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The Council on American Islamic Relations calls (demands) to meet with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley after he said that he did not want Syrian refugees settling in his state.  CAIR-Michigan fought a resolution in their state senate the week of January 27, 2016 which would have affirmed Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s policy to reject Syrian refugees.  Now CAIR is pressuring Alabama’s governor to back off their state’s position to block Syrian refugees.

Al.com February 4, 2016 reports in part:  CAIR calls for Bentley to meet with Alabama Muslims after refugee comments

The Alabama Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations wants Gov. Robert Bentley to meet with Muslims in the state because of what it said were "inflammatory" and "insensitive" statements about Syrian refugees during the State of the State address.

During his speech Tuesday night, Bentley talked about what he said is the federal government's failure to follow the law in consulting with states on the refugee resettlement program.

"The outdated program – which pre-dates any recent acts of radical terrorism - allows refugees from the most radical nations to enter countries including the U.S. with little known about them," Bentley said during his speech.

"Among those refugees are those who would commit the most violent, deadly and extreme acts of terrorism. When 130 people were slaughtered, in Paris at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists, among those killers was a refugee from a terrorist nation."

In November, the governor announced he intended to block refugees from Syria after the Paris attacks and reports that a passport was found that indicated one of the terrorists might have posed as a refugee from the war-torn country. About 30 other governors took similar positions after Bentley.

The governor wrote several letters to the White House about the matter.

Last month, the state of Alabama sued the federal government, a move the governor said was to force it to follow the Refugee Act of 1980 and consult with the state on refugees who resettle here.

CAIR-Alabama's executive director said the governor's remarks were grossly unfair to the state's Syrian-Americans and Muslims.

"Alabama has a large Muslim population, including a thriving Syrian-American community making substantial contributions to improving the lives of the people of our state," Executive Director Khaula Hadeed said in a news release.

"Using stereotypical terms that paint a diverse multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial Muslim community with such a broad brush is derogatory and dehumanizing."

CAIR-Alabama urged the governor to meet with Muslims to talk about the Syrian refugee crisis and the concerns of Muslims.

Bentley spokeswoman Jennifer Ardis said today the governor did not directly address Syrian refugees in the speech.

"His concern lies with the federal government and its failure to provide states with critical information about those resettling in states," Ardis said in an email.

"One refugee terrorist can inflict significant harm on our people, and the governor's priority is keeping the people of Alabama safe."

Florida Family Association holds the position that it is vital to thank corporate and government entities targeted by CAIR and encourage them to stand their ground.  Florida Family Association has prepared an email to send that thanks Alabama Governor Robert Bentley for his policy regarding refugees and encourages him to stand his ground.

To send your email, please click the following link, enter your name and email address then click the "Send Your Message" button. You may also edit the subject or message text if you wish.

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Contact information:

Robert Bentley, Governor
State of Alabama
Robert.Bentley@governor.alabama.gov

Jon Barganier
Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Jon.Barganier@governor.alabama.gov  

Press Secretary Jennifer Ardis
Office: 334-242-7150
Fax: 334-242-4495
E-mail: jennifer.ardis@governor.alabama.gov