Muslim civil rights group calls on community, public officials to join live event to show support for Rep. Omar amid bigoted attacks
(WASHINGTON D.C., 12/3/2021) – At its virtual gala on Saturday, December 4, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization – will name Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) “American Muslim Public Servant of 2021” for her commitment to public service and courage in the face of anti-Muslim bigotry from fellow members of Congress.
CAIR is calling on community members and public officials to join the live event and show support for Rep. Omar amid recent bigoted attacks.
WHAT: CAIR Virtual Gala ‘Turning the Tide, Building a Just Future’
WHERE: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
WHO: Rep. Ilhan Omar
Rep. Cori Bush
Rep. Andre Carson
Dr. Omar Suleiman
Linda Sarsour
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 7 p.m. ET
REGISTRATION: https://action.cair.com/a/register27th
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
Rep. Omar will be joined at the gala by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri), Rep. Andre Carson (D-Indiana) as well as Islamic scholar Dr. Omar Suleiman and civil rights activist Linda Sarsour.
The award comes after Omar was targeted with bigoted anti-Muslim statements by Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene. CAIR called on congressional leaders to censure Boebert for her statements. No action against either congresswoman has been taken.
SEE: CAIR Calls on GOP Leaders to Repudiate Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Islamophobic Smears Targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Representative Omar has time and again proven her deep dedication to public service. Her work representing the interests not only of her constituents but of the American people as a whole serves as an example to our community and to the nation.
“Representative Omar has shown tremendous courage in the face of constant attacks from anti-Muslim bigots both inside and outside of Congress, but she has not let the hatred of bigots stop her from serving the American people.
“While some congressional leaders have failed to come to her defense against these disgusting attacks, the American Muslim community and all Americans of conscience stand in solidarity with her.
“We urge community members and public officials join us live at our December 4 gala to show support for Representative Omar, condemn Islamophobia and demand action from Congress to counter the hate and bigotry that is being allowed to fester within its walls.”
Awad noted that weeks after the bigoted attacks on Rep. Omar, a mosque in Olympia, Washington was targeted with an explosive device.
SEE: Breaking: Surveillance Video Obtained by CAIR-Washington Shows Explosive Device Being Detonated in Front of Olympia Mosque
The virtual gala’s theme, “Turning the Tide, Building a Just Future,” highlights CAIR’s positive impact on the civil rights of all Americans over the last 27 years and the organization’s shared vision for social justice.
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com