CAIR-Ohio Joins Fair Districts Rally at Statehouse!

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, November, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 11/03/2021) — On Thursday, October 28, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined other organizations of the Fair Districts Coalition at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio.

Tala Dahbour, CAIR-Ohio’s Policy Director was in attendance and addressed the attendees of the rally.

“The suppression of political power is especially harmful for communities who are racial and religious minorities and experience institutional discrimination at a higher rate than others. But fair districts return power to the people. That’s why, even though our state legislative maps are unfair and unconstitutional, we won’t give up this fight”, said Dahbour.

For more information and updates from Fair Districts Ohio, click here.

Additional redistricting resources and information can be found here.

For questions, contact CAIR-Ohio Community Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi: wsiddiqi@cair.com | 513-281-8200

CAIR-Ohio Joins Redistricting Rally Outside Ohio Statehouse

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 10/22/2021) — On Wednesday, October 20th, 2021, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) joined its Equal Districts Coalition partners at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, for a People’s Redistricting Hearing and Rally. At the rally, fair maps advocates and community members responded to the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s disregard for their constituents’ need for fair maps and their constitutional requirements to do so.

Members of the CAIR-Ohio outreach and legal teams were present while CAIR-Ohio Community Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi and other organizers gave remarks.

“We’re here to demand that every vote – especially those of marginalized communities like the Muslim community – have equal voting power through fair districts. We can only achieve that through a fair process. Today, we’re calling on the Ohio Redistricting Commission to release a proposed map and schedule hearings that are accessible to all Ohioans. It’s long past time to get to work,” said Siddiqi. Read More “CAIR-Ohio Joins Redistricting Rally Outside Ohio Statehouse” →

CAIR-Ohio Co-Hosts Candidate Forum with Islamic Society of Greater Dayton

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

(DAYTON, OHIO 10/25/2021) — On Sunday, October 24th, 2021, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) held a non-partisan “Meet the Candidates” forum at the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Attendees were given the opportunity to hear from candidates running for office in the Greater Dayton Area, including the position they are running for, what the role entails, and how they intend to improve issues in the community.

The forum was moderated by Whitney Siddiqi, CAIR-Ohio’s Community Affairs Director, followed by a Q&A session from the audience. The candidates answered a variety of questions related to civil rights, policing, official school holidays for the Muslim holiday Eid-al-Fitr, critical race theory in schools, and more. Read More “CAIR-Ohio Co-Hosts Candidate Forum with Islamic Society of Greater Dayton” →

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Phone Banking Events to Get Out The Muslim Vote

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

(CINCINNATI/COLUMBUS, OHIO 10/28/2021) — On Wednesday, Oct. 27, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) held non-partisan phone banking events in Columbus and Cincinnati to turn out voters for the November 2nd General Election.

Volunteers gathered at CAIR-Ohio’s office in Hilliard, Ohio, as well as at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester, Ohio. Volunteers called community members to remind them of the upcoming election and to assist them with information on where and how they can vote. Read More “CAIR-Ohio Hosts Phone Banking Events to Get Out The Muslim Vote” →

CAIR-Ohio Provides Free Legal Help, Celebrates the Opening of New Islamic Center of Centerville Recreation Center

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

(CENTERVILLE, OHIO 10/21/2021) — On Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) was thrilled to help commemorate the opening of a new recreation center at the Islamic Center of Centerville. The new recreation center and packed open house event was a signifier of a growing Muslim community in Centerville, and CAIR-Ohio was present to provide free legal help and information to empower community members. Read More “CAIR-Ohio Provides Free Legal Help, Celebrates the Opening of New Islamic Center of Centerville Recreation Center” →

People’s Redistricting Hearing + Rally

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News, Take Action

Redistricting Action Alert: With no progress made on congressional maps, it’s time to demand action.

Please join CAIR-Ohio and our coalition partners in making our voices heard at the Ohio Statehouse this Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 2:30-3:30 for a People’s Hearing to demand:

  1. Public hearings with plenty of notice & virtual options.

  2. An official Commission-proposed map that we can respond to.

  3. A fair map that reflects our partisanship, keeps our communities together, and gives Ohio’s communities of color a real pathway to representation.


Click here for more information on Wednesday’s event.

Can’t make it on Wednesday? Virtual hearings will also be held for different state regions throughout next week. Click here for more information.

If you have any questions please contact CAIR-Ohio Policy Director Tala Dahbour at tdahbour@cair.com or (614) 401-2920.

CAIR-Ohio’s statement on anti-racist education.

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

CAIR-Ohio is disappointed in the the Ohio State Board of Education’s decision to repeal the anti-racism resolution which outlined crucial steps towards racial equity in Ohio schools. Condemning White supremacy and teaching an accurate historical account of racial injustice does not create division, but rather inspires forward-thinking change. We will continue to work towards racial equity in Ohio schools.

If you would like to request free legal help, call our office at (614) 451-3232 or use this online form.

Free Legal Help at NICC

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

Facing problems? CAIR-Ohio will be offering free legal help to community members at the Noor Islamic Cultural Center on Friday, October 15 & 22 from noon to 3:30PM!

For questions contact CAIR-Ohio Staff Attorney Lina Abbaoui: 614.982.0879 | labbaoui@cair.com

If you are unable to make this event and would like to request legal help, feel free to call our office or use this online form.

Redistricting 101: Congressional Update

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, October, Recent News

The fight for fair congressional districts is on in Ohio. The way our congressional districts are drawn directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community and the next decade of U.S. politics.

CAIR-Ohio is working to ensure Ohio Muslim communities are not left out, split up, or ignored. But we need YOU to get involved and make your voice heard!

Although the Ohio Redistricting Commission has yet to meet on or propose a congressional map (disappointing but not surprising), deadlines are approaching and we need to be ready to mobilize. Click here for the full infographic.