CAIR-Chicago continues to expose the lies and dishonest tactics of career Islamophobe and wannabe terrorism analyst, Mr. Steven Emerson after he whines about our first column.

The recent blow to immigration reform in Arizona shows that now more than ever we need to send a strong message to our officials in Congress that the time to wait for comprehensive immigration reform is over - we need to act now.

In light of the recent, renewed controversy surrounding cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed, the Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn recalls his great 2006 debate on the subject with CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab.

Devoid of credentials, Emerson still tries hard to run himself off as some sort of independent "expert" on Islam and Muslims, and yet the hit pieces he fills his blog with are often empty of substance and instead replete with anti-Muslim hysterics.

"The bench should be representative of American society, and if you look at American society there are people of different religions, races, and genders," says Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director.

Ahmed Rehab discusses the recent Muhammad cartoon controversy, this time sparked by Comedy Central's "South Park", and provides some context to the various reactions it has garnered - context missing from most media coverage.

"My column on the Council on American-Islamic Relations drew the expected range of response," writes Neil Steinberg. "There was much castigating me as a "useful idiot" blind to the gathering Islamic peril (one reader recommended a book by Brigitte Gabriel that's actually called They Must Be Stopped, which sounds like the title of a 1950s B-movie about giant ants)."But there were a surprising number of thoughtful, warm, humane responses, and not just from Muslims grateful to seeing themselves depicted as human beings."

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, talks to Fox News' John Gibson about the Pentagon's disinvitation of evangelist Franklin Graham from an army prayer service after pressure from various groups, including CAIR.

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, talks to Fox News' John Gibson about the Pentagon's disinvitation of evangelist Franklin Graham from an army prayer service after pressure from various groups, including CAIR.

Dr. Tariq Ramadan, on the day of his keynote at CAIR-Chicago's Annual Banquet, sat down for a Q & A session with the Chicago Tribune. During the interview, Ramadan discusses his U.S. visit and asks American Muslims to be more involved in American society.

In this editorial piece, Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Director, discusses the fear-mongering and guilt-by-association tactics used by many Islamophobes to smear Muslim institutions. Abraham also explains the troublesome and meaningless "unindicted co-conspirator" label that is maligning hundreds of Muslim organizations and individuals.

"The overlying mantra is that we belong here, this is our country, too," said Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations "That's something you do not through assertive statement, but assertive action."

[CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Kevin Vodak] said the group followed proper procedures over the 17 months of meetings and hearings that preceded his office being retained. "Throughout the process, they were attempting to provide (concessions) in the hope of appeasing the neighbors," Vodak said. "They expended a lot of effort and funds trying to get that done."

Zafra Lerman said Columbia violated its own policies and her rights as a tenured professor by firing her last year. Her federal suit, filed against four top administrators, said they began a retaliatory campaign against her after she criticized the firing of Suriya Smiley, a professor of Palestinian descent who was accused of making an anti-Semitic remark.

Why do Westerners succumb to anti-Muslim fear? It's a natural reflex -- certainly what terrorists expect when they claim their acts are in the name of Islam. They want to drive a wedge between the cultures, lest a harmonious blending undercut their extremism and deprive them of the enemy they crave. It's a partnership, the terrorists and the fear-mongers, working in harmony and tacit agreement.

The controversy surrounding Tariq Ramadan is based on hype spurned by the usual detractors for whom every significant Muslim voice is a foreign fifth column, feigning moderation, and secretly plotting to destroy Western civilization.For anyone who has actually read any of his books or heard his speeches, Ramadan’s thoughts and positions are unmistakably pro-peace.

Sign-up and Participate in Muslim Action Day!! Meet with elected officials and make your voice heard. Join Muslims from across the state, of all backgrounds and ages, for a day at our state capitol. Hear from State Senators, Representatives and other officials while having the opportunity to stand up for yourself and your community to the officials that represent you.

Muslims, in solidarity with the families of victims and key faith leaders who live, work and worship in Marquette Park, will gather in the wake of the gruesome act of violence that occurred Wednesday in their community and reject any rationale that connects this atrocity to the Muslim community and Islam

CAIR-Chicago would like to thank its community of supporters for joining us at our 6th Annual Banquet this past weekend. The hugely successful event was a milestone for our organization and the Chicago Muslim community.

On April 22, 2010, Muslim youth, leaders, and activists from all over Illinois will join in Springfield to lobby members of the Illinois General Assembly. This event, organized by the Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago and sponsored by CAIR-Chicago and Zakat Foundation, is expected to bring together hundreds of Muslim Americans and advocates of the community. Last year, there were over 450 participants, and organizers are hoping for even more this year.