Release of names of elected officials delayed due to rise in threats and harassment
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/31/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Justice Education Technology Policy Action Center (JETPAC) today released data and other excerpts from their second annual “2023 Directory of Elected American Muslim Officials,” a report which highlights American Muslims who are actively serving their communities at the local, state, and federal levels.
Due to a recent surge in threats against American Muslim elected officials by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian extremists, CAIR is delaying the public release of portions of the report which list Muslim elected officials by name.
The abbreviated directory released today provides high-level descriptive statistics about the identified Muslim elected officials. CAIR and JETPAC are making full versions of the directory available to reputable media and academic sources. Contact Robert S. McCaw at rmccaw@cair.com to request access to the full report.
The public release of the comprehensive directory is planned for a later date, contingent upon a reduction in threats against Muslim elected officials in the United States.
WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE HELD TO RELEASE THE DIRECTORY.
READ THE ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE DIRECTORY
CAIR and JETPAC are currently making publicly available a condensed version of the directory. CAIR and JETPAC will make full versions of the directory available to reputable media and academic sources. Contact Rober S. McCaw at rmccaw@cair.com to request access to the full report]
This abbreviated directory provides high-level descriptive statistics about the identified Muslim elected officials. The release of a comprehensive directory is planned for a later date, contingent upon the resolution of the Israeli military assault on Gaza and a reduction in discrimination and violent assaults against Muslims in the United States.]
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Given the ongoing Israeli war on the Palestinian people in Gaza – and the bigotry and racism the crisis has unleashed here at home – it is all the more important for American Muslims to make their voices heard in elected office.
“American Muslims are not only participating in American elections at historic levels, but they are thriving against considerable odds. They have harnessed adversity as a driving force, propelling them to the higher and higher levels of American politics.
“The success of American Muslims in the political arena is a testament to the resilience of our community. It also underscores the importance of our nation’s democracy, which should give every person the opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process.
“American Muslims have a bright political future ahead. Today’s city council members, school board representatives, and state legislators will hopefully be the elected officials who one day lead our nation to a more just future.”
In a statement, JETPAC President Nadeem Mazen said:
“The nearly 20% rise in elected representation from our community isn’t just a statistic, it’s a story of resilience, commitment, and tireless efforts by American Muslim officials, their teams, and the communities who believe in them.
“In an era where our community’s civic and political institutions are still in their formative years, American Muslim elected officials are courageously carving out their narratives, challenging stereotypes, and ensuring diverse voices are heard in America’s corridors of power and service.
“Looking forward, our community has significant ground to gain in the name of equity. We will have to see the number of American Muslim elected officials increase to 20 times what we have currently for the tally of elected officials to correctly reflect the size of our community’s population.”
Key Directory Highlights:
- Total Number of Elected Muslim Officials: This directory comprises a total of 235 elected American Muslim officials across various categories at different levels of government in the United States.
- Increase in Number of Elected Muslim Officials: The number of elected American Muslim officials increased by 19.5 percent over 2022, from 189 elected American Muslim officials to 235, when the first-ever national directory was released by CAIR and JETPAC.
- Category with the Highest Number of Elected Officials: The “Council Member” category boasts the highest number of American Muslim elected officials, with a total of 92 individuals holding such positions.
- Gender Representation of Muslim Elected Officials: Out of the 235 elected American Muslim officials in America, 95 are female, while 140 are male.
- Representation on Education Boards: The “School/Education” official category has 63 American Muslims members serving on various education boards.
- State Legislative Elected Officials: At the state level, there are 33 American Muslim State Representatives and 13 American State Senators, making a total of 46 state-level American Muslim elected officials.
- Elected Officials in the “Other” Category: The “Other” category encompasses various elected positions, including American Muslims serving as Judges, Attorney General, Municipal officials, Constable, and Commonwealth Attorney, totaling 29 individuals.
- States with Highest Elected Official Representation: New Jersey (NJ) leads in representation with 49 American Muslim elected officials, followed by Michigan (MI) with 36 elected officials, and California (CA) with 26.
The directory stands as an invaluable resource for those seeking insights into the expanding political influence of American Muslims.
In October 2022, CAIR and JETPAC released the first national directory of local, state and federal elected Muslim officials and judges. The following November 2022 Midterm Election witnessed an extraordinary milestone with 82 Muslim candidates emerging victorious, marking the highest count recorded since JETPAC and CAIR began tracking American Muslim electoral progress.
About CAIR: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (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.
About JETPAC: Justice Education Technology Policy Action Center: Justice Education Technology Policy Action Center (JETPAC) is a leading organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement within American Muslim and other marginalized communities. JETPAC strives to develop a diverse, inclusive, and just democracy by training and supporting candidates and community leaders.
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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, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@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; JETPAC Coordinator Mariana Larin, 410-871-8547 mariana@jet-pac.com