Category: 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. 

(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.

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) has released the American Muslim Poll 2022: A Politics and Pandemic Status Report! View our Instagram for a selection of graphs highlighting some of their key findings regarding islamophobia and voting for American Muslims.

View the full report here.

This research is lead by Dalia Mogahed, the Director of Research at the ISPU, and the keynote speaker at the CAIR-Ohio Cincinnati & Dayton Annual Banquet this year!