Jan Archives

Homepage•2026•January

Month: January 2026

Announcements
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ & Partners Host Congressional District 11 Special Election Candidates Forum

CAIR-NJ & Partners Host CD11 Special Primary Candidates Forum

With Rep. Mikie Sherrill now serving as Governor of New Jersey, voters in Congressional District 11 will soon decide who will fill her vacant seat in Congress. To help community members make informed decisions, CAIR-NJ and partner organizations hosted a candidates forum on January 23 at the Islamic Center of Morris County.

This unprecedented event brought together candidates seeking to represent District 11 for a respectful, community-centered conversation focused on the issues most important to Muslim voters across the district. The forum was part of CAIR-NJ’s ongoing work to build Muslim civic power by ensuring our community has direct access to those running for office and the information needed to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.

Ten candidates participated, who shared their visions, outlined their policy priorities, and responded to questions from moderators.

Issues Discussed

During the January 23 forum, candidates addressed a wide range of topics spanning both foreign policy and domestic policy.

On foreign policy, discussion included U.S. military spending, U.S. military aid to Israel, candidates’ positions on accepting support from AIPAC and participating in Pro-Israel, foreign advocacy organization trips, and use of the term genocide to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza.

On domestic issues, candidates responded to questions about combating anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia, the IHRA definition of antisemitism, whether candidates would uphold the right to boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS), addressing the affordability crisis, support for Medicare for All, immigration policy, ICE enforcement practices, and proposals to defund ICE.

Some questions were open-ended, while others included show-of-hands responses, helping voters better understand where each candidate stands in a highly contested race.

All candidates were invited to participate. The event was open to the public, and community members from across the district were encouraged to attend and take part in this important civic conversation.

The Special Primary Election is February 5th, and the Special General Election is April 16th.

👉 More election information: cair-nj.org/cd11specialprimary

👉 View the recording (WITH TIMESTAMPS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQCOQ6R5mok

If you would like to see more programs that uplift Muslim voices and strengthen our community’s civic engagement, please consider making a financial contribution to support this work.

This forum was held for educational purposes only. CAIR-NJ and its host partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and do not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office.

Press Releases
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ Condemns Pardon Related to West Orange Protest, Warns of Dangerous Precedent Undermining Accountability and Equal Justice

CAIR-NJ Condemns Pardon Related to West Orange Protest, Warns of Dangerous Precedent Undermining Accountability and Equal Justice
 
(NEWARK, NJ – 1/21/2026) — 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, strongly condemns the decision to issue a pardon of Moshe Glick, the man who was once being prosecuted stemming from a West Orange protest, a move that undermines accountability and raises serious concerns about equal justice, and the rule of law.
Gov. Phil Murphy has pardoned a West Orange man charged with assaulting a pro-Palestinian protester outside a synagogue, closing a case that drew national attention and became a flashpoint in the broader debate over protests outside houses of worship. The protest was in opposition to a real estate event held attempting to sell stolen land of Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Murphy issued the pardon to Moshe Glick, a pro-Israel activist who allegedly struck a pro-Palestinian protester in the head with a metal flashlight during a heated confrontation outside Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange on Nov. 13. Despite a countersuit using an unusual tactic, the victim’s attorneys maintained their client was the victim.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office had charged Glick with aggravated assault, bias intimidation, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Pardons should be used to correct injustice — not to obscure accountability in matters involving intimidation or violence. This decision sends a deeply troubling message at a time when all faith communities are facing heightened threats and deserve assurance that the law will be applied fairly and consistently.” 
 
“This is not about politics — it is about principle,” Maksut added. “Selective accountability, especially in cases touching public safety, weakens confidence in our justice system. The prosecutors were doing the right thing, and Governor Murphy stifled justice from taking its course. Our state must be clear: no one is above the law, and no community’s safety or dignity is expendable.” 
CAIR-NJ calls on New Jersey’s current and future leadership to reaffirm their commitment to equal protection under the law, accountability for actions that disrupt or endanger protesters, and the consistent enforcement of laws designed to safeguard civil and constitutional rights.
 
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
 
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414
Press Releases
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ Expresses Disappointment Over Gov. Murphy’s Pocket Veto of Immigrant Protections, Urges Gov. Sherrill to Advance Safeguards  

CAIR-NJ Expresses Disappointment Over Gov. Murphy’s Pocket Veto of Immigrant Protections, Urges Gov. Sherrill to Advance Safeguards  

(NEWARK, NJ – 1/20/2026) — 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, expressed deep disappointment with outgoing Governor Phil Murphy on his final day in office for enacting only one of the three bills included in the Immigrant Protections Package.

While Governor Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act (A6308/S5036), he pocket-vetoed the Immigrant Trust Directive (A6310/S5038) and the Privacy Protection Act (A6309/S5037), weakening the comprehensive framework for trust and accountability overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature. The Safe Communities Act protects sensitive locations, such as schools and places of worship, from ICE enforcement. The vetoed measures, however, were intended to safeguard data privacy and guarantee due process for immigrant communities.

The Immigrant Protections Package was designed to function as a unified system. By vetoing its trust and privacy provisions, the Murphy administration fractured that system.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Associate Maheen Mumtaz said:

“Governor Murphy had the chance to fully stand with immigrant communities and chose not to,” said Maheen Mumtaz, Government Affairs Associate at CAIR-NJ. “These pocket vetoes undermine trust and leave families exposed to the very surveillance and data abuses these bills were meant to prevent.”

As Governor Mikie Sherrill is sworn into office today, CAIR-NJ calls on her administration to move swiftly to advance the remaining elements of the Immigrant Protections Package and address the harm left by the previous administration. 

“Governor Sherrill now has both the opportunity and the responsibility to complete the work the Legislature began and deliver the comprehensive protections immigrant communities were promised,” Mumtaz added.

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

 

END

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

Press Releases
Aya Elamroussi

CAIR-NJ Urges Gov. Murphy to Sign Immigrant Protection Bill Package into Law  

CAIR-NJ Urges Gov. Murphy to Sign Immigrant Protection Bill Package into Law
 
(NEWARK, NJ  – 1/16/2026) — 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 urged Gov. Phil Murphy to sign a bill package into law, which would cement long overdue protections for immigrants and allow them to access state and local government services without fear of detention and deportation.
 
The New Jersey Legislature recently passed the immigrant protection bill package, including bills S5036/A6308, S5037/A6309, and S5038/A6310, marking a significant step toward securing equal rights for immigrants regardless of their status in New Jersey. Now, the bills are headed to the governor’s desk.
The legislation would strengthen limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, reinforce privacy and confidentiality protections, and help ensure that all residents can safely seek essential services including healthcare, education and emergency assistance.
To become law, the legislation must be signed by outgoing Murphy before he leaves office Jan. 20. New Jersey has the second-largest immigrant population in the country after California.
 
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Associate Maheen Mumtaz said:
 
“These bills represent a critical step toward ensuring that all New Jersey residents, regardless of immigration status, can live with dignity, safety, and access to essential services. Immigrant communities should not have to choose between seeking help from their local government and risking detention or deportation. We urge Gov. Murphy to sign this legislation into law without delay and reaffirm New Jersey’s commitment to fairness, due process, and equal protection under the law.”
 
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
 
END
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414
Press Releases
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ Stands in Solidarity with Metuchen Resident Detained at Delaney Hall and Event Organizers 

CAIR-NJ Stands in Solidarity with Metuchen Resident Detained at Delaney Hall and Event Organizers 

 

(NEWARK, NJ  – 1/9/2026) — 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, issued a statement of solidarity with a community member currently detained at Delaney Hall, his family, and the organizers of a rally to highlight his story.

Community members, faith leaders, and local advocates will gather this Saturday in Metuchen in support of the family of Sener Kalkan, a Metuchen resident who has been detained at Delaney Hall since December 1st during a routine immigration check-in related to his asylum application.

Mr. Kalkan is a Turkish national and a member of the Muslim faith. He entered the United States in 2021 and has complied with all immigration requirements and check-ins, with no prior issues. His detention has deeply impacted his family and the broader community.

The event, hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, aims to raise awareness about conditions at Delaney Hall, share information on how the public can help, and stand in solidarity with Mr. Kalkan and his loved ones. Faith and community leaders will speak about the human impact of ICE’s detentions.

Event Details:
Location: Address 270 Woodbridge Avenue Metuchen NJ (Social Hall to the right of the Cemetery)

Date: Saturday, January 10th, 2026

Time: 1:00PM

SEE: http://www.speakupnj.org

Speakers: 

Congressman Frank Pallone

Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch

Pastor Fred Garry (First Presbyterian)

Jennifer Poandl & Family (spouse of Sener Kalkan)

Pax Christi Kathy O’Leary

ACLU-NJ – Ami Kachalia

Metuchen Interfaith Clergy Association

Imam Bilal Khan of Masjid Quba’a in Carteret, NJ

 

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

“At its core, this is about human dignity. No family should live in fear or uncertainty because of arbitrary detention practices that disregard due process and compassion. CAIR-NJ stands with the Kalkan family and all those calling for an immigration system rooted in justice, mercy, and basic human decency.”

“It is moving and powerful to see all those standing up for Mr. Kalkan and his family. God bless their efforts. We pray for his release and reunification with his loved ones.”

 

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

END 

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director, Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

Press Releases
Aya Elamroussi

CAIR-NJ, Coalition Partners Welcome Defeat of Controversial IHRA Antisemitism Bill, Call on Legislators to Continue Defending Free Speech 

CAIR-NJ and Coalition Partners Welcome Defeat of Controversial IHRA Antisemitism Bill, Call on Legislators to Continue Defending Free Speech 
(NEWARK, NJ, 1/12/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomes the decision of State Assembly and Senate Leadership not to advance the harmful IHRA Antisemitism Bill (A3558/S1292) in the New Jersey State Legislature. With the session concluding Jan. 13, the bill will not be posted for a vote.
The legislation, (A3558/S1292), seeking to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism faced significant backlash from civil rights groups claiming it would infringe on free speech.
“The speaker [Craig Coughlin] had reached out to me and shared with me that he was not going to post the bill,” Democratic Assemblymember Gary Schaer told POLITICO last week. “That’s a result of any number of factors, including his belief that we did not have the necessary votes to get where we wanted to.”
Context: The bill has 36 Democratic sponsors and 18 GOP sponsors in the Assembly. (The Senate and Assembly typically advance bills that can proceed with Democratic votes alone.)
The legislation came up for a rare hearing over the summer — and has been the subject of hours long legislative hearings, with opponents citing concerns that it would stifle criticism of Israel.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Our office has been fighting variations of this definition for more than six years. We’re glad our legislators have chosen to uphold free speech once again. While this bill is now dead for this session, we remain vigilant and call on our elected officials to continue opposing it should it be reintroduced in the future.”
“The very author of the IHRA definition of antisemitism warned against its use in policy, and that governments should not rely on or codify it out of concern for infringing upon constitutionally protected free speech. This is exactly why the bill has always failed to have support in New Jersey.”
“When a definition can turn political speech into a criminal penalty, it stops protecting communities and starts suppressing dissent. Fighting antisemitism requires clarity, nuance, and justice with enforceable measures that genuinely protect people—not a flawed and overly broad definition that punishes free expression.”
CAIR-NJ expressed appreciation for the legislators who listened to these concerns and worked collaboratively to ensure that New Jersey law continues to protect free speech and civil liberties for all residents.
About the NJ Coalition for Free Speech

The NJ Coalition for Free Speech is a broad, multifaith, and multicultural alliance of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, K–12, higher ed, labor union, faith-based, and civil rights organizations and advocates committed to defending free speech, opposing all forms of racism and bigotry, and advancing justice and human rights for all.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director, Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414
Press Releases
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ Condemns Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s Attack on Protected Free Speech and BDS Advocacy, Calls to Repeal

CAIR-NJ Condemns Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s Attack on Protected Free Speech and BDS Advocacy, Calls to Repeal

(NEWARK, NJ  – 1/8/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) strongly condemns outgoing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s recent statements opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and falsely framing it as discriminatory.

See: Mayor Steven Fulop’s Tweet

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

“It is disappointing to see an outgoing mayor of one of New Jersey’s most diverse cities endorse a policy that undermines constitutionally protected political expression. BDS is a nonviolent human rights movement grounded in accountability—not bias. Activism necessarily focuses on where there is leverage. When U.S. taxpayer dollars, U.S. weapons, and U.S. veto power are used to shield a government from accountability, U.S. residents have both the right and responsibility to speak out.

“You do not excuse a crime by pointing to other crimes. You stop the crime. That is precisely what BDS seeks to do: end complicity in human rights violations through peaceful, lawful means. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that boycotts are a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

“Claims that BDS applies a “unique standard” to Israel are inaccurate. What is unique in today’s world is the scale, duration, and international legal violation of Israel’s decades-long military occupation, system of apartheid, and ongoing genocide against an indigenous population, especially given the level of U.S. political, military, and financial support.

“By Mayor Fulop’s logic, unless advocates condemn every injustice everywhere, they have no right to condemn any injustice anywhere. That standard is impossible, unserious, and would silence all human rights advocacy. No civil rights movement in history has ever been held to such a test. The Mayor should repeal the policy, and Jersey City council members should speak up in support of the first amendment.” 

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

END

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director, Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

Press Releases
CAIR New Jersey

CAIR-NJ Applauds Passage of Immigrant Protections Bill Package Out of Assembly Judiciary Committee, Encourages Assembly Appropriations Committee to Vote Favorably 

CAIR-NJ Applauds Passage of Immigrant Protections Bill Package Out of Assembly Judiciary Committee, Encourages Assembly Appropriations Committee to Vote Favorably 

(NEWARK, NJ, 1/6/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded the Assembly Judiciary Committee for advancing a critical package of immigrant protection bills—A6308, A6309, and A6310—during yesterday’s hearing.

The bill package is expected to be heard next by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday, January 8, before moving to the full Assembly for a vote.

After nearly three hours of testimony and discussion, the committee voted to move the legislation forward. The three-bill package aims to strengthen essential safeguards for immigrant communities across the state:

  • A6310 would preserve key components of the Office of the Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive, ensuring that immigrant New Jerseyans can interact with state and local agencies without fear.
  • A6309 would establish robust data privacy protections at New Jersey agencies and health care facilities, limiting the sharing of sensitive information.
  • A6308 directs the Office of the Attorney General to develop model policies for “sensitive locations,” helping ensure that all New Jerseyans can safely access essential services such as schools, health care facilities, food pantries, libraries, and social service providers.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Associate, Maheen Mumtaz said:

“We thank the Assembly Judiciary Committee for passing this critical bill package, which will strengthen protections for immigrant New Jerseyans by safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring that all communities can safely access essential services such as healthcare facilities, schools, and social service providers. At a time when immigrant communities are facing heightened threats nationwide, New Jersey must do everything in its power to safeguard the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of immigration status. We call on the Assembly Appropriations Committee to vote favorably on this bill package, so the State Legislature can deliver long-overdue protections to the communities that need them most.”

CAIR-NJ urges community members, advocates, and partner organizations to continue mobilizing in support of this legislation to ensure its passage in the Assembly and its smooth advancement through the Senate.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: Maheen Mumtaz, Government Affairs Associate, CAIR-NJ, mmumtaz@cair.com, (908) 921-1238
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
Privacy Policy
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin Instagram
ABOUT US
Resources

New Jersey Masjid Map
Eid Holiday in Public Schools
Guides & Toolkits
Reports
Know Your Rights Guide
Vote for Justice

Links

Report an Incident
Press Releases
Featured Articles 
 Volunteer
Internships
Careers
Events
Donate