The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today held a press conference with Iranian, Lebanese, and Palestinian families speaking out against the Israel-US war with Iran and increased violence in the Middle East.
SEE: Press Conference Livestream with New Jersey Families
While Eid al-Fitr (March 19th, 2026) traditionally marks a time of communal prayer and celebration, many families in New Jersey find themselves unable to celebrate due to the ongoing Israeli assault in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) partnered with the polling firm Zogby Analytics to conduct a national survey of Iranian Americans examining community views on the war with Iran, U.S. policy, and prospects for diplomacy. Fielded during the first week of the conflict from February 27 to March 5, 2026, the survey provides one of the earliest snapshots of Iranian American opinion as the crisis unfolded.
Press Conference Photos & Photos of Destruction from Lebanon
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“As Ramadan comes to a close and many prepare to mark Eid al-Fitr, countless Muslim families in New Jersey and across the world are unable to celebrate, grieving loved ones and the devastating Israeli aggression facing communities in Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine. Instead of joy, there is pain and uncertainty.
“Today we are calling on our New Jersey congressional representatives to demand an end to the Israel-US war of choice against Iran. The Israel-US preemptive strikes are a continued and unnecessary devastation in the region.”
“Elected officials must use their voices and demand an end to the war that continues to harm innocent families here and abroad. New Jersey families are suffering.”
“Today we heard from various voices, Iranian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jewish Americans, who shared stories of their loved ones and unique perspectives on the war.”
“How are New Jersey and New York families supposed to celebrate Eid when their families, their schools and their hospitals in Lebanon, Iran and Palestine have been destroyed by Israel?”
In a statement, a Palestinian-American from New Jersey, Alae said:
“My cousin, NasrAllah Abusiyam, died in the way of protecting others. The Israeli Knesset approved the annexation of the entire West Bank as policy, things will get worse and more Palestinian Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian American allies will be killed by Israelis as a result of the US’s complicity in holding a foreign government accountable.”
SPEAKERS:
- Etan Mabourakh — Jewish Iranian-American, NIAC, National Organizing Manager
- Hala — Lebanese-American, family displaced in southern Lebanon
- Jad Nehme- Lebanese-American, Shia Muslim, has many displaced family members in Lebanon, some killed by Israeli bombs
- Alae — Palestinian American, Sunni Muslim – 19-year-old cousin (NasrAllah Abusiyam,American citizen) killed by settlers in February, no arrests
- Larry Ham — African-American, Christian, civil rights and human rights leader
- NancyStern — Jewish-American professor, daughter of Holocaust survivors, visited West Bank 6 times
- RezaFarzan — Iranian American, with family in Tehran who he has not heard from
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414