CAIR-Ohio Testifies in Support of SB 181 to Protect the Right to Wear Hijab in School Sports

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, May, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 05/27/2021) – On Tuesday, May 25, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) testified in support of Senate Bill 181, a bill that would ensure schools and interscholastic athletic programs are not allowed to prohibit religious apparel.

This directly addresses the issue that many Muslim students who wear hijab experience while participating in school sports. Ohio student athlete, Nour Abukaram, championed the bill after her own experience of being disqualified from her track meet because of her hijab. Mariam Abaza, an Ohio student athlete, also provided testimony in support of the bill, detailing her experience.


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CAIR-Ohio Hosts Press Conferences Responding to Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, May, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 05/21/2021) – On Tuesday, May 18, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a joint press conference in Columbus with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), New Generation for Palestine (NGP) and local Palestinian American community members responding to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

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

“We are seeing a dire situation in Gaza. The death toll continues to rise as Israel intensifies its airstrikes designed to inflict maximum harm and collective punishment on civilians. This is not a political issue; this is a humanitarian crisis. And President Biden has the political power and moral authority to live up to his previous statements on human rights and stop this bloodshed.”

CAIR-Ohio is calling for:


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Urge President Biden to Call for Immediate Ceasefire, End to Gaza Bombardment

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, May, Recent News

The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), Ohio’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is urging all Americans to support Palestinians under attack and call on President Joe Biden to broker an immediate ceasefire.

The death toll continues to rise in Gaza as Israel intensifies its airstrikes designed to inflict maximum harm and collective punishment on civilians.



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Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates New CAIR-Ohio Office with Ribbon Cutting

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, May, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 05/07/2021) – On Wednesday, May 5, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) and the Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate CAIR-Ohio’s new central Ohio office.

City and Chamber officials were on hand to formally welcome the team to Hilliard. CAIR-Ohio’s previous central Ohio office was located in Dublin.

“We have an expression in Hilliard that we ‘choose Hilliard’ and we’re so glad that CAIR-Ohio chose to have their headquarters here,” said Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Libby Gierach.

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Our Statement on The Derek Chauvin Verdict

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, April, Recent News

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of George Floyd and with all families struggling with loss due to police brutality.

CAIR-Ohio and the Ohio Muslim community stand firm in declaring that Black Lives Matter. The verdict delivered yesterday is a consequence of Derek Chauvin’s actions, but it does not solve the crisis of police brutality nor undo the systemic racism that perpetuates it. Doctrines such as qualified immunity too often shield police from accountability and outsized policing budgets drain resources away from needed community services. We know the work continues to build safe and equitable communities for all.

CAIR-OHIO PRESENTS “SUPPORTING MUSLIM STUDENTS” WITH CENTRAL OHIO TEACHERS

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, January, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 1/29/2021) – On Thursday, January 14, during a program hosted by Erase the Space called, “From ‘Civil’ Voyeurism to Civic Action,” the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) presented to Central Ohio teachers about how to support Muslim students in the classroom.

Erase the Space is a nonprofit that helps connect students, teachers, and communities in a collaborative process to help foster empathy and community.

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CAIR-OHIO PARTICIPATES IN PANEL TO HONOR LEGACY OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, January, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 1/25/2021) – On Thursday, January 21, the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) participated in a panel to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and reflect on the continuing role of organized religion in the social justice movement.

CAIR-Ohio Government Affairs and Development Director Usjid Hameed spoke about the importance of justice in Islam, how American Muslims reacted in the wake of the George Floyd killing, why religious leaders must speak about social justice to their congregations, and more.

The panel can be viewed here. 

The panel was hosted by the Center for Ethics and Human Values at Ohio State University (OSU) and co-sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches and the Center for the Study of Religion at OSU.