CAIR-NJ Calls for Immediate Investigation into Biased, Harmful School Assignment at New Brunswick High
The assignment distorts the facts of Mahmoud Khalil’s detention and promotes stereotypes and misinformation

(NEWARK, NJ – 3/27/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called for an immediate investigation into a biased social studies assignment reportedly given to students at New Brunswick High School.

The assignment, which allegedly asked students to cast judgment on the case of Mahmoud Khalil—a lawful U.S. resident detained as part of President Trump’s crackdown on anti-war dissent—distorted the facts surrounding Khalil’s detention, while perpetuating harmful and false stereotypes about anti-genocide protesters.

READ MORE: Assignment littered with false claims and biased language

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, was detained earlier this month in New York City. Khalil, who was a green card holder at the time, is married to a U.S. citizen. His detention followed his protest of the ongoing Gaza genocide.

CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut stated:

“This assignment is an egregious violation of educational integrity. By distorting the facts of Mahmoud Khalil’s case and presenting him in an unfair and biased light, this lesson is not only misleading but harmful. It perpetuates a dangerous narrative that seeks to silence dissent and label those who speak out for human rights as threats.

 “It is crucial our students are taught to think critically and engage with issues fairly, without being subjected to discriminatory and inaccurate portrayals of individuals based on their activism or identity.

“We call for an immediate investigation into how this assignment was created and distributed and for corrective action to ensure that such biased materials are never used again in New Jersey’s classrooms.”

 BACKGROUNDER:

The assignment presented a biased and misleading portrayal of Khalil, referring to him as a “Hamas student” and a terrorism supporter. It falsely implied that Khalil was involved in harassing and assaulting Jewish students on Columbia University’s campus, labeling that information as a “pertinent fact,” without providing any evidence of the claims.

It further alleged that Khalil had “celebrated” the October 7, 2023, attack and distributed “terrorist propaganda.”

While the assignment did briefly note that Khalil had not been afforded due process and that his green card was revoked without a hearing or warrant, it was framed in a way that suggested the government’s actions against him were justified. The students were instructed to approach the case as if they were judges, tasked with deciding whether Khalil’s rights had been violated and whether the government is justified in attempting to deport him from the U.S.

The assignment’s failure to provide a balanced perspective and its use of inflammatory language risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes about American Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians as well as those advocating for human rights.

In 2024, education-related complaints were at an all-time high in New Jersey, highlighting a glaring trend of bias. CAIR-New Jersey documented 53 education-related complaints last year, according to the chapter’s latest Civil Rights Report published this month. That’s up from 35 education bias complaints in 2023.

CAIR-NJ is committed to ensuring that students are not subjected to biased education that undermines their ability to think critically about complex issues such as human rights, dissent and justice.

CAIR-NJ urges the New Brunswick school district to take swift action in reviewing the assignment and implementing measures to prevent the use of biased materials in the future.

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.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

 TODAY: CAIR-NJ to Join Members of Congress in Response to Israel Breaking Gaza Ceasefire

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/25/25) — Later today, Tuesday, March 25, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut will join U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with Reps. Ilhan Omar, Greg Casar, Mark Pocan, Delia Ramirez, Nydia Valazquez, and Ayanna Pressley in response to the end of the ceasefire in Gaza.

The press conference will draw attention to the resumption of violence in Gaza following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to break the ceasefire negotiated by the U.S. earlier this year. The documented death toll in Gaza has surpassed 50,000, and Israel has announced plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and place the Palestinian population under military rule.

WHO:

• Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)
• Selaedin Maksut, CAIR-NJ Executive Director
• Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05)
• Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35)
• Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02)
• Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03)
• Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY-7)
• Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7)
• Dr. Adam Hamawy, US Army veteran and surgeon who has volunteered in Gaza
• Sami Shaban, NJ Muslim Civic Coalition

WHAT: Press Conference. Press RSVP HERE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. ET

WHERE: House Triangle, US Capitol

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

LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

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

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CAIR-NJ Responds to Release of Video in Imam Hassan Sharif’s Murder Investigation, Renewing Call for Justice

(NEWARK, NJ – 3/20/25)  — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today renews its call for justice following the recent release of a video by authorities showing a potential suspect involved in the tragic killing of Imam Hassan Sharif.

WATCH VIDEO: Surveillance video shows possible ‘person of interest’ in murder of Imam in Newark

Imam Sharif, a respected community leader, was fatally shot outside Masjid Muhammad in Newark on January 3, 2024, while preparing to lead Fajr (pre-dawn) prayers.

The release of this new footage marks a potential significant development in the investigation, and CAIR-NJ is urging the public to closely examine the video and come forward with any information that could assist in identifying the person responsible for this senseless act of violence.

READ MORE: Authorities seek public’s help identifying a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif

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

“We welcome that law enforcement is taking steps to move this investigation forward, but we remain deeply concerned that the person responsible for Imam Hassan Sharif’s murder has still not been brought to justice.

The video provides a long-awaited lead, and we hope the public will step up to help bring closure to this heartbreaking case.

Imam Hassan Sharif was a respected and deeply revered pillar of his Newark community, and it is crucial that justice is served. This release of the video is an important step in ensuring that the person who took his life is held accountable. We urge anyone with information to come forward immediately.”

Imam Sharif was shot outside the mosque as he prepared to lead early morning prayers, and he died later that day in the hospital. His death has left the Newark Muslim community in mourning and has heightened concerns about the safety of Muslims in the area, especially amid rising incidents of anti-Muslim violence.

In response to the killing, CAIR-NJ and CAIR National offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. This reward is separate from the $25,000 offered by Essex Crime Stoppers.

CAIR-NJ continues to stand in solidarity with Imam Sharif’s family, his congregation, and the Newark Muslim community, and will not rest until justice is served.

“We pray for Imam Sharif’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi said. “We also urge law enforcement to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses and to continue their efforts in bringing the responsible party to justice.”

Anyone with information about the suspect shown in the released video is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or submit tips online at Newark Public Safety.

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

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

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CAIR-NJ Releases 2025 Civil Rights Report, Marking International Day to Combat Islamophobia

(TRENTON, NJ – 3/17/2025) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today released its 2025 Civil Rights Report during a press conference commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia outside the New Jersey State House.

WATCH CAIR-NJ TRENTON NEWS CONFERENCE

The news conference drew Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) community organizers and elected officials, who collectively called on New Jersey state and federal leadership to address the rising trends in anti-Muslim hate.

SEE: 2025 Civil Rights Report: Power in Persistence

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

“Today, we commemorate the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the New Jersey State House with respected religious leaders, elected officials, academics, and advocates. As a global community, we must reject and eradicate bigotry. Governments must foster social cohesion and protect religious freedom. 

To that end, we welcome Gov. Phil Murphy’s commemoration of the day and speaking out against the surge in Islamophobia through his proclamation. We call on New Jersey state leadership to do the same and address rising trends in Islamophobia here in New Jersey and across America.”

“Our office marks this day with the release of our 2025 Civil Rights Report titled: Power In Persistence. 

“CAIR-New Jersey’s report shows that anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey persists well after October 2023 and Israel’s US-backed war on Gaza, well surpassing data from years prior. The report shows emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry.”

“Lastly, we caution against legislative attempts to adopt a definition of antisemitism that aims to silence advocates for Palestinian human rights by falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.”

In a statement, CAIR New Jersey Operations Director and Principal Author of the 2025 Civil Rights Report Dyaa Terpstra said:

“CAIR-New Jersey’s 2025 Civil Rights Report documents the sustained surge in hate Muslims face in New Jersey. The report demonstrates the rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry is directly caused by the dehumanization of Palestinians in Gaza, the ignorant rhetoric surrounding it, and the unlawful crackdown on free speech through 2024 which will continue to be exacerbated by the Trump administration.

The data is clear: The surge in bias against Muslims in New Jersey and across the nation following the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza spilled into 2024, and its waves still impact us today in 2025 unlike life prior.

This surge faced by Muslims was largely tied to the unconstitutional crackdown of dissenting opinion and the dehumanization of Palestinians and Muslims. Public officials at all levels of government, corporate leaders, and school and university administration, must respect free speech and the value of human life.”

CAIR-NJ 2025 Civil Rights Report key findings:

• CAIR-NJ received 290 complaints in 2024, which is essentially on-par with 2023’s total of 309 and significantly greater than previous years. Note that anti-Muslim incidents are largely underreported, so the actual number of bias reports is likely higher.
• The post October 7, 2023, surge of bias –greater than following 9/11 and the Muslim Ban– continued in 2024. Despite mellowing over the course of the year, monthly volume remained consistently higher than previous months in 2023 and 2022.
• Middle Eastern and North African individuals were disproportionately represented in the category of Hate incidents and crimes, comprising of 51% of the complaints in this category.
• Employment discrimination is still the top category followed by hate crimes and incidents.
• Education-related complaints are at all-time high for New Jersey.
• Bergen and Middlesex Counties are hotbeds of hate.
• Uptick in FBI interrogations stemming from frivolous complaints of free speech earlier in 2024 and an uptick in Customs and Border Protection detainments due to unconstitutional watch list and crackdown on free speech going into 2025.

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com; CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra, 908-668-5900 ext. 102, dterpstra@cair.com.

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

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SPEAKER UPDATE MEDIA ADVISORY: Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to join CAIR-NJ in Marking International Day to Combat Islamophobia 

(NEWARK, NJ, 3/14/25) – On Monday, March 17, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) will join the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, in commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the Trenton State House. She will be joined by advocates, community leaders and subject-matter experts to speak on the dangers of anti-Muslim bigotry across New Jersey.

Elected officials alongside community organizers will mark the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and call on New Jersey state leadership to address rising trends in anti-Muslim hate.

The press conference comes days after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a proclamation on March 10, 2025, designating March 15 as the day to Combat Islamophobia.

On March 17, speakers will caution against legislative attempts to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism that aims to silence advocates for Palestinian human rights by falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

CAIR-NJ will also release its civil rights report documenting anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey, as well as emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry. In 2024, CAIR offices nationwide received a total of 8,658 complaints—the highest number ever recorded since the organization’s first civil rights report in 1996. This marks a 7.4% increase from the 8,061 complaints received in 2023, signaling a worsening climate of Islamophobia.

To obtain an embargoed copy of CAIR-NJ’s report, media professionals may email: dterpstra@cair.com

WHAT: News conference to commemorate the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and release new civil rights data

WHO:

• Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR-New Jersey
• Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District) [NEW]
• Imam Saffet Catovic — Operations Director of Justice for All
• Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli —  Islamic Society of Central Jersey
• Assemblyman Alaa Abdelaziz (Legislative District 35)
• Dr. Sahar Aziz  — Director of the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights
• Wassim Kanaan — Chair of the NJ Chapter of American Muslims for Palestine
• Haliema Twam — Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager at Palestinian American Community Center
• Dr. Sadaf Jaffer — Former Assemblywoman of Legislative District 16
• Dr. Raz Segal — Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Stockton University

WHEN: Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. ET

WHERE: Outside the State House Annex Building, 131-137 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608

LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewJersey/

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

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

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MEDIA ADVISORY:

WHAT: News conference to commemorate the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and release new civil rights data

WHO:

• Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR-New Jersey
• Imam Saffet Catovic — Operations Director of Justice for All
• Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli —  Islamic Society of Central Jersey
• Assemblyman Alaa Abdelaziz (District 35)
• Dr. Sahar Aziz  — Director of the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights
• Wassim Kanaan — Chair of the NJ Chapter of American Muslims for Palestine
• Haliema Twam — Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager at Palestinian American Community Center
• Sadaf Jaffer — Former Assemblywoman and Lecturer at Princeton University
• Dr. Raz Segal — Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Stockton University

WHEN: Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. ET

WHERE: Outside the State House Annex Building, 131-137 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608

CAIR-NJ Joins Rally Condemning ‘Imminent’ Opening of Newark ICE Detention Facility

(NEWARK – 3/11/20) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) in a demonstration against the planned opening of an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.

SEE: Protest held against reopening ICE immigration detention center in Newark

Nearly 200 people attended the rally Tuesday afternoon outside the proposed site for the detention center known as Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark – sending one clear message of solidarity and unity: ICE has not place in New Jersey.

SEE: Immigrant advocates demonstrate in front of soon-to-open Newark detention center

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

“CAIR-New Jersey joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice to condemn the racist and dehumanizing policies implemented by the Trump administration. 

The expansion of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on our own turf threatens the safety of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. Nearly 25% of New Jersey’s population are immigrants. ICE has no place here.

The planned opening of the Delaney Hall Facility in Newark threatens to further enable the agency’s abusive practices, including the targeting of activists, families, and even lawful residents with no criminal record.

CAIR-New Jersey calls on federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately halt the opening of the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. We urge local and state representatives to publicly oppose the facility and advocate for policies that prioritize the rights and dignity of immigrants.”

The demonstration came after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a February 26 statement that the opening of the 1,000-bed facility is “imminent,” sparking outrage among communities and organizers.

On the same day ICE made that announcement, ICE agents raided Jersey Kebab, a local business in Haddon Township, New Jersey, and arrested its owners, Celal and Emine Emanet, citing unresolved immigration status issues. The Emanet family has been waiting for years for their green card status to be resolved and has no criminal record. Emine, who is currently held at the Elizabeth Detention Center, is the primary caregiver for her 15-year-old child with autism and a pillar of her community.

Meanwhile, ICE also detained Mahmoud Khalil –a lawful permanent U.S. resident– and is currently seeking to revoke his green card. Khalil served as a negotiator between student protesters and Columbia University administration. His arrest coincides with the Trump administration’s recent announcement to revoke visas and green cards of individuals it deems “Hamas supporters,” raising concerns about the targeting of activists based on their political beliefs.

SEE: The U.S. Is Trying to Deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Legal Resident. 

“Mahmoud Khalil’s detention is something we would’ve read about in newspapers dominated by authoritarian regimes. It’s shameful and quite embarrassing. At the same time, it spotlights the glaring injustices Palestinians and Arabs face when speaking up compared with their white counter parts. His detention should unsettle everyone when they see the US government punishing people who hold views that honor humanity and peace over war and despicable violence,” said CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi.

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

MEDIA ADVISORY:

CAIR-NJ to Release 2025 Impact and Data Report Revealing New Trends in Anti-Muslim Bigotry 

(NEWARK, NJ, 3/7/25) – On Tuesday, March 11, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to release its 2025 Impact and Data Report during a news conference at its office in Newark, New Jersey.

The report documents rising trends of anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey, as well as emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry. The report includes dozens of specific incidents of bias and offers insightful analysis into key findings and trends.

WHAT: News Conference to Release CAIR-NJ’s 2025 Impact and Data Report

WHO:  CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut; CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra

WHEN: Tuesday, March 11, 1 p.m. ET

WHERE: CAIR-NJ Office, 570 Broad Street, Suite 703, Newark, NJ 07102

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

LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewJersey/

Also on March 11, CAIR National will release its comprehensive annual civil rights report titled “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which includes data from CAIR chapters across the U.S. CAIR researchers plan to break down the details of the report during a virtual community briefing featuring international experts on Tuesday, March 11, at 3 p.m. ET.

LINK TO LIVESTREAM

Since 1996, CAIR’s annual reports on the status of American Muslim civil rights document anti-Muslim incidents that were reported to CAIR in any given year. The report also usually includes sections on specific civil rights and civil liberties issues confronting Americans of the Islamic faith in the year under review.

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

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