Muslim, Arab, Sikh & South Asian American Community Leaders Welcome DHS Secretary Napolitano's Commitments in Meeting on Countering Violent Extremists

(WASHINGTON, DC) January 29, 2010--In a meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday to discuss joint efforts against domestic violent extremists, Muslim, Arab, Sikh and South Asian American community leaders welcomed commitments by the Secretary to promote meaningful, positive and authentic dialogue. Leaders from national and local organizations representing these communities--including Muslim Advocates--expressed concern about DHS policies, such as racial, ethnic, and religious profiling at airports and the border, that have eroded the government's trust and credibility with the communities.

Read the full press release.

U.S. Department of Justice Continues to Cloak Public Access to Guidelines on FBI Surveillance

UPDATED January 20, 2010

Muslim Advocates files amended complaint in federal court to protect religious freedom

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) October 15, 2009---- After a lawsuit filed by Muslim Advocates--a national legal advocacy and educational organization--the U.S. Department of Justice released a heavily redacted version of the FBI's Domestic Investigative Operational Guidelines (DIOGs), which sanction racial and religious profiling of law-abiding Americans and infiltration of mosques and other religious and political gatherings. In response, late yesterday, Muslim Advocates filed an amended complaint, asserting that critical passages on gathering data on racial and religious communities and mosque infiltration in the DIOGs were redacted, and need to be made public.

View the disclosed version of the redacted Domestic Investigative Operational Guidelines:

DIOGs Part I
DIOGs Part II
DIOGs Part III
DIOGs Part IV

View specific sections in the DIOGs that address ethnic geo-mapping of communities and the use of 'undisclosed participants' (agent provocateurs) to spy on communities and congregations

Click here for Muslim Advocates full press release.

Click here for a copy of the complaint.

Politico, the Washington, DC daily blog/newspaper, has been following the suit and the FBI's response. The Christian Science Monitor considers Muslim Advocates' suit as it relates to FBI surveillance in the ongoing Najibullah Zazi case in Denver and New York.

Muslim Advocates Issues Advisory for Travelers Under New TSA Rule

(SAN FRANCISCO) January 8, 2010--Muslim Advocates issued a legal advisory today for those traveling through any of the 14 nations listed under a new rule announced by the Transportation Security Administration on January 4, 2010.

Upcoming NYC Charities Seminar, March 6

REGISTER TODAY!

Muslim Advocates, the Muslim Bar Association of New York, and the New Jersey Muslim Lawyer's Association, in partnership with the Justice Action Center of New York Law School, invite you to attend a Free Legal & Financial Educational Seminar for the leadership of mosques, Muslim nonprofits and community-based organizations in the New York-New Jersey and Connecticut area. The seminar will be held on Saturday, March 6th from 8am to 6pm at New York Law School.

Resources for Donors, Charities & Mosque Boards

Donors, leaders of non-profit Muslim community organizations and mosque boards are invited to learn more about best practices for non-profit charitiable organizations, Muslim Advocates' Muslim Charities Seminars, and its Muslim Charities Accreditation Program and how to participate in this valuable, free accreditation program.

Read our Guidance on Charitable Giving and our Guidance on International Charitable Giving.

Watch Muslim Advocates' informational video, Guidance on Zakat: The Law and Best Practices.