CAIR-Chicago's Annual Event Set for February 4th!

Our Annual Event is set to take place Inshallah on Saturday, February 4th, 2006 at The Sabre Room in Hickory Hills. Please mark your calendars and show your support by attending that day. Reserve your ticket today by going to: http://www.cairchicago.org/fundraiser2006.php. Tickets are $45 bought in advance, or $75 at the door.

We are still recruiting volunteers to help with this event. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Shyema Azam at operations@cairchicago.org.

Be part of helping a chapter of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in the country!



In the News Media Response System [visit center] Press Center


RECENT CASES:

Civil Rights Update – 12/30/05

The Civil Rights Department at CAIR-Chicago currently has 282 cases documented in which 112 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.

Government:

  • Five 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 due to pending background checks. CAIR-Chicago is incorporating these two cases into the Citizenship Delay Project. For more information on the Citizenship Delay Project, please see the action alert below, as well as the current update in the “Progress Report” section.
  • A Muslim man reported a delay in the process of obtaining his Green Card for Permanent Residency. CAIR-Chicago is assisting the man in having his case moved to the Chicago District so that he may pursue administrative and legal options in Chicago where he resides.
  • A Muslim man reported misconduct by local area police officers when he reported the theft of his car. CAIR-Chicago will investigate the incident and take whatever action deemed appropriate to resolve the matter.
  • A Muslim man reported consistent delays whenever traveling internationally. CAIR-Chicago is incorporating this case into the Airport Profiling Project, and will seek to assist the man in being safe-listed by the TSA and exploring the legal options available to him.

Employment:
  • A Muslim called for legal advice on an employment discrimination case pending in federal court. CAIR-Chicago explained to the man the different types of monetary recovery that he is entitled to ask for and advised the man to discuss the issue in more detail with his attorney.
  • An Iraqi woman contacted CAIR-Chicago after having been passed up for a promotion on several occasions where an employee with less experience was given the promotion. CAIR-Chicago is contacting the company regarding the complaint and will seek to resolve the incident amicably.
Prison:
  • A Muslim family reported that a family member being detained by immigration was physically attacked by another inmate while in prison. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the incident with the victim’s family and take whatever action deemed appropriate to rectify the situation.

ONGOING PROGRESS:

View reports of ongoing progress for cases with the Civil Rights Department in the “Progress Report” section.

ACTION ALERTS:

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.

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. It is important for Muslims who have faced this type of treatment to join the lawsuit so as to show that it is not an isolated case. The more people that join the case the more strength it will have to force positive changes in how Muslim Americans are treated in the future at our borders.

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.

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.





Take the Challenge! Become a Chicago Police Officer

The City of Chicago will be offering the Police Examination in February 2006. To be eligible for the exam, you must apply between November 28, 2005 and January 9, 2006.

Applications can be submitted online at: www.ccdopapplication.com OR at the following locations:

  • Daley College - 7500 S. Pulaski Rd.

  • Malcolm X College - 1900 W. Van Buren St.

  • Wright College - 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.


    • Locations are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

    For more information on eligibility requirements for the exam, call 311 or visit the City's website at www.cityofchicpago.org/personnel

    CAIR-Chicago Recruits New Operations Intern


    Fahad Khan is a junior in Pre-med, psychology major at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Fahad is interning in the Operations Department at CAIR-Chicago. Fahad has been involved with numerous organizations, and is also the Assistant to the Director of Convention for ISNA. Fahad is assisting the Operations Department with office related tasks and is also volunteering his time with preparing for CAIR-Chicago's Annual Event.

    Are you a Law Student Looking to Earn Credit While Externing at CAIR?
     
    Extern will work closely with CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director and Civil Rights Coordinator on the following:

  • Assist in documenting incidents of religious discrimination by counseling and interviewing complainants regarding their incidents

  • Research laws and policies on employment, student conduct, and immigration procedures, as well as criminal offenses and other areas as seen fit

  • Legal writing: drafting arguments, memos and complaints

  • Participate in representing complainants in dispute resolution, EEOC mediation, filing complaints and law suits

  • Assist in maintaining the Civil Rights Online Center

  • Updating databases containing information about abuses reported to CAIR-Chicago The ideal candidate should be organized and demonstrate the ability to follow through the various on-going and newly assigned tasks. The ideal candidate will possess excellent written communication skills and a commitment to serving the community.


    • This is an unpaid externship. Open to all law students.
     
    Are you an Undergraduate or Graduate Student Looking to Earn College Credit While Interning at CAIR-Chicago?
     
    CAIR-Chicago is currently offering 11 internship opportunities. All internships are unpaid, but students may receive college credit. Applicants need to email a resume and cover letter to Dina Rehab, Outreach Coordinator, at: outreach@cairchicago.org.

    CAIR-Chicago is offering the following positions for internships:

  • Civil Rights Intern
  • Communications Intern
  • Community Service Intern
  • Governmental Relations Intern
  • Grant Research Intern
  • Marketing Intern
  • Operations Intern
  • Public Education Intern
  • Public Relations Intern
  • Church Project Intern
  • Faith Core Online Magazine Intern


    • Please Contact the Outreach Coordinator for more information on the tasks and duties of specific internships. Call Dina Rehab at 312-212-1520 or at outreach@cairchicago.org
     









    Executive Director
    Yaser Tabbara

    Director of Communications
    Ahmed Rehab

    Civil Rights Coordinator
    Christina Abraham

    Governmental Relations Coordinator
    Sadiya Ahmed

    Outreach Coordinator
    Dina Rehab

    Operations Coordinator
    Shyema Azam

    Board of Directors
    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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