CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Author: cairclev

  • CAIR-Cleveland Ohio Muslims Condemn the Mass Shooting in Orlando

    CAIR-Cleveland Ohio Muslims Condemn the Mass Shooting in Orlando

    (Cleveland, OH, 6/13/16) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) joins Muslims across Ohio and nationwide in condemning the horrific mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub.

    CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson issued the following statement:

    “Like all Americans, Ohio Muslims express their condemnation of this horrific act of violence. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased and the injured.

    “As a civil rights organization that works to end bigotry and hatred, CAIR-Cleveland stands in solidarity with the Florida LGBTQ community at this time of great sorrow for our entire country.

    As Americans we must come together as a people and work to build a society based on peace, mutual respect and understanding among all people. There should be no place for hate in our country.

    “No religious justification can ever be used to condone such a horrific act of targeted hate and wanton slaughter. Islam places a supreme value on life, and unjust killing of any life in Islam is considered forbidden in our faith. Like all Americans, we pray for the safety and security of our people and our country.”

    CAIR is urging American Muslims across the country to donate blood in the name of the victims of this tragedy.

    CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

    CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director, Julia Shearson, 216.440.2247, jshearson@cair.com

  • CAIR-Cleveland Offers Condolences on Passing of Human Rights Leader Michael Ratner

    CAIR-Cleveland Offers Condolences on Passing of Human Rights Leader Michael Ratner

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/13/16) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today offered its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of attorney and human rights leader Michael Ratner upon his passing. He died on Wednesday May 10, at the age of 72 from complications due to cancer.

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  • CAIR-Cleveland to Present Awards to Tamir Rice Family Activist, Former City Council Member at Civil Rights Banquet

    CAIR-Cleveland to Present Awards to Tamir Rice Family Activist, Former City Council Member at Civil Rights Banquet

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/5/16) – On Sunday May 8, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) will hold its 14th Annual Civil Rights Banquet, with the theme “Strengthening Our Voices: Advancing Together,” at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Independence.

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  • CAIR-Cleveland: Muslim Women Join Church Panel to Dispel Stereotypes of Women in Islam

    CAIR-Cleveland: Muslim Women Join Church Panel to Dispel Stereotypes of Women in Islam

    (Cleveland, OH, 4/19/16) – On Saturday, April 16, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined the Inclusivity Ministry of the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River, Ohio in hosting a presentation and panel discussion on Women in Islam.

    The event, which was attended by more than 70 people, was designed to help dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. The opening presentation provided a brief overview of women’s political, economic, and educational rights as well as an exploration of Quranic texts on the equality of women in Islam. The panel session covered hot button subjects such as modern gender roles, domestic violence, patriarchy and human rights in the Muslim world. Panel participants included seven Muslim women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and age groups in order to provide a range of perspectives. (more…)

  • CAIR-Cleveland Joins Press Conference on Purchase of Riot Gear for RNC

    CAIR-Cleveland Joins Press Conference on Purchase of Riot Gear for RNC

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 3/22/2016) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations joined more than 20 civil and human rights groups at a joint press conference yesterday in front of Cleveland City Hall to address what they assert are significant potential problems regarding plans for the procurement of equipment and deployment of personnel from the Cleveland Division of Police at the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland July 18-21.

    The groups issued an open letter to the Mayor and City Council calling on Cleveland City Council to pass a de-militarization resolution, committing the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) to de-commission any purchased military-type equipment after the RNC.

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  • CAIR-Cleveland Co-Hosts ‘Teatime for Peace’ to Challenge Islamophobia, Build Interfaith Relations

    CAIR-Cleveland Co-Hosts ‘Teatime for Peace’ to Challenge Islamophobia, Build Interfaith Relations

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 3/1/2016) – More than 100 people gathered last night in an interfaith event to discuss the growth of Islamophobia in America. The event, called “Teatime for Peace,” was held at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church and was co-hosted by the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and area social justice groups.

    The goal of the event was to provide an opportunity for people of different faiths to engage in dialogue and get to know each other as a way to help dispel stereotypes about Muslims and Islam. The event was conceived to help challenge the rampant Islamophobia being promoted by anti-Muslim hate groups, agenda-driven media outlets and political figures during the current US presidential election cycle.

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  • CAIR-Ohio Joins Racial Justice Group to Present Forum on Islamophobia

    CAIR-Ohio Joins Racial Justice Group to Present Forum on Islamophobia

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 2/11/2016) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) recently presented a forum on Islamophobia to members of the local chapter of SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River, Ohio. SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing for racial justice.

    The forum focused on the historical roots of Islamophobia, its current causes and consequences and how groups like SURJ could help to counter anti-Muslim bias and hate. The forum also highlighted the anti-Muslim bigotry and hateful rhetoric that has permeated the current U.S. presidential campaign.

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  • CAIR-Cleveland ‘Disappointed’ at Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict Officer Who Fatally Shot 12-year-Old Tamir Rice

    CAIR-Cleveland ‘Disappointed’ at Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict Officer Who Fatally Shot 12-year-Old Tamir Rice

    (CLEVELAND, OHIO, 12/29/15) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-OH) today expressed disappointment at the decision of a grand jury to not indict a white Cleveland police officer in the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice, a 12 year old African-American child.

    The case began when a caller to 911 said a male who was “probably a juvenile” was pointing a gun that was “probably fake” at people in a Cleveland park. A Cleveland police officer opened fire, unprovoked, at Rice within seconds of arriving at the park. Rice died a day later from the gun wound. Rice had a toy gun tucked under his shirt that was not visible when shot by officers.

    “Along with other Ohioans, we are dismayed by the fact that the investigation took over 13 months. We are also alarmed by the conduct of the prosecutor which may have tainted the outcome of the grand jury,” said CAIR-Cleveland Director Julia Shearson. “This and other similar cases nationwide, point to the urgent need for reforms in police procedures, training, and the grand jury process.” (more…)

  • CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Charges for Threats to Ohio Muslims on Islamic Holiday

    CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Charges for Threats to Ohio Muslims on Islamic Holiday

    (WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/24/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to consider bringing hate crime charges against a man arrested after allegedly threatening Muslim worshipers this morning at an prayer service in Ohio.

    According to police, a man threatened worshipers gathered for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha at the Islamic Center of Cleveland in Parma, Ohio. The man reportedly called the worshipers “terrorists” and reached for something in his car. Police later discovered he had a hatchet under his car seat. The suspect is in custody and is expected to appear in court on Friday.

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  • CAIR-Cleveland Joins Civil Rights Groups in Release of Open Letter on Community Police Commission

    CAIR-Cleveland Joins Civil Rights Groups in Release of Open Letter on Community Police Commission

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 8/28/15) – The Cleveland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Collaborative for a Safe, Fair and Just Cleveland, and the Cleveland chapter of the National Lawyers Guild today released an open letter outlining issues that must be resolved to better ensure that the Community Police Commission may operate more effectively and inclusively once established.

    [NOTE: The Cleveland chapter of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) is a founding member of the Collaborative for a Safe, Fair and Just Cleveland.]

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