CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director today attended a private reception for Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at DePaul University in advance of the Somali President's speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. About 20 academics and civic leaders were in attendance.

CAIR-Chicago joined ICIRR at a press conference to introduce a letter calling on President Barack Obama to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) this year. U.S. Representatives Luis V. Gutierrez, Danny K. Davis, and Mike Quigley also attended to show their continued support for CIR.

CAIR-Chicago’s Outreach Coordinator Gerald Hankerson recently presented at the 5th Annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) in Sacramento, much of which took place in the California State Capitol building.

CAIR-Chicago joined hundreds of police officers, family, and friends to honor the 540 fallen officers who died in the line of duty, and to recognize the 15,520 members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the nation’s second largest police force.

Naim Zaita is now a United States citizen after attempting to gain his citizenship for nearly 4 years. Zaita, a Palestinian, applied for citizenship in 2005, but was forced to endure delays and complications

The Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) is a founding member of the Chicago Youth Exchange 2009 Summer Program, which took place this past August 12-13.

This September, CAIR-Chicago is joining immigrant rights advocates from across Chicago, every Tuesday, to hold peaceful vigils outside Congressman Mark Kirk’s office in Skokie, Illinois.

Sharif delivered a workshop entitled “How to be an Effective Media Spokesperson.” The seminar offered practical tips on how to communicate with media and produce stories that positively relate to American Muslims.

See pictures of CAIR-Chicago's first annual "Taste of Ramadan" Potluck Iftar and Cook-off. You can also read the full menu which details which country each dish came from.

The event was attended by hundreds of Muslims and friends and neighbors of other faith backgrounds from the surrounding churces, temples, and institutions. A number of public officials were also in attendance. This was one of the best attended iftars and most diverse to date.

A hookah lounge in Worth, Illinois, is still in business after unsubstantiated complaints against it were resolved by CAIR-Chicago. Civil Rights Director, Christina Abraham, reached a settlement last week allowing the Arab American owned lounge to remain open.

CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director Ahmed Rehab Delivered the Keynote speech today at Advocate Christ Hosptial 2nd annual Iftar. The Iftar (breaking of the fast) is hosted annually by the Association of Muslim Physicians at the hospital since last year. The event brings together Muslim physicians and surgeons with their counterparts from other faith backgrounds for a celebration of diversity and the spiritual ideals of Ramadan.

"I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly? There are those who do, and their own words testify to their intolerance."

This past week marked the end of the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium’s (MYLS) summer program, Breakin’ Out: Implementing Proactive Change.

Reem Rahman, CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator, is leaving us to pursue a Masters in Management Research at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom this fall.

CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator, Reem Rahman, is graduating CAIR-Chicago; her last day with the organization is today, Friday, August 21st. Reem will be moving for a year to England where she will be pursuing a masters in Management Research at Oxford Univeristy.

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to visit the Philippines as the U.S. delegate to observe the 6th installment of a U.S. State Department sponsored youth program, PYLP.

North Shore Congressman Mark Kirk announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, July 20. CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, and CAIR-Chicago interns joined the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in a peaceful protest during the press conference held in Kenilworth.

CAIR-Chicago staff attorney Kevin Vodak recently reached a settlement on behalf of a Muslim client who was denied public accommodations at a restaurant in 2007.

CAIR-Chicago joined leaders of Chicago’s Muslim community recently in a meeting with the Archdiocese of Chicago and its archbishop, Francis Cardinal George. The event, “Muslim and Catholic Evening of Conversation”, marked a new chapter of interfaith dialogue and engagement between the two faith communities.