Our Statement on The Derek Chauvin Verdict

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, April, Recent News

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of George Floyd and with all families struggling with loss due to police brutality.

CAIR-Ohio and the Ohio Muslim community stand firm in declaring that Black Lives Matter. The verdict delivered yesterday is a consequence of Derek Chauvin’s actions, but it does not solve the crisis of police brutality nor undo the systemic racism that perpetuates it. Doctrines such as qualified immunity too often shield police from accountability and outsized policing budgets drain resources away from needed community services. We know the work continues to build safe and equitable communities for all.

CAIR-OHIO PRESENTS “SUPPORTING MUSLIM STUDENTS” WITH CENTRAL OHIO TEACHERS

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, January, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 1/29/2021) – On Thursday, January 14, during a program hosted by Erase the Space called, “From ‘Civil’ Voyeurism to Civic Action,” the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) presented to Central Ohio teachers about how to support Muslim students in the classroom.

Erase the Space is a nonprofit that helps connect students, teachers, and communities in a collaborative process to help foster empathy and community.

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CAIR-OHIO PARTICIPATES IN PANEL TO HONOR LEGACY OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, January, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 1/25/2021) – On Thursday, January 21, the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) participated in a panel to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and reflect on the continuing role of organized religion in the social justice movement.

CAIR-Ohio Government Affairs and Development Director Usjid Hameed spoke about the importance of justice in Islam, how American Muslims reacted in the wake of the George Floyd killing, why religious leaders must speak about social justice to their congregations, and more.

The panel can be viewed here. 

The panel was hosted by the Center for Ethics and Human Values at Ohio State University (OSU) and co-sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches and the Center for the Study of Religion at OSU.

NO MORE MUSLIM BAN

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, January, News

Yesterday, President Biden signed a Proclamation ending the Muslim and African Bans effective immediately. This Proclamation repeals Executive Order 13780 and Proclamations 9645, 9723, and 9983, which were rooted in Islamophobia and anti-Blackness, and restricted entry into the United States for people from primarily Muslim and African countries.

What the Proclamation Means

The United States government will no longer deny immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to nationals of Libya, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Myanmar, Eritrea**, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, and Venezuela, solely because of their country of nationality.

What to Expect

The rescission of the Muslim and African Bans will likely not result in an immediate solution for those whose applications have been denied or are pending consideration of a waiver under the Ban.

However, the President has directed the Department of State to submit a report with the following information within 45 days (March 6, 2021):

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CAIR-OHIO IN COALITION TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS AT BUTLER COUNTY JAIL

by CAIR-OHIO in 2020, December, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 12/11/2020) – On Thursday, December 3, CAIR-Ohio rallied in front of Butler County Jail last Thursday alongside coalition partners and community leaders to protest the ongoing abuses at the facility. The event was part of a campaign surrounding a lawsuit filed on behalf of two African immigrants from Columbus, Bayong Brown Bayong and Ahmed Adem, who is Muslim. 

Bayong and Adem were subjected to repeated acts of violence, slurs, and anti-Muslim abuse by Butler County Jail corrections officers. Bayong suffered serious physical injury, including a lost tooth, for which he has yet to receive medical care. During one of the assaults Adem suffered, a corrections officer took his prayer rug and attempted to throw it into the toilet.

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SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWS MUSLIMS TO SUE THE FBI OVER ‘NO FLY’ LIST

by CAIR-OHIO in 2020, December, Recent News

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that three American Muslim men who were placed or kept on the No-Fly List in retaliation for refusing to serve as terrorism informants may sue individual FBI agents for interfering with their freedom to practice their religion.

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CAIR-OHIO STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTING OF CASEY GOODSON JR.

by CAIR-OHIO in 2020, December, Recent News

Casey Goodson Jr., a young black man, was shot and killed by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy when coming home from a dental appointment on Friday, December 4.

Systemic and institutional racism has made violence against black people all too common. We demand that justice be served for Casey and his family. We call on community members to support Casey’s family in their pursuit for justice.

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CAIR-OHIO HOSTS VIRTUAL “MEET THE CANDIDATES” FORUM WITH HAMILTON COUNTY CANDIDATES

by CAIR-OHIO in 2020, October, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 10/29/2020) – On Friday, October 23, the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) held a virtual, non-partisan “Meet the Candidates” forum on Zoom. Attendees were given the opportunity to hear from candidates running for office in Hamilton County.

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CAIR-OHIO LAWSUIT HELPS AMERICAN MUSLIMS RECEIVE PASSPORT AFTER THREE YEAR DELAY

by CAIR-OHIO in 2020, October, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 10/26/2020) – The Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today announced that after three years of delay, Khalif Abukar, an Ohio Muslim, finally received his passport as a result of a lawsuit filed by CAIR-Ohio last month.

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