The Muslim Mosque Association of Sacramento announced plans to expand its presence in the Southside Park community by converting a nearby building at 2110 Fifth St. into a multiuse facility and community center. Southside Park Neighborhood Association President Beverly Bumpas said it was the first time the MMA had sent representatives to a neighborhood meeting. Bumpas said she believed their desire to build a new facility has now given them “reason to make the effort to be involved.” A vibrant Muslim community has existed in Southside Park since the first mosque west of the Mississippi River was constructed there in 1946. The Muslim presence in the community has aided in transitioning Mu

The California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) recently published an annual report revealing civil rights abuses, and harassment against Muslims in California. Verbal harassment, employment discrimination and the denial of religious accommodation all increased by double digit percentage points, 41 percent 19 percent and 12 percent respectively, while the number of workplace incidents rose from 88 cases in 2007 to 103 cases in 2008. In 2008 CAIR-CA processed a total of 480 incidents, a decrease from the 553 reported in 2007. The report noted that despite the number of incidents against Muslims is down from the year prior, certain areas of discrimination saw a