CAIR-NJ Releases Ramadan and Eid Guide for Elected Officials

(Newark, NJ – 2/28/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today released a short guide to assist elected officials in better understanding and recognizing the significance of the holy month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

The one-page guide provides elected officials with key insights into the practices and spiritual significance of Ramadan, including:

1. An overview of Ramadan and its importance in Islam
2. Key practices observed by Muslims, such as fasting and prayer
3. Information on Eid ul-Fitr and its cultural traditions
4. Tips for extending greetings like “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Eid Mubarak,” and how to show support for Muslim communities.In a statement,

   CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Manager Nancy Elbassiouny said:

“Ramadan is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims, marked by fasting, prayer, and reflection. It’s a time for community service, self-discipline, and strengthening faith. As Muslims across New Jersey and the nation prepare for Ramadan, we hope this guide will help elected officials connect with their Muslim constituents in a meaningful and respectful way. It’s important for our leaders to foster inclusivity by acknowledging this holy month and the joyous holiday of Eid ul-Fitr.”

The guide is available for download at caiir-nj.org/aboutramadan. Hard copies can be requested by contacting CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Associate Maheen Mumtaz at mmumtaz@cair.com.

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

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

CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ Welcome Justin Goldsman’s Departure from Assemblyman Gary Schaer’s Office

(NEWARK, NJ, 2/26/25) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today welcomed that Justin Goldsman is no longer with Assemblyman Gary Schaer’s office as his chief of staff following public condemnation of Goldsman’s reported racist, anti-Muslim remarks.

Over a phone call with Assemblyman Gary Schaer’s office Wednesday morning, CAIR-NJ was informed that Goldsman “No longer works at this office.” No other details were provided.

SEE: Jewish Dem state caucus chair resigns after pressure from Muslim groups (Politico Pro)

Goldsman’s departure comes after CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ, and others called for his immediate condemnation and removal from his role due to his long history of racist rhetoric and more recent anti-Muslim social media postings. His comments, which expressed blatant hostility toward Muslims, are unacceptable for anyone in public service.

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

“Justin Goldsman’s departure was a necessary step to root out Islamophobia that contaminates our political institutions.

Public figures who unabashedly spew racist rhetoric against marginalized communities should have no place in government. Yet, many times we see them remain in positions of influence. We cannot stand by while our communities continue to be targeted and vilified.

“Goldsman must be removed immediately from the West Orange Human Relations Commission.” 

In a statement, Senior Advisor at CAIR Action NJ Ali Aljarrah said: 

“Justin Goldsman’s departure doesn’t address the deeper issue– that Islamophobia is deeply embedded in our political system. His comments were not an isolated incident but rather reflected a broader pattern of hostility toward Muslims in government and political spaces.

This is not just about one person— New Jersey’s elected leadership must take serious, systemic action to root out Islamophobia and racism in all its forms at all levels of government.

Until our political institutions take real steps to challenge anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias — rather than reacting to public pressure — this cycle will continue.”

CAIR-NJ reiterates its call on West Orange officials to remove him from the township’s Human Relations Commission. His continued presence on the commission is a disgrace to its mission of addressing and dismantling all types of discrimination.

Last week, Goldsman resigned from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus following CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ’s call for him to step down.

BACKGROUNDER:

In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.

In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?”

CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ continue to urge New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric and take meaningful action to uphold the rights and dignity of all communities.

Goldsman’s recent anti-Muslim bigoted remarks came just weeks after two men were charged in a bias aggravated assault in an attack on a Muslim protester participating in an anti-genocide rally in northern New Jersey in November 2024.

Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

More than 300,000 Muslims call New Jersey their home, make it the state with the largest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.

The West Orange Human Relations Commission, which Goldsman serves on, makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer serves Legislative District 36, which covers parts of Bergen County (Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Fairview, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, Wallington, and Wood-Ridge) and the city of Passaic in Passaic County.

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

CAIR Action’s mission is to engage, educate, and mobilize Muslim voters, train emerging leaders, and champion policy priorities that enhance the well-being and representation of Muslim communities. Through our work, we aim to foster a more equitable and inclusive democratic society where the rights and voices of Muslims are acknowledged and respected.

END 

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com. Senior Advisor for CAIR Action NJ Ali Aljarrah, 973-303-7300, aaljarrah@cairaction.org

CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ Urge West Orange Mayor, Council to Remove Commissioner Who Made Anti-Muslim Remarks

(NEWARK, NJ, 2/25/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today called on West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney and the Township Council to remove Justin Goldsman from the Human Relations Commission after he made vile anti-Muslims remarks on his social media accounts.

Ahead of the West Orange Township Council meeting on Tuesday evening, CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ demand the immediate removal of Goldsman from his role as commissioner on the city’s Human Relation Commission following his hateful, anti-Muslim remarks he made on multiple social media accounts where he used language that dehumanized Muslims and perpetuated Islamophobia.

SEE: Jewish Dem state caucus chair resigns after pressure from Muslim groups (Politico Pro)

The organizations reiterate their call on Assemblyman Gary Schaer to condemn the anti-Muslim, bigoted remarks and remove Goldsman as his chief of staff.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Advocacy and Community Relations Associate Mousa Naji said:

“Public officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity and respect for all communities. Mr. Justin Goldsman’s degrading and dehumanizing anti-Muslim remarks are glaringly incompatible with the mission of the West Orange Human Relations Commission, which exists to combat discrimination and promote diversity.

We urge Mayor Susan McCartney and the City Council to take immediate action to remove him from this position. Hateful rhetoric has no place in our government, especially from those tasked with promoting unity and understanding.

Mr. Goldsman remaining in any public position damages trust and conflicts with the values of fairness and inclusion these roles are meant to promote. His track record of anti-Muslim views directly contradicts the mission of building unity and combating discrimination, making his removal as chief of staff for Assemblyman Gary Schaer and commissioner on the West Orange Human Relations Commission a necessary step to restore public confidence and ensure accountability.”

SEE: We Are Humans, Not Muslims: CAIR-NJ Calls for Top State Democrat to Resign After Islamaphobic Remark on Facebook

In an open letter addressed to the West Orange Township Council, CAIR-New Jersey. CAIR Action NJ, American Muslims for Palestine – New Jersey and Palestinian American Community Center (PACC) expressed concern over recent anti‑Muslim comments made by Goldsman.

“It is necessary that the Commission condemn and remove Goldsman from his position. Goldsman’s troubling history of racist postings is unacceptable and unbefitting of a Human Relations Commissioner. His continued presence in this role that directly impacts diverse communities, including Muslims, undermines public trust and the very principles of equity and inclusion that these roles are meant to uphold,” the letter stated in part.

Another open letter addressed to Assemblyman Gary Schaer, CAIR-NJ expressed its concerns over the disturbing anti-Muslim comments made by Goldsman.

In part, the letter stated:

“We believe it is critical that elected officials take a firm stand against bigotry in all forms. Goldsman’s actions not only tarnish his personal credibility but also undermine the values of inclusivity, respect, and equality that should be upheld by public servants.

“Therefore, we call for his resignation from his role as Chief of Staff.”

Last week, Goldsman resigned from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus following CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ’s call for him to step down.

Despite resignation after public pressure, Goldsman attempted to downplay his actions by claiming his posts were taken out of context, a claim CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ have firmly reject, citing multiple examples of his disturbing and consistent anti-Muslim views.

The West Orange Human Relations Commission makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.

BACKGROUNDER:

In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.

In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?”  More than 300,000 Muslims reside in New Jersey, making the state home to one of the highest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.

CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ continue to urge New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric and take meaningful action to uphold the rights and dignity of all communities.

Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

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

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

CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ Welcome Resignation of Dem Caucus Chair, Urge Assemblyman to Remove Him from Office 

(NEWARK, NJ, 2/24/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today welcomed Justin Goldsman’s resignation from his role as chair of the Democratic Jewish Caucus following public outcry over his anti-Muslim remarks.

Both organizations urged Assemblyman Gary Schaer to condemn and remove Goldsman as his Chief of Staff and urged Goldsman to step down as a commissioner on the West Orange Human Relations Commission.

SEE: Jewish Dem state caucus chair resigns after pressure from Muslim groups (Politico Pro)I

Goldsman released a statement on his Facebook account Friday stating his resignation from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus following CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ’s call for him to step down.

SEE: We Are Humans, Not Muslims: CAIR-NJ Calls for Top State Democrat to Resign After Islamaphobic Remark on Facebook

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

“Justin Goldsman’s resignation from the Democratic Jewish Caucus was a necessary response to the public’s demand for accountability. However, his repeated anti-Muslim rhetoric disqualifies him from serving in any public capacity. 

“It is necessary that Assemblyman Gary Schaer condemn and remove Goldsman from his office. Goldsman’s troubling history of racist postings is unacceptable and unbefitting of an elected official’s chief of staff. Goldsman must also resign from the West Orange Human Relations Commission. His continued presence in these roles that directly impact diverse communities, including Muslims, undermines public trust and the very principles of equity and inclusion that these roles are meant to uphold.  

“New Jersey’s leaders must take a clear stand against Islamophobia and racism in all its forms, ensuring that individuals in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.”  

Notably, Goldsman’s statement Friday appears to claim that one of his posts dehumanizing Muslims was taken out of context, alleging “to spin this into something it’s not is disgusting.”

However, CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ unequivocally refute the baseless claim that his post was mispresented by the organizations. In fact, Goldsman has shared multiple social media posts on his public Facebook account as well as his private X account that are anti-Muslim and disturbingly bigoted, showing a clear pattern of racist anti-Muslim views.

In a statement, CAIR Action New Jersey Senior Advisor Ali Aljarrah said:

“Mr. Goldsman’s resignation wasn’t a result of a ‘one off, out of context’ incident as he resigned from a leadership position over his online comments in 2022. The fact he is repeating the same mistakes show he’s unfit to work in public service.”   

BACKGROUNDER:

In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.

In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?”

CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ continue to urge New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric and take meaningful action to uphold the rights and dignity of all communities.

Goldsman’s recent anti-Muslim bigoted remarks came just weeks after two men were charged in a bias aggravated assault in an attack on a Muslim protester participating in an anti-genocide rally in northern New Jersey in November 2024.

Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

More than 300,000 Muslims call New Jersey their home, make it the state with the largest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.

The West Orange Human Relations Commission, which Goldsman serves on, makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer serves Legislative District 36, which covers parts of Bergen County (Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Fairview, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, Wallington, and Wood-Ridge) and the city of Passaic in Passaic County.

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

END

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

CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ Condemn Democratic Caucus Chair for Anti-Muslim Remarks, Call for Resignation from Public Positions

(NEWARK, NJ, 2/21/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today condemned anti-Muslim social media posts reportedly made by Justin Goldsman, a public figure who holds several key positions across communities including serving as the chief of staff for a New Jersey state legislator.

Goldsman currently serves as the chair of the Democratic Jewish Caucus, chief of staff for Assemblyman Gary Schaer, and as a commissioner on the West Orange Human Relations Commission.

CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ called on Goldsman to resign from his public positions.

In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.

In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?”

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

“CAIR-NJ condemns in the strongest terms the dehumanizing, anti-Muslim remarks of Justin Goldsman. Such behavior is wildly unbefitting of someone who is in a position of power. Accountability is necessary.

“We are deeply concerned that someone who serves in multiple leadership roles not only holds these views but also feels emboldened enough to share them publicly.

“We call on the state party to take appropriate action and New Jersey elected officials to speak out against this vile anti-Muslim rhetoric, which has the potential to incite even more violent bigotry against New Jersey’s Muslim communities.

 “Mr. Goldsman should resign from any public position he holds.”

Maksut noted that between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Earlier this week, CAIR-NJ welcomed bias charges against two people who allegedly attacked a Muslim protester participating in an anti-genocide rally in northern New Jersey in November 2024.

Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

BACKGROUNDER:

More than 300,000 Muslims call New Jersey their home, make it the state with the largest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.

The West Orange Human Relations Commission, which Goldsman serves on, makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer serves Legislative District 36, which covers parts of Bergen County (Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Fairview, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, Wallington, and Wood-Ridge) and the city of Passaic in Passaic County.

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

END

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

CAIR-NJ Welcomes SJP Reinstatement at Rowan University, Reaffirms Support for Free Speech Rights

(Newark, NJ – February 20, 2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed the reinstatement of the group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at Rowan University, emphasizing the fundamental importance of protecting free speech and upholding First Amendment rights on college campuses.

SEE: N.J. university suspends student Palestinian group after thousands of complaints about poster

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

“We commend the students at Rowan University for their unwavering determination and dedication to justice. The reinstatement of the SJP chapter is a victory for free speech, the First Amendment, and the broader commitment to academic freedom. Universities must remain safe spaces for diverse perspectives, where students can engage in open dialogue and advocacy without fear of censorship or intimidation. Under the First Amendment, this form of viewpoint discrimination has no place in our educational institutions.

“The targeted harassment faced by SJP, including a concerted campaign of complaints orchestrated by a MAGA Facebook group, represents a clear and troubling attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian voices. CAIR-NJ stands in solidarity with those that champion justice, and human rights.”

CAIR-NJ will continue to support SJP and other student organizations that work to advance social justice and equality. We call on Rowan University to ensure that its policies not only safeguard free speech but also protect students from any form of targeted harassment or discrimination.

CAIR-NJ also urges other academic institutions to take note of this case and to examine their own policies to ensure that they are fostering environments where students can freely engage in activism, discourse and advocacy, regardless of the issues they champion. The preservation of these rights is essential to the mission of higher education.

Last month, CAIR-NJ welcomed the results of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) in response to a 2024 joint complaint filed by CAIR-NJ and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) against Rutgers University. The complaint stated that the university engaged in patterned anti-Palestinian bigotry at RU campuses since the onset of the Palestinian genocide in October 2023. The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found that Rutgers University “likely operated a hostile environment based on national origin/shared ancestry” in violation of federal law.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, promote understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims while advancing justice and equality for all communities.

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

CAIR-NJ Welcomes Bias Charges Against Attackers Who Assaulted Anti-Genocide Muslim Protester

(NEWARK, NJ – 2/19/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed bias charges against two people who allegedly attacked a Muslim protester participating in an anti-genocide rally in northern New Jersey in November 2024.

Solomon David Silberberg and Moshe A. Glick were each charged with aggravated assault, bias intimidation and weapons charges after they attacked a 42-year-old Muslim man from Bergen County at an anti-genocide protest in mid-November in West Orange, New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office told CAIR-New Jersey. The rally was in opposition to a real estate event held by a group attempting to sell stolen land of Palestinians in Jerusalem.

“During the rally, pro-Israel counter-protestors allegedly stormed toward the pro-Palestinian protestors and began ripping away their materials. According to witnesses, one of the counter-protestors forcefully pulled the victim’s bullhorn out of his hands,” a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office told CAIR-NJ in a statement Wednesday.

Silberberg reportedly pepper-sprayed the victim at a close range, the prosecutor’s office said. Shortly after, Glick reportedly struck the victim on his head with a flashlight, causing severe injuries that required hospitalization, prosecutors said.

CAIR-New Jersey is not identifying the victim nor is it releasing any personal information about him due to safety concerns and fear of risking further violence.

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

“We strongly condemn the alleged violent, unprovoked assault on the anti-genocide protester that resulted in him being hospitalized. This violent attack is deeply disturbing. The use of pepper spray and a flashlight as a weapon shows just how far pro-genocide demonstrators are willing to go to silence anyone who opposes their genocidal agenda.

“We urge officials to prosecute the case to the full extent of the law as the vile hate crime that it is. No one should be targeted for practicing their right to free speech and assembly, especially those advocating for human rights and justice.

“We call on our state’s elected leaders to condemn this hate crime and let it be known that anti-Palestinian hate will not be tolerated in our state.”

In a statement, the victim’s attorney, Sonya M. Sumner of Sumner Law LLP, said:

“Our client is committed to ensuring that those responsible for this vicious, hate-motivated assault are prosecuted to the fullest extent and is cooperating with prosecutors to seek justice.

As a victim of a bias crime, he also intends to pursue all available civil remedies against his attackers, including monetary damages for his severe and ongoing physical and emotional injuries, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Perpetrators of bias-motivated violence must understand that they will not only face criminal prosecution but also significant civil liability.”

Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.

Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

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

BACKGROUNDER:

The November 2024 rally in West Orange, New Jersey, was protesting the controversial sale of stolen land in Palestine. This event in particular was organized by a group known as “My Israel Home” to expand the illegal settlements in Jerusalem. Notably, the pro-Israeli group has held several events throughout the U.S. attempting to sell properties on land stolen from Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The group has held illegal land sale events on Long Island and Baltimore in addition to Teaneck and West Orange in New Jersey.

SEE: Protests planned in Teaneck over real estate fairs pitching West Bank properties

CAIR-New Jersey has condemned these sale events as a way to expand the Zionist agenda of colonizing Palestine. The legality of these events has also been questioned by international law experts.

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

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CONTACT: CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com  Sumner Law LLP, Sonya M. Sumner, Esq., (609) 955-6972, office@sumnerllp.com

CAIR-NJ Rejects Trump’s Threat to Take Over Gaza as Racist Settler Colonialism, Supports Right of Return 

(Newark, NJ – 2/5/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today said President Trump’s suggestion for the U.S. to take over The Gaza Strip is inherently racist and deeply rooted in settler colonialism, condemning the oppression of all people.

Video: Trump says ‘U.S. will take over The Gaza Strip’ and ‘own it.’

In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi said:

“Gaza has always belonged to the Palestinian people. We’ve seen them return to ashes and rubble, and we will see them rebuild it before our eyes the same way we saw our American dollars fund the bombs that obliterated entire cities, homes, and families.

President Trump’s comments on expelling the Palestinian people from Gaza are not only dangerous and delusional— they are also inherently racist.  We will always reject settler colonialism, and we must condemn the oppression of all people.

Suggesting the displacement of more than 2 million people from their own homeland is a crime against humanity by all measures. The entire world must know that the only way to achieve justice and peace is to end Israel’s gruesome apartheid system in and the occupation of the Palestinian people.”  

Trump’s brazen remarks come when the fragile ceasefire agreement made last month is facing growing doubts, fears, and anxieties, coming under intense scrutiny as Israel continues its bombardment across Palestine.

CAIR National responded Tuesday to Trump’s call for Palestinian ethnic cleansing, saying “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump’s call to displace Palestinians from their land either temporarily or permanently is an absolute non-starter.”

Egyptian, Jordanian, and Saudi Arabia leaders dismissed Trump’s calls to resettle Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has killed more than 64,000 people in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to a major study published last month in The Lancet journal. Nearly 60% of those were women, children and elderly people, the study also found.

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

END

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

PHOTO DETAILS: Displaced Palestinians return to Rafah, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect, in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga)