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CAIR-Ohio Speaks at Council Residential Districting Commission Meeting for New Americans

(COLUMBUS, OH – 7/14/2021) – On Thursday, July 14, 2021, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined the Council Residential Districting Commission (CDRC) Meeting for New Americans. The meeting was held at Ohio Family Health at Capital Park at 5:30 p.m. and was also open to Columbus residents through live online participation on social media.

The meeting was part of a robust districting process that will create nine districts in the city of Columbus, which will then coincide with nine elected City Council members. The city began its districting effort at the end of 2020, and it will carry through the end of 2021. The CDRC, made up of five community members, are tasked with submitting three maps by the end of 2021, which will eventually be voted on by the Columbus City Council. Throughout this process, the CDRC has been hosting regular public meetings to hear from community members and leaders about how the lines should be drawn, and issues of concern.

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Visit Our New Page To Learn More About Redistricting

CAIR-Ohio is working to ensure Ohio Muslims are not left out, split up or ignored. Curious what redistricting is and how gerrymandering impacts our vote? We compiled resources to help you learn more. Click here to learn more.

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Apply For CAIR-Ohio’s Operations Manager Position!

We are hiring! CAIR-Ohio is seeking a highly motivated Operations Manager to ensure that the daily operational, financial, and administrative functions of the office run smoothly. Apply here today!

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading a team to support departments as they efficiently and professionally fulfill our organization’s mission. The ideal candidate will be able to manage, plan, oversee, facilitate, and execute a variety of operational tasks simultaneously.

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CAIR-Ohio Files Lawsuit To Reunite Cincinnati Muslim Family

(CINCINNATI, OH 6/25/2021) – On Friday, June 25, 2021, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to compel the adjudication of an immigrant visa application.

A Muslim U.S. citizen from West Chester, Ohio applied for an immigrant visa for her Canadian citizen husband two years ago. The Muslim couple has been waiting for over two years for the U.S. Department of State to adjudicate their visa. No reason was provided by the State Department as to the cause of this unreasonable delay. As the family had been waiting for over two years with no end in sight, the family reached out to CAIR-Ohio seeking help. As CAIR-Ohio has dealt with similar issues for Muslim families facing unnecessary delays, it filed this lawsuit in federal court to compel the adjudication of the immigrant visa application.

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CAIR-Ohio Joins Equal Districts Coalition to Push for Adequate Representation, Fair Maps for Muslims

(COLUMBUS, OH – 7/1/2021) – On Thursday, July 1, 2021 the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined the Equal Districts Coalition in a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse to push for an open, transparent, and truly fair redistricting process that represents all of Ohio’s communities.

CAIR-Ohio Policy Director Tala Dahbour gave a statement on the disparate impact gerrymandering has on minority communities, specifically pointing to one of the largest Muslim communities in Central Ohio surrounding the Noor Islamic and Cultural Center (NICC). Dahbour highlighted that NICC is divided into two congressional and two statehouse districts, which undermines the collective voice of the community.

In a statement, Dahbour said:

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CAIR-Ohio’s Summer Interns Hold Mock Press Conference

On Tuesday, June 29th, CAIR-Ohio Summer Interns held mock press conferences on issues such as the Muslim Ban and the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Our internship program offers students an excellent opportunity to learn, interact, and grow in a friendly and diverse environment. Our program is career-oriented, based on grassroots activism and servant-leadership.

Our Fall Semester application window will open at the end of July. Contact Amina Barhumi at abarhumi@cair.com 614-763-6557 for questions or interest.

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CAIR-Ohio Hosts Legal Clinic at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati

(WEST CHESTER, OHIO 6/27/2021) – On Sunday, June 27, 2021, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a legal clinic at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati at the first Annual Arzaq Event organized by Rahma Community Services.

CAIR-Ohio held free in-person consultations for legal inquiries from community members and co-sponsored the free shopping day with Rahma Community Services. CAIR-Ohio’s Staff Attorney Lina Abbaoui, Policy Director Tala Dahbour, and Community Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi were available to share resources and information on “Know Your Rights” education and religious accommodations for employment, education, and healthcare, as well as to provide free one-on-one consultations for legal matters.

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Fight Against Gerrymandering and Enjoy Food with CAIR-Ohio July 10th!

Bring your friends, enjoy good food and fight against gerrymandered districts from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, at CAIR-Ohio!

Redistricting directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community. Help us ensure Ohio Muslims are not left out, split up or ignored. We’ll have Khyber Halal Gyro Food Truck on site. Draw your map = get a free meal!

RSVP: http://bit.ly/redistrictingevent

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Learn About How Redistricting Affects Ohio Muslim Communities

Redistricting directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community. CAIR-Ohio is working to ensure Ohio Muslim communities are not left out, split up or ignored. Click here to view the full post on our Instagram here.

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Make Your Voice Heard! Attend A Public Hearing!

Attend a virtual public hearing and make sure your voice is heard during Ohio’s critical redistricting process! The Ohio Muslim community deserves adequate political representation and fair maps.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing for your area, you may attend any of the other hearings. Register at ohredistrict.org/hearings

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CAIR-Ohio Joins The 6th Annual National Muslim Hill Day

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 06/25/2021) – On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22 and 23, 2021 the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations in hosting the sixth Annual National Muslim Hill Day Event. The event was held virtually for the first time.

CAIR-Ohio hosted twelve virtual congressional meetings with elected officials from across Ohio to allow Ohio Muslims an opportunity to communicate their policy concerns with their representatives in U.S. Congress. The legislative agenda included issues such as Palestinian human rights, the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China, the aftereffects of the Muslim Ban on our immigration system, and the creation of a special envoy to record and report on Islamophobia happening on a global scale.

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CAIR-Ohio Will Be Hosting A Free Legal Clinic

Facing problems? CAIR-Ohio will be hosting a Legal Clinic at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati with Rahma Community Services.

Join us and get free legal help on Sunday, June 27, at the Arzaq Shopping Day!

If you are unable to make this event and would like to request legal help, feel free to call our office at 513-281-8200, or use this online form

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Join CAIR-Ohio At The Community Picnic

CAIR-Ohio will be co-hosting a community picnic with Noor Islamic Cultural Center on Saturday, July 3rd at 6PM!

Join us for some good food and conversation. See you there!

FB event page: https://fb.me/e/2os2qv5T6

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Protect Your Right To Vote

After record-breaking voter turnout in 2020, the state legislature has introduced a bill that would make it harder for Ohioans to vote and disproportionately impact Black and Brown voters.

House Bill 294 would:

– Reduce time for early voting
– Limit ballot drop boxes
– Shorten the application period for absentee ballots
– Tighten voter-ID requirements & more!

Protect your right to vote – tell your legislators to oppose House Bill 294! Take action here

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CAIR-Ohio Holds “Know Your Rights” Workshop in Perrysburg

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 06/13/2021) – On Sunday, June 13, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) held a “Know Your Rights” workshop at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo in Perrysburg, Ohio. 

CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Romin Iqbal informed the audience about their rights at the airport, signs that would indicate someone is on a secret government watchlist, and how to proceed if one is put in such a position. Iqbal also discussed rights with respect to religious accommodation in schools and in the workplace.