Muslimah Writers Alliance Addresses Islamophobia Related Buzz: Questioning of US Muslims by the FBI

Sept. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, D.C. (MWA-Net) There is a rapidly rising amount of buzz moving through internet-based forums, such as Facebook, surrounding near daily nationwide reports of incidents and worldwide events evidencing a visible spike in Islamophobic, hate-filled rhetoric and crimes against Muslim community members and their places of worship.

"The resulting backlash has fueled anxieties among American Muslims expressing concerns about profiling on noticing the sudden presence of police cars in front of their homes arriving and departing at unusual times, incidents of increased special security screening at airports, and discrimination within workplaces.

"Many are also vocalizing anticipation of hearing the sound of FBI agents knocking at their doors," stated Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) Director, Aishah Schwartz.

Racial and religious profiling violates our nation's fundamental promise of affording everyone equal justice under law. Biased policing also makes us all less safe because it wastes resources and misleads law enforcement authorities away from focusing on real threats. Simply put, racial and religious profiling is discriminatory, ineffective, and poor policy.

MWA, in support of facilitating a greater sense of calm within the community through education, has compiled a brief list of resources providing invaluable information, through Muslim Advocates, to help guide U.S. Muslims through these challenging times.

ARTICLE/ENDORSEMENT: Know Your Legal Rights Before Talking to the FBI, by John T. Floyd, Esq. (Aug. 15, 2010)
http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=19563

"Muslim Advocates recently issued a 'community alert' informing all Muslim Americans, but especially those from Pakistan and South Asia, that the FBI may be contacting them for information and advice in “addressing violent extremism.” Muslim Advocates was so concerned that it offered a free webinar about how Muslims can freely and safely work with law enforcement. We agree with Muslim Advocates that before any Americans speak to the FBI they should have an attorney present."

ARTICLE: Questioned or Searched at the Airport?
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/latest/profiling_update/qu...

VIDEO: Got Rights?
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/get_involved/got_rights.html

QUESTIONED BY THE FBI?
If you have had an experience in being questioned by the FBI you can share your story with Muslim Advocates at:
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/get_involved/actions/share_your_story.html

HOST A SCREENING OF 'GOT RIGHTS?' VIDEO
If you or your organization would like to host a screening of "Got Rights?" visit:
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/get_involved/actions/host_a_screening_of_got_rights.html

NEED A LAWYER?
If you need help finding a lawyer visit:
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/get_involved/actions/find_a_lawyer.html

ABOUT MUSLIM ADVOCATES
Empowering community, protecting America's promise.

Equality, liberty and justice are guaranteed for all, regardless of faith. We go straight to the top--offering sophisticated, nuanced and constructive legal and policy expertise to leaders at the highest levels of government and the Muslim American community to ensure the civic participation and civil liberties of every American.

As the events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath continue to reverberate, it is more vital than ever that skilled Muslim American lawyers, who understand U.S. legal, legislative and political systems, bring their unique perspective and skill sets to the table. Lending such knowledge and expertise, we seek to join hands with our partners in the government, legal, nonprofit and community sectors to create sophisticated advocacy and educational campaigns aimed at ensuring our nation's commitment to its founding principles.

Muslim Advocates emerged in 2005 as a 501©3 sister entity to the National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML), a professional association of approximately 500 Muslim lawyers, law students and other legal professionals.

To Support Muslim Advocates visit:
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/get_involved/actions/donate.html

Muslim Advocates on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Muslim-Advocates/50711561090

RELATED:
Muslimah Writers Alliance on Islamophobic Rhetoric and Support for Freedom of Religion and Speech
http://www.prlog.org/10946903

Muslimah Writers Alliance Credited for Pro-Active Efforts in Response to Park51 Related Islamophobia
http://www.prlog.org/10924517

Muslimah Writers Alliance Director Commends U.S. Officials for Speaking Out Against Quran Burning
http://www.prlog.org/10921131

911 Freedom Coalition Launches Petition Calling on President to Enforce Religious Land Use Act
http://www.prlog.org/10905707

Muslimah Writers Alliance Director Requests Federal Action Against Islamophobia
http://www.prlog.org/10901029

Muslimah Writers Alliance Announces 'The Non-Islamophobic Muslim News' on Facebook
http://www.prlog.org/10894395

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Public Figure Facebook Page of Aishah Schwartz Writer-Activist
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aishah-Schwartz-Activist-Writer/112183388832436

The NON-Islamophobic Muslim News on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-NON-Islamophobic-Muslim-News/120923604625978
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Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.