Thanks to you, we almost met our Ramadan goal!

Ramadan this year began with unforeseeable challenges: the world was hit with a pandemic, relegating us all to stay at home. We weren't allowed to meet our friends and family for suhoor, iftar, jummah, taraweeh, or even Eid. In addition, CAIR-Chicago wasn't able to go to mosques for fundraising, where we typically raise 55% of our Ramadan funds. All of our fundraising had to be done online--and, to be honest, we were afraid we might have to shut our doors.

But, by the grace of Allah, we trust we will get close to meeting our goal because of supporters like you.

Our community truly encompassed the meaning of Ramadan by coming together and ensuring that CAIR-Chicago was funded to help protect Muslim-Americans in the Chicagoland area. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Once again, we thank you for your zakat and sadaqah, and we hope you had a wonderful, safe Eid celebration.

PRESS RELEASE: CAIR-Chicago Celebrates Settlement with Illinois Secretary of State

MEDIA ADVISORY

**FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION**

(CHICAGO, IL, 5/28/2020) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, today announced a settlement with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) regarding an official form focused on religious headwear. The form stated that if individuals wanted a Driver’s License photo or State ID picture with religious head coverings, they must wear said covering in public at all times or risk license suspension.  

SEE: CAIR-Chicago Files Complaint Against Illinois Secretary of State 

The new form, drafted with CAIR-Chicago after they filed a lawsuit complaint, removes the penalty language and replaces limited exceptions to the clause in the previous form with: “My religious beliefs require me to wear an unconcealed religious head covering when I am in public. In observation and exercise of my religious beliefs, I do not normally remove my head covering in public unless removal is necessary in my discretion. I do not remove the head covering in public as a matter of courtesy or protocol, such as when in court.” 

“The new language in the form is much more constitutionally sound than its predecessor, and strikes an appropriate balance between the government’s responsibility to keep Illinois roads safe and our community members’ rights to freely practice their faith while in public,” said Phil Robertson, Litigation Director for CAIR-Chicago.  

The new form and language are already being used across the State pursuant to an Emergency Rule noticed for Public Hearing in March. If there are no objections, the form will be proposed as a permanent change, and after a period of time for public hearing it will become the standard form used State-wide in all Secretary of State offices.  

“When I was assured that I would not get my license unless I sign a form that I believe clearly discriminated against me, I immediately called CAIR-Chicago,” the client, Maryjane Bicksler, said when she saw the initial form. “I thank CAIR-Chicago attorneys and all the staff for the time and energy they have put into creating a new document and protecting my rights as a Muslim.” 

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance. 

-END- 

CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, 312-212-1520, spervaiz@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Hannah Faris, 312-212-1520, hfaris@cair.com 

Week of May 22nd to May 29th, 2020

• Potential discriminatory motive in contract dispute issue.

• Home raided by local police as part of criminal investigation

• FBI questioned man about his social connections, claimed he did not need an attorney in trying to persuade him to speak to them

• Received call regarding naturalization ceremony delays 

• Local man called to express concern about US citizens and LPRs stuck in Yemen due to travel restrictions

• Medical worker called to complain of religious/racial discrimination in work place

DID YOU KNOW?

CAIR-Chicago runs a hotline to help at-risk travelers who are faced with denied entry and deportation. The Travelers Assistance Project (or TAP) works to protect the rights of travelers who are detained or denied entry at O’Hare airport.  If you or a loved one faces an issue upon re-entering the United States, please call our 24 hour hotline at 1-872-333-2737.

CAIR-Chicago receives over 500 complaints of anti-Muslim discrimination. If you feel you have been a target of anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination, please call our Civil Rights Department at 312.212.1520 or submit your complaint here.