CAIR: Reignited protests on the syllabus for fall semester – Axios
Reality check: The student movement in the spring was organic, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Axios.
- He expects that to be the case again this fall. What can be measured, though, is how administrations plan their responses.
- “The key thing is for colleges and universities not to give into outside pressure from elected officials or anti-Palestinian groups to just wildly crack down on these protests or to mischaracterize the protests,” he said.
CAIR-Pittsburgh: The Frick Pittsburgh’s Islamic art exhibit, postponed after Hamas’ attack on Israel, set to open this weekend – Post-Gazette
The exhibit’s postponement drew criticism from some members of the Muslim community. A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations decried the move, claiming it perpetuated the harmful stereotype that Muslims or Islamic art are synonymous with terrorism or antisemitism.
CAIR: Man charged for posting racist flyers on homes, businesses in Hampton
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group, also spoke out against the flyers.
A spokesperson said the group, “stands in solidarity with the Hispanic community and all residents of Hampton and Iowa against attempts by bigots to intimidate minority communities and divide our society.”
CAIR-Houston: Activists demand apology after Mayor Whitmire accuses them of ‘being paid by Iran’ without proof – Houston Chronicle
On Friday, Siddique’s group and a number of other local organizations published a statement demanding that Whitmire issue a formal apology. The letter was signed by Rice Students for Justice in Palestine, Houston Jews for Palestine and the Houston Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim civil rights organization, among others.
“Since October 2023, there has been a surge in anti-Arab sentiments and hate crime against the Middle East, North African and South Asia community,” the letter reads. “Serious accusations without evidentiary support made by a public official are irresponsible and place MENASA communities at risk, contributing to further detriment.”
The groups also denounced Whitmire for exhibiting what they considered “a documented history of discrimination” against vulnerable communities.
CAIR: ‘Anti-Muslim’: Outrage over temple float for India Day parade – Reuters
Among the groups to have signed the letter were the Council on American Islamic Relations, the Indian American Muslim Council and Hindus for Human Rights.
“This float’s presence represents these groups’ desire to conflate Hindu nationalist ideology with Indian identity, but India is a secular country,” the letter said.
CAIR: New York’s India Day Parade will not remove controversial Hindu tribute – Religion News Service
On Wednesday (Aug. 14), representatives from several faith-based groups, including Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the New York State Council of Churches, held a press conference outside of City Hall to condemn the float and to call for its prompt removal.
CAIR: Ram Mandir float in NYC’s India Day parade stirs controversy – Deutsche Welle
CAIR: Far-right Hindu groups to hold ‘anti-Muslim’ temple float in NYC parade – TRT World
CAIR: Muslim groups demand removal of Ram Mandir float at New York’s India Day parade – APP
CAIR: Planned Ram Mandir Float At India Day Parade In New York Stirs Controversy, Here’s Why – Times Now
CAIR: Ram Temple Float At New York’s India Day Parade Sparks Row As US Organisations Call It ‘Anti-Muslim’
CAIR: Journalists Demand End To US Arms To Israel
These points have become increasingly relevant as death tolls continue to rise, and journalists report being impeded from documenting critical realities on the ground. Notably, organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations have also called for broader media bodies to stand against these attacks.