The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) expressed profound disappointment and disgust after anti-Muslim comments were posted from a Capital Region restaurant's social media account following the tragic death of 7-year-old Muslim child Harbe Nagi.
The post, which reportedly attacked Islam and Muslims while commenting on the child's death, was later deleted, and the restaurant owner issued an apology. "To God we belong, and to God is our return. We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Harbi Naji’s family during this difficult time of mourning," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.
Nasher also expressed anguish over the "callous remarks exploiting this tragedy to spread anti-Muslim hate," emphasizing that no grieving family should have to face this kind of cruelty in the midst of unimaginable loss. She added that despite the apology, the incident highlights how Islamophobia remains deeply embedded in public discourse, surfacing even during moments that should unite communities in grief and compassion.
This incident follows a pattern of CAIR condemning hate rhetoric, including calls for Wisconsin leaders to repudiate U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden's anti-Muslim bigotry and for Congress to rebuke U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer for racist remarks targeting Somali Americans. CAIR's latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025, the highest number recorded since 1996.
Separately, CAIR welcomed the Presbyterian Church's decision to recognize the "reality of Israel’s genocide in Gaza" and expressed concern over the alleged censorship of Middle East conflict instruction in Sharon Public Schools, advocating for academic freedom and fair discussion.