The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of Paul Naiman, a resident of St. Clair Shores Michigan for allegedly targeting CAIR-MI’s office and Executive Director Dawud Walid with harassing and threatening emails.
CAIR-MI thanked the Canton Michigan Police Department for its diligent and quick work in bringing charges against Mr. Naiman.
Naiman faces three counts of ethnic intimidation, a felony punishable by prison time and fines under Michigan law. The charges stem from threats made by Naiman via email aimed at CAIR-MI and Walid, who have long been dedicated to promoting civil rights of Muslims throughout Michigan. In his various emails to CAIR-MI Naiman repeatedly called for the “extermination” of all Muslims and in at least one email addressed his hateful and threatening rhetoric directly to Walid. Executive Director Dawud Walid has been a prominent voice for justice and equality often making him a target for hateful rhetoric.
“Ethnic intimidation is a threat not just to individuals but to the very fabric of our diverse and inclusive community,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “We appreciate the swift action by law enforcement to hold accountable those who allegedly seek to spread hate and fear. Despite being the target of threats and harassment, CAIR-MI remains committed to our mission and encourage anyone experiencing or witnessing hate-based incidents to report them immediately to law enforcement and our office.”
This is the second time since 2023 that CAIR-MI’s offices and staff have been the target of harassment and death threats. In March of 2024, a man from Florida was charged with federal crimes for making telephonic death threats to CAIR-MI, a charge he later pled guilty to.
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, [email protected]; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, [email protected]