CAIR-NJ Condemns Anti-Muslim Hate Campaign to Silence Rutgers Hindutva Event, Applauds Community Support

(NEWARK, NJ, 10/30/2025) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today condemned the wave of hate-filled messages and reportedly coordinated intimidation efforts that sought to pressure Rutgers University into cancelling its public discussion on Hindutva extremism.

The event, “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,” was held on Oct. 27 by the Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR) at Rutgers University’s Archibald S. Alexander Library, where at least five officers were present on the premises for safety concerns.

READ RUTGERS REPORT ON HINDUTVA 

Prior to the event, the university received hundreds of messages calling on administrators to shut down the event because of its critical discussion on the rise of India’s far-right Hindutva movement and its devastating impact on Christians, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs and other minorities facing discrimination and violence under Prime Minister Modi’s government.

In response to the hateful campaign, CAIR-NJ sent a private letter to university administrators, expressing the importance of the discussion and academic freedom and urged the community to act by sending a message of their own.

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

“Let us be clear: the vitriol directed at Rutgers was not about academic debate. It was rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry and an effort to erase conversations on religious nationalism and minority rights. That hate campaign only underscores why this event was necessary. We applaud CSRR for holding such an important event.

“Just as criticism of government policies in Israel and the mass slaughter of civilians in Gaza must not be conflated with antisemitism, criticism of Hindutva must not be weaponized to silence advocates, scholars and vulnerable communities seeking justice and accountability.

 “Efforts to erase legitimate human rights concerns by falsely labeling them as hate speech fuels oppression and stifles necessary public dialogue.”

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 Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, 862-264-9414, smaksut@cair.com

CAIR-NJ Calls for Release of Sami Hamdi, British Commentator Abducted Over Criticism of Israel’s Genocide

(NEWARK, NJ – 10/28/2025) —The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the immediate release of British Muslim political commentator Sami Hamdi, who was detained at San Francisco International Airport Sunday morning, apparently because of his criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and at the urging of a notorious anti-Muslim, pro-Israel extremist.

READ: Teaneck Islamic center cancels Syria panel after ICE detains speaker

Hamdi was scheduled to speak at a Syria-focused panel at Al Falah Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey, on Oct. 27. Al Falah still held the event and invited CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut as a speaker to address immigration concerns amid Hamdi’s detention.

Hamdi was also slated to appear at the Darul Islah Islamic center in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Oct. 29 at an event titled “Syria: Past, Present and Future,” sponsored by the Syrian Forum, a nonprofit that supports development and aid for Syria.

Instead, Hamdi was reportedly detained by immigration officers at San Francisco International Airport on the morning of Oct. 26. He was on a speaking tour in the United States, which he has done many times in the past.

Anti-Muslim extremist Laura Loomer has publicly taken credit for his abduction, claiming that ICE acted in response to her demands and smearing Hamdi with various anti-Muslim conspiracy theories.

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

“Sami Hamdi’s abduction by ICE is clearly a retaliatory tactic by the Trump administration because he dared to criticize the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza and a blatant affront to free speech. 

“Hamdi is a British national who has been to the United States many times to conduct speaking tours and offer critical commentary on global affairs that impact Muslims in New Jersey and around the world.

“We call for Hamdi’s immediate release. His only ‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government that’s currently committing genocide using American tax dollars.”

“Our office is calling on New Jersey’s congressional representative to condemn the arrest as an affront to free speech.” 

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 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-NJ statement on President Donald Trump’s announcement of a Gaza ceasefire deal

“This ceasefire agreement must finally bring a permanent end to the horrific genocide in Gaza, free both Israeli and Palestinian captives and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s starving population.

“Leaders and governments of the world have a moral responsibility to ensure the subsequent phases of the agreement are fulfilled with the only viable path forward: a reconstruction of Gaza free from Israeli occupation or western colonial oversight and a clear end to the broader occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people so that just, lasting peace can be established.

“Ending the genocide does not erase the genocide. The Israeli government must be held accountable for its genocidal war crimes, including through international tribunals, and its enablers must also face accountability.”

CAIR-NJ Applauds Community for Support in Release of New Jersey Global Sumud Flotilla Participants, Calls for Release of Remaining Flotilla Participants 

(NEWARK, NJ – 10/7/2025) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) applauds community members for urging members of Congress to speak out and demands the immediate release of American citizens and international activists detained by Israeli forces while delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Among the American delegation that was recently released were two New Jerseyans, artist Carise Blanton and Instagram personality Tommy Marcus.

READ: Activists of Gaza aid flotilla mistreated in Israeli prison: Legal center – Anadolu Agency

CAIR-NJ is concerned with reports from released flotilla participants of the conditions they faced, humiliation rituals they had to endure, religious violations by Israeli guards, and brutal punishments in prisons.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“The reports from the released flotilla participants are deeply troubling. No one delivering humanitarian aid should be met with violence, humiliation, or imprisonment. The accounts of abuse, religious violations, and inhumane treatment at the hands of Israeli authorities are unacceptable and must be condemned by all who value human rights and the rule of law.

“We thank our community for mobilizing so quickly to demand justice and urge New Jersey’s elected officials to not only speak out but to take concrete action to ensure the safety, release, and fair treatment of all remaining detainees. Humanitarian aid is not a crime. Compassion should never be punished.”

WATCH: American Delegation of Global Sumud Flotilla Speaks Out on Abuse in Israeli Prisons

In a video posted on Instagram, Marcus said Flotilla participants were “violently and illegally raided by Israeli naval forces. Our boats and belongings were stolen, while we were zip tied, brutalized, and blindfolded en route to an internment camp in the Negev desert.”

Participants also said they were denied food, water, and medicine, as well as legal representation and rights after the Israeli military illegally detained them.

CAIR-NJ strongly condemns the reported abuses and calls on New Jersey’s Congressional representatives to issue public statements demanding the activists’ release and humane treatment.

SEE: Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags – The Guardian

While Marcus and Blanton are free and safe in Jordan, not all Sumud participants have been freed from Israeli prisons.

CAIR-NJ calls to keep the pressure on NJ’s representatives in calling for the release of all Global Sumud Participants who are illegally being held Israeli prisons, where they face unknown horrors and abuse.

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