Quran Requests Top 20K - Sponsors Needed

ACTION REQUESTED: (WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/22/05) - CAIR said today that more than 20,000 people have requested free copies of the Quran since the launch of its “Explore the Quran” campaign earlier this year, and more requests are coming in daily.

CAIR initiated its educational campaign as a positive response to the controversy over allegations that American military personnel desecrated the Quran at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay. Those who requested free Qurans include law enforcement officials, students, religious leaders, and ordinary people of all faiths who just wish to learn more about Islam and Muslims.

A North Carolina physician who requested a Quran wrote to CAIR:

“I appreciate what your group is doing to foster better understanding between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. I look forward to reading the Quran and learning more about Islam.”

Another Quran recipient from California wrote:

“It just arrived today and I've only read the intro and forward and started reading the verses. My reaction surprises me: I feel an attraction to the words that I never expected. . .No matter what, I will learn so much about Islam thanks to your generosity.”

For background on the campaign:

USA Today - “Getting the Holy Word Out”: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-06-01-koran_x.htm

ABC News - “Free Korans” : http://www.cair-net.org/video/explorethequran.ram.

“Because of the overwhelming demand, we will need the community’s continued support so that every request for a free Quran can be fulfilled,” said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed. Ahmed urged Muslims in America and worldwide to support the campaign by sponsoring one or more Qurans.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1) GO TO http://www.explorethequran.org to donate generously to the “Explore the Quran” project.

2) PUBLICIZE CAIR’s “Explore the Quran” project in your local mosques and Islamic centers, and encourage others to participate.

3) ORGANIZE “Explore the Quran” events at your local mosques, encouraging your neighbors to come and learn about Islam’s holy text.

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