Help Muslim Anti-Terror Message Air On Local TV Stations

( WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/14/05 ) - CAIR is calling on Muslim community leaders and activists nationwide to urge local television stations to air a CAIR public service announcement (PSA) released today that is designed to highlight Islam's rejection of anyone who carries out terror attacks such as those witnessed recently in London. The "Not in the Name of Islam" PSA is now online and will be distributed by satellite feed to television stations this afternoon and re-broadcast next Tuesday. (Arabic and Urdu-subtitled versions of the PSA will also be distributed.) To view the PSA online, go to: http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram

At today's news conference, CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said: “Defeating terrorism is in everyone's interest. That is why we are launching one more effort to make the Muslim community's condemnation of terrorism crystal clear. . .This PSA also serves another purpose. It communicates to Muslims, whether here or abroad, Islam's clear position on this matter. Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the mask of religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally rejected by mainstream Muslims.”

CAIR's 30-second PSA features American Muslims stating: “We often hear claims Muslims don't condemn terrorism and that Islam condones violence. As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone ­ of any faith - who commits such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It's about peace and justice.”

The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. SEE: http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=169&theType=AA

ACTION REQUESTED:

1) Muslim activists and community leaders should contact all local TV stations and ask for the name and contact information of the “Public Service Director” or, if the station does not have such a position, ask for the person who handles “public service announcements.”

2) Call that person to ask that they record the PSA when it is broadcast on the satellite. Give them the satellite times and coordinates. (If they miss today's broadcast, recommend that they downlink the PSA next Tuesday.)

PSA SATELLITE COORDINATES : C-Band Satellite, Thursday, July 14 at 2:00–2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m. (PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2, 6.8

RE-FEED: Tuesday, July 19, 2:00–2:15 p.m. (EDT), 11:00-11:15 a.m. (PT), IA 6 Transponder 16, D/L Freq: 4020 (H) 93°WL, Standard Audio: 6.2, 6.8

Hard copies of the PSA are also available for delivery to TV stations. CONTACT : Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org

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