Category: Recent News

(DAYTON, OH—08/17/2023) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) strongly condemns the recent distribution of white supremacist flyers by a hate group in the Brittany Hills/Woodbourne neighborhood of Washington Township. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing investigation into these incidents highlights the concerning rise of hate-based activities in our communities.

CAIR-Ohio stands in solidarity with all residents of the neighborhood who have been affected by these abhorrent flyers promoting hateful ideologies. The presence of such material not only spreads divisiveness and fear but also undermines the sense of security and unity that every community should enjoy.

In response to this alarming incident, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox stated, “We unequivocally condemn any attempt to disseminate hateful and supremacist ideologies that seek to divide our diverse communities. Such actions are a threat to the peaceful coexistence we all value.”

The safety and well-being of all community members are of paramount importance. CAIR-Ohio encourages anyone who comes across materials promoting hate or prejudice to report them to the proper authorities. In instances where such actions escalate into harassment, threats, or vandalism, it is crucial to address these incidents promptly to ensure the security and harmony of the neighborhood. 

“We call upon law enforcement agencies and community leaders to remain vigilant against hate-driven activities and to work together to create an environment where all individuals can live without fear of discrimination or bigotry,” Hickcox added. “Our unity is our strength, and we must stand together against any attempts to sow seeds of hate within our neighborhoods.” 

END

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

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, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.

(COLUMBUS, OH—8/9/2023) — Today, CAIR-Ohio celebrated the results of yesterday’s special election. Ohioans have made history and garnered national attention in the August special election by rejecting Issue 1, a proposal backed by special interest groups that aimed to undermine the power of citizen-led ballot initiatives. The defeat of Issue 1, which sought to raise the threshold for passing Constitutional Amendments or citizen-initiated measures from a simple majority (50% + 1) to a supermajority (60%), marks a significant victory for democratic values. Moreover, Issue 1 intended to: 

• Require citizens who want to place an amendment on the ballot to collect signatures from at least 5% of voters from the last gubernatorial election in all 88 counties, instead of the current 44. 
• Eliminate a 10-day cure period that allows citizens to replace any signatures deemed faulty by the secretary of state’s office. 

In a noteworthy effort to raise awareness and educate the public about Issue 1, CAIR-Ohio organized efforts to increase the participation of the Ohio Muslim community in the election. Actions included:  

• Designing and curating tools and resources for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts by providing toolkits, voter guides, infographics, videos, presentations, and mailing postcards. 
• Translating materials into other languages to encourage participation amongst  
  Arabic and Somali speakers. 
• Conducting weekly tabling and information sharing at congregational Friday Jummah prayers to address misinformation and engage with mosque attendees. 
• Disseminating resources through masjid leaders’ network, student groups through high school and college students, and providing clarity on social media networks—such as Facebook and WhatsApp groups.  

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox said: 

“Yesterday, united against adversity, we stood strong. The defeat of Issue 1 wasn’t just a vote, but a resounding ‘NO’ to discrimination, injustice, and the erosion of our rights. Our unity protected our democracy’s essence, proving that when voices join, they triumph. We celebrate this win, and know that we have much more work ahead of us to defeat the corruption of our legislature.” 

CAIR-Ohio extends its heartfelt appreciation to all who stood against this undemocratic proposal. We commend the diverse coalition of citizens, activists, and community members for their dedication to preserving participatory democracy. Your collective efforts in spreading awareness, dispelling misinformation, and fostering unity have left an enduring mark on Ohio’s democratic landscape.

(COLUMBUS, OH— 8/3/2023) — Yesterday, CAIR-Ohio joined “Faith Votes No,” a press conference organized by Faith in Public Life Action at Gladden Social Justice Park that brought together numerous Columbus faith leaders from across the city. 

The event was aimed to provide further education on the importance of Issue 1 and how it directly impacts religiously practicing Ohioans who come from all faith backgrounds. Powerful testimonials from religious leaders explained how harmful Issue 1 would be to their communities. 

Muslims in Ohio often face discrimination and racism, which repeatedly comes straight from elected officials and the agencies meant to protect us. The August 8 Special Election functions as a form of government overreach because it is inherently undemocratic and aims to take away power from Ohioans. 

CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi stressed that “I am called on to seek and speak the truth and practice it as I speak it. Islam calls upon me to address injustice and oppression wherever and whenever I see it, particularly when it is against the individuals who are the most vulnerable.” 

SEE: Photos: Greater Columbus faith leaders speak out against Issue 1

Issue 1 would require 60% of voter approval to pass Constitutional Amendments. The new proposed law claims to protect the Constitution but takes away from the principle of one person, one vote. Every vote counts and every voter matters, which is why we must reject Issue 1 by voting NO.  

A NO Vote on Issue 1 says: 

• NO to unfair healthcare and housing polices 
• NO to dangerous discrimination policies 
• NO to efforts that undermine our public education 
• NO to our voices being silenced at the ballot box 

Vote NO on Issue 1 and stand behind the power of our voice. Voting NO on Issue 1 sends a message to Ohio legislators that we are stabilizing power in the people.  

With less than one week left until the August 8 Election Day, CAIR-Ohio encourages community members to head to the polls early and cast their votes.  

View press conference here. 

More information regarding Issue 1 and early voting for the Special Election is available on our Voter Guide. 

(COLUMBUS, OH— 8/1/2023) — On Sunday July 30, CAIR-Ohio held an informational community event at International Mall on the North side of Columbus. The event aimed to provide educational resources about Issue 1 and emphasized the importance of voting NO in the upcoming August 8th Special Election. The event brought together the Muslim community in the Columbus area and welcomed Mayor Andrew Ginther, who voiced his support by emphasizing the value of every individual’s vote in America. 

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about Issue 1 through a slideshow presented in both English and Somali, which highlighted crucial details about the election and early voting times. Materials were also provided in both languages for attendees to take and share with others in the community. 

The focus of the event was to educate the community on the proposed changes by Issue 1 and its potential impact on democratic rights in Ohio. If passed, Issue 1 would alter the current law, requiring a 60% supermajority of votes instead of the long-standing simple majority of 50% + 1 for Amendments to the Ohio Constitution. This change would make it significantly harder to propose and implement constitutional changes in the future, essentially silencing the voices of the majority in Ohio. 

Pamphlets and handouts distributed during the event provided a comparison of the current and proposed constitutional amendment processes. It underscored the serious risk posed by Issue 1, as it threatens the democratic rights of citizens and hinders the ability to make necessary changes when our legislature fails to act in the best interest of its constituents. 

CAIR-Ohio urged the community to vote NO on Issue 1 and emphasized the importance of participation in the August 8th Election. By voting against Issue 1, the community can prevent the loss of individual power, ensuring that the constitutional amendment process remains accessible and representative. 

With only one week left until the August 8th Election Day, CAIR-Ohio encouraged the community to take advantage of early voting opportunities and head to the polls to cast their votes.  

For more information about voting in this special election, view our Voter Guide and the Somali translation here.