(WASHINGTON D.C., 11/26/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Rep. Kevin McCarthy and other Republican leaders to repudiate Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) recent anti-Muslim smears targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and misusing Islamic terminology.
In remarks to constituents, Boebert told the apparently false story about being in a Capitol elevator with Rep. Omar, when a Capitol police officer reportedly approached and expressed alarm.
“Well, she doesn’t have a backpack. We should be fine,” Boebert claimed to have said, an allusion to the Islamophobic smear that all Muslims are terrorists. Boebert also called Omar a member of the “jihad squad.”
Rep. Omar says the incident never happened and that Boebert seems too frightened to look her in the eye.
Video: CAIR’s Edward Ahmed Mitchell on CNN to Address Lauren Boebert’s Islamophobic Smears of Ilhan Omar
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Lauren Boebert’s disgusting remark about Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is merely the latest symptom of the anti-Muslim bigotry that has plagued the Republican caucus in the House for years. Leader McCarthy should repudiate Rep. Boebert’s remarks and call on all Republican members of Congress to treat their American Muslim colleagues and constituents with the respect and decency everyone deserves.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com