CAIR-LA Calls on Candidates
to Avoid
anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Anaheim, CA: Southern California office
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has
called on politicians in the state to avoid "smear campaigns
and fear-mongering" to target candidates of Muslim or
Arab background or those who associate with the California
Muslim community.
"We call on all Californians
to repudiate attempts to spread fear of Islam and Muslims
by falsely labeling Arab-American and Muslim candidates seeking
office as extremists," said CAIR-LA Executive Director
Hussam Ayloush. "It is disturbing to see public officials
exploit growing anti-Muslim prejudice and bias within our
society by using smear campaigns and fear-mongering."
Ayloush cited the case of Bill
Dalati, a Republican candidate for Anaheim City Council who
has been the target of vicious attacks by former state Republican
Party Chairman Shawn Steel. Steel supports Dalati's opponent,
incumbent Bob Hernandez.
SEE: Anaheim City Council Race
Heats Up Over Mideast Politics (AP)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20061009-2228-ca-councilrace-middleeast.html
In a letter, Steel called Dalati
a "Manchurian candidate" and questioned his patriotism
for supporting elected officials who have been critical of
President George W. Bush's Iraq policies.
Steel also criticized Dalati's
participation at a rally this summer. That rally was attended
by Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of other faiths, and
demanded an immediate cease-fire to the most recent outbreak
of war in the Middle East.
Muslims say Steel has a history
of Islamophobia. He once claimed Islam is a diseased religion.
In a separate race, 47th Congressional
District incumbent Loretta Sanchez has been targeted using
similar tactics.
Sanchez's opponent Tan Nguyen
has angered local Muslims with his offensive and inflammatory
use of a photograph of a Middle Eastern terrorist to link
the hot-button issues of illegal immigration and terrorism.
Sanchez has closely worked
with all religious groups, including Muslims.
CAIR has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada
. 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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