(WASHINGTON, DC – 10/20/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations today announced that its 29th annual banquet scheduled for Oct. 21st at 6:30 pm is set to move forward at a new private and secure location after threats against the original venue, the Crystal Gateway Marriott, led the hotel to cancel the event.
Scheduled speakers at the event include Mayor Mohamed Khairullah of Prospect Park, New Jersey, activist Linda Sarsour, MN State Senator Zaynab Mohamed, and activist and former NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any registered guests who already bought tickets for either the October 21st event in Virginia or the October 28th event in Maryland are being automatically placed on the guest list for the new October 21st event. Guests who do not plan to attend can request a refund.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Bigots cannot silence the American Muslim community. We will proceed with our 29th annual banquet in a safe new location and broadcast it live so that people across the nation can participate, God willing. We look forward to uniting with our community and advancing our efforts to advocate justice for all, including the Palestinian people. The American Muslim community has no intention of allowing anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim extremists to silence us.”
TAKE ACTION: REGISTER FOR CAIR’S 29th ANNUAL BANQUET
ACTION REQUESTED, DONATE TO CAIR: https://action.cair.com/a/general
WATCH CAIR’S BANQUET ON OCT. 21, 7-9 P.M. AT: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
[NOTE: CAIR is not publicly disclosing the location of the new venue for security reasons. Only registered and verified guests can receive the location notification after undergoing a verification process. All attendees must then undergo a security screening and an ID verification in order to enter the event].
CAIR’s banquet was originally scheduled to take place Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, in Arlington, Virginia, followed by a separate banquet at a Westin hotel in Maryland on Oct. 28th. Both events are being merged for the Oct. 21st event.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR has been one of the most active organizations nationwide in defense of Palestinian human rights during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Videos: CAIR Reps Respond to Latest Developments in Gaza, Rise in Anti-Muslim Bigotry
CAIR-Chicago Announces Hate Crime Charges Were Filed Against Man Who Reportedly Threatened to Shoot 2 Muslim Men
In the past week and a half, CAIR has empowered more than 50,000 individuals to participate in its online action alert promoting a ceasefire in Gaza, resulting in over 150,000 messages sent to members of Congress in the U.S. House and Senate.
SEE: Violence, bigotry toward Palestinian Americans spiking across US (USA Today)
Palestinian Americans decry demonization in media amid rising fear of hate crimes (Religion News Service)
Arab Americans fear return to post-9/11 prejudices amid US backing of Israel (TRT)
Video: CAIR-SFBA Condemns Possible Hate Crime Targeting Muslim Woman
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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]