LA Times Names CAIR's Nihad Awad One of Nation's 'New Civil Rights Leaders'

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today said the Los Angeles Times has named its National Executive Director Nihad Awad as one of the nation's "new civil rights leaders."

CAIR was listed along with a number of other civil rights activists "fighting battles old and new" in the newspaper's coverage marking this month's 50th anniversary of the historic march on Selma.

SEE: The New Civil Rights Leaders: Emerging Voices in the 21st Century (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-civil-rights-leaders-br-20150304-htmlstory.html

The entry for Awad noted that he "has been an outspoken opponent of blanket surveillance of Muslims." He is quoted saying: "I'm outraged as an American citizen that my government, after decades of civil rights struggle, still spies on political activists and civil right activists and leaders,". . ."I'm really angry that despite all the work that we have been doing in our communities to serve the nation, we are treated with suspicion."

"As America recalls the historic significance of the march on Selma, we welcome the recognition of our nation's latest generation of civil rights leaders," said CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch. "Acknowledgement of Nihad Awad's contributions - and by extension those of CAIR - to the continuing struggle for civil rights is well-deserved."

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.                     

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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http://www.cair.com