CAIR Minnesota - CAIR Minnesota

CAIR-MN, Community Leaders Addressed Rising Islamophobia in Minnesota

2016-04-05T20:53:48+00:00

On Tuesday, April 5, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will join interfaith, social justice and community organizations and leaders at a news conference in St. Paul., Minn., to address the challenges facing Minnesota Muslims because of the rise of Islamophobia in that state and nationwide.

CAIR-MN Receives National Award for Promoting Diversity

2016-04-01T15:34:17+00:00

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 4/1/16) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) has received the 2016 Winds of Change diversity award from the Forum on Workplace Inclusion, in partnership with the University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business. The Forum is the largest diversity and inclusion conference in the country.

The Winds of Change Award goes to an individual or organization that has demonstrated sustained support for advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and raised awareness of workplace diversity.

Celebrating its 28th year in 2016, the Forum on Workplace Inclusion convenes in Minneapolis each year to engage national and international people, advance ideas and ignite change around the topics of diversity, inclusion and equity.

SEE: 2016 Winds of Change Award to CAIR-Minnesota

https://www.stthomas.edu/workplaceforum/events/diversity-awards/

In the award acceptance speech, CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said: "We greatly humbled and honored to be receiving this award. CAIR-MN works hard every day to make workplace inclusion a reality for our clients and our communities.”

Hussein added, “we value our partnership and trainings we offer with many of the Forum attendees in order to build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.”

CAIR-MN Disappointed with Decision to Not Indict Officers for Jamar Clark Shooting

2016-03-30T23:34:51+00:00

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 3/30/16) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today expressed disappointment at the decision to not indict two Minneapolis police officers for the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced today that his office will not bring charges against Officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze for the November shooting. Clark, 24, died from a gunshot wound to the head after an encounter with the two officers.

"We are extremely disappointed that Jamar Clark did not receive justice today. We are left with more questions than answers," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein "The video presented today appears to indicate the officers were in fact the instigators of the incident. Our thoughts are with the family."

Hussein added that Clark's case is not anomaly and that there needs to be an ongoing, systemic accountability structure to transform policing and how the police and community interact.

Community members are urged to join a community response gathering tonight at Elliot Park (1000 E 14th St, Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis) at 6 p.m. in a renewed call for justice for Jamar Clark and the African-American community of Minneapolis.

A community discussion on the Muslim and immigrant experience in Minnesota

2016-03-30T17:31:35+00:00

CAIR-MN Condemns Pakistan Bombing Targeting Christians Celebrating Easter

2016-03-28T20:43:29+00:00

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 3/28/16) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today join its national office in condemning the deadly bombing in Pakistan that reportedly targeted Christian families celebrating Easter. More than 70 people were killed in the blast. While Christians seem to have been the target of the attack, most of the victims were Muslim.

In a statement, CAIR-MN said: "We condemn this horrific attack on families celebrating their religious holiday and seek the swift apprehension and punishment of all those involved in its planning and execution. Such cowardly attacks must be rejected by people of all faiths, whether they occur in Pakistan, Belgium, Turkey, or any other nation."

"Terrorism is a global problem, and we are safer and stronger when community of all faiths, political backgrounds, and countries of origin stand up against terrorism. Those who seek to divide communities and foment hate only strengthen the hand of terror".

MN Muslims Expresses Solidarity with People of Belgium Following Attacks

2016-03-22T16:30:08+00:00

CAIR-MN: Expresses Solidarity with People of Belgium Following Attacks

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 3/22/16) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today expressed solidarity with the people of Belgium following attacks in that nation’s capital that left more than 30 people dead and many more injured.

In a statement, CAIR said:

“We express our solidarity with the people of Belgium and offer condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured. Such heinous attacks are antithetical to the ideals of civilized society.”

American Muslim organizations have consistently and repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms.

SEE: CAIR’s Condemnation of Terrorism

http://www.cair.com/about-us/cair-anti-terrorism-campaigns.html

CAIR-MN: Minnesota Muslims Concerned About Vandalism at Minneapolis Mosque

2016-03-02T17:26:43+00:00

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 2/26/16) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today said members of that state's Muslim community are concerned about the possible motive for a break-in and vandalism Wednesday night targeting a Minneapolis mosque. Officials with the Umatul Islam Center tell CAIR that a white male apparently in his 50s was caught on surveillance video breaking doors and windows in the mosque and stealing equipment and files. The damage estimate is more than $5,000. Wednesday's vandalism is reportedly the second such incident in the past month. A man who appears to resemble the most recent suspect was allegedly caught on surveillance video trying unsuccessfully to break into the mosque.

CAIR-MN Welcomes Judge's Decision in Favor of Planned Islamic Cemetery

2016-02-01T17:03:19+00:00

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 2/1/2026) -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a Dakota County District Court judge's decision forcing Castle Rock Township to issue a conditional use permit for an Islamic cemetery.

Judge David L. Knutson yesterday granted a summary judgement motion to the Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association in which he ruled that the township's decision to deny the conditional use permit (CUP) was "arbitrary and capricious" because the township did not provide any written findings of fact to support its decision.

[NOTE: In October of last year, CAIR-MN asked federal authorities to determine whether the denial of land usage for the Islamic cemetery was discriminatory on the basis of religion and questioned whether the denial constitutes a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).]

SEE: CAIR-MN, Community Leaders to Asks DOJ to Probe Bias in Rejection of Islamic Cemetery

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13214-cair-mn-community-leaders-to-asks-doj-to-probe-bias-in-rejection-of-islamic-cemetery.html

"We hoped that a simple request for a proposed Islamic cemetery in Minnesota would not need a court order, however we welcome the court's decision to grant the conditional use permit," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein stated. "This ruling sends a strong signal to those who would discriminate on the basis of religious identity."

Opening the door to racial unity: Interfaith Panel & Discussion

2016-01-29T17:55:12+00:00

Muslims in Minnesota: A community conversation

2016-01-27T16:43:52+00:00

MPR News with Tom Weber

Thursday, Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Great River Regional Library – St. Cloud
Mississippi Room

About the Event
Muslim Somalis now make up at least 15 percent of school-aged kids in St. Cloud. Local officials have been accused of not doing enough to counter racism and discrimination against the city’s Muslim residents. Last year, 100 students walked out of Tech High School, saying they were tired of feeling harassed about their race and religion. Since then, anti-immigrant speakers from outside the city have stirred up debate, and the Somali community held a public forum offering to explain its religion to the larger community. Global events and presidential politics have further heightened tensions.

Tom Weber will talk with four guests about what it’s like to be Muslim in St. Cloud – and what can be done to improve the relationship between Muslim residents and other community members. We’ll invite the audience to ask questions and offer perspectives.