MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR-NJ to Hold 3rd Annual Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive in Trenton  

(NEWARK, NJ, 7/31/2024) – On August 2 to August 3, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), a chapter of the Nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold its 3rd annual Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive (MYLI) at the State House in Trenton.

This year, CAIR-NJ is organizing its first overnight trip for MYLI, a program designed to empower Muslim high school students with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders in government, law, and media.

WHAT: 3rd Annual Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive

WHERE: Trenton State House. Exact location upon request.   

WHEN: August 2 to August 3. Media opportunities include:    

• • Understanding Civic Engagement Interactive Session: Friday, August 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   
  • Jummah (Congregational) Prayer: Friday, August 2, 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.   
  • Trenton State House Scavenger Hunt: Friday, August 2, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  
  • Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving Workshop: Saturday, August 3, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

CONTACT: Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamrousi@cair.com

Some 30 Muslim high school students will participate in this year’s program, which is themed “Heroes of Tomorrow: Empowering Young Leaders.” Students will participate in workshops and sessions on community organizing, leadership development, public speaking and the importance of civic engagement and advocacy.

“CAIR-NJ is thrilled to organize its first overnight trip to the New Jersey State House for this year’s Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive. We are excited to provide crucial insight on leadership and advocacy efforts that are essential for the betterment of our community,” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut. “CAIR-NJ is proud to offer this program to our youth to help them become more effective and impactful leaders starting in their local communities.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, with a mission to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CAIR-NJ Calls on Congress Members to Boycott Netanyahu’s Address

(Newark, NJ, 7/24/2024) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called all elected officials representing the state in Congress to not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.

In a letter sent to New Jersey’s 11 House of Representatives and two US senators, CAIR-NJ warned that attending Netanyahu’s speech to Congress could be perceived as an endorsement of his genocide in Palestine.

CAIR-NJ, along with two dozen other faith and civil rights organizations, signed the letter, urging to boycott War Criminal Netanyahu’s address for deeply consequential reasons, including human rights violations in Palestine.

The letter, in part, says: “We believe it is crucial for our representatives to take a stand for peace, justice, and human rights. By choosing to abstain from Netanyahu’s speech, you would be sending a powerful message that the United States values these principles and is committed to fostering a fair and balanced approach to international relations.”

The War Criminal’s speech comes amid Israel’s relentless slaughter rampage in Palestine, where at least 40,000 people, mostly women and children, have been murdered as genocide enters its 10th month.

And for those surviving the ethnic cleansing, conditions on the ground have been harrowing as many are facing starvation, diseases, and little to no medical aid. Israel has made Gaza the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.

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

“It is outrageous and deeply concerning that New Jersey’s elected officials would blindly support a war criminal carrying out genocide that has already been proven to be in violation of human rights and international law.

We expect elected officials who represent New Jersey in Congress to stand against the indiscriminate mass murder of Palestinians, many of whom have families across the state and beyond in the U.S. Members of Congress have a lot more to lose than win by attending a war criminal’s speech as that would show the world which side of history they’re on.”

Netanyahu traveled to Washington, D.C. to address the United States Congress following the International Court of Justice’s recent determination that Israel’s settlement policies and exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end. CAIR has welcomed that ruling by the World Court.

CAIR-NJ along with CAIR national issued an action alert for Americans to call on members of Congress to boycott or protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress on July 24th due to his openly racist views, genocidal war crimes, disrespect for the United States, and opposition to a Palestinian state.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

CAIR-NJ Welcomes Arrest in Bridgewater Mosque Anti-Muslim Graffiti Case, Calls for Hate Crime Probe

(Newark, NJ, 7/23/2024) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed the arrest of a suspect accused of drawing a hateful, anti-Muslim graffiti on the exterior of Al Falah Center in Bridgewater.

The graffiti contains a derogatory and anti-Muslim remark against Islam’s Prophet Mohammed. It was first spotted on July 19 and reported to CAIR-NJ on July 21.

The suspect has been booked into Somerset County jail and faces charges of criminal mischief for damaging property and bias with purpose to intimidate, according to the county.

CAIR-NJ condemns all forms of bigotry and calls for a hate crime investigation.

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

“Far too often mosques and Islamic centers throughout New Jersey and beyond are subjected to hateful acts such as this at Al Falah Center.  

“Al Falah Center is the heartbeat of the Bridgewater Muslim community. Witnessing such a vile message on the house of worship is unsettling and alarming to the many Muslims who seek the masjid for spiritual growth and community. 

“We call on leaders and law enforcement to support the Muslim community and investigate this incident as the hate crime that it is.” 

In a statement, Al Falah Center said:

“Al Falah Center was deeply shocked to discover the anti-Muslim graffiti following Friday prayer, a weekly ritual that draws dozens of Muslims in the Bridgewater community. The hateful message should be thoroughly investigated, and justice must be served in accordance with the law.

“Despite the hateful act against our community, we invite the perpetrator for a proper visit at Al Falah Center for an open dialogue about Islam and Muslims. Al Falah Center’s doors will remain open to welcome anyone curious to learn about our Islamic faith and values.” 

The anti-Muslim graffiti incident at the Al Falah Center is just one of dozens of complaints CAIR-NJ received this year.

From January 1 to June 30, CAIR-NJ has received 186 complaints putting the chapter on pace to surpass last year’s total of 304 reports.

One of this year’s incidents unfolded about 20 miles southeast of Al Falah Center at the Muslim Chaplaincy house at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, which fell victim to violent vandalism in April on the morning of the first day of Eid ul-Fitr.

CAIR-NJ urges all houses of worship to refer to CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths.

Earlier this year, CAIR released new civil rights data showing that it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid the ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.

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 Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com

CAIR-NJ Demands Review of School Official Who Allegedly Threatened Retaliation Against Muslim Students Over Ramadan Iftar Event  

(NEWARK, NJ, 7/19/2024) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today condemned threats allegedly made by an assistant principal at Edison High School against members of the Muslim Students Association when the group requested to host a joint Ramadan iftar event with area schools earlier this year but was denied the opportunity.

Members of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Edison High School met with their Assistant Principal Nicole Himmelstein on February 29, 2024, to discuss their annual Ramadan iftar event.

The brief meeting, which only lasted for a few minutes, came after the MSA requested to host an Iftar event at Edison High and invite high school students from nearby Piscataway and North Brunswick. The MSA has held joint iftar events during Ramadan in previous years.

However, MSA board members were reportedly instructed by the assistant principal that they were barred from hosting the iftar event with other schools, citing security concerns, two MSA board members who attended the meeting told CAIR-NJ.

Instead, the assistant principal told them the MSA can either host an iftar event only for Edison High School students or not do it at all, according to MSA members and an audio recording of the meeting.   

AUDIO RECORDING REVEALS THREATS

In the audio recording, Himmelstein is allegedly  heard telling MSA students that she would take action against them if they seek outside entities in advocating for the joint iftar event at the school.   

“I have no problem contacting your university where you got in and explaining what’s going on if you want to take it further,” Himmelstein allegedly says in the audio recording in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate the students.   

Himmelstein allegedly continued to question the character and values of the Muslim students, according to the audio.   

LISTEN: Edison High School Assistant Principal Threatens Muslim Students 

“You guys are not upholding good leadership skills, and I don’t think any university would want to have students who don’t fulfill good character and values. Do we understand?” Himmelstein says. 

STUDENT FELT INTIMIDATED

Taha Shaikh, former president of the MSA at Edison High School, said in a statement:  

“I felt discriminated against, and the board felt afraid as well because it felt like she was threatening our college acceptances after we worked hard for four years. 

“I felt she was trying to bully us into not hosting the joint event, even though other school clubs have been allowed to invite outside students to their events.”  

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi said:   

“CAIR-NJ heard from students who expressed how the joint iftar event between high schools near Edison is how they build, cultivate and maintain a sense of community and belonging. It’s disheartening and extremely alarming to see a school official who is supposed to lead by example allegedly use her position of power to threaten Muslim students over an event aimed at nurturing their relationship and growing their community.”  

“CAIR-NJ calls on the Edison Board of Education to review this matter and treat it seriously so that other students aren’t subjected to this type of vindictive behavior and bullying.”    

BACKGROUNDER

CAIR-NJ obtained the roughly three-minute audio recording of the meeting between the eight-member MSA board and the assistant principal. CAIR-NJ has verified the authenticity of the recording and confirmed the names of speakers.   

MSA members contacted CAIR-NJ for support and assistance while this incident was unfolding earlier this year. Ultimately, the students felt fear and intimidation after their meeting with the assistant principal who allegedly threatened retaliation simply for wanting to host a joint Iftar event. One MSA board member relayed to CAIR-NJ that they were concerned and afraid the assistant principal would disband the MSA altogether. CAIR-NJ is not naming that student because they expressed fear of retaliation.  

CAIR-NJ is adhering to a confidentiality agreement with the person who shared the audio recording and will not release information about their identity.  

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 Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482