By: Fatima Abuabsa, Senior at Cleveland State University
(CLEVELAND, OH, 6/26/23) – On Friday, May 12th, students from Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University and Kent State University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organized a fundraising event for the Palestinian Children Relief Fund’s (PCRF) Medical Missions charity, while also providing a platform to showcase the richness of Palestinian culture and people.
The event was held at Case Western Reserve University’s Linsalata Alumni Center. The night was filled with entertainment such as a performance of the traditional dabke dance, henna artists, local Palestinian comedian Tarek Muhammad, and a bazaar dedicated to supporting local Palestinian business owners. The event raised more than $2,500 in one night.
Many notable organizations attended this culture night, such as the Cleveland and Northern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), PCRF’s Steve Sosebee, Jewish Voices for Peace, Cleveland Peace Action, Al-Awda, and the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent.
CAIR-Cleveland’s Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh joined the event, in support of the students and their mission. Odeh emphasized the importance of freedom of speech, as CAIR’s mission is to uphold principles of freedom.
“As a Palestinian it makes me so happy to see people celebrate the Palestinian culture despite the generations of us going through the Palestinian diaspora. No matter where we are or how long it has been since we have set foot in our country, we still remember,” Odeh stated.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, 216.830.2247, fodeh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com
By: Wali Khan, Senior at the Ohio State University
(CLEVELAND, OH – 6/20/2023) – On Saturday, June 3rd, the Cleveland and Northern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) attended Masjid Bilal’s 40th anniversary commemorating its construction in 1983. Masjid Bilal represents the first mosque to be designed and built in the United States by an African American community.
The anniversary was celebrated with a proclamation from the City of Cleveland, presented by the current councilwoman for Ward 7, Stephanie Howse, in which the City acknowledges the historic development of the mosque and establishes support for future endeavors.
“Masjid Bilal has served as a good sounding board for the diverse Muslims in Cleveland for CAIR and has always uplifted the work we do in civil rights and helping empower our Muslim community. I hope we will continue to strengthen our relationship, InshAllah.” … “I felt so humbled to be one of the guest speakers at this historically significant masjid where renowned names such as Imam W. D. Mohammad exist,” said Faten Odeh, Interim Executive Director of the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio.
The leaders of Masjid Bilal’s community were also recognized for their support, receiving certificates of appreciation in acknowledgement of their dedication. Included within these leaders was Senior Imam Shafeek Sabir as well as Imam Ivan Nassar and Imam Ahmed Saeed. All three were acknowledged for their roles as founding members of Masjid Bilal and celebrated as current Imams. Also recognized were community trailblazers Brenda Shakoor, and Justine Parker. Both Shakoor and Parker are founding members for the Clyde Rahman Community Center, a nonprofit focused on providing healthcare for the elderly African American community. Omar Qadir, a longtime community member for over 50 years, was acknowledged for his dedication as the chief photographer and as a member of security. Mabel Mohammed, a matriarch, and member of the community for over 50 years, was also recognized for her dedication to supporting the women in the community. A special recognition was accepted on behalf of the family of Nina Mohammed, who unfortunately passed away on the day of the anniversary. Nina Mohammed was a long-time advocate for the community, organizing and cooking large events held by the Mosque and serving as an inspiration for all members of Masjid Bilal.
Masjid Bilal is also home to the Salaam Clinic, which provides free healthcare services to uninsured and underprivileged children and adults in Northeast Ohio.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
(CLEVELAND, OH – 5/19/2023) – The Cleveland and Northern Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) welcomed the grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, Chief Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela to Cleveland State University. Chief Mandela is anelected member of the South African National Assembly representing the African National Congress.
As part of his U.S. tour to commemorate the 75th year since Al-Nakba, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) along with the Cleveland & Northern Ohio Chapter of CAIR-Ohio, Cuyahoga Community College and the Palestinian Youth Movement arranged for Chief Mandela to speak on the connection between the apartheid struggle and Palestine, as well as the Black Liberation Movement. During his speech, Chief Mandela called for the end of imperialism and championed the cause of oppressed people everywhere.
Al-Nakba, also known as the Palestinian Catastrophe, was the forced removable of more than 800,000 Palestinians from their indigenous land on May 15, 1948. The displacement and subsequent massacres of the Palestinian people occurred on this day, made way for Zionist occupying forces to create what is now known as the state of Israel.
CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh said, “My father was born in 1947 in Palestine. He is older than the state of Israel, so how can some say that the land of Palestine was a land without a people? This rhetoric of erasure is unacceptable. Just like the indigenous Native American population, we were there, we are still there, and we will not be erased.”
Odeh added, “The Council on American-Islamic Relations supports peace, justice and equality for all those living in the holy land and that means for Palestinians, too.”
The event was held in Berkman Auditorium and attracted attendees from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Youngstown and other neighboring cities.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
(CLEVELAND, OH 2/20/2023) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-Ohio) today welcomed Cleveland State University’s (CSU) decision to ban an extremist anti-Palestinian rabbi from campus grounds after allegations that he repeatedly harassed students who advocate for Palestinian human rights.
A Cleveland area rabbi, Alec Popivker has long caused concern at area universities because of his alleged harassment of Palestinian students. He has been accused of provoking protesters at local pro-Palestine demonstrations and allegedly cyber-harassing individuals with Palestinian roots or pro-Palestinian views online.
One such alleged online campaign against a CSU law student prompted the student to reportedly file an order of protection against Popivker last fall. Due to reported safety concerns, the court order was granted, but was allegedly violated by Popivker.
On Jan. 25, Popivker was reportedly arrested by the CSU Police for allegedly violating a protection order filed against him by a CSU student.
On Instagram, Popivker reportedly admitted to stealing the banner belonging to CSU’s student organization Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights. This banner was stolen from CSU’s Student Center on January 11.
In a statement, CAIR-Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Husni Odeh stated:
“We thank the administration at Cleveland State University for taking action to protect students from racist acts of intimidation and harassment. Free speech and protest rights should be protected in our country, including in a university setting, however, intimidation and harassment are not acceptable. No student, including those advocating for justice for Palestinians, should ever be made to feel unsafe in their learning environment due to harassment, stalking, or vandalism.”
In a statement, the Board of CSU’s Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights for Palestine said:
“Initially, we were frustrated with the lack of support and response from Cleveland State administrators, especially since these acts of harassment have occurred on our campus for several years.
“With the support of the Office of Institutional Equity, the Cauldron stories, and the theft of our banner, the school had no choice but to address the situation. We are still deeply disturbed by the events of harassment against the Arab, Muslim, and specifically Palestinian community, but are relieved to know that our students and communities are safe on campus for now.
“We appreciate the school replacing our organization’s banner and hope that they will issue a statement of support following the targeted events. Moreover, this could not have happened without the support and unification of students at Cleveland State.
“We hope that this occurrence and process will set a precedent against individuals who wish to disturb and violate the peace and education of college campuses (or any community), and that their harassment will not be tolerated.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, 216.830.2247, fodeh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com
(CLEVELAND, OH – 2/2/23) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today condemned an alleged neo-Nazi homeschool group recently discovered in that state.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi said:
“The emergence of an alleged neo-Nazi homeschool group only serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous and insidious growth of white supremacist ideologies in our country. Their hateful ideologies and messages of division have no place in our society, and we reject them in the strongest possible terms.”
“Whether it is Islamophobia, antisemitism or racism, we stand united in our unwavering condemnation of these hateful ideologies, and we refuse to allow bigotry and division to have a place in our communities. Let us work together to build a world in which diversity is not just tolerated, but embraced, celebrated and protected.”
“The lack of proper regulation in the current education system is a glaring flaw that enables the proliferation of hateful and harmful ideologies,” said CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox.
She added: “We demand immediate action to implement robust measures that guarantee all children have access to a safe, inclusive, and bias-free education, regardless of their learning environment. We cannot merely condemn these incidents but take action to ensure that taxpayer money is not funding the spread of fascist ideology and inculcation of bigotry.”
“As a former classroom teacher, I know firsthand the power of education to shape young minds,” said CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh. “It is unacceptable that children are being subjected to neo-Nazi ideologies and hateful messages. These toxic beliefs have no place in the classroom or any learning environment. We must take action to ensure that every child receives a safe and inclusive education that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding.
“A multiracial curriculum is crucial for the development of inclusive and informed individuals who understand and appreciate the diversity of our world. By exposing students to a range of perspectives and cultures, we foster empathy, critical thinking, and a commitment to creating a just and equitable society for all.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Muslim civil rights group says a former IPT spy and a former IPT staffer have come forward to apologize, detail their roles in targeting Muslim community.
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – 1/12/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to hold a press conference today to detail new evidence showing that an anti-Muslim hate group working with the Israeli government spent more than a decade and hundreds of thousands of dollars to surveil and spy on prominent Muslim organizations and leaders, including then-Rep. Keith Ellison.
CAIR also plans to announce that two individuals–a former IPT staffer and a Muslim who worked as a spy for IPT–have come forward to confess, apologize for their involvement and provide detailed information about the hate group’s activities and motivations.
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference on New Spying Evidence
WHEN: Jan. 12, 2022 @ 3 p.m. ET
WHERE: Mainstream media professionals may contact CAIR National Communications Director Ismail Allison for a link to the event at iallison@cair.com. CAIR also plans to live stream the event on Facebook.
WATCH: Virtual News Conference on New Evidence of Anti-Muslim Group’s Spying on Muslim Organizations
Last month, CAIR announced that CAIR-Ohio director Romin Iqbal had been terminated for passing information about CAIR’s civil rights work to that anti-Muslim hate group, the so-called Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT). IPT is led by far-right extremist Steven Emerson, who has been described as an “anti-Muslim activist” by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In the days after Iqbal’s termination, a Virginia Muslim voluntarily came forward to admit and apologize for working as a paid IPT spy from 2008 to 2012.
Another individual, a whistleblower from within IPT, has provided a statement and evidence showing that the hate group spent years surveilling, spying on and undermining various Muslim leaders and organizations in an effort to protect the Israeli government from criticism.
“We are working diligently to uncover, disrupt and expose every attempt that this anti-Muslim hate group and its allies have made to spy on American Muslims in service to the Israeli government,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We commend the whistleblowers who are coming forward to apologize, take responsibility and provide information. In the coming weeks, we plan to continue releasing additional information as we uncover and validate it.”
“The fact that anti-Muslim bigots and anti-Palestinian racists have invested so much time and effort in spying on our community is a sign of the importance of our community,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “These hate groups are terrified that American Muslims will use our political activism, civic engagement and legal work to advance justice here and around the world. They’re right to be afraid because that’s exactly what we’ve been doing and will continue to do, God willing.”
The evidence CAIR plans to review today includes a statement from the IPT whistleblower, a statement from the Virginia Muslim who once worked as a paid spy for IPT, a tax form showing that Emerson’s for-profit corporation paid that individual over $30,000 for one of his years of spying, an excerpt from a dossier that the hate group compiled on former Rep. Keith Ellison, and an excerpt of an IPT transcript of a private meeting that national Muslim leaders held to discuss the Park51 controversy in 2010.
[NOTE: CAIR has redacted certain personal information, such as tax ID numbers and email addresses, as well as quotes from conversations that IPT recorded without permission].
In addition to CAIR, Muslim organizations and leaders surveilled or spied on by IPT include then-Congressman Keith Ellison, the Park51 community center, the Muslim Alliance of North America, the Islamic Society of North America, Muslim American Society, the Muslim Legal Fund of America, Muslim Advocates, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Zaytuna College, among others.
According to the whistleblowers who have come forward, IPT was also working with multiple Republican members of Congress and the Middle East Forum (MEF), an anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian hate group founded by the racist writer Daniel Pipes.
BACKGROUND
In December, CAIR announced that multiple individuals involved in Muslim activism, including CAIR-Columbus Executive Director Romin Iqbal, were acting as spies for IPT. IPT is led by Steven Emerson, who has been described as an “anti-Muslim activist” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. CAIR also released email exchanges showing that IPT was actively collaborating with Israeli intelligence officials working in the office of then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
CAIR plans to continue investigating this matter and releasing additional information in the coming weeks.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/10/18) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported today that some 400 delegates from 28 states met on Monday and Tuesday with more than 250 elected officials and congressional staffers during the record-breaking fourth annual “National Muslim Advocacy Day” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said Muslim delegates participating in this year’s advocacy day event met with a third of the House of Representatives and almost half of the Senate.
[NOTE: Last year, delegates met with some 230 congressional offices.]
“It was amazing to see the spirit and enthusiasm of all those who traveled from across our nation to meet with their elected officials to make the voice of the American Muslim community heard on Capitol Hill,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.
The lobbying effort, the largest congressional Muslim advocacy event, was sponsored by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local American Muslim organizations.*
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/8/17) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today went to court to challenge President Trump’s Muslim ban. #NoMuslimBanEver.
This morning, the entire Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether to uphold the Maryland district court’s decision to partially block the latest version of the ban. The Trump administration argued that the president’s anti-Muslim comments and tweets are irrelevant.
The government continued to urge the court that once President Trump uses the words “national security” the court must accept that conclusion. On that point, Judge Pamela Harris commented that even with giving President Trump deference and construing his statements “in a light more favorable to the president, it’s a little tricky to find the national security rationale.”
CAIR and others argued that the Muslim ban is discriminatory and that the president is acting to disfavor Islam in violation of the First Amendment. “Muslim Ban 3.0” seeks to re-write immigration laws in an attempt to block more than 150 million Muslims from even considering entering America.
Today’s arguments follow the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case challenging a Hawaii District Court order that also blocked Muslim Ban 3.0. The Fourth Circuit is expected to issue a decision quickly.
“CAIR continues to stand for freedom, equality and religious tolerance. We will not rest while President Trump’s Islamophobic prejudice unfairly separates American Muslims from their loved ones,” said CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri.
Earlier this week, CAIR expressed deep concern over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow President Trump’s “Muslim Ban” to be implemented until the court makes a final decision about the executive action’s constitutionality.
CAIR and the Brennan Center for Justice filed suit against President Trump’s Muslim Ban on behalf of six American Muslims impacted by the immigration restrictions. Civil rights attorneys, including CAIR National attorney Gadeir Abbas, delivered oral arguments against the ban in mid-October.
On appeal, this case, Zakzok v. Trump, was consolidated with two others and are jointly pending before the Fourth Circuit.
In a broad ruling on October 18th, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang granted CAIR and other groups’ request for a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing its latest attempt to exclude Muslims from the United States.
Judge Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to ultimately succeed in proving that anti-Muslim animus motivated the travel ban in violation of the Establishment Clause. He also noted that the ban violates federal law, which forbids the government from discriminating against visa applicants based on their nationality.
CAIR welcomed a decision by another federal judge in Hawaii to block the Trump administration from implementing the ban. The judge’s decision only blocks the ban for 14 days.
In September, CAIR — with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Profeta & Eisenstein — filed an amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of seven American Muslims.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, lmasri@cair.com; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com
COMMUNITY ADVISORY: SUPREME COURT ALLOWS MUSLIM BAN TO GO FORWARD
Dear Community Members,
The Supreme Court issued a decision on the Muslim Ban (‘Muslim Ban 3.0’) this afternoon. The news is bad, but the fight against the ban is not over.
Today’s developments have raised numerous concerns and questions.
Please note that the information below is subject to change based on the various legal challenges that may be advanced in court. The interpretations below can change quickly and we will update you should that happen.
TIMING OF THE BAN:
As of this afternoon, there is no longer anything preventing the Trump Administration from implementing the Muslim Ban immediately.
WHO WILL BE IMPACTED?
Certain nationals of eight countries – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Please see below for a list of how certain nationals from each country will be impacted.
General limitations
Muslim Ban 3.0 only applies to individuals who are i) outside of the U.S. on the effective date (either 9/24/2017 or 10/18/2017, depending on the country and individual), ii) who did not have a valid visa on that date, and iii) who have not obtained a waiver under Section 3(c).
Muslim Ban 3.0 does not apply to:
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
Individuals admitted or paroled into the U.S. on or after the effective date of the new Muslim Ban;
Those with a document other than a visa that allows them to travel to the U.S., if the document is dated on or after the effective date of the new Muslim Ban;
Dual-nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country;
Individuals granted asylum;
Refugees already admitted to the U.S.; or
Individuals granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention against Torture
Impacted countries:
Iran
All immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended for Iranian nationals except for those with F, J, or M visas.
Those with F, J, or M visas will most likely be subject to “enhanced screening and vetting requirements.”
Libya
All immigrants and nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
Somalia
All immigrant visas are suspended for Somali nationals.
Non-immigrant visas are permitted, subjected to heightened screening.
Syria
All immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended for Syrian nationals.
Sudan
Sudan was removed from the list of restricted countries in the new Muslim Ban.
Sudanese visa holders who were impacted by earlier Muslim Bans should now be able to reapply for visa.
Yemen
All immigrant visas and nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
Chad
All immigrant visas and nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
North Korea
All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders are suspended from entering the U.S.
Venezuela
The entry of officials of government agencies of Venezuela involved in screening and vetting procedures and their immediate family members, as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, is suspended. Additionally, nationals of Venezuela who are visa holders are subject to additional measures.
Per Section 3(b)(v) of the new Muslim Ban, certain Venezuelans traveling on diplomatic visas are not affected by this order.
HOW TO GET HELP:
Contact CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter at 216.830.2247 if:
You or someone you know is impacted by this Muslim Ban and would like legal advice or assistance;
Your community would like to request a “Know Your Rights” presentation.
We remain committed to challenging this Ban and protecting the communities we serve. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 11/2/17) — On Tuesday, October 31, CAIR-Ohio hosted its “Muslim Day at the Capitol” event at the Ohio Statehouse.
The event focused on empowering Ohio’s American Muslim community and advocating for legislation that would positively impact all Ohioans.
Participants attended 28 meetings with different members’ offices to discuss Senate Bill 172, The Hunger Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act, which aims to end the practice known as “lunch shaming” and for House Bill 360, the Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act, which aims to take a firm but rehabilitation-focused approach to bullying.
Opening remarks and the advocacy training were conducted by CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed. Following the training, a panel focused on the importance of diverse voices in the policy process took the stage. Panelists included Assistant Senate Minority Leader Charleta Tavares, Columbus City Councilmember Jaiza Page, Assistant House Minority Whip Amelia Sykes, and Kelly Capatosto, Senior Research Associate at the Kirwan Institute. Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko addressed participants during lunch.
After lunch, the almost 70 attendees – including many Ohio students — broke into groups to meet with various members’ offices.
“It is critical in our current political climate for American Muslims to continue being engaged,” said Hameed. “This event provided an excellent opportunity for concerned citizens in the American Muslim community to enhance their understanding of the political process while urging Ohio lawmakers to address the issues of lunch shaming and bullying.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed, uhameed@cair.com, 614-451-3232
CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh said, “My father was born in 1947 in Palestine. He is older than the state of Israel, so how can some say that the land of Palestine was a land without a people? This rhetoric of erasure is unacceptable. Just like the indigenous Native American population, we were there, we are still there, and we will not be erased.”
