The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AL), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today invited Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen to visit a mosque after he criticized former Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl for attending a Ramadan interfaith dinner.
Allen stated in part: “There is no excuse for participating in the celebration of Islamic Ramadan. There is no excuse to go to a place that operates a mosque and a school to indoctrinate children into Islam, even if you are invited to do so.”
In a statement, CAIR-Alabama Staff Attorney Britton O’Shields said:
“Simply put: Secretary Allen is wrong. His remarks are deeply disappointing and reflect an alarming misunderstanding of both Islam and the importance of interfaith engagement in a diverse, democratic society. Ramadan is a sacred time for Muslims focused on fasting, charity, reflection, and community. These are values that are shared across many faith traditions.
By attending a service at the Islamic Center, John Wahl demonstrated a commitment to know and serve the people of Alabama. Attending an interfaith dinner is not an endorsement of any religion, but rather a demonstration of mutual respect. Recently, a number of Alabama politicians, Wes Allen among them, have relied on bigoted rhetoric to secure cheap political gains by stoking fear about Muslims—but dividing the community isn’t leadership.Leadership is encouraging dialogue and understanding, not promoting division or spreading harmful stereotypes about places of worship and the families who attend them.
“We invite Secretary Allen to visit a local mosque, meet with Muslim community members, and experience firsthand the welcoming and peaceful environment that defines our faith and institutions. Meaningful engagement is the best way to replace fear and misinformation with knowledge and respect.”
Last week, CAIR’s Northern Ohio chapter welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly plotted a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
CAIR’s Pittsburgh chapter also welcomed the arrest of an individual accused of making threats against the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania (ICWP) and is calling for continued vigilance to protect Muslim communities.
Earlier this month, CAIR’s Arizona chapter welcomed an arrest for a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix.
Earlier today, CAIR’s New York chapter asked for the public’s assistance with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who reportedly attacked a woman on a subway platform while making “anti-Islamic” statements.
CAIR recommended that community leaders utilize the information offered in CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety,” a booklet that offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
SEE: 2026 Civil Rights Report: The Right to be Different
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CONTACT: A. Britton O’Shields, Staff Attorney – Alabama Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama), aoshields@cair.com, 205-206-6399, 205-616-0733; 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