MEDIA DIGEST: CAIR-Chicago and Partners Host Press Conference Ahead of DNC 2024

Aug 16

CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab speaks out on worsening U.S. aided genocide in Palestine stating **"The soul of America is at stake".**

On August 12th, 2024, CAIR-Chicago, in collaboration with CIOGC, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and other key organizations, held a press conference at Navy Pier ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) 2024 in Chicago. This event brought together community leaders to address the critical concerns facing Muslim-Americans today, including the rise of Islamophobia, censorship, and the ongoing fight for civil liberties amidst the backdrop of increasing hate crimes and Palestinian genocide.

NOTE: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, CAIR does not endorse or oppose candidates for office, and makes no claims as to the favorability of one candidate being elected over another.

Watch NOW: PRESS RECAP

CAIR-CHICAGO IN THE NEWS:

WGN TV: Muslim leaders expect 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators for DNC

**NBC News:** Chicago-area Muslim leaders demand Democratic policies on Gaza

FOX 32 Chicago: Chicago's Muslim community uses DNC to draw attention to violence in the Middle East

**WBEZ:** Gaza should be on DNC agenda, Chicago Muslim leaders say

ABC 7: Local Muslim leaders call on politicians attending DNC to do more to end war in Gaza

**FOX 32:** Anti-Israel protesters handed legal setback in effort to expand DNC rally

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS:

“Why is it that those who are empowering this country are not beholden to the interests of their citizens, but seem to be beholden to the interests of a narrow, far- right genocidal regime that does not represent any American interests whatsoever?”

— Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago.

“The people’s voices will be clear and unified, and Palestine will be on the agenda at the DNC. It is the solidarity that many Americans hold with Palestine that will make it a truly historic happening in Chicago.”

— Jenin Alharithi, Chicago chapter coordinator of American Muslims for Palestine

“We demand immediate actions, not just words. Our political leaders cannot longer morally justify the unprecedented death and destruction that is allowed by our nation’s complicity in this war.”

— Dr. Abdulgany Hamadeh, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

“Let us unite as one nation, for difference in religion, race, and color should not divide us; our strength is in unity through diversity.”

— Syed Khan with the Illinois Islamic Action Network

“The president has failed once again to really bring peace and ceasefire. He was able to send quite a bit of weapons to Israel, 2,000 pounds of bombs, but he could not send crates of food and medicine.”

— Oussama Jammal with the US Council of Muslim Organizations

“These children like our own are precious gifts from the almighty God. Their loss is a profound injustice that shakes the very foundation of our humanity.

All of us, we we must not forget their faces, their dreams. The dreams they carried and the future stolen from them. While our children are preparing for the beginning of a new school year here, these children are fleeing bombs and fire seeking refuge in basic tense.

It is our duty all of us especially faith leaders to raise our voices against this violence and to advocate for peace and justice.”

— Sheikh Hassan Aly, Director of Humanitarian Faith Initiative