COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS - ILLINOIS CHAPTER      |      DEFENDING CIVIL RIGHTS. FIGHTING BIGOTRY. PROMOTING TOLERANCE      |      WWW.CAIRCHICAGO.ORG   About   |   Contact   |   Donate   |   Site Map   |   About Islam   |   Activist Corner   >> Today is Saturday, August 30, 2008       Home     Our News     Our Multimedia     CAIR-Chi in the Press     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 Huffington Post Coverage CAIR-Chicago to Co-Host Café Finjan CAIR-Chicago | Aug.19.08 CAIR-Chicago will be co-hosting a night of comedy, music, song, and spoken word featuring Muslim and Jewish artists from across Chicago in an effort to nurture a greater understanding between our communities. Related story in the Chicago Tribune Public official sends around anti-Muslim email in Frankfort Township ABC 7 | Aug.14.08 The Muslim-American community is part of the American fabric and these kinds of messages that promote intolerance and suspicion are anti-American, not just anti-Muslim," said Ahmed Rehab. Article stereotypes Muslim marriages Daily Herald | Aug.10.08 Article on controversial Turkish soap opera makes sweeping generalizations about marriage in the Muslim World. Also: Rehab's Chicago Tribune Op-Ed Rehab and O'Reilly discuss the resignation of Obama's Muslim Liason O'Reilly Factor | Aug.08.08 CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab appears on the O'Reilly Factor to respond to false allegations against the Obama campaign's Muslim Outreach Coordinator, Mazen Asbahi. One Key Muslim Voice - Lost Anderson Cooper 360 | Aug.06.08 Ahmed Rehab discusses how the resignation of Obama's Muslim Liaison reflects a sad state of affairs in our nation's politics. Imam Zaid Keynote at 3rd Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium CAIR-Chicago | Jul.30.08 The students were excited to meet new peers and share ideas on how to affect change and make meaningful contributions to their communities. CAIR-Chicago hosts media workshop at UNITY conference CAIR-Chicago | Jul.30.08 “It's imperative for journalists to be sensitive to racial stereotypes in order to tell the full stories of our communities, not caricatures of them,” said CAIR-Chicago’s Communications Coordinator, Reem Rahman. CAIR-Chicago hosts Telling Our Story Media Seminar Leena Saleh | Jul.23.08 CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director and Communications Coordinator Share Research and Lead Discussions on Media Relations With Fellow Chicago-Area Muslim Leaders. Since When is Muslim a Smear? A Deeper Look at the New Yorker Obama Cartoon Media Monitors Network | Jul.23.08 When it comes to Islam and Muslims, both ends of the political spectrum are too often equally comfortable with simplistic treatments that end up reducing Islam’s more than one billion followers to caricatures and stereotypes. Muslim corrections officer forced out over beard, CAIR-Chicago suit claims Sun-Times | Jul.21.08 Every lawsuit such as this one is really a test of our nation's cultural and religious understanding and tolerance. We pride ourselves on our respect for the religious traditions of others. CAIR-Chicago Sponsors Blood Drive Joseph Lindahl | Jul.21.08 The blood drive was a part of a program designed to encourage volunteerism in the American Muslim community. CAIR-Chicago Welcomes 20 New Summer Interns CAIR-Chicago | July.11.08 CAIR-Chicago’s internship program offers students and activists a great opportunity to learn and grow in a professional, friendly and diverse environment. Discrimination Case Against Macy’s Moves Forward Mohammad Sagha | Jul.08.08 CAIR-Chicago filed a complaint on behalf of two men who believe they may have been singled out because they were speaking Arabic. Muslim Man Wrongfully Terminated, CAIR-Chicago Attorney Settles Case CAIR-Chicago | June.30.08 A man who was physically attacked after being singled out for his race and religion at work, took his case to court and successfully settled. 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.