Media Asked Not to Call Miami Terror Suspects 'Muslims'

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA ASKED NOT TO CALL MIAMI TERROR SUSPECTS 'MUSLIMS' Sect trains 'through the bible,' worships in 'temple,' not mosque (WASHINGTON, DC, 6/23/06) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on media professionals not to refer to seven terror suspects arrested in Miami as "Muslims." The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said media reports indicate that the suspects are part of a sect called "Seas of David." When asked by CNN why group members refer to themselves as "soldiers," "Brother Corey" said: "Because we study and we train through the bible, not only physical -- not only physical, but mentally." Group members also worship in a "temple," not in an Islamic mosque. SEE: Terror Arrests in Miami (CNN) (The relevant interview is toward the bottom of the page.) The group bears some resemblance to the cult of Yahweh ben Yahweh, which operated in the same part of Miami, Liberty City, in the 1980s. "Given that the reported beliefs of this bizarre group have nothing to do with Islam, we ask members of the media to refrain from calling them 'Muslims,'" said CAIR spokesperson Ahmed Bedier. He thanked U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta for noting that "today's indictment. . .is not against a particular group or a particular faith." Bedier urged the government to avoid confusing the public by using Arabic terminology in referring to the case. In a briefing today in Miami, government officials did not call the suspects "Muslims," but did refer to allegations of plans for "violent jihad." At a news conference earlier today in Miami, CAIR called on police departments nationwide to protect mosques and other Islamic institutions from any possible backlash prompted by the mistaken linkage of this case to the American Muslim community. CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates 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. - END - CONTACT: Ahmed Bedier (CAIR) 813-731-9506, E-Mail: abedier@cairfl.org; Areeb Naseer (CAIR-FL), 619-301-9091; CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor (CAIR) 571-278-4658, E-Mail: csaylor@cair-net.org ----- CAIR Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003 Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 Fax: 202-488-0833 E-mail: cair@cair-net.org URL: http://www.cair-net.org