Category: 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

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 10/5/23) – On Sunday, September 22^nd, 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 – 135^th General Assembly 
• Ohio House of Representatives – 135^th 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. 

(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. 

(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. 

(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. 

(CINCINNATI, OH, 9/14/2023) — The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today endorsed the Cincinnati Affordable Housing Initiative, Issue 24, a vital solution to the city’s housing crisis. With one in three residents unable to afford housing, it is time to act.   

The Cincinnati Affordable Housing Initiative addresses critical issues facing our community:   

• Housing Shortage: Cincinnati faces a staggering shortage of over 28,000 affordable housing units, making it an urgent crisis.   
• Soaring Rents: The median rent in Cincinnati has skyrocketed to $1,815 per month, placing it out of reach for many residents.   
• Homelessness Impact: Last year, 172 lives were lost due to homelessness, underscoring the urgency of finding solutions.   
• Addressing Disparities: This initiative is a crucial step towards combating racial injustices in housing, with a focus on rectifying disparities that disproportionately affect Black households and new Americans who are often stuck with overcrowded housing.   

“Access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental civil right, one that deeply resonates with our diverse Muslim community,” says CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox. “We proudly support the Cincinnati Affordable Housing Initiative as it represents a significant stride towards addressing inequities in our city.”   

The Cincinnati Affordable Housing Initiative restores the earned income tax to its 2020 level, generating $40-50 million annually for affordable housing. Most two-bedroom apartments will cost $645/month or less. Funds also support emergency services and homeownership.   

For more information, visit: https://www.cincyhousingforall.com. 

CAIR-Ohio is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’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. 

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cincinnati & Columbus Executive Director Amina Barhumi,  

abarhumi@cair.com | 614-763-6557 

(CINCINNATI, OH, 9/1/2023) – The Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the distribution of white supremacist antisemitic flyers on windshields in Cincinnati. 

The flyers were placed on the windshields of cars parked in the parking lot of the WLWT5 news office.

SEE: Flyers placed on cars latest in series of antisemitic incidents in Greater Cincinnati 

“We condemn the distribution of this hateful propaganda and call on Ohioans from all backgrounds to stand together in repudiation of white supremacy, antisemitism and all forms of religious and ethnic bigotry,” said CAIR-Ohio, Cincinnati & Columbus Executive Director Amina Barhumi. 

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

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

(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 9/29/22) – On Tuesday, September 27, more than 60 Muslims from across Ohio participated in over 30 meetings with legislative offices during CAIR-Ohio’s 4th Annual Muslim Advocacy Day event focusing on bills related to religious accommodation, healthcare access, and freedom of speech in schools.  Read More “CAIR-Ohio Hosts 4th Annual Muslim Advocacy Day at Statehouse” →

Find CAIR-Ohio at a masjid near you! Tomorrow (9/30) we will be at Abu Bakar Asiddiq Islamic Center (AAIC) registering voters at Jummah prayer. We want to make sure that Muslims are registered to vote. The deadline for voter registration is October 11 for the November 8 General Election. Do not delay!

You can check to make sure that you are registered or check if your current address is valid here.

We will also be providing resources for religious accommodation and legal services – see you there!

View our voter guide here.

CAIR-Ohio Staff Attorney Maryam Abidi will be joining the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) for their Annual Gathering, Radical Compassion: From Individual Mercy to Systemic Change on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

IJPC educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust local, national, and global systems, and promotes the creation of a non-violent society. Maryam will be speaking on a panel with other movement leaders including Harold D’Souza and Sr. Alice Gerdeman.

The event will take place at the 20th Century Theater in Cincinnati, OH.