CAIR Video: Mich. Muslim Candidate Appalled by Malicious Message

CAIR: E-Mail Mocks Name of Mich. Muslim Candidate
State senate candidate's name Mohamed derided as 'Mohamhead'

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 8/3/10) ­- The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today voiced concern about an anonymous e-mail being circulated that mocks the Islamic name of a Muslim running for the state senate.

Chairman of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Mohamed Okdie received an e-mail caricaturing him as a clown and referring to him as "Mohamhead," an obvious reference to the Islamic prohibition on the consumption of pork products.

Okdie stated, "It was an attack, as I see it, on my heritage, on Islam, and it was reminiscent of the attacks that were made on President Obama when he ran for president."

CAIR Video: Mich. Muslim Candidate Appalled by Malicious Message (FOX)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdCCcO2Ti4o

"Such bigoted e-mails circulated prior to the primary election seek to delegitimize Muslim candidates while making a mockery of the most common name used by Muslims," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "We call on Michigan candidates and activists of all parties to stick to the issues and not invoke ethnicity and religion to score cheap political points."

Walid noted that a GOP opponent of an Indian Muslim congressman has exploited religious bias in his election bid and recently compared Muslims to "kamikazes." He said other candidates have pandered to anti-Muslim sentiments in controversies over the building or expansion of mosques nationwide.

SEE: Marvin Scott Compares Muslims to Kamikazes
http://tinyurl.com/35lscy4
Video: CAIR Rep Debates Islamophobia, Opposition to U.S. Mosques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaBSDWQojNI
CAIR Video: Fla. Candidate Produces Racist, Anti-Muslim Ads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McICacLSk6w

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-mail: dwalid@cair.com; 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, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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