CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Kevin Vodak talks to the Naperville Sun about recent developments in the Irshad Learning Center's lawsuit against Dupage County.

"It's disappointing that things should come to this, that the Illinois State Police has succumbed to the defamatory rantings of bigoted individuals who, while in the name of protecting American values, do nothing more than undermine and degrade the very principles this country was founded upon," said Abraham.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a discrimination claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Wednesday, the precursor to a lawsuit against Illinois State Police, after it rescinded its first appointment of a Muslim cleric as chaplain.

Kifah Mustapha, a well-known Chicago-area imam, was appointed chaplain in December. The Council on American-Islamic Relations is representing him and said Mustapha was told by a state police official his appointment was put on hold after criticism by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, a think-tank.

The Illinois State Police has revoked the appointment of a prominent cleric to become the department's first Muslim chaplain. Ahmed Rehab, CAIR's executive director in Chicago, called it discrimination against Muslims, especially since Imam Kifah Mustapha hasn't been formally accused of wrongdoing.

The Illinois State Police has revoked the appointment of a prominent cleric to become the department's first Muslim chaplain. Ahmed Rehab, CAIR's executive director in Chicago, called it discrimination against Muslims, especially since Imam Kifah Mustapha hasn't been formally accused of wrongdoing.

"He is a man of great integrity...He's looking to truly serve his country and his community. Muslims who serve every day in the Illinois State Police deserve a chaplain of their own faith," said Ahmed Rehab, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). "Our concern is that the Illinois State Police is kowtowing to articles online published by notorious anti-Muslims who have been in the business of smearing Muslim activists leaders and Imams for the longest time," said Rehab

"It is essentially guilt by association," said Christina Abraham.

"We fear that the board may have acted on improper factors in rejecting the Irshad Learning Center's permit, and we will continue to pursue this matter in hopes of achieving a just resolution," said Kevin Vodak, attorney with the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which will be representing Irshad as it considers appealing the county's ruling.

CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham, who attended the hearing with Amal Abusumayyah, said afterward, "We are hopeful that this sent a message to the public that sort of behavior will not be tolerated by a fair and just society."

CAIR-Chicago announced today that it is pleased with the plea agreement reached yesterday between state prosecutors and Valerie Kenney, a suburban woman who faced hate crime charges after attacking a Muslim woman at a Tinley Park grocery store 2 days after the Fort Hood shooting.

CAIR-Chicago announced today that it has filed a complaint in federal court against USF Holland and YRC Worldwide Inc. on behalf of an African-American Muslim former employee. The complaint alleges that the man, Reginal Exson, suffered discrimination and severe verbal abuse based on his race, religion and disability.

CAIR-Chicago has recently resolved the cases of four Muslim men whose bids for citizenship faced long delays and complications.

CAIR-Chicago recently settled a discrimination suit in favor of a Muslim woman fired for not attending an annual company event.

A Citibank security guard reportedly objected to a Muslim woman receiving service because it would encourage more of “them” to come into the bank. Throughout the process, which the Muslim customer described as “humiliating,” the guard allegedly made anti-Muslim remarks.

"Pulling a woman's head scarf is clearly a hate crime and should therefore be investigated as such," said Christina Abraham, the Chicago civil rights director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"It is not the fact that the Univ. of Chicago invited a pro-Israel speaker that offended so many. Rather, it is Olmert’s criminality that offends. It is the disparity with which the university treated its affected students that offends. It is the way in which they assured us that all views would be given a platform, and yet blatantly repressed the point of view of one group of people, that offends. And for this they must, at the very least, apologize," says Christina Abraham.

"It is not the fact that the Univ. of Chicago invited a pro-Israel speaker that offended so many. Rather, it is Olmert’s criminality that offends. It is the disparity with which the university treated its affected students that offends. It is the way in which they assured us that all views would be given a platform, and yet blatantly repressed the point of view of one group of people, that offends. And for this they must, at the very least, apologize," says Christina Abraham.

Listen to CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Director, Christina Abraham, on the Matt and Perri Show. Abraham discuss the discrimination complaint filed this week against Columbia College on behalf of a Muslim Instructor who was unjustly fired.

CAIR-Chicago filed action in federal court this week against Columbia College on behalf of a Palestinian Muslim Instructor, Sue Smiley, who was unfairly fired after a student falsely reported that she made an anti-Semitic comment in class. Read all media coverage of the case here:

"'Although we are always proud when one of our leaders is recognized for their commitment toward peace, it is important to remember that this award is being given to President Obama for the promise he displays, and not for his achievements thus far.' -- Christina Abraham, a director at the Chicago's Council on American-Islamic Relations."