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In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESIDENT BUSH AGAIN MEETS WITH U.S. MUSLIM LEADERS
(WASHINGTON-DC, 9/26/2001) - In the second meeting with U.S. Muslim leaders
in just two weeks, President Bush today said the "teachings of Islam are the teachings of peace and good." Groups represented at the meeting included the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) as well
as other national American Muslim and Arab-American organizations. (The AMPCC consists of American Muslim Alliance, American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Muslim Public Affairs Council.)
"PRESIDENT BUSH: ...the outpouring of support for our country has come from all corners of the country, including many members of the Muslim faith, and for that I am grateful.
"I appreciate the contributions of time, the contributions of blood to help our fellow Americans who have been injured. And I'm proud of the -- I'm proud of the Muslim leaders across America who have risen up and who --
and not only insisted that America be strong, but that America keep the values intact that have made it so unique and different, the values of
respect, the values of freedom to worship the way we see fit. And I also appreciate the prayers to the -- the universal God.
"And so I want to thank you all for coming. I don't know if you all remember the imam was -- led the service at the National Cathedral. He
did a heck of a good job, and we were proud to have him there.
"DR. MUZAMMIL H. SIDDIQI, PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA-BASED ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF
NORTH AMERICA (ISNA): Thank you.
"PRESIDENT BUSH: And I want to thank you very much for the -- the gift you gave me, Imam, the Koran. It's a very thoughtful gift. I said, 'Thank you very much for the gift.' He said, 'It's the best gift I could give you,
Mr.
President.' I appreciate that very much."
"We are encouraged that the president has been consistent in his statements supporting religious diversity in our society. American Muslims will
continue to condemn terrorism in all its forms while at the same time working to defend civil liberties in this country and around the
world," said Council on American-Islamic Relations Board Chairman Omar Ahmad,
who was invited to today's meeting but could not attend. CAIR was represented at the meeting by the AMPCC's delegate Dr. Maher Hathout.
- END -
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper at 202-488-8787
E-MAIL - cair@cair-net.org
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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: cair@cair-net.org
URL: http://www.cair-net.org
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