CAIR Minnesota

CAIR-MN Receives Chapter of the Year Award

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(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 10/1/12) – On September 29, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN) was presented the “Chapter of the Year Award” at CAIR National’s 18th annual banquet in Arlington, Va. The award was given to CAIR-MN because it “stands out as an exemplary chapter for their tireless work on behalf of their community.”

In her acceptance speech, CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya thanked CAIR National leadership and shared her experience growing up in southern Iowa as the only Muslim family in town.

Saroya said: “CAIR instilled in me at an early age that you don’t change your situation by being silent, you change it by knowing and asserting your rights. And I’m honored that I now have the opportunity to educate and empower our community with the CAIR-MN team.”

She noted that protecting the rights of Minnesota Muslims is at the core of CAIR-Minnesota's mission.  The demand for CAIR-MN’s services has grown tremendously, from restrictions placed on Muslims practicing of their religion, to profiling and discrimination stemming from a lack of understanding of Islam. Civil rights cases reported to CAIR-MN increased by 250 percent from 2007 to 2011.

CAIR-MN is five years old and is one of the newest CAIR chapters.

Some of CAIR-MN’s recent achievements include:

  • Led the effort to defeat Minnesota’s anti-Shariah bill
  • Organized ‘Positive Interactions’ seminars for employers and law enforcement
  • Organized the state’s only Muslim-run free legal clinic
  • Received grants from major foundations
  • Reached federally-mandated settlements in student harassment cases in St Cloud and Owatonna, Minn.
  • Assisted mosques facing opposition obtain conditional use permits
  • Settled employment discrimination cases with large monetary awards
  • Settled county prayer dispute with prayer area accommodation granted

Some recent honors include:

  • 2012 Catalytic Leader Award -  MN Council of Nonprofits
  • 2009, 2010, & 2012 Facing Race Ambassador – St Paul Foundation
  • 2010 & 2012 “Making the Difference” Award – Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center
  • 2011 Minnesota Nonprofit Mission & Excellence Anti-Racism Award – MN Council of Nonprofits & MAP for Nonprofits
  • Listed as #251 on Muslim Heroes Website
  • Featured in Rochester Diversity Council “What Works”
  • Featured in MinnPost Young Professionals Network
  • Recognized as a Minnesota Peacemaker – Iraqi American Reconciliation Project
  • 2010 “Difference Maker” – St Cloud Times

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

 

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it