The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by New Mexico’s Bernalillo County Planning Commission to reject an appeal and allow construction of a planned Islamic center and mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley to move forward after months of opposition that included anti-Muslim rhetoric and hostility directed at the project.
Earlier this year, CAIR condemned anti-Muslim rhetoric expressed during public hearings on the proposed mosque.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We welcome this decision reaffirming that religious communities should be treated fairly under the law and not subjected to discrimination because of their faith. No house of worship should face organized opposition fueled by Islamophobia, stereotypes, or fear of an entire faith community. We commend those local residents and officials who upheld the principles of religious liberty, equal treatment, and the rule of law.”
The civil rights organization noted that its latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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 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