CAIR Video contest to promote understanding: deadline April 15, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR ANNOUNCES $10K VIDEO CONTEST TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

Two $5,000 prizes to be awarded for 'Let the Conversation Begin' digital videos(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/22/2007) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today announced an online digital video contest designed to help promote mutual understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths in America and worldwide.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it will offer two $5,000 prizes for videos up to one minute long that are the most effective in promoting interfaith understanding and communicating the contest theme of "Let the Conversation Begin." (The videos are limited to one minute in length because they may be used as television public service announcements.)"Our video contest theme is a reflection both of CAIR's mission and of our belief that people of all faiths in America and around the world must begin talking to each other to help build trust and respect for differences," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. He added that the contest is also designed to identify and recognize talented video producers in the American Muslim community.

Awad said one prize will be awarded to a member of America's Islamic community whose video is deemed most effective at promoting mutual understanding between American Muslims and people of other faiths. The other prize will be awarded to a person of any faith, anywhere in the world, whose video is most effective at promoting mutual understanding between the Islamic World and America.

Video submissions will be accepted between February 23 and April 15, 2007. Audio (if any) must be in English or with English sub-titles, and the videos must be submitted in .avi, .mov, or .mpg using .zip format.All CAIR video contest submissions will be evaluated for originality and creativity, production quality and effectiveness in promoting mutual understanding. Winners will also have their videos posted on www.YouTube.com and on www.cair.com.

SEE: CAIR 'Let the Conversation Begin' Video Contest RulesCAIR, America's largest Islamic 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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CAIRCouncil on American-Islamic Relations453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.Washington, D.C. 20003Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726Fax: 202-488-0833E-mail: info@cair.comURL: http://www.cair.com