By: Syed Khalil Ullah, Community Contributor

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago 2024 Annual Gala, with the theme "Momentum: 20 Years of Service," was held on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Drury Lane in OakBrook Terrace to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chicago chapter.

The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. It is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with regional offices nationwide. Through civil rights actions, media relations, civic engagement, and education, The CAIR's purpose is to promote social, legal and political activism among Muslims in America.

Bringing together Chicago's Muslim communities and supporters annually, this event is one of the city's biggest grassroots organizational gatherings. It features over 70 letters of recognition from public leaders and a diverse representation of Chicago's Muslim communities by race, age, ethnicity, and occupation.

"Over the 20 years we have been in operation, we have worked hard to offer valuable pro-bono legal professional services, tell our own story, challenge media narratives, and build power and access to key tables in politics, media, business, and education," stated Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, in an interview with local news networks. We are eager to continue serving and protecting the Muslim American community for another Several years. He further Said, " Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance."