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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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!

http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/09/25/News/Ui.
Adds.Dining.Options.For.Ramadan.Observers-3451376.shtml

By Grace Rebekah Kenney

The University dining halls may not seem as full as before.

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and purification, began Sept. 1 and will continue until Oct. 1. After fasting from sunup to sundown, Muslim students and faculty gather after 7 p.m. each day with friends and family to break their fast.

Muslim students are unable to eat in University dining halls because they close too early. To resolve this issue, the University has created a new policy on reimbursing uneaten meals for Muslim students on meal plans.

“I don’t really think it’s a problem because they really accommodate us,” said Sakina Tayebali, freshman in LAS. “Like one of my friends, he just goes down into the dining hall, and makes a plate and takes it up to his room.”

For students without a meal plan, Roveiza Irfan, junior in LAS, said she has chosen to eat meals with her family in Champaign-Urbana. Rabia Yaqub, junior in LAS, said she often has iftar, known as the fast-breaking meal, with her friends.
Hatim Rahman, junior in Business and board member on the Council of American Islamic Relations, said the community at the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center, 106 S. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana, prepares meals for students free of charge every night, which is convenient because it’s held after the prayer.

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