COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS - CHICAGO OFFICE | DEFENDING CIVIL RIGHTS. FIGHTING BIGOTRY. PROMOTING TOLERANCE. |   About Islam   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Donate to Us   |   Site Map   |     >> Today is Wednesday, July 09, 2008       Home     Our News     Our Multimedia     CAIR-IL In The News     Action Alerts     Press Releases     Events/Workshops     Media Monitor     Hate Watch     The Scoop     Civil Rights Center     Intern Center     Volunteer Center     Career Center     Resource Center     Report An Incident     Write to the Media     Request A Speaker     Make A Donation     Become A Member     Annual Events     Our Partners     Newsletter     Downloads     The Mobilizer Blog     MYLS Website     Our Old Site     Contact us Al-Arian Indicted - Again Washington Post | June.30.08 "There's growing evidence that the kangaroo prosecution of Professor Al-Arian in fact extends beyond the pursuit of justice and into the realm of vindictive political persecution," said Rehab. Obama's apology lessens the snub from Muslim shunning Sun-Times | June.26.08 "Putting public pressure on politicians to act honorably and live up to this country's promise is a perfectly democratic and American endeavor," said Ahmed Rehab. Action Alert: New Airport "Virtual Strip Search" Raises Concern CAIR-Chicago | June.23.08 A security procedure recently implemented by the TSA scans full-body images of passengers through their clothing, revealing intimate body parts to screeners, resembling a “virtual strip search.” Chicago Court Grants Muslim Man Citizenship After Six Year Delay Chicago Tribune | June.20.08 “USCIS’s allegations stemming from his visits to Iran and identity as a Muslim reflect increasing concerns about discriminatory citizenship practices," said CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham. CAIR-Chicago Discusses Muslim Women with Headscarf Barred from Obama Rally ABC7-News | June.20.08 "No American should be marginalized from our country's political process simply because of their faith," Rahman said. PILI Fellows Join CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Department CAIR-Chicago | June.18.08 The PILI Fellowship is an international program sponsored by the Public Interest Law Institute (PILI), designed to promote human rights worldwide through public interest advocacy. Civil Rights Director Speaks at Chicago Bar Foundation Panel on Legal Advocacy CAIR-Chicago | June.12.08 Legal advocates representing Chicago's minority groups discussed issues from the economy to immigration and how they were affecting the people that live in Chicago. CAIR-Chicago Co-Hosts Jewish-Muslim Working Group CAIR-Chicago | June.06.08 As part of the Jewish Muslim Community Building Initiative (JMCBI), the diverse interfaith participants discussed ways in which Jews and Muslims can collaborate on social justice issues. CAIR-Chicago Participates in United Nations Hearing on Racial Discrimination CAIR-Chicago | May.30.08 Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham was at the hearing to present cases of discrimination against Muslims in Chicago. It was a rare official visit for the U.N to monitor, advise, and publicly report on racism. Rehab Op-Ed in Tribune: The blogger, the chef and the terrorist Chicago Tribune | May.30.08 How could a chirpy TV host one day awaken to find herself in the middle of a terrorism-related media blitz? Dunkin' Donuts gives in to racist fears Sun-Times | May.30.08 "It seems like anti-Arab, anti-Muslim bigoted expression is the last frontier of accepted bigotry," said Ahmed Rehab. Dunkin' Donuts pulls Rachael Ray ad after 'scarf' complaints New York Post | May.29.08 "I think it's a mistake to demonize a single article of clothing," said Ahmed Rehab, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Rehab Dispels Charter School Misperceptions on O’Reilly Factor FOX-News | May.21.08 “I reckon The O'Reilly Factor must be having a really slow news day, because there's really no controversy here whatsoever,” said Rehab. Luttwak Does Not Speak for a Billion Muslims Ahmed Rehab | May.21.08 If Luttwak's rendition of Obama's biography is a little off, then his understanding of Islamic law is downright inaccurate, and his survey of Muslim beliefs and attitudes grossly simplistic. CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Resolves Employment Discrimination Case Luke Willson | May.16.08 After years of unfair treatment by his supervisor, which included being passed over for promotions and derogatory treatment, the man pursued legal action with CAIR's help. Executive Director Delivers Lectures at Institutions in Cairo, Egypt Chamandeep Bains | May.13.08 Ahmed Rehab was invited to lecture at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies and the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Community Spotlight: Chicago Muslim Teacher Wins Prestigious “Golden Apple” Award Sandy Abdallah | May.12.08 Awardee Samina Khan believes in building life-long learners who demonstrate integrity, patriotism, honesty, and a passion for inquiry and analysis. Muslim group finds town's emergency drill offensive State Journal Register | May.08.08 The use of a fake 'mosque' in Thursday's drill ultimately harms law enforcements ability to correctly separate valid potential threats from bias. Oprah Asks "What Would You Do" When Witnessing Discrimination Chamandeep Bains | May.06.08 Hidden cameras rolled as each customer reacted to the tense scene and witnessed the clerk refusing service by asserting “…we don’t serve your kind here.” Victory in Legal Fight Over Travel 'Watch List' Luke Willson | Apr.30.08 "If he [Akif] wasn't on the list, why was he getting handcuffed to a chair?" said Adam Schwartz, a lawyer with the ACLU. CAIR-Chicago Lecture on Faith Based Activism at Marquette University Sandy Abdallah | Apr.28.08 “To believe in and work for the common good is a call from all of the world's great religious traditions, and Islam is no different,” said Rahman. Join Coalition to Protest Boeing ‘Torture Flights’ CAIR-Chicago | Apr.25.08 The Coalition to Ground Torture Flights will demand that the company respond to allegations that it is an active participant in so-called “torture flights.” CAIR-Chicago Chairman at "Peace: Our Hope" Meeting with Pope Benedict Luke Willson | Apr.22.08 CAIR-Chicago hopes the meeting will mark improved bridge-building and tolerance between the world's two largest faith communities. CAIR-Chicago Lecture at Loyola University: "American Muslim Political Activism" CAIR-Chicago | Apr.15.08 Karim and Zapata addressed the sociology class on the impact Muslim organizations have had in the community. Muslim headscarf is all-American Reem Rahman | Apr.10.08 It is a fundamental feminist conviction for a woman to have control over her own body, and a fundamental American one to protect the freedoms of others, including the freedom of religion. CAIR-Chicago Sponsors Official Launch of Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium CAIR-Chicago | Apr.08.08 "That's what it means to be Muslim," said Representative Keith Ellison, "to want the best for everyone.” CAIR-Chicago On Capitol Hill CAIR-Chicago | Apr.04.08 State offices and senators were engaged to discuss citizenship delays, racial profiling, interfaith relations, and law enforcement relations. CAIR-Chicago Co-Hosts "Know Your Rights and the FBI" Community Workshop Sandy Abdallah | Mar.29.08 "These cases aren’t about guilt or innocence; they’re about citizens’ rights,” said Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham. 100 Muslim Students Join MYLS Official Launch CAIR-Chicago | Mar.28.08 The CAIR-Chicago special youth initiative will offer the students an opportunity to learn about leadership, citizenship, and value-based activism. CAIR-Chicago Supports “Access to Religious Ministry Act” Chamandeep Bains | Mar.26.08 The bill is sponsored by Reps. Daniel Burke and Julie Hamos and other members of the Illinois General Assembly. CAIR-Chicago Speech at Remy Bumppo Theatre Think Tank Presentation "The InSecurity Blanket" Sandy Abdallah | Mar.21.08 The “thinkTank” features short dramatic works with a focus on provoking timely conversation about a social, political or economic issue in which Chicago citizens have a stake. CAIR-Chicago Sensitivity Speaker to Lecture at Loyola - Understanding Islam and Muslim Students CAIR-Chicago | Mar.18.08 The course aims to increase the understanding of educators and intellectuals and will cover a brief history of Islam, the fundamental beliefs of Muslims, Muslim demographics in the U.S. and worldwide. CAIR-Chicago Partners with ICIRR to Offer New Americans Democracy Fellowship CAIR-Chicago | Mar.13.08 The New Americans Democracy Project is a five-month fellowship program for young people interested in exploring a career in social justice work and contributing to the participation of new citizens in the American democratic process. Advertisers Abandon Radio Shock Jock Michael Savage by Abdallah & Willson | Mar.12.08 CAIR has come together with a diverse coalition of religious and civic organizations to urge advertisers to boycott Michael Savage’s radio talk show The Savage Nation. CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director in High School Education Project by Sandy Abdallah | Mar.07.08 Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham will join a new project to educate high school students about constitutional civil rights. Six Muslim Men Experiencing Citizenship Delays are Sworn-In CAIR-Chicago | Mar.04.08 Six more CAIR-Chicago citizenship delay clients have taken the oath for citizenship in the past two months after lengthy delays in the processing of their applications. CAIR-Chicago Fourth Annual Event A Success! CAIR-Chicago | Feb.28.08 CAIR-Chicago's board, staff, interns, and volunteer activists would like to thank you for your wonderful support and for making our dinner a success. Chicago Tribune: Smear Campaign Speaks Volumes About Society Ahmed Rehab | Feb.24.08 OK, we get the point. Barack Obama is not a Muslim. He has made that clear, time and again. The broader issue is: What does this attempt to smear Obama say about our society? CAIR Collects More Than 16,000 Letters on Gaza Blockade CAIR-Chicago | Feb.26.08 It took just two days for the Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to gather over 10,000 letters in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Chicago Airs “Prince Among Slaves,” Illuminates Early Muslim-Americans in Honor of Black History Month CAIR-Chicago | Feb.04.08 Islam is not foreign to America. Rather, it has been part of our history since before the Declaration of Independence. In light of the prejudice many Muslims face today, stories of early American Muslims, like Abdul-Rahman’s in "The Prince of Slaves," are invaluable. Streamwood cop one of few in suburbs who speaks Urdu Daily Herald | Feb.11.08 As far as Sabih Khan knows, he's the first Urdu-speaking officer in the Northwest suburbs. "I just wanted to help the community I live in," Adeel Faridi said, discussing his willingness to also apply at a police deparment in the Chicago suburbs. Some non-Christians feel left out of election Reuters | Feb.03.07 "I welcome faith values if they inspire candidates to do good things. But I worry if it is used as a litmus test to include someone in political participation," said Ahmed Rehab, a spokesman with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Chicago Tribune: Note to Obama - So What? Luke Willson | Jan.31.07 It is a shame that anti-Muslim attitudes have become such an ingrained part of the American discourse that candidates for the President of the United States do not bat an eye when allaying "fears" that they are part of a religion. Beyond Stereotypes: Learn about CAIR's New Initiative Islam Online | Jan.25.07 Islam Online interviews CAIR's Ahmed Rehab as he discusses the recent initiative, "Beyond Stereotypes", launched to educate media personnel whether they are reporters, editors, producers, or otherwise, about basic Islamic terms, practices, and issues. "Do Your Part" - CAIR Launches 2008 Voting Initiative by Sandy Abdallah | Jan.10.07 CAIR recently launched the “Do Your Part” initiative in preparation for the 2008 elections. The initiative promotes active participation and public education of the American-Muslim community. CAIR-Chicago Leads Media Empowerment Workshop for Chicago Activists CAIR-Chicago | Jan.15.07 The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights invited CAIR-Chicago to lead a media workshop intended to empower organizations around Chicago working on immigration issues. Spring 2008 Internship & Externship Opportunities at CAIR-Chicago CAIR-Chicago | Jan.05.08 Internships and externships at CAIR-Chicago, a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, offer students and activists a great opportunity to learn, interact, and grow in a friendly and diverse environment. Christina Abraham Promoted to Civil Rights Director CAIR-Chicago | Jan.01.08 CAIR-Chicago’s board and staff would like to congratulate Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago’s Civil Rights Coordinator, on her much deserved promotion to the position Civil Rights Director. CAIR-Chicago Welcomes New Staff CAIR-Chicago | Dec.01.07 CAIR-Chicago welcomes new staff Reem Rahman, Azam Azeem, Gerald Hankerson, Tricia Kemling, and Amir Siddiqui. Read more about their bios on our staff page. CAIR-Chicago Reps Chosen as Next Generation Fellows CAIR-Chicago | Oct.21.07 CAIR's Ahmed Rehab and Yaser Tabbara have been selected as Next Generation Fellows of the American Assembly, a project premised on the belief that new voices and fresh ideas will strengthen the nation’s discussion of U.S. global policy and the future of international institutions.