
COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS - CHICAGO | DEFENDING CIVIL RIGHTS. FIGHTING BIGOTRY. PROMOTING TOLERANCE
(CHICAGO, IL, 12/13/2012) — On Friday, December 14, the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) will announce the launch of the “MyJihad” educational campaign at a press conference in the morning and at a community party in the afternoon.
Although the hysteria regarding Peter King’s hearings has died down, the Rep. from New York still poses a threat to the American Muslim community.
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.
CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, wants Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to clarify his position on the NYPD spying program and also to assure Muslims that a spying operation has not been implemented in Chicago.
According to the AP article released on February 2, 2012 the NYPD Secret Intelligence Strategy Report for the Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, titled “US-Iran Conflict: The Threat to New York City.”
Ahmed Rehab debates guests on Fox Business’ Money Rocks regarding the rise of Islamophobia in America as seen by recent attacks against several mosques. Rehab and conservative commentator Bo Dietel also debate the merits of building a mosque in lower Manhattan, near Ground Zero.
“The fear is that Muslims cannot take their place in American life without harassment or subjugation or being seen as being involved with some conspiracy theory,” says Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, discusses the stabbing of a Muslim cab driver in NYC whose attacker first asked “are you Muslim?”. Rehab also talks about the danger of anti-Muslim propaganda driven by Islamophobes opposed to Park 51, the proposed Muslim community center near Ground Zero.
Ahmed Rehab discusses the ground zero mosque controversy and clears misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.