Dr. David Cole, constitutional scholar, delivered keynote address on security and civil liberties in America.
(Cleveland, Ohio, 5/24/04) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Ohio Chapter, Cleveland Office hosted its 2nd annual dinner entitled Muslims in America:“A Defining Moment.” Dr. David Cole, constitutional scholar and immigrants’ rights attorney from Georgetown University Law Center spoke on security and civil rights in post-9/11 America. Nihad Awad, founder and Executive Director of CAIR, asked Muslims to work for a better future by becoming socially and politically active.
The event, held at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Cleveland, was a sell-out with more than 400 people in attendance, including members of the Muslim community, public officials, and concerned citizens from Northern Ohio.
In addition to Nihad Awad and Dr. David Cole, featured speakers included: Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, President CAIR-OHIO; Jad Humeidan, Executive Director CAIR-OHIO; State Senator Dan Brady (23rd District); Leonard J. Hubert, Director of Minority Affairs & Economic Opportunity for Ohio Governor Taft; Dave Kelly, Senior Policy advisor for the Kucinich campaign; Aminah Paden, Kerry campaign representative; and Cassandra Bledsoe, Civil Rights Director for the City of Cleveland.
The banquet program highlighted the accomplishments of the new CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland office and CAIR’s future plans at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, the first annual CAIR-Cleveland Awards were presented to outstanding area Muslims and supporters of civil rights from the community at large. Special awards were given to public officials and members of the media.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide and in Canada. The national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to defend civil rights and to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. The new Cleveland office formally opened in October 2003.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland, Director, Julia A. Shearson 216.830.2247, 216.440.2247, e-mail jshearson@cair.com