OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Oklahoma chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) yesterday gave a "Know Your
Rights" presentation to travelers who are about to make Hajj (pilgrimage) from
the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City (ISGOC).
The presentation included information on how to request same-gender screening
in private rooms instead of going through full-body screening machines and how
to file complaints if a traveler believes he or she has been subjected to
ethnic or religious profiling.
In 2007, a Hajj group from the Islamic Center of America was barred from
boarding a Northwest Airline plane. Northwest Airlines later apologized and
gave compensation to those who were barred.
SEE: Northwest Apologizes to 'Bumped' Hajis (Arab News)
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=91127
CAIR-OK encourages all who plan on leaving for Hajj in November to review
CAIR's American Muslim Civic Pocket Guide.
SEE: Your Rights and Responsibilities as an American Muslim
http://www.cair.com/CivilRights/KnowYourRights.aspx
CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi also educated workshop participants
about H1N1 (swine flu). CAIR encourages travelers to be aware of the H1N1
virus and to take the necessary health precautions.
SEE: Swine Flu Threatens Hajj Season (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/15/swine.flu.hajj.pilgrimage/index.html
CAIR advises Hajj travelers to bring hand sanitizers, facemasks, ibuprofen
pain and fever reliever, and anti-viral medicine such as Tamiflu. Although
difficult, CAIR urges Hajj participants to avoid as much physical contact as
possible, and to wash hands frequently and receive the H1N1 vaccine before
traveling.
SEE: Saudi FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccine Ahead of Hajj (Reuters)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L3608036.htm
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.
CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-Mail:
rhashmi@cair.com; CAIR-OK Chair Michael Aziz Gipson, E-Mail: mgipson@cair.com;
CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Huda Abdul-Razzak, E-Mail:
habdulrazzak@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
Executive Director Razi Hashmi, +1-405-248-5853, rhashmi@cair.com, CAIR-OK
Chair Michael Aziz Gipson, mgipson@cair.com, or Operations Coordinator Huda
Abdul-Razzak, habdulrazzak@cair.com, all of CAIR-OK
