c. 2006 Religion News Service
Civil Rights Group Cautiously Backs Muslim Charity
(UNDATED) A national Muslim civil rights group is giving a cautious seal of approval to a Detroit-area charity that was raided by federal agents.
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Muslims wishing to help the less fortunate should not shy away from LIFE for Relief and Development _ at least not yet.
FBI agents from a Joint Terrorism Task Force in Michigan last week raided the nonprofit agency’s headquarters in Southfield, Mich., seizing computers and files. In recent days, task force members have served search warrants at the homes and businesses of several people connected to the charity.
“Based on what we know, and their track record, we recommend them to the community,” Awad said. “They have not been charged with any crime.”
CAIR’s national office voiced a more strident endorsement in late July. Then, it recommended LIFE for Relief and Development as a go-to agency for people wishing to help those suffering from war and hardship in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
LIFE for Relief and Development remains in operation and it is legal to donate money to the group, an FBI spokesman said Tuesday (Sept. 26).
“All I can say is the search warrant was based on criminal statutes,” said Robert Beeckman, a special agent with the Detroit office of the FBI. “I won’t comment on the status or the basis for the investigation.”
That leaves some charity-minded Muslims in an anxious position during Ramadan, when the faithful are obligated to help the poor.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the federal government froze the assets of the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation and the Illinois-based Global Relief Foundation and Benevolence International, accusing the groups of funding terrorist
Awad said CAIR researched the group, which was founded 14 years ago by Iraqi immigrants, and judged it a fully licensed and compassionate charity. He said the group still deserves support despite the federal investigation.
“We heard it’s not terrorist related,” he said. “We hope and pray to God that is the case.”
_ Robert L. Smith
Albright to Receive Religious Freedom Award
(RNS) Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will be the initial recipient of the First Freedom Distinguished Service Award sponsored by the Richmond, Va.-based Council for America’s First Freedom.
Albright is being honored as the first female secretary of state (the position currently held by Condoleezza Rice) _ the highest rank held by a woman in the history of the U.S. government. Albright will present the keynote address at the 13th annual awards dinner in Richmond on Jan. 25, 2007.
The Distinguished Service Award will be presented occasionally for a specific contribution toward promoting religious freedom. The Council for America’s First Freedom will also honor three others who have promoted religious freedom.
The International First Freedom Award will be given to Abdelfattah Amor, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Kevin J. “Seamus” Hasson, founder and chairman of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, will receive the National First Freedom Award.
Azizah Y. al-Hibri, founder and president of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, will be honored with the Virginia First Freedom Award.
“We are so fortunate to live in a country where the right to worship as we please is protected by law,” said Michael D. Fraizer, chairman and CEO of Genworth Financial, who will chair the dinner. “These distinguished honorees have dedicated their life’s work to protecting this right for us and expanding the concept abroad.”
_ Chansin Bird
Richard Smallwood to Enter Gospel Music Hall of Fame
(RNS) Two artists, one gospel family and a former music executive will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in November.
Those to be inducted are: composer, pianist and arranger Richard Smallwood; Inspirational artist Doug Oldham; Southern gospel family, The Hinsons; and former president of the Heartwarming Label, John T. Benson III.
“Each new inductee to the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame represents a vital part of the history and legacy of gospel music,” said John W. Styll, president of the GMA Foundation, in a statement. “We honor them as a way to ensure their contributions are never forgotten and to remind us always of the rich heritage and beautiful diversity that is unique to gospel music.”
The Hall of Fame has inducted more than 170 members since its establishment in 1971, including Elvis Presley, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Amy Grant and the Fairfield Four.
This year’s induction reception and ceremony will be Nov. 14 in Nashville, Tenn.
_ Chansin Bird
Church, City Spar Over Security at Teen Dances
HOLYOKE, Mass. (RNS) Dances at this city’s United Congregational Church are unsafe, Police Chief Anthony R. Scott says, and should be stopped before someone gets hurt or killed.
The church’s pastor, meanwhile, says the dances are as safe as any event in which many teens gather and are greatly needed to keep inner city kids off the street.
The latest disagreement over the dances was triggered on Sept. 23 when two 16-year olds were arrested for fighting after leaving the dance.
In a letter to Holyoke Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, Scott said the fight and the 50 onlookers required all on-duty police personnel to be deployed to the scene.
“Please note that during the incident there was absolutely no police protection in any other part of the city,” Scott wrote in the letter.
But the Rev. Richard T. Fournier, pastor of the church that sponsors the dances, said the fight didn’t occur in the heavily chaperoned dance.
“They respected the dance and went a block away to settle their differences,” Fournier said. “These things happen when kids get together in large groups.”
He said besides helping provide a safe off-street environment for teens, the dances are used as a stepping stone for some dance attendees to turn their lives around through involvement in church programs.
But the police chief, who said other dances in the city don’t have similar problems, told the mayor that the dances should be stopped.
“Someone is going to be seriously injured or there will be loss of life as a direct result of the disorderly conduct and fights which follow,” Scott wrote in the letter.
Fournier said the church is “being held to an unrealistic standard … but shutting the dances down is not the answer.” The pastor attends most of the dances but was not present when the fight broke out.
Last year, church and city officials worked together to resolve security concerns after fights and unruly crowds marred several dances.
The city’s Fire Department has assigned one firefighter to the dances, but Fire Chief David A. Lafond said he is concerned that no firefighter will be willing to take the detail.
“I am trying to work with the church,” he said, “because I think the intent of the dances is good.”
_ Bill Zajac
Quote of the Day: Comedian Conan O’Brien
(RNS) “My parents are very Catholic (but) obviously, over the years, with everything that’s going on, you can wonder, `OK, what’s happening with the Catholic Church?”’
_ Television talk show host Conan O’Brien when asked about his faith life. He was quoted by The Boston Globe (Sept. 26).
KRE/JL END RNS
