Author: Usjid Hameed

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 4/3/2019) – On Monday April 1, 2019, CAIR-Columbus staff took a delegation of central Ohio community members to Washington, D.C. for the fifth annual National Muslim Advocacy Day” on Capitol Hill. More than 500 delegates from 25 states met with over 250 elected officials and congressional staffers during the course of two days, to lobby on issues impacting American-Muslims.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Muslim delegates urged their members of Congress to co-sponsor and support Rep. Judy Chu’s House Resolution 276, a “Resolution Recognizing the History of American Muslims and Their Contributions to Our Nation.”

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE ADVOCACY DAYS HERE.

(COLUMBUS, OH, 3/18/19) – On Monday, March 19th, CAIR-Columbus Government Affairs and Development Coordinator, Usjid Hameed, spoke about Islam and allyship to undergraduate students in a social work class at the Ohio State University.

Hameed discussed the vast diversity of beliefs in Islam, dispelled myths about Muslims, spoke about how people who are not Muslim can support their Muslim neighbors, advised students on how to be culturally competent when working with Muslims, and much more. He also fielded questions from the class.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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, OH, 3/6/19) – The Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Columbus) today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit in Southern District of Ohio against the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Attorney General of the United States, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the FBI on behalf of an Iraqi refugee whose green card application has been pending for almost 18 months without adjudication.

The plaintiff in this case has no criminal history and has met all requirements for adjusting his status to that of a lawful permanent resident. He was granted refugee status in America because of the threats he received for working with the United States armed forces in Iraq.

Plaintiff was repeatedly told by USCIS that his case remains in “administrative processing” or that the application is “under review by an officer.” As plaintiff continued to receive this same proforma response to the numerous inquiries he sent to USCIS regarding the status of his application, he contacted the Columbus chapter of CAIR-Ohio for its help in resolving this matter.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 03/05/2019) – On February 28, 2019, CAIR-Columbus hosted a candlelight vigil in memory of Mustafa Ayoubi, an Indiana Muslim shot and killed allegedly by a man reportedly hurling Islamophobic slurs.

Mustafa was 32 years old and was described as incredibly funny, intelligent, and kind. His family called for vigils to be held in cities nationwide using #Justice4Mustafa. To honor that request, CAIR-Columbus called upon the Muslim community and its allies to stand in solidarity.

The vigil was intended to demonstrate the community’s sadness and grief, a cry for justice, and an opportunity to bring awareness to the fact that bigotry and hatred continue to threaten our communities.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 02/19/19) — On Friday February 8, 2019 CAIR-Columbus Government Affairs and Development Coordinator Usjid Hameed participated in a “Teaching Tolerance” event attended by City Year Columbus Americorp members.

The presentation focused on educating City Year Columbus Americorp members dealing with instances involving students using language that could be interpreted as harmful or marginalizing. Hameed was among one of the guest speakers invited to facilitate these discussions as well as provide best practices and insight in how to foster a school environment in which tolerant language is utilized.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 02/06/19) — On Saturday, February 2, 2019, more than 400 people turned out for CAIR-Columbus’ 22^nd Annual Fundraising Banquet to support the advocacy organization’s work.

Guest speakers included Ilhan Dahir, a Rhodes Scholar and civil liberties advocate, Nihad Awad, the National Executive Director of CAIR, Imam Johari Abdul Malik, the Director of Outreach at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, and various CAIR-Columbus staff members.

CAIR-Columbus also received documents of recognition from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Columbus City Council, Columbus City Mayor Andrew Ginther, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, State Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, State Senator Stephanie Kunze, and Dublin City Mayor Greg Peterson.

The program included a recorded video message from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and CAIR-Columbus’ 2018 annual video.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.

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, 01/21/19) — On Saturday, January 19, 2019, CAIR-Columbus Deputy Director Zainab Ezzeddine spoke at the Ohio Women’s March in Columbus.

The event was attended by hundreds of activists and concerned citizens throughout central Ohio. Ezzeddine spoke about the need to bring together different women and allies of all stripes to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

“I felt incredibly privileged to speak at this year’s Women’s March,” Ezzeddine said after the event. “It is vital that Muslim women be present at events like these. In order to secure our own freedoms, we must advocate for the freedoms of all women in America, Muslim or otherwise.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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, 1/18/19) — On Saturday, January 5, 2019, CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed attended the Gandhi King Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice hosted by the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, CA.

The two-day long institute sought to carry on Dr. King’s work as well as bring together icons from the 1960s civil rights movement and activists of today from across the country.

Figures from the time of Dr. King included Minnijean Brown-Trickey, who was a part of “the Little Rock Nine” in 1957, Bernard Lafayette, who participated in the Freedom Rides in Alabama and was a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Andrew Young, who was one of Dr.King’s closest confidants and the Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and many others. The gathering was called by Clarence Jones, Dr. King’s personal attorney and close adviser.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 12/17/18) — On Sunday, December 16, CAIR-Columbus, alongside seven local mosques, organized the first ever Central Ohio Mosque Day.

On this day, between 1:30 and 4:30 PM, all participating mosques collectively open their doors to the community help their interfaith community members get to know their Muslim neighbors better. Visitors had an opportunity to meet members of their local Muslim community, enjoy light food and learn about Islam. CAIR-Columbus assisted with coordination, advertising, and contacted media for the event.

VIEW MEDIA COVERAGE BY SPECTRUM1 HERE, CHANNEL 4 HERE AND CHANNEL 10 HERE.

Participating mosques included:

• Noor Islamic Cultural Center: 5001 Wilcox Rd. Dublin, OH 43016, (614) 527-7777
• Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center: 591 Industrial Mile Rd. Columbus, OH 43228, (614) 632-3571
• Masjid Namrah: 4501 Refugee Rd. Columbus, OH 43232, (614) 477-6795
• Ahlul Bayt Society of Columbus: 2580 W Dublin, Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43235
• Masjid Omar Ibn El-Khattab: 580 Riverview Dr. Columbus, OH 43202, (614) 262-1310
• Masjid Ibn Taymiyah: 2334 Mock Rd. Columbus, OH 43219, (614) 418-9137
• Polaris Masjid: 8542 Cotter St. Lewis Center, OH 43035, (937) 506-0850

“The Central Ohio Open Mosque Day was about ensuring that we continue to build bridges with one another, regardless of background,” CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed said after the event. “Both CAIR-Columbus and the participating mosques were very pleased with the turnout. We look forward to putting on this event next year and making sure even more people attend.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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, 12/5/18) — On Tuesday, December 4, CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed testified before the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee against Substitute House Bill 228 – “Regards self-defense and handling firearms,” a bill with “Stand-Your-Ground” provisions.

The bill, sponsored by Reps. Johnson and LaTourette, amends numerous portions of Ohio state law, particularly as they pertain to firearms, concealed carry requirements, and self-defense.

CAIR-Columbus emphasized, citing data from Florida — a state with its own “Stand-Your-Ground” law — that the bill’s expansion of the circumstances under which a person has no duty to retreat before using force could lead to an increase in “justified” gun homicides involving Ohio’s Muslim community.

On Thursday, November 8th and Wednesday, November 14th, CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed gave a presentation about Islam and Muslims to students at Columbus State Community College. The students were enrolled in a program to become American Sign Language (ASL). interpreters. Between both days, Hameed spoke to four different classes.

He discussed the challenges faced by American-Muslims and talked about the various ways in which CAIR-Columbus serves the local community. He also educated the students on foundational Islamic beliefs and practices to help the future ASL interpreters become more culturally competent when interacting with Muslims.

“It is encouraging to see future American Sign Language interpreters take an active interest in the Muslim community,” Hameed said. “Events like these present opportunities to work towards a more inclusive and just society in which people’s differences are appreciated, not feared or hated.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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.

On Thursday, November 1, CAIR-Columbus hosted its final phone banking event to get out the vote prior to the general election on November 6th.

Local volunteers dedicated their time to come into the CAIR-Columbus office and helped run the non-partisan phone bank to encourage new voters to get to the polls on election day.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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.

On Friday, October 26th, CAIR-Columbus conducted a “Know-Your-Rights” presentation for congregants at Masjid Ibn Taymia in north Columbus.

CAIR-Columbus Legal Director, Romin Iqbal, spoke about constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement, rights of students in school, right to practice religion at work, and other civil rights. The presentation took place right after Friday prayers and was attended by over 100 congregants.

Community members who are being denied religious accommodation in school or at the workplace are urged to fill out an incident report form online at https://www.cair-ohio.com/request-legal-help/.

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.

END

CONTACT: CAIR-Columbus Legal Director Romin Iqbal, 614-451-3232, riqbal@cair.com

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 10/29/2018) — CAIR-Columbus was deeply troubled and saddened by the targeting of a synagogue in Pittsburgh this past weekend when a gunman opened fire on a group of worshippers. We offer our deepest condolences to those impacted by the horrific attack and stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

We hope that our central Ohio community can come together to support one another and stand firmly against anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms.

VIDEO: CAIR-Columbus Rep Says American Muslims Stand with Jewish Community

“Our Jewish neighbors are in our thoughts and prayers,” Romin Iqbal, CAIR-Columbus legal director, said following the attack. “This tragic incident shows us that there is still much work to do in making sure that all people, regardless of their faith, can practice safely, freely, and openly. CAIR-Columbus will continue to work to ensure that central Ohio remains an inclusive and compassionate community.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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

On Tuesday, October 30^th, CAIR-Columbus, the Andrew Goodman Foundation, All Voting is Local, CRIS, and Ann Fisher from All Sides will participate in a telephone townhall targeted at New American voters. The goal is to engage these voters in the electoral process by providing them the tools and resources they need to be able to cast their ballot on election day.

The telephone townhall will target over 10,000 individuals and will provide critical information on where to vote, how to check one’s registration, what type of ID to bring, and much more, including a new initiative to have multilingual poll workers placed at designated polling locations which serve high levels of New Americans.

SEE MEDIA COVERAGE HERE

CAIR-Columbus, along with the help of various other organizations, has spent the last several months recruiting poll workers that are proficient in Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Chinese. This program seeks to break down barriers to voting for voters who lack proficiency in English. The program is being conducted with the approval of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

While the Board of Elections would recruit some multilingual poll workers in the past, CAIR-Columbus, the Andrew Goodman Foundation, All Voting is Local, and other partners have helped to greatly expand the program.

VIEW THE POLLING LOCATIONS WITH MULTILINGUAL POLL WORKERS HERE

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their 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.