The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, yesterday joined more than 40 American Muslim and Palestinian organizations in sending a letter to CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash urging the journalists to ask President Biden and former President Trump questions about the Gaza genocide, hate crimes, and student free speech rights during tomorrow’s presidential debate.
The letter letter emphasizes the need for balanced discussion, by asking the following three questions concerning the U.S-backed Israel war on Gaza, the rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, and the free speech rights of students:
1. Should the United States use American financial leverage to force the Netanyahu government to adhere to both uphold international law and agree to the Biden administration’s proposed ceasefire plan?
2. What actions, if any, will you take to address the reported increase in complaints of anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Semitic incidents occurring across the country?
3. What role, if any, should the federal government play in protecting both the physical safety and free speech rights of students on American college campuses?
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“The Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza, our government’s involvement in it, and the wave of hate crimes and civil rights violations in our nation that have followed, are some of the most pressing issues for our communities and the majority Americans during this election. That’s why we urge CNN’s debate hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash to ask both President Biden and Donald Trump about these issues.”
The letter was signed by the following organizations:
American Center for Justice
American Muslim Community Foundation
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
Arizona Muslim Police Advisory Board
Baltimore County Muslim Council
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
CAIR Action
Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
Husaynia Islamic Society of Seattle
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC)
Imam Council of Metropolitan St. Louis
Islamic Association of North America (IANA)
Islamic Center of Boca Raton, Florida
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
ICNA Council for Social Justice
Islamic Society of Carroll County, Westminster MD
Islamophobia Studies Center
Islamic Center of Wheaton (ICW)
Kurdish Community Islamic Center
Masjid Al-Furqan West Cobb Islamic Center
Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of NY
Muslim American Public Affairs Council
Muslim American Society
Muslim American Society – Arizona
Muslim American Society – Central Florida
Muslim American Society – Maryland
Muslim American Society – D.C.
Muslim League of Voters of New Jersey
Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA)
Palestinian American Community Center
Partners for Palestine
The Mosque Cares | Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed
Tunisian United Network
US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)
Voices for Justice in Palestine
Voices of Muslims
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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