Meet the Team:
Meet the Team:
Cair at a glance: National & NJ
The Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Each chapter is overseen by a board of directors and managed by an executive director, with fundraising and programs separate from CAIR National, while the network utilizes a Shura for major decision-making and representing the CAIR brand.
The New Jersey Chapter (CAIR-NJ), established in 2002 and currently based in Newark since 2023, carries forward this mission throughout its jurisdiction in New Jersey. As civil rights challenges have escalated statewide, CAIR‑NJ has broadened its volunteer network and partnered with local organizations to ensure every New Jersey resident can access essential legal aid and educational outreach. The chapter offers “Know Your Rights” workshops, provides legal support in discrimination and civil rights cases, and partners on community outreach and interfaith initiatives to uphold the constitutional rights of all individuals and communities across the state.
Civil rights complaints increased 249% from 2019 – 2024
Enhancing the Understanding of Islam
Promoting Justice
CAIR-NJ actively engages with the media to ensure that a fair and accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presented to the American public. This is accomplished through media appearances, press conferences, opinion editorials and letters to the editor. In addition, CAIR New Jersey provides training to community members, media professionals, and employers. Media professionals are engaged In discussions about working with the Muslim community, with the purpose of helping to create an environment where fair and balanced journalism can thrive. The Muslim community is educated on working with the media to assert their rights and respond with confidence when met with requests for interviews.
Protecting the rights of New Jersey Muslims is at the core of CAIR New Jersey’s mission. We work vigorously to educate on behalf of community members experiencing discrimination and remedy cases through in-person negotiations, from filing charges of discrimination, letter writing, and referrals to our attorney referral network. Cases range from employment, public accommodation and school discrimination, to hate crimes and governmental religious/racial profiling.
Enhancing the Understanding of Islam
CAIR-NJ actively engages with the media to ensure that a fair and accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presented to the American public. This is accomplished through media appearances, press conferences, opinion editorials and letters to the editor. In addition, CAIR New Jersey provides training to community members, media professionals, and employers. Media professionals are engaged In discussions about working with the Muslim community, with the purpose of helping to create an environment where fair and balanced journalism can thrive. The Muslim community is educated on working with the media to assert their rights and respond with confidence when met with requests for interviews.
Promoting Justice
Protecting the rights of New Jersey Muslims is at the core of CAIR New Jersey’s mission. We work vigorously to educate on behalf of community members experiencing discrimination and remedy cases through in-person negotiations, from filing charges of discrimination, letter writing, and referrals to our attorney referral network. Cases range from employment, public accommodation and school discrimination, to hate crimes and governmental religious/racial profiling.
What We Do:
What We Do:
