The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the resignation of Beaver Area School District board member Luke Berardelli after he reportedly posted anti-Muslim and sexist comments on social media.
CAIR-Pittsburgh also urged Berardelli to meet with leaders of the Muslim community to help dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
Yesterday, CAIR-Pittsburgh called for his resignation.
In his Facebook post, Berardelli targeted women and the Islamic faith, writing in part, “maybe the Islamic faith is the correct way to go considering they give women zero rights at all,” alongside derogatory directives instructing women to “Cover your body. Shut your mouth,” and claiming they are permitted “No education” and “not allowed to drive.”
Berardelli defended his post as “hyperbole” and “sarcasm” during a public school board meeting and refused to resign.
In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said:
“We welcome Mr. Berardelli’s decision to step down from the Beaver Area School Board. Public officials, especially those responsible for guiding our children’s education, must uphold high standards of respect, integrity, and inclusivity. Using religious faith as a vehicle for misogynistic rhetoric spreads harmful stereotypes, fuels bigotry, and harms the sense of safety and belonging that every student deserves.
“This resignation sends a clear message that hate speech, discrimination, and disrespect toward any community will not be tolerated in our public school systems. We thank the parents, school board members, and local community advocates who spoke out swiftly to demand accountability. CAIR-Pittsburgh remains committed to supporting our schools in fostering safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for students of all backgrounds.
“We encourage Mr. Berardelli to meet with Pittsburgh Muslims and others targeted in his posts to learn about the community, learn about Islam directly from Muslims, and build bridges of understanding.”
She noted thatWashington, D.C.-based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students. CAIR also offers a booklet outlining the rights of Muslim students.
CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed, [email protected]