CAIR-Chicago recently marked a significant milestone with its 20th Annual Banquet, a memorable event that brought together community members, leaders, and supporters to celebrate two decades of unwavering commitment to justice, unity, and progress.

Our Government Affairs Division within the Outreach Department seeks to organize, mobilize, and empower the Muslim community throughout greater Chicagoland and the State of Illinois with long-term civic participation and awareness. Its educational initiatives help community members understand the political system and utilize it to work for their issues.

More than 9,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza -- that includes more than 3,700 Palestinian children and minors. More than 7,000 Palestinian children have been injured. Israeli military airstrikes also have driven more than half the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people from their homes, while food, water and fuel run low, The Associated Press reports.

Our Civil Rights Department handles cases that range from prejudiced gestures to full-blown discrimination. Our clients are Muslims, as well as members from other faith communities who have had Islam imputed upon them. Law Clerks and interns assist in several projects that highlight distinct civil rights issues that range from citizenship delays to securing the rights of Muslims to practice their religion freely in the public sphere, schools, places of employment, prisons, and other institutions.

Our Communications Department is the face and voice of the CAIR-Chicago chapter, connecting the work done in the office to the greater local, national, and international community. This department holds press conferences; issues press releases and newsletters to thousands of media outlets and local leaders; maintains CAIR-Chicago’s website; updates grows, and organizes initiatives across social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat; creates official documentaries and publications; contributes journalistic articles regularly, and produces video content for cases and news stories.

Our Outreach Department aims to educate, foster understanding and build bridges between Muslims and the general public in the greater Chicagoland and the State of Illinois. Through such efforts, the department establishes mutually beneficial partnerships through educational and multicultural collaborations with local, state and national organizations and institutions. The department also bolsters CAIR-Chicago’s ability to serve constituents within Muslim communities. To this end, the Outreach Department leads CAIR-Chicago’s youth leadership initiative, internship and volunteer activist programs, interfaith and intercultural initiatives, educational seminars, and civic engagement efforts.

Interns will work directly with the Operations Coordinator on projects and tasks related to office operations, efficiency and sustainability. In order to ensure that the each intern, extern, and fellow’s experience is maximized, each Operations team member will be required to develop and train in the following core specialties:

(CHICAGO, IL, 10/25/2023) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today said that its 2023 gala held at Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace Sunday evening sold out on Thursday.  

(CHICAGO, IL, 10/25/2023) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today welcomed hate crime charges for a man who allegedly pepper-sprayed pro-Palestinian protesters in Skokie, Illinois.  

(CHICAGO, IL, 10/19/2023) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today is sharing this update with the community regarding Hanaan Shahin, the mother of Wadea ElFayoume.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Multiple anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic threats and acts have been reported in the Chicago area this week as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Arab Americans worry about their safety amid the anger, fear and injustice they feel over Plainfield boy’s killing, threats toward Muslim schools, and “harmful narratives” perpetuated by media and politicians: “We’ve seen this before.”

A Chicago Muslim civil rights organization is pointing to recent violent incidents and threats in Plainfield, Harvey, and Lombard, saying hatred-fueled violence should not be happening to anyone, and it's worse now than immediately post-9/11.

Watch full news clip.

(CHICAGO, IL, [10/20/2023]) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is hosting a press conference today to address the recent alarming increase in grotesque hate incidents directed at the Muslim community and in the current politically charged climate. 

The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that hate crime charges were brought against a man who reportedly threatened to shoot two Muslim men after allegedly shouting anti-Muslim statements.

In this insightful CNN discussion, Executive Ahmed Rehab delves into the intricate dynamics of media coverage regarding the Gaza conflict. Gain valuable perspectives and deep analysis on this critical issue.

The Council on American–Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, identified the mother and son as Hanaan Shahin and Wadea Al-Fayoume, who are both Palestinian-American. They had resided on the ground floor of the home for two years and had no notable issues with Czuba, their landlord, according to a statement from the advocacy group.

Shahin’s serious injuries prevented her from attending her son’s funeral Monday, said Ahmed Rehab, executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office. In accordance with tradition, deceased Muslims are buried as soon as possible after death.