The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is reporting that it commended Democratic members of Congress for defending American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a recent House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” It said CAIR condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide. CAIR submitted a formal statement and briefing materials ahead of the hearing, rebutting what it called “anti-Muslim conspiracy theories” and warning that the proceedings risked legitimizing discrimination. CAIR said the Republican-led hearing falsely portrayed ordinary American Muslim religious life, including mosques, Muslim schools, and halal food, as evidence of a supposed civilizational threat to the United States. Robert S. McCaw, CAIR Government Affairs Director, stated the hearing was “not a serious constitutional discussion” but a “spectacle built around anti-Muslim conspiracy theories.” He thanked Subcommittee Ranking Member Mary Gay Scanlon, Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Sydney Kamlager-Dove for defending the Constitution and religious freedom. CAIR also called a federal court’s decision to block U.S. sanctions against UN human rights watchdog Francesca Albanese a “victory for free speech and human rights.” Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR Deputy Executive Director, said Albanese was “guilty of nothing except doing her job: exposing and challenging human rights abuses.” He urged the Trump administration to stop “shredding the First Amendment for the benefit of the Netanyahu regime.” Separately, CAIR welcomed an Indian court ruling allowing the hijab in schools, calling it an “important step toward restoring religious freedom and equal access to education for Muslim students in India.” It said policies targeting the hijab stigmatize Muslim women and girls. CAIR urged the State Department to designate India a “country of particular concern” due to the “far-right Hindutva government” persecuting Muslims and other religious minorities. CAIR-CT called on Connecticut lawmakers to condemn and act against reported sexual violence and torture against Palestinians by Israel. Farhan Memon, CAIR-CT Chairman, said lawmakers have a “political, human and moral obligation” to publicly stand against these abuses and called for investigations and accountability. The Maryland office of CAIR marked the end of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session by releasing its annual legislative round-up, highlighting advocacy efforts and policy victories. It thanked lawmakers, advocates, and community partners for their work.
