On a brisk late morning last week, over 100 loud and colorful protesters organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), an organization on whose board I sit, lined up on the corner of Clark and Grand. The protesters, young and old, men and women, white, black, Arab, Latino, and Asian came to register their dismay with Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) over the anti-immigrant remarks he has made recently.

CAIR-Chicago is joining with other members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to rally against Congressman Mark Kirk’s anti-immigrant stance.

On November 4th the CAIR-Chicago office was closed as staff members volunteered at the Mosque Foundation of Bridgeview, headquarters of the New American Democracy Project’s “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV) Campaign.

CAIR-Chicago, Mosque, Foundation, and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and refugee rights (ICIRR) joined forces this year to promote voter participation in the upcoming election through a fellowship program entitled the New American Democracy Project (NADP). The program has been a resounding success, managing to register over 1,200 new voters in the just the Chicago-land area.

Are you looking for ways to get involved in your community? Frustrated by the challenges Muslims face in America?

During this meeting, Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, was re-elected to the board of ICIRR.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) announces the New Americans Democracy Project, a five-month fellowship program for young people who are interested in working hard while exploring a career in social justice work, receiving quality training, and contributing to the participation of new citizens in the American democratic process.

This Tuesday, January 15, 2008, the Illinois Coalition for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights hosted a media workshop intended to empower organizations working on immigration issues.

CAIR-Chicago Government Affairs Coordinator Sadiya Ahmed attended the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) leadership retreat on Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29 at the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab and Government Affairs Coordinator Sadiya Ahmed attended the annual membership meeting of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)