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Naureen Akhter

CAIR-NJ Condemns Removal of Classroom “Gaza Must Live” Sign After Pressure from Gottheimer

CAIR-NJ Condemns Removal of Classroom “Gaza Must Live” Sign After Pressure from Rep. Gottheimer
(NEWARK, NJ, 10/8/26) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the removal of a “Gaza Must Live” sign from a Bergen County Technical School classroom upon pressure from Congressman Josh Gottheimer.
Based on emails reviewed by CAIR-NJ, a parent who attended Back To School Night at the school reached out to Congressman Gottheimer’s office requesting their assistance with removing the sign. The Congressman’s office then reached out to Superintendent Dr. Lerner, who had the sign removed without any discussion with the teacher.
In a letter sent to Dr. Howard Lerner, Superintendent of Bergen County Technical Schools, CAIR-NJ’s Public Affairs Director, Naureen Akhter, notes:
“Elsewhere in the building, classroom doors and windows display ‘I Stand With Immigrants’ and ‘Stand With Ukraine’ stickers, and at least one classroom displays a Black Lives Matter flag,” and “Prior to the September removal of the sign, District Administrators regularly observed [the] classroom while the sign was displayed and never suggested that it violated any policy.”
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“The interference by a Congressional office into a public high school classroom while appalling, is not surprising, given Congressman Gottheimer’s track record of silencing pro-Palestinian voices. That this one sign was targeted while other social justice and global affairs signs remain up is a profound failure by the District’s leadership to apply public messaging criteria evenly.”
“We are disappointed in the Superintendent’s actions and call on him to course correct: allow the sign to be reinstated, protect your classrooms from political interference, and give your teachers the courtesy of a discussion before partaking in heavy-handed measures.”
CAIR-NJ continues to stand with Palestinians against attempts to erase their stories, silence their advocacy, and distort the reality of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
An earlier version of this release referenced a “Let Gaza Live” sign. It has since been updated to reflect the correct language on the sign: “Gaza Must Live”.
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238
Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

CAIR-NJ Denounces Islamophobic Lawn Signs in Mansfield Township

CAIR-NJ Denounces Islamophobic Lawn Signs in Mansfield Township

(NEWARK, NJ – 10/02/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today denounced a highly visible display of explicitly anti-Muslim and anti-Islam messages displayed near the intersection of New Jersey Route 57 and Airport Road in Mansfield Township, Warren County, NJ.

Among the messages displayed at this location are signs stating:
• “NO SHARIA”
• “NO JIHAD”
• “NO AMERICA-HATING ISLAM”
The messages go on to say “Never 911 Forget” and “We love Charlie Kirk”.

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

“The signs displayed in Mansfield promote the tired old stereotype that conflates an entire religion with the perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attack. It is incredibly offensive to the Muslim families in the area who have to drive by daily and be reminded of the hate harbored by their neighbors. If these signs were directed at any other community, you would have seen swift action by now.

“We call on the mayor and Township Committee of Mansfield to investigate whether these signs are on public property, and if so, to denounce and remove them at once. Public spaces should not be used to promote hate and bigotry. ”  

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

END  

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

Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

CAIR-NJ Supports Marlboro Muslim Community’s Federal Lawsuit To Build A Mosque

CAIR-NJ Supports Marlboro Muslim Community’s Federal Lawsuit To Build Mosque 

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/29/26) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), today joined the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and the law firm of Omar T. Mohammedi at a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit against Marlboro Township for its denial of the town’s first mosque. 

Over the course of five years, members of Marlboro’s Muslim community have tried to obtain the necessary approvals to build their mosque. They were met with delayed and cancelled hearings, anti-Muslim rhetoric and ultimately a denied application. And that denial came only after a state judge ordered the township to hold the required hearings. 

In June, CAIR-NJ denounced the decision by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the establishment of a Muslim community center at 449 Tennent Road in Marlboro Township. 

In his statement at the press conference, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:  

“A house of worship – a mosque, a temple, a church, a synagogue – any sanctuary, is a place where people come together to build community, to offer services, charity work, family services, help children, grow the youth, develop leaders. It is a place that inherently brings benefit to the community. Any municipality should welcome the opportunity for a house of worship to be established on their land. No minority community should be subject to this much difficulty. Muslims are asking for nothing more but fair treatment. 

That is what our American values call for. That is American – to be fair and balanced for all communities. But what the Muslim community of Marlboro has experience is the most un-American thing. The difficulty that they have been subject to is unfair. We are outraged.” 

In AALDEF’s press release, Omar Mohammedi, Managing Partner of OTM Law said of the denial:  

“The decision raises significant concerns regarding religious freedom, equal treatment, and the protections afforded under the Constitution and New Jersey’s antidiscrimination laws.” 

Ronak Patel, staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) said: 

“New Jersey has seen this exact playbook before: delay a mosque application for years, subject it to extraordinary scrutiny, invoke Islamophobic tropes to justify a denial, and force the Muslim community to go to court to vindicate its rights. From Bridgewater to Basking Ridge to Sayreville, Muslim communities have repeatedly had to turn to the courts simply to seek the same opportunity to build a house of worship that other faith communities enjoy. No faith community should have to litigate for the right to have a place of worship in their own hometown.” 

Mohammed Tahir, one of the plaintiffs, and leader of the masjid said: 

“The Marlboro Muslim community has never had a permanent place to gather and pray. […] All our community has ever wanted is a house of worship and to feel part of this town.”  

CAIR-NJ supports the rights of New Jersey’s Muslim communities to establish houses of worship and strongly opposes the weaponization of local land use regulations to restrict the development of mosques.  

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

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

END 

 

Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR-NJ to Support Activist Asma Elhuni In Trenton Court For Documenting ICE Activity

MEDIA ADVISORY:

CAIR-NJ to Support Activist Asma Elhuni in Trenton Court for Documenting ICE Activity

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/29/26) – On Tuesday, September 29, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), will join community advocates in support of Asma Elhuni, a longtime organizer and human rights advocate as she faces charges in Trenton Court simply for documenting ICE activity in her community and informing community members of their rights.

On August 20th, 2025, Asma Elhuni, a rapid responder with Resistencia en Acción NJ, was observing her first amendment right in documenting ICE activity in the community when Trenton Police arrested her upon ICE’s request. New Jersey state law bars local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE’s enforcement activities.

CAIR-NJ has previously supported passage of the Immigrant Trust Directive among other measures to keep New Jersey’s immigrant community safe.

SEE: CAIR-NJ Welcomes Signing of Immigrant Protection Bills into Law as a Major but Partial Victory, Urges Stronger Action

WHAT: Press Conference in Support of Asma Elhuni Ahead of Trenton Court Appearance

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m. ET

WHERE: 225 N Clinton Ave, Trenton NJ, 08607

See Media Advisory here.

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

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

END

Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR-NJ to Join AALDEF and Marlboro Muslim Community’s Press Conference on Efforts to Build Mosque

MEDIA ADVISORY:

CAIR-NJ to Join AALDEF, Marlboro Muslim Community’s Press Conference on Efforts to Build Mosque

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/28/26) – On Tuesday, September 29, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), will join the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and the law firm of Omar T. Mohammedi for a community press conference on next steps in efforts to build a mosque in Marlboro Township.

After years of delays and unequal treatment toward the Muslim community by Marlboro Township, this press briefing will announce an important next step in the legal fight to establish a mosque.

In June, CAIR-NJ denounced a vote by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the establishment of a Muslim community center at 449 Tennent Road in Marlboro Township.

SEE: AALDEF Media Advisory

WHAT: Press Conference on Efforts to Build Mosque in Marlboro Township

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, at 10 a.m. ET

WHERE: 1979 Township Dr, Marlboro Township, NJ 07746

RSVP: Ananya Bhasin, AALDEF, media@aaldef.org

Livestream will be available on AALDEF’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aaldef

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

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

END

Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR-NJ, Partners to Host 7th Annual Muslim Day of Advocacy at State House in Trenton

CAIR-NJ, Partners to Host 7th Annual Muslim Day of Advocacy at Trenton State House

(NEWARK, NJ, 09/22/26) – On Thursday, September 24, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), along with a number of community partner organizations, will co-host the 7th Annual Muslim Day of Advocacy (MDA) at the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

This event brings together Muslim leaders, advocates, students and community members from across the New Jersey to engage directly with their state legislators.

WHAT: 7th Annual Muslim Day of Advocacy.

WHEN: Thursday, September 24, at 10 a.m. ET

WHERE: 145 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 (State House Annex)

WHO: Council on American Islamic Relations NJ (CAIR-NJ); CAIR Action NJ; ICNA Council for Social Justice; Emgage Action NJ; Muslim Civic Coalition NJ; Palestinian American Community Center; American Muslims for Palestine NJ; Indian American Muslim Council; New Jersey Muslim Voters League; Muslim Ummah of North America

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:

  • Divesting New Jersey pension funds from Israeli bonds
  • Updating New Jersey Learning Standards to require a Muslim Studies Curriculum to counter Islamophobia in schools
  • Ranked Choice Voting in Municipal and School Board Elections
  • New Jersey Reparations
  • Accommodations for Fasting Students
  • Yes In God’s Backyard

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

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

END

Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

CAIR-NJ Reflects on 25 Years Since 9/11 Attack, Recognizes Legacy of New Jersey Muslim Leader

CAIR-NJ Reflects on 25 Years Since 9/11 Attack, Recognizes Legacy of New Jersey Muslim Leader
 
(NEWARK, NJ – 09/11/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, reflects on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took almost 3,000 lives, 750 of them from New Jersey. CAIR-New Jersey also today honored the memory of Tariq Amanullah, a New Jersey Muslim community leader who was one of 60 Muslims reportedly killed in the attack.
Tariq Amanullah was the father of two and a Vice President at Fiduciary Trust, located on the 96th floor of the South Tower. After the second plane struck, he phoned his wife to say he was wrapping up and would be down soon. He was among the last trying to get out.
 
Tariq was treasurer of Islamic Circle of North America’s (ICNA) New Jersey Chapter, a founding member of 877-Why-Islam hotline, and the founder of Muslim Family Day at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. His colleagues’ last memory of him is from that very event – the Great Muslim Adventure Day – held just two days before he was killed. They remember a humble, soft-spoken man with a distinctive smile.
While the Muslim community lost loved ones on that day, our community writ large carried the blame of the attack. Among the 60 Muslims reportedly killed in the attacks were first responders, service staff, and professionals. Yet as American Muslim families grieved their loved ones, some of them endured backlash from individuals looking to blame the entire Muslim community for a crime they had nothing to do with. FBI-reported anti-Muslim hate crimes leapt from 28 in 2000 to 481 in 2001 – a seventeen fold spike. They have never fallen back to where they were.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“On this 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation, we remember the 2,977 men, women and children who were murdered by Al-Qaeda on that day, including 750 of our neighbors from New Jersey. We honor their memories, including the memory of Tariq Amanullah, a New Jersey Muslim community pioneer whose legacy has endured in the 25 years since that terrible day.
“Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks sparked a wave of hate crimes against American Muslims and people perceived to be Muslim, including Sikhs, that hate is on the rise again. We must honor the legacy of those who were killed on Sep. 11, 2001 by respecting and uplifting each other, and standing against all forms of injustice. Today we honor the lives lost, we remember the legacy of the first responders and all the ordinary people whose acts of service saved so many lives, and we work to live by their example.”
 
END   
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238
Press Releases
Afsara Ahmed

Video: Late CAIR-NJ Board Chairwoman Sister Cynthia Brown Honored in Congress

 

Video: Late CAIR-NJ Board Chairwoman Sister Cynthia Brown Honored in Congress

(NEWARK, NJ – 9/1/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomed Congresswoman LaMonica McIver’s moving floor speech honoring CAIR-NJ’s late Board Chairwoman Sister Cynthia Brown.

SEE: Tribute to Sister Cynthia Brown in Congress

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

END  

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

Press Releases
Afsara Ahmed

CAIR-NJ Files Ethics Complaint Against SOMA Administrator Over Gifted Free Israel Trip, Calls for Investigation, and End to “Propaganda Trips”

CAIR-NJ Files Ethics Complaint Against SOMA Administrator Over Gifted Free Israel Trip, Calls for Probe, End to ‘Propaganda Trips’
 
(NEWARK, NJ – 8/26/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced it filed an ethics complaint against South Orange Maplewood (SOMA) Administrator, Frank Sanchez, for allegedly accepting a gift of free travel to Israel in violation of New Jersey’s School Ethics Code.
The complaint, filed with the School Ethics Commission of New Jersey, cites a violation of the School Ethics Act, which states that school administrators must not accept gifts with the purpose of influencing their official duties.
BACKGROUNDER:
 
Frank Sanchez, principal at Columbia High School in SOMA, accepted a previously undisclosed gift of free travel to Israel in January 2024. OPRA records reviewed by CAIR-NJ show the invitation listed the trip as a fully reimbursed and organized trip to Israel for state legislators, educators, and community leaders.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“As Principal, Frank Sanchez holds direct authority over how sensitive topics such as Israel and Palestine are handled in school. When an administrator with that level of influence allegedly accepts an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel organized and funded by an organization with a clear goal of shaping public opinion in favor of Israel, the public has every right to ask whether that judgment has been compromised.
 
“Beyond the legal concerns, this issue is a moral one. Those in positions of authority set a bad example when they accept a free propaganda trip to a nation currently carrying out a genocide, as recognized by the U.N. Commission on Inquiry, and various human rights organizations.
 
“As violence against the people of Palestine continues unabated, New Jersey officials entrusted with educating children should recognize this trip for what it is: an effort to shape the narrative around Israel and Palestine in our public schools. It is beyond unacceptable to accept such a gift and attend such a trip.”
 
The CAIR-NJ letter states in part:
“Under New Jersey’s School Ethics Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24(c) and (e)), a school official’s acceptance of substantial privately funded benefits from an organization whose advocacy interests bear directly on matters within the official’s authority raises a serious concern of an ethics violation and warrants the Commission’s review. Accepting all-expenses-paid trips of this kind undermines the independence, objectivity, transparency, and public trust that the School Ethics Act is designed to protect. 
 
“For the reasons set forth below, we respectfully ask the Department and the Commission to review this practice, investigate whether any applicable ethics or disclosure requirements were violated, and issue clear guidance to the District and to districts statewide so that public confidence in school governance may be preserved.” 
CAIR-NJ Addressed their Letter to Brigid Martens, Director New Jersey Department of Education, Chairperson Dennis Roberts, and Members of the School Ethics Commission.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END   
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238
Press Releases
Naureen Akhter

CAIR-NJ Celebrates: New Jersey Leads the Nation in Number of Muslim Elected Officials

CAIR-NJ Celebrates: New Jersey Leads the Nation in Number of Muslim Elected Officials 

(NEWARK, NJ – 8/21/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, celebrates New Jersey once again leading the nation in the number of Muslims elected to public office.  

The finding was published this week in CAIR’s newly released annual report, the 2026 Directory of Elected Muslim Officials, which tracks the growing political participation and electoral success of American Muslims across the country. 

SEE: CAIR, CAIR Action Identify 255 Muslim Elected Officials in New 2026 Directory  

The directory reported forty-six Muslims serving in public office in the state, from local school boards to municipal government and the New Jersey State legislature. This figure does not reflect the number of Muslims serving in judicial roles, as judges in New Jersey are appointed rather than elected.   

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

“New Jersey is among the states with the highest Muslims per capita. While we are proud that our political representation reflects our community’s breadth, we still have a long way to go to fully realize our civic aspirations: to enact policies that address our community’s needs, to push back on institutional Islamophobia, and to protect our right to free speech.”   

“Our community is not simply a constituency to be spoken about; we are voters, organizers, advocates, candidates, and public servants helping shape the future of our state.  

“This representation reflects a community that understands that democracy works best when we participate in it, and it should inspire even more Muslims to make their voices heard and take an active role in civic life.” 

CAIR-NJ is committed to advancing civic participation across the state: from our Vote For Justice initiative to register and educate Muslim voters, to our annual Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive where we train the next generation of leaders, and to the workshops and resources delivered throughout the state on civic education.  

SEE: CAIR-NJ Vote For Justice 

SEE: Muslim Youth Leadership Intensive 

SEE: 2026 Congressional Tracker 

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

END   

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