"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.

The event provided an introspective observation of several leading contenders for Governor of Illinois. This particular forum exclusively featured the prominent Republican candidates, namely Adam Andrzejewki, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Dan Proft, and Bob Schillerstrom.

CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Amina Sharif and CAIR-Oklahoma Executive Director Razi Hashmi presented at the Interfaith Youth Core’s annual conference, “Leadership for a Religiously Diverse World.”

"Hate crimes are designed to hurt an entire group of people and therefore should receive extra attention," said CAIR-Chicago Communications Intern, Nicholas Short.

CIOGC is hosting its Annual CommUnity Dinner on Saturday, November 7th. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will be a keynote speaker.

CIOGC is hosting its Annual CommUnity Dinner on Saturday, November 7th. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will be a keynote speaker.

Sharif will be speaking at the Interfaith Youth Core's 6th Annual Conference along with CAIR-Oklahoma's Executive Director Razi Hashmi. The theme of this year's conference is "Leadership For a Religiously Diverse World." Sharif and Hashmi will be leading a "Speed Faithing" session on Islam, which will share basic information on the religion and it 1.5 billion followers.

Ahmad congratulated officials at the 2009 Illinois Committee for Honest Government’s (ICHG) Distinguished Service Awards Reception, saying their service to the people of this state “is to be commended and emulated by us all.” She also encouraged elected officials to approach their Muslim constituents who are becoming increasingly involved in the political arena and are actively serving their local communities.

Sharif engaged the class in a discussion on misperceptions of Islam and how extreme images of Muslims in pop culture and mainstream media often feed into ignorance and intolerance.

Despite an abysmal record on human rights, he has been invited by the University's Harris School of Public Policy, as a leader with a vision of “achieving prosperity through peace.” CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham will address the hypocrisy of this invitation at a press conference outside the event. Also read CAIR-Chicago's Action Alert regarding this issue,HERE.

Despite an abysmal record on human rights, he has been invited by the University's Harris School of Public Policy, as a leader with a vision of “achieving prosperity through peace.” CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham will address the hypocrisy of this invitation at a press conference outside the event. Also read CAIR-Chicago's Action Alert regarding this issue,HERE.

Olmert was prime minister during Operation Cast Lead in which Israel Defense Forces killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 5,300. Olmert is also responsible for implementing the siege on Gaza, now well into its third year. The siege has plunged more than 80 percent of the population into abject poverty.

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:

"Amina Sharif of the Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations also praised Obama's approach. 'A lot of Muslims felt hurt under Bush, and Obama's healing some of those wounds.' However, she said, Muslims in the U.S. and abroad are losing patience for him to fulfill some promises in the Middle East, including pressuring Israel to end settlement building in the West Bank."

"'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."

CAIR-Chicago congratulates President Obama for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "The award acknowledges the noticeable shift in U.S. diplomacy under the Obama administration as seen by his efforts to reach out to Muslims around the world and to increase cooperation with the international community," said Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator.

"Surely Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) did not intend on peeling the scab off of a healing wound when he spoke last Thursday at a conference in Washington D.C., but his comment, drawing a contrast between being Muslim and being 'good,' has done just that." -Gov. Affairs Coordinator Reema Ahmad. Read the rest of Reema's article on her blog, The Mobilizer.

The Pew Research Center released a comprehensive demographic study of more than 200 countries this week. It found that there are 1.57 billion Muslims living in the world today, representing 23% of an estimated world population of 6.8 billion. It also found that many Muslim populations live in places they had not expected.