CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Category: News

  • 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.

     

  • MUSLIM COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO JOIN PUBLIC RADIO SHOW

    MUSLIM COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO JOIN PUBLIC RADIO SHOW

    Cleveland Muslims to Join WCPN 90.3 Ideastream “The Sound of Ideas” Program

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 7/20/2007) – On Monday, July 23 members of the Muslim community in Cleveland will join Ideastream’s “The Sound of Ideas,” a one-hour call-in news radio program. The program airs live each weekday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Monday’s program will feature local Muslim community members discussing what it means to be a Muslim in America in the wake of 9/11. Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, CAIR-Ohio President, will join the program from the Statehouse News Bureau studios in Columbus to offer a Muslim physician’s perspective on the recent terrorist plots in Great Britain. Area Muslims are urged to listen and call in to WCPN 90.3 FM (216) 578-0903 or e-mail your questions to news@wcpn.org.

    For more information contact the CAIR office 216.830.2247.

  • CAIR-OHIO MEETS NEW FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE FOR NORTHERN OHIO

    CAIR-OHIO MEETS NEW FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE FOR NORTHERN OHIO

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 2/5/07) – Representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter met recently with C. Frank Figliuzzi, the new Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland district office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other top officials from the Bureau’s civil rights and anti-terrorism divisions.

    The meeting covered a range of issues including preventing hate crimes, overcoming barriers to reporting hate crimes and color-of-law civil rights violations, formulation of a crisis-response communications protocol, and establishing community leadership meetings, town hall forums and other trust-building measures.

    CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 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: 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

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  • CAIR-OHIO DISCUSSES FOX’S “24” ON CLEARCHANNEL RADIO

    CAIR-OHIO DISCUSSES FOX’S “24” ON CLEARCHANNEL RADIO

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 1/25/07) – Representatives of the Cleveland Chapter of CAIR-OHIO joined a live discussion of the TV series “24” on the “Bob Franz” morning radio talk show on ClearChannel’s WTAM 1100. The show’s topic was the portrayal of Muslims on FOX’s “24.”  CAIR-OHIO challenged the radio host’s premise that the images of Muslims on 24 did not have a negative impact on American perceptions of their Muslim neighbors.

    Before CAIR joined the show on air, the host challenged listeners to call in and explain why they are afraid to live next door to Muslims. CAIR officials protested the call-in challenge as incitement. During the 3-hour show, CAIR defended Islam and Muslims and CAIR’s record of promoting peace and justice.

    To listen to or download the show go to http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=BobFrantz.xml Click on the show dated 1-23-07

    Hour 1 “Is the tv show 24 making Muslims look bad?; Hours 2 & 3 Members of CAIR join Bob Franz.

     

  • 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.

  • Muslim Leaders Meet Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

    Muslim Leaders Meet Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 10/12/06) – Leaders of the Muslim community of Cleveland met this week with The Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon, the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese. The purpose of the meeting was to welcome Bishop Lennon and to discuss relations between the Diocese and the Muslim community in Northeast Ohio.

    During the meeting, Muslim leaders presented information about Islam and Muslims in Northeast Ohio and expressed their hope for a continuation of the relations established by the Bishop Emeritus Anthony M. Pilla. The Muslim participants also praised the work of Father Joseph Hilinski, Interfaith Director of the Catholic Diocese, who helped build ties between the two communities.

    “The groundwork for good relations between the Muslim and Catholic communities in Northeast Ohio has been established,” said Fareed Siddiq, President of Religion of Peace, a local organization active in interfaith dialogue. “And we look forward to expanding the cooperation and friendship among the people of our respective faith traditions.”

    Joining the meeting were representatives of Uqbah Mosque Foundation, the Islamic Center of Cleveland, the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the Religion of Peace.

    CONTACT: Fareed Siddiq, President, Religion of Peace, 440.247.1340 or 216.798.8555, siddiq1@sbcglobal.net; Isam Zaiem, Chair, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Office, 216.337.7928, isamz@sbcglobal.net; [Dr. Jalal AbuShaweesh, President, Islamic Center of Cleveland,  440.541.3082, jxa16@case.edu; Ramez Islambouli, President, Uqbah Mosque Foundation, 216.288.6145; rislambouli@yahoo.com]

  • CAIR-OHIO HELPS IRAQI BOY DURING MEDICAL TREATMENT

    CAIR-OHIO HELPS IRAQI BOY DURING MEDICAL TREATMENT

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 6/8/06) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO), Cleveland office recently helped coordinate local Muslim community volunteers to provide comfort and support for an Iraqi boy who was brought to Cleveland for medical treatment.

    The treatment undergone at the Cleveland Clinic was made possible through arrangements by the Iraqi Assistance Center under the auspices of the US Military. Transport and logistics were provided by the Michigan/Ohio Chapter of Healing the Children, a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical care to children in need from throughout the world. Also assisting in “Project Omar,” named after the little boy, was Rotary International, the Iraqi Medical Sciences Association (IMSA-USA), and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Office.

    CAIR’s role was to assist by arranging volunteers to help the Iraqi family feel welcome, comfortable and supported during their stay. CAIR arranged for Muslim community volunteers to provide Iraqi meals, take the family shopping and to community events, and many other services. According to medical providers, such support services are invaluable in the recovery and healing process.

    CAIR Chapters in Ohio, Michigan and New Jersey are actively involved in this beneficial and expanding program.

    To assist in helping children from Iraq or on other CAIR projects, please contact the Cleveland office at 216.830.2247 or events@cleveland.cair.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 MEETS WITH NORTH OLMSTED MAYOR

    CAIR-OHIO MEETS WITH NORTH OLMSTED MAYOR

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 3/29/06) – Representatives of the Cleveland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO) met recently with the Mayor of North Olmsted, Thomas O’Grady. The meeting focused on fostering increased civic participation by the Muslim community, issues of police community relations, and the status of civil rights in America.

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