CAIR: U.S. Muslims Urged to Speak Out on Gaza Crisis

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of
conscience to contact public officials and urge them to condemn Israeli
attacks on the Gaza Strip that have killed almost 300 people and injured
hundreds more, including women and children. In its bombardment of Gaza,
Israel has targeted at least one mosque, a university and a warehouse for
medical supplies.

SEE: Israel Pounds Gaza for Second Day, 296 Killed (Reuters)
http://tinyurl.com/9cp8zo
SEE: Gaza Humanitarian Plight 'Disastrous,' U.N. Official Says (CNN)
http://tinyurl.com/8fkvrr

[NOTE: U.S. Muslim Leaders to Address Gaza Crisis - On Monday, December 29,
the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), a coalition
of 12 major Islamic organizations, will hold a 10 a.m. news conference at the
National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to release an open letter to
President-elect Obama outlining suggested domestic and foreign policy
priorities for the new administration. At that news conference, the Muslim
leaders will also address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. CONTACT:
CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com]

CAIR also called on anyone concerned about the "disproportionate and
counterproductive" Israeli attacks to call radio talk show programs, write
letters to the editor and use social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube
and Twitter to voice their concerns.

Those contacting the media or using social media networks are being asked to
offer support for the Palestinian right to freedom from occupation, to call
for an end to the Israeli blockade of humanitarian supplies to Gaza and to
demand a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Washington-based group's "action alert" also stated: "Point out that such
attacks block efforts to bring peace with justice to the Middle East, harm our
nation's image and interests worldwide and strengthen voices of extremism in
the region. Ask your elected officials to adopt an ever-handed Middle East
policy that is in our nation's, not Israel's interest."

CAIR's alert listed other points to be raised when communicating with public
officials:

* The Palestinian people must be given some hope of freedom from Israeli
occupation and domination.
* Israel's immoral and illegal collective punishment of the Palestinian people
living in the Gaza Strip must end.
* America must support a just and comprehensive resolution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict that takes into account the rights and
responsibilities of all parties.

Yesterday, CAIR issued a statement condemning the Israeli attacks and calling
on President-elect Obama to speak out on the crisis. Today's action alert
asked American Muslims to contact the Obama transition team.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 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.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787 or
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com