Category: October

(COLUMBUS, OH – 10/20/23) — The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the derogatory and offensive comments directed at State Representative Munira Abdullahi, Ohio’s first and only female Muslim legislator. Representative Abdullahi, a respected member of the Ohio House, was subject to harmful comments following her lone dissent on a recent symbolic resolution expressing support for Israel. 

SEE: Columbus Muslim lawmaker accused by GOP rep of ‘standing up for Hamas’ https://abc6onyourside.com/amp/news/local/columbus-muslim-lawmaker-accused-by-gop-rep-of-standing-up-for-hamas  

Last week, the Ohio House passed a resolution expressing support for Israel, without any recognition of the ongoing occupation and oppression of Palestinians. Representative Abdullahi, exercising her democratic right to dissent, voted against the resolution, and while she was not allowed to voice her reasoning on the House floor, she cited her concerns regarding the lack of mention of Palestinian victims of violence and the need for balanced representation. This principled stance led to an onslaught of derogatory and inappropriate comments, including name-calling and offensive statements from some of her fellow legislators. 

“The anti-Muslim hate rhetoric directed at Representative Abdullahi is deeply troubling,” said CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox. “This type of vitriol is what has led to a sharp increase in anti-Muslim violence against our community and anyone who speak for the human rights of Palestinians. This vitriol from elected officials from all levels of government is what led to the brutal murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume in Chicago. Such offensive language causes harm to individuals, especially when their identity is being targeted, and contributes to the rise in hate crimes targeting both the Muslim and Jewish communities.”

CAIR-Ohio stands in solidarity with Representative Munira Abdullahi and her right to express her views and concerns for the lopsided narrative being pushed by the recent resolution and other one-sided messaging from elected officials. The comments made against Representative Abdullahi not only go against the principles of civility and respect that should guide political discourse but also contribute to the rise of hate crimes, both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, as she aptly pointed out. We condemn any attempt to vilify or marginalize her for standing up for her principles. 

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cincinnati & Columbus Executive Director Amina Barhumi: abarhumi@cair.com | 614-763-6557  

(COLUMBUS, OH – 10/13/23) — The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an alleged anti-Palestinian attack during a rally for Palestine in Columbus and calls on public officials and the media to end anti-Palestinian incitement. 

Members of the Students for Justice in Palestine at The Ohio State University along with other student organizations, and other community supporters were involved in the peaceful demonstration and march Downtown. While protesters were marching in the street near Broad and High streets around 7:20 p.m., an older man driving a truck began to shout obscenities about Palestinians and then swerve out of his lane and hit a demonstrator on a bicycle. 

The truck fled the scene, but Columbus police reported that the vehicle was stopped at North 3rd and East Lynn streets, and a suspect in the incident had been taken into custody. 

SEE: Truck Swerves at Pro-Palestine Demonstrators in Downtown Columbus 

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi said: 

“We condemn the apparently bias-motivated assault and urge public officials and media professionals to end the anti-Palestinian incitement and the spreading of misinformation placing a target on Palestinian-American, Arab-Americans, and American Muslims.” 

Yesterday, CAIR-Ohio shared resources for employees and students being targeted for advocating on behalf of Palestinian rights or because of their Muslim faith. 

SEE: CAIR-Ohio’s Palestine Self-Advocacy Tools 

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.   

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cincinnati & Columbus Executive Director Amina Barhumi: abarhumi@cair.com | 614-763-6557

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is issuing guidance to students being targeted for advocating on behalf of Palestinian rights or because of their Muslim faith. This guidance focuses on speech rights in educational settings and addressing any bullying that may result. 

View the guide here. 

“Students have the right to visibly practice their faith and peacefully advocate for human rights without facing harassment, threats or punishment,” said CAIR Research & Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We encourage K-12 schools, colleges and universities to address this sudden surge in reports of abusive and discriminatory behavior and express support for students of all backgrounds, including Muslims and Palestinians. We encourage students impacted to report any incidents of abuse and seek assistance. We are here to help.” 

CAIR has seen and received multiple reports of students harassed online and at school due to advocacy for Palestinian human rights in recent days, including reports of bullying against visibly Muslim students and disciplinary action in public school settings and instances of threatening messages targeting college students online. 

The organization encourages all students experiencing interference or suppression of their free speech in educational settings or harassment due to their faith to document the incident and contact CAIR promptly. CAIR asks the same in instances of anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian bullying or harassment in school. 

SEE: CAIR-Ohio’s Report an Incident Form 

(CINCINNATI, OHIO, 10/27/22) – CAIR-Ohio, along with Palestinian Ohioans met with Ohio State Representative Jessica Miranda of District 28 recently to discuss the experiences and perspectives of Palestinian people. Staff, local community leaders, and students expressed their concern for the rise in propaganda and falsehoods being spread in Ohio to normalize the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land.   Read More “CAIR-Ohio Meets with Rep. Miranda to Discuss Palestinian Experiences ” →

(CINCINNATI, OHIO, 10/27/22) – CAIR-Ohio Staff Attorney Maryam Abidi was recently a panelist at the first meeting of the newly formed University of Cincinnati Muslim Law Association. The association aims to build a network of Muslim pre-law and law students and encourage more Muslims to join the legal profession. Read More “CAIR-Ohio Attorney Speaks on Panel at UC Muslim Law Association Inaugural Meeting” →

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 10/27/22) – On Sunday, October 23, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi spoke on an interfaith panel of leaders from various faith groups. The panel titled, “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly,” was a part of the “All People Conference” an annual gathering hosted by the United Methodist Church Community for All People.  Read More “CAIR-Ohio Speaks on Panel at All People Conference” →

The 25th Columbus Annual Banquet is SOLD OUT …but you can still join the waitlist! We look forward to hosting you and your family at our 25th Columbus Annual Banquet on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Ohio Union in Columbus, Ohio.

Join the waitlist here!