Muslim civil rights group urges community to thank council members
(BALTIMORE, MD, 7/25/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by Maryland’s Montgomery County Council to hold back a resolution to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) definition and examples of antisemitism from their agenda.
Yesterday, CAIR called on county council members to oppose adopting the IHRA’s definition, which has been criticized by numerous Jewish and civil rights groups for its ambiguity and negative implications for free speech and criticism of Israel. The resolution was set to go to a vote on Tuesday, but has since been shelved and will not be voted on.
CAIR is calling on community members to send a message to members of the county council thanking them for not advancing the resolution.
TAKE ACTION: Thank Montgomery County Council Members for Decision to Hold Anti-Free Speech Resolution
SEE: Jewish Voice for Peace opposes IHRA definition of antisemitism
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2021/02/ihra/
Bend the Arc opposes government use of IHRA definition of antisemitism
https://www.bendthearc.us/bend_the_arc_opposes_government_use_of_ihra_definition_of_antisemitism
IHRA definition of anti-Semitism has been weaponised, warns lead drafter
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“We thank the members of the Montgomery County Council for holding this resolution. The adoption of the IHRA’s controversial definition of antisemitism as government policy – something that was not intended by the definition’s lead drafter – would stifle free speech and make it more difficult to criticize the Israeli government’s policies of apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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 Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062