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

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, December, Recent News, Take Action

We need your urgent action to stop SB83 to protect students & stop the censorship of diversity in state higher education institutions. The so-called “Ohio Education Enhancement Act” enables censorship and threatens the rights of faculty, staff, and students. It targets 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.

Click here to take action.

These bills directly impact religious liberty, employee rights and groups, and policies based on race among many other facets of social engagement and innovation in Ohio public schools. It also aims to ban partnerships with China which would mean a significant loss of funding for programs that connect Ohio to the world and make students global citizens.  

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. Make no mistake—SB83 are in no form “enhancing” the experience of students & educators—it is in fact destroying academic freedom and will alter campus life at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. 

SB83 is bad for students, higher education, and Ohio’s future. Send a letter to your legislators urging them to oppose these bills.

CAIR-Ohio, Muslim Community Issue Open Letter Urging Elected Officials to Take a Stand Against Israel’s Genocidal Actions, Rise of Anti-Muslim Hate

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, November, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 11/15/23) — The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined numerous mosques and Muslim organizations in issuing an open letter addressed to Ohio elected officials, urging them to address Israel’s genocidal actions and the alarming rise of anti-Muslim hate crimes in the state.

That letter expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle East and its direct impact on the Muslim community in Ohio. The letter reveals staggering statistics related to the Israeli attacks on Gaza, in which at least 11,423 Palestinians, including 4,630 children, have been killed by Israel. The situation has not only led to a humanitarian crisis but has also fueled a surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes, assaults, and discriminatory incidents within Ohio and across the United States.

“The biased rhetoric and misinformation surrounding the situation has contributed to a hostile environment that fosters discrimination and violence against those who are Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, perceived Muslim, Jewish, and anyone else of conscience who speaks up for the human rights of Palestinians,” states the open letter. 

The full text of the open letter is available here.

CAIR reports an alarming increase in complaints of Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab discrimination in Ohio, with CAIR-Ohio alone receiving at least 195 complaints in just one month, surpassing the total number of complaints received for the entire year of 2022. Of these, at least 151 are directly related to the situation in Palestine, marking an uptick of over 600% from the previous year, during October 7 through November 4.

In response to these troubling trends, the undersigned organizations call on Ohio elected officials to take a stand against discrimination, violence, and hate crimes targeting the Muslim and Arab community. They also urge officials to address Israel’s violence against civilians and settlement expansions, express support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people, and meet with community representatives, including medical, legal, and human rights experts on Israeli apartheid and oppression.

“Enough is enough. Ohio is witnessing a disturbing spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes fueled by the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” said CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox. “This open letter is not just a plea; it’s a demand for accountability. Our elected officials must actively combat discrimination, condemn violence, and stand firm against any form of bigotry targeting our Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab communities.”

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 Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox: vhickcox@cair.com | (513)-906-5728

CAIR-Ohio Raises Alarm Over Dramatic Surge in Islamophobic Incidents Linked to Ongoing Crisis in Middle East

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, November, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 11/13/23) — The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in violence and discrimination faced by the Muslim community, directly correlated with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.  

SEE: CAIR-Ohio Calls on Police to Probe Possible Anti-Palestinian Incident after Bloody Decapitated Doll Left in Yard  

“We are witnessing an unprecedented number of hate incidents that are both shocking and horrifying,” said CAIR-Ohio Deputy & Legal Director Lina Abbaoui. “CAIR-Ohio emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to address and rectify this disturbing trend. We must stand united against hate in all its forms and work towards ensuring the safety, well-being, and freedom of our Muslim community and anyone else who speaks up against human rights abuses.”  

She added: “CAIR-Ohio is deeply concerned about the welfare and safety of the Muslim community and urges immediate action to address the root causes of this surge in Islamophobia. We call on elected officials, community leaders, and the media to recognize the impact of their statements and work toward fostering an environment of tolerance, understanding, and respect.” 

BACKGROUNDER: 

For over the past 5 weeks, the international community has witnessed the devastating impact of Israeli forces’ attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has claimed the lives of at least 11,025 innocent Palestinian civilians, including 4,324 innocent children. At least another 25,000 civilians have been injured, translating to a heart-wrenching statistic of one Palestinian child murdered every ten minutes in Gaza.  

Tragically, the numbers continue to rise, with an additional 120 Palestinians, including 30 children, killed in the West Bank.  

The crisis and escalation in Gaza and the West Bank have prompted a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes, assaults, and discriminatory incidents. The impact on the Muslim and Arab-American community’s safety is exacerbated by one-sided statements from elected officials and misinformation propagated by media outlets, fostering a hostile environment that encourages discrimination and violence against those who are Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, perceived Muslim, Jewish, and anyone advocating for the human rights of Palestinians.

SEE: CAIR-Ohio Seeks Hate Crime Probe After Vehicular Assault on Palestinian-American by Driver Shouting ‘Kill all Palestinians,’ ‘Long live Israel’

Recent data from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) paints a disturbing picture, with over 1,283 new network-wide complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in just one month. Notably, CAIR-Ohio alone has received 195 complaints in the same period, surpassing the total number for the entire year of 2022. Of these, at least 151 are directly related to the situation in Palestine.  

The statistics paint a grim picture, indicating an uptick of over 600% calls for help from October 7 through November 4 in Ohio, with more reports coming in daily. These incidents range from verbal abuse to physical assaults and discriminatory practices, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for the Muslim community in Ohio.  

SEE: CAIR-Ohio Condemns Anti-Palestinian Attacks in Columbus, Urges Officials and Media to End Anti-Palestinian Incitement  

SEE: CAIR-Ohio Condemns Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Targeting Muslim Representative  

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

CAIR-Ohio Provides Community with Tools and Action Alerts to Mobilize for Palestine

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, November, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OH – 11/3/23) — The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) has been at the forefront of advocating for Palestine and equipping the community with vital resources to support the cause. Through a series of impactful events, action alerts, and educational tools, CAIR-Ohio is empowering individuals across the state and nation to make a difference in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights. 

SEE: Local Palestinians gather to grieve, call for peace 

One of CAIR-Ohio’s key initiatives has been to engage communities in advocating for Palestine by providing them with easy-to-use action alerts. These alerts have played a crucial role in mobilizing individuals to reach out to their members of Congress and urge them to address the root causes of Middle East violence and to call for an immediate ceasefire as the deaths in Palestine as a result of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza have been devastating. Current numbers are over 9,000 and growing. 

To access these action alerts and take action, please visit:  

In addition to advocating for Palestine through action alerts and events, CAIR-Ohio has provided a range of resources and tools aimed at fostering awareness and promoting anti-prejudice education. These tools are particularly important for students and individuals who may have faced discrimination or bias in response to their advocacy for Palestinian rights. 

The provided guidance empowers individuals to confidently express their support for Palestine while addressing any misconceptions or prejudices they may encounter. 

To access these resources, please visit: 

“CAIR-Ohio continues to combat Islamophobia in all of its forms,” said CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi. “In the face of enormous grief and loss of life in Gaza, Palestine, and amid an unprecedent rise anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian sentiment, we stand our ground and refuse to be silenced. Our work to protect the civil rights and human rights of Muslims and Palestinians, is what also protects the rights of every American and human citizen around the world.” 

CAIR-Ohio’s work in advocating for Palestine and providing these vital tools highlights the organization’s commitment to justice, equity, and the protection of civil rights for all. Stay tuned for more actions happening in Ohio, follow our social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, X and subscribe to our newsletter to get updates. 
 
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

CAIR-Ohio Hosts 26th Annual Cincinnati & Dayton Banquet, Featuring Dr. Yusuf Salaam as Keynote Speaker

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, November, Recent News

(MASON, OH – 11/3/23) — CAIR-Ohio hosted its 26th Annual Cincinnati & Dayton Banquet at the beautiful Manor House in Mason, Ohio. The event, which took place on October 22, 2023, was an evening of unity, inspiration, and empowerment, bringing together a diverse group of individuals dedicated to supporting the work of CAIR-Ohio.  

The event was an opportunity for CAIR-Ohio to express its commitment to justice, especially with the ongoing genocide in Palestine. By encouraging people to stand united in faith and values, the event showcased the strength and power that can be harnessed to address societal challenges, such as actions Ohio Muslims can take to advocate for the Palestinian cause. With the theme “Unified in Faith: Building Strength & Power,” CAIR-Ohio aimed to emphasize the importance of unity, faith, and collaboration as a means to overcome challenges and achieve collective success.  

The evening spotlighted individuals who have made significant contributions through their community service with a “Community Empowerment Award.” The “Hero Award” was also presented to a group of students and is meant to recognize individuals who transformed a personal challenge into meaningful change for all Ohioans. More information on the awardees and their bios can be found here.    

Dr. Yusuf Salaam’s presence as the esteemed keynote speaker was the highlight of the evening. Dr. Salaam is a renowned motivational speaker, activist, and one of the “Exonerated Five” formerly known as the “Central Park Five.” His powerful journey from wrongful conviction and imprisonment to exoneration and advocacy for social justice serves as an inspiration to individuals worldwide. Dr. Salaam’s words resonated deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting impact and motivating attendees to work towards positive change. 

“CAIR-Ohio’s annual banquet has become a tradition of bringing people together, celebrating our diversity, and embracing our shared values,” said CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi. “We are truly honored to have had Dr. Yusuf Salaam as our keynote speaker, and we are inspired by his message of resilience and unity.” 

Photos will be shared on our Facebook | Instagram soon. 

CAIR-Ohio extends its gratitude to all attendees, sponsors, and volunteers for making the 26th Annual Cincinnati & Dayton Banquet a success. Those who were not able to attend the banquet still can help us in protecting the civil rights of Ohio Muslims and strengthening our democracy by supporting CAIR-Ohio. Click here to donate. 

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Support Ceasefire on Gaza Now

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, October, Recent News, Take Action

CAIR-Ohio is urgently calling on all Americans who value peace and justice for all people to reach out to their members of Congress and request the following actions in response to the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine:

  • In the U.S. House of Representatives: Co-sponsoring and supporting the Ceasefire Now Resolution, championed by Representatives Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, André Carson, Summer Lee, and Delia C. Ramirez.
  • In the U.S. Senate: Support the introduction of a Senate companion to the Ceasefire Now Resolution.
  • Acknowledge the loss of lives and recognize the humanity on both sides, including Israelis and Palestinians.
  • Demand that the United States reassert its leadership role as a negotiator in pursuit of a lasting peace. This includes addressing the root causes of violence and ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its apartheid policies.

Click here to take action!

The primary goal of the Ceasefire Now Resolution, sponsored by a diverse group of dedicated members of Congress, calls on the Biden Administration to urgently seek a de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine. It also emphasizes the vital need for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the primary goal of saving innocent lives caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush also participated in the joint-congressional press conference announcing the introduction of the resolution.

Endorsed by CAIR and nearly 50 other organizations, the Ceasefire Now Resolution offers an alternative to a looming bipartisan resolution endorsed by 390 other members of Congress, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks. That resolution essentially provides an open-ended endorsement for Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of Palestinian civilian lives.  

On Tuesday, October 17, CAIR condemned Israel’s latest war crime in Gaza: the bombing of a hospital that claimed the lives of hundreds of people. CAIR is actively urging the Biden administration to oppose Israel’s “self-declared war crimes” after the Israeli government declared a “siege” on the entire civilian population of Gaza and escalated a mass bombing campaign that has killed thousands, including over 3,000 Palestinians, including more than 1,000 Palestinian children. These actions are a violation of international law and constitute war crimes.

CAIR believes that the world cannot return to a status quo in which Israeli human rights abuses continue to escalate, Palestinian rights diminish, and Palestinian men, women, and children perish without public notice until a war erupts. Our nation must intervene impartially to end this violence before more innocent lives are lost.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

CAIR-Ohio Condemns Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Targeting Muslim Representative

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, October, Recent News

(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  

CAIR-Ohio Condemns Anti-Palestinian Attacks in Columbus, Urges Officials and Media to End Anti-Palestinian Incitement

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, October, Recent News

(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

ACTION ALERT: Urge Your Members of Congress to Address Root Cause of Mideast Violence

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, October, Recent News, Take Action

CAIR-Ohio is urging all Americans who care about peace and justice for all people to reach out to their members of Congress and request they take the following actions in response to the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine.

TAKE ACTION HERE

The key to achieving enduring peace remains addressing Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian lands, apartheid state policies, and the ongoing violations of Palestinian human rights.

“We call on Congress to endorse the appeal for an immediate ceasefire and for the United States to intervene to end this violence before more innocent people die, stop aiding and abetting the occupation, and start applying the values of universal human rights to all victims of oppression, no matter their nationality, religion, or skin color,” said CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi.

Anti-Prejudice Tools: Guidance for Students Targeted in Response to Palestine Rights Advocacy

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, October, Recent News

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