Protecting Civil Rights. Fighting Bigotry. Promoting Tolerance.
PHASE IN PERIOD
– The Travel Ban 2.0 will not go into effect until March 16, 2017 and the older order, signed on January 27, 2017 has been replaced.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
– Ban will not apply to lawful permanent residents and current visa holders. However, expect high scrutiny at the border when entering. Read More
CAIR National Offers $5000 Reward for Info
(COLUMBUS, OH 2/21/17) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with and support for the Jewish community after a wave of bomb threats targeted community centers nationwide, including the Mandel JCC in Cleveland. In January, JCCs in Cincinnati and Columbus were also targeted. Read More
On Friday, February 10, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent (ISAK) will co-host a forum on President Trump’s executive order halting refugees from entering the United States and barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations.
The purpose of the forum is to provide timely and accurate information about the Muslim Ban order and other orders and policies impacting the rights of immigrants and American citizens, particularly the Muslim community. Because there are likely more executive orders in the pipeline, the Muslim community is encouraged to attend in order to stay engaged and keep abreast of developments in what is a fluid situation. Read More
Like you, we only recently received the final, signed copies of President Trump’s Executive Orders targeting Muslims and refugees. And like you, we are appalled at these attempts to erode our American values by targeting individuals based on race, religion, and national origin.
A complete analysis will take time, but we continue to hear from many of you, worried about what this means for your families and friends. Accordingly, we wanted to reach out and offer some preliminary guidance. We will send out more details as they become clear. Read More
The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today joined Ohio faith leaders in delivering a “Declaration of Moral Resistance” signed by more than 100 Ohio clergy leaders to the Cleveland offices of US Senator Rob Portman calling on him to reject the nomination of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General.
The faith leaders assembled under the banner of Faith in Public Life, a non-profit strategy center for the faith community advancing faith in the public square as a powerful force for justice, compassion and the common good. Read More
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 1/20/17) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today welcomed a policy change by Lucas County Correctional Facility permitting religious head coverings (hijab) to be worn by Muslim women during booking procedures and during incarceration.
SEE: Lucas Co. Jail Now Issues Head Covers for Muslim Women; Change Made for Religious Rights
In a statement, CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson said:
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 1/11/2017) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today called on area political and religious leaders to condemn anti-Arab and neo-Nazi vandalism of a Sylvania Township home.
On Tuesday, a local Arab-American Muslim family came home to find the words “F-ck Arabs” and a large Nazi swastika painted on the garage door of their home. Sylvania Township police are said to be investigating the incident. Read More
Muslim civil rights group asks that bail be denied to alleged shooter, seeks hate crime enhancements
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 12/1/16) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the November 26 shooting of a Muslim teenager and to seek all relevant hate crime enhancements under Ohio statutes. CAIR is also asking that the alleged perpetrator be denied bail.
The 16-year-old Lakewood High School student, who was wearing an Islamic head covering called a “kufi” at the time of the alleged attack, says he was walking home from his part-time job when he was shot by an armed man who then fled the scene. According to the Muslim teenager, the alleged perpetrator called him a “terrorist” and “Taliban b*ch” before the shooting. The victim was struck in the shoulder and was left bleeding at the scene. (Cuyahoga County Case Number: CR-16-611940-A)
SEE: Lakewood Man Arrested for Shooting 16-Year-Old
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 11/18/16) – The Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) called on the FBI to investigate the recent property damage and threatening message left at the home of an Oberlin College professor in the City of Oberlin. According to an Oberlin Police Department incident report a threatening note against Jews was left on the victim’s door which said “Gas Jew Die” and property had allegedly been damaged and stolen.
In a statement, CAIR-Cleveland Chapter Executive Director Julia Shearson said:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations stands strongly against ethnic and religious intimidation and all forms of hate. CAIR stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and all marginalized groups who are facing a surge in hate crimes and targeting.
“There have been hundreds of incidents of harassment, hate attacks and vandalism across the country since the election, and this must stop. As Americans, we cannot tolerate hate and vicious attacks on our Jewish neighbors, who like the Muslim community, are a tiny religious minority in this country. Everyone deserves to live in peace, free from violence and religious and ethnic intimidation.”
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 10/24/16) – More than 120 people recently joined the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church and local religious, civil society and social justice groups for “Teatime for Peace,” an event to help dispel stereotypes about Islam and Muslims.
The event was part of an ongoing series of interfaith gatherings being held in Cuyahoga, Summit and Lake Counties designed to foster support for the Muslim community in light of increasing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric in American politics and media.
“From the enthusiastic turnout for the event, it is clear that people want an antidote to counter the rising hate rhetoric, division and religious scapegoating in our society,” said Isam Zaiem, CAIR-Cleveland board treasurer and co-organizer of the event. “This event was a chance to counter fear and hate with honest connection and conversation through getting to know one’s Muslim neighbors right here in our local community.”