MUST READ: RAMADAN PUBLICITY KIT (C.A.I.R.)

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
1050 17th Street N.W.,
Suite 490Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 659-2247
Fax: (202) 659-2254
E-mail: cair1@ix.netcom.com
http://www.cair-net.org

Dear Imam, activist, community leader, committee, brother or sister:

As-salaam alaykum. Peace to you.

This resource kit has been developed to assist your community in publicizing Ramadan events and activities. It is designed to provide you with the raw materials with which you can contact the media and, through them, people of other faiths in your area.

HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE KIT:
1. Read the "Ramadan Publicity Campaign Summary and Tips" provided in this kit. You will probably not achieve all these objectives, but the list will give you an idea of what is possible. Also study the "Talking Points" at the bottom of that page. These are the key points you will want to pass on to people of other faiths.
2. Photocopy pages such as "Ramadan Q&A" and "Islam in America - The Facts." These pages can be distributed in the materials you send to the media and hand out at open houses. The announcement for Ramadan will be sent to national and regional media by CAIR, but the local communities should make contact with local media. (Call CAIR if you need a local list of media addresses and phone numbers.)
3. Re-type the "Media Advisory" and the "Public Service Announcement" on your group's letterhead. If this is too difficult, you may just fill in the blanks on the originals and sent them that way. This is not the best approach, but it is better than nothing. NOTE - If you would like these materials on computer disk (Microsoft Word 6.0) send a blank disk and a self-addressed stamped envelope to CAIR at the above address.
4. Print copies of the Mosque Open House brochure for distribution at your Islamic center's event.
5. Distribute your announcements to the media no later than TWO WEEKS before any event.
6. Make phone calls to follow up with editors, producers, talk show hosts, etc.
7. Call CAIR if you have any questions, or if you do not understand any part of the Resource Kit.
8. Clip news articles and record TV items. Send originals of newspaper clips (please include the front page of the paper for our files) and clear video copies to CAIR. Your community may appear in CAIR's next publication or video production.

RAMADAN PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN SUMMARY AND TIPS

OBJECTIVES

NEWSPAPERS (Each editor needs to be contacted individually by phone and fax or mail.)
I. Feature article on Muslim community - Contact "Feature Editor" and "Religion Editor"
II. Food section article on Ramadan recipes - Contact "Food Editor"
III. Calendar items on open house and Eid prayers - Contact "Community Calendar Editor" and "Religion Calendar Editor"
IV. Letters to the editor about true image of American Muslims - Contact "Letters Editor"
V. Opinion articles about stereotyping of Muslims - Contact "Editorial Page Editor"
VI. Photograph of Eid prayers and/or Eid bazaar - Contact "City Desk" and "Photo Editor"

TELEVISION
I. News package (approx. 1.5 minutes in length) about local Muslim community and Ramadan - Contact "News Assignment Editor"
II. 30 second video item on Eid prayers/open house/bazaar - Contact "News Assignment Editor"
III. Announcements at beginning of Ramadan and time of sunset each day - Contact "Meteorologists" and "Anchors"IV. Daily "Ramadan" announcements - Contact "Public Service Director"

RADIO
I. Talk show appearances by community leaders discussing Ramadan - Contact "Show Producer"
II. Public Service Announcements (free announcements by radio station) of Ramadan activities - Contact "Public Service Director"

SCHOOLS
I. Lectures on Ramadan in religion and social studies classes
II. Bringing Eid treats to co-workers and classmates of Muslim students
III. Requesting school administrators to allow Muslim students to take the first day of Eid off and adjust homework load

LIBRARIES
I. Reserve display cases for January and install a Ramadan display. Include Islamic artifacts (Quran, textiles, cultural items), books on Islam, etc. Ramadan posters are also available in multicultural holiday bulletin board sets (look in the Yellow Pages under School Supplies; ask for Carson Delarosa Item #CD-698, Trend #T-1886, etc.).
II. Ask the children's librarian to display Ramadan and Eid books during the month.
III. Submit a Book Purchase Request at your local library for children's books like Zaki's Ramadhan Fast, Magid Fasts for Ramadan, One Night, etc. if your library does not own them. Requests are usually honored.

HOSPITALS
I. Visiting sick MuslimsII. Discussing Ramadan needs of Muslim patients with administrators

OTHER
I. Delivery of iftar meals to the homeless and canned food drives for the needy

Messages or "TALKING POINTS" to be Used When Communicating with People of Other Faiths
* Muslims are a growing segment of American society.
* Muslims are productive members of the society who contribute much to the general welfare.
* Islam is a belief system that has much to offer in terms of providing solutions to problems such as crime, drug abuse and family disintegration.
* Muslims are reaching out to people of other faiths to help them better understand the Islamic community in America.

...

Continue to read this at your leisure...Not sure if this is for the most recent ramadan...The 2nd link is to a PDF file for the British version of the Ramadan Publicity Kit, for 2001 though...I have saved a copy, just in case they decide to remove it from their website...


Pertinent Links:

1) Ramadan Publicity Kit (CAIR)

2) FAIR - Ramadan Publicity Kit 2001