Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati

Boss Day: What a beautiful and touching surprise by my staff! It is truly a blessing to be working with such a great team of talented and caring individuals! I am so forever grateful to each member of my staff for such care and for making my job much easier and enjoyable! They even jumped through hoops to get me The Message.

Media coverage of A Night of Solidarity https://lnkd.in/gpuWHbb2

The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, in collaboration with many organizations across the region, hosted a Night of Solidarity and Prayers for Palestine on Sunday October 6, 2024, because, as history attests, it did not start on October 7th. Over 300 people gathered at the Islamic Center to mourn the loss of over 40,000 innocent people- of which over 16,000 are children. We heard from Palestinian voices and activists about the efforts they are making to garner awareness and advocate for a ceasefire. A surgeon who visited Gaza in April shared devastating accounts of the humanitarian crisis he personally encountered. Ohio state representative Munira Abdullahi was also in attendance and commented upon her efforts to address the rising Islamophobia in the region. The event concluded with spiritual leaders from across the region offering heartfelt prayers to lift the oppression.

PRESS RELEASE 04/30/2024 Suppression of Peaceful Protests: A Violation of Democratic Rights In the last few days, We have observed with deep concern the alarming trend of suppressing peaceful protests to call attention to the suffering of Palestinians through unjust arrests. The fundamental right to assemble peacefully and express dissent is a cornerstone of any democratic society. However, this right has been undermined in Ohio and across the country as individuals engaging in peaceful demonstrations have been met with excessive force and unwarranted detention. Peaceful protests serve as a vital mechanism for citizens to voice their grievances, advocate for change, and hold those in power accountable. When these protests are met with suppression and intimidation tactics, it not only infringes upon the rights of individuals but also threatens the very fabric of democracy. The recent spate of arrests targeting peaceful protesters in colleges, universities and other educational institutions is a troubling escalation that cannot be overlooked. These arrests not only stifle free expression but also have a chilling effect on those who wish to exercise their democratic rights. Moreover, they erode trust in law enforcement and undermine public confidence in the institutions meant to uphold justice and protect civil liberties. As a Muslim American community, this targeting by law enforcement is particularly concerning as it perpetuates Islamophobia against those who are striving to stand up for basic human rights. Our students are risking their academic careers and future employment for their beliefs. They are doing so peacefully and within their constitutional rights, yet they are facing discrimination and disrespect- particularly those visible Muslims who wear the hijab (headscarf), or keffiyeh.. This is against the backdrop of rampant Islamophobia and false accusations of antisemitism. These protests are not against any religious group, but rather against a policy and government who is perpetuating some of the worst crimes against humanity. The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati condemns in the strongest terms the use of excessive force and arbitrary arrests to silence peaceful dissent. We call upon the authorities to respect and uphold the right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in international human rights instruments and the constitution and for the media to denounce this injustice and amplify calls for an end to this violation of civil rights. Furthermore, we urge law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and ensure that individuals peacefully exercising their rights are not subjected to harassment or intimidation. For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Thank you to TriHealth for creating supportive and inclusive environments

Ramadan Night 29 When Muslim children attend school, they can face many challenges with regards to validation and inclusivity. Without an active effort by educators, our children can feel invisible, excluded, or maligned. And yet, an empathetic voice and welcoming tone can make all the difference Whether it’s acknowledgment of Ramadan with decor and treats, asking a child to share their faith tradition, providing prayer spaces, normalizing hijab wearing girls, teaching history and current events from the lens of objectivity, or compassion towards the collective pain our community is facing with the current crisis in Gaza, our educators are at the front line. ICGC’s Outreach team has been actively engaging in these efforts for the past three decades with our tours and talks, educators workshops, cultural competency, Know your Neighbor, and Islamophobia programming. Tonight was a celebration of that important work with our First Annual Educators Interfaith Iftar. It was an evening of touring the masjid, recognition of the educators, and providing the framework for our work. ICGC leadership was honored to share a meal with educators from Mason, Lakota, Hamilton, and Cincinnati public schools, several private schools, University of Cincinnati, Xavier, Miami, and Butler County Educational Center, alongside elected officials- school board members, West Chester police chief and township officials. We are truly grateful to all the educators for their presence, support, and commitment towards uplifting the lives of our Muslim American children.

Thank you FOX19 WXIX and Julie O'Neill on this lovely little informative piece on Ramadan engaging dear friend and colleague Maria Munir, board member Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati.

Ramadan Night 10 Just like that- one third of the blessed month of Ramadan is behind us… An important aspect of our religion is to share the beauty of our faith with others. Not only does this dispel the negative perceptions of Muslims, it is an opportunity to educate others about Islam’s call to monotheism, the pillars of our faith, and our way of life which calls for excellence with Allah and His creation. Despite fasting, Muslims continue to work, go to school and serve others in countless ways. Whether it’s in the decor and festivities at many local schools, the inbound tours at ICGC, or Ramadan booths at local organizations, educating our colleagues about Ramadan is an invaluable opportunity that is happening around our community. Earlier this week, 250 staff members at a large regional hospital were given such an opportunity in the form of a simple booth with facts about Ramadan, dates, baklava, and discussion with Muslim physicians. Many learned about Ramadan, and some were surprised that our fasts include abstaining from food and water all day. The celebratory Ramadan banner at the hospital fostered a much appreciated spirit of inclusion in the workplace. We ask Allah to accept this outreach work as a means of service to Him, and as a means to allow the beauty of Islam illuminate our region. TriHealth Mohammad Sheatt Tariq Sultan

Shaping policy and empathy for Muslims begins with representation. Tonight ICGC leaders were invited by State Representative Munira Abdullahi and CAIR-OH for the second annual statehouse iftar. Representation matters tremendously, and we are honored to have the first Muslim Hijab wearing representative in the Ohio statehouse It was a somber and heavy evening, with a room full of community leaders and allies, with topics centered around the atrocities in Gaza, the importance of using our collective voices to raise awareness, push for justice, hold leaders accountable, and be persistent in our duas.

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