(CLEVELAND, OH, 2/5/07) – Representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations met recently with Congressman Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH-14) over naturalization delays, immigration reform and religious profiling, including the closure of Muslim bank accounts by area financial institutions.

CAIR officials outlined concerns over religious profiling including detention and long delays for Muslim American citizens at US borders, lengthy delays for Muslims seeking naturalization, and the recent closures by area banks of accounts held by Muslim Americans. Congressman LaTourette, a longtime member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, has agreed to look into the bank account closures.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com; Isam Zaiem, 216.337.7928, E-Mail: isamz@sbcglobal.net

– END –