The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), together with the Abdelghani family of Meriden, welcomes the news that U.S. citizens Intifada Abdelghani and her 14-year-old son Musa, both U.S. citizens, will now be able to return home after Israel lifted a security ban that had prevented them from leaving the country.
CAIR-CT recently called on state elected officials and the Trump administration to demand the immediate release of the mother and son who were prevented from boarding a flight at Ben Gurion Airport on August 14, 2025.
This positive development also comes after the efforts of Congresswoman Jahana Hayes’ office, whose staff worked tirelessly around the clock for many days, and the support of Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. CAIR-CT said their intervention was critical in securing the ability for the family to book tickets to return home.
“We are grateful that my wife and son will now have the opportunity to come home,” said Maher Abdelghani. “Yet, every moment before they depart is filled with anxiety, because they must still navigate the same security system that kept them stranded. Our experience of intrusive searches and intimidation is a mere echo of what so many Palestinians endure each day. We only ask: when will justice prevail for them, too?”
The family’s ordeal began when Israeli security officials placed a ban preventing them from traveling back to the U.S. Despite presenting valid American passports, Intifada was forced to undergo invasive searches on multiple occasions, while Musa was threatened and intimidated. The ban left them stranded abroad for weeks, separated from their home in Connecticut.
“The pain and uncertainty this family has endured is unacceptable, and we are relieved that progress has been made. We commend Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Blumenthal for stepping in to help their constituents,” said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT. “We also cannot ignore that while the Abdelghani family suffered, their ordeal pales in comparison to the 64,000-plus deaths in Gaza and the daily terror of settler violence in the West Bank. These tragedies are inseparable from the policies our elected officials support.”
He added that while the Abdelghani family is optimistic, challenges remain: Intifada and Musa must still secure flights and successfully pass through security at Ben Gurion Airport, the same place where their ordeal began.
CAIR-CT and the Abdelghani family expressed gratitude for the assistance provided but also urge both Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Blumenthal to re-examine their ongoing support for Israel’s policies. The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank demands not just case-by-case advocacy but a consistent stand for justice and human rights.
CAIR-CT continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo on Israel, and accountability for human rights violations.
BACKGROUNDER
Key Timeline & Facts:
- Citizenship: Intifada Abdelghani and Musa are both U.S. citizens, with valid American passports.
- Travel Ban: On August 14, 2025, without explanation Israeli security authorities imposed a travel ban preventing their departure to the U.S.
- Security Encounters: Despite their U.S. citizenship, Intifada endured multiple invasive searches, and Musa faced threats and intimidation from authorities.
- Stranding: These actions left the family unable to return home for more than two weeks causing Musa to miss the start of his junior year of high school
- U.S. Intervention: Sustained pressure from Congresswoman Jahana Hayes’ office and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy ultimately resulted in the ban being lifted.
- Next Steps: Despite progress, Intifada and Musa must still pass security at Ben Gurion Airport and book safe travel back to the U.S.
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: Farhan Memon, Chairman, CAIR-CT, 203-517-6526, fmemon@cair.com