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Press Releases
CAIR-MN's Communications Department works in conjunction with local and national media to ensure an accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presented to the American public. CAIR-MN monitors local, national and international media in part, to challenge negative stereotypes, but also to applaud and encourage positive representations of Islam and Muslims. Over the years, CAIR has become a respected and credible source for journalists and other media professionals.
CAIR National PSA Campaign Challenges Growing Islamophobia Public service announcements feature Muslim 9/11 first responders, interfaith leaders (WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/1/2010) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today launched a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign, featuring Muslim 9/11 first responders, designed to challenge the growing anti-Muslim bigotry in American society.
Muslims Ask MN Gov. to Retract Statement Against NY Islamic Center Community leaders urge Pawlenty to uphold religious freedom, educate himself about Islam MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 8/9/2010) - Leaders of over twelve Minnesota Muslim organizations and mosques today called on Governor Tim Pawlenty to retract a statement he made in opposition to a New York Muslim cultural center. His comments appeared to link all Muslims and the Islamic faith to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
CAIR: Electrolux Denies Minn. Muslims Ramadan Rights Muslim workers seek religious accommodation for food to break fast (ST. PAUL, MN, 7/21/10) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux to grant legally-mandated religious accommodation to Muslim employees at its St. Cloud plant during the upcoming Ramadan fast.
CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism of Somali-Owned Market (ST. PAUL, MN, 7/09/10) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today asked the FBI to investigate recent graffiti spray-painted on a St. Cloud business as a possible hate crime. The Hormud Market, owned by a Somali Muslim St. Cloud resident, was spray painted with the words, “Go Home” on Thursday, July 8.
CAIR-MN Welcomes DOE Decision to Probe Racial Tensions in Minn. Schools Muslim civil rights group asked for federal intervention after students reported bias incidents (ST. PAUL, MN, 5/25/10) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a decision by the U.S. Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights (DOE-OCR) to launch an investigation into growing racial tensions in public high schools in St. Cloud and Owatonna.
CAIR-MN: Muslim Students’ Bias Concerns Confirmed by St. Cloud School District Investigation (ST. PAUL, MN, 5/12/10) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a report released by the St. Cloud Area School District after it conducted an internal investigation into alleged bias incidents at St. Cloud Apollo High School. The report confirms a number of bias incidents reported to the civil rights advocacy organization by Somali Muslim students.
CAIR-MN: Event to Promote Muslim Understanding of Deaf Culture (ST. PAUL, MN, 5/12/10) -- On Saturday, May 15, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will join several other Muslim organizations in hosting the Deaf Muslim Interactive Symposia, an event that seeks to create greater understanding of deaf individuals in the Muslim community. The event will bring together deaf Muslims and Muslim community leaders.
CAIR-MN Welcomes Wrestling Federation's Apology for Racist Skit Discriminatory Muslim-Iranian skit will no longer be performed at wrestling shows in metro-area public schools (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/22/10) -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed an apology from the American Wrestling Federation (AWF) after the civil rights organization expressed concerns about a racist skit performed at St. Michael-Albertville High School and other metro-area public schools.
CAIR-MN Welcomes New Human Rights Commission in St. Cloud (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/7/10) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed the St. Cloud City Council’s decision to establish a regional Human Rights Commission. The commission will provide community education and outreach to address bias-motivated incidents in St. Cloud and St. Joseph. The Commission will work closely with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
CAIR-MN: CBP Briefs Muslim Leaders on New Travel Guidelines (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/6/10) – On Saturday, April 3, 2010, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) hosted a meeting between Minnesota Muslim community leaders and a representative from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on new traveler screening guidelines.
CAIR-MN Responds to Anti-Islam Ad in St. Cloud Times Minnesota civil rights organization publishes 'We are American, We are Muslim' ad (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/6/10) – On Sunday, April 4, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) published an advertisement in the St. Cloud Times featuring its “We are American, We are Muslim” campaign.
CAIR-MN: Asks DOE to Address Racial Tensions in Minn. Schools Muslim civil rights group says hate incidents create hostile learning environment, threaten safety of students (ST. PAUL, MN, 3/24/10) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to investigate and address reports of growing racial and religious tensions in Minnesota public schools.
CAIR-MN: Big Turnout for Annual Muslim Day at the Capital Muslims from around the state gather to meet with their legislators (ST. PAUL, MN, 3/24/10) - More than 100 Muslims from Minnesota gathered in St. Paul on Tuesday for the 6th Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol. The day opened with a gathering in the State Capitol Rotunda in which representatives greeted Muslim constituents to encourage community engagement in local politics.
CAIR-MN: Holds St. Cloud Town Hall on Anti-Muslim Hate Event designed to help community build bridges of understanding (ST. PAUL, MN, 1/27/10) On January 26, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) co-sponsored a community town hall meeting at the St. Cloud City Chambers in response to recent anti-Muslim cartoons posted around the city. More than 300 community members were in attendance.
CAIR-MN to Co-Sponsor St. Cloud Town Hall on Anti-Muslim Hate Muslim civil rights group says derogatory cartoons show lack of tolerance, misunderstanding of Islam (ST. PAUL, MN, 1/21/10) On January 26, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will co-sponsor a community town hall meeting at the St. Cloud City Chambers in response to recent anti-Muslim cartoons posted around the city. More than a dozen St. Cloud area organizations and city officials have joined with CAIR-MN to sponsor the town hall.
CAIR-MN: Minn. Leaders Asked to Repudiate Anti-Muslim Incidents Congressonal candidate says constitution does not apply to Muslims, anti-Islam fliers posted in St. Cloud (ST. PAUL, MN, 12/10/2009) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on political and religious leaders in that state to repudiate recent incidents of anti-Muslim hateMuslim civil rights group says derogatory cartoons show lack of tolerance, misunderstanding of Islam
CAIR-MN: Wal-Mart to Accommodate Muslim Worker’s Prayers (ST. PAUL, MN, 7/21/2009) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) announced today that a Wal-Mart store in that state has agreed to accommodate a Muslim employee’s right to pray in the workplace.
CAIR-MN: Muslims welcome withdrawal of offensive fireworks, ‘Run Hadji Run’ (ST. PAUL, MN, 7/3/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed the decision of a fireworks retailer in Wisconsin, Fireworks City, to withdraw a product called “Run Hadji Run,’ which was deemed offensive by local Muslims.
CAIR-MN: Minn. Rabbi Says Kill Arab ‘Men, Women and Children’ (ST. PAUL, MN, 6/3/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on political and religious leaders in that state to repudiate a rabbi’s call to kill Arab men, women and children and to destroy their religious sites.
CAIR-MN: Somali Students Questioned by FBI on High School, College Campuses (ST. PAUL, MN, 04/8/09) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on local high schools, colleges and universities to provide legal support to Somali students who say they have been interrogated by FBI officials on campus.
CAIR-MN: Gold'n Plump Settlement Paves Way for Religious Accommodation (ST. PAUL, MN, 04/2/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today announced that more religious accommodation complaints may be resolved after Muslim workers’ bias suits against a Minnesota-based poultry company were settled.
CAIR-MN: Large Turnout for Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol (St. Paul, MN, 3/11/09) - Almost 100 Muslims from Minnesota participated in the 5th Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol on Tuesday. The day opened with a gathering in the State Capitol Rotunda in which 17 representatives, senators....
CAIR-MN: Minn Muslims Oppose Bill Banning Hijab on Driver's Photos (St. Paul, MN, 3/03/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) said today that proposed bill banning head coverings in driver's license photographs would infringe on the First Amendment rights...
CAIR-MN: Hundreds Turn Out for Minneapolis Mosque Open House (St. Paul, MN, 2/26/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) co-hosted a community dinner Wednesday with the Abubakar As-Siddique Islamic Center, one of the largest mosques in Minneapolis, Minn.
CAIR Asks AG Holder to Defend U.S. Muslim Rights Recent Incidents target Islam, Muslim lobbying, mosques, Islamic religious rights (Washington D.C., 2/26/09) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group called on Attorney General Eric Holder to protect the rights of American Muslims to participate fully in the political process and practice their faiths without fear of government intrusion.
CAIR-MN: FBI Director invited to Meet Minn. Somali Community Invitation to community dinner designed to open channels of communication (St. Paul, MN, 2/24/09) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today invited FBI Director Robert Mueller to take part in a community center dinner Wednesday at a Minneapolis mosque.
Minneapolis Mosque to Host Community Dinner Neighbors invited to interact and gain understanding about local Somali Muslims (St. Paul, MN, 2/23/09) - On February 25, 2009, the Abubakar As-Siddique Islamic Center will welcome neighborhood residents and organizations for a community dinner intended to increase understanding about the local Somali Muslim community and mosque.
20 Local Organizations to Gather to Decry Killing of Children in Gaza MN Coalition for Gaza Rally and March to take place in Loring Park on January 17 (Minneapolis, MN 1/16/09) – On Saturday, January 17, Minnesotans will gather at Loring Park in Minneapolis to rally and march for children impacted by the attacks on Gaza. A series of local rallies have called on public officials to call for an immediate end to the Israeli attacks and promote peace with justice in the Middle East.
CAIR-MN to Participate in National Day of Action Protesting the Bombing of Gaza Local protest and press conference to call for immediate end to attacks on Gaza (ST. PAUL, MN, 12/29/08) – On December 30, 2008, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will join with other local organizations in calling for an immediate end to the attacks carried out by the Israeli military against the people of Gaza.
CAIR MN Welcomes LJS Apology to Muslim Family CAIR-MN Welcomes Long John Silver’s Apology to Muslim Family Restaurant commended for ‘prompt and professional handling’ of religious toy incident (ST. PAUL, MN, 12/24/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed an apology from a Long John Silver’s restaurant in that state that distributed religious literature in children’s meals.
CAIR-MN Calls on LJS to Probe Distribution of Religious Material in Childrens Meal (ST. PAUL, MN, 12/17/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on Kentucky-based Yum! Brands, the parent company of the Long John Silver’s restaurant chain, to investigate a complaint reported to the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization involving distribution of religious literature in a children’s meal.
Minn Muslims English Only Complaint Resolved CAIR-MN applauds Macy's for its commitment to diversity (ST. PAUL, MN, 9/29/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today announced the successful resolution of complaints by Muslim workers that a Macy's department store had adopted an "English-only" policy in the workplace. CAIR-MN Seeks Probe of Macy's English Only Policy CAIR-MN seeks probe to ‘ensure that all relevant laws are being followed’ ST. PAUL, MN, 9/16/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on a Macy's department store in that state to clarify a new "English only" policy under which Muslim workers were allegedly threatened with termination if they spoke “even one word” of Somali.
CAIR-MN Dialogue on African American Muslims, Civil Rights Movement (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/28/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) recently organized a community dialogue with the NAACP-MN and Masjid An-Nur focusing on African-American Muslims and the civil rights movement.
Minn. Muslim's Workplace Bias Complaint Resolved CAIR-MN welcomes company's 'prompt and professional' response to incident (ST. PAUL, MN, 8/14/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today said a Muslim teenager who was initially denied a job at an Old Country Buffet restaurant in that state will be offered a second interview.
Minn. Muslim Denied Job Because of Islamic Scarf Old Country Buffet manager said scarf violates company’s uniform regulations (ST. PAUL, MN, 8/08/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on Eagan-based Old Country Buffet to investigate an incident involving a Muslim woman who was allegedly denied employment at the Fridley restaurant due to her religious headscarf.
MN Muslims to mark end of Ramadan with Communal Prayers (ST. PAUL, MN, 9/30/08) - On Wednesday, October 1, the Muslim community in Minnesota and around the world will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers. (Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset.)
CAIR-MN 2nd Annual Ramadan Dinner a Success (ST. PAUL, MN, 9/15/08) Some 200 people turned out on Saturday for the 2nd annual Ramadan Dinner of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN).
Somali Community Forum to Focus on Problems of Gangs, Drugs Recent incidents to be discussed with parents, community leaders and law enforcement authorities (MINNEAPOLIS, MN 11/13/08) ¬ On November 14, 2008, the Abuubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center will host a community forum called “Threats to Our Youth: Gangs, Drugs, Homicides, Dropping Out” to address recent incidents in the Somali community.
Muslim Group Supports Minnesota Student's right to service Dog (ST. PAUL, MN, 5/13/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today expressed support of a St. Cloud State University student's right to a service dog after that student reportedly left the school in late April because he says he feared for the safety of the animal.
MN Muslim Community Leaders Meet with Journalists from the Middle East and North Africa Journalists were in MN on a tour organized by the US Dept of State Foreign Press Center (ST. PAUL, MN, 7/13/08) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) arranged a meeting with Minnesota Muslim community leaders and eight journalists from the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting was held on Friday, July 11 at the St. Paul Hotel.
Minn. Muslim Workers Fired Over Islamic Attire CAIR: Companies have a legal duty to accommodate religious beliefs (ST. PAUL, MN, 5/27/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on Texas-based Mission Foods (also known as Gruma Corporation) to rehire six Muslim workers allegedly fired from a plant in New Brighton for refusing to wear new uniforms that they say violate the Islamic requirement for men and women to dress in modest attire.
Flood Damages Historic American Mosque, Destroys Documents CAIR-MN urges American Muslims to assist flood victims of all faiths (ST. PAUL, MN, 6/16/08) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on American Muslims to help repair damage to one of the first mosques in America caused by recent flooding in Iowa.
CAIR-MN Community Dinner Addresses Recent Hate Crimes in Rochester, MN (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/27/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) recently organized a community dinner in Rochester, Minnesota after a series of hate incidents were reported to CAIR-MN from Muslims in that city.
CAIR asks FBI to probe threats against Minnesota School (ST. PAUL, MN, 4/14/08) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today asked local law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate reported threats against a charter school in that state as possible hate crimes.
CAIR-MN helps build relationships between campus Police and Somali Students ST. PAUL, MN, 7/13/08 – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) is facilitating between the University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) and the Somali Student Association (SSA) on the Twin Cities campus after allegations of racial profiling and incidents of alleged police misconduct surfaced.
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