What: Friday Sermon (Khutbah)

Speaker: Emad Hammwi CAIR-Chicago Volunteer Activist

What: "The Current Threat to Civil Liberties"

Join Chicago-area peace groups to take a "Stand Against Torture" and act in solidarity with others nation-wide protesting the 5 year anniversary of the first prisoners being brought to Guantanamo Bay.

CAIR-Chicago is co-sponsoring a blood drive this Thursday, December 21st, at the Downtown Islamic Center.

Details: The Springfield Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the endorsement of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Illinois is holding a “Town Hall” Meeting in Peoria, Illinois, for the IL Muslim Community on Saturday, December 9, 2006.

What: Muslim Journal Annual Dinner 'A Time to be Grateful'- “Which of the Favors of Your Lord will You Deny?” (Qur’an, Surah 55 – Ar Rahman, The Merciful Benefactor)

In the United States today, we are witnessing the gradual deterioration of the legal rights, civil liberties and humane policies for which our government once stood. In response to terrorist threats, security on all levels is expanding along with concerns over the reach of new security techniques and mechanisms.

What: Panel Discussion, “The Muslim Vote 2006: Reviewing the Results: Improving the Outcomes” at the Community Builders West meeting

On Sept 12, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and you will find things that are evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Muslims all over the world took offense by these words. Emotions flared, civil discord grew and in some instances, violence ensued. Confusion and unanswered questions are now prevalent on both sides. In the midst of all the misunderstanding, one certainty remains... dialogue is eminent. Let's talk!

What: Panel on Career Day at Aqsa School

Join us for a transatlantic dialogue with Ahmed Rehab, the Executive Director of the Chicago-branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago). CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties group.

This year in observation of Hunger Awareness Week, Loyola University and the Muslim Student Association of Loyola University explore the significance of helping the poor and underprivileged from the Islamic perspective.

Who: CAIR-Chicago Community Organizer and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) New Americans Democracy Project Fellow, Haady Taslim with Host Frederick Al-Deen What: Discussion of CAIR-Chicago's political mobilization work in the Bridgeview area.

What: Muslims in America - A Personal Experience

As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, it is more important than ever for Western Evangelical Christians to begin a theological dialogue with Muslim theologians and leaders.

The University of Chicago Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students is partnering up once again with the Chicago Office of the Council On American-Islamic Relations to present the second installment of "Understanding Islam in the Modern World."

Key Themes:

* Health: Sustaining our own victories and Illinois’ leadership in expanding health coverage & moving forward toward universal healthcare in Illinois * Housing: Demanding real action and resources from the state to address our many and varied housing problems—from no development to gentrification and from teardowns to too many foreclosures and homelessness * Immigrants: Supporting on-going programs helping immigrants to become citizens & voters.

What: A forum on the electoral process, candidate profiles, and civic engagement for college students

Topic: Faith, Politics, and Public Policy

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, will address Minnesota State University’s student body as the fall speaker, 2006. The 1-2 hour speech will focus on 9/11, Muslim-American relations, and related issues.