On Monday, May 12, more than 190 California Muslims and interfaith allies from across the state gathered in Sacramento for the 14th Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC) Advocacy Day, hosted by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.
WATCH: CAIR-CA: 14th Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol – KTXL
Participants met with more than 80 lawmakers to urge support for key legislation that addresses classroom censorship and the erasure of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in state policy.
CAIR-CA’s 2025 legislative priorities included:
- AB 91 – Support
Known as the MENA Inclusion Act, AB 91 would require California to include a distinct MENA category in state demographic data collection. Accurate data is essential for addressing the needs of Arab, Iranian, Afghan, and other MENA communities who are often rendered invisible in public policy.
- AB 1468 – Oppose
AB 1468 is a politically motivated attack on Ethnic Studies that threatens to censor honest conversations about Palestine, anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, and global justice.
[Note: While reports have surfaced indicating that the bill will be withdrawn by its authors, until that is formalized, CAIR-CA continues to oppose AB 1468 and urges lawmakers to reject any attempt to repackage its harmful agenda under a new bill number or framing.]
The event also featured a press conference with remarks from:
- Hussam Ayloush, CAIR-CA CEO
- Basha Jamil, CAIR Greater Los Angeles Policy Manager
- Professor Theresa Montaña, Chicano/a Studies faculty at CSU Northridge and chair of the California Faculty Association (CFA) Teacher Education Caucus
- Tazheen Nizam, CAIR San Diego Executive Director
- Rabbi Cat Zavis, Beyt Tikkun Synagogue
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Yesterday, Muslims from across the state stood united to affirm our place in California’s story. We came as students, parents, educators, and organizers, demanding justice, representation, and a future where our communities are heard and seen. This is how we build lasting power: by showing up, speaking out, and standing together.”
This year, CAIR-CA’s MDAC Advocacy Day followed its Youth Day, held on April 28, which brought together over 300 Muslim students from across the state for leadership training and advocacy meetings with legislators.
Together, the two events represent the largest coordinated civic engagement effort by California Muslims, creating space for intergenerational community power-building at the state level.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTS: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, 714.851.4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Contact Tasneem Manjra, 916.441.6469, tManjra@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, 760.201.7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com