CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Category: Event

  • CAIR-OHIO PROVIDES TRAINING FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE STAFF

    CAIR-OHIO PROVIDES TRAINING FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE STAFF

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/22/08) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) recently offered training for nurse case managers at Medical Mutual Company, Ohio’s oldest and largest health insurance provider, which is headquartered in Cleveland.

    The training, entitled “Optimizing Care for Muslim Patients and Clients,” offered information on what health care providers should know about Islam and Muslims, including basic beliefs and practices and tools and suggestions for interacting with Muslim patients and clients. The training offered an Islamic perspective on health and illness and covered topics such as patient-provider communication, modesty in the clinical setting, diet and hygiene, and end-of-life issues.

    “The goal of our training is to provide information and effective tools to help healthcare providers meet the needs of Muslim patients,” said CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson. “A holistic health assessment takes into account cultural and religious beliefs, and by delivering culturally competent medical care, providers can help bring about the best possible health outcomes.”

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

    CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: events@cleveland.cair.com; Isam Zaiem, 216.337.7928, E-mail: isamz@sbcglobal.net

  • CAIR-OHIO Provides Training at Lorain County Health Symposium

    CAIR-OHIO Provides Training at Lorain County Health Symposium

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/21/08) – The Cleveland Chapter of CAIR-Ohio provided training on Optimizing Care for Muslim Patients and Clients at the May 20 annual meeting of the Women and Children’s Health Consortium held at Lorain County Community College. The Consortium is comprised of public health officials from Lorain County Health Commission, the health commissions of the cities of Elyria and Lorain, members of Lorain County Job and Family Services and others health care providers.

    The seminar, entitled “Are We Making Progress? Are We Culturally Relevant”, focused on assessing progress in maternal and child health in Lorain County. The guest presenters were Dr. Jeffrey Lange of the Public Service Institute of Lorain County Community College and Julia A. Shearson, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter.

    CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com; Isam Zaiem, 216.337.7928, E-mail: isamz@sbcglobal.net. (more…)

  • U.S. Muslims to Launch Major News Media Education Campaign

    U.S. Muslims to Launch Major News Media Education Campaign

    (WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/9/2007) – On Tuesday, November 13, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a noon news conference in the nation’s capital to announce the launch of a major initiative to help enhance understanding of Islam and Muslims in the news media.

    Similar news conferences will be held at CAIR offices in Princeton, N.J.; San Diego, Calif.; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Tampa, Fla.; and Dallas, Texas. To contact a CAIR chapter, click here.

    The centerpiece of CAIR’s educational campaign will be distribution of the newly-published “American Muslims: A Journalist’s Guide to Understanding of Islam and Muslims” to some 40,000 media professionals nationwide.

    Other aspects of CAIR’s educational initiative will be outlined at the news conferences.

    WHAT: Launch of CAIR’s News Media Education Campaign
    WHEN: Tuesday, November 13, Noon (Eastern)
    WHERE: National Press Club, Lisagor Room, 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
    CONTACT: CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202.488.8787 or 202.439.1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com

    “It is essential that all those who write about or comment on domestic and international events have access to accurate, balanced information about Islam and Muslims,” said CAIR Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director Tahra Goraya. “Because Muslims have a duty to provide that information, we will be calling on the Islamic community to support this important initiative.”

    CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 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.

    CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.488.8787 or 202.744.7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202.488.8787 or 202.439.1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202.488.8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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  • CAIR-Cleveland to Host Ramadan Interfaith Banquet

    CAIR-Cleveland to Host Ramadan Interfaith Banquet

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 9/4/07) – On Saturday, September 15, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO) will host its 4th Annual “Sharing Ramadan” Iftar Banquet with members of the interfaith community. (“Iftar” is the meal eaten after sunset each day during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.)

    WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2007
    TIME: Registration – 6:30-7:30 p.m., Program begins at 7:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Joseph Cole Center, Cleveland State University, 3100 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
    CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247; E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com

    Award-winning author and former diplomat Michael Hamilton Morgan will speak about his new book, “Lost History: the Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists,” published by National Geographic.

    The evening will include a Middle Eastern dinner and entertainment and crafts for children. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 216-830-2247.

    “The month of Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal and charitable giving,” said Isam Zaiem, president of the Cleveland Chapter of CAIR-OHIO. “This event is a wonderful chance for Americans of all faiths to build interfaith harmony and mutual understanding.

    CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

     

  • CAIR-OHIO MEETS TV EXECUTIVES OVER POLITICAL ADS

    CAIR-OHIO MEETS TV EXECUTIVES OVER POLITICAL ADS

    Meeting prompted by Anti-Islamic bias in Progress for America Ads

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 12/4/06) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio Chapter recently met with top executives at WYTV-Channel 33, the local ABC affiliate in Youngstown. The meeting was prompted by community members who contacted CAIR after the station ran political ads by the national organization Progress for America which contained anti-Islamic images.

    At the meeting, the station manager and news director thanked CAIR for voicing the concerns of local Muslim and Arab-Americans and invited CAIR to work with the station to broadcast a Community Forum segment. WYTV also agreed to air CAIR’s anti-terrorism public service announcement.

    Contact: Julia A. Shearson, Director, Cleveland Office, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247; E-Mail events@cleveland.cair.com; Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, President, CAIR-OHIO, 614-761-9650, E-Mail: asma@cair-ohio.com.

  • CAIR-OHIO PROVIDES TRAINING TO FAIRVIEW HOSPITAL PARISH NURSES

    CAIR-OHIO PROVIDES TRAINING TO FAIRVIEW HOSPITAL PARISH NURSES

    Seminar offers information on culture, religion and caring for Muslim patients

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/17/06) –  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO), Cleveland Office recently provided training to parish nurses affiliated with the Fairview, Lutheran, and Lakewood Hospitals, which are part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

    The training entitled Cultural Competency: Understanding the Muslim Patient is part of a series of ongoing outreach efforts by CAIR-OHIO in the health care field. Recent healthcare-related seminars offered by the Cleveland office include the Hospice of the Western Reserve and Metro Health Hospital.

    The Parish Nurse Program at Fairview Hospital is designed to meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs through a wholistic approach. Nurses who are part of the program work directly in their parish communities to provide health services and wellness information. Because many of their service areas encompassed members of the Muslim community, the nurses requested a seminar on how to provide culturally competent care to Muslim patients.

    Dr. Shazia Khan, internal medicine specialist at MetroHealth Medical Center, led the training. CAIR also provided the publication “A Health Care Provider’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices” as well as other materials on Islam and cultural sensitivity.

    The program received many accolades and follow-up speaking requests.

    Contact: Julia A. Shearson, Director, Cleveland Office, 216.830.2247, E-Mail: events@cleveland.cair.com; Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, President, CAIR-OHIO, 614.451.3232, E-Mail: asma@cair-ohio.com.

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  • CAIR-OHIO JOINS LIBRARY FORUM ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY

    CAIR-OHIO JOINS LIBRARY FORUM ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY

    (CLEVELAND, OH 3/9/06) – On Wednesday, March 8, members of the Cleveland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations were invited to participate in a forum entitled “The Cartooning of Mohammed: Free Speech or Hate Speech.”  The forum is part of a discussion series called “An Evening of Civil Discourse” sponsored by the Geauga County Public Library.

    The event, held in the Bainbridge Public Library, offered a chance to exchange ideas on press freedoms and ethical journalism, as well as free speech, religious tolerance and foreign policy. Dave Lange, editor of the Chagrin Valley Times and the Times Courier newspapers provided a media perspective, while members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Religion of Peace organization provided a Muslim perspective.  Approximately 30 people attended the program. CAIR presented the children’s book My Name is Bilal, written by Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, as a gift to the library.

  • Cleveland Muslims Meet with Officials from The Plain Dealer

    Cleveland Muslims Meet with Officials from The Plain Dealer

    Meeting prompted by biased article on Ohio Muslim Charity

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 1/19/06) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO) recently hosted editors and reporters from The Plain Dealer at a meeting to discuss the paper’s coverage of Islam and Muslims.

    The meeting, which brought together Muslim community leaders and The Plain Dealer editors and reporters, was called by CAIR in response a recent article on the Muslim charity KindHearts. The article angered local Muslims due to its near exclusive reliance on the infamous Islamophobe Steven Emerson.

    At the meeting, CAIR officials presented a detailed analysis of The Plain Dealer’s 2005 coverage, citing marked improvement over the previous year. However, a number of concerns remained, including the lack of Muslim journalists at the paper, missed opportunities to present local Muslim reaction to crucial national and international issues, misuse of Islamic terms, sensationalism, factual inaccuracies and bias. CAIR urged The Plain Dealer to step up its role as government watchdog and faulted the paper for not investigating potential federal misuse of delayed notification warrants and overly broad search and seizure methods against local Muslim businesses.

    Citing a lack of Muslim journalists in top journalism schools, The Plain Dealer pledged to work with CAIR and local mosques to host media seminars and career days. The paper also agreed to recruit Muslims for its job shadowing program.

    Present at the meeting were community leaders from the Muslim Association of Cleveland East (MACE), The Islamic Center of Cleveland, Uqbah Mosque Foundation, First Cleveland Mosque, AACCESS, Peace in the Hood, IntraCity Muslim Action Network (IMAN), the Ansar Institute, as well as several Muslim attorneys and professionals. The Plain Dealer side included top editors as well as columnists and reporters who frequently cover issues relating to the Muslim community.

    CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 30 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.

    To read CAIR’s Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to: https://www.cair.com/about-us/vision-mission-core-principles.html

    CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com; Ibrahim Hooper, 202.488.8787 or 202.744.7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com

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  • CAIR JOINS TOLEDO ISLAMIC CENTER IN RADIO BROADCAST

    CAIR JOINS TOLEDO ISLAMIC CENTER IN RADIO BROADCAST

    Clear Channel Talk Radio Broadcasts from Islamic Center of Greater Toledo

    (Toledo, OH, 8/12/05) – The Islamic Center of Greater Cleveland hosted Clear Channel’s 1370 WSPD News Radio show Bob Frantz and the Morning News on Friday, August 12. The three-hour program, which was broadcast live from the Islamic Center, helped dispel stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. The public was invited to the forum and to sample a beautiful Middle Eastern breakfast prepared by the Muslim Women’s Auxiliary.

    The president of the Islamic Center, Dr. Zaheer Hasan, who organized the forum, arranged for Bob Frantz, Executive Producer of the popular morning news show Bob Frantz and the Morning News, to broadcast from the live from the Islamic Center in order to reach out to the broader American public. The radio town hall forum highlighted the recent fatwa condemning terrorism issued by the Fiqh Council of North America. The Center’s leadership invited Julia Shearson, CAIR’s Cleveland office director, to speak about the fatwa and CAIR’s efforts at publicizing the fatwa and gathering endorsements.

    During the program, Dr. Mahjabeen Islam described a campaign she initiated called “Project Friday Khutbah.” The campaign is a grass roots effort to encourage imams to condemn terrorism in their weekly Friday sermons. CAIR is also asking Muslim communities across the country to request that the anti-terrorism fatwa be read during sermons.

    To read the full text of the fatwa go to: https://www.cair.com/component/content/article/26-anti-terrorism/11706-fatwa-against-terrorism.html

    “This was an invaluable chance to reach out to more than 100,000 ordinary Americans during their morning commute,” said Julia Shearson. “Islamic centers across the country should follow Toledo’s lead and request that their local talk radio stations hold similar forums.”

    For more information, contact the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo at 419.874.3500, info@icgt.com; or CAIR, Cleveland office 216.830.2247, events@cleveland.cair.com.

  • CLEVELAND MUSLIMS HOLD EMERGENCY CIVIL RIGHTS FORUM

    CLEVELAND MUSLIMS HOLD EMERGENCY CIVIL RIGHTS FORUM

    Meeting prompted by seizure of Muslim financial records

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 2/15/05) – On Sunday, February 13, the Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), in cooperation with Beit Hanina Social Club, held a “Know Your Rights” forum in Cleveland.

    The forum was in response to the recent federal search and seizures conducted at the office of a prominent certified public accountant, whose firm housed the financial records of hundreds of Muslim businesses and individuals in the Greater Cleveland area.

    At the forum, prominent civil and immigration rights attorneys highlighted challenges facing the Muslim community in post-9/11 America. Citing recent FBI questioning about people’s political views, civil rights attorney Terry Gilbert said, “Fear and paranoia have replaced reason and common sense.” On a positive note, Gilbert cited the courts as the “last bastion” and praised a judicial system where people can “still get relief when the other branches of government fail them.”

    An ACLU spokesperson criticized a series of measures that abridge civil rights, including selective enforcement of immigration law, detention without charge, no-fly lists, and the Patriot Act. He said the general attitude toward Muslims in America now is that they are “guilty until proven innocent.”

    Nationally-known immigration attorney David Leopold told Muslims that they must be vigilant in protecting their rights. He raised strong concerns about the recent passage of HR 418, a bill that strips the rights of immigrants and makes it virtually impossible for asylum seekers to win refuge in this country.

    Overall, the panel called for members of the Muslim community to unite in defense of their rights. Leopold said that “Muslim Americans should call their public officials and voice opposition to discriminatory legislation. He said, “Government and public officials are our servants and they need to be reminded that they work for us.”

    In speaking of the possibility of an FBI visit at his home, one audience member said, “When something like that happens, it is a very lonely world for you and your family.” Panelists were quick to point to resources available in such situations. “Know your rights” pamphlets were distributed, along with a handy worksheet to be filled out in case of a visit by law enforcement. More than 100 people attended the meeting.  Leaders agreed to form coalitions and to hold additional educational seminars.

    CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 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.

    To read CAIR’s Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to: https://www.cair.com/about-us/vision-mission-core-principles.html

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    CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com; Ibrahim Hooper, 202.488.8787 or 202.744.7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com