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(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/23/23)– On Thursday, March 16, CAIR-Ohio collaborated with the Noor Islamic Cultural Center (NICC) in hosting an Islam 101 information session for the Columbus School for Girls.  

CAIR-Ohio Community Relations Assistant Shireen Shaaban organized and lead an informative discussion on Islam with students from the Columbus School for Girls as part of a religious diversity learning objective. Throughout the presentation, Shaaban discussed the fundamentals of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim, which included the five pillars of Islam, the significance of Ramadan, the experiences that come with wearing Hijab in America, and much more. Towards the end of the session, students had the opportunity to ask questions, which in turn helped them understand and resonate more with the material they had learned.  

Additionally, Shaaban and Directors at NICC walked the students and teachers through a tour of the masjid, highlighting what each space is utilized for and the meaning behind the architecture of the building. 

Interested in having CAIR-Ohio present to your school? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox: vhickcox@cair.com | 513.906.5728. 

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/16/23)– On Thursday, March 9, CAIR-Ohio spoke to more than fifty students at Thomas Worthington High School. Staff members were invited to speak as part of a speaker series for a Political Radicalism class.

CAIR-Ohio Government Affairs Director Anisa Liban and Community Relations Assistant Shireen Shaaban shared their personal stories of their upbringings and about what it means to be a Muslim American. During the session, they had conversations with high school seniors on the experiences they have been part of at CAIR-Ohio. 

Liban shared the current political climate and challenges that Muslim face to when practicing their faith, such as Islamophobia, and how anti-Muslim discrimination comes in many shapes and forms, including its presence across the globe. Shaaban and Liban both opened about their personal journeys wearing the hijab in America and spoke to what it is like to be visibly Muslim and outwardly representing one’s faith at all times. 

After they gave an overview and background of Muslims in America and discussed the advocacy work that CAIR-Ohio does as well as the kinds of complaints received. There was a question-and-answer session where students were able to ask follow-up questions to the topics discussed and address any topics that were not touched on. 

Interested in having CAIR-Ohio speak at your school or organization? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox: vhickcox@cair.com | 513.906.5728. 

(COLUMBUS, OH, 03/09/23)– On Thursday, March 2, CAIR-Ohio invited student organizations from the Ohio State University to connect and strategize ways to help in empowering and supporting them in their endeavors.  

During their time, CAIR-Ohio staff members and OSU student leaders discussed ways they could collaboratively support one another in achieving the goals they have set for the Muslim community in the Greater Columbus area and at the university. CAIR-Ohio strongly values investing in and empowering young Muslim professionals and providing them opportunities to develop their skills as leaders. 

Interested in connecting with CAIR-Ohio? Contact CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox vhickcox@cair.com | 513-906-5728. 

(COLUMBUS, OH – 3/6/23) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today condemned the distribution of antisemitic materials to businesses in Cincinnati over the weekend. 

SEE: Antisemitic propaganda distributed to business owners in Northside 

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi said:    

“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and urge law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. We also call on all Ohioans to reject hate and bigotry in all forms and promote mutual understanding and respect. 

“We believe that every individual has the right to live free from fear and discrimination, and we will continue to work tirelessly toward building a more just and equitable society for all.” 

She noted that last month, CAIR-Ohio condemned an alleged neo-Nazi homeschool group recently discovered in that state.    

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

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, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.      

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi, abarhumi@cair.com, 614-763-6557; CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247