WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today condemned the apparent murder of British-Iraqi aid
worker Margaret Hassan.
Hassan was kidnapped Oct. 19 in Baghdad, where she was the local director
of the relief group CARE International. A video released to the Al-Jazeera
satellite network showed what was purported to be Hassan's execution by her
kidnappers.
In its statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy
group said:
"We condemn this cold-blooded murder and repudiate all those who commit
such acts of mindless violence. We offer sincere condolences to Ms. Hassan's
family and once again call on people of all faiths and cultures to work
together for peace and reconciliation, not continued war and destruction."
In October, CAIR held a news conference in Washington, D.C., at which a
number of American Imams issued a statement calling for the release of all
hostages held in Iraq. Their declaration stated in part: "As leaders of
American mosques and as representatives of the American Muslim community, we
call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages
currently being held in Iraq, whatever their nationality or faith."
SEE: http://www.cair.com/asp/article.asp?id=1294&page=NR
Also in October, CAIR sent a letter of support to CARE International
Secretary General Denis Caillaux. The letter read in part: "It is beyond
contempt that anyone would attempt to thwart the humanitarian work of CARE
International and human rights advocates likes Mrs. Hassan ... We hope that
this terrible ordeal will soon be over and Mrs. Hassan can return to her
family and her wonderful work helping the people of Iraq."
CAIR recently launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the Name
of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few
Muslims.
SEE: http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=169&page=AA
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, is headquartered in
Washington, D.C., and has 29 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.
Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect
civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote
justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed@cair-net.org
NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a journalist's window to
the American Muslim community. To SUBSCRIBE to ISLAM-INFONET, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/islam-infonet/
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
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Related links:
http://www.cair-net.org
CONTACT:
Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787 or
+1-202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org; or Rabiah Ahmed,
+1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-439-1441, E- Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org,
both of CAIR
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