Archive for October, 2008

Statement of Concerned Scholars about Islamophobia in the 2008 U. S. Election Campaign

Friday, October 17th, 2008

http://tabsir.net/?page_id=672#sta

Not since the election of John F. Kennedy in 1960 has the religious faith of a U.S. presidential candidate generated so much distortion as the false claims generated by extremist critics that Senator Barack Obama, the candidate of the Democratic Party, is a stealth Muslim. This is part of an Islamophobic hate campaign that fuels prejudice against Americans who practice their Islamic faith and Muslims worldwide. As scholars of Islam and Muslim societies and concerned citizens for a fair and honest electoral process, we wish to set the record straight.

1. Senator Obama has spoken eloquently and widely of his Christian faith and shared his personal beliefs in public forums during the campaign on religious values in American life, including a Compassion Forum on April 13 and a Saddleback Forum on August 16.

2. Senator Obama carries the same exact name as his father, Barack Hussein Obama, who was considered to be an agnostic and not a practicing Muslim by the time he met Senator Obama’s mother. Senator Obama’s mother did not convert to Islam, nor was he raised as a practicing Muslim while growing up in Indonesia and Hawaii.

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Roundtable Discussion: Transnational Muslims and American Empire

Monday, October 13th, 2008

Presented by Professor Junaid Rana – Professor of Asian American Studies and Anthropology

This discussion examines the relationship of American empire and the war on terror to the global economy. Using the example of transnational Muslim workers, this talk is an invitation to think in complex ways about vulnerable populations and the consequences of risky labor. 

When: Thursday, October 16th – 5 PM
Where: Illini Union Federal Room (Located in the north end of the basement in the Union)

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Voter Registration Deadline – THIS TUESDAY!

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 7!

Voter Registration Status:

-Check your registration status here Champaign County Clerk.

If you plan to vote in Champaign or Urbana, you must register in the particular county you live in.

There are several different ways to register to vote in Champaign or Urbana:

       1. Online via Rock The Vote. Fill out the form, print it, sign it, and mail it in to the address provided. 

       2. Bring two forms of identification, including one that shows your current address to:

                                -Southeast entrance of the Illini Union 

                                -Lower level of the Undergraduate Library

 

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Unity March – October 4th

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

CAIR-UIUC encourages everyone attend Unity March 5. Unity March has been established as a strong community tradition that helps highlight and expose the real issues that affect our community. From the youth to our elders, this march is an eye opening experience for everyone in the community. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet the activists and leaders of our community that tirelessly fight for the rights of the disadvantaged members in Champaign-Urbana. Don’t miss Unity March 5!