On June 4, Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman visited CAIR-Chicago. Karman is the first Yemeni, first Arab and second Muslim woman to win the award.

"The irony is not lost on me that Israel would argue self-defense in a situation where it attacks peace activists in international waters," said Ahmed Rehab, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "The United States should recognize, as Israel's ally, that it must demand that Israel plays by our standards of respect for human rights and international law."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today urged President Obama to condemn what the Muslim civil rights group called an Israeli "massacre" of civilians on a flotilla of ships in international waters seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. Israeli commandos killed at least 10 civilians in a pre-dawn raid on the flotilla. Israel's attack on the flotilla has already been condemned by the international community.

"Amina Sharif of the Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations also praised Obama's approach. 'A lot of Muslims felt hurt under Bush, and Obama's healing some of those wounds.' However, she said, Muslims in the U.S. and abroad are losing patience for him to fulfill some promises in the Middle East, including pressuring Israel to end settlement building in the West Bank."

"'Although we are always proud when one of our leaders is recognized for their commitment toward peace, it is important to remember that this award is being given to President Obama for the promise he displays, and not for his achievements thus far.' -- Christina Abraham, a director at the Chicago's Council on American-Islamic Relations."

"'Although we are always proud when one of our leaders is recognized for their commitment toward peace, it is important to remember that this award is being given to President Obama for the promise he displays, and not for his achievements thus far.' -- Christina Abraham, a director at the Chicago's Council on American-Islamic Relations."

CAIR-Chicago congratulates President Obama for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "The award acknowledges the noticeable shift in U.S. diplomacy under the Obama administration as seen by his efforts to reach out to Muslims around the world and to increase cooperation with the international community," said Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator.