In a joint letter mailed recently to all members of the Indiana General Assembly, the Washington, D.C., and Chicago offices of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote in part:

"As the General Assembly reconvenes for the coming year, we would like to reach out to you regarding a bill that Representative Bruce Borders has indicated he intends to introduce in the House of Representatives. Representative Borders's bill is un-American to its core. The bill will divide Indiana residents rather than unite them. It will communicate to the nation and the world that Indiana unconstitutionally deprives religious minorities of the freedom to practice their faith. We are seeking your commitment not to allow Representative Borders's bill to be considered by the House.

SEE: Sharia Law Not an Issue in Indiana -- Or Any Other States 

"Representative Borders plans on introducing a bill proclaiming that 'Indiana does not recognize Sharia law.' He believes this action is justified because 'there is a push in some states to recognize Sharia law with its own court system.' However, Mr. Borders is wrong to think that Muslims are seeking to impose 'Sharia Law' over and above state and federal law.

"What Representative Borders ominously calls 'Sharia Law' is nothing more than the religious traditions that Muslims use to guide the practice of their faith. Much like other faiths, these religious traditions inform individuals in everyday decisions involving marriage, business transactions and estate planning. Muslims are not seeking to impose their religious traditions onto the government. As a recent editorial from the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute made clear, such fears are 'not even worthy of backburner status' during the General Assembly's upcoming session.

"Representative Borders's proposed legislation attacks Indiana's Muslim community by treating Islam's religious traditions differently than those from other faiths. From probating wills to enforcing contracts, government agencies and courts often consider religion in their decisions. Treating Muslims differently is manifestly unconstitutional."

CAIR's letter noted that a federal judge recently granted an injunction that barred certification of a similar anti-Islam state ballot measure passed in Oklahoma.

SEE: Judge Rules in Favor of Muslim Man on State Question 755 

The letter to Indiana lawmakers stated: "It is our hope that you will have similar foresight and refuse to indulge in the fear-mongering that Representative Borders's bill embodies."

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said an investigative report on post-9/11 government surveillance published in today's Washington Post states:"Seeking to learn more about Islam and terrorism, some law enforcement agencies have hired as trainers self-described experts whose extremist views on Islam and terrorism are considered inaccurate and counterproductive by the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies."

SEE: Monitoring America (Wash. Post)

The Post's report cites cases of individuals who lack formal training "teaching classes on terrorism and Islam to law enforcement officers all over the country." One such trainer tells all his students that Muslims in the United States "want to impose sharia law here."

Another trainer, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, told the Post he warns officers that "you need to look at the entire pool of Muslims ina community." He recommends that law enforcement authorities "monitor Muslim student groups and local mosques and, if possible, tap their phones."

The Post also noted that the Center for Security Policy, a right-wing think tank that recently published an inflammatory report targeting American Muslims,has spoken to many law enforcement forums.

According to the Post: "Government terrorism experts call the views expressed in the center's book inaccurate and counterproductive."

"The use of ill-informed and agenda-driven 'experts' will inevitably result in law enforcement practices that are based on misinformation, not on our nation's legitimate security needs," wrote CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad in a letter to Attorney General Holder.

He said the attorney general recently told American Muslims that "law enforcement has an obligation to ensure that members of every religious community enjoy the ability to worship ... free from intimidation, violence or suspicion."

SEE: Holder Calls Terrorism Sting Operations 'Essential' (NY Times)

"Those who view American Muslims as a suspect community should not be training local, state or federal law enforcement agencies," said Awad.

He added that another recent investigative report outlined what the writer termed the "Great Islamophobic Crusade" by a growing network of groups and individuals "obsessively fixated on the supposed spread of Muslim influence in America."

Acoalition of Muslim, Sikh, Asian-American, and other civil liberties groups recently called on FBI Director Robert Mueller to explain whyRobert Spencer, a leader of an anti-Islam hate group, was invited to train state and federal law enforcement officers.

In its letter to Mueller, the coalition outlined Spencer's bigoted viewson Islam and Muslims, including Spencer's reference to Islam's Prophet Muhammad as a "con man."

(WASHINGTON,D.C., 8/13/2010) --The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) tonight welcomed President Obama's strong support for Muslim religious rights, including the right to build an Islamic community center in Manhattan.

At an iftar, or Ramadan fast-breaking dinner at the White House this evening, the president said: "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place ofworship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."

SEE: ObamaBacks Rights of Muslims on Center Near Ground Zero

"We welcome President Obama's strong statement of support for American Muslimreligious rights and hope his remarks will serve as encouragement to those who are challenging the rising level of Islamophobia in our society," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We urge other national political and religious leaders to speak out in defense of the freedom of religion and equality of all Americans enshrined in our Constitution."

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/28/10)-- The Texas office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) reported today that local policeand the FBI are investigating possibly bias-motivated incidents of arson, hate graffiti and racial slurs targeting a mosque in that state.

[NOTE:CAIR is also looking into a report of recent vandalism at a mosque under construction in Round Rock, Texas. A motive has not yet been established in that case.]

CAIR-TX said a Sunday fire at the playground of Dar El-Eman Islamic Centerin Arlington, Texas, followed an incident two days earlier in which obscene anti-Muslim graffiti was discovered in the mosque's parking lot. A third incident involved racial slurs being shouted at worshippers on Sunday.

A spokesperson for Arlington police told CAIR that arson investigatorsand the FBI are involved in the probe. Police patrols have been stepped up in the area surrounding the mosque.

CAIR-TX took part in a Tuesday meeting at the mosque in which the FBI and other fireand law enforcement officials discussed the investigation.

The Texas Penal Code allows for enhanced penalties if an offense is"committed because of bias or prejudice."

SEE: Penalty if Offense Committed Because of Bias or Prejudice

“We appreciated the prompt and professional actions of local and federal agencies inresponding to these disturbing incidents,” said CAIR-Texas Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, who took part in Tuesday’s meeting at the mosque. "We ask the FBI to encourage police departments nationwide to step up protection at American mosques and Islamic centers."

SEE: NewYorkCity Police to Increase Mosque Patrols During Ramadan

He noted that a mosque in Jacksonville, Fla., was recently the target of a bomb attack and that mosques are facing opposition nationwide.

SEE: Fla.MosqueAttack Called Terrorism
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Carroll said CAIR is urging American Muslim individuals and institutions toreviewadvice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE:Muslim Community Safety Kit