Video: CAIR Releases Yoruba Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims' Protests

English subtitles added to re-release of Arabic anti-Islam film appeal

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released a video appeal in Yoruba, a language spoken by more than 20 million people, to those protesting an anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

[NOTE: This is the second in a planned series of such videos to be released by CAIR. See below.*]

In the CAIR video, Imam AbduSemih Tadese of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh tells viewers in West Africa that the U.S. government has described the film as "distasteful" for its offensive caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. (NOTE: The appeal was produced for CAIR by Take1Media of Cleveland, Ohio.)

The imam states:

"It is clear that the motive behind the film is to enrage Muslims and to display a hatred of Islam. However, Muslims need to demonstrate good behavior as our Prophet (peace be upon him) dealt harmoniously with people. I hereby appeal to our scholars to calm down the youth and encourage people to cultivate exemplary behavior as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches."

He goes on to say: "I want to remind you of the words of God in the Quran: 'Hold to forgiveness; enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.'" [The Holy Quran 7:199]

VIEW THE VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ3WPKCwVrI

*On Saturday, CAIR released a similar video appeal in Arabic. In it, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad tells viewers in the Middle East that ordinary Americans and the U.S. government should not be blamed for the religious hatred expressed in the film.

Video: CAIR Releases Arabic Video Appeal on Anti-Islam Film Protests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbfEI78KoUU
CAIR Video Appeal Asks Protesters Not to Blame U.S. for Anti-Islam Film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcMYcd8baqs

Today, CAIR released an updated version of that Arabic video with English subtitles.

Video: CAIR Re-Releases Arabic Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims' Protests with Subtitles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K3tZILaLTs

Last week, CAIR condemned the killings of American diplomats in Libya and said that extremists must not be allowed to control the political and religious discourse worldwide.

CAIR made that statement at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at which representatives of CAIR and other Muslim organizations condemned both the killings of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other diplomats in that nation and the attack on the American embassy in Egypt.

Video: U.S. Muslim Leaders Condemn Killings of American Diplomats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dI844aC1qU

CAIR had previously called on Muslims in the Middle East to ignore the distribution of the "trashy" anti-Islam film that resulted in the attacks in Libya, Egypt and other nations throughout the Muslim world.

SEE: CAIR Asks Mideast Muslims to Ignore 'Trashy' Anti-Islam Film
http://tinyurl.com/9z66a44

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]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)