The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today thanked the American Muslim community and Americans of various faiths and backgrounds for making its 32nd anniversary gala and second annual policy conference held in Washington, D.C., on Sep. 12th and Sep. 13th successful, including record-breaking fundraising and high turnout.
The weekend events, themed “We the People: Saving Our Democracy, Building Our Future,” brought together attorneys, policy experts, media professionals, activists, and faith leaders for in-depth discussions on civil rights, social justice, and U.S. foreign policy.
SEE: PHOTOS OF GALA/CONFERENCE
SEE: Ben Cohen Receives 2026 Champion of Justice Award
During the annual gala, CAIR honored activist and entrepreneur Ben Cohen with the 2026 Champion of Justice Award, freed political prisoner and Wisconsin Muslim community leader Salah Sarsour with the 2026 Courage Under Fire Award, and CAIR-Florida and CAIR-Texas with the 2026 Chapter of the Year Award.
The 2026 American Muslim of the Year Award was posthumously awarded to Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad, the three San Diego Muslims who were killed while repelling a white supremacist terror attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026. Four of Amin Abdullah’s children accepted the recognition on his behalf, while Imam Taha Hassane accepted the recognition on behalf of the families of Nader Awad and Mansour Kaziha.
In a statement, CAIR National Board Chair Dr. Manal Fakhoury said:
“The American Muslim community is on the front lines of the fight to save American democracy and build a just future for everyone in our nation. CAIR thanks our guests, donors and other supporters for making our national policy conference and 32nd annual gala an amazing success with high turnout and record-breaking fundraising.
“We also commend all of our honorees, including Ben Cohen, Salah Sarsour and CAIR-Texas and CAIR-Florida. We were honored and inspired by the presence of Imam Taha Hassane and the beloved children of martyred hero Amin Abdullah. We pray that God comforts Brother Amin’s family and the families of Brothers Nader Awad and Mansour Kaziha.
“Despite unconstitutional crackdowns on free speech, a manufactured surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate, attacks on immigrants, and a foreign policy held captive by Israel-first extremists, the American Muslim community remains focused on our vision of securing free speech, religious freedom, racial equality, and justice for all.”
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]