FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST MUSLIM JUDGE JOINS MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/31/2000) - In what may be a first for Maryland's
Islamic community, a Muslim has been sworn in as a judge of the District

Court in that state. (There are only a handful of Muslim judges
nationwide.)

"God is merciful, and I pledge to show mercy from the bench - both for
the
accused and for those who have been wronged," said Judge Hassan Ali
El-Amin.

Imam Yusuf Saleem of Masjid Muhammad in Washington, D.C., gave the
invocation at the swearing-in ceremony. A number of judges and court
officials at the event praised El-Amin for his integrity and work ethic.

Imam W. Deen Muhammed also attended the event.

El-Amin was appointed by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening. Prior
to
his appointment, El-Amin worked as a defense attorney in Prince George's

County, Maryland and in the District of Columbia. He completed his
undergraduate studies at Yale University and received a law degree from
the
University of Maryland.

"Judge El-Amin's appointment shows that Muslims are entering and having
a
positive impact on every level of American society," said Nihad Awad,
executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),
a
Washington-based Islamic advocacy group. A CAIR representative also
attended
the swearing-in ceremony.

There are an estimated six million Muslims in America and 1.2 billion
worldwide. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in North
America.

                                        - END –

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