The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent enactment of AB 91, also known as the MENA Inclusion Act.
Authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, this landmark legislation represents a historic step toward equity, representation, and visibility for California’s diverse Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities. The bill requires all California entities that collect demographic data to include a distinct MENA category, ensuring that millions of Californians who trace their heritage to the Middle East and North Africa are no longer forced to identify as “White” or “Other.”
For decades, the lack of a separate MENA category has contributed to the systemic erasure of MENA Americans in public data collection, obscuring their unique social, economic, and health experiences. With the signing of AB 91, California becomes one of the first states in the nation to formally recognize the MENA community, setting a powerful precedent for national inclusion and equity in policymaking.
For nearly two years, CAIR-CA has worked alongside the CA MENA Civil Rights Coalition—a statewide alliance of MENA-led, -serving, and -founded organizations—to advance AB 91 and ensure fair representation for the MENA community.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“The signing of the MENA Inclusion Act is a victory for visibility, justice, and equity. For far too long, our communities have been rendered invisible in the data that drives decisions about funding, healthcare, education, and civil rights protections. This legislation changes that by ensuring that Middle Eastern and North African Californians are seen, counted, and supported.
“We thank Assemblymember John Harabedian for his leadership and Governor Gavin Newsom for affirming California’s commitment to inclusion and fair representation for all. This is, above all, a grassroots victory made possible by the relentless organizing, advocacy, and leadership of MENA community members and organizations across the state.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269 or zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or ladam@cair.com