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Guide to National Resources
Arab American Institute (AAI)
Leadership: Dr. James Zogby, President
AAI is a Washington, DC based, nonprofit organization, founded in 1985, which
seeks the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides
policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community
activities as well as leadership training and strategies in electoral politics
and policy issues that concern Arab Americans. The institute serves as a clearinghouse
for Arab American participation in national, state and local politics and government;
research on the Arab American constituency; and a forum for consensus positions
on pressing domestic and foreign policy matters.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
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AAI actively pursues media coverage on its work. As of January 2002, AAI has
been covered over 3,000 times by major media publications such as CNN, ABC, NBC,
CBS, Fox, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today.
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AAI helps foster relationships between the Arab American constituency and members
of the U.S. Congress by maintaining a direct liaison to the Arab American congressional
delegation and sponsoring events to honor its public service.
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AAI sponsors U.S. delegations to the Middle East, including congressional visits
with private citizens and election observation teams. AAI participates in speaking
tours, conducts interviews with Arabic-language media, and provides regular briefings
for international visitors to foster strong relations with the international community.
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In 1989, AAI leaders organized the Arab American Leadership Council, a network
of elected and appointed officials of Arab descent. The ALC supports promotion
of qualified Arab Americans for public office, federal, state and local appointments,
and positions in the Democratic and Republican parties.
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AAI hosts annual leadership conferences, where community leaders discuss pressing
issues in national politics, public affairs and international relations. The conferences
also provide opportunities to meet with members of the Administration and Congress,
policy analysts, media figures and counterparts from other ethnic communities.
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The institute provides training in voter registration and mobilization of Arab
Americans and conducts opinion polls on critical issues. AAI maintains a database
of 500,000 registered voters with Arabic surnames.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Leadership: Mary Rose Oakar, President
With 39 chapters nationwide, ADC is the largest Arab-American grassroots organization
in the country. ADC was founded in 1980 by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk
with the mission of empowering Arab Americans, defending the civil rights of all
people
of Arab heritage in the United States, promoting civic participation, encouraging
a balanced U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and supporting freedom and
development in the Arab World.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- ADC maintains a team of full time staff attorneys to help defend the interests
of the community. ADCs staff attorneys have helped hundreds of people defend
themselves against a wide variety of abuses, including civil rights violations
and discrimination.
- ADC works with schools, teachers and Arab-American parents to combat discrimination
and tensions in schools and ensure that the curriculum does not perpetuate stereotypes
or misinformation about the Arab world or Islam. ADC provides accurate information
on Arab culture and history for educators and school systems.
- ADC works with Congress, the White House, the State and Justice departments,
and other elements of government to promote the interests of the community. Members
can contribute to ADC's political action committee to support political candidates.
- ADC's Communications Department serves as a media watchdog to combat defamation,
stereotyping and bias in films, television and news reporting.
- For over 20 years, ADC has been building bridges with other communities and forging
coalitions with organizations throughout the country on issues of mutual concern.
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Leadership: Nihad Awad, Executive Director
CAIR was formed after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing which spurred a backlash
of hate crimes against American-Muslims before the capture of the real perpetrator,
Timothy McVeigh. With 25 chapters around the country, CAIR is the largest grassroots,
American-Muslim advocacy organization. CAIRs national mission is to promote
a better understanding of Islam in America and empower the American-Muslim community
through political and social activism.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- CAIR works with media professionals to help shape an accurate image of Islam.
It also monitors local, national and international media to challenge negative
stereotypes of Islam and Muslims
- CAIR organizes conferences and seminars for media professionals, government officials
and the academic community. These events present information about Islam and Muslims.
- CAIR produces a variety of publications for community members, leaders, and the
American public. Some of these publications include: practical handbooks such
as the U.S. Congress Handbook which explains the branches of American government
and the Law Enforcement Officials Guide to the Muslim Community which outlines
some Muslim beliefs and practices that would be useful to community policing officers;
a civil rights annual report, which documents cases of discrimination against
Muslims throughout the U.S; and a quarterly news letter.
- CAIR issues action alerts to local communities as a means of promoting local
activism and generating a grassroots response on important issues.
Community Anti-Terrorism Training Institute (C.A.T. EYES)
www.cateyesprogram.com
The C.A.T. Eyes program is a private, industry specific, for-profit training
initiative that seeks to train individuals to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement
to fight against domestic terrorism and racial profiling. This New York-based
program was developed by U.S. military officers, local police, and an Israeli
police officer. The program includes an overview of terrorism, what to look for
(suspicious behavior), and how to properly report findings. It also includes
a web-based, E-learning center.
Training Includes:
- The Basic C.A.T Eyes Program in which students learn what terrorism is, how to
detect it, and how to properly report information. This course seeks to help reduce
racial profiling and improve ability to report suspicious activity.
- The C.A.T Eyes Train the Trainer Program teaches community and law enforcement
leaders how to teach the Basic Cat Eyes Program free of charge to their communities,
civic groups, organizations, or companies.
- The Basic Terrorism Survival Program, which explains basic terrorism threats;
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical. The course attempts to separate myths from
reality in order to address fears related to terrorism.
- The C.A.T Eyes Security Guard Program trains security officers on how to detect
terrorism and how to respond to terrorist acts. This training is developed for
the basic security officer to increase their effectiveness in protecting an installation
against terrorism and responding to crisis situations.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS - U.S. Depatment of Justice)
The COPS Office was created as a result of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 and is a component of the USDOJ. The mission of the COPS
Office is to advance community policing in jurisdictions of all sizes across the
country. COPS provides grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies
to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge
crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. COPS training also reaches state and local government leaders and the citizens
they serve. The COPS Office provides resources for a number of training programs
including counterterrorism and community policing initiatives.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- The COPS Office is currently supporting a Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
Terrorism White Paper Series. This series includes five papers addressing local
law enforcements concerns in preventing and preparing for terrorist acts. Specifically,
the papers include:
- Improving Local-Federal Partnerships
- Working with Diverse Communities (this volume specifically addresses working
with the Muslim, Arab, and Sikh communities and is available at: http://policeforum.mn-8.net/default.asp?link==)
- Preparing for and Responding to Bioterrorism (coming soon)
- Intelligence and Information Sharing (coming soon)
- Law Enforcement Partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security: Working
Together to Address Terrorism and Enhance Community Policing (coming soon)
Community Relations Service (U.S. Department of Justice)
CRS was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to serve as USDOJs "peacemaker"
for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color,
and national origin. Its mission is to assist state and local governments, private
and public organizations, and community groups in preventing and resolving racial
and ethnic tensions, incidents, civil disorders. With 14 regional and field offices
around the country, CRS assists communities in developing local mechanisms, conducting
training, and other proactive measures to prevent or reduce racial/ethnic tension
and provides alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation.
Relevant Publications / Resources:
- CRS Handbook: Twenty Plus Things Law Enforcement Agencies Can Do to Prevent
or Respond to Hate Incidents Against Arab-Americans, Muslims, and Sikhs (November
2001)
- CRS Handbook: Twenty Plus Things Schools Can Do to Respond to or Prevent
Hate Incidents Against Arab-Americans, Muslims, and Sikhs (November 2001)
- CRS Flyer: "CRS Mediation of Community Racial Disputes and Conflicts (2003)
- CRS Bulletin: Hate Crime: The Violence of Intolerance (December 2001)
- CRS Brochure: Community Dialogue Guide (September 2003)
- CRS Video: "The First Three to Five Seconds" - Law Enforcement Roll Call Training
Video on Arab and Muslim Cultural Awareness
FBI Citizens Academy
The Citizens Academy was begun in 1993 by Jim Ahearn, then-Special Agent in
Charge (SAC) of the FBI's Phoenix Division, who was looking for ways to strengthen
the field offices relationship with the community. Today there are 24 Citizens
Academies across the country. The academies give business, civic, religious,
and community leaders an inside look at federal law enforcement in general and
the FBI in particular. Their overall goal is to foster relationships and understanding
between an FBI field office and its community in order to improve the Bureaus
ability to solve/detect crimes and help citizens' make their communities a better
and safer place.
The Standard Curriculum Includes Training On:
- Practical problems in collection and preservation of physical evidence
- The FBIs jurisdiction and congressional oversight
- Structure and operation of an FBI field office and resident agency
- Services the FBI provides to local and state law enforcement agencies
- Ethics, discipline policies, communications, drug enforcement, civil rights,
and future trends in law enforcement
- Firearms and weapons training for FBI Agents (to foster an understanding of what
it is like being faced with split-second, life-and-death decisions).
Muslim Advocates
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/
An outgrowth of the National Association of Muslim Lawyers, Muslim Advocates
is now a separate charitable organization. Muslim Advocates' mission is to promote equality, liberty, and justice
for all by providing leadership through legal advocacy, policy
engagement, and civic education, and by serving as a legal resource to
promote the full and meaningful participation of Muslims in American
public life.
Muslim American Society (MAS)
MAS is a national organization with a number of active chapters around the country. MAS
defines itself as a charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational,
not-for-profit organization. The organization seeks to increase understanding
between Muslims and non-Muslims, increase coordination among Muslim groups, and
encourage the participation of Muslims in society.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
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The MAS Freedom Foudation is program of the larger MAS which seeks to empower
the American Muslim community through civic education, participation, community
outreach, and coalition building and to forge positive relationships with other
institutions outside the Muslim community. MAS Freedom Foundation's main objective
is to ensure and facilitate the protection of civil rights and liberties for American
Muslims and all Americans.
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The MAS Youth Program focuses on educating young Muslims through organized activities
such as confrences, workshops, scouting trips, and youth camps.
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The National Council of Islamic Centers was launched by MAS in December 2002
with the goal of empowering American Muslim communities by improving coordination
and resource sharing between Islamic centers.
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MAS publishes the "American Muslim Magazine" which covers a range of social,
political, and religious issues.
Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
http://www.mcb.org.uk/
Leadership: Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General
Formed in 1997, MCB is a London-based umbrella group for affiliated nation, regional
and local organizations, mosques, charities and schools. MCB aims to promote cooperation
and unity between Muslim organizations in the UK and to foster better community
relations between the Muslim community and British society as a whole.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- MCB works with the UK’s Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
to promote an understanding of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations
of 2003, both within the Muslim community and amongst employers.
- MCB provides mainstream schools with Islamic resources including books and teaching
aids in order to promote respect amongst communities
- In 2004, MCB produced and distributed a “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”
pocket guide containing information about what to do when arrested, detained at
ports, or searched by police.
- MCB’s “Footsteps” program identifies role models for Muslim youth to speak at
secondary schools in the UKMCB encourages Muslim participation in general elections
through its nonpartisan “Vote Smart” initiative.
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Leadership: Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director
MPAC is a national, policy-oriented advocacy organization, which seeks to effect
positive change in public opinion and policy. The scope of MPACs mission includes
promoting an American Muslim identity; advocating for an accurate portrayal of
Islam and Muslims in mass media and popular culture; educating the American public,
both Muslim and non-Muslim about Islam; building alliances with Muslim and non-Muslim
groups; and cultivating relationships with opinion and decision makers.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- MPAC has published a number of policy papers on a variety of issues. Some of
these papers include: A Review of US Counterterrorism Policy: American Muslim
Critique and Recommendations 2003; A Position Paper on US Counter-Terrorism Policy 1999; Position on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict; The Road Map; The Islamic
Foundations of Patriotism; Muslim Charities and Religious Freedom.
- MPAC hosts a number of seminars and forums such as, Community-Police Partnership:
Bridging the Gap of Communication in order to discuss issues of concern to the
Muslim community. MPAC also actively participates in interfaith dialogue.
- MPAC gives annual awards to important members of the media, journalists, filmmakers
and writers who portray Islam and Muslims positively through their professional
work
Muslim Safety Form
The Muslim Safety Forum (MSF) was formed by concerned
Muslim organizations following 9/11 and subsequent unfair focus on the
Muslim community when it came to policing activities and enforcement of
anti- terror policing legislations. The MSF scrutinizes police activities that
affect the Muslim community in the UK.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives and Resources
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The overriding objective of the MSF is to
identify the safety and security needs of the Muslim community in the
UK and seek the fulfilment of those needs within the legal and
political framework of the UK.
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The
MSF seeks to reflect in its’ membership the diversity (including
ethnicity, gender, age and school of thought) of the Muslim community
in the UK.
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To engage positively
with the Police Service so that a fairer and effective policing
framework can be developed that meets the needs of all the citizens in
the UK.
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To co-operate with other
bodies such as the MET, MPA, Home Office, GLA, IPCC, CPS, ACPO, APA and
Human Rights organisations such as Liberty; that have a direct
influence on policing policies and the wider issues of Human rights in
this context in the UK.
National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML)
Leadership: Mohammad Fadel, President
NAML, first known as MuslimJD, has been active since 1996. The organizations
mission is to serve Muslims, the general public and the law profession by promoting
justice and advocating for improvements in the American legal system. NAML believes
that the American Muslim communitys interests are best protected by those with
an understanding of and respect for the law, legal process, and the role of the
legal profession in developing, enforcing and changing the law. NAMLs goal is
to promote meaningful access to legal representation for Muslims, and in turn
encourage full, fair and equal participation by Muslims in American society overall.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- NAML heads the Transparency Project, which encourages Muslim charitable
institutions to implement operational guidelines and procedures to help ensure
compliance with law and increase transparency.
- NAML provides basic information about legal rights under U.S. law and is
in the process of developing a variety of Know Your Rights fact sheets.
- NAML maintains a searchable directory of Muslim legal professionals and
law students in the U.S. and Canada
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
Leadership: Preetmohan Singh, National Director
Founded in 1996, SALDEF is the oldest national Sikh-American advocacy organization
in the country. Its mission is to protect the rights of Sikh Americans through
legislative advocacy, public education, legal assistance, and to ensure accurate
portrayal of the Sikh religion. Nationally, the organization works to create
and distribute educational products and resources for community members, the American
public, and law enforcement; provides legal services to community members in regards
to civil rights, civil liberties issues, conducts cultural and religious awareness
training; and monitors the media and responds to inaccuracies or misrepresentations
of Sikh Americans and Sikhism.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- SALDEF produces a number of publications to address the needs of the Sikh community,
law enforcement/government officials, and the American public. Some of these
publications include: Who Are the Sikhs?; Welcome to the Gurdwara; Deconstructing
Religious Misperceptions: Combating the Myth of Sikhism as a Derivative Religion;
Common Stereotypes about Sikhs and Sikhism; Recommendations for Law Enforcement
When Interacting With Sikh Americans.
- SALDEF monitors media coverage of Sikhs and Sikh Americans and reports misrepresentations
or misinformation.
- SALDEF issues action alerts for community members and government officials to
bring attention to incidents of concern.
The Sikh Coalition
Leadership: Amardeep Singh, Executive Director
Founded in response to the bigotry and hate that the Sikh community experienced
in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks,the Sikh Coalition is a community-based
organization that works to allow Sikhs to practive and enjoy their faith while
fostering strong relations with their local community.
Relevant Programs, Initiatives, or Resources:
- The Coalition engages in litigation in behalf of members the community whose
rights have been violated.
- The Coalition advocates for the rights of the community through publications,
reports, and engagement with officials.
- The Coalition educates the public about Sikhs through publications, a library
program, and essay competitions.
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