Reminder of Legal Rights

[Fwd:]
As Salaam Alaikum,

insha'Allah this reaches you all with a smile.

Please, please read the email below and feel free to share it friends, family, MY Connect, etc. It is from CAIR-LA and outlines your legal rights (and those of anybody really) who is visited by the FBI or other law enforcement officers. They just sent this out, and we will insha'Allah be sending one out in the Bay Area as well in coming days. The reason I'm sending this here is because I used to assume that these were commonly known and understood rights. They are not.

Both as a result of my case work, and my interactions with friends and family, since joining CAIR I continue to learn of individuals who do not know what to do if approached by law enforcement. Further, I keep learning of cases where not knowing one's rights resulted in individuals going into meetings and interrogations unrepresented .... the consequences of this are dire. One meeting becomes six; and individuals are faced with questions about their religious beliefs and practices and other illegalities. This is a growing problem in our community as Muslims continue to be visited and harassed. 

Please read the information below, and know your rights. Additionally, please assist us in spreading the word. 

Also, I wanted to add that money should not be a hinderance to asserting your rights. CAIR along with numerous other organizations provide FREE representation in cases like these. If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly for a confidential consultation.

Ma'asalama,

Zahra

CAIR-SFBA

Cell: 626.252.0885

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CAIR-LA List <info@losangeles.cair.com>
Date: Tue, May 18, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Subject: CAIR-LA ALERT: Reports of FBI Visits Prompt Reminder of Legal Rights
To: zahra.billoo@gmail.com

Greater Los Angeles Area May 18, 2010 ALERT: Reports of FBI Visits Prompt Reminder of Legal Rights (ANAHEIM, CA, 5/18/2010) -- The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) said today that CAIR offices nationwide have been receiving an increasing number of reports of FBI agents, along with local law enforcement and Department of Homeland Security officers, visiting and interviewing American Muslims, particularly members of the Pakistani community. Reports received by CAIR-LA describe visits by the FBI as "community outreach" visits. Considering recent events, and the increase in FBI/Joint Terrorism Task Force-related (JTTF, including officers from the Department of Homeland Security and local police or sheriff departments) incidents reported to our office, it is important that Muslims understand their rights when visited by FBI/JTTF at their home or workplace: 1) Understand that your providing information to the FBI or any law enforcement, absent a subpoena, is strictly voluntary. You are not obligated under law to answer any of law enforcement's questions, other than giving your name and sometimes your address. 2) You may choose to have an attorney accompany or represent you for any interview or questioning. We strongly recommend you consult with an attorney regarding the risks and benefits of being interviewed by law enforcement in your specific case. CAIR-LA may provide legal assistance, or can refer you to an attorney.  3) If an FBI/JTTF agent shows up at your home or workplace, and they do not have a search or arrest warrant, you have no obligation to let them in. 4) If they do have an arrest or search warrant, you can still exercise your right to remain silent. Comply with all directives and do not physically resist an officer. Be polite and respectful at all times. Remember that you retain the right to remain silent and do not have to comment or respond to any inquiries. You also have the right to an attorney. 5) If an agent or officer says they have some questions for you, you have the right to refuse to speak to them and/or you may tell the agents or officers that you will have your attorney contact them if they wish to speak to you. Again, CAIR-LA may provide legal assistance, or can refer you to an attorney. 6) Note that anything you say to an agent or officer can be used against you in a court of law, and lying to an agent or officer is a criminal offense. 7) Should you decide to speak to agents alone despite the risks, note that you may set the conditions of the interview, including choosing when and where the interview is to take place, having a third party present such as a family member or community leader, and deciding what questions to answer, and refusing to sign any documents. You may cancel the interview at any time. 8) Be sure to get the names, agencies, badge numbers, and business cards of ALL agents or officers. 9) Contact your attorney and/or CAIR-LA to report the interview/incident and to discuss next steps. If you feel that your civil rights were violated, you may also file a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. CAIR-LA can help you with this process. 10) To file a complaint with CAIR-LA, please go here: CAIR-LA Civil Rights Page MORE RESOURCES: 1. "FBI Interview: Knowing the law can protect you," by Ahilan Arulanantham and Ranjana Natarajan. InFocus News. 2. VIDEO:  "Got Rights: Protect yourself and your family at home and at the airport,"by Muslim Advocates. 3. To file a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, go to: DOJ Civil Rights Page American Muslims strongly support law enforcement and the protection of our national security. As Americans, we also value the civil rights of every individual. All Americans have the constitutional right of due process and to be politically active. If you know of any criminal activity taking place in your community, it is both your religious and civic duty to immediately report such activity to local and federal law enforcement agencies. [Please note: This above is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Should you have any questions about the material herein or about a specific case, please consult with your attorney.] CONTACT: CAIR-Los Angeles, 714-776-1847, E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com CAIR-LA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Fawad Yacoob  President Ashraf Ibrahim, PhD Vice President  Asem Abusir Tahara AkmalOmar Jubran  Baraa Kahf, Esq.   Yasir Kahf  Masoud Nassimi Amana Siddiqi   Ahmed Soboh, DDS  Deeba Sultani   STAFF Hussam Ayloush Executive Director Ameena Mirza Qazi  Deputy Executive Director/Staff Attorney   Atif Butt Programs Coordinator  Lana Daoud Development Coordinator   Ilham Elkoustaf Government Relations Coordinator Sherrel Johnson  Community Relations Manager   Anbar Mahar Membership & Administrative Manager Nedda Salimian  Special Projects Coordinator  Affad Shaikh Civil Rights Manager Munira Syeda Communications Manager  . CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties 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. Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area 2180 W. Crescent Ave., Suite F, Anaheim, CA 92801 Phone: 714-776-1847 Fax: 714-776-8340 E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com

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Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

 

Now you can listen to Dr. Imad Bayoun's lecture series online.

 

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MAS-IE Assistant Youth Director

wafaa@mas-ie.com

www.mas-ie.com

"So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you"

"What Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (and taken away) from the people of the townships,- belongs to Allah,- to His Messenger and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; In order that it may not (merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah. for Allah is strict in Punishment." [Surat Al-Hashr, Ayah #7]

Advice from Mother to Daughter

‘Abd al-Malik (RA) said: When ‘Awf ibn Muhallim al-Shaybani, one of the most highly respected leaders of the Arab nobility during the jahiliyyah, married his daughter Umm Iyas to al-Harith ibn ‘Amr al-Kindi, she was made ready to be taken to the groom, then her mother, Umamah came into her, to advise her and said:

‘O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you posses these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise.  
O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father’s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them.  
O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion to whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you, he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you.
 
Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you.
The first and second of them are: be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one’s husband pleases Allah.
The third and fourth of them are: make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume.
The fifth and sixth of them are: prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.
The seventh and eight of them are: take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.
The ninth and tenth of them are: never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you.
 
Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment whilst the latter will make him unhappy.
Show him as much honour and respect as you can, and agree with him as much as you can, so that he will enjoy your companionship and conversation. ‘Know, O my daughter, that you will not achieve what you would like to until you put his pleasure before your own, and his wishes before yours, in whatever you like and dislike. And may Allah choose what is best for you and protect you.'


[Jamharah Khutah al-‘Arab, 1/145]