New Year Updates from CAIR-Chicago! | | |
As we enter 2026, CAIR-Chicago remains on the front lines—defending civil rights, challenging censorship, and safeguarding our community.
Table of Contents:
Civil Rights Digest—Good News Alert!, AMLE, KYR
In the Press—CUFC Presser
Know Your Rights—Resource Portal
Goverment Affairs—IL Primary Elections soon!
Outreach—Muhammad Ali Justice Film Festival, January is Muslim American Heritage Month, 'Watch the Voice of Hind Rajab' in Chicago
| | Hear from CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab: | | GOOD NEWS ALERT: Father freed from ICE detention Alhamdullilah! | | Join AMLE, the American Muslim Legal Ecosystem! | | |
CAIR Chicago and Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) are building something our community has needed for years: a simple, trusted way to find legal support fast. The American Muslim Legal Ecosystem (AMLE) connects people to verified legal organizations and resources when the stakes are high.
You can help us grow it.
Visit the portal. Share it with your networks. Encourage local orgs to add their info.
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Join us for a 'Know Your Rights' workshop at Mahdavia Islamic Center of Chicago (MICC) in Rogers Park/West Ridge Neighborhood
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CAIR-Chicago along with CUFC, IL State Senator Karina Villa (25th District), Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward), Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), Pilsen Defense & Access, and human rights activist/lawyer Farah Chalisa held a press conference ahead of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) public meeting on Jan. 8th.
Many organizations, elected officials, rapid response volunteers, and activated residents were in full house attendance to give public comment and speak out against CPD–ICE collaboration.
WHY WE’RE MOBILIZING:
Following the CCPSA Special Meeting, we will continue to advocate for the following:
• CPD arrest ICE officers for traffic violations
• CPD arrest Gregory Bovino for use of chemical weapons
• CPD & ISP end all collaboration with ICE and suspend collaborating officers (30 days, no pay)
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Read more about the CCPSA meeting:
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We urge anyone impacted by the travel bans or harmful immigration enforcement operations to reach out for legal support and solidarity:
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💬 Know Your Rights — Be Prepared!
CAIR-Chicago and the Muslim Bar Association of Chicago are offering Know Your Rights Presentations to help Chicagoland mosques, community centers, Islamic schools, and businesses understand how to respond to ICE and protect their communities.
📍 We’ll come to you in person or meet virtually via Zoom — your choice!
🔗 Sign up today at cairchicago.org/request-a-speaker
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Illinois Primary Election is Tuesday, March 17, 2026 — with early voting starting Thursday, February 5, 2026!
Get prepared — find your polling place, register to vote before it's too late, view your sample ballot, and learn more so you’re ready to make your voice heard!
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and CAIR-Action announced the release of its 2026 Toolkit on Promoting Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments, a comprehensive advocacy resource designed to help American Muslims and their allies advance inclusive, rights-affirming policies at every level of government.
ADVISORY: Join a webinar on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:30 PM ET, during which we will walk through the 2026 Toolkit on Promoting Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments.
REGISTER: Webinar: 2026 Toolkit to Empower Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments
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First in THE NATION - Muhammad Ali Day Resolution in Illinois - now passing in other states with allies!
Honor the Champ’s birthday and legacy on January 17th at the Muhammad Ali Justice Film Festival.
Films on local and global issues:
- Muhammad Ali
- American Muslims: How South Asian Muslims and Mexican Americans United in the 1920s
- All Static and Noise - Uyghur
- Sudan Remember Us
- Gaza: Doctors Under Attack
Watch, learn during fireside chats with inspiring speakers, and leave with a plan of action - for your own courageous advocacy.
| | CAIR-Chicago Joins CAIR at MAS-CON! | |
Communications Director, Hafsa Haider alongside Outreach Coordinator, Taqio Rahman, represented CAIR-Chicago at the joint booth with CAIR National & CAIR Action at the annual MAS-ICNA convention from Dec 26-Dec 28.
Hafsa had the opportunity to deliver a youth empowerment and anti-bullying workshop for girls ages 9-13!
CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney, Noah Halpern, joined Amina Barhumi — Advocacy Policy Lead, Muslim Civic Coalition and Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid — Illinois House District 21, for the session:
“Passing Laws with Purpose: The Halal/Kosher Bill,” takes a closer look at how Illinois’ Faith By Plate Act moved from a community need to statewide legislation. This panel will walk through the strategy behind the bill, what it took to build a coalition, and how similar efforts can be replicated in other states.
| | CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab to Keynote MLK Dayton’s 2026 Celebration Banquet on Jan. 19! | |
This annual banquet serves as one of MLK Dayton’s cornerstone events, helping to fund ongoing initiatives that support youth empowerment, community pengagement, and educational programming throughout the region. It is more than a dinner — it is a call to conscience, a moment to gather, and an opportunity to recommit to truth in action. We invite you to join us in this inspiring evening of fellowship, celebration, and purpose as we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy.
WHEN: Monday, January 19, 2026, 6:00 PM
WHERE: Carillon Historical Park—1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45409
| Celebrate January as Muslim American Heritage Month
Stay tuned for a toolkit coming soon! | |
Muslim American Heritage Month: Diverse DuPage Neighbors is a month-long exhibit celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Muslim Americans in DuPage County. Through personal stories, historical artifacts, and community highlights, the exhibit honors the diverse voices that have helped shape the region. Join the Museum this January as they explore the experiences and heritage of their Muslim neighbors.
| WATCH NOW: The Voice of Hind Rajab Playing in Theaters NOW | |
From the Academy Award–nominated director of FOUR DAUGHTERS comes THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, a cinematic testament to the courage of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and the emergency responders who tried to reach her.
An astounding cinematic achievement from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, is a powerful portrait of courage and humanity based on real call recordings of five-year-old Hind Rajab to the Palestine Red Crescent during the bombing in Gaza. In select theaters nationwide starting January 9th.
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Participate In A Multimedia Project
"First Light, The Skylarks Sing" is a multimedia portrait project exploring the lived experiences of Muslim immigrants in the Chicagoland area. Through photography, audio, video, and narrative text, the project documents the emotional, social, and cultural complexities of immigration—focusing on themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and representation.
Calling all interested participants, willing to share their stories!
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