CAIR-Chicago

CAIR-Chicago CAIR-Chicago is the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group.

We work to attain equal opportunity for, and normalize the image of Muslims in America through defending civil rights, fighting bigotry, and promoting tolerance. CAIR-Chicago is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Muslim civil rights organization registered independently in Illinois. We work to attain equal opportunity for – and normalize the image of – Muslims in America with a mission to defend civil rights and fight bigotry.

05/29/2026

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/28/26) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and the Chicago chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization (CAIR-Chicago), today invited and encouraged Indiana Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith to visit a mosque in that state and engage with his Muslim constituents after he reportedly denigrated the religion of Islam and declared that people need “permission to hate again.” Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith says ‘I hate Islam. It’s a demonic death cult.’

Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:
Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith contradicts the mission of his office to ‘protect individual liberties’ (IE, religious practices) with his inflammatory statements about Islam and Muslims. He is not fit to remain in office. Vile comments like his fed into the deadly mass shooting at a San Diego Mosque and school the country is still reeling from. According to Brown University’s Cost of War project, the direct death toll of just post 9/11 wars against predominantly Muslim countries is estimated at 940,000, and indirect deaths estimated at around 3.7 million people.

In an interview, Beckwith reportedly said, “I hate Islam. It’s a demonic death cult.” He also reportedly claimed there is a need to give people “permission to hate again.”

In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We invite and encourage Lt. Gov. Beckwith to visit a local mosque and engage with his Indiana Muslim constituents. Although Mr. Beckwith has every right to express his own religious views, including a hatred of another world religion, he should have the wisdom to understand that using his platform as Lieutenant Governor to spread panic about an imaginary Muslim takeover of Indiana is unbecoming of his office and dangerous to the Indiana Muslim community.

Read More: https://www.cairchicago.org/blog/2026/5/cair-chicago-condemns-indiana-lieutenant-governor

05/29/2026

This AAPI Heritage Month, CAIR-Chicago proudly celebrates the countless Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, advocates, and organizations working to uplift and empower our communities across Chicago and beyond.

We are grateful for the work and partnership of organizations and community leaders who continue to champion justice, civic engagement, advocacy, and community care — including the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), South Asian Bar Association, Apna Ghar, Hamdard Health Alliance, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), and so many others making a lasting impact every day.
 
We also recognize leaders such as Rep. Nabeela Syed, the first Muslim and first South Asian woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly, alongside advocates and community members whose work continues to strengthen and support our communities.
 
This month and every month, we celebrate the diversity, resilience, and contributions of AAPI communities throughout our city and across the country.

05/27/2026

Eid Mubarak from all of us at CAIR-Chicago!

As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha during the holy month of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, this occasion serves as a reminder of Islam’s values of compassion, generosity, and sacrifice.

Eid is a time to gather with loved ones, support our neighbors, and reflect on the strength and resilience of our communities — especially during moments of uncertainty and hardship.

We wish peace, joy, and blessings to all!

Community members hosting a Palestinian cultural booth at the Skokie Festival of Cultures reported being subjected to ha...
05/25/2026

Community members hosting a Palestinian cultural booth at the Skokie Festival of Cultures reported being subjected to harassment, including being called “terrorists,” in an interaction witnesses described as anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim.

According to witness accounts, when a festival attendee intervened and asked the individual to stop, she became the focus of the harassment. Community members sought assistance and later raised concerns regarding follow-up and accountability.

Cultural festivals should be spaces of inclusion, learning, and community. No attendee, volunteer, or cultural group should feel threatened, targeted, or unsafe while participating.

CAIR-Chicago is in contact with those impacted and will follow up with Skokie authorities regarding next steps. We hope all reports involving alleged bias-motivated harassment are taken seriously and addressed appropriately to ensure community safety and accountability.

REPORT HATE ‼️

If you, or anyone you know, has had interactions involving harassment with this individual, please file an intake with CAIR-Chicago.

Visit: cairchicago.org/report-discrimination

05/21/2026

CBS Chicago sits down with CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab in the aftermath of the tragic attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. Shamefully, our elected officials are the main drivers of the Anti-Muslim rhetoric that has incited these violent attacks.
 
On May 18th, 2026 the Islamic Center of San Diego was attacked by two gunmen in a hate crime. Their honorable and well known security guard, Amin Abdullah, played an instrumental role in keeping the mosque safe. Unfortunately, Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha were tragically murdered by the gunmen while protecting the mosque. 
 
CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. Please contact CAIR-Chicago if you or your mosque has questions about how they can improve security. 
 
Report any bias incident, threat, or hate crime via www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination

Today, May 20, organizers from across Illinois gathered at the IL State Capitol in Springfield for a Lobby Day and rally...
05/21/2026

Today, May 20, organizers from across Illinois gathered at the IL State Capitol in Springfield for a Lobby Day and rally in support of HB 2723 / SB 2462 — The Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act, legislation that would repeal Illinois’ anti-boycott law and restore protections for peaceful political advocacy.

Organized by the Illinois Coalition for Human Rights .chr, the day brought together Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, interfaith, grassroots, and community organizers from across Chicago and Illinois to urge lawmakers to advance this historic legislation.

Joined by bill sponsor Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, supporters and elected leaders included Rep. Nabeela Syed, Sen. Karina Villa, Sen. Graciela Guzmán, Rep. Norma Hernandez, Nida Sahouri of American Muslims for Palestine–Chicago (AMP Chicago), Sheri Maali of The Justice Coalition, and advocates spanning across movements for human rights and civil liberties.

Illinois currently penalizes companies that participate in boycotts of Israel through state investment policy. Supporters of HB 2723 argue that this suppresses human rights advocacy and shields Israel from accountability amid its ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

HB 2723 / SB 2462 would repeal Illinois’ 2015 anti-boycott law and restore protections for peaceful advocacy and economic protest.

Thank you to every organizer, supporter, witness slip filer, traveler, and community member who showed up and continues building momentum!

The movement does not stop here.

Continue fighting with us in support of human rights and learn more at ILCHR.org 🇵🇸

05/20/2026

This week Illinois celebrated the legendary and influential Malcolm on his 101st birthday.

At CAIR-Chicago, Malcolm X’s legacy continues to inspire the founding principles of our daily work as we celebrate May 19, his birthday.

Malcolm X, or El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz remains one of the most influential voices in the fight for Black Liberation and human dignity. He fought for liberation worldwide, and has been since dubbed a hero who fought on the frontlines of the civil rights movement of the 1960’s.

Today his words still ring true as the Black American community and many other racial/ethnic minorities face a new rise of white supremacy, prompted by hateful rhetoric from government officials at all levels including President Donald Trump, Congressman Randy Fine, and local Chicago officials such as Alderman Raymond Lopez, all of whom frequently fear monger and spread both anti-Muslim and anti-Black sentiment. In addition to the mainstream media narratives of Muslims and Black people that Malcolm was known to critique heavily throughout his life.

Malcolm X’s life reminds us that justice is not given. It is fought for, defended, and sustained through everyday struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance.

CAIR-Chicago remains committed to carrying forward his legacy by defending civil liberties, empowering communities, and challenging injustice wherever it arises 💯✊🏽

05/19/2026

CBS Chicago sits down with CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab in the aftermath of the tragic attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. 
 
On May 18th, 2026 the Islamic Center of San Diego was attacked by two gunmen in a hate crime. Their honorable and well known security guard, Amin Abdullah, played an instrumental role in keeping the mosque safe. Unfortunately, Amin Abdullah was murdered by the gunmen while protecting the mosque. 
 
Mosques around the country, including here in Chicago, Rehab says everyone is on high alert especially now.
 
“You’re going to have a lot of people congregating together next week for Eid, 
which is the largest Islamic celebration of the year,” Rehab said.
 
CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. Please contact CAIR-Chicago if you or your mosque has questions about how they can improve security. 
 
Report any bias incident, threat, or hate crime via www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination

05/19/2026

ABC 7— Following San Diego Islamic Center's deadly shooting, CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, is calling on elected officials to hold themselves accountable for the normalization of hate speech in the public sphere.

"We can ask them to be true American leaders—to stand up against any kind of otherizing, dehumanizing, hate-mongering—from any peers that they might have," Rehab said.

CAIR-Chicago is encouraging mosque leaders and community organizations to take proactive security measures, including:

1. Contact CAIR-Chicago for a customized security plan tailored to your mosque or community center, working with our specialized security expert.

2. CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. (https://www.cairwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CAIR_Mosque_Safety_Guide.pdf)

3. Remain extra vigilant with the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday

4. Report any bias incident, threat, or hate crime via www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination

🚨PRESS STATEMENT— SAFETY ALERT: CAIR-Chicago Condemns Deadly "Anti-Islamic" Shooting at San Diego Mosque, Urges Increase...
05/18/2026

🚨PRESS STATEMENT— SAFETY ALERT: CAIR-Chicago Condemns Deadly "Anti-Islamic" Shooting at San Diego Mosque, Urges Increased Community Vigilance

(CHICAGO, IL, 5/18/2026) – The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the shooting attack at a mosque in San Diego and issued a community safety alert urging local Islamic centers and houses of worship to review and strengthen security measures.

Reports indicate that at least three community members, including the mosque security guard, were killed in the attack. Children in the Islamic school were evacuated safely. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

In a statement, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said:

“The community is mourning. No mosque or any house of worship should have to go through this. Personally, I am shocked but not surprised at this familiar scene, particularly with the dizzying anti-Muslim hatemongering out there led by some elected officials like Rep Randy Fine.

We are closely monitoring updates from the relevant authorities, praying for the safety of all involved, and sending an alert for local Islamic centers to beef up security. Lastly, we remember the guard and the other two adults as heroes. Had it not been for their courage and the phenomenal response from the San Diego police department, this could have been far more deadly.”

CAIR-Chicago is encouraging mosque leaders and community organizations to take proactive security measures, including:

1. Contact CAIR-Chicago for a customized security plan tailored to your mosque or community center, working with our specialized security expert.

2. CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe�https://www.cairwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CAIR_Mosque_Safety_Guide.pdf

3. Remain extra vigilant with the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday

4. Report any bias incident, threat, or hate crime via www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination

Read more: https://www.cairchicago.org/blog/press-statement-safety-alert-cair-chicago-condemns-deadly-anti-islamic-shooting-at-san-diego-mosque-urges-increased-community-vigilance

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17 N State St, Ste 1500
Chicago, IL
60602

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
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https://linktr.ee/cairchicago, https://www.cairchicago.org/donate

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