The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today reported preliminary data revealing that cases of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) profiling of Muslims accounted for 23 percent of CAIR case intakes in the first three months of 2017. This represents a 1,035 percent increase in CBP bias cases reported so far this year over the same period in 2016. (more…)
Category: News
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CAIR-Ohio Joins Brief Opposing Phone Searches at Border
CAIR-Ohio joined the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other leading civil rights organizations to file a brief in federal court arguing that border agents should have to obtain a warrant to search travelers’ phones, tablets, and laptops, which contain a vast trove of sensitive, highly personal information that is protected by the Fourth Amendment. (more…)
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CAIR-Cleveland & Mosque to Co-Host Forum on Trump’s Muslim Ban
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. (more…)
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CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS OHIO FAITH LEADERS’ CALL ON SENATOR PORTMAN TO REJECT SESSIONS NOMINATION
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. (more…)
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CAIR-Cleveland Welcomes Lucas County Policy Change to Allow Religious Head Coverings in County Corrections Facility
(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:
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CAIR-CLEVELAND ASKS POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO CONDEMN ANTI-ARAB, NEO-NAZI VANDALISM OF HOME
(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. (more…)
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CAIR-Cleveland Calls for Bias Probe of Shooting Targeting Muslim Teen
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
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CAIR Condemns Threat and Vandalism Targeting Home of Jewish Professor in Oberlin Ohio
(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.”
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CAIR-CLEVELAND: 120 People Join Teatime for Peace to Challenge Islamophobia, Stereotypes
(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.”
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CAIR-Cleveland: Northeast Ohio Muslim Voters to Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party at Uqbah Mosque Foundation
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 10/18/16) – On Wednesday, October 19, the Cleveland chapter of the American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and the Uqbah Mosque Foundation will co-host a Muslim voter watch party during the third and final presidential debate.