'Former Muslim' will 'contextualize' Israeli experience for Port of
Seattle Police

    SEATTLE, May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Washington state chapter
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) is calling on Port
of Seattle Police to ensure that a two-day training course that begins
today, titled "The Threat of Islamic Jihadists to the World," will offer a
balanced perspective on Islam and Muslims.

    SEE: "The Threat of Islamic Jihadists to the World"

    https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/classes/The_Threat_of_Islamic_Jihadist
s_to_World_Burien_052208.pdf

    CAIR-WA said local Muslim leaders recently met with Chief of Port of
Seattle Police Colleen Wilson to express their concerns that the course,
which is being taught by a "former Muslim" and claims to be "based on
Israeli experience," will promote stereotypes and religious and ethnic
profiling.

    Among the course's advertised contents are non-terror-related topics
such as: Arab naming conventions, the five pillars of Islam, the "formative
phases of the Islamic religion," and the fast of Ramadan. The course is
being taught by a "former Muslim." Representatives from a number of law
enforcement agencies will attend the training.

    SEE: Security Solutions International

    http://www.homelandsecurityssi.com/ssi/content/view/186/150/

    SEE ALSO: Suicide Terror - Fire Fighters Response

    http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com/Research/Internati
onal_Articles/Suicide_Terror_and_FireFighters.html

    Chief Wilson agreed to have Muslim officers attend the training and
evaluate the course for objectivity and balance.

    "Linking any faith to violence and criminal activity creates the
potential for stereotyping and could lead to an increase in religious and
ethnic profiling," said CAIR-WA President Arsalan Bukhari. "We urge Port of
Seattle Police to ensure that the course offers accurate and balanced
information on Islam and Muslims."

    Bukhari said an incident in which apparently innocent travelers in the
state were profiled for their "Middle Eastern" appearance points to the
need for police training that deals with issues of profiling and bias.

    SEE: FBI Says Men in Ferry Photo were Innocent Sightseers

    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/361872_ferryterror06.html

    He added that Muslims nationwide are concerned about the information
law enforcement authorities are receiving on the subject of Islam.

    Last month, CAIR's chapter in Pennsylvania (CAIR-PA) called on police
training officials in that state to offer a Muslim perspective in a
mandatory police training class because of concerns that the class would
present stereotypical views of Islam and Muslims.

    SEE: Penn. Muslims Seek 'Balance' in Police Training on Islam

    http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=24681&&name
=n&&currPage=1

    Earlier this month, a spokesman for CAIR's Chicago office said an
emergency preparedness drill in Illinois, in which a fake "mosque" was
stormed by law enforcement authorities, sent the "wrong message" that all
Islamic houses of worship may be potential security threats. An official
later apologized for using the "mosque" in the drill.

    SEE: IL Official Apologizes for Using Fake 'Mosque' in Drill

    http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=24778&&name
=n&&currPage=1

    CAIR-WA representatives say they will continue to dialogue with the
local law enforcement community and to provide accurate information on
Islam and Muslims through on-going monthly Muslim-Sikh-Arab Advisory
Council meetings.

    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-WA President Arsalan Bukhari, 206-931-3655, E-Mail:
abukhari@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

Link to this page:

  

https://fortress.wa.gov
CONTACT:
CAIR-WA President Arsalan Bukhari,
+1-206-931-3655, abukhari@cair.com, CAIR National Communications
Director Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726,
ihooper@cair.com, or CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin,
+1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com

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