CAIR-Ohio Condemns Distribution of Antisemitic Material in Cincinnati

by CAIR-OHIO in Recent News, Uncategorized

(COLUMBUS, OH – 3/6/23) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today condemned the distribution of antisemitic materials to businesses in Cincinnati over the weekend. 

SEE: Antisemitic propaganda distributed to business owners in Northside 

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

“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and urge law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. We also call on all Ohioans to reject hate and bigotry in all forms and promote mutual understanding and respect. 

“We believe that every individual has the right to live free from fear and discrimination, and we will continue to work tirelessly toward building a more just and equitable society for all.” 

She noted that last month, CAIR-Ohio condemned an alleged neo-Nazi homeschool group recently discovered in that state.    

Barhumi said CAIR-Ohio and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging white supremacy, antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.        

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 

Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Civil Rights Movement & Its Impact

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News

To commemorate Black History Month, CAIR-Ohio is celebrating the rich legacy and contributions of Black Americans, with a particular focus on highlighting Black Muslim excellence and their mark on our nation. We wanted to highlight the achievements, successes, and inspiring stories of our community members.  

Muslim-Americans are the most diverse faith group in the nation, and Black Muslims make up the largest share with a deep and rich history. We spent this February illustrating people across many different fields, and varying walks of life. While Black History Month comes to a close, the significance and spirit of the occasion continues. For our last highlight this month, we will be focusing on the Civil Rights Movement and the impact it has made in paving the way for other groups to advocate for their rights.  

Read More “Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Civil Rights Movement & Its Impact” →

Stop HJR1: Protect the Power of the People in Ohio with Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News, Take Action

We need your urgent action to protect citizen-led ballot initiatives in Ohio. The so-called “Ohio Constitution Protection Amendment” is back as HJR 1, and it threatens to undermine our democratic process by making it harder for citizens to pass initiatives that reflect our values. 

This amendment proposal would increase the passage threshold of new constitutional amendments to 60%, up from a simple majority (50% +1), making it more difficult for citizens to pass laws that benefit their communities. 

Background: 

  • In 2015, it was through this citizen-led ballot initiative process that proposed to reform the heavily gerrymandered redistricting process in Ohio. The proposal aimed to create a bipartisan commission to draw new state maps, and to require that the maps be accurate and fair in representing Ohio communities. 
  • Following this, in 2018, another ballot initiative was proposed and passed with strong support from Ohioans (nearly 75% in favor). The new law, known as Issue 1, created a bipartisan redistricting commission to draw new state and congressional maps.  

As Muslims, it is our responsibility to stand up for justice and ensure that everyone has the right to participate in our democracy. This is especially important given the challenges and discrimination that our community and other marginalized groups face. 

This amendment is a political power grab by corrupt politicians and special interests who want to take away our power to make decisions that affect our lives. If passed, a small number of voters could block initiatives that the majority of Ohio voters support. This could prevent initiatives such as those supporting fair district maps from being approved, effectively silencing our voices and denying us fair representation. It is important to note that fair maps are crucial to ensuring that every vote counts and that our communities are represented in government.  

Additionally, this would be disastrous for our communities, as initiatives such as those supporting affordable housing, healthcare access, police reform, and environmental protections could be blocked by a minority of voters. 

Let’s stand together to safeguard our right to vote and protect the initiatives that reflect our values and make our communities stronger. Send a letter to your legislators urging them to not support this resolution. Take action here.

Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Art

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News

To commemorate Black History Month, CAIR-Ohio is celebrating the rich legacy and contributions of Black Americans, with a particular focus on highlighting Black Muslim excellence and their mark on our nation. This week, our attention turns to three individuals who are renowned for their scholarship.  

Stay engaged with the series, on CAIR-Ohio’s Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on your weekly email newsletter from us.
 

To commemorate Black History Month, CAIR-Ohio is celebrating the rich legacy and contributions of Black Americans, with a particular focus on highlighting Black Muslim excellence and their mark on our nation. This week, we will be focusing on three individuals who are celebrated for their artistic talents. 

Stay engaged with the series, on CAIR-Ohio’s Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on your weekly email newsletter from us.
 

View Week 1 Highlights on Activism & Leadership here. 

View Week 2 Highlights on Scholarship here.

Read More “Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Art” →

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Workshop at Masjid Abubakar to Empower Muslim Parents

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 2/23/22) – On Saturday, February 18, CAIR-Ohio hosted an anti-bullying workshop at Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center, located on Columbus’ west side, to support parents and students impacted by bullying and other forms of harassment at school as well as equip them with self-advocacy tools. The event is one of many aimed to help community members experiencing bullying and anti-Muslim discrimination and to provide education around its impacts on mental health.  

Read More “CAIR-Ohio Hosts Workshop at Masjid Abubakar to Empower Muslim Parents” →

Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Scholarship

by CAIR Ohio in Recent News

To commemorate Black History Month, CAIR-Ohio is celebrating the rich legacy and contributions of Black Americans, with a particular focus on highlighting Black Muslim excellence and their mark on our nation. This week, our attention turns to three individuals who are renowned for their scholarship.  

Stay engaged with the series, on CAIR-Ohio’s Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on your weekly email newsletter from us.
 

Missed Week 1? View it here.   Read More “Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Scholarship” →

Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Activists & Leadership

by CAIR-OHIO in Recent News

CAIR-Ohio is commemorating Black History Month to celebrate and recognize the rich legacy and contributions of Black Americans. This year, the theme is highlighting the Enduring Legacy of Black Muslim Excellence and their mark on our nation. For the first week, the focus will spotlight three individuals who are most known for their Activism and Leadership. 

   Read More “Enduring Legacy: Black Muslim Excellence | Activists & Leadership” →

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Immigration Clinic with Simakovsky Law

by CAIR-OHIO in Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH, 2/9/23)– On Sunday, February 5, CAIR-Ohio partnered with Simakovsky Law to hold an Immigration Clinic where clients had one-on-one consultations with an immigration attorney to review their case. Attorneys consulted clients facing a variety of cases, including recent arrivals to the United States, asylum seekers, and victims of domestic violence.  

Read More “CAIR-Ohio Hosts Immigration Clinic with Simakovsky Law” →