CAIR Asks U.S. Mosques to Mark 9/11 'Day of Unity and Prayer'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is calling on mosques and Islamic centers nationwide to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with a "National Day of Unity and Prayer."

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is urging local Muslim communities to hold a "Day of Unity and Prayer" interfaith open house after Friday congregational prayers at mosques on September 9. CAIR is also asking American Muslims to organize community service projects on Sunday, September 11, as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance and the president's "United We Serve" campaign.  

SEE: United We Serve
http://www.serve.gov/sept11.asp

In a statement directed to American Muslims, CAIR said:

"To honor the memory of the thousands of Americans who were murdered on September 11, 2001, CAIR is urging mosques and Muslim institutions nationwide to declare Friday, September 9, 2011, as a National Day of Unity and Prayer. This expression of unity will offer an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to strengthen the bonds that hold us together as a nation.

"We suggest that those giving the sermons (khutbas) on September 9 mention the sad anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, reaffirm Islam's respect for life and human dignity, and emphasize the need for peace and harmony throughout the world.

"We hope that houses of worship across the United States –- churches, synagogues and mosques -- will open their doors Friday, Saturday and Sunday and greet their neighbors with open minds and hearts. These days of worship will provide an opportunity for people of faith to build bridges of mutual understanding.

"Join with your larger community and interfaith partners in a day of prayer and unity. Ask Allah to use the anniversary to unite our country.

"God explains that as diverse entities within the community of humankind, we can work toward the greater good for all. As the Holy Quran tells us: 'O mankind! We have created you male and female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.'"

Along with the service projects, CAIR is suggesting that American Muslim communities hold outreach activities on September 9, 10 and 11, including:

* Hosting a scripture reading, at which religious leaders read passages from their own sacred texts, focusing on passages that offer spiritual support for mutual understanding and interfaith dialogue.

* Holding a "National Day of Unity and Prayer" open house at which public officials and members of the local community can learn more about Islam and Muslims.

* Calling on local religious and political leaders to speak out against growing Islamophobia and in support of diversity and equal rights for all citizens.

* Issuing a challenge to Muslims in local communities to sponsor the distribution of copies of the Quran to American political and policy leaders. Copies of the Quran can be sponsored at: http://www.cair.com/explorethequran

* Coordinating community-based service activities such as a food drive with a local food bank or a blood drive through a local hospital or the American Red Cross.

To mark last year's 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, CAIR launched a public service announcements (PSA) campaign featuring Muslim 9/11 first responders, with the theme "9/11 happened to us all."

CAIR '9/11 Happened to Us All' PSA, Firefighter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahVaxoN20E8
CAIR '9/11 Happened to Us All' PSA, Medical Responder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtup1bB7aM
CAIR 'We Have More in Common than We Think' PSA, Interfaith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhOi5gRkK0M

CAIR's efforts to challenge terrorism and religious extremism include helping to coordinate a 2005 fatwa, or religious ruling, which stated in part: "All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians."

Other CAIR anti-terror initiatives can be viewed on its website.

SEE: CAIR's Anti-Terrorism Campaigns
http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations