White House official to meet with local Muslims, Latinos

U.S. Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez will visit Charlotte on Thursday as part of President Obama's initiative to reach out to minority groups.

Jibril Hough of The Islamic Center of Charlotte said Perez, who also leads the department's Civil Rights Division, will meet with local Latinos and Muslims to learn about the community's concerns and instances of possible hate crimes.

Hough said the Muslim community in Charlotte has never had such a high ranking official request to meet with them in an effort to ensure the community's concerns about civil rights are being addressed.

“A meeting such as this is going beyond the typical 'lip service' that we often get from D.C.” Hough said.

Perez is also expected to meet with students and faculty at the Northwest School of the Arts, the Latin American Coalition, the Mecklenburg County Bar, Charlotte School of Law, and the John S. Leary Association of Black Lawyers while in Charlotte.

American Muslims Launch PSA To Counter Anti-Islam Sentiment

A new public service announcement by a Muslim-American group promoting tolerance features a doctor, a police officer, a little girl, someone who is deaf, and a Phillies fan.

They're all Muslims. And they emphasize they're all Americans.

"I don't want to take over this country," the people say in the ad. "I don't support terrorism of any form."

The group behind the ad, My Faith My Voice, says the PSA is part of a grassroots effort by American Muslims from across the country to present their voice on issues affecting Muslims and Islam in America.

I haven't seen it broadcast in North Carolina yet, but I'd be interested to know if someone else has seen it played in the Carolinas.