Public Solidarity
Since 9/11, discrimination against Muslims and Arabs in Chicago and nationally has become too common. It seems that Muslims have been confronted with greater barriers to gaining citizenship than other ethnicities. In addition, Muslims and Arabs (and those who look like Muslims and Arabs) have been targeted by police, airport guards and other officials for suspicious activity based on their appearance alone. As part of the JMCBI, JCUA members have engaged in a variety of protective actions on behalf of the Muslim community such as participating in vigils, advocacy, press conferences, and issuing statements protesting activities and policies that have unfairly target Muslims or Arabs.
Here are just some of the actions we have taken over the years:
December, 2012: CREATING AN INTER-RELIGIOUS RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK:
The CIRRN states its purpose as “to streamline communication dedicated to mobilizing multi-faith responses to acts of hate and discrimination targeting faith communities in Chicago and its collar counties.” This network is the first of its kind in Chicago, and a model to be learned from and implemented across the nation. Read more here.
More activities:
In July 2009, a conference was held by a controversial Muslim group in Oak Lawn, a southern suburb of Chicago. In many responses to this conference, the mainstream Muslim voice was overlooked, and extremism was unfortunately highlighted. In a public statement published in the Chicago Sun-Times JCUA spoke out strongly against the stereotyping of Muslims, and emphasized our partnership and shared values.
In the wake of the war in Gaza in 2009, Chicago-area Jewish and Muslim leaders released a statement under the aegis of JMCBI to reaffirm their friendship and solidarity. “This process reinforced the importance of open communication and continuous dialogue between our communities,” said Jane Ramsey, JCUA executive director. “As tensions between the Jewish and Muslim communities fester, it is that much more urgent that our work continue and that we remain even more dedicated and tenacious in pursuing every avenue for dialogue and joint action.”
In December of 2008, the Shadow Report was submitted to the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination asking that the United States government illicit strategies that will ensure that the city of Chicago comply with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). The report addresses all forms of racial discrimination in Chicago, including racial profiling of Muslims, and police corruption, and gives recommendations for policy changes.
Click here for JCUA’s 2008 Shadow Report on Islamophobia that was submitted to the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In October of 2008, JCUA joined dozens of religious leaders and organizations of diverse faiths, and voiced its deep concern over the distribution of a deeply divisive and anger-provoking DVD called "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" to residents across the United States.
In 2007, JCUA, in conjunction with 30 groups throughout Chicago, was the principal author of a Shadow Report outlining the effects of racial discrimination on residents of the city of Chicago.
In May of 2005 JCUA joined many Muslim organizations in condemning the murder of Muslim cab driver Haroon Paryani. "No one should be harassed for the way they look, the way the speak, where their family comes from or for the religious beliefs they display," said Guy Austrian, JCUA’s JMCBI organizer.
In 2004, JCUA spoke out against the Islamophobic remarks of Republican candidate for State Rep. Kurt Eckhardt. JCUA’s strong stand with the Muslim community was published in the Chicago Sun-Times.
In 2004 JCUA spoke out against the discrimination against Muslim scholar Najma Ramadan. See full story, including JCUA’s response, in the New York Times.
JCUA and the Muslim Bar Association worked jointly to build a coalition and write a resolution urging the Chicago City Council to the repeal the most egregious aspects of the USA Patriot Act, advocating elimination of those sections that were used to unfairly detain Muslims. In a great victory, the City Council unanimously passed the resolution in October 2003. Furthermore, in 2005 JCUA spoke out against the possible confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as U.S. Attorney General, due to his role in writing the Patriot Act. He was later appointed by George W. Bush.
Mutual Solidarity through Tough Times
The Muslim community has also responded to the Jewish community in solidarity against anti-Semitism. When the synagogue Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation in Uptown was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti, volunteers from Muslim organizations including CAIR-Chicago and others spoke out against hate-crimes and helped by joining the congregation in painting over some of the swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases.
In December 2009, when Temple Sholom of Chicago was attacked Muslim leaders responded in condemnation of the crime and solidarity with the Jewish community.
Here are just some of the actions we have taken over the years:
December, 2012: CREATING AN INTER-RELIGIOUS RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK:
The CIRRN states its purpose as “to streamline communication dedicated to mobilizing multi-faith responses to acts of hate and discrimination targeting faith communities in Chicago and its collar counties.” This network is the first of its kind in Chicago, and a model to be learned from and implemented across the nation. Read more here.
More activities:
In July 2009, a conference was held by a controversial Muslim group in Oak Lawn, a southern suburb of Chicago. In many responses to this conference, the mainstream Muslim voice was overlooked, and extremism was unfortunately highlighted. In a public statement published in the Chicago Sun-Times JCUA spoke out strongly against the stereotyping of Muslims, and emphasized our partnership and shared values.
In the wake of the war in Gaza in 2009, Chicago-area Jewish and Muslim leaders released a statement under the aegis of JMCBI to reaffirm their friendship and solidarity. “This process reinforced the importance of open communication and continuous dialogue between our communities,” said Jane Ramsey, JCUA executive director. “As tensions between the Jewish and Muslim communities fester, it is that much more urgent that our work continue and that we remain even more dedicated and tenacious in pursuing every avenue for dialogue and joint action.”
In December of 2008, the Shadow Report was submitted to the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination asking that the United States government illicit strategies that will ensure that the city of Chicago comply with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). The report addresses all forms of racial discrimination in Chicago, including racial profiling of Muslims, and police corruption, and gives recommendations for policy changes.
Click here for JCUA’s 2008 Shadow Report on Islamophobia that was submitted to the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In October of 2008, JCUA joined dozens of religious leaders and organizations of diverse faiths, and voiced its deep concern over the distribution of a deeply divisive and anger-provoking DVD called "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" to residents across the United States.
In 2007, JCUA, in conjunction with 30 groups throughout Chicago, was the principal author of a Shadow Report outlining the effects of racial discrimination on residents of the city of Chicago.
In May of 2005 JCUA joined many Muslim organizations in condemning the murder of Muslim cab driver Haroon Paryani. "No one should be harassed for the way they look, the way the speak, where their family comes from or for the religious beliefs they display," said Guy Austrian, JCUA’s JMCBI organizer.
In 2004, JCUA spoke out against the Islamophobic remarks of Republican candidate for State Rep. Kurt Eckhardt. JCUA’s strong stand with the Muslim community was published in the Chicago Sun-Times.
In 2004 JCUA spoke out against the discrimination against Muslim scholar Najma Ramadan. See full story, including JCUA’s response, in the New York Times.
JCUA and the Muslim Bar Association worked jointly to build a coalition and write a resolution urging the Chicago City Council to the repeal the most egregious aspects of the USA Patriot Act, advocating elimination of those sections that were used to unfairly detain Muslims. In a great victory, the City Council unanimously passed the resolution in October 2003. Furthermore, in 2005 JCUA spoke out against the possible confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as U.S. Attorney General, due to his role in writing the Patriot Act. He was later appointed by George W. Bush.
Mutual Solidarity through Tough Times
The Muslim community has also responded to the Jewish community in solidarity against anti-Semitism. When the synagogue Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation in Uptown was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti, volunteers from Muslim organizations including CAIR-Chicago and others spoke out against hate-crimes and helped by joining the congregation in painting over some of the swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases.
In December 2009, when Temple Sholom of Chicago was attacked Muslim leaders responded in condemnation of the crime and solidarity with the Jewish community.
