The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) today welcomed the decision by Tucson’s San Clemente neighborhood to officially remove decades-old racist restrictions from their housing covenants.
The action follows a community-driven effort to eliminate discriminatory language that had remained embedded in property records for nearly a century. While such covenants have long been unenforceable, their continued presence has served as a reminder of systemic racism in housing.
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We commend the residents of the San Clemente neighborhood for taking this important and long-overdue step to confront and correct the injustices of the past. Removing racist covenants is more than a symbolic act. It reflects a shared commitment to building communities rooted in dignity, equality, and belonging for all. Acknowledging and addressing historical discrimination is essential to fostering trust and inclusivity across diverse communities.
She noted that CAIR has previously supported efforts to remove racist language from housing covenants nationwide.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 602-349-1573, aabuseif@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