The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is reporting that it submitted a formal statement and briefing materials to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. It said these materials rebutted anti-Muslim hate planned for a congressional hearing titled "Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution: Part II." CAIR designated the "Sharia-Free America Caucus," which organized the hearing, as an anti-Muslim hate group, stating its members have called for banning Islam and expelling American Muslims. The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations also submitted a formal statement condemning the hearing as discriminatory hate.
Robert S. McCaw, CAIR Government Affairs Department Director, said the hearing is an attack on the American Muslim community and the First Amendment. He stated it is part of a broader political campaign to use American Muslims as a "boogeyman" to win Republican primaries and distract conservatives. McCaw called on Republican and Democratic leaders to reject the anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories promoted through the hearing. CAIR noted this second "Sharia hoax" hearing follows a previous one that failed to gain significant public attention or support on Capitol Hill.
Separately, CAIR called on the sponsors of "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving" to expand its speakers list. It said any event associated with the nation's 250th birthday must celebrate the equal and unique nature of religious life in the United States.
CAIR-NJ welcomed the Rutgers University Senate's censure of a dean for canceling a speaker over opposition to "Israeli genocide." Naureen Akhter, Public Affairs Director at CAIR-NJ, said the censure was a principled stand against censorship and urged the administration to reverse the decision.
CAIR-LA welcomed the Pasadena City Council's vote to amend its investment policy, which prohibits funding for weapons manufacturers and private prisons. Aliya Yousufi, CAIR-LA Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager, said the vote demonstrated the power of community advocacy and hoped other city councils would follow Pasadena's example.
CAIR-NY raised concerns over a delayed New York Police Department response to a violent assault involving a Muslim man near the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. Afaf Nasher, CAIR-NY Executive Director, said the delay raises urgent questions about how such incidents are handled and noted the Muslim community's distrust in law enforcement's response.