CAIR-Cleveland

CAIR-CLEVELAND REP SPEAKS TO NEW MUSLIMS AT THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF CLEVELAND

Posted by: cairclev Tags: challenges facing new Muslims, Islamic Center of Cleveland, New Muslim Support Network | Categories: Event, News

October
13

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/13/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently participated in a panel discussion for the New Muslim Support Network at the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

The panel discussion included issues and challenges facing new Muslims including maintaining respectful relations with family members; maintaining one’s identity; cultivating one’s faith; avoiding extremism; maintaining positive relations with people of diverse faiths; culture versus religion; mosque life; dealing with discrimination, etc.

For information about CAIR speakers, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247. For information about the New Muslim Support Network, contact the Islamic Center of Cleveland at 216.362.0786 or nmsn.info@iccleveland.org.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.

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CAIR-CLEVELAND OFFERS SEMINAR ON ISLAM AT SLOVENIAN SOCIAL HALL

Posted by: cairclev Tags: historic Slovenian Holmes Hall Pensioners Club, Understanding Islam and Muslims | Categories: Event, News

October
13

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/13/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently offered a presentation on Islam and Muslims held at the historic Slovenian Holmes Hall Pensioners Club in the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.

The presentation, which was attended by more than 100 members of the Slovenian club, covered demographics of the Muslim community; basic beliefs and practices; myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims; similarities among the three Abrahamic faiths; as well as controversial subjects such as jihad and women in Islam. The presentation also covered the rise of Islamophobia in America.

“Being hosted by Holmes Hall Pensioners Club was truly an honor,” CAIR Cleveland executive director Julia Shearson said. “Being able to share information across religious and cultural groups in a friendly environment with wonderful hospitality was a great experience.”

To arrange a presentation or for more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.

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CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS FORUM ON ISLAM AT BALDWIN WALLACE COLLEGE

Posted by: cairclev Tags: Baldwin Wallace College, CAIR-Cleveland, Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think | Categories: Event, News

October
11

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/11/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently joined a panel on understanding Islam and Muslims held at Baldwin Wallace College. The panel followed a screening of the film Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think.

The film and panel were part of a series of events held during Islamic Awareness Week sponsored by the Muslim Students Association on the Baldwin Wallace campus. The panel included a representative of CAIR and professors from the history and religion departments at Baldwin Wallace College.

For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

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CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS INTERRELIGIOUS PANEL AT ST. LADISLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Posted by: cairclev Tags: interreligious panel on Judaism and Islam, St. Ladislas Catholic Church, World Religions: Finding Common Ground | Categories: Event, News

October
11

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/11/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently participated in two interreligious panels on Judiasm and Islam held at St. Ladislas Catholic Church in Westlake, Ohio.

The panels, entitled “World Religions: Finding Common Ground”, were attended by more than 100 members of the St. Ladislas Church, and covered a range of topics including basic beliefs and practices; religious holidays in Islam and Judaism; faith and family life; perspectives on Jesus; views of the afterlife; interfaith relations; Sunni-Shia relations; Middle East peace, etc.

“The panels on world religions were an excellent opportunity to build interreligious understanding and mutual respect among Catholics, Jews and Muslims,” CAIR Cleveland advisory board member Isam Zaiem said. “We thank the members of St. Ladislas parish for their efforts to strengthen interfaith relations in the greater Cleveland area.”

For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

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CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS PANEL AT HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE

Posted by: cairclev Tags: cultural competency, diversity training, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Spiritual Care Volunteers, Understanding Islam and Muslims | Categories: Diversity Training Program, Event, News

October
10

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/10/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter joined an interreligious training session today for spiritual care volunteers at the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The panel was part of a comprehensive training program for spiritual care volunteers who serve at various hospice centers in Northern Ohio that are part of the Hospice of the Western Reserve. The panel covered issues related to death and dying from the perspective of different traditions such as Buddhism; Islam; Christianity; Judaism; Atheism and Humanism. CAIR’s representative presented the Islamic view of illness and death; interacting with Muslim patients and families; palliative care for the Muslim patient; religious rituals; end of life issues; burial practices; organ donation; etc.

CAIR offers a number of presentations for healthcare practitioners. To arrange an in-service or for information about CAIR speakers, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247.

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CAIR-OHIO JOINS PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE CYBERWALL KICK-OFF EVENT

Posted by: cairclev Tags: City of Peace, Cleveland, Cleveland People, cyberwall kick-off, Federation of India Community Associations, FICA, non-violence pledge, peace pledge | Categories: News

October
4

Dozens of groups pledge to help make Cleveland a City of Peace and Non-Violence

(CLEVELAND, OH, 10/4/2010) – On October 2, 2010, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter joined with more than 20 local social service and peace and justice organizations in a kick-off event to designate Cleveland as a City of Peace and Non-Violence.

The event coincided with the observance of the 141^st birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and also commemorated the life of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The kick-off was hosted by the Federation of India Community Associations.

The kick-off brought together a diverse group of speakers to help launch a city-wide non-violence pledge and a cyber wall of signatures of those vowing to promote peace and justice in the City of Cleveland. The Rev. Marvin McMickle of Antioch Baptist Church gave the opening address.

“We offer our full support to this visionary initiative for peace.” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland. “The cyber wall for peace is a great idea because it teaches that every person must join together to build a truly peaceful city.

To sign the pledge, go to: http://www.clevelandpeople.com/other/pledgethx.htm

Organizations joining the cyber wall kick-off event included: The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County; American Indian Education Center; Black on Black Crime; Catholic Community Connection; Cleveland Peace and Non-Violence Network, ClevelandPeople.com; Cleveland Rape Crisis Center; Cleveland UMADAOP; Commission on Catholic Community Action; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Federation of India Community Associations; India Cultural Garden; InterAct; International Community Council; Peace in the Hood; and others.

For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

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CAIR-OHIO JOINS DIVERSITY FORUM AT COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER

Posted by: cairclev Tags: Cuyahoga County Justice Center, diversity training, Religious Accommodation, Understanding Islam and Muslims | Categories: Diversity Training Program, Event, News

September
30

(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/30/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently attended a diversity seminar for officials and staff at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. The training was entitled Islam and the Justice System.

The forum provided information on Muslim demographics; basic religious beliefs and practices; Islamic perspectives on justice; issues of religious accommodation and other topics of concern to justice system officials and staff.

“We are glad to see the Justice Center is taking a pro-active approach in educating its staff on the diverse cultural and religious groups we have here in our County,” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland. “Building understanding and mutual respect promotes a great working environment and helps ensure fair and just treatment for all who come in contact with the Justice Center.”

For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247.

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CAIR-Cleveland Holds Press Conference to Challenge Islamophobia and 9/11 Quran Burning and to Launch PSAs Featuring Muslim 9/11 First Responders

Posted by: cairclev Tags: 911 First Responders, Challenge Hate, Interfaith Press Event, Muslim First Responders, Press Conference Against Hate, Quran Burning | Categories: Event, News

September
9

Public service announcements designed to challenge bigotry, Florida Quran burning and physical attacks against mosques nationwide

Muslim first responders and area mosque leadership to address Islamophobia

(CLEVELAND, OHIO – 9/9/2010) — On Thursday, September 9, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), in conjunction with area mosque and interfaith leaders, held a news conference in Cleveland to continue a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Muslim 9/11 first responders and designed to challenge the growing anti-Muslim bigotry sparked by opposition to the planned Park51 project in Manhattan.

CAIR’s campaign also includes a PSA that features interfaith leaders offering an implicit challenge to the Florida church that plans to burn copies of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, on September 11. The Public service announcements are designed to challenge the rise in bigotry, Islamophobia, and the physical attacks taking place against several mosques in the US.

CHURCH HOSTS RAMADAN IFTAR WITH CLEVELAND AREA MUSLIMS

Posted by: cairclev Tags: CAIR-Cleveland, Interfaith Event, Interfiath iftar, Ramadan Iftar, Sharing Ramadan, West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church | Categories: Event, Interfaith Event, News

August
26

Interfaith program counters Islamophobia stoked by controversy over NYC Islamic center

(CLEVELAND, OH, 8/26/2010) – On August 26, the Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO) co-hosted a Sharing Ramadan Interfaith Iftar event at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River. The program was designed to promote interfaith harmony in light of the anti-Islamic rhetoric surrounding the New York City Islamic center expansion project near Ground Zero.

Churches and synagogues in other parts of the country have hosted Ramadan Iftar events, but this was the first such event in the Cleveland area. Imam Ramez Islambouli of Case Western Reserve University and Uqbah Mosque Foundation spoke on the meaning of Ramadan.

Dr. Mansoor Ahmed spoke on flood relief efforts in Pakistan. More than 150 guests shared a traditional Ramadan Iftar dinner and then stayed for an interfaith dialogue.

“In the midst of the bigotry being stoked around the country against Muslims, it is comforting to know that here in Cuyahoga County, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and others are breaking bread in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect,” said Isam Zaiem, CAIR-Cleveland Board President.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Cleveland Chapter Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com

CAIR-OHIO OFFERS SEMINAR ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC

Posted by: cairclev Tags: Cleveland Clinic, domestic violence training, grand rounds, Islamic Perspectives on Domestic Violence Prevention | Categories: Diversity Training Program, Event, News

May
4

(CLEVELAND, OH, 5/4/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently offered a forum entitled Islamic Perspectives on Domestic Violence Prevention during Grand Rounds at the Cleveland Clinic.

The training offered information and tools for helping social workers, patient advocates, and health care practitioners to optimize services for Muslim victims and covered issues such as: the impact of family violence on the Muslim community; challenges and barriers for advocates and victims; resources for combating domestic violence in Muslim communities; marriage and gender roles in Islam; the role of religious texts; and Islamic perspectives on healthy relationships.

“Domestic violence is a serious public health issue that impacts all communities, regardless of race, religion, culture or nationality.” said Shearson. “The goal of our training is to break down barriers to effective treatment and prevention by offering health practitioners and social workers the awareness and tools to provide culturally aligned approaches to recognize and help stop domestic violence in diverse communities.”

CAIR-Cleveland has offered similar trainings on domestic violence at the Ohio Attorney General’s “Two Days in May” statewide witness/victim conference; Fairview Hospital; First Cleveland Mosque; and the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

To set up a training session or for more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247.

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