DC-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy group calls on local law enforcement to provide security
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MD), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Washington County School Board of Education Vice President Mike Guessford’s “dangerous” call for protesters to target the Islamic Society of Western Maryland’s (ISWMD) upcoming interfaith open house event.
SEE: From Ethics Lapses to Anti-Muslim Bigotry: Mike Guessford is Unfit to Serve in Public Office
In response to a Herald-Mail Media Facebook post about the mosque’s interfaith event scheduled for October 18, Guessford commented, “We need to protest.”
The open house, hosted annually by the Islamic Society of Western Maryland (ISWMD), invites neighbors of all faiths to visit the mosque, meet their Muslim neighbors and strengthen community ties.
“It’s unacceptable and dangerous for an elected official entrusted with shaping the education and moral development of children in the county to target a peaceful interfaith event designed to build understanding,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “A call to protest a mosque’s open house – an event intended to promote unity and education – also betrays the values of inclusion respect that our state and schools should uphold.”
“We stand with the Islamic Society of Western Maryland and every Marylander who believes in the right to worship freely without harassment or intimidation,” Chaudry added.
She said CAIR is in contact with mosque leaders to lend support and ensure the safety and well-being of the congregation and the broader community.
The Washington, D.C., based civil rights organization is also calling on Washington County Public Schools to publicly affirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion and to review whether Guessford’s comments are consistent with the standards expected of elected school officials.
Chaudry said CAIR encourages community members to attend the mosque’s open house in a spirit of peace and solidarity.
CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
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 Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; 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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com