CAIR-Ohio

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 7/21/2022) — On Sunday, July 17, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a Know Your Rights presentation at Masjid Abubakar Asiddiq Islamic Center (AAIC) in Columbus. CAIR-Ohio Legal Intern Farah Farah led the bilingual interactive workshop following Asr prayer. 

Sunday’s workshop empowered members of the Muslim community to confidently exercise their constitutional rights in difficult situations with law enforcement agencies including local police, FBI, ICE and more. The workshop reviewed basic rights including religious freedom, due process, and equal protection as enumerated in the U.S. Constitution. Participants explored how those rights can be applied in different scenarios, such as traffic stops, customs and border entry, and more. 

To request a Know Your Rights presentation for your masjid or organization, please fill out CAIR-Ohio’s Request a Speaker Form at https://www.cair-ohio.com/request-a-speaker/.  

(COLUMBUS, OH, 7/7/2022) – At CAIR-Ohio, we continue to mourn the loss of Jayland Walker, an unarmed 25-year-old Black man who was murdered by police last week. He was shot more than 60 times by Akron police as they chased him down. CAIR-Ohio’s Cleveland office is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an independent and transparent investigation into the killing of Jayland.

“The tragic death of Jayland Walker cries out for justice, accountability and change. To protect public safety and human rights, we are calling on the United States Department of Justice to launch an independent and transparent investigation into whether police violated Walker’s civil rights by shooting him dozens of times as he was fleeing, unarmed.

…A careful review by the DOJ of Akron’s use-of-force procedures, particularly the use of deadly force against fleeing suspects, and a DOJ review of race and policing in Akron are crucial. Analysis and reforms will not bring Jayland back, but future tragedies may be prevented.” – CAIR-Ohio Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson

As part of the crucial network of organizations on the ground, Akron Bail Fund is working to post bail for community members arrested at Akron protests and ensure that people can continue fighting for justice.

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/30/2022) – During the final week of the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) Summer Internship Development Program, interns focused on media and public relations as an important aspect of civil rights and advocacy work. 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/30/2022) – Last Friday, June 24, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted Pieter Friedrich to inform the community on the rise of Hindutva in India and the U.S. ahead of CAIR-Ohio’s “Muslims Against Hindutva” rally the following day. 

CAIR-Ohio will be providing resources and information on “Know Your Rights” education and religious accommodations for employment, education, and healthcare while also registering voters on Friday, June 24 during Jummah prayer(s) at the following locations: 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/23/2022) – Over the past week, interns participating in the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) Summer Internship Development Program received advocacy and legal training. 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/16/2022) – This week, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) 7^th Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. with the largest delegation of 30 participants. 

This year the initiative was held in-person at the U.S. Capitol. CAIR-Ohio staff, interns, and other Ohio Muslims met with 15 congressional offices from across the state to discuss legislation related to the Muslim community including immigration, student debt relief, and combatting Islamophobia.   

Participants sought to increase the transparency of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), original co-sponsors for the Afghan Adjustment Act, support for canceling all student debt and establish interest-free federal student loans, as well as advancing the International Combating Islamophobia Act. 

CAIR-Ohio hosts advocacy events annually at both the U.S. Capitol as well as the Ohio State Capitol to amplify the voices of Muslim constituents to legislators.  

More details will be shared soon on our upcoming Statehouse Advocacy Day. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated. 

Interested in participating in future advocacy events? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Coordinator, Victoria Hickcox at vhickcox@cair.com. 

(CINCINNATI, OH – 6/16/22) – The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today welcomed news that law enforcement has arrested a second suspect in the murder of Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam.    

This week, law enforcement announced the arrest of Isaiah Brown-Miller in connection with the Dec. 24 killing of Imam Adam. In February, law enforcement arrested and charged John Wooden with murder and stated they believed others were involved.  

SEE: Second suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Columbus imam  

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/second-suspect-arrested-in-fatal-shooting-of-columbus-imam/  

 

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Acting Executive Director Amina Barhumi said:   

“We welcome the arrest of a second suspect in the heinous murder of Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam. For months, we have joined Imam Adam’s family, the Somali Muslim community and interfaith leaders in search of answers.   

“We thank law enforcement authorities for continuing to investigate and working to hold the killers accountable. While questions remain, we hope this arrest is another step toward justice. We will continue to support Imam Adam’s family and community as they carry on his legacy.”  

Earlier this year, CAIR-Ohio welcomed the arrest of the first suspect in the case.  

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.             

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.            

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Outreach & Government Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi, wsiddiqi@cair.com, 513-904-6788 

CAIR-Ohio will be providing resources and information on “Know Your Rights” education and religious accommodations for employment, education, and healthcare while also registering voters on Friday, June 10 during Jummah prayer(s) at the following locations: 

• Islamic Center of Mason 
• Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati 
• Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah  
• Masjid Abu Bakr 

CAIR-Ohio empowers Ohio Muslims – who are so often ignored or vilified in our democracy – to be civically engaged. We believe to create systemic change, Muslims and other marginalized groups must make their voices heard at the ballot box and beyond. Through non-partisan voter education and mobilization, we work to preserve and expand voting rights, building an equal path for all Americans.

If your community is interested in hosting a voter registration drive and would like more information, contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Coordinator Victoria Hickcox at vhickcox@cair.com | 513-906-5728. 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/8/2022) – On Monday, June 6, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) welcomed its second cohort of its annual Summer Internship Development Program. This year, CAIR-Ohio is hosting the program at its new Cincinnati office, in addition to its Columbus office. 

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 6/7/2022) – Last Sunday, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined the Arzaq event at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and the North American Indian Muslim Association (NAIMA) Ohio Potluck event to offer free legal services and register voters ahead of the Aug. 2 primary election.