The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the Dean of the Rutgers School of Engineering’s (SOE) decision to rescind the invitation to have Rami Elghandour, a Rutgers alumnus, accomplished businessman and advocate for human rights, as the 2026 commencement speaker.
Elghandour was notified that he would no longer be able to speak because a “few” students complained and threatened to not attend graduation due to Elghandour’s social media posts that “go against their beliefs.” The Dean of SOE chose to rescind the invitation to have Elghandour as the speaker and stated that there will be no commencement speaker this year, and possibly, in subsequent years.
SEE: Rami Elghandour’s Post Against Genocide
Rutgers recently accommodated Israeli soldiers on campus as part of a national tour titled “Triggered: The Ceaseless Tour.” CAIR-NJ said the dean’s decision demonstrates a clear double standard in how pro-Israel and pro-Palestine sentiments are handled by the administration.
SEE: Students Protest Israeli Soldier Speaking Event on Campus
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“It is unconscionable that Rutgers roles out the red carpet to soldiers engaged in genocide yet finds expression of pro-Palestine solidarity from of one of their distinguished alumni so objectionable, they refuse to have him address graduates.
“We call on Rutgers School of Engineering to reinstate Rami Elghandour as commencement speaker and approach issues of student safety and freedom of expression with more care.”
ACTION ALERT: CAIR-NJ encourages those in the Rutgers community to email Dean Cuitiño at alberto.cuitino@rutgers.edu to express your disappointment in his decision.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238