Gov. Abbott’s labeling of CAIR didn’t happen in a vacuum. Global dehumanization brought us here. – San Antonio Report
When Gov. Greg Abbott declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a terrorist organization on Nov. 18, many Texans were stunned. For Muslims in Texas, especially those of us who are civically engaged, the announcement felt less like an isolated decision and more like the culmination of long-standing political scapegoating.
What may look like a symbolic gesture to some carries very real consequences for Muslim communities in places like San Antonio. It increases the risk of violence, undermines decades of community-building and distorts the public’s understanding of who Muslim Texans are and what we contribute to this state.
CAIR-MN: Scorned by the president, Somalis in Minnesota are embraced by the state that took them in – CNN
“People (were) saying that Minnesota Somalis are as Minnesotan as tater-tot hotdish,” said Suleiman Adan, deputy executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, describing the tone and content of some of the emails comparing the community to the state’s beloved casserole. “Somalis are as Minnesota as the state fair. That is, you know, we belong.”
CAIR-MN: Minnesota turns cold for Somali migrants – Washington Post
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who led the Abandon Harris campaign, said Republicans captured discontent among members of the Somali community, many of whom are Muslim, over the war in Gaza. Trump “even mentioned some positive things about the community while he was on the campaign trail. So now demonizing this entire community for the acts of a very few just doesn’t make any sense,” he said.
CAIR-MN: A ‘volcano’ of controversy has hit the Minnesota Somali community– USA Today
CAIR-MN: Inside ‘Little Mogadishu’: Minnesota’s beleaguered Somali community under a cloud of fraud and Trump attacks – FOX
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR–Minnesota, said that faith remains central to Somali life, but also serves as a bridge to their new home.
“Religion grounds us,” he said. “It helps us build discipline and community, and it’s part of why Somalis have been able to succeed here.”
CAIR-MN: Minnesota’s immigrant advocates organize and deploy as Trump ramps up ICE enforcement – Minn Post
CAIR-MN: Feds claim ‘the worst’ were arrested in Minneapolis immigration enforcement, but local attorneys say otherwise – Sahan Journal
CAIR-MN: Raids, fraud probes and Trump rhetoric put Minnesota’s Somali community on edge – Hiiraan Online
CAIR-CA: Led by Rep. Matsui, advocates challenge ICE detentions of Afghan nationals in Sacramento – KCRA
CAIR-CA: Opinion: San Jose’s vast surveillance network is watching you. Be afraid. – Mercury News