CAIR Press Releases

CAIR Welcomes Apology for Anti-LDS Chant at BYU-Oregon Football Game, Calls for Policy Update

Muslim civil rights group says bigotry against all religious communities must be condemned  

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/23/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed an apology from the University of Oregon for its fans use of a bigoted chant targeting members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints at a football game against Brigham Young University (BYU) on Saturday. 

The University of Oregon issued an apology Sunday after its fans chanted “f*** Mormons” at a football game against BYU. A video of the chant went viral on social media and led to a condemnation from Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox. In a statement, the University of Oregon said the chant went against “everything the university stands for.”  

SEE: University of Oregon apologizes for “offensive” chant during BYU game  

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/university-of-oregon-apologizes-for-offensive-chant-during-byu-game/ar-AA11YDY0

Mormons are used to turning the other cheek. But that’s not ending bigotry. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/byu-oregon-chant-football-game-mormons-earns-apology-not-enough-rcna49021

“Displays of bigotry against any religious community are totally unacceptable and must be condemned by all people of conscience,” said CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison. “We welcome the University of Oregon’s apology and call on it to institute policies to ensure that such incidents do not occur at any future sporting events.” 

He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.        

SEE: CAIR-LA Welcomes Hate Crime Charge for Alleged Anti-Latino Attack 

CAIR-NJ Expresses Concern Over Teaneck Zoning Board Member’s Bigoted Comment About Islamic Center 

CAIR Condemns Distribution of Antisemitic Flyers in Lynchburg, Va. 

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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com