(CLEVELAND, OH, 5/4/2011) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter and leadership of the Islamic Center of Cleveland met today with members of the editorial board of the Plain Dealer to discuss issues of concern to the local Muslim community the greater Cleveland area.

At the meeting, the groups discussed the rise of Islamophobia exemplified by the recent controversy in Mansfield, Ohio surrounding Usama Dakdok, an anti-Islamic speaker brought to Ohio by the Mansfield North Central Ohio Tea Party. Concerns were also raised about the anti-sharia law bills being promoted in state legislators across the country.

The bills have been modeled in part on legislation drafted by David Yerushalmi, a driving force behind anti-sharia efforts, whose actions have been condemned by the Anti-Defamation League.

Officials from CAIR also presented information about dozens of cases of harassment and hate attacks against members of the Muslim community and against mosques and Muslim institutions.

For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 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.

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