Results tagged “islam”

Abal Zaidi, 31, was a corrections officer for the Kane County Sheriff's Department. He's also an observant Muslim, which he says requires him to have a beard. In December 2006, Sheriff Pat Perez announced that all officers had to be clean-shaven; Zaidi asked for an exception, and he says two days later, he was asked to resign. Zaidi filed a religious discrimination suit, seeking unspecified damages and an apology.

Former Bears linebacker Jim Schwantz is running for mayor of Palatine. [Trib]

Unlike so many political figures in Chicago, Tony Rezko didn't come from a background steeped in ward politics and clout. In fact, after he finished his degrees at IIT, did what most new immigrants to Chicago do: he got a job.

Jesus, have things been busy lately, highlighted by the re-opening of Schwa last night. The Tribune recapped everything we've already read about the events surrounding Michael Carlson and company in recent months, from the killer dinner he prepared for Trotter, Adria, Blumenthal, and a host of culinary Illuminati; to closing Schwa the next day, then going into deep hiding to recharge and re-energize, and coming back.

A gift from Cupid's Treasures may be nice once in a while, but food is a time-tested aphrodisiac. Restaurants throughout the city are gearing up for one of their busiest days Thursday. Here is a list of price fixe dinners guaranteed to mae a romantic out of even the most callous individuals.

Some events in the next seven days to consider saving your freshly shoveled parking space with a few chairs.

Who gives last rites to the priest? Who installs a new crown in the dentist's mouth? Who buries the gravedigger? Or, more importantly, who gives the eulogy when a funeral home dies? If you're the family that has held sway over Griffin Funeral Home for 60 years, you give it yourself. The historic, African-American-owned parlor at 32nd and King Drive is closing its doors come New Year's Eve. Griffin has played host to such final...

While some comic books still strive stylistically for the muscled-up, spandex-wearing men and women of comics' heyday, the image of heroes is beginning to change—in lots of ways.

Hey, teenagers: Avoid nude digital photos. Don't pose for 'em, don't take 'em. Just like nothing good happens after 2 a.m., nothing good happens when you snap nudie pics. Pierre Steel, 15, is learning this lesson the really hard way: He was expelled from Loyola Academy after showing some of his football teammates topless photos he took of his girlfriend. Steel's father, Ray Washington, told the ST that he thinks Steel's expulsion was racially motivated....

Although many of us are at work today, for our Jewish friends sundown yesterday marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is regarded as the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind's role in God's world. Judaism has four "new year" observances, each marking a different yearly observance. Rosh Hashanah is the new year for people, animals, and legal contracts. There...

It seems that there isn't a piece of property on the South Side Tony Rezko won't buy - if it is associated with someone who might be powerful or politically connected. The Sun-Times broke an interesting story yesterday, with Jabir Muhammad, son of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad, claiming that Rezko "embezzled" him out of his house, as well as eight other properties. Of course, the story isn't as simple (although Muhammad might...

Just days before he faces Naisy Dolar at the ballot box in Chicago's 50th Ward, Bernie Stone is facing a different kind of challenge in his ward: public art, and the tension it can create in the community. Muhammed Ali, a British Muslim artist who is touring the US in conjunction with the Arts Council England for his “Arts and Islam” tour, came to Chicago this past weekend. For the Chicago portion of the tour,...

In the US, February marks Black History Month, and while there are no shortage of opportunities to learn about important and significant people of African descent this month, the purpose and history behind the event is sometimes lost. While Africans have been present in North America at least since colonial times, black history had barely begun to be studied — or even documented — when the tradition formally began in 1926. It wasn't until later...

Muslims around the area are getting ready to celebrate Eid Al Ahda, or, the Feast of the Sacrifice. The Eid, one of two celebrated by Muslims throughout the year, comes at the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage involves nearly 2 millions muslims every year, and every person of Muslim faith who is able bodied is obliged to make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime. Saudi Arabia issues special visas to foreigners to visit the site, and no person of non-Muslim faith is able to enter.

In the wake of an election which media outlets say demonstrated “clear popular opposition to the war in Iraq,” DePaul University is holding a forum tonight that will expound upon our governments' plans in the Middle East, particularly with regards to Iran. Two Iranian Studies scholars, Hamid Dabashi, and Golbarg Bashi, will present their views along with anti-war activists. Subjects include global geopolitics, the neocon agenda, Islam, human rights, and feminism, to name a few....

Nasir Farrakhan, son of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, probably didn't count on his name recognition getting him too far in court on Wednesday. After all, when your dad has spent his career using the term "white devil" like most of us say, "Hello, how are you?" you can't expect much leniency from a federal jury. The younger Farrakhan was ordered by the jury to pay $814,399 to a Gary couple after causing a...

Shanghaiist probably knows a little more about China than the Chicago Sun-Times. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. The city does to have a music scene. Don't even front like they don't. They also have Dorito bananas and white guys shopping for wives. What they don't have is any more tolerance for jaywalkers. Bostonist sees Boston and Somerville each whip out their art and face off. A plagiarized novel is the...

So far this week Chicagoist had an argument with our siblings over baseball, endured a date with a guy who isn't even registered to vote, forgot to set our alarm clock, thus making us late for a big meeting at work, fell down some stairs, and accidentally threw our favorite cashmere sweater into the dryer. And it's only Wednesday! Sigh. Even with all of that, our week is still not going as poorly as Governor...

After over a week of silence, Governor Blagojevich has finally said something about the controversy involving Claudette Marie Johnson, a Nation of Islam member who last year was appointed to serve on the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC). Johnson has refused to condemn comments made by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan bashing Jews and gays. Blago refused to remove Johnson from her post, and five members of the CDHC have resigned...

Governor Blagojevich’s rising political fortunes may take quite a hit as the controversy regarding his appointment of a Nation of Islam higher-up to his Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC) rages on. Blago appointed Claudette Marie Johnson, the minister of protocol for the Nation of Islam, to the CDHC with last August. Little attention was given to the appointment until late last month when Johnson, also known as Sister Claudette Muhammad, invited other members...

The New York Times won’t do it.

For about a week now news stories have been swirling around about some of Gov. Rob Blagojevich's top fundraisers and various state and city contracts. Yesterday, stories erupted about fundraiser and Blagojevich advisor Tony Rezko and former Rezko employee and Blagojevich administration member Jack Lavin with setting up a fake minority front for two O'Hare Panda Express restaurants. The restaurants, supposedly operated by black concessionaire, Jabir Herbert Muhammad, received their contracts as part of a...