Announcing MPAC's 2012 Young Leaders Summits in Hollywood, Media & Government

(Washington, DC, - 2/29/12) – The Muslim Public Affairs Council is proud to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2012 Young Leaders Summits, which offer Muslim American undergraduate and graduate students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to turn their passions in government, media and the arts into possibilities. Through the Young Leaders Summits, MPAC seeks to expand the pool of talent and new voices in the fields of policymaking, news media and entertainment; provide leadership development; and create a vibrant national network of emerging leaders. Visit summits.mpac.org now for more information and to apply. All applications must be submitted by Monday, April 2. Hollywood Summit in Los Angeles | May 30 – June 2 Ever wanted to be a filmmaker, screenwriter, or actor? The Young Leaders Hollywood Summit in Los Angeles is your chance to meet with working actors, screenwriters, directors, talent managers and studio executives; get practical training in digital storytelling; and provide practical tips for transforming your talent into a successful career. Media Summit in New York City | June 10-14 Interested in becoming a journalist, blogger or writer? The Young Leaders Media Summit will provide you with an exciting opportunity to meet prominent journalists, editors, producers and on-air talent to learn about the ins and outs of the news media industry and learn how you can pursue career opportunities in the field. Government Summit in Washington, DC | July 9-14 Wonder how policies get made in Congress and the administration? Want to share your opinions with decision makers? The Young Leaders Government Summit will provide you with an inside-look at the inner workings of the nation’s capitol while simultaneously providing government officials and congressional leaders the opportunity to learn what is on the minds of young Muslim Americans. For more information, contact Young Leaders Program Coordinator Yasmin Hussein atyasmin@mpac.org or (202) 547-7701. Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans. [CONTACT: Marium Mohiuddin, 323-258-6722, marium@mpac.org]

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U.S. Mosques Ethnically-Diverse, Encourage Civic Engagement

Report: U.S. Mosques Ethnically-Diverse, Encourage Civic Engagement 
Comprehensive study shows number of U.S. mosques increased 74% since 2000

-- A comprehensive study of mosques and the attitudes of mosque leaders in the United States released today indicates that the number of American mosques increased 74 percent since 2000 and that Islamic houses of worship are ethnically-diverse institutions led by officials who advocate positive civic engagement.

A coalition of major American Muslim and academic organizations released the report, titled "The American Mosque 2011: Basic Characteristics of the American Mosque, Attitudes of Mosque Leaders," at a news conference this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

SEE: Number of Mosques Nearly Doubles in Decade (AP)

The report is the first part of the larger U.S. Mosque Survey 2011 to be published. To conduct the survey, researchers counted all mosques in America and then conducted telephone interviews with a sample of mosque leaders. (The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.)

The report's major findings include:

• The number of mosques and mosque participants continues to show significant growth, from 1,209 mosques in 2000 to 2,106 in 2011. New York and California have the largest number of mosques. Seventy-six percent of mosques were established since 1980.
• Mosque leaders overwhelmingly endorse Muslim involvement in American society. More than 98 percent of mosque leaders agree that Muslims should be involved in American institutions and 91 percent agree that Muslims should be involved in politics.
• The vast majority of mosque leaders do not feel that American society is hostile to Islam.
• The majority of mosque leaders (56 percent) adopt a flexible approach to interpretation of Quran and Sunnah (the normative practice of Islam's Prophet Muhammad) that takes into account the overall purposes of Islamic law and modern circumstances.
• The vast majority (87 percent) of mosque leaders disagree that "radicalism" is increasing among Muslim youth. Many mosque leaders say the real challenge for them is not radicalism and extremism among the youth, but how to attract and keep them close to the mosque.
• Mosques remain an extremely diverse religious institution. Only a tiny minority of mosques (3 percent) have just one ethnic group that attends that mosque. South Asians, Arab-Americans and African-Americans remain the dominant ethnic groups, but significant numbers of Somalis, West Africans and Iraqis now worship at mosques nationwide.
• The number of mosques in urban areas is decreasing, while the number of mosques in suburban areas is increasing. In 2011, 28 percent of mosques were located in suburbs, up from 16 percent in 2000.
• The conversion rate per mosque has remained steady over the past two decades. In 2011, the average number of converts per mosque was 15.3. In 2000 the average was 16.3 converts per mosque.
• Shia mosques are also expanding in number. Some 44 percent of all Shia mosques were established in the 1990s.

Speakers at the today's news conference included:

• Ihsan Bagby, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky (Prof. Bagby is the report's author.)
• David Roozen, Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary
• Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on America-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
• Zahid Bukhari, President of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
• Safaa Zarzour, Secretary General of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

Sponsors of the U.S. Mosque Survey 2011 include: The Hartford Institute for Religion Research (Hartford Seminary), the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Islamic Society of North American (ISNA), the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

The U.S. Mosque Survey 2011 is part of a larger study of American congregations called Faith Communities Today (FACT), which is a project of Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, a multi-faith coalition of denominations and faith groups.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

March is Girl Scout Cookie Month at ADAMS!!

 

Girl Scout cookies have arrived at ADAMS Center -- buy yours before we sell out!

 

You can purchase your cookies at the ADAMS Main Center on the following days throughout March:

 

* every FRIDAY from 11am to 2pm - Main Foyer

* every FRIDAY from 6pm to 8pm - Main Foyer

* every SATURDAY from 10am to 1pm - outside in the field

* every SUNDAY from 12:30pm to 2:30pm - outside in the field

 

Girl Scout cookies are $4.00 per box and include the following eight *scrumptious* varieties:

• Thin Mints --  Extra thin wafer covered with smooth cocoa coating for those who love the taste of chocolate. Flavored with pure oil of peppermint.
• Samoas -- Delicious cookies, covered with caramel on top and bottom, rolled in toasted coconut and striped with yummy cocoa coating.
• Tagalongs -- Peanut Butter Patties, tasty cookies topped with real peanut butter and covered with chocolate coating.
• Do Si Dos -- Peanut butter sandwiches, super crunchy oatmeal cookies combined with rich peanut butter filling.
• Savannah Smiles -- A crispy, zesty, lemony delight to celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting!
• Trefoils -- Tender, delicate tasting shortbread made with butter and eggs.
• Dulce de Leche - Inspired by the classic confections of Latin America, these sweet, indulgent cookies are rich with milk caramel chips and stripes.
• Thank You Berry Munch - A cookie with real premium cranberries providing a delightful tartness in these hearty cookies, sweetened with creamy, white fudge chips. They are sure to become a favorite!

Thank you for supporting your ADAMS Center Girl Scouts!

 

Was salam,

Priscilla

ADAMS GS Committee
 

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* **

Why Sell Cookies?

Girls benefit from participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale in a variety of ways. They are members of a team, working towards a common goal, with each girl striving to do her best. Girls also practice other useful skills, such as earning money for troop activities, learning to take orders in abusiness-like way, handling money, delivering cookies in top condition, and knowing the satisfaction of a job well done.

Cookie sale earnings help bridge the gap between income from other sources, such as gifts, bequests, and other fund raising, and the money required to provide Girl Scouting in the community. Funds help local Girl Scout troops engage in a wide variety of activities, field trips, and service projects. Funds from cookie sales help our councilrecruit and train the volunteer leader for each troop, provide financial assistance to make Girl Scouting available to girls of modest means, improve and maintain campsites and subsidize local programming opportunities.

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ** 

The ADAMS Girl Scouts program provides many exciting opportunities! 

Girls learn and participate in activities, help their community,

make new friends, and learn more about themselves

all while having the time of their lives! 

 

Troops meet on Friday evenings.  

Girls in grades K-12 are welcomed to join us!

Republican primary election

As you know, Virginia takes part in Super Tuesday, and the Fairfax GOP is going to take full advantage of it.  On Tuesday, March 6th, between 5:45 a.m. and 7 p.m., VAMCC plan to dedicate and exhaust every resource for greeting voters at the polls and inviting them to become a member of our team. This time, we need to double our efforts. It's the only time when the voters come to us and we do not have to risk disturbing them with a phone call or a knock at the door. Will you help us strengthen the organization of the VAMCC? We need you to take a shift sometime between 5:45 a.m. and 7 p.m in specific location that our Muslim community known to be voting at. We will be signing them up for email updates, to volunteer, and invite them to file to be delegates to the upcoming conventions.  Sign up to volunteer for Tuesday, March 6th here on email me at wentabi@gamil.com Thank you again for all of your support.  Wasim, Just remember, your Money, Money, Labar, and Vote are been taking  for-granted, don't let it be..  Sign up to be a Delegate for any of the upcoming conventions

Sr. Pentagon Official Delivers Apology to Muslims, ISNA President Calls for Non-Violence in Quran Protests

(Washington, DC | Feb 24, 2012)  This afternoon, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) President Imam Mohamed Magid hosted an event featuring senior Pentagon officials and U.S. Military Chaplains.  The event served as an opportunity for the Department of Defense (DoD) to deliver an official apology for the actions of American soldiers in Afghanistan who unknowingly burned Qurans at Bagram Airfield on Monday.  

Speakers included Dr. Peter Lavoy, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia and Pacific Security Affairs, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid, and U.S. Military Chaplain Lt. Col. Abdul Rasheed Muhammad.

VIEW: Watch video clips of Secretary Lavoy's remarks at today's event

Assistant Secretary Lavoy apologized on behalf of the DoD to the American Muslim community and assured attendees that the Quran burnings were an unfortunate mistake.  He highlighted the many diverse faiths represented in the U.S. military and the strong commitment by the DoD to respect each and every one of those religious beliefs equally. He also assured attendees that the military is investigating the incident and all troops are being retrained in the handling of religious materials.  

Reflecting on Assistant Secretary Lavoy's remarks, ISNA President Imam Magid stated, "We are pleased with the rapid response from the DoD and the White House and with their strategies to prevent these actions from occurring in the future," adding, "This is an opportunity for us to move forward from this unfortunate incident and to build new partnerships."

During the event, Imam Magid delivered the Friday sermon to nearly 1,000 D.C. area Muslims on the importance of facing this challenge with the Islamic principles of patience and forgiveness, while preserving the sanctity of human life.

VIEW: Watch the full sermon delivered by Imam Magid, a message for peace

"The people of Afghanistan have the right to be offended over the burning of the Quran.  However, in the face of this challenge, the sanctity of human life must be respected above all else," stated ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. 

"We must remember that although the burning of the Quran is disconcerting, the Quran can never truly be disposed of or forgotten because millions of Muslims across the world have memorized the Quran and it lives forever in their hearts," he added.

The event at ADAMS Center was preceded Thursday by a meeting with Imam Magid and senior members in the DoD at the Pentagon to discuss strategies to ensure the protection of sacred holy texts from intentional and unintentional destruction at the hands of the U.S. military in the future.

Celebrating the Roots of Islam Through Black History Month

The contributions to Islam and America by African Americans have been both inspiring and truly eye-opening. Without a doubt, Islam in America, as it stands today, would not be the way it is without African American influence. Sadly, the narrative of Islam in America generally tends to forget about the major impact African Americans made in shaping a Muslim American identity.

More than 200 years ago, our nation was embedded in the gross practice of slavery; by 1800, estimates have shown that at least 15 to 30 percent of slaves were Muslim. Muslim slaves unknowingly contributed to the narrative of Islam in America by continuing to practice their faith in the face of great adversity. Indeed, Muslims have been part of the American framework since its very inception. American society saw its first population of Muslims through the import of African slaves. From that point, there are historical accounts of Muslims fighting in the American Revolutionary War, aiming to assist in the very creation of this nation.

For example, Peter Salem, a former slave of Muslim background from Massachusetts, fought in 1775 in the Battle of Bunker Hill and later fought in the Battle of Saratoga. In the course of our nation’s short history, Muslims have participated and fought in every American war. Further, when the slaves were emancipated, they fought for their nation’s principles of freedom, equality and justice in the Civil War. Forming the Muslim American identity of participation and engagement—even at the military level—was in its infancy stage of being established.

More than 100 years later, Malcolm X was born and established himself as one of the most prolific contributors to America. In his transformation from petty criminal to a member of the Nation of Islam where he espoused powerful rhetoric in defense of black supremacy to his shift to Sunni Islam, Malcolm X proved to be an intellectual force in the formation of identity to be reckoned with. Malcolm’s fascinating change from exclusion in American society to the realization that participation and engagement within the larger fabric of our nation was exemplified, highlighted and emulated during and after his life. From, “we’re not American, we’re Africans who happen to be in America. We were kidnapped and brought here against our will from Africa. We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock- that rock landed on us,” to his infamous speech in Cleveland, Ohio, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” in which he stressed the importance of political participation to address political maturity and recognizing that through unity comes action.  

African Americans have certainly established the bedrock of Islam in America; without them, the way we see and experience Islam in America today would not be. In a time when Islam is seen as a suspicious foreign entity existing within the U.S., the centuries old narrative of Islam in America proves otherwise—it has been a thriving, contributing force to the very structure of our nation from the country’s inception.

It would be completely untrue for the African American experience to be left out of the hundreds of years of forming and shaping a Muslim American identity. The narrative exists, and the roots of Islam in America can be dated back to the very formation of this nation on the backs of those whose religion values freedom, justice, human rights and equality.


[CONTACT: Haris Tarin, DC Office Director, (202) 547-7701, haris@mpac.org]

American Muslim Leaders call for peaceful and non-violent response.

All Dulles Area Muslim Society
46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling, VA 20164

www.adamscenter.org

 

Senior Pentagon Official to Address Muslim Community, Pledge Partnership.
American Muslim Leaders to Call for Peace and Non-Violence. 

http://www.adamscenter.org/pressreleases/2--23--2012__-__Press__Release

WHO:Dr. Peter Lavoy, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia and Pacific Security Affairs
            http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=333

            Imam Mohamed Magid, Executive Director, All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS) and 

                                                    President, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

            Haris Tarin, Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC-DC) 

            U.S. Military Chaplains

 

WHAT: Senior DoD officials will  join the American Muslim community to pledge
             partnership and  join a discussion on the Quran incident in Afghanistan.
             Leaders from the American Muslim community and U.S. military chaplains will
             also provide a message on the  importance of responding to the burnings  in a peaceful
             and non-violent manner.

 

WHEN: Friday, February 24, 2012

             11:30 – 12: 15 PM EST - Jumaa and Remarks by Senior DoD Officials and US Military Chaplains
             Jumaa: Led by Imam Mohamed Magid
             After Jumaa - Remarks by Senior DoD Officials, US Military Chaplains and American Muslim Leaders
              

WHERE: All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS)

                 46903 Sugarland Road
                 Sterling,VA 20164

                 (see directions below)

 

WHY: This week, reports showed American soldiers unknowingly burned Qurans at

Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Thursday, senior Department of Defense and Central Command officials met with American Muslim leaders to explain the circumstances and issue a formal apology for the incident. Formal condemnation and apologies to the people of Afghanistan has already been issued by the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense and other senior DoD officials.

 

SEE: “Obama Apologizes for Quran Burning in Afghanistan”

 

“The Pentagon’s and the President’s condemnation and formal apology for this unintentional incident have been immediate and clear,” said Haris Tarin, Washington, DC Office Director, MPAC. “We call on the noble people of Afghanistan to address their grievances in non-violent ways and preserve the sanctity of human life as revered in the Holy Quran.”

 

“The people of Afghanistan have the right to be offended over the burning of the Quran.  However, in the face of this challenge, the sanctity of human life must be respected above all else,” stated ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. “We must remember that although the burning of the Quran is disconcerting, the Quran can never truly be disposed of or forgotten because millions of Muslims across the world have memorized the Quran and it lives forever in their hearts.”

 
PEACE

Latino Muslim Identity ON Sunday February 26th

America's Islamic Heritage Museum is partnering with Dar Al-Hijrah's Youth group to plan monthly events focused on Latino Muslim Identity. Please join us this Sunday February 26th for our first event at Dar Al-Hijrah from 5-7 pm. Our next event will take place at America's Islamic Heritage Museum on March 17th. We hope to see you at both inshAllah. 

 

 

Overview of Event:
Location: Dar Al-Hijrah
When:  February 26, 2012 at 5pm

Audience:  The Local Community, Latino Friends of Muslims, Family of Latino Muslims, anyone with questions about Islam
Format:  Short, informal presentation on basics of Islam; small group Q & A; break for salah and explanation; introduction of big event in DC on 3/17

Finger Foods will be provided..

 

Best,

All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS)

http://www.adamscenter.org Phone: 703-433-1325

46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling, VA 20164

1) ADAMS is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization - Please donate for to ADAMS generously to help us cover the cost of Events, Operations, Education Programs, Youth Department, Interfaith Programs, and more. Please Donate in the donation boxes and fill out a donation / membership form. Please donate online athttp://www.adamscenter.org

 

2) Please donate generously for the facility purchase project for ADAMS Fairfax and South Riding Branches: We have renegotiated the contract price to 1.34 million for ADAMS Sully Center facility that will serve the Fairfax, Centreville, Chantilly, Aldie, Oak Hill, Clifton, and South Riding communities. We need to raise $300,000 within the next 60 days in order to settle the property on time. Please donate generously.

Please visit http://www.adamscenter.org/Donate/ to donate for ADAMS Sully Center Project.

 

3) Please support the lunch sale at ADAMS. All proceeds from the lunch sale go towards supporting ADAMS.

 

4) Fairfax Taleem-ul-Quran Program will be holding Seeratun Nabi (PBUH) program on February 18 at  Franklin middle school10:30AM  There will be Talk by Hatim Yousef on the Seera of tour Beloved phrophet (SAS) more info please contact Sr. Sultana  @571-278-0990 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

1) Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 5:30PM - 8:00PM at ADAMS MAIN HALL   –  QURTUBA PROGRAM on ISLAMIC PACIFISM - an Interfaith Dialogue and Book Signing with Arsalan Iftikhar

 

2) Free workshops on Financial issues that will benefit everyone and strengthen us financially. Topics of interest to individuals, businessmen, home makers, Professionals and all. We will commence every 2nd Saturday of each month at 1:45 pm (after Zuhar prayer) for an hour long workshop as follows:                                                

February 11th Home base entrepreneurships

March 10th How to start a small business

April 14th Foreclosure Prevention

 

3) Weekly Programs include: Children Education Program (Sundays), Youth Education Program (Saturdays), Taleem Ul Quran, Tahfeez Ul Quran, Pre-School, Young Muslim Evening School (YMES), Tutoring Classes, Islam 101 Classes, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, ADAMS Speakers Toastmasters (1st and 3rd Saturdays), Qurtuba Institute classes, and more. Please see http://www.adamscenter.org for more information.

 

OTHER EVENTS

 

1) Registration is now open for our upcoming Project Management Professional PMP® Certification Prep Class  @ ADAMS Center - Starting on February 25, 2012. The last day to register is February11, 2012

 

ADAMS FRIDAY JUMAA PRAYER LOCATIONS

ADAMS Main Center (46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling): 11:30am, 12:45pm, 1:50pm

ADAMS Ashburn Center (21740 Beaumeade Circle, Unit 100, Ashburn, VA 20147): 12:15pm, 1:15pm, & 2:15pm

ADAMS North Reston (NVHC - 1441 Wiehle Avenue Reston, VA 20190) 12:45pm & 1:45pm

ADAMS Fairfax (Waterford  Fair Oaks, 12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax, VA 22033): 12:00pm & 1:00pm

ADAMS Tysons (Best Western Hotel): 12:10pm, 12:50pm & 1:30pm

ADAMS South Riding (Wingate by Windham, Centerview Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151). 12:30pm & 1:30pm

ADAMS Greater Gainesville (15120 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169) 1:00 pm

 ADAMS Crystal City (Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202) 12:30 pm

ADAMS DC (Church of Epiphany -13th and G St. NW Washington, DC 20577) 1:15 pm

Call ADAMS at 703-433-1325 or check website for directions or changes to Jumaa locations and timings

ADAMS Community Centers:

ADAMS Main Center - 46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling, VA 20164

ADAMS Asbhurn Center - 21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100 Ashburn, VA 20147 (Park in the back of building)

 

WasSalaam,

ACTION ALERT 3 VA HB825

ACTION ALERT 3  VA HB825 
Please email this morning and today the letter in green font between the 2 lines below to these Delegates (Please put you Name and Address in the email)

Delegates:
1) Speaker William J. Howell  (804) 698-1028 delwhowell@house.virginia.gov
2) Delegate David B. Albo     (804)698-1042   DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov
3) Delegate Robert Marshall   (804) 698-1013 DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov
4) Your specific Delegate you can find them by putting your Street Address here: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
5) Please Call and email as many of the Delegates listed below and you can copy and paste the list of delegates and send them all this message 
-------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Delegate 

My family and I have lived in Virginia for many years, and have always taken strong interest in our civic process.

 

I am very concerned about House Bill 825 now being read.  The sponsor of this Bill, Honorable Delegate Robert Marshall, has told several constituents the following:

 

my bill(HB825) has an exemption at the end which states, "except to the extent that the United States Constitution or Constitution of Virginia or any federal or state law requires or authorizes the consideration of such foreign law".  This exemption excludes both contract law and religious freedom from the legislation because both are covered under the Constitution.  However, an amendment will be added to the bill to specifically exempt commercial contract law from the bill today on the floor of the House just to clarify that issue.  The religious freedom issue does not need to be spelled out in this way because it is clearly exempted under both the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions.

 

I am happy Delegate Marshall has changed his position and now agrees with the Northern VA Technology Council,
the VA Chamber of Commerce and many other business groups and individuals on the need to clarify the provisions so as to avoid hurting U.S. companies’ international competitiveness.

 

I believe just like the Delegate Marshall's new Business exception, a Religious Freedom Exception needs to be spelled out and we ask you to join the many Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Faith other groups in supporting Religious Freedom.  To be consistent this Bill should also clarify those religious freedom aspects, to avoid tarnishing Virginia’s cherished two-century-old legacy of religious tolerance.

 

I therefore ask you to propose additional amendments like the following:

 

Insert, after line 26, the following sub-sections:

 

“C. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to limit or restrict a person’s right to the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Virginia. 

 

D. Except as stated in this chapter, these provisions shall not apply to any church, synagogue, temple, mosque, religious sect or society, or denomination with respect to matters that are purely ecclesiastical in nature. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation.  May God bless you, the Virginia House of Delegates, and all Americans as we seek to keep the United States as the shining light and beacon of freedom for every corner of the earth!  

 Email Text Below & PDF Attached

VA HB 825 could Potentially infringe on Religious Freedom and Business Community

      
   Please Email and Call Today and Friday.

1.  Please be Polite and Professional - AND Please Read Attached Background Document first

2.  Please Call and Email your VA Assembly Delegate and Members of the House Committee for Courts of Justice(list below)

- Below the list is a consolidated email list comma separated to paste into your email to send and you can use the text below to create your own new Email - Please do NOT just forward this email. Please create a fresh new email

using text below. Please put your name and address so they know you are a constituent

3.  Let them know you are a Citizen and a voter, and you respect the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia

4.  Politely ask why the Virginia House will hold a hearing to discuss a Bill, HB 825, that could negatively impact

Religious Freedom and the Business Community
5.  Please tell them you know the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have sent letters opposing HB825 because it infringes on Religious Freedom and the American Business Community

6.  Request they join the Interfaith Community in opposing HB 825, or to amend the Bill to protect the free exercise

of religion guaranteed by the United and the Virginia Constitutions, which protects the free observance and practice of any religion that is not contrary to rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Virginia Constitutions.
7.  Note the importance of protecting Freedom of Religious practices for all Virginians - Jewish, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Orthodox, Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Bahais, Zoroastrians, and People of all other Faiths

8.  And ask them to take no action that could harm the American Business Community 

Please ask others to Call and email, as well

Find your specific Delegates and State Senators by Street Address here: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

Some Northern Virginia Delegates
 - Delegate David B. Albo (R-42nd District)    (804)698-1042       
  email:  DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov

-  Delegate Randall Minchew (R-10th District)  (703) 777-1570    
 email:  DelRMinchew@house.virginia.gov

-  Delegate Robert Marshall (R-13th District)  (804) 698-1013            
 email: DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate Tom Rust (R - 86th District)        (804) 698-1086       
 email:  DelTRust@house.state.va.us 
-  Delegate Tag Greason (R - 32nd District)   (804)698-1032        
 email:  DelTGreason@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate David Ramadan (R-87th District)   (804)698-1087        
 email: DelDRamadan@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate Barbara Comstock  (R-34th District)  (804)698-1034                    
 email: DelBComstock@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate Joe May (R - 33rd District)           (804)698-1033                   
 email: DelJMay@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate David L. Bulova (D - 37th District)  (804)698-1037                   
 email: DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov 
-  Delegate Mark Keam(D-35th District)         (804)698-1035                   
 email:  DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov
-  Delegate Kenneth Plum (D-36th District)     (804)698-1036                  
 email:  delkplum@house.virginia.gov
-  Delegate James LeMunyon (R-67th District) (804)698-1067                   
 email: DelJLeMunyon@house.virginia.gov

Prince William County Delegates:

- Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R- 31^st District) Phone:  (804) 698-1031 /
email DelSLingamfelter@house.virginia.gov 

- Delegate Bob Marshall (R 13^{th District)} Phone: (804) 698-1013 / 
email DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov 

- Delegate Rich Anderson (R 51^st District) Phone: (804) 698-1051 / 
email DelRAnderson@house.virginia.gov 

- Delegate Luke Torian (D 52^nd District) Phone: (804) 698-1052 / 
email DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov

-  Delegate Jackson Miller (R 50^th District) Phone: (804) 698-1050 / 
email DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov 

-  Delegate Tim Hugo (R 40^th District) Phone: (804) 698-1040 / 
email DelTHugo@house.state.va.us 

- Delegate Esteban Garces (D 2^nd District) Phone: (804)372-7520 /
emailjmvilar@msn.com

House Courts of Justice Committee Members

- Delegate David B. Albo (Chair) (R - 42nd)   (804)698-1042                    
email:  DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Vivian E. Watts (D-District 39):       (804) 698-1039                 
 email: DelVWatts@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Charniele L. Herring (D-District 39): (804) 698-1046                 
 email: DelCHerring@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Randall Minchew  (R-District 10)    (703) 777-1570                                
 email: DelRMinchew@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Joseph Johnson, Jr. (D-District 4)   (276) 628-9940                 
 email DelJJohnson@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Jackson H. Miller  (R-District 50)    (804) 698-1050                 
email DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate David Toscano (D-District 57)         (434) 220-1660                 
email DelDToscano@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-District 7)    (804) 698-1171                 
email DelJMcClellan@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Robert B. Bell (R-District 58)          (804) 698-1058                 
email DelRBell@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Ronald A. Villanueva (R-District 21) (804) 698-1021             
 email DelRVillanueva@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Salvatore Iaquinto [Chair](R-84):     (804) 698-1084                           
 email DelSIaquinto@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Rick Morris (R-District 64)              (804) 698-1064                 
email DelRMorris@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Terry Kilgore (R–District 1)             (276)386-7011                              
email DelTKilgore@ouse.virginia.gov

- Delegate Manoli Loupassi (R-District 68)      (804) 440-6223                 
 email DelMLoupassi@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Gregory Habeeb (R-District 8):       (540) 915-2962                 
email DelGHabeeb@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Peter Farrell (R-District 56)            (804) 644-0266                 
email DelPFarrell@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate Benjamin L. Cline (R-District 24)    (804) 698-1024                 
email DelBCline@house.virginia.gov

- Delegate C. Todd Gilbert  (R-District 15)       (804) 698-1015                 
email DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov

Background on HB825

HB 825 could Potentially infringe on Religious Freedom and Business Community

 

DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov, DelRMinchew@house.virginia.gov,DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov, DelTRust@house.state.va.us,DelTGreason@house.virginia.gov, DelDRamadan@house.virginia.gov,DelBComstock@house.virginia.gov, DelJMay@hoDelDBulova@house.virginia.gov,DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov, delkplum@house.virginia.gov,DelJLeMunyon@house.virginia.gov, DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov,DelVWatts@house.virginia.gov, DelCHerring@house.virginia.gov,DelRMinchew@house.virginia.gov, DelJJohnson@house.virginia.gov,DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov, DelDToscano@house.virginia.gov,DelJMcClellan@house.virginia.gov, DelRBell@house.virginia.gov,DelRVillanueva@house.virginia.gov, DelSIaquinto@house.virginia.gov,DelRMorris@house.virginia.gov, DelTKilgore@ouse.virginia.gov,DelMLoupassi@house.virginia.gov, DelGHabeeb@house.virginia.gov,DelPFarrell@house.virginia.gov, DelBCline@house.virginia.gov,DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov

 

A Bill recently introduced into the House of Delegates (HB 825 - “Application of foreign laws”)has raised some concerns in the religious and business community.  This appears to be part of a national state-by-state campaign against citing “foreign laws” in U.S. courts – which has been recognized as a veiled attack on Religious Freedom in general, and which can also have ominous unintended consequences for American companies doing business internationally. We all respect the US & VA Constitution and we also want to protect Religious Freedom and Business Community Interests.

 

HB825  - (Text on Page 4)

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+sum+HB825

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+ful+HB825

FYI Similar Bill HB631 was put on hold till 2013
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+sum+HB631
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+ful+HB631 

 

The House Committee for Courts of Justice Subcommittee #2 Civil has passed that bill, introduced by the Honorable Delegate Robert Marshall.  Although at the Subcommittee hearing, Delegate Marshall averred that the Bill would protect all citizens of Virginia, the Members apparently did not consider how these proposed bills could negatively impact international business and trade and Religious Freedom. 

 

The American Jewish Committee(AJC) has already sent a letter to the members of the Committee, noting the following: “(T)he bill before you asserts that only Virginia law may govern such transactions.....even though ...Virginia may have only the most tenuous of connections to the interests of other nations.  Applying substantive Virginia law to such matters, without regard to the interests of other nations, will intrude on the sovereignty of other nations who will find that transactions or torts committed within their boundaries are adjudicated under a law completely alien to it.  (There is) no justification for such an aggressive intrusion into the affairs of other nations."

 

There is no doubt that our international competitors will use this to the damage the business reputation and reliability of all American companies, and could open the door for legal challenges even by companies with no ties to Virginia.  My 30+ years experience in international business, in the private sector and as a senior U.S. Commercial Service Diplomat, tells me this Bill can and will cause substantial problems for American companies globally.  

 

The AJC goes on to address its concerns about religious freedom, noting,  "We are confirmed that this Bill has nothing to do with religious liberty by the Subcommittee's refusal to adopt language...allowing religious tribunals to decide disputes under law.....Ensuring these rights is especially important to the Jewish community which regularly utilizes ...religious tribunals in the domestic relations context and other conflicts."

 

As another national organization reported, ”(T)his bill is likely…to cause problems...(with) enforcement of divorce/custody agreements that rely on religious law; validity of foreign marriages, divorces, and adoptions; validity of wills that rely on religious laws regarding dispersal of assets or disposition of remains.  Additionally, the bill might prevent courts from enforcing resolutions to internal church disputes that are reached according to religious doctrines, such as canon law. "

 

We are also concerned that this bill is too closely related to efforts by the anti-Islam and anti-minority group Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), which has proposed making "adherence to Islam" a crime punishable by 20 years in prison, called for the immediate deportation of all non-citizen Muslims, and urged Congress to declare war on the "Muslim Nation" (which SANE defined as "all Muslims").  This is clearly a group with a strong private agenda.  The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) itself has noted SANE’s founder's as having a "record of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-black bigotry" and the New York Jewish Week newspaper reported that he  "condemns democracy in the USA and, in comments that evoke classical anti-Semitic stereotypes.'"   (See ADL information on the Bill and Anti-Muslim efforts  http://www.adl.org/main_Interfaith/david_yerushalmi.htm )

 

See actual bill template from this Anti-Muslim group here: http://publicpolicyalliance.org/?page_id=38

 

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said “The proposed language is similar to bills filed in other states and is a part of national trend that is nothing more than an unnecessary response to unfounded fears.  The United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutions already prohibit courts from using or applying religious law in anyway that would result in government advance, endorsement, or entanglement with religion. In addition, different groups in the United States regularly use religious-based arbitrators to resolve all kinds of disputes. This proposed legislation would jeopardize those decisions and restrict the use of this process for many Americans. It is a potential infringement on religious freedom of all Virginians and could very well violate the constitutional rights of those in many Religious communities.”

 

These bills are therefore a solution without a problem.  The separation of church and state embodied in U.S. and state constitutions already prohibits our courts from applying or considering religious law in any way that would constitute government advancement of or entanglement with religious law.  In addition, there is simply no evidence that any faith groups do not respect the Law of the Land, either the U.S. Constitution or State Laws like the Virginia Constitution, or that Virginia courts have ever been (or will ever be) “influenced by foreign law”.

 

This Bill can also potentially impair the free religious practices of Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Orthodox, Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Bahais, Zoroastrians, and People of all other Faiths, as guaranteed by the US and the Virginia Constitutions, by making it harder for Virginians of all faith traditions to settle personal and civil legal matters.  

 

There is also no evidence that any of these or other faiths do not respect the Law of the Land, whether the U.S. Constitution or State Laws like the Virginia Constitution. Islamic teachings in fact require Muslims to respect the laws of the land where they live.  In fact, it is a key tenet of Islam that no one should impose their faith or beliefs on another person, and all Muslims are enjoined to believe that there is no compulsion in Faith.  Islamic Law key objectives are Protection of Human Life, Freedom of Religion, Protection of Intellect, Protection of Children, and Protection of Property.  We reaffirm Islam’s absolute condemnation of terrorism , religious extremism, and the use of violence against innocent lives.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit recently upheld a lower court's decision to block an Oklahoma state constitutional amendment designed to accomplish the same apparent goal of this Virginia bill.

 

We hope we can count on your support to ensure Virginia remains a worldwide beacon of religious tolerance, and that any legislation dampening that legacy is never part of our Virginia legal system.

 

HOUSE BILL NO. 825

Offered January 11, 2012

Prefiled January 11, 2012

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 8.01 a chapter numbered 17.4, consisting of a section numbered 8.01-465.26, relating to the application of foreign law in Virginia courts.

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Patrons-- Marshall, R.G. and Morris

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 8.01 a chapter numbered 17.4, consisting of a section numbered 8.01-465.26, as follows:

CHAPTER 17.4.

APPLICATION OF FOREIGN LAWS.

§ 8.01-465.26. Application of foreign laws.

A. For purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Foreign law" means any constitution, law, legal code, or legal system that is established outside the jurisdiction of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the states or territories of the United States.

B. No justice, judge, or other judicial officer of any court of the Commonwealth shall decide any issue in a case or action before that court, and no judge, hearing officer, or other official of any administrative agency, department, or commission shall decide any issue in any adjudication, rule-making, or other administrative proceeding before that agency, department, or commission, in whole or in part based on the authority of foreign law except to the extent that the United States Constitution or Constitution of Virginia or any federal or state law requires or authorizes the consideration of such foreign law.

 
PEACE