Happy Independence Day! With all the festivities in Philadelphia on Independence Day, we can’t lose track of the importance of this holiday. We celebrate the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, a document that radically changed the course of history.…
Marjorie Gallagher graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor of arts in Classics and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. She just completed her first year at Temple Law School. Her interest in Islam and the Middle East developed as…
A disturbed individual contacted the office last week and informed us of his intent to set fire to a copy of the Holy Qur’an across the street from the Islamic Center of Lancaster in protest of the Islamic faith. We…
That’s right, a few months ago a young Muslim called CAIR-Philadelphia’s office expressing suicidal thoughts due to extreme school bullying. We immediately took necessary steps to resolve the situation, and the youth is doing fine now. School bullying and harassment…
On May 31, 2012, the Philadelphia Bar Association passed its “Resolution Affirming Religious Freedom” opposing PA House Bill 2029 titled “American Laws for American Courts.” The resolution was presented by CAIR-Philadelphia Civil Rights Director Amara Chaudhry, acting in her capacity…
I write to you with bittersweet news. I will be stepping down as the Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia exactly a month from today. This was a very difficult decision because I love this job, but I have chosen to move on and pursue graduate studies so that I may become a more effective public servant, God willing, and perhaps return to Philadelphia in a few years. Working with CAIR has been one of the greatest, most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life, and I am thankful to have been given the opportunity.
CAIR-Philadelphia works with local, state and national faith-based organizations to bring civil and human rights issues to the forefront. Protecting the basic human right to practice and express one’s faith freely is the responsibility of people of all faiths and traditions.
CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Moein Khawaja presents a lecture on understanding the phenomenon of Islamophobia; including where it comes from, its consequences and belief systems. Learn about anti-Muslim hate groups, the recycled talking points used by Islamophobes, anti-Sharia bills, biased law…
Amara Chaudhry, civil rights director at CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter, told msnbc.com that one community member, who went to a bank to deposit the paycheck of her son in the military, was not allowed to enter the branch before first removing her hijab, making her feel as naked as removing her blouse and bra. “She couldn’t even serve her son who is serving our country,” Chaudhry said.
