Domestic surveillance

The whole issue of the US government having access to my phone records and even emails is not something that shocks me. We're talking about an Administration that will stoop ever lower to do what it needs to in order to "protect its people". They're doing a darn good job at that, I tell ya.

Being a Pakistani and a Muslim means that my phone records and emails were being screened ever since I set foot in this country just a few years ago. Post 9/11 America is a scary place.

But what makes me even more scared is the fact that corporations have been voluntarily providing this information to the government. How ridiculous and appalling is that?! These monstrosities have NOTHING to do with the government! But now I guess they do.

The first question that pops in my mind is why are we making so much noise over how the government is handling this abysmal state of affairs; They were always expected of acting in such a fashion!

But - not the corporations!

Why aren't we asking them any questions and demanding answers? Their allegiance is to their customers. If we wanted, we could boycott their products and go to another company, though that puts us consumers in a unique concundrum in this particular instance: the largest telecommunications companies are the ones participating in this endeavor! Are we to expect such behavior from the private sector now, too? Who do we turn to? Where do we go from here?

I just went to Verizon's website and navigated to the Media section where I read their statement on this whole ordeal. I am still not satisfied, and intend on getting on their backs when the time comes - after my final exams!

D-8 summit avoids Iran nuclear issue - but why?

So these eight devloping Muslim countires decide to meet, but avoid the Iran nuclear issue. Do they prefer to live in oblivion? I can understand why they may not want to tackle the issue head on, but at least say something; anything!

All in all, it is interesting to see that these countries even meet. The mainstream media just tells us about larger, developed countries meeting with one another, but never about these Muslim developing countries.

Read here for more info on this year's summit...

How many people are given green cards each year in the United States?

For those of us who use Gmail, one cannot go without noticing the little banner of web clips that appear towards the top of the Inbox.
Today, one of the links directed me to an "Ask Yahoo!" page, where experts answer random questions that Yahoo! receives, and I found this to be quite interesting.
Frankly, it's snot surprising that Mexico, India and China make up the bulk of the recipients of green cards, because aren't they largely responsible for making the American economy so successful?

How many people are given green cards each year in the United States?

Leslie Paris, France

Dear Leslie:

Some of the questions we get are tough, others are pretty simple. We thought this was going to be a doozy, and unfortunately, we were right. According to the Department of State, "the Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available a maximum of 55,000 permanent residence visas each year to eligible persons." However, the program's mission is to award visas to "persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States." It's responsible for only a fraction of the total number of green cards awarded. In 2005, a total of 1,122,373 persons were awarded lawful permanent residence. That's up sharply from 2004, when 957,883 became LPRs. The majority (around 66%) "lived in the United States when they became LPRs." In terms of a country breakdown, Mexico accounted for 14% of the new citizens, while India made up 8%, and China was responsible for 6%. Each year the State Department undertakes the momentous task of deciding which of the many applications will be approved. For those hopeful of gaining citizenship, the process can be confusing. Those who apply should be aware of fraudulent web sites. Many look quite convincing. While researching this question, we were nearly duped ourselves.

NY Event: Reebok Human Rights Award ceremony - May 17th

The Reebok Human Rights Award ceremony will be held in New York City this May 17 at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in Washington Square. 5:30 – 7:30pm

We are eager to bring together audience who care about human rights issues. You are
certain to be inspired by the stories of these young heroes and entertained by the performers
and celebrities who will participate. If you are interested in attending, we would love to accommodate you. The tickets are free of charge, but reservations are required. Reply to rhraward@reebok.com or 781-401-4910.

More information about the program can be found at reebok.com/humanrights

(Feel free to forward the message to any other people who you think would be interested.)

----------------------------

An inspiring, enriching experience learning about human rights

The 2006 Reebok Human Rights Award ceremony is coming to New York to honor four extraordinary young human rights activists:

Li Dan (27 years old) from China, is a leading activist campaigning for the government to address China’s rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic.

Rachel Lloyd (30 years old) from New York City, created an organization that provides services to and advocates for underage girls exploited in the sex industry.

Khurram Parvez (28 years old) from Kashmir, is a courageous human rights advocate working to involve young people in the search for a non-violent resolution of the conflict in Kashmir.

Otto Saki (24 years old) from Zimbabwe, is a lawyer fighting for the safety of human rights defenders, the protection of human rights and the promotion of rule of law in Zimbabwe.


About the Award …

Reebok Human Rights Award recipients are young activists, who against great odds have had a real impact on our world. They all work on issues that directly relate to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Award recipients will be celebrated in a two-hour show in NYU's beautiful Skirball Center in Washington Square. Celebrity guests will introduce the recipients (past presenters have included Lucy Liu, Robert Redford, Katie Holmes, Jessica Lange, and Caroline Kennedy), video segments will tell the stories and everyone’s spirits will be lifted by musical performances (including dance troupes and famous rock and hip-hop performers.) You will share this experience with leaders from all parts of the community.

CAIR airs concern over lack of Muslim voice in DC Darfur rally

While many of our friends and supporters of the noble endeavor to bring attention and awareness to the cause of ending genocide are down in DC as I type this, I wondered how I let this important detail slip by: no Muslim groups are being represented at the rally.
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent this press release out via their mailing list...

CAIR ASKS WHY NO MUSLIM GROUPS TO SPEAK AT DARFUR RALLY

Lack of Muslim speakers calls into question rally's 'true agenda'

(WASHINGTON, DC, 4/30/2006) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today questioned why no representatives of major American Muslim groups are listed as speakers at the Save Darfur Coalition "Rally to Stop Genocide" this afternoon in Washington, D.C.

CAIR and other American Muslim groups, including the Islamic Society of North America, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, are members of the coalition. But no representative from these, or any Muslim coalition member, is listed on the latest rally program. (Several Muslims will speak, but they do not represent Islamic groups that are coalition members.)

The Washington Post reported that rally organizers "rushed this week to invite two Darfurians to address the rally after Sudanese immigrants objected that the original list of speakers included eight Western Christians, seven Jews, four politicians and assorted celebrities -- but no Muslims and no one from Darfur."

Earlier this month, after noticing the lack of Muslim speakers on the program, CAIR wrote to rally organizers asking to have a representative speak at the rally. The Save Darfur Coalition never replied to CAIR's letter, despite the fact that the Washington-based Islamic civil liberties group is an original signatory of the coalition's founding " Unity Statement."

"It is unfortunate that the Save Darfur Coalition chose not to list any mainstream American Muslim groups in the rally program," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "This disturbing omission calls into question the coalition's true agenda at the rally."

Awad said rally participants would have benefited from hearing American Muslim leaders offer support for those suffering in Darfur and in neighboring areas. He added that CAIR recently renewed its call to end the violence and suffering in Darfur, and asked American Muslims to contact their elected representatives to urge government action.

Awad also said that all too often, the conflict in Darfur is portrayed in racial and religious terms, with "Arabs" killing "black Africans." He cited a recent article, " 5 Truths About Darfur," in which the Washington Post's East Africa Bureau Chief Emily Wax pointed out that: "1 Nearly everyone is Muslim, 2 Everyone is black, 3 It's all about politics, 4 This conflict is international, and 5 The 'genocide' label made it worse."

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters 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.