(CLEVELAND, OH, 11/22/23) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today welcomed the City of Akron passing a ceasefire in Gaza resolution. Akron joined other cities across the United States in passing a ceasefire resolution for Gaza.
This comes after weeks of Akronites attending Monday night Akron City Council meetings demanding the City of Akron stand against genocide and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Faheem Shaikh, Vice President of CAIR-Cleveland and resident of Akron stated, “The resolution passed unanimously, 11-0. We worked closely with the Akron City Council and the Jewish Community on the resolution.”
Amira Zayed, an advocate and resident of Akron said, “People are dying, and suffering every minute. We must look at it from a human aspect. All lives matter.”
Council Representative Shammas Malik said, “We owe it to our community to recognize events even when they are going on overseas…We have a situation in Gaza in which over 12,000 people have been killed including many, many children and it is an ongoing crisis and one in which this resolution urges a ceasefire along with the release of hostages…I think that’s an important step to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that’s going on.”
This news comes as many Cleveland residents continue to meet at Monday night Cleveland City Council meetings to urge the City of Cleveland to do the same after two prominent Cleveland leaders, Blaine Griffin and Mayor Justin Bibb expressed their support on social media for Israel shortly after the events on Oct. 7th.
CAIR-Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh congratulated the residents of Akron for their efforts and success, “I am so proud of the organizers and the members of Akron City Council who made the passing of this ceasefire resolution possible. Your steadfast efforts for the suffering people of Gaza, will echo across cities in the United States and reach the victims of this cruel humanitarian crisis caused by Israel. One-by-one, city-by-city, the evil that has taken so many lives will be dismantled as humanity prevails across culture, faiths and any other barriers that have divided us in the past. We cannot bring back the more than 12,000 lives that have been taken, but we can use our voices to not let their deaths and their suffering go in vain.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247