Muslim civil rights and advocacy group also urges president to publicly demand justice for Shireen Abu Akleh, Jamal Khashoggi during trips to Israel and Saudi Arabia
(WASHINGTON D.C., 7/12/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on President Biden to meet with the family of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during his visit to Jerusalem. CAIR also urged President Biden to publicly call for justice for Abu Akleh and slain U.S. resident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his trips to Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The family of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces in May, sent a letter to the president on Friday demanding a meeting with him during his upcoming visit to Jerusalem.
President Biden plans to visit the Middle East from July 13-16, stopping first in Israel. He also plans to visit Saudi Arabia, where he plans to meet with Saudi government officials, including Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman.
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“In light of his pledge to place human rights at the forefront of his foreign policy, the very least President Biden can do during his trip to Jerusalem is meet with the Shireen Abu Akleh’s family and demand justice for her murder. The president should also demand justice for Jamal Khashoggi during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Failing to even mention these slain reporters during his Middle Eastern trip would send exactly the wrong message to both foreign governments and vulnerable journalists around the world.”
He noted that last week, CAIR condemned the State Department’s attempt to “whitewash and excuse” the Israeli government’s murder of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. CAIR also repeated its call for the FBI to launch an investigation into her death.
SEE: CAIR Condemns State Department’s Attempt to ‘Whitewash and Excuse’ Murder of Shireen Abu Akleh, Repeats Call for FBI Probe
He also noted that last month, CAIR joined Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) for the unveiling of a new street sign for “Jamal Khashoggi Way” outside of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C.
SEE: CAIR to Join Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) at Unveiling of ‘Jamal Khashoggi Way’ Outside Saudi Embassy in DC
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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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, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com