(WASHINGTON, D.C. – 4/16/2010) -- CAIR is urging American Muslims to participate in Census 2010 by completing and mailing in census forms. (CAIR chapters nationwide are Census 2010 partners.)

SEE: Census Day Questions Answered (CNN)
SEE ALSO: 2010 Census Spurs Muslim-American Community Groups to Action, Muslim Americans stress census participation as a civic duty (America.gov)

What is the Census?
The census is an attempt to count every resident in the United States, a process required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. Census data will influence the distribution of more than $400 billion of federal funds to state and local governments. All personal information remains strictly confidential under federal law and cannot be shared with any federal, state or city agency.

Who should take part and how?

All U.S. residents, citizens and non-citizens alike must be counted.?Starting March 15, Census questionnaires were mailed to every household across the country. It takes only 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire and mail it back.

Why should Muslims participate?

Although the census does not ask about faith and religion, Muslims make up an ethnically and culturally diverse subset of the American population. Census data directly impacts the communities in which Muslims live by guiding funding decisions for schools, hospitals, and more. This data also affects your voice in Congress, as well as redistricting of state legislations, county and city councils and voting districts. The census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1. Complete the Census: CAIR encourages American Muslims to complete and mail back the Census form.

2. Spread the Word: Encourage your family, friends and community to participate in completing the census and be counted.

For more information, visit: www.2010census.gov

If census forms are not returned, Census takers will visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail. Visits will take place between May and July 2010.

REMEMBER: The information you fill out on the forms is kept confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot disclose census information to anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

If you require in-person or language assistance, please visit a Questionnaire Assistance Center near you. Extra Census 2010 forms will be available at all locations.?To find a location near you, please visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/

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