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 

CAIR-Ohio Stands in Solidarity with Palestinian People, Calls for Immediate End to Atrocities in Occupied Territories

by CAIR Ohio in 2023, Recent News, September

(COLUMBUS, OH – 10/08/2023) — This deadly violence must stop. The only way to permanently stop the violence is to end the occupation. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians are killed every year and millions more men, women, and children are subject to systemic, racist oppression.

Since President Biden took office, human rights organizations warned that the administration’s refusal to hold the radical, far-right Israeli apartheid government accountable for its escalating human rights violations was emboldening more abuses. Yesterday, amid a government shutdown, President Biden approved $8 Billion in military aid to Israel from our tax dollars.

In just the past few years, the Israeli government has used American taxpayer dollars to blow up a local office of the Associated Press, murder a Palestinian-American journalist in broad daylight, leave a beaten and gagged elderly Palestinian-American for dead, expand illegal settlements, enable wanton settler violence, desecrate Al-Aqsa Mosque, and kill hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including many children.

Now the Israeli government is once again bombing Palestinian civilians in Gaza who have already spent 15 years living under an economic siege, cut off from their own people and the rest of the world. Indiscriminately bombing residential towers, ambulances and Palestinian civilians in Gaza only adds to the tragic loss of life and creates new barriers to a long-lasting solution. There is nowhere for Palestinian civilians to seek shelter.

If the international community offers the Palestinian people a true path to freedom, justice and a dignified life, peace and stability can inevitably follow.

The world cannot return to a status quo in which Israeli human rights abuses continually increase, Palestinian rights decrease, and Palestinian men, women, and children die without any public notice until a war breaks out.

We call on 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.

The occupation is driving the violence, and it is long past time for the United States to bring this violence to an end by demanding an end to the occupation. Only justice for all will once again allow everyone to peacefully coexist in a land that so many hold dear. 

Take Action:

Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 4:00 PM | Students for Justice in Palestine at OSU’s Rally at the Ohio Statehouse

Donate: 

LaunchGood: Standing strong with Palestine & Gaza 

Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund: Urgent Gaza Relief 

Pious Projects: Emergency Relief for Gaza

Act Now: Register to Vote By Oct. 10

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

It is vital to register to vote or update your registration by Tuesday, October 10, 2023, to participate in the November 7th General Election! Note: If you register or update your information after the deadline, the change will apply for the next election.

Register to vote online and more here.

Check if you are registered to vote here.

View CAIR-Ohio’s Voter Guide to learn how + ways you can vote, your rights as a voter, and more here.

CAIR-Ohio Hosts Ieasha Prime for 26th Annual Columbus Banquet

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, Recent News, September

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 10/5/23) – On Sunday, September 22nd, CAIR-Ohio held its 26th Annual Columbus Banquet at the Ohio Union at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. 

The CAIR-Ohio annual banquet is an opportunity for staff to address hundreds of attendees including supporters, business leaders, elected officials, and representatives of mosques and community organizations to update them on the work CAIR-Ohio has accomplished in the past year. The theme this year was “Unified in Faith: Building Strength & Power.”  

Nearly 500 community members attended Sunday’s banquet with world-renowned scholar, Shaykha Ieasha Prime as the keynote. The evening’s motivational speaker was Dr. Altaf Husain, Vice President of Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and Associate Professor at Howard University, and was emceed by local community leader, Alauddin Alauddin. 

The evening highlighted 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.   

Proclamations and commendations were submitted by several governmental agencies and elected officials including:  

  • Governor Mike DeWine 
  • Ohio Senate – 135th General Assembly 
  • Ohio House of Representatives – 135th General Assembly 
  • Hilliard City Council
  • Franklin County Board of Commissioners 

Photos will be shared on our Facebook | Instagram soon.   

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. 

CAIR-Ohio Engages with OSU Global Leadership Initiative Students

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, Recent News, September

(COLUMBUS, OH, 9/28/2023) — This week, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox, had the honor of attending a special dinner hosted by the Global Leadership Initiative (GLI), a program under the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University. 

The event, which took place at the prestigious OSU Faculty Club, brought together a diverse group of international and domestic students. The GLI program, known for its commitment to fostering cultural immersion and leadership development, plays a pivotal role in shaping global citizens within the campus and the broader Columbus community. 

Victoria Hickcox had the privilege of speaking with students at the dinner, where she shared insights into the vital work of CAIR-Ohio. She highlighted the organization’s dedication to promoting civil rights, combating Islamophobia, and uplifting the Muslim community. 

CAIR-Ohio Presents at Immigration Asylum Seminar

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, Recent News, September

(COLUMBUS, OH, 9/21/2023) —On September 17, 2023, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox joined community members, leaders, and other organizations, at Jigjiga Mall for an Immigration Asylum Seminar, hosted by Rep. Mohamed (D3), to discuss CAIR-Ohio’s vital mission work and legal services. The seminar, attended by community members, legal professionals, and advocates, focused on connecting individuals facing challenges to seeking legal immigration status and asylum in the United States.

During her presentation, Hickcox highlighted the core mission of CAIR-Ohio, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to upholding civil rights, promoting justice, and combating discrimination. She underscored the critical role CAIR-Ohio plays in supporting immigrants and refugees, particularly in navigating complex immigration processes. Hickcox clarified that the immigration cases handled by the organization are primarily related to delays, often due to individuals being on government watchlists, or other instances of religious discrimination.  

The seminar featured attorneys and other staff from Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) and Columbus Legal Aid, who shared their expertise and insights on various aspects of immigration and asylum law. 

For more information about CAIR-Ohio and its work, please visit www.cair-ohio.com/what-we-do. 

CAIR-Ohio Presents on Islamophobia and White Supremacy to High School Class

by CAIR-OHIO in 2023, Recent News, September

(COLUMBUS, OH, 9/21/2023) — On September 15, 2023, students in a Political Radicalism class at Worthington Kilbourne High School had the unique opportunity to gain insights into Islam, combat Islamophobia, and understand the challenges of white supremacy. CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox conducted an “Islam 101” presentation and engaged students in a thoughtful Q&A session. 

The presentation began by demystifying Islam, sharing its core beliefs and practices. She emphasized the diversity within the Muslim community and dispelled common misconceptions. The presentation fostered a deeper understanding of Islam and laid the foundation for addressing Islamophobia. 

Following the “Islam 101” presentation, students participated in a robust Q&A session. They had the opportunity to ask candid questions about Islam, its cultural aspects, and how to combat Islamophobia and white supremacy in their communities.