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Congress Asked to Probe Surveillance of California Muslims PDF Print E-mail

Congress Asked to Probe Surveillance of California Muslims 

 

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 5/28/08) -- A coalition of Muslim and civil liberties organizations today called on Congress to conduct a full and impartial investigation of reports that surveillance records on Muslim communities and mosques in California were illegally obtained and disseminated by a group operating out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

News reports have indicated that the group of military reservists and law enforcement officers at Camp Pendleton stole the data from a federal surveillance program that monitored mosques in Southern California. The group reportedly took advantage of faults in the security system at the Strategic Technical Operations Center at Camp Pendleton and passed secret files to local law enforcement agencies. Some of this information was also allegedly passed on to defense contractors in exchange for favors.

SEE: Records Detail Security Failure in Base File Theft (San Diego Union-Tribune)

The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-California), the ACLU of Southern California, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, and the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California sent a letter to the Committees on the Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform Wednesday expressing concerns over the possible civil rights violations posed by the alleged monitoring of U.S. citizens on the basis of religious affiliation.

The letter stated in part:

"Holding the entire American Muslim community suspect not only threatens civil liberties and raises the specter of unconstitutional religious profiling, but undermines public safety by eroding that community's trust in law enforcement. The San Diego breach revealed not only flawed security, but unchecked surveillance and monitoring programs that must be subjected to Congressional oversight."

SEE: Joint ACLU, CAIR, and Shura Council Letter to Congress

"Based on news reports, it appears that a group working out of the Camp Pendleton Marine base either conducted or had access to surveillance information about Muslim communities in Southern California," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR Greater Los Angeles.

Ayloush added: "Who approved this surveillance and who carried it out? Who provided the oversight or legal justification for spying on law-abiding U.S. citizens and institutions? Such alleged abuses not only jeopardize innocent civilians' First Amendment rights, but also harm national security."

Last year, Los Angeles Police Department alarmed Muslim and civil rights groups when it announced plans to 'map' Muslims.

SEE: LAPD Plan Draws Ire from Muslims (USA Today)

Edgar Hopida, public relations director of CAIR San Diego held similar concerns, "These types of actions only encourage further unwarranted suspicion of the American Muslim community."

Shakeel Syed, the executive director of Shura Council said: "This confirms our fears that mosques and Muslim community organizations in Southern California have been targeted for government surveillance based solely on their ethnicity and religion."

"This incident shows the danger posed by government programs that amass large amounts of data on private individuals' lawful activity, and do so without adequate safeguards to protect that sensitive information," said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. "The fact that these programs are shrouded in secrecy not only allows the government to act with impunity, but also prevents the innocent citizens from knowing whether their personal information has been shared, stolen or sold."

More than a year ago, several organizations, including CAIR-California and the Shura Council, filed a public records request for documents relating to FBI surveillance of their lawful activities.

After the ACLU of Southern California filed a lawsuit last year seeking responses to the requests, the government produced more than 100 pages of documents for some of the plaintiffs. The suit remains in litigation. 

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Muslims Take Part in Orange County AIDS Walk PDF Print E-mail
(ANAHEIM, CA, 5/14/08) - On Saturday, May 10, a team of Southern California Muslims joined the "Field of Dreams" OC AIDS Walk to help raise awareness of the disease and funds needed to provide services to AIDS patients and their families.

The team, called "Muslims Care," was sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) in cooperation with the Islamic Institute of Orange County (IIOC), the Orange County Islamic Foundation (OCIF), and the Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC).

The Muslim team included youth, activists and community leaders such as Shaykh Mohammed Faqih, the imam of IIOC. "The participation of the Muslim team in the OC AIDS Walk reaffirms that Muslims care about and want to help effect a positive change in their communities," Faqih said.

The opening ceremony featured prayers offered by Muslim, Christian and Native American representatives. CAIR-LA President Fawad Yacoob prayed for health, ease and a cure for those battling AIDS.

Muslim participation in the event is part of CAIR's fourth annual summer-long "Muslims Care" campaign designed to encourage volunteerism in the American Muslim community.

"The goal of the Muslims Care campaign is to encourage volunteerism and the spirit of giving in the American Muslim community," Yacoob said. "This year marks the first time a Muslim team participated in the OC AIDS Walk, and we hope to further increase participation and donations to this honorable cause in the coming years."

More than 8,000 people participated in the annual walk and organizers expected to raise at least $750,000.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, Tel: 714-776-1847, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
CAIR-LA: 250 Turn Out for Screening of Al-Arian Documentary PDF Print E-mail

(ANAHEIM, CA, 4/18/08) - The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) said today that more than 250 people turned out for a screening of "USA vs. Al-Arian," a documentary highlighting the injustices faced by former Florida professor Dr. Sami Al-Arian.

To watch "USA vs. Al-Arian," click here.

SEE ALSO: Free Sami Al-Arian

CAIR-LA officials said the screening was a success despite efforts by "anti-Muslim bigots" who pressured the owners of the original venue to back out of a signed contract and who tried unsuccessfully to pressure the owners of the second venue into canceling the event.  

 

Ayloush said, however, that last-minute cancellation by Starplex Cinemas generated more interest in the community, and the new venue, Edwards Cinemas, was able to accommodate more guests and provide a better facility.

 

"We thank all those who supported the right to freedom of speech and the right to seek redress from the government for the injustices suffered by Dr. Al-Arian," CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. "Last night's event was a tremendous success despite the pressure exerted by anti-Muslim bigots and those who would censor the political views of others."

 

The screening was followed by a panel discussion. Panelists included Laila Al-Arian, daughter of Dr. Sami Al-Arian. The program was moderated by Sharaf Mowjood, government relations coordinator of CAIR-LA.  

 

Laila Al-Arian said of the screening: "USA vs. Al-Arian" is a wonderful teaching tool for the American public to learn about civil liberties in post-9/11. “I am glad that this screening in Southern California was very successful. There was a tremendous turnout and response from the community,” she said.

 

The event was co-sponsored by the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, MSA-West, Islamic Center of Irvine, Orange County Islamic Foundation, Palestinian American Society, MSU-UCI and Visual Sound.

Ayloush also said Al-Arian's case was highlighted today in an article in the New York Times.

SEE: Professor in Deadlocked Terrorism Case Could Face a New Indictment

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

 

CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda at 714-776-1847, 714-851-4851, or E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it