CAIR-Ohio Condemns Neo-Nazi March in Springfield, Calls for Unity and Accountability

by Rita Puente in 2026, press release, Recent News, September
CAIR-Ohio Condemns Neo-Nazi March in Springfield, Calls for Unity and Accountability
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 9/28/2026) – The Central & Southern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a recent demonstration in downtown Springfield, Ohio, during which masked individuals waved Nazi swastika flags.

 

SEE: Swastika flags flown by masked marchers in Springfield
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Central & Southern Ohio Executive Director Khalid Turaani said:
“Displays of neo-Nazi ideology and open intimidation have no place in Springfield, nor anywhere in the state of Ohio. We unequivocally condemn this attempt to spread fear and division among our neighbors.
“We urge local leaders, law enforcement, and residents of all backgrounds to reject this hatred and stand together in defense of dignity, safety, and mutual respect for everyone who calls Ohio home.”
 
Turaani called on local officials and law enforcement to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect vulnerable communities.
 
He said Washington, D.C.-based CAIR stands in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
 
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
 
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger los derechos civiles, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
 
END
 
CONTACT: Abdul Samad Amjad, Director of Community & Government Engagement, CAIR-Ohio Central & Southern Ohio, 614-401-2920, aamjad@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
 

Press Release: CAIR-Ohio Welcomes Attempted Murder Conviction in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students in Vermont

by Rita Puente in 2026, April, press release, Recent News
CAIR-Ohio Welcomes Attempted Murder Conviction in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students in Vermont
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 9/22/2026) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-Ohio, Central & Southern Region), part of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomed this week’s jury decision to convict a man of attempted murder for shooting three Palestinian college students, two of whom were wearing keffiyehs, nearly three years ago.
 
Jason Eaton, 51, faces up to life in prison in the November 2023 attack near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, which left Hisham Awartani paralyzed from the waist down and his friends, Tahseen Aliahmad and Kinnan Abdalhamid, wounded. The jury rejected an insanity defense rooted in Eaton’s claims he was acting on orders from the CIA and Mossad and attempting to protect his Jewish neighbors.
 
SEE: Jury convicts Vermont man of attempted murder in shooting of 3 Palestinian students
 
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
 
“We welcome the jury’s decision to convict Jason Eaton of attempted murder charges and reject the insanity defense. It is clear that Mr. Eaton targeted these Palestinian college students because they were visibly Palestinian.
 
“Fanning the flames of hate can very easily lead to violence, which is exactly what we have witnessed over the past three years. The pattern of violence that began with the murder of 6-year-old Wadea in Chicago by a man who hated Muslims and the shooting of these three Palestinian college students has not subsided in the three years since then. Political leaders must reject the bigotry of those elected officials who still fan the flames of anti-Palestinian racism and anti-Muslim hate today.
 
“We pray for the full recovery of the victims of this shooting and stand in solidarity with them and their families. We urge all Americans to join together in repudiation of anti-Muslim hate and anti-Palestinian racism.”
 
CAIR previously welcomed the arrest of the perpetrator of the shooting.
 
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students in Vermont, Calls on Public Officials to Condemn and Reject Anti-Palestinian Racism

CAIR also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
 
SEE: CAIR Offers $10K Reward for Info on Shooting Targeting 3 Palestinians in Vermont

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Khalid Turaani, 614-888-1111, KTuraani@cair.com; CAIR-Ohio Director of Community and Government Engagement Abdul Samad Amjad, 614-401-2920, aamjad@cair.com; CAIR-Ohio Regional Coordinator Tala Mohammad Ali, tali@cair.com
 
CAIR-Ohio, Central & Southern Region is the Ohio chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, working to protect civil liberties, build cross-community coalitions, and advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of Ohio’s Muslim, immigrant, and refugee communities.
 

CAIR-Ohio, Community Leaders to Hold Vigil for Pierre Damas Bel, Honor Student Who Died Amid Immigration Enforcement Ordeal

by Rita Puente in 2026, press release, Recent News, September

Later today, (September 2, at 6 p.m.) the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-Ohio, Central & Southern Region), together with local organizations, faith leaders, and activists, will hold a community vigil at Columbus City Hall to honor Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant and Wright State University student who died by suicide Monday. Attendees are asked to bring candles.

[NOTE: This release discusses a death by suicide connected to immigration enforcement. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988.]

Bel was an honor roll student at Springfield High School, a JROTC cadet, and a college soccer player. He came to the U.S. in 2024 through the CBP One program and settled in Springfield with his family. After losing Temporary Protected Status following a Supreme Court ruling, Bel was placed into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) “alternatives to detention” program in July and required to wear a GPS ankle monitor. He wrote publicly that the device left him carrying “shame and humiliation” he never imagined experiencing. His family says the resulting bullying and humiliation broke him.

Bel’s death follows the loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 300,000 Haitian nationals nationwide, including thousands in Springfield, where dozens have been detained in recent weeks. Advocates believe it is the first Springfield suicide connected to ICE.

“Pierre is dead because a policy stripped away his protection and threw his life into crisis,” said Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of CAIR-Ohio, in Columbus. “This wasn’t an accident of fate, it was the direct, expected result of an immigration system that has grown crueler by design, and a political climate that has made it acceptable to humiliate people like Pierre. Today it is Haitian families torn apart. As a Muslim civil rights organization, we know exactly how quickly it becomes someone else tomorrow, and it ends with anyone who dares to speak up. We are asking everyone in Columbus who believes in immigrant families’ dignity to stand with us Wednesday evening, grieve Pierre, and say clearly: we will not stay silent while our neighbors are humiliated and discarded. Silence is acquiescence. Show up. Speak up.”

The vigil is open to the public and press.

WHAT: Community Vigil for Pierre Damas Bel 

WHEN: Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 6:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Columbus City Hall, 90 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215 

CONTACT: Khalid Turaani, Executive Director, CAIR-Ohio, KTuraani@cair.com, (313) 888-1111

CAIR-Ohio, Central & Southern Region is the Ohio chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, working to protect civil liberties, build cross-community coalitions, and advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of Ohio’s Muslim, immigrant, and refugee communities.

END

CAIR-Ohio and Local Leaders Demand Action Following Desecration of Westwood Islamic Center

by Rita Puente in 2026, August, Recent News

(Cincinnati, OH, 08/07/26) – Following a shocking break-in and act of targeted hate at the Westwood Islamic Community Center, community organizers, civil rights advocates, and faith leaders gathered to condemn the attack and demand concrete action from local authorities.

The incident, which left sacred posters containing verses from the Quran shattered, hateful threats scrawled on center property, and essential community equipment stolen, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of Islamophobia. Because the Westwood Islamic Center also serves as a vital community hub and food pantry in an underserved neighborhood, this assault impacts both local worshippers and the broader neighborhood.

Demanding Accountability and Hate Crime Recognition

During a joint press briefing at the center, CAIR-Ohio representatives joined local leaders and mosque board members to address the public and law enforcement response to the attack.

  • Identity-Motivated Crime Must Be Called Out: CAIR-Ohio strongly asserts that this break-in was not a random property crime, but an identity-motivated attack designed to intimidate Muslim and Black Cincinnatians. We urge local officials and law enforcement to treat bias-motivated incidents with the severity they warrant.

  • Moving Beyond Standard Police Reports: Community leaders voiced frustration with the lack of follow-through after reporting hate-driven incidents. CAIR-Ohio is calling on the City of Cincinnati and local law enforcement to move beyond routine paperwork and actively dedicate resources to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators of bias crimes.

  • A Pattern of Escalation: This marks the third time the Westwood Islamic Center has been targeted in recent years. CAIR-Ohio stresses that when hate crimes go unaddressed, it emboldens perpetrators and exposes vulnerable faith communities to repeated harassment.

Protecting Our Sacred Spaces

In light of rising hostility toward Muslim institutions across the state and nation, CAIR-Ohio is actively assisting local centers to strengthen physical security and ensure worshippers can gather safely.

“Our focus is ensuring local authorities acknowledge the gravity of bias-motivated acts against our Muslim and Black communities,” said Tala Ali, CAIR-Ohio Cincinnati Community Organizer. “We must stand united in demanding safety, respect, and justice for all houses of worship.”

How You Can Take Action:

  • Report Hate and Bias: If your institution experiences intimidation, vandalism, or threats of violence, report the incident immediately to local authorities and to CAIR-Ohio’s Civil Rights Department.

  • Strengthen Mosque Security: CAIR-Ohio provides safety guidance, security grant resources, and crisis support for Islamic centers throughout Ohio. Contact our office to request safety consultation for your center. 

You can watch additional local coverage on how community members gathered to condemn the break-in in the WVXU report on the Westwood Islamic Center vandalism, which outlines the damage left behind and the community’s call for justice.

Unity Over Intimidation: Interfaith Community Stands with Westwood Islamic Center Following Vandalism

by Rita Puente in 2026, August, Recent News

(Cincinnati, OH, 08/07/26) – In the face of a targeted attempt to intimidate local worshippers, the Greater Cincinnati community is responding with overwhelming solidarity. Days after the Islamic Community Center in Westwood suffered a break-in and extensive vandalism, interfaith leaders, community allies, and civil rights advocates gathered to send a clear message: hate and fear will not divide us.

The damage inflicted during the intrusion was meant to send a message of fear to local Muslim families. However, rather than sowing division, the act of hate brought together faith leaders from across the region to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Islamic center’s leadership and congregation.

Standing Strong Against Hate

CAIR-Ohio strongly condemns this destructive act and continues to support the leadership and members of the Westwood Islamic Center.

  • Refusing to be Intimidated: While the perpetrators intended to incite fear, our community’s spirit remains unbroken. Mosques and houses of worship are places of peace, sanctuary, and community, and we will not allow acts of vandalism to suppress our freedom to practice our faith openly.

  • The Power of Interfaith Solidarity: The swift gathering of interfaith allies—representing diverse religious and civic backgrounds—demonstrates that Greater Cincinnati stands united against bigotry. This outpouring of support reinforces the fundamental truth that an attack on one faith community is an attack on all.

  • Demanding Accountability: CAIR-Ohio is in communication with local law enforcement as they investigate the incident. We urge authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible, and hold them fully accountable to ensure the safety of our local institutions.

A Message from CAIR-Ohio

As we work alongside local leadership to address security concerns and help repair the damage, CAIR-Ohio remains committed to protecting our sacred spaces and defending the rights of Muslims across the state.

We extend our deep gratitude to the interfaith partners, neighbors, and allies who have reached out, offered support, and publicly condemned this act of hatred. Together, we demonstrate that compassion and community will always prevail over intimidation.

How to Support and Stay Connected:

  • Report Security Incidents: If your house of worship experiences threats, trespassing, or vandalism, contact local authorities immediately and submit a report to CAIR-Ohio’s Civil Rights Department.

  • Enhance Institution Safety: CAIR-Ohio offers safety materials and security guidance for religious facilities and community centers across Ohio. Reach out to our team at info@cair-ohio.comfor support.

For more details on this story and community coverage, watch the Interfaith Community Unites After Westwood Islamic Center Vandalism broadcast, which highlights how local Cincinnati leaders came together to support the mosque.

CAIR-Ohio Stands in Solidarity with San Diego Following Tragic Mosque Attack; Reaffirm Security for Local Mosques

by Rita Puente in 2026, May, Recent News

(Columbus/Cincinnati, OH, 05/20/26) – In the wake of the devastating attack targeting worshippers at the Islamic Center of San Diego, CAIR-Ohio extends our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and the Southern California Muslim community. We honor the heroism of those who risked their lives to protect fellow worshippers during this horrific act of targeted violence.

As our brothers and sisters in San Diego reel from this tragedy, the impact is felt deeply here in Greater Cincinnati and across the state of Ohio. Acts of violence aimed at houses of worship strike at the fundamental right of all communities to gather, pray, and live without fear.

Strengthening Security & Resilience in Greater Cincinnati

Tragedies like this underscore the constant threat of anti-Muslim hate and extremist violence facing our centers. In response to the attack:

  • Vigilance and Preparedness: CAIR-Ohio is actively coordinating with local mosque leadership, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies across Greater Cincinnati to ensure heightened security measures, increased patrols, and enhanced protection around our institutions during daily and weekly congregational prayers.

  • Community Safety Resources: We remind all Ohio Islamic centers, weekend schools, and community facilities to review their safety protocols. CAIR-Ohio continues to offer safety training workshops, grant guidance for security infrastructure, and incident report resources for local leadership.

  • Uniting Against Islamophobia: We call on elected officials, civil rights partners, and faith leaders across Ohio to stand firmly against anti-Muslim rhetoric, online radicalization, and hate-fueled violence.

A Message to Our Ohio Muslim Community

While events like this spark understandable fear and anxiety, we must remain resilient and united. The mosque is, and will always remain, a sanctuary of peace, prayer, and community.

CAIR-Ohio remains steadfast in advocating for your safety, protecting your civil rights, and ensuring that our institutions remain safe spaces for everyone.

How You Can Help & Stay Safe:

  • Report Incidents: If you or your local mosque experience hate speech, threats, or suspicious activity, please report it immediately to law enforcement and to CAIR-Ohio via our website or civil rights department.

  • Request Security Consultation: Islamic centers seeking assistance with safety assessments or federal security grant guidance can contact our team directly at info@cair-ohio.com