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Colorado bill stigmatizes muslims >COLORADO BILL STIGMATIZES MUSLIMS
>Proposed student visa legislation refers to "Islamic terrorism"
>
>(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/5/03) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and
>advocacy group today called on the Colorado General Assembly to modify
>proposed legislation that it says stigmatizes Muslim students in that
>state and falsely links the faith of Islam to terrorism.
>
>The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Bill 03-322, which
>passed through the state Senate last week, requires state-sponsored
>institutions of higher learning to verify the visa status of foreign
>students from countries with links to "Islamic terrorism." The bill now
>goes to the Education Committee in the House for final approval.
>
>GO TO: http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/inetcbill.nsf/ExtendedSearchScreen
>Search using the term "Islamic."
>
>The bill has garnered criticism from state representatives like Sen. Ken
>Gordon (D-Denver), who described the legislation as "needlessly slanderous
>of a religion." (AP)
>
>"It is unfortunate that the Colorado General Assembly would link the faith
>of Islam, followed by millions of Americans and one-fifth of the world's
>population, to terrorism. If passed, this legislation will stigmatize all
>Muslim students in Colorado's universities and will further harm America's
>image in the Islamic world," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad.
>
>Awad added that if the bill moves forward toward a signature by the
>governor, any references to Islam or Muslims should be removed.
>
>- END -
>
>CONTACT: Ms. Hodan Hassan, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-MAIL:
>hhassan@cair-net.org, Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726,
>E-MAIL: cair@cair-net.org
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