CAIR Press Releases

CAIR in the News, January 28, 2026

CAIR: What is UpScrolled, the Palestinian-owned social platform claiming to provide a censorship-free space? – Images

The platform’s meteoric rise comes as TikTok’s US operations have been taken over by a majority American-owned venture, which the Council on American-Islamic Relations describes as pro-Israel. The think tank commended UpScrolled for “protecting free speech” amidst TikTok’s “censorship spree”.

CAIR: Palestinian-owned UpScrolled emerges as censorship-free social media alternative – Daily Times

CAIR-MN: Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar “did not happen in a vacuum,” says Muslim advocacy group – CNN

The attack on Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar tonight by a man who sprayed an unknown substance at her while she spoke during a town hall “did not happen in a vacuum,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations said.

CAIR: Man arrested after spraying Ilhan Omar with substance at Minneapolis town hall – USA Today

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack in a statement with Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of the Minnesota chapter, saying the attack “did not happen in a vacuum.”

“When a sitting member of Congress is relentlessly demonized through false anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric, violence becomes a predictable outcome,” Hussein said.

CAIR: Rep. Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance at town hall meeting – Star Tribune

CAIR: Who Is Anthony Kazmierczak? Ilhan Omar Attack Suspect Identified – Newsweek

CAIR national executive director Nihad Awad said in a statement sent to Newsweek: “We strongly condemn the attack on Representative Ilhan Omar at her community town hall, which comes after years of racist and Islamophobic incitement against her. 

“We call on all members of Congress to condemn this assault, which was entirely predictable. The dangerous incitement that politicians like President Trump, pro-Israel lobby groups like AIPAC, and anti-Muslim hate groups have spent years spewing against Representative Omar must end immediately. 

“We commend Representative Omar for her courage in continuing to speak out for justice here and abroad, despite the hate and threats she has faced for doing so. The American Muslim community stands in solidarity with her. An attack on Representative Omar is an attack on all of us and on the rule of law.”

CAIR: US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar assaulted during Minneapolis town hall meeting – Anadolu Agency

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the US’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, also condemned the attack on Omar, saying it came “after years of racist and Islamophobic incitement against her.”

“We call on all members of Congress to condemn this assault, which was entirely predictable. The dangerous incitement that politicians like President Trump, pro-Israel lobby groups like AIPAC, and anti-Muslim hate groups have spent years spewing against Rep. Omar must end immediately,” CAIR said.

CAIR-MN: Rep. Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance at town hall in Minneapolis – Wall Street Journal

CAIR: Ilhan Omar incident did not happen in a vacuum, Muslim advocates say – The News International

CAIR: ‘Bring this country to a halt’: Sarsour, Singham network, students vow nationwide anti-ICE shutdown – Just the News

CAIR Condemns Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar – Minnesota News Network

CAIR-Cleveland: Snow squall doesn’t stop anti-ICE protesters from taking to the streets in Cleveland – Spectrum

Faith leaders from across Cleveland are also expressing their support for the Minneapolis community. Representatives from the Fifth Christian Church, Christ Episcopal Church, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and more held a press conference calling on people to participate in a nationwide strike planned for Friday. They’re asking people to skip class or work and not spend any money.

CAIR-Chicago: Today in Chicago History: Relatives, protesters and lawyers gather at O’Hare over Trump’s immigration order – Chicago Tribune

Ahmed Rehab, left, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, and protesters gather at O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 28, 2017, in Chicago. U.S. authorities took more than a dozen travelers into custody at O’Hare in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration order.

Video: CAIR-MN Rallies for Justice, Urges Local Investigation into Federal Agent Killings

CAIR-MN: Protesters call for arrest of federal agents in Good, Pretti deaths at State Capitol – KARE 11

CAIR-Cleveland: Cleveland religious leaders plan walkout at Public Square over ICE violence – Plain Dealer

Faten Odeh, executive director of CAIR-Ohio’s Cleveland and Northern Ohio chapter, proposed alternatives to the current immigration enforcement system.

“ICE should be replaced with a different system that handles immigration more safely,” Odeh said. “Perhaps we can replace it with a civil court-based, non-militarized immigration system that prioritizes due process, dignity and public safety.”

CAIR: PG County settles lawsuit over requirement that prison chaplains be Christian – Maryland Daily Record

Video: CAIR-MN holds press conference demanding local, state officials investigate shooting of Alex Pretti

CAIR: Muslim rights group decries new TikTok ownership – Al Jazeera

CAIR-NY: Trump’s JPMorgan Chase lawsuit revives debanking concerns in US – Al Jazeera

Overall, 93 percent of Muslim Americans reported experiencing trouble with banking access. In one situation involving Citibank, the New York Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) accused the financial institution of not opening the account of a Muslim woman because of her husband, whom she wanted to nominate as a beneficiary and who is a Palestinian Muslim.

CAIR-San Diego: People Over Billionaires Protest San Diego

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