On Monday, March 17, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to commemorate the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia by releasing its new data on anti-Muslim bias at the Trenton State House. Advocates and subject-matter experts will speak on the dangers of anti-Muslim bigotry across New Jersey.
Elected officials, community organizers, and leaders will join CAIR-NJ in marking the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia, calling on New Jersey state leadership to do the same, and address rising trends in Islamophobia. Speakers will caution against legislative attempts to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism that aims to silence advocates for Palestinian human rights by falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
CAIR-NJ will also release its civil rights report documenting anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey, as well as emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry. In 2024, CAIR offices nationwide received a total of 8,658 complaints—the highest number ever recorded since the organization’s first civil rights report in 1996. This marks a 7.4% increase from the 8,061 complaints received in 2023, signaling a worsening climate of Islamophobia.
To obtain an embargoed copy of CAIR-NJ’s report, media professionals may email: dterpstra@cair.com
WHAT: News conference to commemorate theUnited Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and release new civil rights data
WHO:
Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR-New Jersey
Imam Saffet Catovic — Operations Director of Justice for All
Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli — Islamic Society of Central Jersey
Assemblyman Alaa Abdelaziz (District 35)
Dr. Sahar Aziz — Director of the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights
Wassim Kanaan — Chair of the NJ Chapter of American Muslims for Palestine
Haliema Twam — Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager at Palestinian American Community Center
Sadaf Jaffer — Former Assemblywoman and Lecturer at Princeton University
Dr. Raz Segal — Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Stockton University
WHEN: Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. ET
WHERE: Outside the State House Annex Building, 131-137 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewJersey/
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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