CAIR-NJ Celebrates 20th Annual North Jersey Banquet with Congressional Proclamation and Civil Rights Leaders

(Newark, NJ, 10/15/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, celebrated over 20 years of service to New Jersey’s Muslim community at its North Jersey Banquet this past weekend at the Islamic Center of Passaic County.

Congresswoman Analilia Mejia presented a proclamation to CAIR-NJ, which read in part:

“Whereas, CAIR-NJ has provided legal counseling, representation and referrals to more than 2,000 clients, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to defending civil liberties and equal treatment under the law; and

“Whereas, CAIR-NJ has cultivated the next generation of community leaders through nine Muslim Youth Leadership Intensives, equipping nearly 300 young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective civic leaders and advocates; and

“Whereas, CAIR-NJ has strengthened civic awareness through annual Know Your Rights and Civic Advocacy workshops, supported the recognition of Eid holidays in 70 school districts and distributed educational resources to thousands of community members, more than 150 mosques, elected officials and school administrators to foster religious understanding and inclusion;”

The Congresswoman also participated in a fireside chat with local activist, Leqaa Kordia, who spent over one year in ICE detention. Leqaa is a Paterson resident with a pending permanent residency application, who was detained at an ICE check-in in Newark in March 2025 for her participation in protests against Israel’s genocide. The conversation, moderated by CAIR-NJ’s Public Affairs Director, Naureen Akhter, touched on the interconnected struggles of immigrant rights and pro-Palestine activism, and the speakers’ demonstrated courage under incredible pressure.

CAIR National Founder and Executive Director, Nihad Awad, also joined to share his wisdom from decades of leading civil rights work on behalf of American Muslims. Banquet honorees included:

• Reshma Khan, a community organizer who led several Muslim Heritage Month events across Bergen County
• Raed Odeh, Deputy Mayor of the City of Paterson and founding board member of the Palestinian American Community Center
• MUNA Youth New Jersey, a youth-led organization developing leadership through community service, civic engagement and advocacy.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“For over 20 years, our staff, board members, and volunteers have dedicated themselves to fighting Islamophobia and asserting our rights in New Jersey. We have done this through direct legal services, advocacy to state and local institutions, educational events such as Know Your Rights workshops and Muslim Youth Leadership Intensives, and broad distribution of educational materials, such as the Educator’s Guide to Islamic Practices. 

“We also successfully led seven Muslim Days of Advocacy in Trenton, mobilizing hundreds of Muslims from across New Jersey, which resulted in defeating an IHRA bill that would have threatened our right to protest. We look forward to the next 20 years, as we continue to build power for New Jersey’s Muslim community.

“We thank Congresswoman Analilia Mejia for her congressional recognition of our work. We also thank the civil rights leaders who joined us: Sister Leqaa Kordia and Brother Nihad Awad. Finally, we thank the over 300 community members, local government leaders including Mayor Andre Sayegh, Assemblymember Al Abdelaziz, Councilmembers Paula Alford and Ibrahim Omar, and our MC, Younes Hadouche, for helping make the evening a success.”

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR-NJ Denounces Islamophobic Lawn Signs in Mansfield Township

(NEWARK, NJ – 10/02/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today denounced a highly visible display of explicitly anti-Muslim and anti-Islam messages displayed near the intersection of New Jersey Route 57 and Airport Road in Mansfield Township, Warren County, NJ.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:  

“The signs displayed in Mansfield promote the tired old stereotype that conflates an entire religion with the perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attack. It is incredibly offensive to the Muslim families in the area who have to drive by daily and be reminded of the hate harbored by their neighbors. If these signs were directed at any other community, you would have seen swift action by now.

“We call on the mayor and Township Committee of Mansfield to investigate whether these signs are on public property, and if so, to denounce and remove them at once. Public spaces should not be used to promote hate and bigotry. ”  

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.  

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238 

CAIR-NJ Supports Marlboro Muslim Community’s Federal Lawsuit To Build Mosque 

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/29/26) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), today joined the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and the law firm of Omar T. Mohammedi at a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit against Marlboro Township for its denial of the town’s first mosque. 

Over the course of five years, members of Marlboro’s Muslim community have tried to obtain the necessary approvals to build their mosque. They were met with delayed and cancelled hearings, anti-Muslim rhetoric and ultimately a denied application. And that denial came only after a state judge ordered the township to hold the required hearings. 

In June, CAIR-NJ denounced the decision by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the establishment of a Muslim community center at 449 Tennent Road in Marlboro Township. 

In his statement at the press conference, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:  

“A house of worship – a mosque, a temple, a church, a synagogue – any sanctuary, is a place where people come together to build community, to offer services, charity work, family services, help children, grow the youth, develop leaders. It is a place that inherently brings benefit to the community. Any municipality should welcome the opportunity for a house of worship to be established on their land. No minority community should be subject to this much difficulty. Muslims are asking for nothing more but fair treatment. 

That is what our American values call for. That is American – to be fair and balanced for all communities. But what the Muslim community of Marlboro has experience is the most un-American thing. The difficulty that they have been subject to is unfair. We are outraged.” 

In AALDEF’s press release, Omar Mohammedi, Managing Partner of OTM Law said of the denial:  

“The decision raises significant concerns regarding religious freedom, equal treatment, and the protections afforded under the Constitution and New Jersey’s antidiscrimination laws.” 

Ronak Patel, staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) said: 

“New Jersey has seen this exact playbook before: delay a mosque application for years, subject it to extraordinary scrutiny, invoke Islamophobic tropes to justify a denial, and force the Muslim community to go to court to vindicate its rights. From Bridgewater to Basking Ridge to Sayreville, Muslim communities have repeatedly had to turn to the courts simply to seek the same opportunity to build a house of worship that other faith communities enjoy. No faith community should have to litigate for the right to have a place of worship in their own hometown.” 

Mohammed Tahir, one of the plaintiffs, and leader of the masjid said: 

“The Marlboro Muslim community has never had a permanent place to gather and pray. […] All our community has ever wanted is a house of worship and to feel part of this town.”  

CAIR-NJ supports the rights of New Jersey’s Muslim communities to establish houses of worship and strongly opposes the weaponization of local land use regulations to restrict the development of mosques.  

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238 

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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MEDIA ADVISORY:

CAIR-NJ to Support Activist Asma Elhuni in Trenton Court for Documenting ICE Activity

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/29/26) – On Tuesday, September 29, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), will join community advocates in support of Asma Elhuni, a longtime organizer and human rights advocate as she faces charges in Trenton Court simply for documenting ICE activity in her community and informing community members of their rights.

On August 20th, 2025, Asma Elhuni, a rapid responder with Resistencia en Acción NJ, was observing her first amendment right in documenting ICE activity in the community when Trenton Police arrested her upon ICE’s request. New Jersey state law bars local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE’s enforcement activities.

CAIR-NJ has previously supported passage of the Immigrant Trust Directive among other measures to keep New Jersey’s immigrant community safe.

SEE: CAIR-NJ Welcomes Signing of Immigrant Protection Bills into Law as a Major but Partial Victory, Urges Stronger Action

WHAT: Press Conference in Support of Asma Elhuni Ahead of Trenton Court Appearance

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m. ET

WHERE: 225 N Clinton Ave, Trenton NJ, 08607

See Media Advisory here.

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:

CAIR-NJ to Join AALDEF, Marlboro Muslim Community’s Press Conference on Efforts to Build Mosque

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/28/26) – On Tuesday, September 29, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), will join the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and the law firm of Omar T. Mohammedi for a community press conference on next steps in efforts to build a mosque in Marlboro Township.

After years of delays and unequal treatment toward the Muslim community by Marlboro Township, this press briefing will announce an important next step in the legal fight to establish a mosque.

In June, CAIR-NJ denounced a vote by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the establishment of a Muslim community center at 449 Tennent Road in Marlboro Township.

SEE: AALDEF Media Advisory

WHAT: Press Conference on Efforts to Build Mosque in Marlboro Township

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, at 10 a.m. ET

WHERE: 1979 Township Dr, Marlboro Township, NJ 07746

RSVP: Ananya Bhasin, AALDEF, media@aaldef.org

Livestream will be available on AALDEF’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aaldef

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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