American Muslim Observer

Muslim Charities Unfairly targeted by U.S. Government

amobserver — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:58:07 +0000

The American Civil Liberties Union has spoken out against the way U.S. law targeting funding for terrorism has suppressed Muslim Charities. The Federal Government argues back that some charities are a front for terrorism. The efforts of the government to stop the funding of terrorism post 9/11 are too vague and they are unfairly applied to Muslim charity organizations.

These laws are impeding Muslim Americans from practicing their religion through charitable giving. Giving to charity is one of the five pillars of Islam and the ACLU acknowledges this. These policies are counter productive and they are making it very hard for American Muslims to practice their religious beliefs because they target their charities.

They are killing legitimate aid to places in the world where Muslim hearts and minds could be won over. Many of the people who would be receiving the aid are legitimate allies of the U.S. war on terror. The U.S. Treasury Department has shut down 9 Muslim Charities, only one of which was actually found guilty of funneling money to terrorists. These 8 charities have been denied due process and have no way to appeal their demise.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-17-voa64.cfm

American Muslims Will Still be Monitored During Worship

amobserver — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:20:22 +0000

Strong criticism has not changed the FBI’s mind about using informants to monitor activity in mosques. Not only were informants monitoring mosques but they have been monitoring local gyms in an effort to get information on local mosques. The FBI claims that they do not investigate places, but instead investigate people who are suspected of ties to terrorism.

An informant stated that he was instructed to lure members of a local mosque to gyms. The FBI would obtain security footage from the gyms and the informant would identify the men in the video. He would also be asked to provide additional information on the men and the FBI would run background checks on them. The purpose of the background checks was to find any information that the FBI could use to coerce the men into becoming informants.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/fbi-plans-to-continue-mosque-monitoring-despite-concerns-in-orange-county.html

American Muslims Get a Lesson in Fundraising

amobserver — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:17:57 +0000

At Elmhurst College over 100 leaders of mosques and Muslim non-profit companies gathered to learn how to fulfill their Islamic responsibility to do charitable works without drawing the attention of the FBI. Since 9/11 it has become increasingly difficult for Muslims to do this, especially abroad.

Muslim Advocates, the IRS and the MacArthur Foundation all gave information on how to make bookkeeping transparent, report the collection of foreign funds properly and reassure U.S. officials that the money will never end up in the hands of terrorists. Missteps in the past lead to a crackdown by the federal government and this in turn started a cooling in charitable giving.

These steps are being taken in light of the new climate under President Obama. Many Muslim organizations are signing up to have the Better Business Bureau’s charity watchdog comb through their financial records. So far eight organizations have signed up for this. This lets the government know that these charitable organizations are following best practices.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-muslim-charity-12-jun12,0,3690922.story

Justice for All, except American Muslims

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:44:34 +0000

It has long been held that using race, religion or ethnicity to prosecute a defendant violates the 14^th amendment right to equal protection. Someone should remind Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg of this. He has made repeated anti-Arab and anti-Muslim statements.

He has made comments about Muslim women and stated that Muslims believe that it is religiously acceptable to lie. Incredibly he has even promoted the notion that Muslims are killers due to their nature.

When representing the U.S. government last fall in front of a district judge he stated that a defendant could not be released to his daughter’s custody because “in this particular culture” the woman could not stop her father from fleeing. He has also made jokes about a Virginia man, Ahmed Abu Ali, being held and tortured in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-justice-for-all-or-only-non-muslims

Muslim American Travelers Targeted

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:41:30 +0000

A Muslim American legal advocacy group is charging that federal agents are targeting Muslim American, or perceived Muslim American, travelers for invasive questioning and searches. Those targeted are being questioned about their religion, politics, finances and charitable giving; all without any indication of wrongdoing on the part of those being questioned.

Muslim Advocates states that law abiding Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans are experiencing widespread and systematic privacy intrusions at the hands of federal agents at borders and airports. The interrogations are occurring without evidence or suspicion of wrongdoing and are taking away from already scarce resources. Additionally the activities are generating false leads and eroding trust between law enforcement and the public.

During the end of the Bush administration guidelines were issued making racial and ethnic criteria as a basis for questioning legal. President Obama needs to take steps to make these guidelines illegal.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25882&&name=n&&currPage=2

Hawaii Under Scrutiny for Islam Day

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:39:25 +0000

Hawaii is marking September 24^th as Islam day. This is a move that is drawing much consternation, mainly from people who live out of the state. Some are even threatening to boycott the islands. Hawaii has long been a place of tolerance thanks to its multi-cultural fabric. State Representative Lyla Berg thought that having an Islam day was in line with the island state’s culture, many disagree.

The resolution to make September 24^th Islam day passed unanimously in the House and overwhelmingly in the Senate and is intended to recognize the religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions of Islam and the Islamic world. It is important to the people that supported the bill for others to understand that because they want to recognize the contributions of Islam does not mean that they support terrorism.

Some have said that the bill violates the separation of church and state, but at least 10 other days with religious overtones are recognized by the Legislature. Christmas and Good Friday are both Christian holidays that are also official State holidays.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25947&&name=n&&currPage=1

As American as Apple Pie, Muslim Americans

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:37:15 +0000

President Obama choosing to visit a Muslim country within his first 100 days as president was a significant moment for many Muslims Americans. They have become accustomed to people believing that they know who they are before they even meet or speak to them. President Obama’s words about Muslim American enriching America touched many people. His words told many what American Muslims have been trying to convey for a long time; that you can be a Muslim and a patriotic American.

Many Americans see American Muslims and see them as someone foreign. This forces them to choose between their religious beliefs and their nationality. As long as Islam is viewed as something foreign people will see mosques, Muslim schools and headscarves as a rejection of American culture. This is just not the case.

Muslims are viewed as “others”. Muslim women are told to go home when they are out eating with their children, despite the fact that were born in the United States. A man plowed his truck into a mosque in Florida just to show American Muslims that they are not safe here.

Many American Muslims were hurt by the fact that President Obama did not address the anti-Islamic rhetoric that surrounded the accusations that he was a closet Muslim. While it is true that in post 9/11 America, where one third of American believe that Muslims are sympathetic to terrorists, being branded a Muslim really could have made him lose the election; many were saddened that he did no do more to stand up for Muslim Americans. It has brought much relief that he now seems to be trying to break through the stereo types and unnecessary fears surrounding Muslim Americans. Muslims are not just a group of people who should not be feared, but their contribution to our society and culture should be lauded and embraced. President Obama has given many Muslim Americans the sense that their identity has a place in America’s identity.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25887&&name=n&&currPage=2

Muslim Community Center Opens at Duke

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:32:34 +0000

For Duke’s Muslim Chaplin Abdullah Antepli the opening of the gray clapboard house that will be used as the Muslim Life Center was one of the happiest days of his life. 100 faculty, staff and students gathered for the official opening of the center. A law student, Mazen Alrhoob led the adhan, or Islamic call to prayer. A brief reading from the Koran followed and then several Duke Officials addressed the crowed about the importance of the event.

The president of the college, Richard Brodhead, and the Duke Chapel Dean, Sam Wells, stated that a strong Muslim community was essential for Duke to be the best it could be. The president of the Muslim Students Association and a senior at Duke, Fatemah Ahmed, was grateful to the university for its commitment to the Muslim community. She emphasized that the center is open to anyone. Everyone is welcome to come in and have a cup of tea.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25858&&name=n&&currPage=2

Group Told Muslims Trying to Overthrow America

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:30:27 +0000

A local Texas activist told a Republican club that Muslims are intent on overthrowing America. Dorrie O’Brien was booked to speak at North Tarrant Republican Club. She angered Muslims previously by stating that most American Muslims support terrorism. A Tarrant County Medical examiner, who is a Muslim, denounced this as hate speech. He requested a chance to rebut her speech when he found out she was booked to make a similar presentation in Tarrant County.

In her presentation she states that Muslims are intent on converting the West to Islam. She speaks of a “stealth Jihad” that is seeking to subvert banks, schools and local government. She reviewed the five pillars of Islam and pointed out the one known as zakat, or giving a percentage of one’s income to charity. She state there is proof that zakat is funding terrorism.

O’Brien left before the medical examiner, Nizam Peerwani, gave his speech. He spent his time correcting factual errors in O’Brien’s speech and reminding people of examples of religious persecution; the Holocaust being one of these examples. He also stated that hate speech will destroy our country. For his part he says he gives his most of his zakat to organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25937&&name=n&&currPage=1

President Obama Proudly Speaks of American Muslims

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:26:21 +0000

President Obama opened up about his Muslim roots before his speech in Egypt. He speaks with pride about American Muslims and even talks about being the son of a Muslim father. Even though he went to great lengths to quiet rumors about his religion during his campaign, he now freely speaks about his heritage and his time as a child in Indonesia.

He is hoping that the more moderate elements of Islamic society will rise up and support the United States. The president stressed the need for better dialogue and finding a common ground between the East and the West. President Obama acknowledged that if you add up all of the Muslims living in the United States, we are actually one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.

The president himself went to a Muslim school for 2 years as a child, but was not raised in any particular religion. His mother was deeply skeptical of religion. He is now a Christian but speaks frequently about how Islam has enriched America.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/03/obamas-embrace-muslim-history-return/