The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its 501(c)(4) affiliate CAIR Action today urged American Muslim voters and community leaders to meet with their members of Congress during the August Congressional recess. The organizations also released their joint 2025 August Recess Toolkit, a practical guide to help communities schedule meetings and advocate on urgent issues impacting civil rights and global justice.
📘 READ AND DOWNLOAD: CAIR & CAIR ACTION’S 2025 AUGUST RECESS TOOLKIT
Each year, Congress breaks for a summer recess. In 2025, the House recess began on July 23, and the Senate follows on August 2, with both chambers returning to Washington on September 2. This recess period is a critical opportunity for constituents to meet with lawmakers in their home districts and advocate for policy changes that reflect justice, equality, and constitutional rights.
This year’s toolkit focuses on four urgent areas of concern:
- Genocide in Gaza: The U.S. continues to provide Israel with weapons and political cover despite more than 60,000 Palestinians killed. Advocates are urged to support the Block the Bombs Act and oppose the Bunker Buster Act.
- Unauthorized War with Iran: President Trump’s June airstrikes on Iran were unauthorized and unconstitutional. Congress must support the War Powers Resolutions and No War Against Iran Act to prevent further escalation.
- Expanded Muslim Ban: A revived and expanded version of the Muslim Ban now targets 19 countries. Congress must pass the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act to end religious and racial profiling.
- Free Speech Under Attack: Congress is considering bills and launching investigations that criminalize Palestinian rights advocacy and threaten nonprofits. Muslims are urged to oppose the misleadingly titled Antisemitism Awareness Act, the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act (H.R. 3050), the IGO Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 867), and any return of the Nonprofit Killer Bill.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“This year’s August recess may be the most consequential in a generation. We are witnessing an unfolding genocide in Gaza, the return of the Muslim and African Ban, and an unprecedented wave of McCarthyist repression aimed at silencing Muslim voices and criminalizing pro-Palestinian advocacy. Every Muslim in America must speak directly to their elected officials because if we stay silent, our rights will be ignored, dismissed, or erased. But if we show up, we won’t just defend our rights – we’ll organize, mobilize, and build the power needed to protect our communities for generations to come.”
In a statement, CAIR Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra said:
“This toolkit isn’t just a resource, it’s a blueprint for building real political power. We’re calling on American Muslims to sit down face-to-face with their members of Congress and send an unmistakable message: our communities are informed, organized, and ready to lead – not later, but now. The stakes are too high for silence, and the time to act is already upon us.”
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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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
CAIR Action, a 501(c)4 affiliate of CAIR, is a political organization dedicated to enhancing the civic engagement, political participation, and impact of the American Muslim community in local, state, and federal elections.
CONTACT: Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action, belkarra@cairaction.org; CAIR Action Communications, media@cairaction.org