Lena Masri’s Blog, CAIR-MI to File Federal Complaints on Border Questioning of Muslims

Lena Masri’s Blog, CAIR-MI to File Federal Complaints on Border Questioning of Muslims.

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 3/23/11) –- On Thursday, March 24, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) will hold a news conference to announce the filing of complaints with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking civil and potentially criminal investigations into the repeated detention and questioning of Muslims about their religious practices by security agents at the United States-Canada border.

CAIR-MI documented complaints from constituents who reported that agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have pointed firearms at them, detained and handcuffed them without predication of crimes or charges, and questioned them about their worship habits.

Questions reportedly asked of Michigan Muslims by CBP agents have included:

* How many times a day do you pray?

* Do you pray your morning prayer in the mosque?

* Who else prays in your mosque?

Those detained by CBP agents report that the same questions are asked every time they crossed the border.

WHAT: News Conference Announcing Federal Complaints About Invasive Border Questioning of Muslims

WHEN: Thursday, March 24, 10 a.m. (Eastern)

WHERE: CAIR-MI Office, 21700 Northwestern Highway, Suite 815, Southfield, MI

CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com

News conference participants will include individuals who were subjected to detainment and invasive questioning by CBP agents.

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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com