U.S. Muslim Group to Challenge Double Standard on 'Terror'

On Monday, February 22, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference at its Capitol Hill headquarters to express concerns over what the civil rights group says is a double standard on the use of the label "terrorism" as it relates to acts of violence committed by people who are not Muslims.

WHAT: CAIR News Conference to Challenge Double Standard on "Terrorism"

WHEN: Monday, February 22, 2010, 11 a.m.

WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726

Yesterday, CAIR called the politically-motivated airborne suicide attack on an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office in Austin, Texas, an act of "terror," while many media outlets, law enforcement agencies and government officials were reluctant to use the term.

SEE: Muslim Group Wants Government to Call Plane Attack Terrorism (The Hill)

http://tinyurl.com/hillterror

"The position of many individuals and institutions seems to be that no act of violence can be labeled 'terrorism' unless it is carried out by a Muslim," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "The attack on the IRS office in Texas perfectly fits the legal definition of terrorism, yet it is not being labeled as such. This apparent double standard only serves to render the term meaningless."

SEE: Terrorism: The Most Meaningless and Manipulated Word (Salon.com)

http://tinyurl.com/salonterror

Austin Plane Crash: Criminal Act or Domestic Terrorism? (Fox)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,586929,00.html

Section 2656f(d) of Title 22 of the United States Code defines the term "terrorism" as "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets."

The Code of Federal Regulations defines terrorism as a crime that involves "the unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." (Title 28 CFR section 0.85)

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.