CAIR-Ohio Joins Press Conference Celebrating Introduction of Multiracial Curriculum Bill  

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, May, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 5/18/23) – On Tuesday, May 16, CAIR-Ohio and various organizations across Ohio joined OPAWL for a press conference about the “Educating for Ohio’s Future” Campaign, which promotes a newly introduced bill that focuses on implementing multicultural perspectives into Ohio’s public school curriculum. 

House Bill (HB) 171 will benefit Ohio children of all backgrounds and will include histories, stories, and societal contributions of various groups into the curriculum. Often children of underrepresented groups feel left out and unheard in their schools, and this bill seeks to include their perspectives in the classroom and to give all students a worthwhile education for brighter futures. 

This bill will not only include the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, but also African American communities, Arab, African, and North African immigrant, refugee and asylee communities, Appalachian communities, Jewish communities, Latin American communities, and Native American communities. 

CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi talked about the importance of sharing the stories of different groups, and how they make children more open, allowing for connection with their peers. 

“Incorporating cultural discussions and resources into the curriculum helps foster curiosity, support, and appreciation for the experiences of classmates from different backgrounds,” said Barhumi.  

“Students are more engaged when they see their communities reflected in the classroom. We want students to be excited about a topic in class that they relate to. We want to see their eyes light up when they find a book that they are interested in. It is important that our students can connect to the information that they are learning in school.” 

CAIR-Ohio is committed to ensuring that all students have access to an education that recognizes and celebrates the rich backgrounds of Ohioans.  

“Educating for Ohio’s Future” will foster an environment of acceptance, respect, and mutual appreciation for classmates and cultures. This not only creates a sense of belonging but also helps students develop empathy and the ability to collaborate with each other. By equipping our students with the tools, understanding, and knowledge needed to navigate the global economy, we are preparing them for Ohio’s future workforce. 

Watch the full press conference here. 

Learn more about the Educating for Ohio’s Future campaign here. 

CAIR-Ohio Testifies in Opposition to Bill that Attacks Academic Freedom

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, May, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 5/18/23) – Yesterday, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox presented testimony to the House Higher Education Committee in opposition to House Bill (HB) 151 and its companion bill, Senate Bill (SB) 83, also known as “Enact Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act”.  

While the bills claim to “enhance” academic institutions, the legislation clearly would be a destruction of academic freedom and the essence of what universities exist to do. Both bills target diversity, equity, and inclusion on public college campuses by prohibiting institutions from conducting any DEI training, holding any public opinion on public policy controversies, boycotting, and providing majors or courses of study on a wide range of topics such as ethnic and controversial ideology that can include religious and society courses.  

If passed, this bill will defund and terminate minority groups, including Muslim student organizations, such as Muslim Students Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Somali Student Association, who hold an integral role in advocating for uplifting and educating communities.  

“Defunding and terminating these groups would not only limit the representation and support for Muslim students, but also hinder the overall educational experience for all students on campus. Religious liberty and equal opportunities for all individuals to succeed are fundamental principles that should guide our educational policies,” said Hickcox.  

This legislation focuses heavily on “intellectual diversity”, but it does the opposite by censoring certain topics, content, and opportunities for diversity, equity, and inclusivity. This would have a direct effect on academic freedom and would make it more difficult for Ohio’s colleges and universities to retain students and faculty.  

Watch Victoria’s full testimony here.  

SB 83 has passed out of the Senate and is on its way to Governor DeWine’s desk to be passed into law. Send a letter to your elected officials to stop these bills from moving forward, it takes less than a minute through the action alert below. 

TAKE ACTION: Protect the Academic Freedoms of Muslims at Public Universities 

CAIR-Ohio Advocates for Multiracial Curriculum Campaign 

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, May, Recent News

(HILLIARD, OH, 5/4/23) – On April 27, CAIR-Ohio spoke at an info session event held in collaboration with a coalition of organizations that are part of the “Educating for Ohio’s Future” campaign. This campaign led by OPAWL is a collective effort to advocate for an updated social studies curriculum that reflects the diverse backgrounds and histories of Ohioans, including Muslims. 

The speakers highlighted the fact that some students in Ohio feel invisible, alone, and unheard in their classrooms, and that outdated histories do nothing to prepare our kids for the world they’re about to enter. There is an immense need for a curriculum that fully reflects Ohioans’ backgrounds and histories and provides all students with a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the world they live in. 

Muslims have a rich history in Ohio and have contributed to the state’s culture, economy, and society in significant ways. It’s crucial that the curriculum reflects this history and the positive contributions of Muslims to Ohio. 

Furthermore, the Muslim community in Ohio, like many other communities, has faced challenges related to education equity.  

“We have received reports from many Muslim students who are experiencing bullying and discrimination in schools, which can negatively impact their academic performance and overall well-being,” said CAIR-Ohio Government Affairs Director Anisa Liban. “By updating the social studies curriculum to include a more diverse and inclusive history, we can help create a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students, including Muslim students.” 

The event was a call to action for the community to come together and support educational equity by building a truly multiracial, diverse, and representative coalition. 

Interested in getting updates about this campaign? Sign up here. 

Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox at vhickcox@cair.com if you have any questions or would like to get involved. 

CAIR-Ohio Speaks on Religious Discrimination Panel at Fair Housing Event 

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, May, Recent News

(CINCINNATI, OH, 5/4/23) – On Thursday, April 27, CAIR-Ohio joined a luncheon organized by Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and family status. 

CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi, and speakers from the Jewish and Sikh community, participated in a panel discussion about religious discrimination. Mayor Aftab Pureval, Cincinnati’s first Asian American mayor, was in attendance and spoke about ways the city is working to address the housing inequities in Cincinnati. 

Barhumi talked about how religious discrimination affects housing for Muslims, which is the most racially diverse faith group in the U.S., and that a lack of knowledge of Islam is what causes discrimination. 

“The Muslim community is diverse, and the legacy and experiences of each community are unique. It is important to note that many Muslim families choose to rent, rather than take out a mortgage, due to a lack of options for homeowners who are unable to pay interest due to their religious beliefs, which further limits housing opportunities for our community,” said Barhumi.  

“It is also critical that landlords & real estate agents both understand the impact of redlining & its lasting effects on marginalized communities—particularly the Black community.” 

CAIR-Ohio Shares Ramadan with Communities Around Ohio

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH — 04/27/2023) – During Ramadan, CAIR-Ohio hosted and attended over 25 Iftars across Ohio, including Greater Columbus, Greater Cincinnati, and Greater Dayton. These Iftars were held with the intention to build relationships, community, and funds to ensure that every Ohio Muslim can work, learn, live, and practice their faith free from discrimination, harassment, surveillance, and retaliation.  

Some of the highlights include a historic iftar at the Ohio Statehouse co-hosted with Representative Munira Abdullahi, the first Muslim woman elected to the Statehouse, as well as a night of spiritual reflection and community building at Masjid Abubakar Asiddiq Islamic Center, and dinners held at the CAIR-Ohio offices. 

Through the efforts of these gatherings, CAIR-Ohio was able to discuss the importance of safeguarding Muslim liberties and what that looks like on a community-based level. Thanks to the involvement of supporters and partners, CAIR-Ohio empowers the Muslim community through legal representation, education, government relations, media relations, and advocacy. 

CAIR-Ohio Opposes Bill That Aims to Silence Voters

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 4/27/23) – On Wednesday, April 19, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi and Government Affairs Director Anisa Liban attended the Ohio Statehouse Resolutions Committee Hearing to provide opponent testimony for House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1). 

CAIR-Ohio staff, along with dozens of organizations and Ohioans, were outraged when they were informed that they could no longer provide testimonies against the measure as a result of the committee halting the hearing and calling a surprise vote after hearing from only 6 constituents. 

TAKE ACTION: Protect the Power of the People in Ohio with Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives 

HJR 1 would upend the constitutional amendment process and institute minority rule in Ohio, shred our Constitution, and take away our right to decide what happens in our communities. If passed, the bill will:  

· Increase the current voting threshold from 50%+1 to 60%.  

· If citizens spend months collecting signatures to put an amendment on Ohio’s ballot, their initiative will need 60% of votes to become law.  

· Remove the “cure period,” which is a window of time voters are allowed to fix any signature mistakes. This period permits voters to go back out and collect more signatures to try to make up for a shortfall. 

· Require an initiative petition proposing an amendment to the Constitution to have petitions bearing the signatures of at least 5% of the electors of each county in the state, instead of half of the counties. 

CAIR-Ohio voices strong opposition to HJR1, and its companion resolution SJR2, which if passed would make it harder to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives.  

“Our democracy cannot be fully called one, when the basic tenets and bedrock of democracy, of allowing citizens to have a say in their government, are made more difficult”, said Barhumi.  

“This impacts not only voting rights, but healthcare access, access to education, civil and economic justice, and much more. All of which are issues we combat regularly as an organization. Resolutions like this obstruct the voting rights of every Ohioan. HJR1 would also negate our continuous efforts as an organization to empower Muslims and underrepresented communities.” 

Additionally, at the committee hearing, Representative Brian Stewart made a statement on his own accord, what he termed “legal slavery”. CAIR-Ohio demands that he apologizes for these remarks and his conduct.  

“The lunatics in Portland took slavery out of the state constitution. And they did so because they wanted to make sure that you could no longer require people to go to court-ordered counseling, court-ordered drug treatment, court-ordered community service, and arguably, how do you even lock somebody up if you’re a child murderer in Oregon.” Stewart said. “’And do the child murderers in Oregon now get to say, “Well, sorry warden, I don’t want to wake up and make license plates today because that’s slavery.’” 

CAIR-Ohio will join the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition for a Day of Action at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, May 3 to voice opposition to HJR1. We will be ready to mobilize & fight HJR1 by educating community members about the harmful resolution should it be up for vote in a special August election. 

If you are interested in joining, register here. 

CAIR-Ohio Co-Hosts Ohio-Wide Statehouse Iftar with Rep. Abdullahi  

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 04/13/23) – On Wednesday, April 12, CAIR-Ohio along with Ohio Representative Munira Abdullahi held an iftar dinner bringing together over 250 Muslim community leaders, public officials, and Ohioans of all backgrounds to celebrate the richness of the growing Muslim communities in Ohio and to highlight its diversity. 

CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi opened the event with welcoming remarks, in which she highlighted the rapid growth of the Muslim community over the past 25 years and the historic occasion of two Muslims being elected to the Statehouse.

Barhumi also shared, “this iftar convenes leaders, allies, and loved ones from across the buckeye state and serves as a reminder that Ohio thrives when its Muslim community and all marginalized groups are represented and feel a sense of belonging.” 

Honorary remarks were delivered by Leader Allison Russo, Quran recitation from Imam Bashir of Masjid Abu Hurairah, and spiritual reflections by Imam Abdurrahman Justin Wood. 

The keynote speaker was Rep. Abdullahi, who spoke about the power of community and engaging Ohio Muslims, and how honored she is to be the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Statehouse. She shared how Islam influences her work as an elected official and lawmaker, and in her approach to serving all her constituents. Abdullahi credits the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as her role model of leadership, and the example of justice, and treating all people with dignity and respect. 

CAIR-Ohio is thrilled to have been a part of organizing this momentous event and looks forward to doing so for years to come. 

CAIR-Ohio Joins Press Conference Against Voter Suppression Law at the Statehouse 

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, March, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 04/06/23)– On Wednesday, March 29, CAIR-Ohio joined the VoteRiders Press Conference at the Ohio Statehouse against House Bill (HB) 458, which was signed into law in January by Gov. DeWine. HB 458 is a law that implements new voting initiatives that impact Ohio’s most vulnerable and underrepresented communities. 

HB 458 takes effect this week requiring Ohioans to present a state-issued photo ID to vote, whether during early voting or on Election Day. This new law will apply to voters participating in local and county elections taking place this year. In addition to the ID requirements, the new law also limits early voting hours and restricts access to absentee ballots, further limiting the ability of Ohioans to participate in the democratic process. 

Ohio’s new ID laws are part of a larger trend of voter suppression efforts across the country that disproportionately impact communities of color, low-income individuals, and other marginalized groups. “These laws undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and threaten to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters,” said CAIR-Ohio Intern Khalid Dada. 

View the full press conference here.  

Learn more about Ohio’s new voter ID requirements here and view our Voter Guide for help voting. 

CAIR-Ohio Presents at NKU Law School  

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, March, Recent News

(CINCINNATI, OH, 03/31/23)– On Tuesday, March 21, CAIR-Ohio conducted an informational session on Islam, religious accommodations, and employment law at the Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law.  

CAIR-Ohio was invited to speak to law students taking a course called “Shedding Shackles”, which is based upon the life and work of the law school’s namesake, Salmon P. Chase. The course reviews Chase’s legacy as the first pro bono lawyer and his history representing enslaved persons who attempted to escape to freedom in southern Ohio.  

The course also draws parallels to various concepts of freedom today and the role lawyers play in securing freedom in today’s society. As part of the curriculum, the course professor, Judge Jennifer Kinsley invited CAIR-Ohio to speak about the employment laws and the religious accommodations resources CAIR-Ohio provides.  

CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox began the presentation by introducing CAIR-Ohio’s work, the basics of Islamic practices, and opened the floor for questions on Islam and addressed common misconceptions about Muslims.  

CAIR-Ohio Deputy & Legal Director Lina Abbaoui continued the presentation with a discussion on religious accommodations and employment law, where she presented a popular religious discrimination case, the EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch, and closed off by reviewing relevant case studies with the students.  

Interested in having CAIR-Ohio speak at your school or organization? Fill out our speaker request form. 

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Islam 101 Session for Columbus Students  

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News, Uncategorized

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/23/23)– On Thursday, March 16, CAIR-Ohio collaborated with the Noor Islamic Cultural Center (NICC) in hosting an Islam 101 information session for the Columbus School for Girls.  

CAIR-Ohio Community Relations Assistant Shireen Shaaban organized and lead an informative discussion on Islam with students from the Columbus School for Girls as part of a religious diversity learning objective. Throughout the presentation, Shaaban discussed the fundamentals of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim, which included the five pillars of Islam, the significance of Ramadan, the experiences that come with wearing Hijab in America, and much more. Towards the end of the session, students had the opportunity to ask questions, which in turn helped them understand and resonate more with the material they had learned.  

Additionally, Shaaban and Directors at NICC walked the students and teachers through a tour of the masjid, highlighting what each space is utilized for and the meaning behind the architecture of the building. 

Interested in having CAIR-Ohio present to your school? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox: vhickcox@cair.com | 513.906.5728.