TAKE ACTION: Join CAIR in urging your members of Congress to support now!
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and Texas the office of CAIR (CAIR-Texas), today welcomed Congressman Al Green’s (D-TX) introduction of a resolution condemning the hateful and Islamophobic statement made by anti-Muslim extremist RepresentativeAndy Ogles (R-TN), who posted, “Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.”
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CAIR is urging all members of Congress to immediately co-sponsor the resolution and to speak out just as forcefully in defense of religious freedom and pluralism. The resolution affirms that the United States is founded on principles of religious liberty, equality, and pluralism, and rejects rhetoric that seeks to exclude Americans based on their faith. It underscores that such hateful statements are incompatible with the First Amendment and the nation’s constitutional values.
In a statement, CAIR and CAIR-Texas said:
“Congressman Green’s resolution is a necessary and principled response to one of the most explicit expressions of Islamophobia we have seen from a sitting member of Congress. When Rep. Andy Ogles openly declares that Muslims do not belong in American society, silence is not neutrality, it is complicity. Every member of Congress should co-sponsor this resolution and speak out just as loudly to affirm that Muslim Americans are equal citizens whose rights and dignity will be defended.”
In announcing the resolution, Congressman Al Green stated: “In America, persons of the Islamic faith have the same rights as persons of any other faith. In America, all religions should be treated equally. We cannot normalize hateful rhetoric that excludes, divides, or diminishes our shared humanity. I stand with the Constitution and justice for all.”
CAIR recently designated the House’s so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” as an anti-Muslim hate group, the first time in its history it has labeled a congressional caucus an extremist organization. CAIR has also designated Rep. Ogles an anti-Muslim extremist, warning that such rhetoric is part of a broader pattern of dehumanization and efforts to marginalize Islam in American public life.
CAIR has repeatedly called on congressional leadership to hold members accountable for anti-Muslim hate speech and to take concrete steps to ensure that such rhetoric is not normalized within the halls of government.
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 Texas Civic Engagement Organizer Sameeha Rizvi, srizvi@cair.com, 512-893-1371; CAIR-Austin Operations Manager, Shaimaa Zayan, szayan@cair.com, 512-785-7105; 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