CAIR: Muslims Welcome Withdrawal of Offensive 'Run Hadji Run' Fireworks

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 3 CAIR-MN-fireworks-WI
ST. PAUL, Minn., July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed the decision of a fireworks retailer in Wisconsin to withdraw a product called "Run Hadji Run," which was deemed offensive by local Muslims.

["Hadji" is an honorific term for those who have completed the pilgrimage to Mecca, but it has often been used as a derogatory term by U.S. soldiers during the Iraq War.]

One side of the fireworks shows a picture of Arabs and Muslims riding camels with a bomber overhead. On the other side, there is what appears to be Uncle Sam pulling the long beard of a man in traditional Muslim attire.

SEE: Run Hadji Run
http://www.redrhinofireworks.com/itemview.aspx?ID=CD-2881
ALSO SEE: http://img.moonbuggy.org/run-hadji-run/

After being contacted by CAIR-MN, the company agreed to remove the product from its shelves.

SEE: Racist Fireworks Found Being Sold in Wis. (KSTP-TV)
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1011199.shtml?cat=206

"We appreciate the quick response of the retailer to Muslim concerns and hope that everyone can enjoy the July 4th holiday in an inclusive environment," said CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri.

Zikri added that the Muslim civil rights and advocacy group has contacted the distributors, Missouri-based Red Rhino Fireworks, to take similar action and withdraw the product from sales in other areas of the country.

On Saturday, July 4th, the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) will join with local Muslims in the 2009 Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade to honor and celebrate our nation's independence.

"Part of CAIR's mission is to build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. I cannot think of a better way to express this, than to be a part of a celebration honoring our nation's independence," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kilic. "We all must value the freedom, tolerance and justice America offers to us all. This is what it means to be an American."

WHAT: Tampa-area Muslims to join parade in celebration of Independence Day
WHEN: Saturday July 4th, 10 a.m.
WHERE: 113th Avenue -- Temple Terrace, FL -- Unit Section 38 B. For more information on the 2009 Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade, please visit: http://templeterracechamber.com/

CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kilic, 813-486-2529, 813-514-1414, E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 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.

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri, 612-226-3289, E-Mail: jzikri@cair.com; CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam, Esq., 651-587-4712, E-Mail: tislam@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com



SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations