America is supposed to be the land of the free, home of the brave, where dreams come true, and where religion can be practiced openly. If only those words were true. How is it possible to be free and brave when society is too afraid to let you?

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The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) filed a complaint in federal court yesterday against The City Colleges of Chicago on behalf of an African-American Muslim, Thomas Rasheed, who was denied tenure in Fall 2010.

Many American Muslims encounter workplace bullying – making it important to know your rights so that your career, livelihood, and emotional health will not be compromised.

Numerous organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the United States Department of Justice filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the Arizona law and asking for an injunction to prevent the law from going into effect.

This article is the second in a summer series of “Know Your Rights” pieces that detail essential civil liberties that are granted to U.S. citizens.

Do you know your rights? Request a “Know Your Rights” training by CAIR-Chicago at your local mosque, community center or place of worship.

Muslims continue to be the target of hate, fear, and racism causing them to become victims of acts of blatant discrimination and inequality. Muslims have encountered spying, being singled out, and have been deprived their freedom of speech.

A feeling of suspicion has swept over American-Muslims, leaving some distrustful of others in their own community.

On November 1, 2011, Amina Sharif, CAIR-Chicago’s Communications Coordinator, spoke to a DePaul University class on Middle-Eastern and Muslim communities in America.