CAIR-Cleveland: Mayor Justin Bibb declines to sign City Council resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza – Plain Dealer
Faten Odeh, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Cleveland outpost, called Bibb’s decision “ridiculous,” “heartbreaking” and “disgusting.”
Though Odeh believes it took council too long to pass the resolution, she said she is grateful they eventually did.
“It’s a symbolic resolution. But it means a lot to the people. We thought ‘OK, finally, the people have been heard. Democracy still works.’ And instead of letting us close that chapter, and put balm on our wounds, (Bibb) reopened that wound, and has made it clear that he does not wish for a ceasefire, apparently,” Odeh said.
CAIR-SFBA: Protesters call to ‘Free Palestine!’ in rally outside Palo Alto City Hall
The event, organized by a local group named Vigil4Gaza, was co-sponsored by three social justice advocacy groups — the Jewish Voice for Peace – South Bay Chapter; the Council on American–Islamic Relations – Bay Area; and the Islamic Circle of North America Council for Social Justice.
CAIR: Biden’s iftar event met with boycott, counter-protest outside White House – TRT World
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, said he encouraged other Muslim leaders to decline invitations to the White House if they received them.
The message, he said, should be “unless he calls for a ceasefire, there will be no meeting with him or his representatives.”
“I believe that the president is the only person in the world who can stop this,” Awad said. “He can pick up the phone and literally tell Benjamin Netanyahu, no more weapons, just stop it, and Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to do so.”
CAIR: More Americans say Jews, Muslims face “a lot” of discrimination: Poll – Axios
CAIR: Anti-Muslim hate spikes amid Israel-Hamas war: Council on American-Islamic Relations – New York Daily News
“These findings demonstrate that, even amid moments of perceived progress, Islamophobia persists as an underlying force that is always capable of reemerging to significantly impact the lives of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim,” wrote the authors of the report.
CAIR: As war in Gaza tests interfaith bonds in the US, some find ways to mend relationships – USA Today
The war in Gaza, however, embodies the community’s biggest challenge in some time, said Adam Soltani, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Oklahoma chapter.
“Some relationships have fractured and broken down,” Soltani said. “People are taking time out, not sure how they feel … Many want to move forward and recognize that what’s happening halfway across the world should not affect our relationships.”
CAIR-MA: Late-night prayers provide focus during a ‘bittersweet’ Ramadan for Boston Muslims – WGBH
Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, the executive director and chief legal officer for the Massachusetts branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said it’s strongly advised that Muslims practice the Tarawih prayer in community with one another rather than at home. She said that a Juz, or about one-thirtieth of the Quran, is recited each night.
“So, if Ramadan lasts for 30 days, doing it in that protocol will allow the worshippers to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran sort of vicariously through the person leading the prayers,” she said. “So, it’s also very cerebral as well as being spiritual and physical.”
CAIR-AZ: Israeli diplomat refutes reports of Gaza starvation in closed address to Arizona Legislature – Arizona Republic
In a statement in advance of Wednesday’s speech, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said lawmakers should be focused on pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza rather than hearing speeches from Israeli diplomats.
“We urgently need a ceasefire resolution to halt the senseless violence and prevent further loss of life,” said Azza Abuseif, executive director of the council in Arizona. “It is disheartening to witness the apparent disregard for Palestinian lives displayed by so many lawmakers.”
CAIR: Arab politicians praise China’s policies in Xinjiang – Radio Free Asia
The visitors should have been allowed to speak directly and freely with Uyghur Muslims living in the region, said Robert McCaw, director of the Government Affairs Department at the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
CAIR: Why Biden’s White House iftar unravelled amid Gaza war – Al Jazeera
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), also said the event was nixed because so many people chose not to attend, including invitees who had initially agreed to go.
“The American Muslim community said very early on that it would be completely unacceptable for us to break bread with the very same White House that is enabling the Israeli government to starve and slaughter the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Mitchell told Al Jazeera.
CAIR-MI: Michigan congressman says Gaza ‘should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima’ – FOX 2
“Genocide is not a joke, and his comments sounded genocidal,” said Dawud Walid, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan.