Featured Projects
Since day one, CAIR-Chicago’s guiding light has been our trademark organizational model of “Professional Muslim Activism.” This model combines corporate standards, in all aspects of our technical work, with the Islamic values of human care and social justice into a proactive treatment of the issues. CAIR-Chicago focuses on vital local projects that are sustainable, measurable, and dedicated.
Traveler's Assistance Project
Resisting the Travel Ban www.tapus.org
Asylum and Citizenship Projects
We advocate for those who have few other places to turn.
Prison Project
We work to protect the rights of Muslim prisoners
Chicago Public Schools Project
We work with local schools to ensure an inclusive and accommodating environment for Muslim students.
What We Do
Civil Rights
CAIR-Chicago’s extensive work and advocacy has a direct impact on preserving civil rights of American Muslims – relief for the victims, improving policies to accommodate religious practices and eliminate discriminatory measures, and empowering individuals and institutions to protect their rights.
Media Relations
CAIR-Chicago organizes press conferences and issues dozens of press releases and media advisories annually to ensure that Muslim perspectives on vital issues and current events are represented in the mainstream media.
Community & Government Outreach
CAIR-Chicago aims to educate and build bridges between Muslims and diverse communities, establish partnerships with other organizations, and bolster CAIR-Chicago’s ability to serve its constituents in Chicago’s Muslim communities.
Our Team
Staff
2021 Interns
Interns
CAIR-Chicago’s team is a dedicated group of staff, interns, and volunteers. We are committed to being active in our communities and accessible to the people we serve.
STAND UP AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA FOR ONLY $1 A DAY
RESULTS ORIENTED: CAIR-Chicago in Numbers
CAIR-Chicago continues to be our community's only institutional civil rights defense and advocacy organization in Illinois and the NW Indiana region.
Why CAIR-Chicago?
CAIR-Chicago is the only specialized, full-time organization in the city of Chicago working to represent the Muslim community in the courthouse and the newsroom, that is in the legal arena in terms of its civil rights, and on the airwaves in terms of its public image.
Mission
To defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
Vision
To attain equal opportunity for,and normalize the image of, Muslims in America.
CALL OR DROP US AN EMAIL
VOLUNTEER OR INTERN WITH US AT CAIR-CHICAGO
Key Issues
We advocate and educate against bigotry, hate and prejudice targeting Muslims on the mere basis of their faith.
There is no media conspiracy, but selective and/or de-contextualized reporting that conflates aberrational representations of Islam/Muslims with the normative ones contribute to public “miseducation.”
“The best way to fix our image, is to fix our reality.”
Recognitions
CAIR-Chicago is dedicated to facilitating change around us and empowering the community to be agents of change across the country. We work with local and national leaders to ensure protection of rights for all Muslim Americans.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
Through a comprehensive array of invaluable services to the Muslim American Community, CAIR has handled over 5,000 civil rights complaints, worked to educate and empower the Muslim community, graduated over 800 interns, coordinated countless interfaith and intercultural initiatives, led workshops, and hosted international delegations.
US Senator Dick Durbin
You defend the civil rights of your constituents, encourage their political empowerment, and make strides to foster dialogue about cultural awareness and understanding. I applaud your commitment to promoting tolerance and understanding.
US Congressman Andre Carson
Each of us plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding and equal justice, but, to be effective, our community must demonstrate consistent, strategic and unified engagement on the local and national level.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth
CAIR-Chicago has been a constant leader in continuously fighting against injustice and discrimination to protect the civil rights and dignity of all Americans.
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
Thankfully, CAIR and its Chicago chapter over the past several years have fought back against this rising tide of anti-Muslim and empowered the Muslim community and others to fully participate in American civic life.
Our Films
ACTION 2020
CAIR-Chicago is proud to reveal our 2020 film, ACTION 2020. This documentary-style film follows our staff, our clients and our community, who shared how CAIR-Chicago helps on all fronts: legislation, litigation, and grassroots activism. It is also the first film we produced with a female filmmaker, our very own Communications Coordinator Hannah Faris!
At CAIR-Chicago, we will continue to work to protect the rights of each and every Muslim American that comes through our doors, while protect civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
Our Other Websites
Traveler's Assistance Project
Youth Leaders Symposium
The Chicago Monitor