The Honorable Imam Warith Deen Mohammed was an African-American Muslim spiritual leader, reformer, educator, civil rights advocate, interfaith activist, and an international goodwill ambassador. He died Tuesday.
A fundamental precepts of the First Amendment to our Constitution is that a government entity should refrain in almost every instance from discriminating against speech based on its content.
Diverse organizations co-sponsored a night of Muslim and Jewish interfaith performances and discussion as a part of a series of interfaith arts exchanges.
• A security guard at a local high school reported experiencing harassment by supervisors and co-workers. The man says that his supervisors required him to stand on an “X” at the beginning of his shift while others ridiculed him until one of the supervisors gave him permission to begin working. No other employee was subjected to this treatment. Additionally, another employee told the man that he looked like a terrorist. When the man complained to his supervisors about the treatment and the comment by his co-worker, they did nothing to rectify the situation and instead changed the man’s shift. CAIR-Chicago has filed a charge of discrimination and retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
General
• A Muslim cab driver was waiting for a client at the airport when a security guard told him that he could not be inside the airport. When the cab driver attempted to explain to the security guard that he was picking up a client, and tried to show him documentation to prove himself, the security guard made derogatory comments toward him. Eventually, the security guard struck the cab driver with a radio. Police were called to the scene but no charges were filed against the security guard. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the matter and will take whatever action it deems necessary.
Government
• Five college students were stopped in the parking lot of a local fast food restaurant. Officers stated that the reason for the stop was that the students were not wearing their safety belts, but then proceeded to ask each one of the students where they were from. When the driver of the vehicle revealed that he was from Pakistan, the officers requested that all the students step out of the vehicle, but searched and detained only the student from Pakistan and another student from Kenya. At the end of the ordeal, one officer remarked, “God bless America.” CAIR-Chicago is investigating the matter and will take whatever action deemed necessary.
• Two Middle Eastern men contacted CAIR-Chicago delays in obtaining citizenship. One man received his first interview with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2006 and is waiting for a second interview. Another man has completed all the necessary requirements, but is waiting to be scheduled for an interview due to pending background checks. CAIR-Chicago is incorporating these cases into its Citizenship Delay Project.
• A Muslim man complained of being denied citizenship for discriminatory reasons. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the complaint and will take whatever action it deems necessary.
• A Muslim man was contacted for an interview by the FBI. CAIR-Chicago contacted the FBI on the man’s behalf and will represent the man if required for questioning.
• A Muslim man reported experiencing a delay in obtaining his green card for permanent residency. The man applied for his green card in 2002, was scheduled to renew his fingerprints in 2007, but has not received an update or a decision on his application from USCIS since. CAIR-Chicago is inquiring into the delay and will take whatever action necessary to facilitate the adjudication of the man’s application.
Prison
• A Muslim inmate contacted CAIR-Chicago to inquire about the services CAIR-Chicago provides to prisoners. CAIR-Chicago corresponded with the inmate regarding the services it provides to Muslim inmates.
• A Muslim inmate in California contacted CAIR-Chicago because he was denied religious accommodation for his dietary restrictions. CAIR-Chicago has referred the case to its sister chapter in Sacramento for follow up.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Help CAIR-Chicago Mobilize Voters!
The New American Democracy Project (NADP) is looking for volunteers to help conduct voter registration drives to mobilze Muslim voters. To find out more and to volunteer, click here!
Election season is in, know your rights and obligations, visit our new voter education and moblization website today at www.cair2008election.com.
The Chicago Office of the Illinois Chapter of The Council On American-Islamic Relations:
CAIR-Chicago
28 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1410, Chicago IL 60604
Phone: 312-212-1520, Fax: 312-212-1530
Email: info@cairchicago.org, Website: www.cairchicago.org
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The Chicago Activist is a publication of CAIR-Chicago
17 N. State St., Suite 1500, Chicago IL 60602
Phone: 312-212-1520, Fax: 312-212-1530
Email: info@cairchicago.org, Website: www.cairchicago.org
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