In the News
- Chicago Sun-Times: Muslims Invite the Homeless to Join in Ramadan Sunset Meal
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October 5, 2005
- Chicago Sun-Times: Play Explores Muslim-American Family
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October 5, 2005
Media Response System [visit center]
- Chicago Tribune Film Review Equates Muslim Leaders with Skinheads & Inmates (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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October 10, 2005
- Pro-Palestinian Does Not Equal Anti-Israel (Response to Chicago Sun-Times Article)
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October 7, 2005
- Ethics of Journalism (Response to Chicago Sun-Times Article)
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October 7, 2005
- Exposing Torture Essential (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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October 7, 2005
- Nonexistent Democracy (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 30, 2005
- Religion Brings People Together (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 30, 2005
- Saudis Women Have Right to Lead Own Lifestyles (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 28, 2005 
- Sanctions No More (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 25, 2005
- Abuse Requires Immediate Withdrawal (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 24, 2005
- Abbas Cannot Do the Impossible (Response to Chicago Tribune Article)
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September 23, 2005
Press Center
- Press Release: Chicago Area Muslims to Pray, Donate Tonight for Quake Victims
October 10, 2005
- Press Release: Chicago Area Muslims to Mark Ramadan with Interfaith Dinner
October 4, 2005
- Press Release: Chicago Muslims to Mark Ramadan with Neighbors, Homeless
October 4, 2005
Ramadan Media Coverage 
This month, CAIR-Chicago has worked with local media venues to esnure Ramadan coverage. Channels 9, 7, and CLTV were brought in to cover community events, and channels 2 and 5 reported stories or announcements in their newscasts. Snippets will be published on the website when obtained.
- Woman Fired for Being Arab, Re-Hired
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October 7, 2005
- Woman Asked to Remove Hijab for School ID Photo Issued an Apology
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October 7, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Contacts School's Administration, Committee to Address Issue is Formed
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October 7, 2005
- Executive Director Speaks at MECCA Interfaith Iftar
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October 5, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Participates in Amnesty Event to Denounce Torture
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October 3, 2005
- Outreach Coordinator Meets with Principals of CPSA and IFS
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September 29, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Meets with Director of CAPS
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September 29, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Successfully Helps Resolve Prison Complaint
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September 29, 2005
- Employment Discrimination Complaint Resolved
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September 29, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Participates in EEOC Mediation Session
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September 29, 2005
- CAIR-Chicago Participates in EEOC Interview
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September 28, 2005
- Interfaith Outreach: An Islamic Tradition
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September 26, 2005
- The Right to Travel After 9/11
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September 24, 2005
 
RECENT CASES:
Civil Rights Update – 10/10/05
The Civil Rights Department at CAIR-Chicago currently has 205 cases documented in which 86 cases are active and are being pursued by department personnel. Below are the cases that were reported to CAIR-Chicago within the last two weeks.
Employment:
- A Muslim man was denied a promotion and feels that the basis for the denial was religious discrimination. CAIR-Chicago is currently investigating the issue to determine the best possible course of action for the complainant.
- A Muslim woman reported derogatory comments and discriminatory treatment by co-workers and supervisors at her place of employment. Since the incident reported occurred in California, CAIR-Chicago forwarded the complaint to the corresponding CAIR chapter in order to best deal with issue.
General:
- A Muslim man was denied a license to practice a dental profession and feels that the basis for the rejection was discriminatory. CAIR-Chicago is currently contacting the board responsible for issuing licenses for further investigation and is seeking to resolve the issue in the best interests of the complainant.
Government:
- Three more Muslims have reported delays in their citizenship process, having applied for their citizenship and passing all necessary USCIS requirements, but have been waiting for citizenship status do to pending background checks. The cases are being dealt with as a part of a nation-wide CAIR-Chicago project in collaboration with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN). For more information on this project, see the “Religious Discrimination Delays Citizenship Process” action alert below.
- A Muslim woman was arrested by local area police officers for a minor speeding violation as she was on her way to pick up her children from school. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the incident and will take whatever action necessary to resolve the issue positively.
- A Muslim man reported being delayed upon reentry into the U.S. CAIR-Chicago will work with the man to determine whether he is on a TSA Fly Watch List and will take proper steps ensure his name is placed on a safe list.
- A Muslim man has experienced a delay in obtaining his Green Card for permanent residency. CAIR-Chicago referred the man to the Midwest Immigration and Human Rights Center (MIHRC) for low-cost legal representation.
Prison:
- A Muslim man incarcerated on a conviction not related to terrorism is being continuously harassed, humiliated, and mistreated by prison authorities. The mistreatment includes being deprived of much needed medical treatment and medicine and being placed into solitary confinement for months at a time. CAIR-Chicago has launched a Prison Project to deal with this and other similar cases of the rights of inmates. CAIR-Chicago will seek first to resolve the issues of his need for medical treatment and medicine and is looking into possible ways to resolve the overall issue of his mistreatment.
ACTION ALERTS:
Muslim Americans Detained and Questioned When Traveling Outside of the U.S.:
As part of a potential class action law suit, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and CAIR-Chicago is asking anyone who has been detained and questioned at the U.S./Canadian border to please contact .
The facts of the above case are as follows:
A Muslim American man says he has been searched and questioned four times while trying to re-enter the country from trips abroad, even though he had proper identification. The man was held for six hours last month as officials at a U.S. checkpoint in Canada questioned him about the September 11th terrorist attacks. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing the man and says they have heard similar complaints from other Muslim Americans.
Have a Complaint Against DHS?:
CAIR-Chicago will be meeting with representatives of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Attorney General’s Office as a part of periodic Community Leadership Liaison Group meetings. If you have any issues or incidents pertaining to the DHS, FBI or Attorney General’s Office that you would like presented at this meeting, please contact Christina Abraham at "a href="mailto:civilrights@cairchicago.org">civilrights@cairchicago.org or 312-212-1520 as soon as possible.
Religious Discrimination Delays Citizenship Process:
As a joint effort with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), CAIR-Chicago is asking individuals who passed a citizenship examination and have been waiting for over 90 days, or have been waiting for a Green Card for permanent residence for over 90 days to contact us at either or .
Religious Discrimination at Standardized Testing Centers:
As part of a potential class action law suit, CAIR-Chicago is asking for anyone who has experienced any form of religious discrimination at a testing center to please contact us at . An example of a possible form of religious discrimination includes requiring or requesting the removal of a headscarf for searches, or discriminatory remarks made by employees about Muslims or Islam.
The facts of the above case are as follows:
A Muslim student was asked to remove her headscarf on two separate occasions at a testing center before she began a standardized test required for graduate school. The supervisor and employees of the testing center refused to show her a written copy of the policy requiring Muslim women wearing a headscarf to be searched. A witness at the testing center also observed the employees making discriminatory remarks about Muslims while the victim was taking the test.
Please let us know if you or someone you know have experienced a similar incident and would like to take action to prevent such forms of religious discrimination at standardized testing centers in the future.
 - U.S. Muslims Urged to Help, Pray for S. Asia Quake Victims
October 9, 2005
- Muslim Americans Detained and Questioned When Traveling Outside of the U.S.
October 7, 2005
- Ask Congress to Send Torture Ban to President
October 6, 2005
- Urge Your House Rep to Sign Ramadan Resolution
September 23, 2005
- Incitement Watch: Muslim ‘Scourge’ in America
September 22, 2005
- Quran Requests Top 20K - Sponsors Needed
September 22, 2005
- U.S. Mosques Urged to Host 'Ramadan' Iftars
September 16, 2005
 - University of Chicago Iftar
October 11, 2005
- Ramadan Outreach - Downtown Islamic Center (DIC)
October 12, 2005
- Ramadan Outreach - Masjid Al-Salam
October 14, 2005
- Ramadan Outreach - Masjid Al-Qassam
October 14, 2005
- Muslim American Identity: Present and Future
November 19, 2005
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Pakistan Victims in Dire Need of Helicopters and K-9 Dog Rescue teams
35,000 people have been killed by the recent earthquake in Pakistan with the number slated to rise in the next few days. CIOGC chairman, Abdul Malik Mujahid says donations are much needed but are not enough. Helicopters and K-9 Rescue teams are crucial if we are to curb the rising numbers.
"I have been to those areas several times throughout my life. I have done camping as a scout there and have repeatedly visited the area. These are extremely narrow valleys and most roads are so narrow that one vehicle has to wait until the other passes," Says Mujahid of the earthquake-inflicted areas. "Those entire roads are blocked and there is no way to bring in heavy equipment except through helicopters. More than 650 children are under rubble. People can still hear their voices according to the news agencies but they are using just hands and shovels to remove the rubble of these four story buildings. No government, no soldiers, just parents and neighbors who survived."
Mujahid stresses that Pakistan's TOP needs are helicopters to bring in heavy equipment and 'search and rescue' teams with K 9 dogs. The US government has sent only 8 helicopters, we need to send 100 more, as well as K-9 teams.
Please call the White House now (202) 456-1414 and your Senator & Congressperson http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ and stress the above points. Click here for detailed information: CIOGC Saving Lives in Kashmir. CLick here for CAIR-Chicago Press Release
Please continue to pray and donate. The Council has established the "Kashmir Earthquake Relief Fund". You can donate at http://www.ciogc.org or mail your checks to the Council at 330 East Roosevelt Road, Suite G5 Lombard, Illinois 60148.
- CAIR-Chicago Action Alerts
Chicago Tribune Film Review Equates Muslim Leaders with Skinheads and Inmates
In today's Chicago Tribune, Tempo section, film critic Michael Wilmington writes in his review of the movie "Protocols of Zion": “Levin talks to his checklist of Jew-haters: Muslim community leaders, skinheads and African-American men in jail.”
Please write to Mr. Wilmington () and Tempo Editor, Mr. Tim Bannon (), letting them know that equating our community leaders with skinheads and inmates is not appreciated. For more details and for talking points, please see this letter: CAIR-Chicago's Response to Problematic Tribune Tempo Language
- CAIR-Chicago Action Alerts
Click Here
IT Talent Wanted
If you have strong HTML skills, good graphics skills, and are interested in web development, please contact us at 312 212 1520 or email us at . Please specify if you are interested in volunteering (2-10 hours) or interning (10-20 hours).
Journalism Talent Wanted
If you are a journalism student or someone who is interested in covering news, commenting on issues, or interviewing people, then please contact us at 312 212 1520 or email us at . CAIR-Chicago can provide you with a heavily-visited forum through which you can share your work. Please specify if you are interested in volunteering (2-10 hours) or interning (10-20 hours).
    
Executive Director
Yaser Tabbara
Director of Communications
Ahmed Rehab
Civil Rights Coordinator
Christina Abraham
Outreach Coordinator
Dina Rehab
Operations Coordinator
Shyema Azam
Board of Directors
Shakeela Hassan, MD
Alim Elliott Khan
Mazen Kudaimi, MD
Alif Muhammad
Ahmed Rehab
Zaher Sahloul, MD
Hina Sodha, Esq.
Yaser Tabbara, Esq. - Secretary
Safaa Zarzour, Esq. - President
Click Here
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