The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, demands that Concordia University Chicago immediately cancel its decision to lend its facilities to host Robert Spencer, Megan Basham, and other speakers at the 2026 ‘Issues, Etc.’ “Making the Case” conference scheduled to take place on Concordia’s campus on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, 2026.
SEE: CAIR-Chicago’s Letter to Concordia University, Demanding the Cancellation of the 2026 ‘Issues Etc.’ Conference Hosting Islamophobic Speakers
CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab in a statement wrote, “Shame on Concordia for resurrecting a corpse of hatred and attempting to resurrect Islamophobic rhetoric.”
Pastor Ben Squires of Bethel Lutheran Church stated, “Many from outside the Church, and even inside the Church, view some of these speakers as those who stoke hatred, encourage white Christian nationalism, and demonize those who do not hold right wing beliefs. Specifically, I believe that Robert Spencer (Jihad Watch) inflames anti-Muslim hatred through his rhetoric. I do not think that this exemplifies how Jesus calls His people to be in the world demonstrating God’s truth, grace, mercy, and love. I do not think this conference, and Concordia as host, encourage such cross-faith interaction, but instead, it could amplify fear, false narratives, and cause harm to my Muslim friends. I call on Issues, Etc., to rescind the invitations to these speakers.”
Despite receiving CAIR-Chicago’s letter outlining serious concerns regarding the speakers, including their histories of inflammatory remarks and policies aimed at vilifying and spreading hate towards Muslims, the University has not returned any communications.
Robert Spencer is co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA), and director of Jihad Watch, both of which have been designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Megan Basham is a culture reporter for The Daily Wire and has faced backlash for Islamophobic rhetoric and promoting hatred towards Muslim communities.
CAIR-Chicago acknowledges that speakers with different political, religious, and ideological views may be invited to speak at universities. However, a climate of hostility and violence is becoming increasingly prevalent for Muslim, Arab, immigrant, and other minority groups. Just a few weeks ago, a hate crime at the Islamic Center of San Diego took the lives of three people, terrorizing the community and leaving Muslims across the country fearing for their safety.
In light of recent events, Concordia’s decision to lend its facilities to speakers known for demonizing Muslims is not neutral. Hateful rhetoric can lead to greater fear, exclusion, and violence towards Muslim communities, and platforming it sends a damaging message to Muslim students, staff, and community members about whether they are safe, respected, and fully welcome on Concordia’s campus. This follows the disturbing recent trend of universities platforming hatemongers.
In late April, CAIR-Chicago released a statement condemning Judson University’s decision to grant a “Democracy Award” to Milorad Dodik, a repeated denier of the Srebrenica Genocide, in which over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were murdered. Similarly, CAIR-Chicago’s demand letter went unanswered by Judson University.
CAIR-Chicago reiterates its demand that Concordia University Chicago cancel the event and make amends with the communities harmed by this decision.
Report any bias incident, threat, or hate crime via www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Director of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com