On Saturday, January 27, 2018, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, inaugurated its new office in Maryland.
Attendees at the grand opening in Catonsville.Md., included Muslim community leaders, imams, civil rights activists, and elected officials.
Metallic red balloons with the CAIR logo festooned across the main hall greeted the room full of guests, eager to celebrate this milestone.
The office’s calm green walls, punctuated by black and white photographs of events, protests and things Americana, is located in the Super Eagle Travel building on 6120 Baltimore National Pike. The location chosen strategically, so it is accessible to diverse communities across the state. This office is intended to improve access to CAIR’s services and expand intersectional advocacy according to the organization’s Maryland representative, Zainab Chaudry.
The ceremony started with the recitation of the Quran by Ghuydar Basmaf. Long time supporter Dr Maqbool Patel of the Islamic Society of Baltimore community spoke about the work of CAIR.
Nihad Awad, founder and Executive Director of CAIR, who recently announced a win in an ongoing federal lawsuit on behalf of six individuals challenging the lawfulness of President Trump's "Muslim ban 3.0., cut the ribbon. “This office is an extension of the Washington D.C. office—all 13 departments,” he said. Maryland residents will have full and complete access to legal services of the national office. In 2003, CAIR operated an office in Bethesda, Md., that served Maryland and Virginia, but was closed to consolidate efforts at the national headquarters.
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Calvin Ball of the Howard County County Council, and various elected officials attended the ceremony. Ball is running for Howard County Executive.
Citations were presented by the office of Maryland Governor Hogan, and other officials including Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Anthony Brown. An executive citation was also presented by County Executive Kamenetz.
Delegate Bilal Ali stated that without CAIR Muslims don't have true representation at a national, state or local level. He urged the audience to support the work.
Zainab Chaudry, a pharmacist who was inspired by a verse from the Quran to become an activist for justice, welcomed allies and community members “working side by side to make sure that nobody is left behind.”
The civil rights organization has worked on several issues in the past four years since it was revived in the state, spearheaded by Chaudry. Some of those affected spoke at the event.
Je’Nan Hayes, the Montgomery County basketball player who was benched by a referee for her hijab, shared how CAIR helped her tell her story and fight for justice for Muslims, Jews and Sikhs. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) rule - barring religious headgear including hijab that impacted Hayes - has now been removed from the rule books.
Another young woman, Neha Aamir, attested to the help that her family received from CAIR when her brother was brutally attacked for the color of his skin. “We had no voice and CAIR gave us a voice,” she said. Aamir urged everyone to share empathy, tolerance and compassion as they are the principles of islam.
Youth leaders empowered by the work of CAIR and the personal mentorship of Chaudry spoke about their experiences.
Safa Hira was one of the first young women to attend a CAIR Muslim Youth Leaders Symposium in the state capital, Annapolis. “That one day changed my life around,” she stated. She interned at Baltimore City Hall and is now working in Annapolis.
Artist Zaynub Siddiqui, 17, shared how she met Chaudry six years ago and attended several leadership programs. Siddiqui is starting her fellowship at The Sanctuaries DC’s select program Art for Social Impact. “Through CAIR, I found my passion,” she said. She realized that she could use her artistic talents to serve her community.
She unveiled a large calligraphy highlighting the ayah of Surah Nisa in the Quran: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves..” This is the verse that inspired Chaudry to walk the rocky path of fighting anti-Muslim bigotry.
Refreshments were catered by the Aleppo Kitchen, a social enterprise run by Syrian refugees and the Muslim Social Services Agency.
A Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the 3rd of April.
Contact mdoutreach@cair.com | 443.251.2132 | www.cair.com
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