CAIR: National Muslim Civil Rights Group Opens New Chapters in Colorado, Kentucky and Texas

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced the opening of new chapters in Colorado, Kentucky and Austin, Texas. CAIR's expansion is the first phase of an initiative to counter the nationwide post-election increase in Islamophobia and discrimination by adding chapters at the grassroots level.

The new CAIR chapters join the more than 30 regional offices and chapters of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, which is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Each new CAIR chapter will handle civil rights cases, help local Muslim communities increase civic participation and build relationships with policy-makers, law enforcement authorities and elected officials on issues related to civil liberties and social justice.

"The addition of these new chapters reflects the tremendous support CAIR is receiving from the American Muslim community and from the larger society in the post-election period, and demonstrates the necessity to challenge growing bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority communities," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

CAIR-Colorado held an outreach event on February 24, drawing hundreds of community members to hear Awad and CAIR National Chapter Director Lori Saroya discuss CAIR's work and the civil rights challenges facing American Muslims.

CAIR-Kentucky organized its launch event, "Facing the Challenges of Islamophobia," on April 14.

Video: CAIR-Kentucky Launched to Protect Civil Rights of All Americans
https://youtu.be/HTM4dUzRwkk

CAIR-Austin held its inaugural banquet on Saturday, April 29. The keynote speaker at that event was Islamic scholar and community leader Omar Suleiman.

Community members interested in starting a CAIR chapter in their state are invited to participate in a webinar to learn more about CAIR and the process to form a new chapter.

WHAT: Webinar - How to Start a CAIR Chapter in Your State
WHEN: Wednesday, May 31 at 8 p.m. EDT
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3438489901587996161

The Washington-based civil rights and advocacy organization urges community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report

CAIR'S mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Chapter Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, [email protected]; CAIR-Colorado Spokesman Farid Amin, [email protected], [email protected]; CAIR-Colorado Board Chair Krista Cole, [email protected]; CAIR-Kentucky Executive Director Omar Ghani, 502-338-8578, [email protected]; CAIR-Kentucky Board Chair Waheeda Muhammad, 859-296-0206, [email protected]; CAIR-Austin Board Chair Ahmed Mahmoud, 512-640-9421, [email protected]; CAIR-Austin Vice-Chair Fayyaz Shah, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com