The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today released its 2025 Civil Data Report during a press conference commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia outside the New Jersey State House.
WATCH CAIR-NJ TRENTON NEWS CONFERENCE
The news conference drew Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) community organizers and elected officials, who called on New Jersey state and federal leadership to address the rising trends in anti-Muslim hate.
SEE: 2025 Civil Rights Report: Power in Persistence
In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Today, we commemorate the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the New Jersey State House with respected religious leaders, elected officials, academics, and advocates. As a global community, we must reject and eradicate bigotry. Governments must foster social cohesion and protect religious freedom.
To that end, we welcome Gov. Phil Murphy’s commemoration of the day and speaking out against the surge in Islamophobia through his proclamation. We call on New Jersey state leadership to do the same and address rising trends in Islamophobia here in New Jersey and across America.”
“Our office marks this day with the release of our 2025 Civil Rights Report titled: Power In Persistence.
“CAIR-New Jersey’s report shows that anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey persists well after October 2023 and Israel’s US-backed war on Gaza, well surpassing data from years prior. The report shows emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry.”
“Lastly, we caution against legislative attempts to adopt a definition of antisemitism that aims to silence advocates for Palestinian human rights by falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.”
In a statement, CAIR New Jersey Operations Director and Principal Author of the 2025 Civil Rights Report Dyaa Terpstra said:
“CAIR-New Jersey’s 2025 Civil Rights Report documents the sustained surge in hate Muslims face in New Jersey. The report demonstrates the rising tides of anti-Muslim bigotry is directly caused by the dehumanization of Palestinians in Gaza, the ignorant rhetoric surrounding it, and the unlawful crackdown on free speech which will continue to be exacerbated by the Trump administration.
The data is clear: The surge in bias against Muslims in New Jersey and across the nation following the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza spilled into 2024, and its waves still impact us today in 2025 unlike life prior.
This surge faced by Muslims was largely tied to the unconstitutional crackdown of dissenting opinion and the dehumanization of Palestinians and Muslims. Public officials at all levels of government, corporate leaders, and school and university administration, must respect free speech and the value of human life.”
CAIR-NJ 2025 Civil Rights Report key findings:
- CAIR-NJ received 290 complaints in 2024, which is essentially on-par with 2023’s total of 309 and significantly greater than previous years. Note that anti-Muslim incidents are largely underreported, so the actual number of bias reports is likely higher.
- The post October 7, 2023, surge of bias –greater than following 9/11 and the Muslim Ban– continued in 2024. Despite mellowing over the course of the year, monthly volume remained consistently higher than previous months in 2023 and 2022.
- Middle Eastern and North African individuals were disproportionately represented in the category of Hate incidents and crimes, comprising of 51% of the complaints in this category.
- Employment discrimination is still the top category followed by hate crimes and incidents.
- Education-related complaints are at all-time high for New Jersey.
- Bergen and Middlesex Counties are hotbeds of hate.
- Uptick in FBI and Customs and Border Protection interrogations stemming from an unconstitutional crackdown of free speech and the unconstitutional watch list
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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