a delegation* of Bulgarian Muslim leaders on Tuesday to discuss the role of religion in the United…
Philadelphia Muslims to Serve Neighbors in Need on National ‘Day of Dignity’
PHILADELPHIA, P.A., Sept. 21, 2011—Philadelphia Muslims will distribute food, clothing, books, toys and hygiene kits on Saturday, Oct. 1, during the annual Day of Dignity campaign sponsored by the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia and Islamic Relief USA. Other local…
Photos and Videos from Hands Across the Square
An interfaith coalition of religious congregations and organizations from center city Philadelphia gathered to commemorate the heroes and victims of 9/11 and to pray for unity and peace on Rittenhouse Square. View All Photos Watch All Videos
A day to reflect: Philadelphia joins nation in honoring victims of 9/11
Nearby, Fatin Guzlan and Sally Selim, of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, handed out dates, a traditional Muslim treat. "We're here to explain that we're Americans, too, and that Sept. 11 was a double whammy for us," said Selim. "It hit us as Americans and it hit our religion."
Muslims reflect on post-9/11 world
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has fielded calls from Muslims in the Delaware Valley who reported they’ve been victimized. Many reported incidents involve hiring practices and workplace issues. With the poor economy and heightened competition for jobs, having the name Muhammad or Fatima can be a real disadvantage, said Rugiatu Conteh, outreach and communications director for CAIR in Philadelphia.
Muslims optimistic despite adversity
The attacks of 9/11 were definitely an attack on the American-Muslin Community,” said Moein Khawaja, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Philadelphia chapter. “I think the attacks tarnished … the Muslim community. In the aftermath, it produced an unnecessary hatred. But I believe that with the death of Osama bin Laden, I am confident we have seen an end to the terror that plagued this nation and the Muslim community. I feel like al-Qaida attacked me twice, once by murdering so many fellow citizens, but the second time by smearing my faith.
U.S. Muslims reeling from ostracism after 9/11
"We do get calls, 'Hey, I've been asked to be an informant - I've been asked to record the Friday sermons of my imam and pass them along to the FBI,' " said Moein Khawaja, 28, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia, a civil-rights advocacy organization. "A lot of these people are immigrants," he continued. "They'll say, 'Look, I'm a student, I'm an immigrant, I just want to get by and get my work done, and the FBI says this is what will happen to me if I don't do it.'
Attitudes on Arabs, terrorism shifting
Moein Khawaja, executive director of the Philadelphia chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, also has seen an uptick in anti-Muslim sentiment. Twenty-five percent of federal employment discrimination cases are from Muslim-Americans, he said. He also said the council has heard from Muslim students in eastern Pennsylvania who said they were made uncomfortable at school. In one case, a teacher made an anti-Islam remark and the student did not want to go back to class, Khawaja said.