CAIR-NJ Announces Release of NJ Resident Amrou Ibrahim from Israeli Custody

(NEWARK, NJ – 5/21/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) confirms the release of Nutley resident, Amrou Ibrahim, from Israeli custody. He is currently in Turkey, receiving medical treatment.

READ: Gaza flotilla activists deported from Israel as backlash over treatment grows.

Amrou is among hundreds of activists who were attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when Israeli authorities intercepted their vessels on international waters. Lawyers with Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel shared that their “team received a large number of complaints of extreme violence […] by Israeli authorities. This violence resulted in severe, widespread injuries, including at least three individuals who were hospitalized and subsequently released.” They also reported on the use of tasers, stress positions, sexual harassment and degradation, and in a few instances found broken ribs on some activists.

In a statement shared with CAIR-NJ, Amrou’s mother, Aiat Ibrahim shared the following:

“After speaking with my son today, I was relieved to learn that he is safe following his release alongside fellow activists from the Freedom Flotilla of Steadfastness and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. While I am deeply grateful for his release, I am devastated by the account he shared of the treatment he endured during his detention in Israel.

“My son described being subjected to physical beatings and severe physical and psychological humiliation—experiences whose full impact cannot truly be captured in words. During his detention, his prescription glasses and shoes were confiscated, leaving him unable to see properly and forcing him to leave occupied Palestine barefoot.

“As a parent, it is heartbreaking to know that my child was deprived not only of his dignity and safety, but also of basic necessities. The image of him departing in prison clothing, without shoes and without the ability to see clearly, is one that will remain with me forever.

“The only measure of comfort I have at this moment is knowing that he is now in Istanbul, where he and the other released activists are reportedly receiving the medical attention and care they urgently need.

“I call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all governments committed to justice and human dignity to investigate the treatment of these activists and to ensure accountability for the abuses they endured while in detention.

“No parent should ever have to hear such accounts from their child. No human being should be subjected to such treatment.”

Aiat shared that when she spoke to her son, he was in high spirits and wanted all the attention focused on Gaza: to urge governments to condemn the blockade on Gaza and the genocide of Palestinians.

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

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR-NJ Denounces Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Participants, Calls on Representatives to Advocate for Amrou Ibrahim’s Release

(NEWARK, NJ – 5/20/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) denounces the mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla participants on arrival at Ashdod Port, Israel. New Jersey resident, Amrou Ibrahim, is among those detained by Israeli forces for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when their vessel was unlawfully seized.

READ: Global leaders denounce treatment of humanitarian activists by Israeli authorities.

In a video shared on social media, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is shown taunting detainees while they are dragged, bound, and forced to kneel.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:

“Nutley resident Amrou Ibrahim was on a humanitarian mission to Gaza when he along with other flotilla passengers were abducted by Israeli authorities on international waters. Our representatives should be outraged at how their constituent is being treated by Israeli officials.

We thank Representative Mejia and Senator Kim for advocating on behalf of Amrou. We call on all our federal officials to denounce this treatment and secure his release.”

WATCH: Israeli authorities mistreat foreign nationals at the port of Ashdod.

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

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

On Monday May 18th, CAIR’s national office and its San Diego chapter (CAIR-San Diego) condemned the attack. Additionally, CAIR’s Texas chapter (CAIR-TX) joined Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by local politicians. CAIR have designated Florida Rep. Randy Fine as ‘Anti-Muslim Extremist’ Following ‘Unceasingly Violent’ Rhetoric.

The attack comes amid a national rise in anti-Muslim bias. Last week, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law,” while condemning Republican members and witnesses for promoting dangerous smear tactics. According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination continue to surge nationwide.

WATCH: Representatives Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal challenge Republican witnesses on their Islamophobic agendas.

New Jersey has the highest population of Muslims per capita, with over 160 mosques across the state. CAIR-NJ is reminding Islamic centers and houses of worship to review safety protocols. CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities secure.

CAIR-NJ encourages community members facing bias, discrimination, or hate incidents to immediately report them to local law enforcement and to CAIR.

Incidents can be reported online at CAIR-NJ’s webpage.

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

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR-NJ Calls For Immediate Release of Amrou Ibrahim, New Jersey Global Sumud Flotilla Participant

(NEWARK, NJ – 5/18/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) demands the immediate release of New Jersey resident and American citizen, Amrou Ibrahim. Amrou was detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

READ: Gaza Aid Flotilla says Israeli Forces Intercepted 28 Boats, Remaining Ships Continuing

CAIR-NJ is concerned with reports that Amrou and other flotilla participants are being held on a cargo ship while they await transfer to an Israeli prison.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“Nutley resident, Amrou Ibrahim, was on a humanitarian mission to Gaza when he along with other flotilla passengers were abducted by Israeli authorities on international waters. We call on our federal representatives to find out where he is being held, ensure he is treated humanely, and to advocate for his release.”

WATCH: Footage of Israeli authorities boarding the flotilla on international waters.

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

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238 

CAIR-NJ Welcomes Rutgers Senate Censure of Dean for Canceling Speaker Over Opposition to Israeli Genocide

(NEWARK, NJ, 5/13/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed a decision by the Rutgers University Senate to censure the Dean of the School of Engineering for canceling a commencement speaker who opposed Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

The Dean of the Rutgers School of Engineering, Alberto Cuitiño, cancelled a commencement speech by CEO and Rutgers alumnus Rami Elghandour after some students expressed discomfort with Elghandour’s views on Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. The Senate resolution, approved by its executive committee, censures Dean Cuitiño for what it called “one-sided, opaque, and harmful” handling of the matter and calls for a formal review.

SEE: Rutgers Senate censures dean over canceled 2026 graduation speaker

In a statement, Naureen Akhter, Public Affairs Director at CAIR-NJ said:

“We welcome the principled stand by the Rutgers University Senate opposing this act of cowardly censorship by Dean Cuitiño. They are right to criticize his catering to a select few over the collective good.  If Rutgers has any interest in earning back the trust of students, faculty and alumni and demonstrating a commitment to freedom of expression, the administration should immediately reverse this decision and allow Mr. Elghandour to speak.”

CAIR-NJ previously condemned the decision to rescind the invitation to Rami Elghandour and encouraged those in the Rutgers community to email Dean Cuitiño at alberto.cuitino@rutgers.edu to express their disappointment in his decision.

SEE: CAIR-NJ Condemns Rutgers School of Engineering Dean’s Removal of Anti-Genocide Commencement Speaker

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 Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

(NEWARK, NJ, 5/6/26) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the Dean of the Rutgers School of Engineering’s (SOE) ddecision to rescind the invitation to have Rami Elghandour, a Rutgers alumnus, accomplished businessman and anti-genocide advocate, as the 2026 commencement speaker.

Elghandour was notified that he would no longer be able to speak because a “few” students complained and threatened to not attend graduation due to Elghandour’s social media posts that “go against their beliefs.” The Dean of SOE chose to rescind the invitation to have Elghandour as the speaker and stated that there will be no commencement speaker this year, and possibly, in subsequent years.

SEE: Rami Elghandour’s Post Advocating Against Genocide

Rutgers recently accommodated Israeli soldiers on campus as part of a national tour titled “Triggered: The Ceaseless Tour.” CAIR-NJ said the dean’s decision demonstrates a clear double standard in how pro-Israel and pro-Palestine sentiments are handled by the administration.

SEE: Students Protest Israeli Soldier Speaking Event on Campus

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:

“It is unconscionable that Rutgers roles out the red carpet to soldiers engaged in genocide yet finds expression of pro-Palestine solidarity from of one of their distinguished alumni so objectionable, they refuse to have him address graduates. 

“We call on Rutgers School of Engineering to reinstate Rami Elghandour as commencement speaker and approach issues of student safety and freedom of expression with more care.”

ACTION ALERT: CAIR-NJ encourages those in the Rutgers community to email Dean Cuitiño at alberto.cuitino@rutgers.edu to express your disappointment in his decision.

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 Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238