CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Category: News

  • CAIR-Cleveland: 500+ Join Multi-Faith Effort to End Violence Against Women

    CAIR-Cleveland: 500+ Join Multi-Faith Effort to End Violence Against Women

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 9/23/2013) — Some 500 people participated in a multi-faith program and walk around Public Square in downtown Cleveland Sunday to raise awareness about rampant violence against women in the local community and society at large.

    At the event, a diverse group of women faith leaders from around the region called on the dozens of public officials and political candidates in attendance to sign a pledge of accountability to help end violence against women and children.

    The event was timed to raise awareness in the run up to October’s national Domestic Violence Awareness month and Nonviolence Week, the first full week in October as designated in Ohio by Senate Bill 38 and signed into law by Governor John Kasich.

    SEE: Women speak out against violence at Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland

    “Our goal as women of faith was to help raise awareness and call for divine help to empower our community to stand against the scourge of violence in Cleveland and beyond,” said CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson who helped co-organize the event along with more than 40 women clergy and lay leaders from diverse faiths in the greater Cleveland area.

    (more…)

  • CAIR-Ohio Rep Joins Cleveland City Hall Panel on Race Relations

    CAIR-Ohio Rep Joins Cleveland City Hall Panel on Race Relations

    (CLEVELAND, OH – 8/31/12) – A representative of the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) recently spoke as part of a panel on race relations hosted by the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Community Relations Board.

    The panel, which was held in the City Hall Rotunda on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, included a diverse panel that presented an array of perspectives on the subjects of race, ethnicity, and diversity. Panelists included Peggy Zone Fisher, CEO of the Diversity Center; Dr. Ronnie Dunn, a professor and expert on racial profiling from Cleveland State University; Julia A. Shearson of the Council on American-Islamic Relations; Phyllis Davis of the LGBT Center; Judge Annette Butler; Pastor Max Rodas; and Ben King Stewart, a student at John Adams High.

    The panelists discussed the state of race relations in the Cleveland area as well as trends across the country. The panelists pointed to entrenched structural inequities that continue to perpetuate race and class divides, but they also applauded strides that have been made to help improve inter-racial relations on the personal level. The youth panelist discussed how different generations view race and diversity. The panel was moderated by Casey Greer of Heights Community Congress, who challenged the audience and the panelists to present ideas for building better understanding across diverse communities.

    “This forum was an excellent opportunity to start an honest conversation on race relations in our region.” CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson said. “It was also a chance to explore ways to confront past wrongs, to address today’s challenges, and to embrace a shared future in terms of building a truly pluralistic society where diversity is always an asset, never a liability.”

    CONTACT:  CAIR-Ohio Communications Coordinator Hanna Tyler, 614.451.3232, E-Mail: htyler@cair.com.

  • CAIR-CLEVELAND REP SPEAKS ON WOMEN IN ISLAM AT ISLAMIC CENTER OF CLEVELAND

    CAIR-CLEVELAND REP SPEAKS ON WOMEN IN ISLAM AT ISLAMIC CENTER OF CLEVELAND

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/31/2012) – A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently spoke to members of the New Muslim Support Network during their weekly meeting at the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

    CAIR Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson presented a talk on women in Islam with a focus on the role of women in Islam as revealed in the Quran and Sunnah. Past presentations offered by CAIR to the New Muslim Support Network include “Challenging Islamophobia” and “Profiling Islam: Faith Under Surveillance”.

    CAIR offers a number of seminars and talks on a variety of topics. To arrange a speaking event or for information about CAIR speakers, 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.

    – End –

  • CAIR-CLEVELAND REP ADDRESSES MUSLIM YOUTH CONFERENCE

    CAIR-CLEVELAND REP ADDRESSES MUSLIM YOUTH CONFERENCE

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 5/31/2012) – A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently spoke at the American Muslim Youth Leadership (AMYL) Council’s first annual convention in Orlando, Florida over the Memorial Day weekend.

    The convention entitled, “Indeed You Have the Best of Manners” focused on Islamic perspectives for empowering youth and building tomorrow’s future leaders. CAIR Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson spoke on a variety of topics including Challenging Islamophobia; Building the Next Generation of Muslim Leaders; Women’s Rights in Islam; Role Models for Muslim Youth, etc.

    CAIR offers a number of presentations on a variety of topics. To arrange a speaking event or for information about CAIR speakers, 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.

    – End –

  • CAIR-OHIO OFFERS FORUM ON CHALLENGING ISLAMOPHOBIA

    CAIR-OHIO OFFERS FORUM ON CHALLENGING ISLAMOPHOBIA

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 4/24/2012) – The Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations recently presented a workshop on Challenging Islamophobia for students at John Carroll University.

    The workshop provided a brief overview Islamophobia, including the definition and key components; understanding the history and root causes; current manifestations on the Internet and in the public sphere; consequences of hate and bigotry; and how Islamophobia is promoted by religious figures, media pundits, politicians, and so-called “terrorism experts.” The workshop also offered practical steps and resources for reaching out to the Muslim community and challenging Islamophobia.

    “Religious intolerance has a negative impact on communities” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland. “The workshop on Challenging Islamophobia is  designed to raise awareness about anti-Muslim bigotry and provide resources to counter intolerance by building mutual understanding and fostering inclusion.”

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

    CAIR is America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

    – End –

  • CAIR-CLEVELAND OFFERS SEMINAR AT HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE

    CAIR-CLEVELAND OFFERS SEMINAR AT HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 2/2/2012) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter offered a training session today for spiritual care providers at the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

    The seminar entitled Optimizing Care for Patients and Clients provided a basic understanding of Islam and Muslims as well as details for interacting with Muslim patients and families in the hospice setting. The seminar covered issues such as the basic beliefs and practices; Islamic views on illness and death; 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.

    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.

    – End –

  • CAIR-Ohio Rep Addresses the Erosion of Civil Liberties in the Post 9/11 Era

    CAIR-Ohio Rep Addresses the Erosion of Civil Liberties in the Post 9/11 Era

    (CLEVELAND, OH – 1/31/12) – A representative of the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) gave a presentation on the erosion of civil liberties and targeting of Muslims in the post 9/11 area during the weekly meeting of the New Muslim Support Network at the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

    The talk, entitled Profiling Islam: Faith Under Surveillance, offered an in-depth look at various national security policies that have undermined civil liberties and dramatically increased racial, religious, and ethnic profiling in America. Presented by Julia Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland, the talk showed how the federal government’s ineffective, misguided and costly dragnet approach to national security makes us less safe and less free.

    “Government policies that promote profiling and erode civil liberties are out of line with core American values and are counterproductive to national security.” CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson said. “Such ineffective policies should be realigned with constitutional norms or they should be dismantled.”

    CONTACT:  CAIR-Ohio Communications Coordinator Hanna Tyler, 614-451-3232, E-Mail: htyler@cair.com.

  • CAIR-Ohio Rep Addresses the Erosion of Civil Liberties in the Post 9/11 Era

    CAIR-Ohio Rep Addresses the Erosion of Civil Liberties in the Post 9/11 Era

    (CLEVELAND, OH – 1/4/12) – A representative of the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) gave a presentation on the erosion of civil liberties in the post 9/11 area during the monthly meeting of the Libertarian Party of Cuyahoga County.

    The talk, entitled the Erosion of Civil Liberties in the War on Terror, offered an in-depth look at various national security policies that have undermined civil liberties and dramatically increased racial, religious, and ethnic profiling in America. Presented by Julia Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland, the talk showed how the federal government’s ineffective, misguided and costly dragnet approach to national security makes us less safe and less free.

    “Government policies that promote profiling and erode civil liberties are out of line with core American values and are counterproductive to national security.” CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson said. “Such ineffective policies should be realigned with constitutional norms or they should be dismantled.”

    Note: CAIR-Ohio is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that does not endorse or support political candidates or political parties.

    CONTACT:  CAIR-Ohio Communications Coordinator Nijma Darwish, 614-451-3232, E-Mail: ndarwish@cair.com.

  • CAIR-OHIO OFFERS WORKSHOPS ON ISLAM AND CHALLENGING ISLAMOPHOBIA

    CAIR-OHIO OFFERS WORKSHOPS ON ISLAM AND CHALLENGING ISLAMOPHOBIA

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 9/28/2011) – The Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations offered two workshops today on understanding Islam and challenging Islamophobia at the 3rd Annual Hate-Free Lorain County Conference hosted by the Community Anti-Hate Task Force of Lorain.

    The workshops offered information on Islam and Muslims including demographics, basic beliefs and practices; myths and stereotypes; hot-button issues such as terrorism, jihad and women in Islam, etc. The workshops also provided a brief overview Islamophobia, including the definition and key components; understanding the history and root causes; current manifestations on the Internet and in the public sphere; consequences of hate and bigotry; and how Islamophobia is promoted by religious figures, media pundits, politicians, and so-called “terrorism experts.” The workshop also offered practical steps and resources for reaching out to the Muslim community and challenging Islamophobia.

    “Religious intolerance has a negative impact on communities” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland. “These workshops are designed to raise awareness about anti-Muslim bigotry and provide resources to counter intolerance by building mutual understanding and fostering inclusion.”

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

    CAIR is America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

    – End –

  • CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS PANEL AT CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING

    CAIR-CLEVELAND JOINS PANEL AT CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 9/19/2011) – A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter joined a panel today on inter-religious perspectives on end of life care held at Cleveland State University’s School of Nursing.

    The panel covered issues related to death and dying from the perspectives of Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. CAIR’s representative presented a Muslim perspective on illness and issues related to death and dying; 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 variety of presentations for healthcare practitioners and social service agencies. 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.

    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.

    – End –