FOR 15 YEARS, CAIR-CHICAGO HAS MADE DIFFERENCE AT LEGISLATIVE, MEDIA, AND GRASSROOTS LEVELS.
We use your donations to defend civil rights, fight bigotry and promote tolerance for Muslims throughout Illinois. As the only Muslim civil rights non-profit in Chicago, we are 100% community funded and depend on your support. This Ramadan, we cannot be at the Masajid where we typically raise 55% of our annual budget. We count on you at home if we are to survive this year. We need to raise $300,000. We simply cannot go on without your support. Help #keepgoingcairchi and help our doors stay open! Please Donate your Zakat/Sadaqa today!
*donations are Zakat eligible*
FOLLOW OUR RAMADAN JOURNEY BELOW
RAMADAN 1st:
The CAIR-Chicago family hopes you are healthy in these uncertain times!
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We wish you the utmost safety and happiness. Please look above for a brief message from our Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab.
RAMADAN 2nd:
We miss seeing all the blessed faces during Jumuah and Iftar and Tarawih!
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We don't want to lose the sense of community that makes us all so strong as Muslim-Americans. So, we put together a fun little video to share how we, at CAIR-Chicago, are seeking solace and balance between work and life in quarantine (watch above).
RAMADAN 3rd:
We put together a little video to show how you can protect your rights.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen an uptick in hate crimes against Asian-Americans since the beginning of this crisis, xenophobic legislation, and a fear-mongering president. Please look above to see how our team has worked in the past to ensure you can know your rights at home this Ramadan!
RAMADAN 5th:
We believe it's important to forge legacy of activism and advocacy for our future.
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To build self-belief and confidence in our youth. That's why we take pride in our award-winning internship program, where growing leaders find the resources to better understand and help the communities that need it most. From legal aid to video production, interns are provided with endless opportunities for enrichment and the opportunity to make a difference. Hear from a few in this video above.
RAMADAN 7th:
We started this organization to ensure competent Muslim voices are at every table.
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We hold anyone who undermines our community accountable. We also work proactively to establish our own media platforms from standalone news and opinion sites to an in-house studio for content creation and development.Please watch the short video above. We are committed to bringing real change in civil rights, media representation, and social justice.
RAMADAN 8th:
Linda Sarsour, a visionary civil rights leader for all Americans, recounts how CAIR has her back.
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Here is why she’s urging Muslims and allies support CAIR’s work this Ramadan:
CAIR will defend you when you or your friends experience Islamophobia
CAIR continues to provide support to those impacted by COVID-19
As the largest Muslim Civil Rights organization, CAIR is crucial to the integrity of our elections in 2020 #CAIRWasThere4Me #cairchicago #keepgoingcairchi #300kramadangoal
RAMADAN 10th:
We’re one of a few organizations helping those needing immigration assistance.
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Whether it be for naturalization, or asylum applications within the United States Customs and Immigration Service's cumbersome system, we're here for you. With legal expertise and legislative advocacy, we're able to help our clients get one step closer to their immigration needs.
Please watch the short video above to see how our legal team works tirelessly to provide our clients with an informed, supportive, and warm experience within each of their cases. We are committed to bringing them real results.
RAMADAN 12th:
What is Islamophobia, how does it affect me and my children, and how do we fight it?
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Islamophobia is a pervasive form of hatred and bigotry that targets Muslims, just for being Muslim.
Please watch this short video message from our Executive Director to learn how CAIR-Chicago defines Islamophobia and how we work to defeat it on all fronts. This blessed Ramadan, please support us in our undying institutional commitment to defend and protect our deen and its adherents.
Islamophobia is a pervasive form of hatred and bigotry that targets Muslims, just for being Muslim.
Islamophobia comes in many forms, from discriminatory legislation to violent hate crimes. It affects peoples lives, scarring families, limiting opportunities, and instilling fears in individuals.
That's why we have dedicated ourselves to fight Islamophobia in all its possible forms--we defend Muslims through litigation and legislative advocacy, we fight stereotypes and misconception in the media and we we build bully-proof confident young leaders.
RAMADAN 13th:
Dr. Altaf Hussain speaks on how CAIR-Chicago works to combat hate in schools.
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Muslim youth are bullied twice as much compared to average bullying rates. Dr. Altaf Hussain speaks on how CAIR-Chicago works to fight hate in schools around the Chicagoland area and why they need your support.
CAIR-Chicago combats bullying by:
- Training the next generation of leaders through the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium.
- Holding school administrations accountable when proper action is not taken in Islamophobic bullying cases.
- Providing sensitivity training to school bodies and staff to prevent further prejudice from manifesting.
RAMADAN 14th:
We’re the only organization that has a 24/7 hotline to keep families together.
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When the first Muslim Ban went into effect, CAIR-Chicago and coalition partners sprang into action to protect families. When the first Muslim Ban went into effect, CAIR-Chicago and coalition partners sprang into action to protect families.
Since then, CAIR-Chicago has emerged as the only organization that has worked to successfully strengthen this wonderfully organic effort into an organized, systematized, and streamlined process that taps both our in house attorney expertise as well as that of dozens of volunteer attorneys. A system that has lasted into today.
This system is the CAIR-Chicago Travelers Assistance Project (TAP) service, which helped bring together over 1,400 volunteer attorneys, interpreters, activists, advocates, and supporters to support affected travelers. Our TAP lawyers even won the prestigious Chicagoans of the Year Award by Chicago Magazine.
Please watch the video above to see how we have worked with countless legislators, community partners, and lawyers in not only providing support to those affected but in working to fight the Muslim Ban, both in the court rooms and legislative bodies.
RAMADAN 15th:
“Islamophobes are intent on silencing us on a variety of issues. CAIR prevents that.”
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Those standing for Palestinian rights are often among the most maligned, their freedom of speech quickly muffled, and their careers undermined. Listen to one of the top Palestinian human rights activists, Dr. Hatem Bazian, UC Berkeley professor, President of AMP National, and founder of Zaytuna College, recount how #CAIRwasThere4Me when few others were, and support CAIR-Chicago reach today's goal of $5,000 on this blessed Ramadan Friday, as we continue to build a backbone that defends our rights and shields against those who think they can cancel us for speaking the truth.#PowerUp
RAMADAN 16th:
We had to fight tooth and nail to make sure our voices were heard.
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When CAIR-Chicago first opened its doors, we weren't welcome at any table--Islamophobia was everywhere and it was virulent.
Since then, CAIR-Chicago has emerged as the premiere Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in Chicago. We make sure our voices are heard in the mainstream media, on the streets protesting, in classrooms, in our masajid, in the courtroom, and on legislative floors. Today, we and the community we represent are respected at every table we sit on. This Ramadan, we cannot be at the Masajid where we typically raise 55% of our annual budget. We count on you at home if we are to survive this year. We need to raise $300,000. We simply cannot go on without your support. Help #keepgoingcairchi and help our doors stay open! Please Donate your Zakat/Sadaqa today!
RAMADAN 18th:
We’ve pioneered media platforms for creative & authentic Muslim voices.
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CAIR-Chicago started at a time when the only Muslims in the media were mostly either terrorist villains in an American hero movie, or helpless victims of crimes they didn't commit.
Since then, we have worked aggressively to challenge the framing and the narratives in the media in Chicago and beyond by being ever-present in studios, being the go to people on breaking news, and sitting at production/editing tables.
Thanks to YOUR support, we have created and managed a video production team that creates mini documentaries, ads, and educational videos, a newspaper team that has coordinated hundreds of positive Muslim Op-Eds., and produced our own films to ensure the Muslim voice is heard by those who need to hear it most. We manage our own online media platform, the Chicago Monitor. And late last year, CAIR-Chicago even created and opened an in-house studio for vlog production, podcast recording, and social media management. Now, Muslim voices are on TV, podcasts, and in literature like never before.
RAMADAN 19th:
He was fired because he requested time off for prayer. CAIR-Chicago helped him win.
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Mohammad Hussaini was a hard-working and dedicated employee when he was suddenly fired by his manager. He later found out that he lost his job because he requested time off for Jumu'ah prayer. After hearing about the numerous success stories at CAIR-Chicago, he reached out to open a religious discrimination case.
CAIR-Chicago sprang into action. After a four-year litigation process, the CAIR-Chicago team won Mr. Hussaini his discrimination case.
Stories like Mr. Hussaini's are happening every day, where Muslim families are being discriminated against for being Muslim. CAIR-Chicago is one of the only civil rights organizations that fights discrimination with premiere legal expertise, established public relations, and a legacy of legislative advocacy. We hold bigots accountable, but we can't do it without your help.
RAMADAN 21st:
Muslims have been targeted since 2001. The Trump Administration made it worse.
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For the last twenty years, hate crimes against Muslims have been on the rise. In 2016, they increased exponentially nationwide due in part to the Trump Administration's rhetoric.
In the past five years, we have seen Muslim women brutalized by police, Muslim children beat up at school, and Muslim families threatened by violence in their own homes.
CAIR-Chicago is one of the only lines of defense against hate crime victims. Our expert legal staff works pro-bono to ensure justice is served, in the court, on the legislative floor, and through groundbreaking media. But we can't do it without your help.
RAMADAN 23rd:
We teach Muslim teens skills to help them become leaders for the next generation.
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For the past 10 years, CAIR-Chicago invested in our Muslim youth though the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS).
Muslim students are twice as more susceptible than their non-Muslim peers to bullying. To combat bullying's effects, we show students methods of handling bullying, empowering their voices, building solidarity, and utilizing media and the arts to change the narrative around Muslim-Americans. Citizenship is a full-time job, and we're here to make sure young Muslims know how to use it.
CAIR-Chicago is a Muslim civil rights organization that invests a lot of our expertise in youth empowerment in the Chicagoland area. Help us celebrate the next generation of Muslim leaders. In these last few days of Ramadan, consider donating to CAIR-Chicago.
RAMADAN 24th:
“When the Muslim Ban was instilled, I was protesting at DFW. CAIR was there, too.”
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"They utilized all their resources all across the country to challenge the president on the front of legalized discrimination. But, CAIR went beyond that, defending the Ummah in an environment that saw increased Islamophobia in schools, workplaces, and on the street. For that, I am forever thankful for their protection of Muslims' rights--but I know CAIR needs your help.
This Ramadan, share your blessings. Celebrate your right to practice your faith. Donate to CAIR-Chicago for your zakat or sadaqah on these last few holy days."
-Sheikh Omar Suleiman
#keepgoingcairchi #cairchicago #300kramadangoal #cairwasthere4me
RAMADAN 26th:
He protected American citizens, then was fired for being Muslim.
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Ramtin Sabet was a hard-working and dedicated police officer. He would defend his fellow officers, risking his life to ensure their safety when under fire, and driving them to the hospital when they were injured. But, after they found out he was Muslim, they harassed him, calling him a terrorist who worked for ISIS. He was fired shortly thereafter.
He came to CAIR-Chicago in desperation And since then we have been fighting diligently for Mr. Sabet --but we can't continue if we have to close our doors.
Stories like Sabet's are happening every day, where Muslim employees are being discriminated against for being Muslim. CAIR-Chicago is one of the only civil rights organizations that fights discrimination with premiere legal expertise, established public relations, and a legacy of legislative advocacy. We hold bigots accountable, but we can't do it without your help.
RAMADAN 28TH:
By donating, you are showing the community's capacity to defend itself.
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"There's one organization now coming up on 30 years who's always been there for the Muslim community. Whether it was a family with a child who was abused in school, whether it was a family navigating the immigration process, whether it was someone navigating the legal process, or someone facing abuse and discrimination at work, I found CAIR-Chicago there.
When you support CAIR-Chicago, you support yourself. By donating, you are showing your community's power and capacity to defend itself. CAIR-Chicago is the premiere organization when it comes to civic engagement and youth empowerment--please support them.
Asalaamu walaikum,
Suhaib Webb"
RAMADAN 29TH:
CAIR-Chicago is connecting the community with allies to bring truth to the conversation.
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"We've seen disinformation and propaganda take over much of the conversation about Islam and Muslims in the United States. But, CAIR-Chicago is connecting the community with local elected officials, journalists, and allies to help bring the truth to the conversation.
Their legislative and government affairs teams are connecting the community with elected officials, their legal team is documenting incidents of hate and discrimination in the community, and their media and outreach teams are connecting the community to local journalists and sharing true stories about the community.
I found CAIR-Chicago to be a reliable partner in my professional and personal life and it's time we contribute to CAIR-Chicago with our Zakat and Sadaqah this Ramadan. I hope you'll join me.
Jazakallah Khair,
Dalia Mogahed"
You can also read our 2019 Annual Report, watch our latest documentary and view our ongoing projects.
Mail in donations to:
CAIR-Chicago, 17 N. State Suite, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602
Call in donations to:
312-212-1520
Tax ID #: 36-4469855