Civil Rights Group Urges Sen. Alsobrooks, Other Members of Congress to Break Silence, Bring Him Home
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) urgent public call for the immediate release of 16-year-old Palestinian-American Mohammed Ibrahim, a Florida teenager currently being held by Israel.
In a recent statement, Senator Van Hollen urged U.S. officials to take swift action to secure Ibrahim’s freedom and raised alarm about the teen’s prolonged detention, lack of due process, and reported deteriorating health. The senator’s call follows growing national concern over the treatment of Palestinian detainees, including children, in Israeli custody.
CAIR Maryland stands with CAIR-Florida as it fights for Ibrahim’s release amid reports of increased deaths and abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
“We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen for using his voice to demand justice for Mohammed,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “No child should be held without charge, denied access to family, or subjected to inhumane conditions. This is a clear violation of his basic rights and his safety is at immediate risk. Mohammed must be released now.”
Ibrahim, who was 15 at the time of his arrest while visiting family in the occupied West Bank, has reportedly been held for months without trial and without consistent contact with his family. Advocates have raised serious concerns about his physical and psychological well-being and the broader pattern of mistreatment of Palestinian minors in Israel’s military detention system.
CAIR Maryland is calling on members of the state’s congressional delegation, and elected officials nationwide to support Senator Van Hollen’s call and to press Israel for Ibrahim’s immediate and unconditional release.
“Mohammed should be at home with his family and in school with his peers – not languishing in a prison cell,” Chaudry added. “We urge all people of conscience to demand his freedom and to hold our government accountable for protecting the rights of every child.”
The civil rights organization urges Maryland residents and Americans nationwide to contact their elected officials and call for urgent intervention to secure Ibrahim’s release and to ensure the humane treatment of all detainees, especially minors.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; Wilfredo A. Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Communications Director, (305) 502-6749, wruiz@cair.com; 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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com