(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 2/5/13) –- The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) reported today that Muslim Air Force veteran Saadiq Long was barred from returning to Qatar after spending the last three months in the state visiting and caring for his terminally-ill mother.

CAIR-OK said Long attempted to check in with Delta Air Lines at Will Rogers Airport this morning and was informed by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent that he is still on the no-fly list and would not be allowed to travel at this time. No further details were provided by the TSA agent.

SEE: Oklahoma Muslim Man Plans Return Trip to Middle East
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-muslim-man-plans-return-trip-to-middle-east/article/3752281

“Just as an American citizen should not be prevented from returning to his or her homeland, no citizen should be prevented from leaving the country without due process of law,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani.

With the assistance of CAIR-OK, Long arrived in the state on November 19, 2012, after a six-month struggle to return to the United States after being placed on the no-fly list.

Video: CAIR-OK Helps Muslim Vet on No-Fly List Visit Sick Mother
http://youtu.be/OuTyCUNmIxM
CAIR: Muslim Man Returns to Oklahoma After Being on U.S. No-Fly List
http://newsok.com/muslim-man-returns-to-oklahoma-after-being-on-u.s.-no-fly-list/article/3730237/

Long is seeking to return to Qatar where he currently resides with his wife and child. He works in Qatar as a teacher and translator. While in Oklahoma, Long and his family have allegedly faced harassment by the FBI.

SEE: Muslim Man from Oklahoma Seeks Justice Department Inquiry
http://newsok.com/muslim-man-from-oklahoma-seeks-justice-department-inquiry/article/3737343

CAIR, a Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization, has dealt with a number of similar cases nationwide in which Muslim citizens are prevented from returning to the United States or faced government coercion when seeking to return home.

Video: CAIR Assists NY Muslim Stranded Overseas By No-Fly List
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHS808tHOtY
Video: CAIR Works to Help Calif. Muslim on No-Fly List Return Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIvhvCYq16E
Student Takes Long Way Home After ‘No-Fly’ Designation (MSNBC)
http://tinyurl.com/7wkq3zk
CAIR: Embassy Returns Passport to U.S. Muslim Stuck in Kuwait
http://tinyurl.com/3n7djcu
CAIR Seeks Probe of Whether FBI Sought Torture of U.S. Muslim
http://tinyurl.com/793u9wk
CAIR Asks DOJ to Probe Oregon FBI’s ‘Coercion’ of Muslim Citizens
http://tinyurl.com/7ool6pf
CAIR: Va. Muslim on No-Fly List Returning to U.S.
http://tinyurl.com/6egwl7e

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, E-mail:asoltani@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com