(WASHINGTON, DC, 11/8/2010) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced that a federal judge in Oklahoma has temporarily blocked an anti-Islam state ballot measure (SQ 755) that would have amended that state's constitution to forbid judges from considering Islamic principles (Shariah) or international law when making a ruling. SEE: Order Blocks Okla. Constitutional Amendment www.ktul.com US District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange of the United States District Court -- Western District of Oklahoma today granted a temporary restraining order blocking certification of the recently-passed ballot measure by the Oklahoma State Board of Elections. Judge Miles-LaGrange also scheduled a hearing on November 22 for arguments as to whether she should grant a preliminary injunction that would extend the restraining order until a final determination is made in the case. Last Thursday, Muneer Awad, executive director of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter (CAIR-OK), filed a lawsuit as an individual challenging the constitutionality of the ballot measure. Awad's lawsuit, based on his own Shariah-compliant will, said SQ 755 violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that bars government bodies from making laws "respecting the establishment of religion." SEE: Full Text of Awad's Lawsuit www.cair.com "Today's ruling is a reminder of the strength of our nation's legal system and the protections it grants to religious minorities," said Awad. "We are humbled by this ... Government Grants for Women Video Rating: 4 / 5
Hispanics who are living in the country as legal residents are also given chances of getting free money. This free money is from the federal fund under government grants aimed at debt relief program. Such program is also open to minorities like them. They can also enjoy availing the same free grant's program like the rest of citizens in the country. Assortment of government programs can be availed by this sector. This, however, varies from state to state. Such grants may be: study grant, free training for mothers, and advance competency training for those teaching at pre-schools. Study grant is one of the popular programs because this allows them to get college education for free. Hispanics mostly belonged to below a poverty line. Hence most families have found it hard to send their children to college. The free study grant program is their chance of doing this. This doesnt mean. However, that every state in the country had this kind of program. So if theres none within the locality, they can also check out other states for such. Besides, relocating prospective grantee is not a problem. A grant of this nature also includes housing, food and book allowances. What a Hispanic student should do is seek assistance from their school guidance counselor. Most of the time, this person knew about government grants aimed at a debt relief program for minorities. The student will probably be given preliminary assessment by the school, such as grades, family background and legality of ... Government Grants for Women Video Rating: 0 / 5
Due to the age-old prejudices faced by the minorities in our society, the minorities interested in starting new businesses face quite a lot of problems even in getting the approval for the business loans. In order to overcome these obstacles, they can apply for the grants aimed at helping them to commence the new business.
First the minorities should search and find out whether there are grants at the State level. Normally the State Governments will have some business grants schemes for increasing the minority participation in the new businesses. For this, they can consult the Minority Business Development Agency and locate the grants organizations in all the States. They will have to prepare the mission statement outlining the purpose of their business with clear goals in the market place. This way the potentials of the applicants are made visible to the grant organizations without their applications getting rejected in the initial stages.
They will have to prepare a clear expenses budget and submit to the grants organization so as to establish that the business grants are being fully utilized by them for that particular business. The budget also helps to convince the investors about the competency of the minority businessman. By providing the complete details and definitions of the future products, they should impress the grant reviewer about the proper use of the grants.
It would be advisable to include the contributors like department heads and report writers while submitting the grant application for multiple points of contact and review by the grants organization. They can even mention the websites or any online partnerships with which they have associated to bring this project as supporting material for use by the grant reviewer.
The benefits the minority community likely to get from the business will have to be highlighted to the grant organization at the time of applying itself. This will certainly make the grant organizations devoted for the development of minorities views as a genuine reason for sanctioning the grants and thus helping the minority community.
In order to increase the chances for getting the grants, the following information will have to be furnished in the grant application.
Community Certificate to prove as a minority (copy to be attached)
Proof for household income
Receipt of any grants prior to this application
The kind of business that requires the grant
What is the amount required as grant
Plans for making the business very successful
It would be better to give the correct and honest information for the above so that the chances are better to receive the grant.
As there is no restriction for applying for only one grant at a time, it is advisable to apply for multiple grants so that there is a possibility for getting selected for one.
Though it is a long and tiring process to apply for small business grants for minorities, it will be worth and a boon to the minority businessman if one is granted.
Small Business Grant Source:
Learn the application procedures, various funding sources for specific types of businesses and eligibility criteria for small business grants. You can find the most comprehensive information on availing of small business grants by visiting this online guide on grants here
Apart from the Government, there are several foundations that liberally offer grants for several purposes. Visit this Grant Foundation Guide to know how to avail of free grants from private foundations. Also, check out the Education Grants Guide to find the best sources for all types of education grants.