In the News Media Response System [visit center] Press Center
Ramadan Media Coverage
    This month, CAIR-Chicago has worked with local media venues to esnure Ramadan coverage. Channels 9, 7, and CLTV were brought in to cover community events, and channels 2 and 5 reported stories or announcements in their newscasts. Snippets will be published on the website when obtained.



RECENT CASES:

Civil Rights Update – 10/10/05

The Civil Rights Department at CAIR-Chicago currently has 205 cases documented in which 86 cases are active and are being pursued by department personnel. Below are the cases that were reported to CAIR-Chicago within the last two weeks.

Employment:

  • A Muslim man was denied a promotion and feels that the basis for the denial was religious discrimination. CAIR-Chicago is currently investigating the issue to determine the best possible course of action for the complainant.
  • A Muslim woman reported derogatory comments and discriminatory treatment by co-workers and supervisors at her place of employment. Since the incident reported occurred in California, CAIR-Chicago forwarded the complaint to the corresponding CAIR chapter in order to best deal with issue.
General:
  • A Muslim man was denied a license to practice a dental profession and feels that the basis for the rejection was discriminatory. CAIR-Chicago is currently contacting the board responsible for issuing licenses for further investigation and is seeking to resolve the issue in the best interests of the complainant.
Government:
  • Three more Muslims have reported delays in their citizenship process, having applied for their citizenship and passing all necessary USCIS requirements, but have been waiting for citizenship status do to pending background checks. The cases are being dealt with as a part of a nation-wide CAIR-Chicago project in collaboration with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN). For more information on this project, see the “Religious Discrimination Delays Citizenship Process” action alert below.
  • A Muslim woman was arrested by local area police officers for a minor speeding violation as she was on her way to pick up her children from school. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the incident and will take whatever action necessary to resolve the issue positively.
  • A Muslim man reported being delayed upon reentry into the U.S. CAIR-Chicago will work with the man to determine whether he is on a TSA Fly Watch List and will take proper steps ensure his name is placed on a safe list.
  • A Muslim man has experienced a delay in obtaining his Green Card for permanent residency. CAIR-Chicago referred the man to the Midwest Immigration and Human Rights Center (MIHRC) for low-cost legal representation.
Prison:
  • A Muslim man incarcerated on a conviction not related to terrorism is being continuously harassed, humiliated, and mistreated by prison authorities. The mistreatment includes being deprived of much needed medical treatment and medicine and being placed into solitary confinement for months at a time. CAIR-Chicago has launched a Prison Project to deal with this and other similar cases of the rights of inmates. CAIR-Chicago will seek first to resolve the issues of his need for medical treatment and medicine and is looking into possible ways to resolve the overall issue of his mistreatment.
ACTION ALERTS:

Muslim Americans Detained and Questioned When Traveling Outside of the U.S.:

As part of a potential class action law suit, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and CAIR-Chicago is asking anyone who has been detained and questioned at the U.S./Canadian border to please contact civilrights@cairchicago.org.

The facts of the above case are as follows:

A Muslim American man says he has been searched and questioned four times while trying to re-enter the country from trips abroad, even though he had proper identification. The man was held for six hours last month as officials at a U.S. checkpoint in Canada questioned him about the September 11th terrorist attacks. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing the man and says they have heard similar complaints from other Muslim Americans.

Have a Complaint Against DHS?:

CAIR-Chicago will be meeting with representatives of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Attorney General’s Office as a part of periodic Community Leadership Liaison Group meetings. If you have any issues or incidents pertaining to the DHS, FBI or Attorney General’s Office that you would like presented at this meeting, please contact Christina Abraham at "a href="mailto:civilrights@cairchicago.org">civilrights@cairchicago.org or 312-212-1520 as soon as possible.

Religious Discrimination Delays Citizenship Process:

As a joint effort with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), CAIR-Chicago is asking individuals who passed a citizenship examination and have been waiting for over 90 days, or have been waiting for a Green Card for permanent residence for over 90 days to contact us at either civilrights@cairchicago.org or mennakhalil@gmail.com.

Religious Discrimination at Standardized Testing Centers:

As part of a potential class action law suit, CAIR-Chicago is asking for anyone who has experienced any form of religious discrimination at a testing center to please contact us at civilrights@cairchicago.org. An example of a possible form of religious discrimination includes requiring or requesting the removal of a headscarf for searches, or discriminatory remarks made by employees about Muslims or Islam.

The facts of the above case are as follows:

A Muslim student was asked to remove her headscarf on two separate occasions at a testing center before she began a standardized test required for graduate school. The supervisor and employees of the testing center refused to show her a written copy of the policy requiring Muslim women wearing a headscarf to be searched. A witness at the testing center also observed the employees making discriminatory remarks about Muslims while the victim was taking the test.

Please let us know if you or someone you know have experienced a similar incident and would like to take action to prevent such forms of religious discrimination at standardized testing centers in the future.







Pakistan Victims in Dire Need of Helicopters and K-9 Dog Rescue teams

35,000 people have been killed by the recent earthquake in Pakistan with the number slated to rise in the next few days. CIOGC chairman, Abdul Malik Mujahid says donations are much needed but are not enough. Helicopters and K-9 Rescue teams are crucial if we are to curb the rising numbers.

"I have been to those areas several times throughout my life. I have done camping as a scout there and have repeatedly visited the area. These are extremely narrow valleys and most roads are so narrow that one vehicle has to wait until the other passes," Says Mujahid of the earthquake-inflicted areas. "Those entire roads are blocked and there is no way to bring in heavy equipment except through helicopters. More than 650 children are under rubble. People can still hear their voices according to the news agencies but they are using just hands and shovels to remove the rubble of these four story buildings. No government, no soldiers, just parents and neighbors who survived."

Mujahid stresses that Pakistan's TOP needs are helicopters to bring in heavy equipment and 'search and rescue' teams with K 9 dogs. The US government has sent only 8 helicopters, we need to send 100 more, as well as K-9 teams.

Please call the White House now (202) 456-1414 and your Senator & Congressperson http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ and stress the above points. Click here for detailed information: CIOGC Saving Lives in Kashmir. CLick here for CAIR-Chicago Press Release

Please continue to pray and donate. The Council has established the "Kashmir Earthquake Relief Fund". You can donate at http://www.ciogc.org or mail your checks to the Council at 330 East Roosevelt Road, Suite G5 Lombard, Illinois 60148.

- CAIR-Chicago Action Alerts


Chicago Tribune Film Review Equates Muslim Leaders with Skinheads and Inmates

In today's Chicago Tribune, Tempo section, film critic Michael Wilmington writes in his review of the movie "Protocols of Zion": “Levin talks to his checklist of Jew-haters: Muslim community leaders, skinheads and African-American men in jail.”

Please write to Mr. Wilmington (mwilmington@tribune.com) and Tempo Editor, Mr. Tim Bannon (tbannon@tribune.com), letting them know that equating our community leaders with skinheads and inmates is not appreciated. For more details and for talking points, please see this letter: CAIR-Chicago's Response to Problematic Tribune Tempo Language

- CAIR-Chicago Action Alerts



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IT Talent Wanted
 
If you have strong HTML skills, good graphics skills, and are interested in web development, please contact us at 312 212 1520 or email us at communications@cairchicago.org. Please specify if you are interested in volunteering (2-10 hours) or interning (10-20 hours).
 
Journalism Talent Wanted
 
If you are a journalism student or someone who is interested in covering news, commenting on issues, or interviewing people, then please contact us at 312 212 1520 or email us at communications@cairchicago.org. CAIR-Chicago can provide you with a heavily-visited forum through which you can share your work. Please specify if you are interested in volunteering (2-10 hours) or interning (10-20 hours).
 









Executive Director
Yaser Tabbara

Director of Communications
Ahmed Rehab

Civil Rights Coordinator
Christina Abraham

Outreach Coordinator
Dina Rehab

Operations Coordinator
Shyema Azam

Board of Directors
Shakeela Hassan, MD
Alim Elliott Khan
Mazen Kudaimi, MD
Alif Muhammad
Ahmed Rehab
Zaher Sahloul, MD
Hina Sodha, Esq.
Yaser Tabbara, Esq. - Secretary
Safaa Zarzour, Esq. - President






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For more information, please contact:

CAIR-Chicago (A Chapter of The Council On American-Islamic Relations)
28 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 405, Chicago IL 60604
Phone: 312-212-1520, Fax: 312-212-1530
Email: info@cairchicago.org, Website: www.cairchicago.org


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