CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Category: News

  • 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

    – END –

  • 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

    – END –

  • 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.