CAIR Hails 'Sharia' Victory in Florida, Presses Broader Agenda in Congress

A leading Muslim group hailed the defeat of "anti-Sharia" legislation at the Florida Senate Friday.

"This is a greatsuccessnot only for the Muslim community, but for all Americans who believe in theconstitutionalprotections of freedom of religion," said Hassan Shibly, Florida director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"This sendsa strong message that we will not tolerate legislation intended todemonize, attack, and marginalize religious minorities in America. Our victory tonight is a greatexampleof how the interfaith and civil rights community united can make a positivedifferencefor all Americans."

After the House passed Rep. Larry Metz's HB 1209, the Senate failed to bring Sen. Alan Hays' SB 1360 to a vote in the closing hours of the legislative session. See story here.

Meantime, CAIR isn't content just to play defense. Delegations from CAIR this week visited more than 100 congressional offices to press for several pieces of federal legislation.

CAIR representatives asked that lawmakers:

• Re-examine the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 and repeal the law's indefinite detention provisions.
• Support and co-sponsor the End Racial Profiling Act of 2011.
• Sign on to a letter requesting that the Department of Justice revise its 2003 policy guidance on racial profiling. CAIR and the ACLU say the current guidelines contain loopholes allowing federal law enforcement agencies to profile at U.S. borders and for reasons of national security.