(WASHINGTON, DC, 10/24/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the nation, today issued guidance to U.S. employees in response to spike in Islamophobic and anti-Arab bias in the workplace as employers resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Over the last few weeks, CAIR has documented multiple reports of employees being intimidated due to their public support for Palestinian human rights. Others have expressed dissatisfaction with employers’ one-sided responses, which do not adequately acknowledge Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in Gaza.
Today, CAIR is releasing guidance for employees experiencing fear and/or intimidation due to Palestine-related speech. The guidance, which is posted on the CAIR-administered website Islamophobia.org, includes a “know your rights” guide for employees advocating for Palestinian rights in the workplace, as well as a template letter to respond to employers’ one-sided statements on recent events.
Yesterday, CAIR released a letter to employers urging them to exercise their duties and responsibilities to protect their employees.
SEE: Letter to U.S. Employers in Response to Islamophobic and Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric in the Workplace
“Across the country, we see employees who are more and more fearful about speaking up in defense of Palestinian human rights at their workplace,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We want employees to know what is and is not protected under the law, while also giving them the resources to advocate for the Palestinian people, if they feel comfortable.”
Both sets of guidance follow CAIR’s analysis last week, which documented corporate statements that have ignored many diversity, equity, and inclusion policies by neglecting the legitimate concerns of their employees who oppose the Israeli bombings of Gaza.
SEE: Special Report:U.S. Corporate Statements Ignore Palestinian Humanity, Promote Anti-Arab, Islamophobic Bias, Threaten Students
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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 Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com