CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director Ahmed Rehab spoke on an interfaith panel at St. Michael Parish church in Orland Park on September 18th. The event, entitled “Extremism and Violence in the Name of Religion,” featured Christian, Muslim, and Jewish speakers.

CAIR-Chicago sponsored the eighth session of the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) this past Saturday, September 24th. Over 50 youth participants attended and listened to presentations by five local Muslim leaders and professionals. The symposium highlighted topics related to self-identity, media effects, activism and leadership.

Action requested: Attend the bill signing of the Cook County ICE Detainer Ordinance AND a community forum to get the facts about deportations, the President's announcement, Secure Communities, and the Cook County ICE Ordinance. Join 130+ religious institutions, service agencies, community organizations, unions, and chambers of commerce that believe that we are One Nation, One Dream...

Mike Quigley knows about cheap shots on ice. Now he’s an expert on being blindsided on the Internet and cable TV. Mr. Quigley, a Democratic Chicago congressman, had a relatively light Saturday recently. He played ice hockey in the morning, did a beach cleanup with the Sierra Club and hit four block parties in the 32nd, 43rd and 44th Wards. Along the way he surfaced at a conference held by the American Islamic College. It was a quick in-and-out, with remarks to perhaps 100 attendees about the strengths of American pluralism, the sort he makes to many groups.

CAIR-Chicago Litigation Director Kevin Vodak presented the “Hate Crime and Bias Awareness” conference on September 15th, 2011 to discuss the ways in which law enforcement agencies can improve their procedures and techniques in addressing hate crimes.

Gerald Hankerson, CAIR-Chicago’s Outreach Coordinator, spoke about civil rights and social justice at the 9/11 Primer, a civic engagement event created by HumanThread, held at the Meridian Stage in Pilsen.

Terms like “radical Islam” reflect negatively on a peaceful religion. The terrorists who recognize themselves as Muslims are not true followers of the religion as Islam condemns the killing of innocents. Therefore, the term “Islam” should be avoided in the discourse of terrorism and 9/11.

Terms like “radical Islam” reflect negatively on a peaceful religion. The terrorists who recognize themselves as Muslims are not true followers of the religion as Islam condemns the killing of innocents. Therefore, the term “Islam” should be avoided in the discourse of terrorism and 9/11.

Please take a moment to thank Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL, 5th)for standing up against Islamophobia. His bold voice calling a spade a spade is welcome given that there are some in this country who are attempting to bury their heads in the sand and pretend that Islamophobia does not exist

The Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium of Chicago (MYLS-Chicago) initiative will host its 8th symposium this Saturday, 9/24 at the CAIR-Chicago office from 9 AM to 7 PM. The theme, "Building Our Legacy: Commit to Activism", draws on the Muslim American community's outlook moving beyond a decade riffed with fear and uncertainty, and taking a personal and collective responsibility to be proactive and engaged in our society.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly discuss Congressmen Mike Quigley's apology for Islamophobia in the U.S. as O'Reilly goes on to deny that Muslim Americans face discrimination. Rehab provides several statistics and examples that prove O'Reilly is blatantly wrong.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly discuss Congressmen Mike Quigley's apology for Islamophobia in the U.S. as O'Reilly goes on to deny that Muslim Americans face discrimination. Rehab provides several statistics and examples that prove O'Reilly is blatantly wrong.

A Pennsylvania school district has decided not to stage a Tony Award-winning musical about a Muslim street poet after community members complained about the timing so soon after the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack. Ahmed Rehab, a spokesman for the CAIR-Chicago, said that literature and the arts are some of the best ways to bridge gaps between people.

CAIR-Chicago is now seeking two Communications Coordinators who will be responsible for meeting the communications needs of CAIR-Chicago. The Communications Department adds vital perspective to public discourse, publishes in a variety of mediums, creates research reports and produces the latest in new-media including audio, video, graphic design, web design, blogs, and other multimedia.

See the responsibilities and necessary requirements HERE

Daniel Gerzina attends Chicago Fringe Festival on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 which was organized by HumanThread and presented by CAIR-Chicago and AFSC.

"For Amina Sharif, communication director of the Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the mainstream interest in Islam and Muslims began after September 11, but the negative feelings were always there. "For Sharif much of the blame lies with the media and popular culture in the US, which she says is often "orientalist and slanted" in its depiction of Muslims and Islam."

CAIR-Chicago is having an open house this Thursday, September 15th, to mark the grand opening of our Gallery, a new center in downtown Chicago. We encourage you to drop by and take a tour anytime between 12pm-7pm. Come meet the staff, law clerks, and interns and enjoy the Gallery's beautiful lake view. Food and refreshments will be served.

CAIR-Chicago is looking for more fall interns- find out how you can contribute! Internships at CAIR-Chicago offer students and activists a great opportunity to learn, interact, and grow in a friendly and diverse environment.