News & Public Affairs
Racially and religiously driven attack fuels Muslim advocacy group listen
01/02/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: CAIR, Hassan Shibly, Muslims, Islam, civil rights, hate crimes
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR today called on the FBI to investigate a shooting attack in which a man perceived as "Middle Eastern" and Muslim was shot in the face at least twice with a pellet gun.
CAIR officials said the man attacked was harassed with racial slurs as he was leaving a Walmart at 3 this morning. A police report indicates that the shooting victim was asked if he is Middle Eastern and whether he is Muslim. He reportedly answered "...
Be the first to commentRepublican Al Higginbotham reelected to Hillsborough County Commission listen
11/07/12 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Kevin Beckner, Al Higginbotham, Mark Nash, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Commission, Republican Party of Florida, Terry Kemple, Carol Kurdell, Shawn Harrison, Mark Danish, CAIR
Two Hillsborough County Commissioners won reelection Tuesday.
Democrat Kevin Beckner defeated Republican challenger Margaret Iuculano.
Republican Al Higginbotham held off two challengers, Democrat Mark Nash and Joy Green who is not affiliated with any party. At the Republican Party of Florida election night reception in Tampa, Higginbotham said he was able to win despite the Democratic wave that swept Hillsborough County because of the effort of his campaign workers.
Be the first to comment"We have work...
Holy Land Five awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court decision to see if their appeal will be heard listen
10/26/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: SCOTUS, Palestine, Israel, war on terror, terrorists, NDAA, CAIR, Hassan Shibly
Update: 29 October 2012 - The Supreme Court will not hear arguments in this case.
Today, the United States Supreme Court will decide whether to hear arguments in a case against five people from the Holy Land Foundation jailed for giving humanitarian aid to a group alleged to have ties to terrorism. Yesterday a small contingent of local activists waved signs on a street corner near USF Tampa to protest the conviction of the Holy Land Five.
[The Holy Land Foundation](http://freedomtogi...
Be the first to commentCAIR's Hassan Shibly on death of US Ambassador to Libya listen
09/12/12 Seán KinaneLast Call Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Libya, Benghazi, islamophobia, Islam, CAIR, Bill Nelson
The day after Tuesday's attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya we spoke with Hassan Shibly. He’s executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Four Americans have died, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, following riots by Libyans upset at a low-budget film critical of Islam.
We heard audio of Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) suggesting Al-Qaeda could be responsible for the attack.
We also touched on the ongoing effort by conservat...
Be the first to commentActivists call on Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ditch anti-Muslim training contractor listen
07/11/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: CAIR, Hassan Shibly, Muslims, Islam, FDLE
Thirty Muslim groups are asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to sever ties with one of their counter-terrorism trainers. Hassan Shibly, director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, said Sam Kharoba teaches law enforcement officers to unfairly stereotype Muslims.
2 comments“Kharoba claims radicals can be identified by ten to twelve physical markers such as headbands, types of facial hair or a prayer bump on the forehead from frequent contact with a prayer mat. One o...
Anti-CAIR advocates disappointed in Hillsborough School Board decision to leave guest speaker policy as-is listen
04/11/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: CAIR, Hassan Shibly, Hillsborough County Schools, Hillsborough County School Board, Stacy White, April Griffin, MaryEllen Elia, David Caton, Terry Kemple
Despite weeks of lobbying by anti-Muslim groups, the Hillsborough County School Board has chosen not to change the county's school policy on public speakers. Supporters of the Islamic advocacy group CAIR are declaring it a win for civil rights.
Last school year, conservative activist David Caton lashed out at the Hillsborough County School Board for allowing Hassan Shibly to speak to a group of high school history students. Shibly is the director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on Am...
Be the first to commentReligious leaders warn against crossing the fine line between faith and politics listen
03/26/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Religion, religious tolerance, Hassan Shibly, CAIR, Catholic Church, Judaism, Unitarian Universalists
As Americans are in the midst of a heated election year, a group of interfaith leaders is concerned about religious views being incorporated into politics. At a panel discussion at St. Petersburg College in Seminole this month, each member expressed devout religious views, but none supported basing political decisions on theological beliefs.
Abhi Janamanchi is a minister with the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. His church doesn’t endorse and particular ...
1 commentsMuslim advocacy leader reacts to state Senator's vow to revive anti-Sharia bill listen
03/14/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: CAIR, Muslim-Americans, religious tolerance, religious freedom, Alan Hays, Sharia Law
A bill that died in the Florida legislature this year would have outlawed the use of foreign laws in courtrooms. But the bill’s sponsor has said he will reintroduce the initiative next year if he is reelected. The leader of a Muslim advocacy group isn’t happy about the message that sends.
Be the first to comment“Shame on Mr. Hays. Shame on him for promoting division in a time when our country needs unity. Shame on him for promoting legislation that marginalizes minorities; that attacks particular faith group...
Religious leaders: Florida's anti-Sharia bills are "an attack on all religions" listen
03/07/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Hassan Shibly, CAIR, Sharia Law, Muslims, Religion, religious freedom, Laila Abdelaziz
Multi-denominational religious leaders and advocacy groups came together in Tampa to speak out against twin bills in the Florida House and Senate. The measures would ban Foreign Laws from use in Florida courtrooms. Speakers at the press conference this afternoon said the proposed law is an attack on religious freedom.
The legislation passed the Florida House last week by a wide margin, 92-24. It hasn’t been heard on the Senate floor yet, but easily passed through two committees. The bi...
Be the first to commentPinellas Park Muslim man charged with attempted use of a bomb listen
01/09/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: war on terrorism, Muslims, muslim extremism, Hassan Shibly, CAIR, Bill Nelson, Sami Osmakac
A Pinellas Park resident has been charged with allegedly plotting attacks in Tampa with vehicle bombs and other weapons. Sami Osmakac was seen as a threat to both law enforcement and the Muslim community.
The 25-year-old Muslim is a naturalized U.S. citizen from the former Yugoslavia. In September, Osmakac was arrested on battery charges he incurred during a religious argument at a protest. That misdemeanor charge...
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