“The American Muslim community stands with other Americans in a collective commitment to support the Haitian people during their time of crisis with money, supplies, and prayers,” said Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago. The Coalition also demanded Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants in the US.

CAIR-Chicago is proud to announce that Ian Bushner has joined its team as a Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellow. Ian graduated with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and following his Fellowship will work as an associate with the law firm Jenner & Block LLP. To read more about Ian click here

Sharif discussed CAIR-Chicago’s work to combat religious discrimination and promote religious tolerance, and explained how media plays a critical role in that effort. She also described how CAIR-Chicago serves as a resource to journalists and news producers by offering them support and expert analysis as they develop their news reports.

After a 4-year wait, a divorce, and two passed citizenship tests, a man was sworn in as a citizen of the United States.

The man, charged with criminal trespassing during the protest, was represented by CAIR-Chicago's Christina Abraham.

CAIR-Chicago has recently resolved the cases of four Muslim men whose bids for citizenship faced long delays and complications.

A Muslim CTA employee contacted CAIR-Chicago for representation after being repeatedly passed up for promotion.

CAIR-Chicago recently settled a discrimination suit in favor of a Muslim woman fired for not attending an annual company event.

Outreach Coordinator Gerald Hankerson describes his experience on an intercultural and friendship tour in Turkey. The trip was organized by the Niagra Foundation and its international partner in Turkey, BAKIAD.

CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Amina Sharif, and Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham were invited to speak at a meeting hosted by the Illinois Society for International Development on November 10th which took place at DePaul University.

Current Governor Patrick Quinn and State Comptroller Daniel Hynes stopped at the Union League Club of Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for a gubernatorial rally, the first of two such events scheduled for the day.

“In the past, journalists only studied writing,” Sharif explained. “In this age of globalization, journalists need to know how to research and accurately report on other cultures that they may not be familiar with.”

A critical mind is a terrible thing to waste according to CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, who spoke at the American Islamic College on November 19. As a speaker for the event “Islamic Intellectualism: Promoting a Critical Mind,” he clarified to participants that Islam strongly encourages intellectual inquisitiveness and creative problem solving.

Two more CAIR-Chicago clients were recently sworn in as United States citizens after enduring years of difficulties and delays. With the assistance of the Civil Rights department, they received a response from the government and obtained their citizenship.

Mayor Daley presented Zarzour with the 2009 Arab Heritage Month Award for Outstanding Contributions to Chicago’s Arab Community and commended him for his exceptional community service. “I am truly honored to receive this recognition on behalf of a dignified community from a city I am proud to serve," said Zarzour.

CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham and Staff Attorney Kevin Vodak presented on the state of civil rights in post 9-11 America at an event entitled "The War on Terror and the Rights of Muslims," sponsored by the American Constitutional Society (ACS).

“Change” is the word that still lingers the minds and hearts of over 400 Chicagoans who gathered on November 3 at the Spertus Institute and Grant Park to commemorate the election of President Barack Obama. And they wanted to make sure that the word remained important to Obama as well.

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.

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.