2023 Women’s History Month Highlights – Rep. Munira Abdullahi

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, CAIR-Ohio is honored to recognize and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Muslim women in our local communities. These women are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in a variety of fields, including healthcare, education, social justice, and beyond.

Munira Abdullahi – Ohio Representative (D9), Youth Director MAS Columbus 

State Representative Munira Yasin Abdullahi grew up in the heart of Columbus, graduating from Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS) and receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from The Ohio State University. She began her public service career working in a nonprofit, advocating for and promoting youth development, leadership, and community service. 

In Jan 2023, State Rep. Munira Yasin Abdullahi made history when she took the oath of office during the opening session of the 135th Ohio General Assembly at the Ohio Statehouse becoming the first Somali American, Muslim Woman and youngest serving member in the Ohio House of Representatives. On March 16, State Rep. Munira Yasin Abdullahi was elected Vice Chair of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus (ODWLC) for the 135th General Assembly. Below are some highlights of Representative Abdullahi’s efforts to advocate for constituents of the 9th House District and all Ohioans.  

Legislation #1: World Hijab Day Resolutions 

Rep. Munira will soon introduce two pieces of legislation to recognize and codify February 1st as “Ohio World Hijab Day”. Ohio’s greatest asset as it continues to grow is its diversity. Adopting legislation to recognize and codify this day, will not only aid in combating the bigotry and discrimination that hijabis and Ohio’s Muslim community face, but will strengthen our growing and diverse state. 

Hijab is most commonly understood as the headscarf worn by women of the Muslim faith. Muslim women who wear the Hijab, also known as Hijabis, come from many personal and communal backgrounds but often face similar experiences regarding their veiling.      

Throughout the world, Muslims, particularly hijabis, face discrimination and harassment. From hijab bans to Muslim bans, there are endless examples. February 1st, 2023 marks a decade of the international holiday, “World Hijab Day”. The holiday’s organizers have since created the nonprofit organization, World Hijab Day. The vision and mission of the nonprofit and, by extension, “World Hijab Day” is to create a world united through diversity by raising awareness, education, and empowerment in hopes of dismantling bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women. 

Legislation #2: Require Public Schools to Provide Free Feminine Hygiene Products in School Restrooms: 

Additionally, Representative Munira will soon introduce legislation that will require public schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in school restrooms to ensure all students have access to this basic necessity. Rep. Munira believes access to period products removes barriers to education. 

About 25 percent of menstruating students struggle with access to menstrual products, according to a recent study. This lack of access has resulted in a loss of time spent in the classroom. The same study found that close to 80 percent of menstruating teens said they have either missed class time, or know someone who has missed class time, because they did not have access to menstrual products. 

Subscribe to Rep. Abdullahi’s newsletter to stay updated on her work. 

2023 Women’s History Month Highlights – Tala Ali

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, CAIR-Ohio is honored to recognize and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Muslim women in our local communities. These women are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in a variety of fields, including healthcare, education, social justice, and beyond.

Tala Ali – Xavier University Muslim Chaplain, Community Activist 

A daughter of immigrants, Tala Mohammad Ali grew up in inner-city Cincinnati, attended CPS K-12, and identifies as a proud Cincinnatian. She has now served as the Muslim Chaplain and facilitator of service, justice, and interfaith immersion programming at Xavier University for over 7 years. Tala is also an active member of the national Association of Muslim Chaplains and Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education. She has actively worked with Interfaith America and annually leads students on a delegation to their national conference in Chicago. Tala was recognized by the YWCA and completed the Rising Star Leadership Program in 2022, which “equips high-performing women to become equity leaders…and prepares participants for non-profit board service.” 

She is a passionate and present member of the Cincinnati community, involved in various justice and equitable initiatives and movements. She has over 20 years of experience working with non-profit, community organizations, and political campaigns. 
 
Tala is a longtime member and attendee of Clifton Mosque and holds its community close to her heart. She also currently serves on the Clifton Mosque board and is a passionate advocate for creating nurturing and inclusive spaces in the Muslim community, where a diverse spectrum of people not only feel safe but want to be a part of. 

Connect with Tala here. 

Make Your Vote Count: Confirm Your Voter Registration is Active Today

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

Ohio recently purged 124,158 voters from its voter rolls, which is one of the largest voter purges in recent years. 

Ohio voters can check if they were affected by the purge by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Voters can enter their name, county, and date of birth to check their voter registration status. If a voter has been removed from the voter rolls, they will need to re-register to vote before the next election. The deadline to register for Ohio’s next election is April 2, 2023. View our voter guide for more information. 

It’s important to note that voter purges can affect any registered voter who hasn’t voted in consecutive elections, and certain groups are more likely to be impacted. Low-income individuals, people of color, and young voters are among those who may be more vulnerable to purges because they may move more frequently, which can result in outdated voter registration information. Additionally, these groups may face other barriers to voting, such as lack of access to transportation or difficulty obtaining required identification, which can further complicate the process of re-registering to vote after being purged from the rolls. 

Questions about voting? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox: vhickcox@cair.com | 513.906.5728. 

CAIR-Ohio Joins American Muslims for Palestine’s National Israeli Date Boycott Campaign

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH 3/20/23) – CAIR-Ohio is calling on all Americans to join American Muslims for Palestine’s (AMP) campaign this Ramadan and beyond to boycott Israeli dates, many of which are grown and packaged in illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.   

AMP’s nationwide boycott of dates produced in Israeli settlements first launched in Ramadan 2012 by urging grocery store owners to remove Israeli dates from their shelves. The government of Israel purposefully does not distinguish whether dates sold overseas were grown in Israel or illegally occupied territories. Since then, AMP has distributed tens of thousands of postcards and brochures to stores, mosques, and communities nationwide.  

With Ramadan beginning this week, CAIR-Ohio is standing in solidarity with AMP and other advocacy groups for the date boycott campaign and is urging all Americans who oppose illegal profiteering from stolen Palestinian land to take action today.   

TAKE ACTION: 

1. Sign AMP’s petition to join in solidarity with this boycott of Israeli dates to support justice for the Palestinian people.    

2. Inspect date packages for indication of origin. If the origin is not listed or is vague, Google the distributor or packer to find out their true origin.  

What else can you do?   

1. Share AMP’s boycott campaign website with your family and friends, and ask them to sign their pledge and join in solidarity with this boycott of Israeli dates to support justice for the Palestinian people.   

2. Download the campaign posters below. Select your preferred language(s), print and share with your local stores.   

 
3. Follow CAIR and AMP on social media (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) and share our campaign posts using the hashtag #BoycottIsraeliDates.   

4. Find alternative date companies that you can buy from! Palestinian dates are often labeled “Grown in Palestine,” and there are a plethora of Algerian, Tunisian, Emirati, and Californian varieties to choose from.    

Why this campaign?  

Dates are considered the “black gold” of Palestine. They are an important natural product of Palestine’s pure and blessed land. With the holy month of Ramadan knocking on the doors, this “black gold” is especially sacred due to the Muslim ritual of breaking fasts with them. But the Israeli colonial enterprise has produced its own industry of dates in a manner that is much more sinister.   

Israeli date farms profit off of theft and abuse. They are predominantly grown in illegal Israeli settlements and are grown using stolen natural resources like water. Palestinian laborers, who are often forced by economic necessity to work in these illegal settlements, are forced to work in grueling physical conditions. Israeli labor laws are scarcely enforced when it pertains to Palestinian workers, leaving these Palestinians underpaid and un-compensated for their back-breaking work.    

American Muslims for Palestine firmly believes that educating the American public is key to bringing about change in the Middle East. 

ACTION ALERT: Urge the Senate to Pass the Combating International Islamophobia Act

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News, Take Action

Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in urging your state’s U.S. Senators to co-sponsor and support Senator Cory Booker’s Senate companion bill to Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Jan Schakowsky’s Combating International Islamophobia Act (H.R. 5665).

The Combating International Islamophobia Act would establish a special envoy office at the U.S. State Department to monitor and combat international Islamophobia.     

Already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives – all that is needed to turn this bill into law is for the Senate to consider and vote on this critical act. 

Please contact your state’s U.S. Senators today and make the world a safer place for Muslims facing genocide, violence, and state persecution. Take action here.

International Day to Combat Islamophobia Overview

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The United Nations has designated March 15th the “Combating International Islamophobia Act.” This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the alarming rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and violence around the world and to renew our commitment to combating bigotry and hatred wherever it exists. 

Why March 15th? Today is the anniversary of the massacre of 51 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand four years ago, emphasizing the urgency to address Islamophobia globally. 

What is Islamophobia?

Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and those perceived as Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim. 

Impacts of Islamophobia

The effects of Islamophobia are far-reaching and significant. This dangerous and discriminatory attitude results in a steady rise of hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims, creating a culture of fear and exclusion. It also promotes negative portrayals of Muslims in media, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that lead to negative mental health impacts for individuals and the community as a whole. 

According to a recent study, Muslims are 2x more likely to have attempted suicide than any other group (JAMA Psychiatry, 2021). Muslim children in K-12 schools are more prone to bullying due to their faith compared to children of other religions. The survey conducted by The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) found that 42% of Muslim parents reported their children being bullied for their faith, while only 23% of Jewish and 20% of Protestant parents reported the same. 

What can you do?

One way to support this effort is to advocate for the “International Combatting Islamophobia Act.” This legislation would establish a Special Envoy within the U.S. State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia globally. 

The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry. It will also establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide. 

By supporting this act, we can send a strong message that Islamophobia will not be tolerated and that we stand with Muslim communities around the world, including Muslims suffering severe oppression due to Islamophobia in places like China, Burma, France, India, and Palestine. 

Send a message to your U.S. Senators urging them to pass this bill. 

Learn more about how to counter and dismantle Islamophobia using ISPU’s toolkit: www.ispu.org/countering-islamophobia/  

CAIR-Ohio Commends UN Resolution Declaring March 15th as ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 3/15/23) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) commends the United Nations (UN) for adopting a resolution to declare March 15th as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”. 

CAIR-Ohio believes that this historic resolution will help raise awareness about the growing problem of Islamophobia around the world and encourage countries such as the United States to take concrete steps to combat this issue. The International Day to Combat Islamophobia, adopted in 2021, is observed annually and will provide an opportunity for people around the world to speak out against discrimination, hate speech, and violence directed at Muslims. 

“We welcome the United Nations’ decision to designate March 15th as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia,” said CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi. “This resolution sends a clear message that Islamophobia is a global problem that must be addressed through collective action.” 

Barhumi added: “As an organization dedicated to defending civil rights and liberties, CAIR-Ohio remains committed to working with partners at the local, national, and international levels to promote tolerance, respect, and understanding for all people, regardless of their religion or background. We urge the Biden Administration to pass the ‘International Combatting Islamophobia Act’, which would designate a special envoy at the State Department to monitor Islamophobia globally.” 

SEE: CAIR Backs Reps. Omar and Schakowsky’s Bill to Create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia 

CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh added: “March 15th is a day that will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the Muslim community worldwide. On that day, 51 innocent Muslim worshippers were murdered in cold blood at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We must recognize the immense loss of Muslim lives and work towards ensuring that such tragedies never happen again. The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is a positive step towards that goal.” 

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. 

END 

CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi, abarhumi@cair.com, 614-763-6557; CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247 

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Ohio-Wide Masajid Leaders Retreat  

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/09/23)– On Saturday, March 4, masajid leaders from across Ohio were invited to the CAIR-Ohio Columbus office in order to foster relationships among masajid leaders and strategize ways to work together to serve and strengthen Ohio Muslim communities. 

CAIR-Ohio staff had critical conversations with masajid leaders from all over the state, including Greater Columbus, Greater Cincinnati, and Greater Cleveland areas. Through these discussions, they developed and shared strong narratives on the American Muslim identity and how to uplift the communities they serve and their work. 

CAIR-Ohio also partnered with the Oaktree Institute to provide Fund-Development Training to help masajid prepare for fundraising in Ramadan. The session led by Nadeem Riaz was insightful and provided tangible steps that Muslim organizations can take to increase their funding opportunities and how to expand their reach. 

For more information on how to join the CAIR-Ohio Masajid Network, contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox vhickcox@cair.com | 513-906-5728. 

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Second Immigration Clinic with Simakovsky Law

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/09/23) – On Tuesday, March 7, CAIR-Ohio partnered with Simakovsky Law to hold an Immigration Clinic at the CAIR-Ohio Columbus office. This clinic served 18 Muslims seeking legal advice to address their immigration cases. Clients had one-on-one consultations with an immigration attorney to review their case and answered questions regarding a variety of cases, including recent arrivals to the United States, asylum seekers, and victims of domestic violence.  

 
Columbus, Ohio is home to more than 150,000 immigrants, and they are a huge part of our Muslim narrative. Many of those who experienced difficulties leading up to their migration, and while coming into the country, are still facing hardship and adversity while trying to build a new life for themselves and their families. 

Whether it is family reunification, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), or Citizenship, with the combined help of CAIR-Ohio staff and Simakovsky Law attorneys, clients were able to have their questions answered and gain help in processing their immigration cases. 

For more information on upcoming Immigration Clinics, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. 

CAIR-Ohio Holds OSU Muslim Student Leaders Retreat

by CAIR-OHIO in Recent News, Uncategorized

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/09/23)– On Thursday, March 2, CAIR-Ohio invited student organizations from the Ohio State University to connect and strategize ways to help in empowering and supporting them in their endeavors.  

During their time, CAIR-Ohio staff members and OSU student leaders discussed ways they could collaboratively support one another in achieving the goals they have set for the Muslim community in the Greater Columbus area and at the university. CAIR-Ohio strongly values investing in and empowering young Muslim professionals and providing them opportunities to develop their skills as leaders. 

Interested in connecting with CAIR-Ohio? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox vhickcox@cair.com | 513-906-5728.