CAIR-NJ Condemns Tulsi Gabbard’s ‘Delusional and Dangerous’ Attack on New Jersey Muslims

(NEWARK, NJ – 12/22/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s “delusional and dangerous” attacks on Islam and the American Muslim community, specifically including Muslims in Paterson, New Jersey.

In a speech at Turning Point USA AmericaFest on Dec. 20th, Gabbard falsely claimed that Muslims in Paterson are plotting to impose “sharia law” and “Islamic principles” on the city through the “use of laws or violence.” Gabbard also attacked the broader American Muslim community, conflating an entire faith community with terrorism and violence.

CAIR-NJ called her rant targeting Islam and American Muslims “delusional” and “disqualifying.”

SPEECH TRANSCRIPT. 

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

“We condemn Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks as dangerous and inflammatory lies. By falsely portraying Islam and Muslim communities as threats to American freedom, she engages in reckless fearmongering that endangers real people.

“Paterson is obviously not governed by ‘sharia law,’ and New Jersey Muslims are obviously not plotting to impose their faith on the people of Paterson. Everyone in America lives under the U.S. Constitution and their respective state law. Suggesting otherwise is not debate – it is incitement that fuels harassment and discrimination. Claiming that Sharia, which refers to the rules Muslims follow like halacha for Jews and canon law for Catholics, is something to be afraid of is also anti-Muslim.

“By conflating Islam, civic participation by Muslims, and terrorism, Gabbard promotes a narrative that has historically fueled harassment, surveillance, mosque vandalism, and violence against Muslim Americans. This rhetoric has real-world consequences, and New Jersey communities have felt them firsthand.

“But what is the Sharia? Claiming that ‘Sharia law’ is something to be feared is itself ignorant and hateful. In reality, Sharia is a moral and ethical guide for personal faith and daily life for Muslims, not a political tool being imposed in Paterson or anywhere in the U.S. Framing it as a threat is classic Islamophobic fearmongering.

“We are calling on local, state, and federal officials to reject this divisive and dangerous rhetoric. Defending freedom means defending it for everyone, not scapegoating Muslim communities for political gain. We will continue to stand against anti-Muslim hate and in defense of civil rights and human dignity.

“But why is Gabbard fabricating these lies? It’s a distraction. One of the deepest frustrations shared by Americans across the political spectrum is the outsized influence of the pro-Israel lobby over US elected officials – an influence that often places Israel’s interests ahead of America’s stated values, public opinion, civil rights, and long-term security. This reality is increasingly visible, and public anger over it is growing.

“Tulsi Gabbard’s rhetoric is a deliberate distraction from that reckoning. Rather than address why bipartisan leaders continue to provide unconditional support, funding, and political cover for Israel despite mounting costs, she fabricates an internal bogeyman by vilifying Muslim Americans. This reframes legitimate criticism of U.S. policy as a civilizational threat, shifting scrutiny away from the entrenched political power of the pro-Israel lobby.

“Muslims are not undermining the West; they are exercising constitutionally protected rights. In reality, Muslim Americans are among the most vocal advocates for an ‘America First’ foreign policy – one rooted in international law, human rights, and accountability. Muslims are not undermining the country; they are challenging a political status quo that many Americans now see as corrupt, unresponsive, and harmful.

“By turning Muslims into a scapegoat, Gabbard attempts to fracture a growing, cross-community movement demanding that U.S. leaders serve American interests – not the genocidal state of Israel. Fearmongering is easier than defending the status quo that more Americans are questioning every day. The desperation is becoming increasingly clear.”

[NOTE:Last month, CAIR’s national office distributed a formal congressional briefing memo “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”]

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, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

CAIR-NJ Welcomes Unanimous Passage of Paterson Resolution Calling for Release of Leqaa Kordia

(PATERSON, NJ – 12/17/2025) – 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, today welcomes the Paterson City Council’s unanimous vote to pass Resolution 25:605, which urges the immediate release of Leqaa Kordia from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

READ: Calls for release grow as N.J. Palestinian immigrant remains detained by ICE after 9 months

SEE RESOLUTION: Calling for the immediate release of Leqaa Kordia from ICE custody

The Paterson City Council passed the resolution Tuesday night during its regular meeting, which was livestreamed on YouTube.  The measure also urges the Department of Homeland Security to end retaliatory detention practices that infringe upon First Amendment rights.

In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey said:

“The detention of Leqaa Kordia is a clear violation of her rights to freedom of speech and political activism. Her prolonged confinement and the inhumane conditions she faces are a direct attempt to suppress lawful dissent. 

“This resolution is a powerful statement of solidarity from the city of Paterson, urging for her immediate release and reaffirming our commitment to justice and human rights for all. It also reflects the strength of our community’s engagement and advocacy, as hundreds of local residents voiced their support and demanded action on her behalf.”

Paterson City Council members noted they received hundreds of emails from community members expressing urgency for her release from the Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas, where she is forced to endure inhumane conditions.

Kordia, a 32-year-old Paterson resident, is currently the last protester detained following demonstrations at Columbia University, where many called for an end to the US-aided genocide in Gaza. Kordia has lost nearly 200 family members in Israel’s attacks on Gaza and beyond.  As for Kordia herself, she is currently confined in a small, dark cell with no windows where she’s accompanied by dozens of other detainees, snakes and spiders.

ICE’s actions in this case reflect a broader trend of using immigration detention to suppress free speech and political activism, particularly for individuals advocating for Palestinian justice. Advocates and legal experts have warned that this use of detention as retaliation undermines due process and sets a dangerous precedent for silencing lawful dissent in the United States.

Key Moments: Paterson City Council Meeting

The co-sponsors of the resolution, Councilmen Luis Velez and Ibrahim Omar, both spoke on the importance of the measure before the council voted to pass it unanimously.

Velez noted that Kordia was arrested for exercising her freedom of speech when she protested against the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

“That could happen to any one of us. I could look Latino today; tomorrow, I could look Arab, and they probably could put me in a detention center. But I probably have the luxury to come out fast. We are going to support it. The resolution speaks for itself.”

Ibrahim highlighted that Kordia is a Paterson resident who has been in confinement for more than 200 days.

“She has been denied bond twice. She has yet to have a fair trial. … She’s having health issues, mental issues that ICE, unfortunately, is ignoring.”

Ibrahim thanked community members who sent the council members hundreds of emails urging them to address the issue of her unjust detention.

“This resolution is basically just saying that we as a city council, as a body, are in support of her release.”

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, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

CAIR-NJ Supports Paterson City Council Resolution Calling for Release of Leqaa Kordia

(PATERSON, NJ – 12/16/2025) – 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, today expressed support for the introduction of Resolution 25:605, which calls for the immediate release of Leqaa Kordia from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after nearly 300 days in unjust detention.

READ RESOLUTION 

WATCH COUNCIL MEETING

The resolution, sponsored by Councilmen Luis Velez and Ibrahim Omar, also urges the Department of Homeland Security to end retaliatory detention practices that infringe upon First Amendment rights.

Kordia is currently the last protester who remains detained following demonstrations at Columbia University earlier this year. Ahead of the Paterson city council’s meeting Tuesday night, CAIR- New Jersey is urging city officials to pass the resolution and expend all efforts to bring her back home to her family.

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

“Paterson is taking an important stand for civil rights and the protection of constitutional freedoms. Retaliatory detention against individuals exercising their First Amendment rights is unacceptable. We support the City Council’s resolution and call on federal authorities to immediately release Ms. Kordia and end practices that punish lawful political expression. Standing with Palestinian justice and human rights is not a crime, and no one should be detained for advocating peacefully for the lives and rights of their family and community.”

Kordia, a 32-year-old longtime member of Paterson’s immigrant community, was detained by ICE on March 13, 2025, following her participation in peaceful protests at Columbia University condemning the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, which claimed the lives of nearly 200 of her family members.

Despite bond grants by an immigration judge, ICE used a rarely invoked “automatic stay” to block Kordia’s release, leaving her confined for nearly 280 days far from her family, community, and legal support.

ICE’s actions in this case reflect a broader trend of using immigration detention to suppress free speech and political activism, particularly for individuals advocating for Palestinian justice. Advocates and legal experts have warned that this use of detention as retaliation undermines due process and sets a dangerous precedent for silencing lawful dissent in the United States.

CAIR-NJ has been advocating for Kordia’s release alongside her legal and advocacy teams and continues to urge elected officials at the state, federal and municipal levels to publicly support her release and defend the right to peaceful protest.

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

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

CAIR-NJ Condemns Ron DeSantis’ Unconstitutional and Defamatory Attack on CAIR, CAIR-Florida

(NEWARK, NJ – 12/9/2025) – 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, today strongly condemns Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ unconstitutional and defamatory order baselessly smearing CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization.

READ: Governor Ron DeSantis Designates CAIR a Terrorist Organization

Following a similar political maneuver by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott late last month, Gov. DeSantis’ designation represents yet another attempt to silence dissent, chill free speech, and undermine advocacy for Palestinian human rights.

READ: Governor Greg Abbott Designates CAIR a Terrorist Organization

CAIR-NJ asserts that this move is rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry and sets a dangerous precedent for violating the First Amendment and the Constitution. Like the Texas designation, the Florida announcement is legally baseless; only the U.S. Secretary of State has the authority to designate Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Nonetheless, the step increases concern about potential federal escalation and the misuse of government power to target civil rights organizations.

CAIR and its chapters nationwide—including CAIR-Florida and CAIR-Texas—will vigorously challenge this unlawful action through all available legal avenues and continue their mission to protect civil rights, advance justice, and defend the rights of all communities.

In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey said:

“These designations aim to suppress a community’s voice against injustice, corruption, and human rights violations. They are part of a broader effort to intimidate those who speak up for marginalized communities and to delegitimize lawful advocacy that challenges government overreach.

Attempts to criminalize our work will not deter us from defending civil rights, upholding the Constitution, and standing alongside all who are fighting for justice, equality and human dignity. Our commitment to these principles is unwavering, and no political stunt will silence our community or our mission.”

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, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

The warehouse, located at 1A Colony Road in Jersey City, packaged and transported more than  a thousand tons of military equipment to Israel every week in the first eight months of 2025, according to a report jointly released last month by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) and Progressive International (PI).

READ: A Single Warehouse in Jersey City Moved Over A Thousand Tons of Military Cargo to Israel Every Week

A network of New Jersey-based businesses –Interglobal Forwarding Services (IFS), G&B Packing Company, and G&G Services– use the privately owned warehouse to inspect, organize, and move military equipment, including Merkava tank parts, F-16 parts, ammunition, military gear, and armored and unarmored vehicles, according to the report. The equipment is then packaged and delivered to nearby airports and seaports and sent to Israel, the report found.

READ: Death toll in Gaza rises to 70,365

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

“New Jersey should not be complicit in enabling human rights violations abroad. Allowing military shipments to pass through our cities ties our state to the devastating consequences of this violence. We call on state and federal officials to immediately investigate these transfers and halt any activity that contributes to the loss of civilian life and the erosion of international law.”

The report from PYM and PI also found that 91% of all Israel-bound sea exports of military gear that did not go through a U.S. military base passed through the IFS and the G&B warehouse.

As of Monday, the number of people killed in Gaza during the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians has topped 70,000 since October 2023. At least 171,058 people were wounded by the Israeli military, the Palestinian health ministry said.

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, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

CAIR-NJ Supports Federal Discrimination Lawsuit Over Sayreville’s Denial of Mosque

(NEWARK, NJ – 12/5/25)– 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, today expressed strong support for a federal lawsuit filed by Masjid Sadar against the Borough of Sayreville and its planning board, following the board’s denial of the congregation’s application to build a mosque on Ernston Road.

The lawsuit alleges that the board discriminated against the Muslim community and violated the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

READ: Sayreville facing federal discrimination lawsuit over denied mosque

According to the lawsuit, Masjid Sadar has faced several hindrances during a 13-month review process, including eight public hearings and four separate site plan revisions.

Despite agreeing to reduce the size of the mosque and accepting two dozen conditions set forth by the board, the application for Masjid Sadar was ultimately rejected in June on the grounds of parking concerns. Parking calculations followed borough zoning ordinances, but Board officials demanded more than triple the required number of spaces. The lawsuit argues that in the borough’s zoning ordinance, houses of worship are subject to restrictions that do not apply to non-religious uses.

In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey said:

“The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act exists to prevent exactly this kind of discriminatory treatment. The record shows shifting standards, unreasonable demands, and a clear double standard applied to this Masjid Sadar. Sayreville officials must be held accountable for allowing bias to influence land-use decisions.

“Hundreds of Muslims live in and around Sayreville, yet the nearest mosque is miles away. Every community deserves equal access to houses of worship. Zoning laws cannot be used to keep certain faith groups out.”

CAIR-NJ is urging Sayreville to comply with federal law, resolve the dispute fairly, and ensure that religious minorities receive equal treatment in all municipal processes.

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, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

CAIR-NJ Says New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Alleged Refusal to Recognize SJP Group Chills Free Speech

(NEWARK, NJ – 12/3/2025) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today said the alleged refusal by administrators at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to recognize the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine group attempts to curtail free speech on campus.

A lawsuit filed last month by group of NJIT students alleging administrators discriminated against pro-Palestinian students by blocking their approval of the organization since 2023.

READ: N.J. college students sue university for refusal to recognize pro-Palestinian group

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

“This is a clear attempt to crackdown on free speech and human rights advocacy at NJIT. All students should have equal rights to freedom of expression, especially when they stand up against injustice and war crimes.

“CAIR-New Jersey condemns NJIT’s withholding recognition of the SJP chapter as an egregious violation of civil rights. Our hope is that administrators at NJIT do the right thing and recognize the student organization promptly.” 

Universities in New Jersey and across the U.S. have been targeting pro-Palestinian groups since the onset of the Gaza genocide in 2023.

Rutgers University suspended the SJP chapter at its New Brunswick campus in December 2023 following anti-war campus protests and reinstated it roughly a month later.

Earlier this year, Rowan University administrators briefly suspended the university’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter after the group distributed a welcome event flyer that featured Palestinian-related art.

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, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482