Senate Leaders, Civil Rights Coalition Urge Delay & Review of Proposed Expansion of FBI Powers

Muslim Advocates and a coalition of allied community and civil libertarian organizations released a joint letter to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III today, calling for an opportunity for meaningful input in the FBI's Domestic Investigative Operational Guidelines (DIOGs) implementing the Attorney General's controversial Guidelines, both of which are expected to take effect December 1, 2008. The letter reiterates concerns raised in a similar letter to the Attorney General sent yesterday by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Committee members Senators Russell Feingold (D-WI), Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) calling for a delay in implementation of the DIOGs and the Attorney General's Guidelines until the next administration can review them.

The coalition letter discusses the inadequacy of cursory briefings by FBI officials on the eve of the implementation of the DIOGs and their refusal to release copies of the 100-page DIOGs. Noting that "both Congress and the public have expressed serious concerns about unprecedented expansion of the FBI's investigative authorities on several occasions," the coalition calls for the DIOGs to be released, and for their implementation -- and that of the AG's Guidelines -- to be delayed so that Congress, the public and the next administration can fully review the proposed expansion of the FBI's powers.

Muslim Advocates Issues Advisory for Hajj & Other Overseas Travelers

Greetings of peace, Assalaamu Alaikum,

With this year's hajj season and end of year travel fast approaching, Muslim Advocates would like to remind all Muslim Americans -- and hajj (religious pilgrimage) and other overseas travelers, in particular -- about issues you may encounter when traveling abroad. Searches and interrogations by Customs & Border Protection ("CBP") officials are possible upon your return to the U.S., especially to the extent your travel plans include visits to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or other Muslim countries.

As you prepare for your trip, follow these steps:

(1) View our 15-minute training video - which is available online in five languages (English, Arabic, Farsi, Somali and Urdu): Got Rights? Protecting Yourself and Your Family at Home and at the Airport. It will help you learn about common experiences at the airport, as well as your rights and how to assert them.
(2) Download and print our 1-page reference guide to carry with you during your travels.
(3) Pack your Zamzam water in your checked baggage: please note that federal authorities require all packages containing over 3 oz. of liquids to be placed in checked baggage. This requirement includes Zamzam water.
(4) Finally, when you return to the U.S., please share with us any stories of stops, searches or interrogations that you encounter at the airport.

Free Legal & Financial Seminar

Event Date: October 25, 2008 8:00am-5:00 pm.
Location: Law firm of McManis Faulkner in San Jose, CA
This seminar is intended for Imams, board members, executive directors, treasurers and senior staff. It is to educate Muslim charities on how to improve their operations, increase transparency and ensure legal compliance with anti-terror financing laws and regulations.

Sign up here to attend