The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has joined over 30 Maryland mosques and Muslim community organizations part of the IMAN Network in urging the public to act now to call on University of Maryland administrators to support students’ rights to free speech and to encourage them to reject pressure from pro-genocide groups seeking to block students from advocating against genocide on campus.
TAKE ACTION: http://bit.ly/umdpalestine
Why This Matters:
Recently, these anti-Palestinian groups reportedly sent over 6,000 letters to University of Maryland administrators urging them to cancel events including a flag display on campus honoring martyred Palestinians that was scheduled for Tuesday, August 27. Tuesday’s event proceeded as planned despite immense pressure from the opposition.
SEE: UMD students honor people killed in Palestine with flag display
“Silencing students who advocate for human rights threatens all of us, regardless of our stance on the issue,” said IMAN Co-Founder and CAIR Maryland Advisory Board Member Dr. Samya Mohammad. “Denying student groups the right to hold these events would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the principles of academic freedom and intellectual diversity that universities are meant to uphold.”
“We unequivocally reject any attempt to silence, erase or intimidate any students seeking to advocate for justice, peace and humanity,” said IMAN Co-Founder and CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “This sort of conscientious activism and courage deserves to be applauded, and we will continue to support them and defend their rights to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”
“Protecting students’ rights to stand up for Palestine is essential for fostering an environment of free expression and advocacy,” said IMAN Co-Founder Hena Zuberi. “Every student should feel empowered to voice their beliefs and engage in meaningful dialogue about global issues. Upholding these rights is a commitment to justice, inclusivity, and the pursuit of peace.”
“This campaign is crucial because it encourages the university administration to uphold the fundamental principles of academic freedom and inclusivity, ensuring that all students can express their views and engage in meaningful discussions without fear of censorship,” said ICNA Council for Social Justice Manager Rameez Abid. “By standing against efforts to silence diverse perspectives, we are advocating for a more vibrant and just campus community.”
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.
The Islamic Maryland Action Network (IMAN) is a statewide crisis response working group that represents over 350,000 Muslims in the state. Members include over two dozen mosques and Muslim organizations.
SEE: IMAN Network
The IMAN Network’s mission is to foster a coordinated, compassionate, and effective response to crises, uniting diverse Muslim communities across the state.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293; 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