Video (San Diego 6 News): CAIR Rep Comments on Islamophobia in the Presidential Race 12 Percent of Americans Still Believe Obama is Muslim - Elex Michaelson, 6 News Video (San Diego 6 News): Government Spying on Religious Group in San Diego Investigated Government Spying on Religious Group in San Diego Investigated - 6 News Tackling hate crimes in San Diego - Estela De Los Rios, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Wayne Riggs and Edgar Hopida Letter: Islamic law subject to interpretation - Edgar Hopida Palomar College discussion aims to raise awareness about Islam - Noelle Ibrahim Letter: Malkin's reasoning only spreads paranoia - Edgar Hopida Video (ABC 10 News): School's Language Program Subject Of National Debate Superintendent praised for Carver school support - Azaam Samad Video (Paula Zahn Now, CNN): CAIR Reps discuss religious accomodation at school Muslim prayers in school debated - Helen Gao Audio (KOGO 600AM): CAIR San Diego Rep appears on the Rodger Hedgecock radio show Video (Full Focus, PBS): Study Finds American Muslims Face Elevated Civil Rights Abuses Islamic activists see boost in abuses - Sandi Dolbee New immigration reform group forms - Edward Sifuentes Letter: The 'core issues' in the Mideast conflict - Edgar Hopida Letter: Muslim-Americans react to U-T column - Edgar Hopida Muslims criticize timing of execution - Joe Hughes The perpetuation of a Myth: Pope reinforces the misunderstanding about Islam - Edgar Hopida Muslims say interest in Islam has grown since 9/11 - Shayna Chabner Local Muslims Look To Erase Negative Stereotypes - 10 News Bible, Quran easily quoted out of context - Hussam Ayloush Video (KUSI): San Diego's Muslim community appalled at the situation in Lebanon Concerned voices draw attention to Mideast - Elizabeth Fitzsimons Local council pushes for Middle East cease-fire - Angelica Martinez Islamophobia Has No Place in San Diego - Edgar Hopida A call for Unity: A profile of San Diego’s Muslim community - Pam Barratt Insult is being exploited by extremists - Omar Hassaine Islamic Center reaches out with welcome mat - Sandi Dolbee Local Muslims understand rage, decry violence - Sandi Dolbee and Peter Rowe Finding their voice: Homegrown Muslims learning how to retain their identity and take a stand - Sandi Dolbee Letter: Readers' perceptions of Muslims, Islam vary - Wael Al-Delaimy Fighting misperceptions: Sept. 11 has forced local Muslims to defend their religion as one of peace - Sandi Dolbee Video: CAIR Rep Comments on Islamophobia in the Presidential Race - RETURN TO TOP San Diego 6 News October 25, 2008 A civil rights groups is making a formal request for information from government agencies about files that were stolen detailing surveillance on San Diego Muslims. Click here to watch the video 12 Percent of Americans Still Believe Obama is Muslim - RETURN TO TOP San Diego 6 News October 25, 2008 How would it feel to be a Muslim closely watching the presidential campaign? Haseena Khan said many days are packed with unfair stereotypes. "The fear factor is being played on heavily" she said. Khan believes Republicans are making a concerted effort to make Obama seem "foreign" and "Muslim". A new Pew Poll out this week show 12 percent of Americans still believe Obama is Muslim. Many, Khan says, view that as a "derogatory thing." "We feel insulted because we feel like we are Americans just like anyone else in this country. We vote just like anybody else in this country. We feel like our children should have the opportunity to run for offices, to be president just like anybody else." Link to article Video: Government Spying on Religious Group in San Diego Investigated - RETURN TO TOP San Diego 6 News July 15, 2008 A civil rights groups is making a formal request for information from government agencies about files that were stolen detailing surveillance on San Diego Muslims. Click here to watch the video Government Spying on Religious Group in San Diego Investigated - RETURN TO TOP San Diego 6 News July 15, 2008 A civil rights groups is making a formal request for information from government agencies about files that were stolen detailing surveillance on San Diego Muslims. "If the government is spying on law-abiding Muslims merely because of their religion, without any evidence of criminal activity, any group could be next," said David Blair-Loy, legal director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial counties. The ACLU's request focuses on reports of a major security breach at the Strategic Technical Operations Center at Camp Pendleton. The organization says the center's staff operated a ring that stole surveillance files and gave them to local law enforcement agencies. "This breech of the government's top security systems shows just how lawless and out of control this program was," said Kevin Keenan, executive director of the ACLU in San Diego. "What kind of security can this agency actually be giving us if it can't even protect its own security systems, said Keenan. "We need to know what surveillance was done, who authorized it, and why," said Edgar Hopida, Public Relations Director of the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The local chapter of the ACLU filed Freedom of Information requests with the FBI, the Department of Defense, The San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The chapter is requesting all records the law enforcement groups have that refer to the Islamic Center, the Council on American-Islamic Relations or CAIR's San Diego staff. Several Islamic groups are also requesting a Congressional investigation of activities at Camp Pendleton's Strategic Technical Operations Center. Link to article Tackling hate crimes in San Diego - RETURN TO TOP Estela De Los Rios, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Wayne Riggs and Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Union-Tribune June 12, 2008 While wildfires burned throughout San Diego last fall, a mother of four was returning from a family emergency when she was overcome by flames and later died of her burns at the University of California San Diego Medical Center – a devastating blow to her friends, her family, her young children who range in age from 18 months to eight years. When the story of her death was reported on UnionTrib.com, the online service of The San Diego Union-Tribune, a number of us were shocked when we read the “Readers Comments” section. Cloaked in their online anonymity, some readers wrote that this woman deserved what likely amounted to a painful death because of her status as an undocumented immigrant. Comments like these continued, despite the pleas of other readers and the mediator until the comments board was finally shut down. In the minds of those making these comments, this woman had abdicated her humanity the moment she crossed the border without the proper documentation. To them, nothing else in her life seemed to matter – not even her status as a parent – except that she was a member of a class disparagingly known as “illegals.” Many of us felt we were glimpsing something dark, something frightening and – in theological terms – something genuinely evil. Many sensed that this was only a shadow of something more serious beginning to appear throughout the county. Our discomfort with the increased hate-motivated behavior needed expression. Those who hate presume that the rest of us don't care. Silence in the face of these behaviors is, in the minds of both victim and perpetrator, agreement. Click here to read full article Islamic law subject to interpretation - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Union-Tribune December 21, 2007 Regarding “Unbridgeable gap/Strict Islamic views of justice clash with West” (Editorial, Dec. 17): As public relations director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Diego chapter, I believe the editorial mischaracterizes Islamic law and what it means to most Muslims who observe it. Shariah, or Islamic law, is subject to interpretation. Strict literalism is just one of many possible ways Shariah is interpreted in the Muslim world. The most mainstream interpretations of Shariah as put forth by Islam's most revered scholars of the past are invariably humanistic and moderate. Many of the objectives of Islamic law are in line with the Western values we cherish in America, including social justice and equality. The recent punishment of a Saudi woman for being alone with a non-related man when she was raped has no basis in Shariah. According to mainstream schools of Islamic law, no such punishment is prescribed, nor is additional punishment prescribed if the victim speaks out against such injustice to the media or human rights organizations. This was a case of a particular judicial system abusing its power, and has no basis in Islamic law. As for the teddy bear incident in Sudan, the ludicrous reaction was denounced by many Muslims in the United States and abroad; indeed, British Muslims helped negotiate the teacher's release. As I understand it, the children chose the name Muhammad for the bear, not the teacher. The children were trying to honor the toy by giving it such a name, and the teacher was trying to honor the children by allowing it. The overreaction in Sudan failed to meet the ideals of how the Prophet Muhammad handled insults – real or perceived – directed at him. According to Prophetic traditions, he never responded with vindictiveness but forgave those who wronged him. This is the spirit of Islamic law that encompasses compassion and mercy, not rigid legalism devoid of such values. Link to the letter Palomar College discussion aims to raise awareness about Islam - RETURN TO TOP Noelle Ibrahim, North County Times October 17, 2007 SAN MARCOS -- "Islamophobia," or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, stems from fearing the unknown, Edgar Hopida, spokesman for the San Diego Council on American-Islamic Relations told a group of Palomar College students Wednesday. "It's a very problematic mentality which takes root from centuries of misunderstanding," Hopida told the crowd after projecting some statistics on a screen. Almost 60 percent of Americans are "not very knowledgeable" or "not at all knowledgeable" about Islam and nearly one-fifth admit to intolerant feelings toward Muslims, according to the council's 2006 survey of public opinion about Islam and Muslims. Hopida said people who don't have any contact with Muslims tend to have a more negative view of Islam than those who have friends or coworkers who are Muslim. Click here to read full article Malkin's reasoning only spreads paranoia - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Union-Tribune September 23, 2007 On behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, I wish to state that Michelle Malkin's commentary, “Every American has a role to play” (Sept. 13), mistakenly equates paranoia of Muslims and Arabs with the civic duty of every American citizen to report objectively any suspicious actions that may lead to a terrorist attack. Malkin also attacked mainstream Muslim organizations that defend American Muslims who have been unfairly treated and grouping them with the terrorists and extremists. She even unfairly likens them to the terrorist PR machine despite these same organizations actively condemning all forms of terrorism and extremism. In a recent incident, a woman insisted on getting off a plane in San Diego because she heard five Middle Eastern men speaking Arabic and having “odd behavior.” This resulted in the plane not being able to take off and led to over a hundred passengers having to fly the next day. The irony is that these five men were actually training our Marines in San Diego to aid in the war in Iraq and received commendations by the U.S. government for their service. They were also not charged with any crime. Malkin, a big supporter of the new John Doe legislation that effectively gives ordinary citizens the right to accuse ordinary American Muslims and Arabs of suspicious terrorist-like activity without recourse to the accused to challenge the allegations, seems to agree that everyday Americans should report “suspicious behavior” such as speaking Arabic and performing one of the five prescribed prayers in Islam. Her strategy works on the presumption of guilt and criminalizes all Muslims simply for speaking their native tongues or practicing their religion. This kind of paranoia is not healthy, nor does it help in the security of our country. Link to the letter Video (ABC 10 News): School's Language Program Subject Of National Debate - RETURN TO TOP 10 News, ABC/KGTV, September 4, 2007 An Arabic language program at Carver Elementary School was at the center of a heated debate. Now, changes are being made to the curriculum this school year. Click here to watch the video Superintendent praised for Carver school support - RETURN TO TOP Azaam Samad, The San Diego Union-Tribune August 9, 2007 “Carver Elementary/A good school gets a bad rap” (Opinion, Aug. 1) is a testament to the American values that us as citizens hold dear. Much as city schools Superintendent Carl A. Cohn stated, we should be proud of the school and community for accommodating these children from a war-torn world. Is this not the American way? Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free? I believe we should be applauding Carver Elementary for taking the steps to make these children feel comfortable and welcome here in their new home. Instead, the media have hyped up students praying on their own during recess. These students have not been bothering anyone, nor impeding the education of their fellow students. No parents had complained since the time the students began to pray. No school funds were being used to accommodate this student-initiated prayer. There, in reality, is no issue here. It is sad to see a school that has been so accommodating and so willing to open its arms come under fire by conservative media slander. I commend Cohn for standing by the Carver Elementary community, and hope that our fellow Americans can learn from its warmth and understanding. Link to the letter Video (Paula Zahn Now, CNN): CAIR Reps discuss religious accomodation at school - RETURN TO TOP Paula Zahn Now, CNN, July 11, 2007 CAIR San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida and National Communicaitons Director Ibrahim Hooper appear on Paula Zahn Now to discuss religious accomodation in public schools Click here to watch the video Muslim prayers in school debated - RETURN TO TOP S.D. elementary at center of dispute Helen Gao, The San Diego Union-Tribune July 2, 2007 A San Diego public school has become part of a national debate over religion in schools ever since a substitute teacher publicly condemned an Arabic language program that gives Muslim students time for prayer during school hours. Carver Elementary in Oak Park added Arabic to its curriculum in September when it suddenly absorbed more than 100 students from a defunct charter school that had served mostly Somali Muslims. After subbing at Carver, the teacher claimed that religious indoctrination was taking place and said that a school aide had led Muslim students in prayer. An investigation by the San Diego Unified School District failed to substantiate the allegations. But critics continue to assail Carver for providing a 15-minute break in the classroom each afternoon to accommodate Muslim students who wish to pray. (Those who don't pray can read or write during that non-instructional time.) ... The San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations supports the Carver program. “Our country is transforming demographically, religiously,” said Edgar Hopida, the chapter's public relations director. “Our country has to now accommodate things that are not traditionally accounted for before.” Click here to read full article Audio (KOGO 600AM): CAIR San Diego Rep appears on the Rodger Hedgecock radio show - RETURN TO TOP Rodger Hedgecock Radio Show, KOGO 600AM, June 26, 2007 CAIR San Diego Public Relations Director Edgar Hopida had a phone interview on the KOGO AM 600 Roger Hedgecock Show. All of the urban legends and false allegations against CAIR were addressed and debunked in the program. For a more detailed report on the debunking of false allegations against CAIR, see Demystifying Urban Legends About CAIR Audio (CAIR segment is at the midpoint of this broadcast): Click here to listen Video (Full Focus, PBS): Study Finds American Muslims Face Elevated Civil Rights Abuses - RETURN TO TOP Full Focus, KPBS, June 25, 2007 American Muslims' complaints of civil rights abuses have risen 25 percent in the last year. The complaints are highlighted in a new report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group. At a time when polls show at least one in four Americans harbors some prejudice toward Muslims, we'll talk about what it's like to be Muslim in America. Full Focus Guest: Edgar Hopida, public relations director, CAIR San Diego. Click here to watch the video Also SEE: CAIR 2007 Muslim Civil Rights Report Islamic activists see boost in abuses - RETURN TO TOP Civil rights report cites 25% increase Sandi Dolbee, The San Diego Union-Tribune June 20, 2007 With polls showing at least one in four Americans harbors some prejudice toward Muslims, a national Islamic rights group reported yesterday that complaints of civil rights abuses rose 25 percent last year. Some 2,467 complaints were made in 2006 to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group with an office in San Diego. There are an estimated 5 million to 7 million Muslims in the United States, with about 100,000 in San Diego County. California, the nation's most populous state, registered the highest number of complaints, with 709. Eight were in San Diego, said Edgar Hopida, public-relations director for the local chapter. Hopida distributed the national report at a news conference at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Many complaints involved citizenship delays. Hopida said would-be citizens with Arab or Muslim names are waiting several years for background checks that should take only a few months. He said that even with the heightened security concerns brought about by the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States would be safer if the checks were done more quickly “to find out who are the threats.” Click here to read full article New immigration reform group forms - RETURN TO TOP Edward Sifuentes, North County Times June 8, 2007 SAN DIEGO -- A diverse group of religious leaders, labor unions, legal advocates and community leaders joined Thursday to call on Congress to pass immigration reform that would help legalize illegal immigrants, keep migrant families together and protect immigrants' rights. The group, called the Immigrant Rights Consortium of San Diego County, is made up of 25 organizations. They include the American Immigration Lawyers Association of San Diego, the American Jewish Committee of San Diego, the Council on American-Islamic Relations of San Diego, the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and several others. Click here to read full article The 'core issues' in the Mideast conflict - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Union-Tribune May 20, 2007 Regarding “Inciting the next generation of suicide bombers” (Insight, May 13): Editor Robert J. Caldwell identifies the symptom but not the problem. Since the inception of the nation-state of Israel, many writers have concluded that the main reason for Arab antagonism toward the Israelis was that of a deep-seated anti-Semitism. Contrary to this view, Benny Morris, considered a well-respected Israeli historian, states that the Palestinians' opposition was not that of anti-Semitism but rather a fear of their own territorial displacement and dispossession. This is also the view of other Israeli scholars like Tanya Reinhart, Simha Flapan, Ilan Pappe and Zeev Sternhell. After the 1967 war, which led to the occupation of West Bank, Gaza and other Arab territories, the Palestinian Arabs who lived in these territories were now opposing a very real occupation that is now in its 40th year. B'Tselem, the respected Israeli human rights organization, has classified the Israeli treatment of Palestinians within the occupied territories as major human rights violations. This coupled with checkpoints that restrict movement, demolition of homes and unreasonable curfews fuels resentment even more. Writing as San Diego public relations director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, I believe that if we are to see an end to the madness in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we need to look at it through a broader perspective of addressing the real core issues. Link to the letter Muslim-Americans react to U-T column - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 4, 2007 Regarding “Muslim-Americans' self-image concerns” (Opinion, Jan. 31): As director of public relations for the Council on American Islamic Relations in San Diego, I am writing to say that Ruben Navarrette Jr. brilliantly exposed the bigotry spewed by Glenn Beck in his infamous interview with Congressman Keith Ellison and included as well an excellent summary of past ethnic groups who were subjected to distrust and questioned about their their loyalty during World War II resulting from the paranoia of some Americans. I am glad to see Navarrette affirming that “Muslim-Americans have earned their thread in the national fabric.” As far as his assessment of Muslim-Americans being concerned about their image on television, here is where I respectfully disagree. Muslim-Americans are not so much concerned about their image, but rather the likelihood that shows such as “24” are adding fuel to an already burning fire of anti-Muslim sentiment and hysteria in this country. Some of this sentiment has ignited anti-Muslim hate crimes and civil rights violations. A Gallup poll from last year reported 39 percent of Americans admit to some prejudice toward Muslims, another 39 percent want Muslims to carry special IDs as a way to prevent future terror attacks, and 22 percent said they do not want Muslims as neighbors. It seems that some Americans, in reality, can't tell fact from fiction when it comes to Islam and Muslims. The Washington Post ran a similar poll much later stating that over 46 percent of Americans hold negative views toward Muslims. The result? According to the CAIR, anti-Muslim hate crimes jumped 9 percent, and civil rights complaints are up 30 percent. This is alarming knowing that these statistics have been rising steadily for over 10 years. We hope to see more voices sharing American-Muslims' contributions to our country, and we appreciate Navarrette's viewpoint on the issue. Link to the letter Muslims criticize timing of execution - RETURN TO TOP Killing Hussein on holiday wrong, S.D. residents say Joe Hughes, The San Diego Union-Tribune Dec 31, 2006 Members of San Diego's Muslim community celebrating the Eid al-Adha religious holiday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds yesterday expressed fear that the observance forever will be linked to the execution of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Many Muslims who came for prayer and solemnity in the morning chill also worried that the timing of the execution could fuel the sectarian violence in Iraq. “It's like executing a guy on Christmas; it doesn't fit well,” said Edgar Hopida, spokesman for the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic relations. Click here to read full article The perpetuation of a Myth: Pope reinforces the misunderstanding about Islam - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, San Diego Union Tribune September 28, 2006 [Edgar Hopida is the Director of Public Relations for the San Diego chapter of CAIR] There is no question that throughout history, empires and religious institutions have abused and perverted religion to further their own agendas. In light of the comments made by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam, and with the growing trend of Islamophobia in the West, we should ask ourselves: Was the quote he cited from a 14th century Byzantine emperor appropriate to make his point? Did the Prophet Muhammad actually command his followers to “spread by the sword the faith he preached?” What are the ramifications of his statement, knowing that Catholics around the world consider him the infallible supreme authority of the church? The Sept. 20 San Diego Union-Tribune editorial (“The pope's speech/Violent responses only prove pontiff's point”) unfortunately reinforces the growing trend of misunderstanding about the teachings of Islam. It was not just the radical and fringe Muslim groups that were offended by the pope's comments but also a vast majority of Muslims. The pope quoted from a source that made inaccurate assertions completely contrary to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Click here to read full article Muslims say interest in Islam has grown since 9/11 - RETURN TO TOP Shayna Chabner, North County Times September 8, 2006 VISTA ---- Local Muslims say that while increased coverage of the Muslim community has driven up membership and interest in the five years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, more needs to be done to combat discrimination and misunderstanding. "We are still suffering from what some people think ... we are still being labeled and harassed by the authorities," said Samih Aboutalib, the president of Vista's Masjed Al-ittihad mosque. Aboutalib joined some 200 Muslims for prayers Friday afternoon at the North County mosque. Several dozen knelt outside on carpets and listened to prayers over a loudspeaker, unable to squeeze into the main building. "Every month, there are more people," he said, noting that as awareness of Islam spreads, the size of the congregation swells accordingly. The mosque's membership, now about 300, is more than double what it was five years ago. The greater San Diego County Muslim community has grown as well, with as many as 80,000 members today, said Edgar Hopida, spokesman for the San Diego branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations. Still, the popularity of the religion among new converts and Muslims reconnecting with their homeland roots has not ended discrimination or the growth of misconceptions. Hopida said the government and media's use of terms like "Islamic Fascists" and "Islamic fundamentalist" casts a bad light on the muslim community as a whole. Click here to read full article Local Muslims Look To Erase Negative Stereotypes - RETURN TO TOP 10 News September 8, 2006 SAN DIEGO -- The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed many Americans’ opinions of Islam. A recent study found one in four Americans believed Islam is a religion of hatred and violence. Five times a day, those of the Islamic faith turn toward Mecca and pray. It is a prayer of peace. “Islam is a religion of peace. Muslims are peaceful people,” said Taha Hassane of the Imam Islamic Center of San Diego. Nearly 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world turn toward Mecca for the prayer of peace every day. However, 25 percent of Americans think Islam is a violent faith. “It is extremely important to engage a process of education within our fellow citizens,” said Hassane. Click here to read full article Bible, Quran easily quoted out of context - RETURN TO TOP Hussam Ayloush, North County Times August 29, 2006 [Hussam Ayloush is the Executive director of CAIR Southern California] Andy McIntosh ("Islamic history, words at odds," Community Forum, Aug. 24), posed questions to Muslims, and I am more than happy to respond, in efforts to dispel myths about Islam and counter ignorance and Islamophobia. The Quran, like other scriptures, cannot be understood except within its context. A verse in the Quran that Mr. McIntosh quoted specifically refers to Muslim armies involved in a defensive battle. Similarly, one verse in the Bible can easily be taken out of context. It says, "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep..." (1 Samuel 15:3) Islam forbids aggression and, like Christianity, has rules for a just war. Those rules are limited to self-defense or protecting people who encounter injustice, as stated in the following verses in the Quran: "Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loves not aggressors." (2:190) Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad said, "Do not kill women or children or noncombatants and do not kill old people or religious people. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees and do not poison the wells of your enemies." Just as the Bible has been abused by fanatics to justify the Crusades, slavery and the Holocaust, so have fanatics abused the Quran to further their murderous agenda. Islam, like other religions, teaches respect, peace and tolerance for everyone. I also wish peace on Mr. McIntosh and followers of all faiths. Link to the article Video: San Diego's Muslim community appalled at the situation in Lebanon - RETURN TO TOP KUSI, July 21, 2006 San Diego's Muslim community is appalled at the situation in Lebanon. They're calling on the Bush Administration to support a cease fire, and they worry about their loved ones, caught in the crossfire. The San Diego Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a news conference Thursday to express their frustrations with not only Israel, but their own country's refusal to intervene. Click here to watch the video Concerned voices draw attention to Mideast - RETURN TO TOP Elizabeth Fitzsimons, The San Diego Union-Tribune July 21, 2006 Islamic civil rights association calls on U.S. to press for truce The local chapter of a national Islamic civil liberties group added its voice yesterday to the call for a cease-fire in the Middle East. The San Diego office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations urged President Bush to press Israel for an immediate end to the violence, and push for a political solution to the conflict. “We need to have a cease-fire,” said Edgar Hopida, chapter spokesman. “It's extremely difficult for the people who are rescuing the evacuees. Imagine trying to evacuate a people who are under fire. We need to first stop the fighting.” Click here to read full article Local council pushes for Middle East cease-fire - RETURN TO TOP Angelica Martinez, The San Diego Union-Tribune July 20, 2006 SAN DIEGO – Local Muslims and Arab-Americans Thursday called for the Bush administration to push for a cease-fire in Lebanon, where they say their relatives are trapped because of the recent fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah militia. The group voiced its opposition to the current Middle East conflict and criticized the United States' response to the back-and-forth rocket attacks at a news conference held at the San Diego Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “It is a shame as well as a crime that such destruction is happening with the political and financial support of our government,” said Edgar D. Hopida, director of public relations for the San Diego chapter. During the past nine days of conflict, the Israeli government has pledged to continue its aggressive offensive against Hezbollah forces until two captured Israeli soldiers are freed. The conflict has so far led to the deaths of at least 300 people in Lebanon and 30 in Israel. The United States has evacuated at least 1,200 Americans from Lebanon by sea and air. It has not requested a cease-fire. “This administration should have one standard regarding the value of life and one definition of terrorism,” Hopida said. “We call for an immediate cease-fire and release of all prisoners.” Click here to read full article Islamophobia Has No Place in San Diego - RETURN TO TOP Edgar Hopida, The San Diego Transcript June 29, 2006 [Edgar Hopida is the Director of Public Relations for the San Diego chapter of CAIR] A recent opinion piece by columnist Larry Stirling shows that just as extremist fringe groups can misinterpret the Quran and Islamic law, anti-Muslim polemicists can do so as well. Observations and conclusions that were mentioned in his piece show us that Mr. Stirling is either painfully ignorant about the religion of Islam or is a true Islamophobe. A religion should never be blamed for the actions of a few misguided individuals or fringe groups. It is also fair to say that a religion should not be judged by a narrow and selective reading of its scripture. I'm curious to know what Mr. Stirling meant by "Muslim's oft-stated goals: death to my culture, my country, my beliefs, my religion, and ultimately my children?" As a Muslim, I have never been taught such a thing, nor has any mainstream work on Islam or Islamic law stated such absurd goals. His statement about Islamic expansion is no less reminiscent of the usual Islamophobic rhetoric. He says that "for 1,400 years, Islam has bloodily expanded its absolute rule to more than a billion people. It continues its effort to this very day in every major community throughout the United States, including San Diego." Historical facts readily ascertain that such statements have no basis in reality or truth. Islam's history of tolerance is well established. No Muslim army ever set foot in Indonesia, yet it is the most populous Muslim country today. Other countries such as China, Malaysia,and the Philippines never encountered a Muslim army, yet there are substantial populations of Muslims in those countries. Being a Filipino-American and a convert to Islam, the Philippine history is of particular interest to me. It teaches us that Muslims who arrived in the Philippines in 1310 were not warriors bent on conquest and forced conversions to Islam, but peaceful traders and missionaries who introduced Islam to the native people. The same is true for Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. Muslim Spain is another example. If Islam's goal was to kill or convert all people of other faiths, why in hundreds of years of Muslim rule did both Christians and Jews in Spain enjoy cultural and intellectual exchange and tolerance? Why do many Jewish historians call this period in Spain their "Golden Age?" If Islam's goal was to "destroy my religion" as Stirling stated, he should explain why in India, after 700 years of Muslim rule, over 80% of the population is still Hindu? Why did the many Jewish and Christian sacred and historical sites in Jerusalem remain intact after many centuries of Muslim Rule? Christian and Jewish holy sites during the Crusades were never vandalized, plundered, or desecrated by the Muslims. When the European Christian armies entered Jerusalem in 1099, they slaughtered everyone of every faith that inhabited the city. But when the Muslim armies regained Jerusalem, they gave Christians amnesty, allowed them to stay or leave unharmed, and allowed Jews to return to the city. Being a Muslim community leader in San Diego and having been to all the major mosques and Islamic centers, nowhere have I found Imams spouting "hate-filled" rhetoric. The world is not as polarized as Mr. Stirling may think. The future depends on each one of us working for peaceful coexistence. A Call for Unity - RETURN TO TOP A profile of San Diego’s Muslim community Pam Barratt, Street Light News April, 2006 The 80,000 Muslim Americans living here gives San Diego one of the largest Islamic populations in the country. Arab nations, Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan are typical countries of origin. Immigration began in the late 60s. Most came as students. San Diego’s Muslim community is less than 50 years old and its members are highly educated. Muslims pray in Arabic and most try to learn Arabic because it is the language of the Qur’an, their holy book, however only 18% of San Diego’s Muslims are Arabs. Altogether there are 15 mosques in San Diego: 14 are Sunni and one is Shia, the two major sects of Islam. Imam Taha leads the prayers at the Islamic Center in San Diego on Balboa Avenue. He told Street Light that after 9/11, Muslims in San Diego were fearful of their neighbors’ reaction. “A few are still too afraid to come to the mosque,” he said. “However this fear also fostered a sense of solidarity in the Muslim community. The number of people who come to the mosque to pray has greatly increased. “We continually get hate mail, however we realize that such acts of discrimination are due to ignorance. We are grateful to the San Diego Police Department for helping to protect us.” In our struggle to understand one another, there remain questions that both Muslims and non-Muslims would like to have answered: Why are acts of terrorism increasing? Why was Iraq invaded: to attack Islam; to get oil; to destabilize the Middle East or to promote democracy? Edgar Hopida does not condone acts of violence by anyone, Americans or Muslims. His parents were born in the Philippines, but his father spent 27 years in the US navy and his mother works for the US Department of Defense. Although Edgar was raised a Catholic, he converted to Islam through self-study eight years ago. “The majority of Muslims,” he says, “are peace loving.” Edgar is concerned about the reputation that Muslims have among Americans. He works for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest American Muslim advocacy and civil rights group. To dispel some misguided notions that non-Muslims may have, Edgar lets people know that historically Islamic states were never theocracies, like Iran is today. “Jihad does not mean holy war; it means struggle. The Qur’an calls on us to take the sword out of madmen’s hands, to end hostilities, and to create justice. Islamic law forbids suicide and the killing of civilians.” Click here to read full article Insult is being exploited by extremists - RETURN TO TOP Omar Hassaine, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 26, 2006 [Omar Hassaine is the President of the San Diego chapter of CAIR] The publication of cartoons by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that were insulting to Muslims worldwide triggered some of the largest demonstrations, as well as debates, around the world. Unfortunately, some individuals, groups, and commentators from both sides have exploited this opportunity to further their own agendas and preconceived beliefs, prolonging the controversy. Without such individuals and groups, this incident could have ended as a newspaper printing something controversial, triggering peaceful protests by those who were offended. The newspaper could then have decided to either apologize, putting an end to the protests or not apologize in which case more protests could have continued. Unfortunately this is not how things unfolded. The newspaper did not apologize and defiantly stood by its right to publish, while other newspapers added fuel to fire by reprinting the caricatures. The protesters grew more agitated by this response and unfortunately some groups and individuals, either through raw uncontrollable emotion or subversion, turned peaceful protests into riots. Regrettably, many in the free world were ready to turn this into a defense of free speech, using the common fear theme of Muslims trying to control us, overcome our democracies, take away our freedoms, force our women to dress modestly, kill us and the list goes on. The only winners from this saga are the extremists on both sides. The terrorist recruiters can now gleefully cite this incident as proof of the West's contempt for Islam and everything dear to Muslims, while their counter extremists and Islamophobics in the West have been crying wolf, using this controversy to perpetuate the belief that Islam and Muslims are a threat to our societies. Click here to read full article Islamic Center reaches out with welcome mat - RETURN TO TOP Visitors listen, learn and take a timely tour Sandi Dolbee, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 20, 2006 Ever since Jon Vander Ark served in Iraq, the Camp Pendleton Marine has been curious to know more about Islam. When he heard at his church that the Islamic Center of San Diego was holding an open house, he decided this was his chance. “I believe there's not sufficient communication between a lot of the faiths,” Vander Ark said, juggling a plate of snacks yesterday at the center in Clairemont. About 200 people, including visitors and Muslims, mingled at the county's largest mosque, touring the facility, seeing their names written in Arabic, picking up brochures and listening to talks about Islam and its founder, Prophet Muhammad. Like Vander Ark, a 20-year-old corporal, many visitors wanted to learn more about the world's second-largest religion. They are also trying to grasp why deadly violence continues to roil the Muslim world over caricatures of Muhammad in cartoons that first appeared in a Danish newspaper several months ago. Click here to read full article Local Muslims understand rage, decry violence - RETURN TO TOP Sandi Dolbee, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 7, 2006 San Diego Muslims joined a growing refrain yesterday condemning the spreading violence over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in European media. But they remain troubled that some non-Muslims don't understand just how seriously the cartoons offended followers of the world's second-largest religion. “You cannot attack the prophets of God without attacking God,” said Sam Hamod, a San Marcos resident and former director of the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. “It's an attack on who they are and what they are. It's a serious matter to Muslims.” That said, he added: “I don't condone the violence at all; I condemn it.” Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego, the county's largest mosque, said the cartoons and their brutal aftermath are “topic No. 1.” “What we are focusing on here and what we are promoting here is how to demonstrate peacefully and how to show our concern peacefully,” Hassane said. The Algerian-born cleric said Muslims in San Diego “understand why people reacted in the way they reacted. It's a very sensitive issue. It makes people very emotional. There are some red lines that nobody should cross.” Click here to read full article Finding their Voice: Homegrown Muslims learning how to retain their identity and take a stand - RETURN TO TOP Sandi Dolbee, The San Diego Union-Tribune Sept 15, 2005 The dome of California's capitol rises above the trees, another kind of Mecca for a group of teenagers making a pilgrimage to Sacramento last monthfor a historic Muslim youth leadership workshop. In Carlsbad, on a cool August night, about three dozen college-age Muslim men and women are making a bit of history on their own as they carry banners protesting a congressman's remarks about bombing Islamic holy sites. And in the living room of a Rancho Peńasquitos home a few weeks ago, a young girl faces her own turning point about whether to wear an emblem of her faith. A generation of homegrown Muslims is coming of age. These sons and daughters of immigrants, many with families still living in the Muslim world, are learning to speak out both as Americans and followers of Islam. "Their parents were the first generation of American Muslims," says Affad Shaikh, as he watched people paint banners for last month's demonstration. "They are afraid to take a stand and afraid for their children, because they don't want to risk their futures, their careers. "But these young people ... are different," says Shaikh, himself a 22-year-old UCSD graduate who now works for an advocacy group called the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "They want to be a part of the solution." Click here to read full article Readers' perceptions of Muslims, Islam vary - RETURN TO TOP Wael Al-Delaimy, The San Diego Union-Tribune Sept 18, 2005 I would like to express my appreciation for "Fighting misperceptions" (News, Sept. 11), describing the true beliefs and patriotism of Muslims in San Diego and elsewhere. So many ill-informed individuals do not differentiate between the terrorist act of individuals and that of the belief and religion they might be affiliated with. Surely, Michael R. McLarty (Letters, Sept. 13) would not want to be considered a terrorist just because his name is Irish, and some Irish individuals have killed innocent people as a result of their terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland. And if he happens to be Catholic, he would not want that religion to be associated with the Irish Republican Army. So why do he and others find it acceptable to blame the religion of Islam for the acts of individuals? They should be more open-minded and tolerant and take an opportunity to be educated by articles like this one. Fighting misperceptions: Sept. 11 has forced local Muslims to defend their religion as one of peace - RETURN TO TOP Sandi Dolbee, The San Diego Union-Tribune Sept 11, 2005 They're from faraway places like Morocco and Lebanon and Pakistan. And Michigan and New Jersey and Casa de Oro. Some stand apart. Women who wear scarves tight around their faces, some even swathed from head to foot, and men in loose shirts flowing down their legs. Others are in jeans and pullovers, their hair exposed to the sun, or in the dress whites of a naval officer. These are the faces of Islam in San Diego, adherents to a 1,400-year-old monotheistic faith that has become the world's second-largest religion. Community members estimate that 80,000 to 100,000 Muslims live in San Diego County, although an exact census figure isn't available. That means there are more Muslims here than Presbyterians or Episcopalians or United Methodists, and the number of Muslims is roughly equal to the number of Jews. The faces are diverse: immigrants and converts, newcomers and old-timers, Arabs, Asians, Africans and Anglos, who all look at the world through Muslim eyes. Click here to read full article