Earlier this week, Gov. Pat Quinn stepped into the controversy, saying he was against the mosque being built near the site of the 9/11 terror attack. Christina Abraham, of CAIR, believes Quinn's stand will cost him votes in November.

"The 400,000 Muslims in the Chicago area know about this issue. They're concerned about this issue and it will affect how they make their decision come election time. He's lost my vote," said Abraham.

CAIR-Chicago representatives and local Muslim leaders discussed their disappointment in IL Gov. Pat Quinn's comments regarding the New York mosque controversy and their concern that a growing anti-Muslim network is spreading Islamophobia through fear mongering. They also shared examples of other mosques around the country that are facing opposition, including one in Naperville which CAIR-Chicago is currently litigating on behalf of.

CAIR-Chicago representatives and local Muslim leaders discussed their disappointment in IL Gov. Pat Quinn's comments regarding the New York mosque controversy and their concern that a growing anti-Muslim network is spreading Islamophobia through fear mongering. They also shared examples of other mosques around the country that are facing opposition, including one in Naperville which CAIR-Chicago is currently litigating on behalf of.

"I do believe that there are special places on Earth that should have a zone of solemnity around them," Quinn told reporters when asked about the issue. "I would strongly urge those who are thinking of putting a mosque within that zone to rethink their position." "The 9/11 attacks were caused by terrorists. Terrorists shouldn't build a mosque in proximity to ground zero, or America for that matter," said Ahmed Rehab, executive director of Chicago's Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Ahmed Rehab discusses the ground zero mosque controversy and clears misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

Ahmed Rehab discusses the ground zero mosque controversy and clears misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

Ahmed Rehab talks to MSNBC's Tamron Hall about the Islamophobia that is at the heart of the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy. Rehab also discusses the growing anti-Muslim network in the United States which seeks to delegitimize American Muslims.

Ahmed Rehab talks to MSNBC's Tamron Hall about the Islamophobia that is at the heart of the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy. Rehab also discusses the growing anti-Muslim network in the United States which seeks to delegitimize American Muslims.

Ahmed Rehab debates anti-Muslim bigot Pamela Geller regarding the "Ground Zero Mosque" and calls her out on her Islamophobia. Geller, founder of atlasshrugs.com and the Islamophobic hate-group Stop the Islamization of America (SOIA), attempts to associates all Muslims with 9/11 and terrorism.

Ahmed Rehab debates anti-Muslim bigot Pamela Geller regarding the "Ground Zero Mosque" and calls her out on her Islamophobia. Geller, founder of atlasshrugs.com and the Islamophobic hate-group Stop the Islamization of America (SOIA), attempts to associates all Muslims with 9/11 and terrorism.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab debates Fox News' John Gibson on the right of New York Muslims to build a mosque in lower Manhattan, a few blocks away from Ground Zero.

"Ahmed Rehab, CAIR’s spokesman, said anti-Muslim groups are raising money and campaigning against construction of the centre. 'The backlash you are seeing is from this organized group of campaigners rather than a public reaction, which is what they would have you believe,' he said. 'Most people are genuinely open to the multicultural nature of this country.'”

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab talks to Fox Radio's Alan Colmes about the recent decision in New York to permit the “Ground Zero mosque” to be built. Rehab also warns of the growing anti-Muslim network in the United States which seeks to delegitimize American Muslims.

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab talks to Fox Radio's Alan Colmes about the recent decision in New York to permit the “Ground Zero mosque” to be built. Rehab also warns of the growing anti-Muslim network in the United States which seeks to delegitimize American Muslims.

A measure that could streamline the process of establishing places of worship and other forms of assembly in unincorporated DuPage County is heading to the zoning panel that recently has taken up two zoning proposals from Islamic groups.

Ahmed Rehab discusses misconceptions about Islam and American Muslims, specifically addressing the “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy, and reacts to recent Sarah Palin twitter comments about the issue.

Ahmed Rehab discusses misconceptions about Islam and American Muslims, specifically addressing the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy, and reacts to recent Sarah Palin twitter comments about the issue.

Ahmed Rehab talks to John Williams on CBS Radio about the fallacies surrounding the "Ground Zero Mosque" by reminding listeners that Islam as a religion is not terrorism.

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council for American-Islamic Relations, said he doesn't agree with the principles of Hizb ut-Tahrir, but believes the group is entitled to freedom of speech and assembly like any other group in the U.S. "They are a minority group among Muslims and their ideology is considered sensational by mainstream communities," Rehab said. "Despite their best efforts, they are neither persuasive nor effective."

"The survey will be asking about 3,000 respondents how Islamophobia has affected them and to identify where they see the most examples of it," Amina Sharif, Chicago spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Thursday. "Chicago is a diverse metropolis, but that doesn't mean we're exempt from racial and ethic tensions."