The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has sent a letter to members of the so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” challenging them to visit mosques in their districts and engage directly with American Muslim constituents following a hour-long House floor session in which members of the caucus delivered a series of speeches targeting Islam and Muslims in America.
CLICK HERE: READ CAIR’S INVITATION TO THE ANTI-MUSLIM CAUCUS
[CAIR did not send an invitation to Randy Fine (R-FL) due to his alleged history of threats of violence, including reports that he threatened to “burn [a synagogue] to the ground” following a dispute, implicitly threatening to bomb Muslim members of Congress, and calling for the destruction of all “mainstream Muslims,” as well as reports of having to attend a court-ordered anger management class. CAIR also previously designated Fine as an anti-Muslim extremist due to his pattern of violent and dehumanizing rhetoric.]
Last month, CAIR designated the “Sharia-Free America Caucus” as an anti-Muslim hate group. This is the first time in CAIR’s 32-year history that the organization has designated a congressional caucus as an extremist organization.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“We are extending an open invitation to members of the so-called ‘Sharia-Free America Caucus’ to visit a mosque in their district and meet the American Muslims they claim to represent.
“Taking to the House floor for an hour of unhinged anti-Muslim rants amounts to a modern-day Klan rally, promoting hate and conspiracy theories and representing a dangerous abuse of public office.
“This hateful caucus is not engaged in legitimate policy debate but is instead seeking to stigmatize and marginalize American Muslims through a baseless witch hunts and smears.
“If these anti-Muslim caucus members are confident in their claims, they should have no hesitation meeting their own constituents in a mosque and engaging in a real conversation grounded in facts rather than fear.”
BACKGROUNDER:
CAIR’s call comes amid growing concern over an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric in political discourse. Multiple media outlets have documented a rise in Islamophobic statements and policy proposals, alongside a corresponding increase in reported anti-Muslim incidents nationwide.
SEE: Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises among Republicans with little pushback from GOP leadership – Associated Press
As GOP revives threat of Shariah, Muslims call the campaign a gambit for votes – Religion News Service
Anti-Muslim Comments by G.O.P. Congressman Reflect a Rising Trend – New York Times
As Trump’s rudderless war in Iran rages on, GOP lawmakers ratchet up the anti-Muslim rhetoric | Editorial – Philadelphia Inquirer
Republicans are ramping up attacks on Muslims — and getting rewarded – Washington Post
Congressional Republicans echo anti-Muslim rhetoric as Islamophobic incidents rise – Reuters
US Republican Leaders in Spotlight Over Anti-Muslim Rhetoric – AFP
Anti-Islamic rhetoric from GOP politicians sparks concerns over religious hatred – PBS
Rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric by GOP sparks uproar on Capitol Hill – The Hill
Earlier this week, CAIR’s Alabama chapter invited Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen to visit a mosque after he criticized former Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl for attending a Ramadan interfaith dinner.
Earlier this month, CAIR called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to stop protecting anti-Muslim fascists in his caucus after the speaker refused to condemn Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) for declaring that Muslims “do not belong in American society.”
Anti-Muslim rhetoric in Congress in recent months has included calls for the destruction of “mainstream Muslims” and the introduction of extreme legislation that, if enacted, would effectively ban the practice of Islam in the United States.
CAIR notes that using “sharia” as a code word for “Islam” was a tactic developed by anti-Muslim extremists in the 2000s to get around America’s Constitutional aversion to attacking entire faith traditions.
SEE: CAIR’s Educational Fact Sheet on “Sharia in American Life”
CAIR pointed to numerous recent statements by House Republicans documenting that Islam, not simply its religious practices, is the target of a growing number of House Republicans, many of them Members of the so called “Sharia-Free America” caucus:
- In a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Feb. 17, 2026, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) wrote, “No more public displays of Islam please. It is not American.” Archive.
- On March 9, 2026, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) posted the following to his X (formerly Twitter account), “Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.” Archive.
- A “Sharia-Free America Caucus” graphic shared by Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) features Rep. Ogles saying, “Islam is a religion of violence, abuse of women, and ruthless political conquest. Its laws and practices have no place in American society. That’s why I joined the Sharia Free American [Sic] Caucus. Islam is conquering Europe, and I refuse to let it conquer America.”
- Caucus co-founder Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) posted, “Islam is on the march and seeks world domination” to his X (formerly Twitter) account.
- During a November 19, 2025 floor speech Rep. Self said he believes “Islam is a culture with a patina of religion.” He later also added, “There is no denying Islam’s intent to dominate Western civilization. Their stated objective is to destroy us from within.” Finally, Self believes, “While Western civilization has evolved, Islam has not. Islam is stuck in the eighth century.”
- Caucus member Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) has discussed the need to “solve the Muslim problem,” and suggested the need to “destroy” “mainstream Muslims.” Fine has supported the starvation of Palestinian civilians, a war crime, and a religious cleansing of the U.S. via the mass removals of mainstream Muslims from the United States. Fine has faced backlash for implying dogs are preferable to Muslims.
- During an interview with Newsmax, Rep. Brandon Gill said, “The reality is that Islam is a political ideology that is incompatible with the United States. It’s incompatible with our constitutional system and with Western civilization more broadly.”
- In an interview with WBAP’s Morning News Podcast on February 3, 2026, Caucus co-founder Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) warned against the “Islamification of our country” which, according to Roy, “is inconsistent with Western civilization
CAIR recently released its 2026 Civil Rights Report “The Right to be Different,” which documents a pattern of public officials using their offices to narrow the definitions of what Americans can look like, say, or believe in 2025.
WATCH CAIR’S NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE REPORT.
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 Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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