The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today announced that it is filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights asking for an investigation into whether or not the University of Michigan is in compliance with its obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as well as its obligations under a Consent Resolution the University entered into with the Office of Civil Rights in June of this year.
That complaint comes following a leaked audio recording of University President Santa Ono claiming that universities are being forced to treat Islamophobia on campus in a “very unbalanced way.”
CAIR-MI, a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, in the leaked audio of the University of President Santa Ono, reportedly admitted that Islamophobia on campus is a problem that is being treated in an unbalanced way by universities, including University of Michigan, due to pressure from congress and “powerful groups.”
SEE: Leaked audio reveals U-M President pressured to prioritize antisemitism over islamophobia
In a statement, CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure said:
“We urge President Ono to do what is right and ensure that the University of Michigan is in compliance with its obligations under federal and state law to ensure that no students, staff, or faculty experience a hostile environment on campus due to Islamophobia or anti-Arab bias.
“There can be no excuse or exceptions for the University of Michigan’s failure to address Islamophobia on campus simply because of pressure from powerful groups or politicians with political agendas.
“CAIR-MI has repeatedly called on the University of Michigan and President Santa Ono to take action to quell Islamophobia on campus since the incidents on October 7 last year. However, all of our requests have gone unanswered, and instead we witnessed a growing hostility toward Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians, South Asians, and allied students in the form of unfair discipline and targeting of peaceful protestors by the University’s law enforcement officers and security personnel.”
“It’s time for the University of Michigan to do what is right and make a full commitment that all students, regardless of religion, ethnicity or national origin, have a safe and equitable environment to learn and live,” said CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces, Zaynah Jadallah. “The University of Michigan can no longer hide the fact that they have failed to address the needs of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian students on campus due to political and monetary pressure. Public universities owe it to their students to be brave in the face of pressure while modeling good citizenship by doing what is right, even when it is hard.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com; CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces, Zaynah Jadallah, 313-288-9066, zjadallah@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has reached a settlement in its case against Lodi Township on behalf of Masjid Al-Farook. The settlement will allow for the establishment of the first Muslim place of worship in the township.
Earlier this year, CAIR-MI filed a lawsuit on behalf of Masjid Al-Farook under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) alleging that Lodi Township’s zoning scheme made it impossible to establish a place of worship within the township.
SEE: Muslim group sues Washtenaw County township over mosque dispute
“CAIR-MI is pleased to announce a settlement with Lodi Township that will allow Muslims in the community to establish a house of worship for the first time,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “This settlement with the township signals that they are willing to work with the Muslim community to protect and enforce their right to have a place of worship in their own hometown. We are hopeful that it will bring forth a strong partnership between the Muslim community and Lodi township.”
“Gone are the days when a municipality can create and enforce zoning regulations that burden or prohibit religious places of worship within their limits,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “Not only did Lodi Township enter into an agreement to allow Masjid Al-Farook to have a place of worship, but they have also revamped their entire zoning scheme to comply with their obligations under federal law and the U.S. Constitution. We welcome these changes and look forward to seeing Masjid Al-Farook open its doors.”
BACKGROUNDER:
In the lawsuit filed earlier this year, CAIR-MI alleges that Lodi Township violated (RLUIPA) when it amended its zoning scheme in 2019 to require new religious communities to acquire a rezoning for their land in order to establish a place of worship.
The lawsuit further alleged that the township permitted only one rezoning for a Christian place of worship that was already in existence to expand, but after more than two years, had refused to make a decision on a 2021 application for rezoning for Masjid Al-Farook, with the Lodi Township Planning Commission eventually making a recommendation to deny the application. Around the time the lawsuit was filed, Lodi Township amended its zoning ordinance to allow religious institutions to develop places of worship as a right in certain districts.
However, according to the lawsuit, when the township amended its zoning ordinance to permit religious institutions, it did so in a way that would have prohibited Masjid Al-Farook from using the land they had purchased that was the subject of the application for rezoning.
In the lawsuit CAIR-MI alleges that a Muslim CBP Officer was denied a religious accommodation by his direct supervisor that was later granted by the national office.
According to the lawsuit, after the Officer received the accommodation, his direct supervisor began retaliating against the Officer by targeting him for unfair discipline and stripping him of his law enforcement credentials. As a result of the unfair discipline, the Muslim Officer suffered lost overtime opportunities and a loss of reputation amongst his co-workers.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has reached a settlement in its employment discrimination lawsuit filed against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of a Muslim employee who alleged he was retaliated against with unfair discipline after complaining that he was denied a religious accommodation to maintain a beard in accordance with his sincerely-held religious beliefs.
Earlier this year, CAIR-MI filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Muslim American CBP Officer after he complained that he was unfairly disciplined resulting in loss of wages and benefits after complaining that he was denied a religious accommodation by his supervisor to maintain a beard in accordance with his Islamic faith.
SEE: Muslim CBP Officer Says He Was Punished for Keeping Beard
“CAIR-MI is happy to announce a full and satisfactory settlement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on behalf of the Muslim CBP officer that includes monetary compensation, guaranteed religious accommodations, and training for administrators at the Detroit CBP offices,” said CAIR-MI’s Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “We hope that with this settlement and the underlying religious accommodations training that CBP will take the necessary steps to ensure that no employee is ever retaliated against for enforcing their right to practice their sincerely-held religious beliefs.”
“All employees, including federal employees, have a right to a reasonable accommodation for their sincerely held religious beliefs, it is a fundamental guarantee of our Constitution,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “When individuals are entrusted with security our border, we must be able to guarantee that they can carry out their job without the influence of their own personal biases. In this case, we are hopeful that this settlement will not only guarantee that our client will be made whole and have the accommodations to which he is entitled but also be a catalyst for ensuring that CBP management will have the tools necessary to ensure everyone at the border, including officers, are treated equitably.”
She noted that CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
BACKGROUNDER:
In the lawsuit CAIR-MI alleges that a Muslim CBP Officer was denied a religious accommodation by his direct supervisor that was later granted by the national office. According to the lawsuit, after the Officer received the accommodation, his direct supervisor began retaliating against the Officer by targeting him for unfair discipline and stripping him of his law enforcement credentials. As a result of the unfair discipline, the Muslim Officer suffered lost overtime opportunities and a loss of reputation amongst his co-workers.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
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Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on CNN to retract and apologize for a false claim that Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) said that the state’s Attorney General Dana Nessel was biased in her prosecution of anti-genocide protesters “because she’s Jewish.”
In a discussion yesterday with CNN host Dana Bash, the network’s political director David Chalian said: “It’s not very hard to say that Rashida Tlaib saying that Dana Nessel is pursuing charges because she’s Jewish is an antisemitic thing to say, it is.”
Bash also – in the context of the interview – falsely characterized Rep. Tlaib’s remarks as “antisemitism.”
VIDEO: CNN Falsely Claims Rep. Rashida Tlaib Said AG is Biased Because She’s Jewish
Previously CNN host Jake Tapper said: “Congresswoman Tlaib is suggesting that she shouldn’t be prosecuting these individuals that Nessel says broke the law and that she’s only doing it because she’s Jewish and the protesters are not. That’s quite an accusation.”
VIDEO: CAIR-MI Welcomes Gov. Whitmer Declining to Back Prosecution of Anti-Genocide Protesters
What Rep. Tlaib actually said was: “It seems that the Attorney General decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.”
FACT-CHECK: Tlaib did not say Nessel charged pro-Palestinian protesters because she’s Jewish
SEE: Rashida Tlaib Targeted Over Made-Up Quote
“CNN made a misstatement of fact that needs to be retracted if the network is to maintain its journalistic credibility,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Congresswoman Tlaib should also be offered a public apology for falsely claiming she is antisemitic.”
Walid also said that given the number of threats that Rep. Tlaib has received in her office this year, such misstatements through national media place her safety in jeopardy.
BACKGROUNDER:
Yesterday, CAIR-MI condemned the “blatant and hateful” hoax perpetrated by the rightwing outlet Jewish Insider and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who have falsely claimed that Rep. Tlaib accused Nessel of prosecuting 11 anti-genocide protesters at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor because she is Jewish. Tlaib never made such a comment.
The defamatory lie apparently originated in an article written by Josh Kraushaar and published in Jewish Insider. Attorney General Nessel sparked outrage by tweeting the same false claim against Rep. Tlaib and labeling the statement that Tlaib never made “antisemitic.”
Rep. Tlaib’s comments made no mention of Nessel being Jewish, but that there was possible bias against the Palestinian cause within the Attorney General’s office. Of the 11 protesters prosecuted by Nessel’s office, only 3 of them are Muslim and some of them are Jewish.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) entering into a consent agreement with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to take remedial actions after a school counselor at Tappan Middle School allegedly told a student that she does “not negotiate with terrorists,” in November 2023.
CAIR-MI welcomed the OCR Resolution detailing findings that the district had failed to comply with its obligations under Title VI to investigate the complaints of the Tappan Middle School Student and further failed to take steps to “reasonably calculated to redress any hostile for the student, and others affected,” by the counselor’s comments.
CAIR-MI further welcomed AAPS entering into a Consent Resolution Agreement with the OCR to address the concerns of the student, his family, and the OCR related to the findings. Pursuant to the agreement, AAPS will have to provide counseling services to the student and perform a climate assessment. Following the assessment, AAPS will be required to report back to the OCR a proposed plan aimed at addressing any identified problems with a racially hostile environment in AAPS.
“CAIR-MI welcomes the findings of the Office of Civil Rights and the agreement of Ann Arbor Public Schools to take the steps necessary to ensure that students of all national origins and faiths feel welcome and safe within every school in the district,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “We hope that this consent resolution will begin the process of healing for the student and his family as well as be the catalyst for a more inclusive and welcoming environment for Palestinian and Arab students in the district.”
“Schools have an affirmative legal duty to ensure that every student can come to school in a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for learning. The finding by the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights is a reaffirmation of that duty and a reminder that when schools fail in that duty, they will be held accountable,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure.
BACKGROUNDER:
In December 2023, CAIR-MI filed a complaint with the Department of Civil Rights Office of Civil Rights on behalf of a Palestinian American student and his family after the student reported that a counselor at Tappan Middle School, part of the Ann Arbor Public School district, refused to allow him to leave the office for a drink of water allegedly telling him it was because she “didn’t negotiate with terrorists.”
SEE: Advocacy group alleges Ann Arbor school counselor made discriminatory remark against Muslim student
According to the student, he was in the office waiting to see his eighth-grade student counselor when he asked a different counselor to leave the office for a drink of water. When the counselor advised that he could not leave and he inquired as to why, the student reports that the counselor replied, “Because I don’t negotiate with terrorists.” The student immediately told the counselor that he was offended and felt that her comments were biased. However, according to the student, the counselor engaged the confirmation of another adult in the office who indicated that she also used that term all the time against her children.
After the family of the student made several formal complaints to the school administration as well as the AAPS school board and received no satisfactory response, they contacted CAIR-MI who promptly filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) related to this incident.
In January 2024, the Office of Civil Rights announced the opening of a formal investigation against the Ann Arbor Public School district in response to CAIR-MI’s complaint.
SEE: U.S. Department of Education opens investigation into AAPS over alleged Islamaphobic incident
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declining to back the recent prosecutions of anti-genocide protesters at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
When Governor Whitmer was questioned on CNN yesterday about Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s (D-MI) criticism of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s prosecution of eleven anti-genocide protestors at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Whitmer declined to criticize Tlaib nor support the prosecutions.
Governor Whitmer stated:
“I can just say this: You know, we do want to make sure that students are safe on our campuses, and we recognize that every person has the right to make their statement about how they feel about an issue, a right to speak out. And I’m going to use every lever of mine to ensure that both are true.”
“We welcome Governor Whitmer declining to support the stifling of freedom of speech through prosecutions, and her verbal support that all people including anti-genocide student protesters have the right to feel safe at the University of Michigan,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid also stated that CAIR-MI echoes other community leaders’ demand for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to drop charges against the UofM Eleven for their protesting against genocide in Gaza by the Israeli military. Walid noted that only three of the eleven are Muslims and that a number of those charged are Jewish Americans.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
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Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
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CONTACT: Our office – CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today decried remarks by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and others who mischaracterized Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s recent criticism of the prosecution of 11 anti-genocide protesters at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor as “antisemitic.”
Michigan Attorney General Nessel recently tweeted that Rep. Tlaib’s (D-MI) criticism of her prosecution of the anti-genocide protesters as “antisemitic” because she is Jewish, despite no such statement from Tlaib.
CNN host Jake Tapper yesterday, in questioning Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, reinforced that false claim by asking:
“Do you think that Tlaib’s suggestion that Nessel’s office is biased was antisemitic?…“Do you think Attorney General Nessel is not doing her job?… Congresswoman Tlaib is suggesting that she shouldn’t be prosecuting these individuals that Nessel says broke the law and that she’s only doing it because she’s Jewish and the protesters are not. That’s quite an accusation. Do you think it’s true?”
Rep. Tlaib previously stated, “It seems that the Attorney General decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.”
Rep. Tlaib’s comments made no mention of Nessel being Jewish, but that there was possible bias because the protesters were standing for the rights of Palestinians. Of the 11 protesters prosecuted by Nessel’s office, only 3 of them are Muslim and some of them are Jewish.
“It is shameful that Attorney General Nessel weaponized the term ‘antisemitic” against Congresswoman Tlaib because of her criticism of politically charged prosecutions of anti-genocide protesters, which includes members of the Jewish community,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Mischaracterizing dissent as ‘antisemitic’ in order to stifle concerns of biased prosecutions is not only undemocratic but takes attention away from real antisemitism that takes place in society.”
Walid noted that CAIR-MI has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of a reported hate crime against a Jewish student of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor which took place last week.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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CONTACT: Our office – CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today questioned the Michigan attorney general’s involvement in trespassing and other charges against 11 pro-Palestinian protesters who participated in an encampment at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that 11 persons, three of them being Muslims, were charged by her office relating to campus police dismantling an encampment in May of this year of protesters against the genocide of Gaza civilians committed by the Israeli military. Charges range from minor infractions such as active students allegedly committing trespassing to resisting and obstructing officers. Two individuals were also charged with ethnic intimidation for allegedly kicking flags of demonstrators.
Though Nessel purports that she “offered to review” this matter from local authorities due to its “multi-jurisdictional nature,” all of the charges related to the dismantling of the encampment in a public square on the university’s campus which is in Washtenaw County, not multiple municipalities and counties.
SEE: Attorney General Nessel Concludes Review of University of Michigan Protest Incidents, Charges 11
“Given the nature of the charges and the politics surrounding the circumstances, we question AG Nessel’s involvement in this case, which would be typically handled by a local prosecutor,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid also noted that Muslim students at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor have expressed concerns that they and peaceful pro-Palestinian allies on campus are subjected to disparate treatment by the university administration and law enforcement. He cited their concerns include that no such charges came against students who set seventeen intentional fires and committed property damage earlier this year after the University of Michigan won the football national championship earlier this year.
Earlier today CAIR’s national office designated Columbia University and the University of Texas–Austin as “institutions of particular concern” due to their hostile treatment of anti-genocide protesters.
Both universities join a growing list of academic institutions that have used draconian measures to silence anti-genocide and pro-Palestinian voices.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
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Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram–https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan –https://cairmichigan.com/donate
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the criminal sentencing of a Florida man to two years in federal prison for threatening a congressman and who also made death threats against CAIR-MI staffers.
Michael Shapiro of Florida was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for threatening to kill Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-FL) and his family in December of last year. In 2019, Shapiro pleaded guilty to making similar criminal threats to another person.
SEE: Florida man who left creepy voicemails and threatened to kill top Democrat and his young kids sentenced (Daily Mail)
Shapiro is also facing criminal charges for threatening CAIR-MI staffers when he called the office multiple times using expletives and made threats such as “Muslims! I’m going to kill you motherf——.”
SEE: Florida man Michael Shapiro threatened to kill Muslims in Metro Detroit, feds say (Detroit News)
“We welcome the sentencing to prison of Mr. Shapiro for his threats against Representative Swalwell and his family, and expect further prison time in future sentencing against him for the threats made against our staff,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid also stated that Shapiro’s comments coincided with the ongoing genocide in Gaza and that there is a direct correlation between political rhetoric which dehumanizes Palestinians and Muslims with hate crimes and acts of discrimination against Muslims in America.
Data recently released by CAIR shows that anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim bigotry remains elevated in the first half of 2024 just as the organization logged a record number from October 7, 2023, until the end of the year.
SEE New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today said the surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate that erupted last October continues in the first half of 2024. In the first half of 2024, CAIR-MI documented 239 complaints of discrimination, an eighty-one percent increase over the same period in 2023. Nationally, from January to June 2024 CAIR chapters saw a total of 4951 complaints an overall increase of sixty-nine percent over the same period in 2023.
“We continue to find a direct correlation between the crimes against humanity towards the people of Gaza since October 7 and increased anti-Muslim incidents in Michigan,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Policies of elected officials, rhetoric of candidates running for office along with victim blaming by some political pundits have a direct impact on Michigan Muslims as it relates to Islamophobia.”
CAIR asserts that the primary force behind this wave of heightened Islamophobia was the onset of the latest round of violence in Israel’s decades-long occupation and use of apartheid policies in Palestine in October of last year.
What CAIR labels the Biden-Backed Gaza Genocide Islamophobia wave continued through June, with incoming complaints not yet dropping to early 2023 levels. May’s surge was likely the result of university administrations cracking down on anti-genocide student protestors. Columbia University’s crackdown on its students was in April.
According to researchers at Princeton University, 95% of demonstrations occurring between October 7 and May 12 were peaceful, with “no reports of encampment protesters engaging in physical violence or destructive activity.”
Islamophobia in the U.S. comes in cycles, with the last two large waves generated by Donald Trump’s 2015 announcement and 2017 implementation of his Muslim ban. As we have noted previously, this wave exceeds the combined totals of incoming incidents received during those two cycles.
CAIR-MI’s Civil Rights Report “Gaza & the Rise in Bigotry Against Michigan Muslims.
SEE: https://cairmichigan.org/wpfd_file/2023-civil-rights-report-final-3-31-2024/
CAIR’s 2024 Civil Rights Report “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate” contains the institution’s 2023 numbers.
SEE: Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate
Educators and employers can obtain the relevant guide to Islamic religious practices to understand the basic religious needs of Muslims. These guides do not address political speech. We recommend those interested in discussing ways to preserve the integrity of academic freedom and the American tradition of protest contact CAIR’s research and advocacy department.
SEE: Guides to Islamic Religious Practices
For students and employees, CAIR produced guides to understand your rights and how to protect them.
SEE: CAIR’s Guide for Students Speaking Out Against Islamophobia and for Palestinian Rights
SEE ALSO: Employee Guidance: Speaking with Human Resources
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed condemnation by local officials of Howell, Michigan, of recent white supremacist activities in their city.
During the past weekend, two white supremacist rallies and actions took place in Howell, Michigan, in which persons reportedly voiced support for Adolf Hitler, Nazis, the KKK, and former President Donald Trump. In one of the rallies, white supremacists chanted, “We love Hitler. We love Trump.
“SEE: ‘We love Hitler. We love Trump.’ As Trump rallied in GR, white supremacists chanted in Howell (Livingston Daily)
Howell, which has long been considered the epicenter of white supremacist activity and the capital of the KKK in Michigan, carries the stigma of being a town that does not welcome racial and religious minorities.
SEE: Why is Howell considered the KKK capital of Michigan? (Michigan Public Radio)
“We welcome the condemnation of Howell officials regarding recent white supremacist activities in their town and commit to working with them to ensure that their community becomes more welcoming of racial and religious diversity,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “More proactive work needs to be done in Howell to project the message that the KKK and neo-Nazi adjacent activists are not welcome to propagate hate in their city limits.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of Hawraa Al-Aridhi, against the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) for alleged discrimination she faced when she was a corrections officer in 2021.
CAIR-MI’s lawsuit also alleges that MDOC failed to rehire Al-Aridhi following a medical leave in retaliation for her complaints of discrimination.
“Muslims should have the ability to go to work each day without fear that their religion, ethnicity or national origin will make them a target of hostility and poor treatment by co-workers and supervisors,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Dedication and hard work should be an avenue for success and advancement at any job. Unfortunately for Ms. Al-Aridhi and many other Muslims, hard work and dedication do not always overcome bias and discrimination.”
“Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was enacted to protect workers like Ms. Al-Aridhi from suffering discrimination and hostility at work because of her identity as a Muslim woman who was working in what has typically been seen as a male-oriented job,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure. “The law affords every worker the right to not only earn a good living but to advance in their career based on their merits regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnicity. CAIR-MI will continue to fight to enforce that right every time an employer appears to make decisions based not on merit, but on discriminatory intent.”
BACKGROUNDER:
Al-Aridhi is a Muslim Iraqi-American woman who wears the traditional Islamic headscarf known as “hijab.” She began working for MDOC in 2019 as a correction officer. The lawsuit alleges that Al-Aridhi was subjected to a hostile working environment at MDOC’s Macomb Correctional Facility due to her religion, ethnicity/national origin and gender. According to Al-Aridhi, in September of 2021, when she was promoted to acting sergeant and again in November of 2021 when she was interviewing with MDOC to become full sergeant, she was subjected to discriminatory treatment by a supervisor who was allegedly trying to keep her from being the only female and only Muslim sergeant at the facility.
According to the lawsuit, Al-Aridhi complained to officers within the facility that she was assigned and filed complaints with MDOC’s internal Equal Employment Office as well as the Michigan Department of Civil Rights regarding the treatment that she faced. The lawsuit further alleges that Al-Aridhi was demoted back to the status of a corrections officer in December of 2021 and as a result, she went out on medical leave due to stress.
In 2023, when MDOC started advertising that they had critical staffing shortages at their facilities, Al-Aridhi applied to return to work at the MDOC. According to the lawsuit, MDOC failed to rehire Al-Aridhi in retaliation for her 2021 complaints of discrimination. The lawsuit claims that MDOC has a history of re-hiring employees even when they have been terminated for disciplinary problems, yet in 2022 they refused to hire Al-Aridhi despite her stellar prior job performance and commendations.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a violent police raid that took place this morning in Detroit against Wayne State University (WSU) students at a peaceful encampment that led to the physical detainment of students and two Muslim women having their hijabs removed.
This morning around sunrise, WSU police officers with the support of the Detroit police raided an encampment of students who seek to raise awareness about ongoing war crimes against the people of Gaza and apartheid-like conditions that Palestinians live under.
Students reported to CAIR-MI that after minimal warning, officers encircled peace protesters not allowing them to retreat then swarmed them leading to several of them being violently detained.
Community members are currently protesting the actions of the police. Attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and CAIR-MI are on the scene.
SEE: Protests continue after Wayne State police clear Pro-Palestinian encampment on campus (Detroit News)https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2024/05/30/police-clear-wayne-state-pro-palestinian-encampment/73903734007/
Two Muslim women who were peacefully protesting were reportedly violently subdued, which led to their hijabs being removed. Video footage of the incident which was taken by students was shared with CAIR-MI.
“We condemn the violent raid against peaceful protesters at WSU by police officers, which appears to be politically motivated just as law enforcement quells political dissent under despotic regimes abroad,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “We call for all peaceful protesters who are being detained to be immediately released by law enforcement without charge and for the Michigan Attorney General Nessel to launch an investigation into today’s incident.”
Walid also stated that CAIR-MI will be exploring legal options against the university and all law enforcement departments involved.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomes the suspension of a Detroit Police Department (DPD) officer who used the xenophobic language of “Go back to Mexico” towards an Arab American at a recent protest in Detroit.
On Sunday, May 19th as peaceful protestors assembled outside of Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit to protest President Biden for his administration’s complicity in Israeli war crimes against Gazan civilians, a DPD officer told an Arab American protestor of Palestinian heritage to “Go back to Mexico.” The protestor recently returned from a family vacation in Mexico and believes that her social media was surveilled by the department.
The officer has since been suspended from the department as it investigates the xenophobic incident.
SEE: ‘Go back to Mexico’: Video captures racist remark from officer during Biden protest in Detroit (WDIV – Channel 4)
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/05/20/go-back-to-mexico-video-captures-racist-remark-from-officer-during-biden-protest-in-detroit/
“We welcome DPD’s swift suspension of the officer for his xenophobic comment and expect transparency once the department concludes its investigation,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Such xenophobic comments from a police officer in Detroit which has a robust Mexican American community in Southwest Detroit have no place in our city.”
Walid also calls DPD to have further discussions with CAIR-MI in regards to how the department polices such protests including appropriate cultural sensitivity when dealing with the American Muslim and Arab American communities in Detroit. Furthermore, he voices CAIR-MI’s continued concerns about DPD surveillance and data mining of protestors who assemble in Detroit in general in regards to their peace and lawful 1st Amendment protected activities.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the introduction of a Michigan House Bill that would grant religious accommodations for postsecondary students regarding exams and other activities during significant days according to their faith traditions.
Michigan House Bill 5656 of 2024, which was introduced yesterday, would grant students in postsecondary educational institutions reasonable religious accommodations to take examinations and other activities on alternative days to holy days and religious holidays without academic penalty. The bill also states that students would have up to three days for each academic term to attend religious activities without academic penalty.
Bill 5656 was sponsored by State Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-District 24), State Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-District 9), and State Representative Alabas Farhat (D-District 3).
SEE: House Bill 5656 of 2024
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2024-HB-5656
“We welcome the introduction of Bill 5656, which seeks to further protect the religious liberties of Michiganders of varying faith groups in postsecondary institutions,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Students seeking higher education should be free to attend communal prayers and gatherings on sacred days without fear of academic penalty.”
Walid stated that CAIR-MI plans to submit official testimony to the Michigan House regarding instances of exams taking place on Islamic holy days and how this bill when passed would accommodate Michigan’s robust Muslim community.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned racist and neo-Nazi messages on digital billboards in metro Detroit over the weekend celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
The message used coded language to deceive the billboard companies and to refer to Hitler, Nazis, and white supremacy. The billboard companies later apologized, saying the messages were purchased by “an organization that disguised itself and its purpose with deceptive imagery and wording…The group used silhouetted images, acronyms, and other deceptive tactics to get past our initial screening process.”
SEE: Racist billboards appeared across metro Detroit on Hitler’s birthday – Detroit Metro Times
In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said:
“We condemn this deceptive campaign to honor one of history’s worst mass murderers and to promote racism and white supremacy. All Americans must reject the hatred and bigotry these billboards represent.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist Material in Idaho
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan Chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Jackson County Sheriff’s Officials on behalf of a Muslim man who alleges that he has not been receiving adequate Ramadan accommodations while being housed at Jackson County Jail’s Wesley Road Jail facility.
CAIR-MI’s Complaint and Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order on behalf of Marving Owens alleges that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office officials and employees, along with Tiggs Canteen Services, Inc., have violated Owens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) for their alleged failure to provide nutritious and sufficiently caloric meals in a timely manner to Owens while he is observing the Ramadan fast.
In a statement CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid said:
“Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the private canteen service they have contracted with to provide religious diet accommodations to Muslims are accountable to those individuals who are in their custody, and by failing to provide adequately accommodations to fasting Muslims, they have not upheld their obligations under state and federal law. Despite their claims that they take the religious rights and physical health of fasting Muslims seriously, their unwillingness to meet, and their finger pointing prove otherwise. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office must immediately act to ensure that Mr. Owens, and other Muslims in their custody, are provided with healthy and sufficient meals at the beginning and end of their fast.”
In a statement CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, said:
“The U.S. Constitution and federal law act to protect the rights of everyone, even those who are convicted of committing crimes. The law requires that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office take steps to ensure that detainees in their custody can safely practice their sincerely held religious beliefs in fasting the month of Ramdan by providing them with sufficiently nutritious and caloric meals necessary to sustain their health and wellbeing.”
She noted that CAIR’s national office offers educational booklets, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” and “A Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to the Muslim Community,” to help law enforcement authorities gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
BACKGROUNDER:
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar which follows a lunar cycle. This year, Ramadan started on March 9th and will end around April 9, 2024. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe a fast by abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset each day.
Marving Owens, an African American Muslim man currently being housed in Jackson County Jail has alleged that for the first three days of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan he was not provided a pre-dawn meal known as suhoor nor was he provided a meal at sunset- iftar.
Owen states that he was forced to rely on his own limited supply of personal items that he had purchased from the commissary to sustain himself for those days. He further alleges that since he has begun receiving the predawn and sunset meals, that he has faced additional problems including receiving his meals up to two hours late and that the food he does receive does not contain sufficient nutrition or calories. According to representations by Owens, he has been provided about half of the 2,600 minimum calories which are standard for a man of his age and activity.
CAIR-MI attempted several times over a period of two weeks to attempt to resolve Owen’s complaints with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office prior to filing suit. Despite acknowledging many of the allegations made by Owens, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has failed to address the concerns of Mr. Owen’s related to the timing of meals or the amount of calories Owens is being provided.
CAIR-MI today filed a Complaint and Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order on behalf of Mr. Moore alleging that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office officials and employees along with Tiggs Canteen Services, Inc. have violated Owens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) for their alleged failure to provide nutritious and sufficiently caloric meals in a timely manner to Moore while he is observing the Ramadan fast.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations(CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s larges Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomes the arrest of Michael Shapiro, a Florida man who is accused of calling in death threats to the CAIR-MI offices in December.
Earlier this morning Mr. Shapiro, was arrested in his home in Florida by federal law enforcement agents and is scheduled to be arraigned in a federal court in Florida on three counts of Transmitting Threats Using an Interstate Commerce Device with a hate crime enhancement, stemming from calls he allegedly made to the offices of CAIR-MI threatening to kill CAIR-MI staffers.
In a series of calls and voicemails, the voice of a man believed to be Shapiro can be heard making Islamophobic and xenophobic statements including questioning why the staffers were in his country, telling them to “go back to Palestine,” and echoing statements of the Israeli government calling Muslims and Palestinians “animals.” Following each rant, the individual made explicit threats that he was going to kill everyone in the office. In total more than six calls and four voicemail threats were made over a two-week period in December 2023.
CAIR-MI promptly reported each threat to the Canton Police Department who took swift action to not only investigate the threats and get federal law enforcement involved, but to step up security for the CAIR-MI offices.
“CAIR-MI applauds the swift action of the Canton Police Department and federal law enforcement in investigating the threats to our office and identifying the person believed to be involved in making those threats. CAIR-MI further welcomes the arrest and criminal charges this morning of the individual believed to be the perpetrator of those hateful and violent calls.” Said, CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “Incidents of hate have increased against Muslims in Michigan and all throughout America since the events of October 7, 2023. This incident appears on its face to be driven by not only war on Gaza following October 7th, but also the immensely anti-Muslim media coverage that followed it.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on America Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights opening a formal investigation into Ann Arbor Public School’s handling of a Tappan Middle School counselor allegedly calling an eight-grade student a “terrorist” in November 2023.
In December 2023, CAIR-MI filed a complaint with the Department of Education on behalf of a Palestinian Muslim eight grade student at Tappan Middle School in Ann Arbor after he was allegedly called a “terrorist” by a sixth-grade counselor in November after asking to leave the office for drink of water. The family of the student had made formal complaints to the school and the school board after the incident, but the school failed to address the concerns of the family.
SEE: Advocacy group alleges Ann Arbor school counselor made discriminatory remark against Muslim student
“CAIR-MI welcomes the Office of Civil Rights opening a formal investigation into whether Ann Arbor Public Schools adequately addressed the alleged comments made by the counselor at Tappan Middle School,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “Calling a Palestinian Muslim student a ‘terrorist’ is a very offensive and hurtful comment that was compounded by the school board’s seeming lack of concern for the student when it was brought to their attention. We are hopeful that the Office of Civil Rights investigation will prompt Ann Arbor Public Schools to take this matter and those like it, seriously.”
“We are pleased that the Office of Civil Rights is taking this matter seriously and hope that it leads to some resolution that will ensure that no other students will have to attend school with educators that make biased comments,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “An investigation of this nature can have serious implications for the school district if it is found that they acted inappropriately, and we hope that the school district will finally recognize the seriousness of this matter and the harm that it caused the student.”
Last year, CAIR’s national office released and updated Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices.
SEE: CAIR’s Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations, (CAIR-MI) a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a Notice of Claim against the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Oakland County Sheriff Micheal Bouchard for the forcible removal of the hijab, or Islamic head scarf, of a Dearborn Muslim woman in August 2023 while she was detained in Oakland County Jail.
SEE: NOTICE OF CLAIM
“The wearing of that hijab is a sincerely-held religious belief of thousands of women in Michigan, including in Oakland County. The stripping of the religious head covering in front of men and creating a permanent public record of an image of the Muslim woman without her hijab is highly offensive,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “Oakland County Michigan is home to a large Muslim population and its public services should ensure that their respecting the religious rights of all its Muslim citizens. What took place in August 2023 at the Oakland County Jail falls significantly short of the Sheriff’s Office’s legal and ethical obligations to those they are tasked to protect and serve.”
“It is disheartening that we continue to see the abject violation of Muslim women’s constitutionally protected religious rights by Michigan’s law enforcement agencies,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “In this case, Oakland County Jail had policies in place that should have protected our client from the gross violation of her religious beliefs. However, as we see in this case, a policy is not sufficient, when it is not trained, followed and enforced by those in charge.”
She noted that CAIR’s national office offers educational booklets, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” and “A Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to the Muslim Community,” to help law enforcement authorities gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
BACKGROUNDER:
In August 2023, a Dearborn Muslim woman was arrested by Waterford Township Police Department and transferred to Oakland County Jail where she was processed after her arrest.
While in the custody of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was subjected to a cross-gender search of her person in front of three other male officers during which she was stripped of her hijab by a male officer.
The Dearborn woman was not allowed to obtain a hijab for the entirety of her stay at Oakland County jail and was paraded around the entire jail facility in front of male staff, officers and detainees without her hijab. In addition, the Dearborn Muslim woman was forced to take a booking photograph without her hijab that was later released to Oakland County Sheriff’s Offices’ public website. The Dearborn woman was later released without charge.
Earlier this month, CAIR-MI filed a federal lawsuit against Kent County and Kent County Sheriff for a Muslim woman who was forcibly stripped of her hijab for a booking photograph that was released to the internet.
SEE: Muslim woman sues Kent County for forced hijab removal for arrest booking photo
In 2022 and 2023 CAIR-MI settled several federal lawsuits against the City of Ferndale, the City of Detroit, and the MDOC for the forcible removal of Muslim women’s hijabs for booking photos.
SEE: Ferndale Police settle with Muslim woman over hijab removal lawsuit
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/ferndale-police-settle-with-muslim-woman-over-hijab-removal-lawsuit
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
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Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
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Donate to CAIR-Michigan
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against Kent County, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and Kent County Sheriff, Michelle LaJoye-Young, over the forcible removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab (religious head covering) in 2023 when she was arrested and detained in Kent County Jail.
In 2023, Jannah Hague was arrested at her home while wearing a hijab and was taken to the Kent County Jail where she was forced to remove her hijab for a booking photo that was later published on the Kent County Sheriff’s Office public website. Hague was later released from Kent County Jail without charge.
Shortly after her arrest, CAIR-MI issued a notice of claim to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office informing them of the civil rights violation suffered by Ms. Hague and requesting compensation.
SEE: Muslim woman from Grand Rapids to sue after being forced to remove hijab for mugshot
CAIR-MI has attempted to resolve this issue with Kent County Sheriff’s Office by attending meetings and sending correspondence but has been unsuccessful. As of the filing of this instant lawsuit, Hague’s photograph without her hijab remains on law enforcement databases where it was uploaded by Kent County creating a permanent public record of her hijabless photograph.
Kent County Sheriff’s Office still maintains the same policy, pattern and practice of photographing Muslim women without their hijab and uploading it to law enforcement databases that led to the public release of Hague’s photo causing real concern for the Muslim population in Kent County and its surrounding areas that further civil rights violations could occur.
“The filing of today’s federal lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Hague is an attempt to protect her from further harm should her image be once again publicly released,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “We are going to hold Kent County responsible to the fullest extent possible for not only their violation of Ms. Hague’s rights, but their continued disregard for the harm that it caused her when her photo was released, as well as for their insistence on a policy that so clearly threatens to violate the rights of any religiously-observant woman that the Sheriff’s Office may encounter and detain.”
She noted that CAIR’s national office offers educational booklets, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” and “A Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to the Muslim Community,” to help law enforcement authorities gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
“Ms. Hague did not lose her rights to religious observance simply because she was arrested and detained by Kent County Sheriff’s Office,” said, CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “The Bill of Rights was enacted specifically to protect individuals from the overreach of our government especially at times when they are involved with law enforcement and are at their most vulnerable to the types of violations that Ms. Hague endured when she was arrested by Kent County Sheriff’s Office.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) against the Ann Arbor Public School District following an incident at Tappan Middle School in Ann Arbor in which a counselor allegedly referred to an 8th grade student as a “terrorist.”
“The words of the guidance counselor referring to an 8th grade student as a ‘terrorist’ were not only discriminatory, but also deeply painful to the student,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “For the school administration and school district to be so dismissive of the pain and harm this caused the student and his family is equally hurtful. The school district has an obligation to ensure that those employed to interact and guide our young children do so in a manner that is free from bias and discrimination, and to ensure that when discriminatory comments such as these are made, that action is taken to ensure the wellbeing of the children affected. That has not happened in this case.”
“Students in the public school system are entitled to learn in an environment that is safe from discrimination and bias,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure. “The Ann Arbor Public School District has failed to protect the mental wellbeing of its Muslim and Palestinian students by not acting following the apparently discriminatory comments by the sixth-grade counselor at Tappan Middle School and those who sided with her in front of a student who was harmed by the hurtful comments. We are asking the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights to investigate the counselor and the lack of action of the school board.”
BACKGROUND:
On November 14th an eight-grade Palestinian Muslim student at Tappan Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan was reportedly waiting to speak with his guidance counselor when he asked the sixth-grade counselor if he could leave the office to get a drink of water. The sixth-grade counselor allegedly told the student that he could not leave to get a drink of water because she “did not negotiate with terrorists.” The student immediately complained to the counselor that he felt that her comments were discriminatory and inappropriate based on his religion and ethnicity. The guidance counselor, instead of apologizing, reportedly elicited participation from other counselors who confirmed that they too do not negotiate with terrorist and that they often use that phrase with other students.
As a result of the alleged comments of the counselors and staff at Tappan Middle School, the eight-grade student is no longer comfortable attending the school or participating in meetings in the counselor’s office. When complaints were made to the school, and to the school board, the school seemingly took no action and indicated that it was a private personnel matter and that they consider the issue closed. Since the family’s complaint, no action has been taken to ensure the mental wellbeing of the Muslim student, and the counselor is still working in the school.
CAIR-MI has reached out to the school administrators and the school district but were told that they have handled the matter privately as a personnel matter. The district has not expressed any interest in meeting with the student or his family despite repeated requests. CAIR-MI is speaking out on behalf of the family and has been asked to keep their name private for fear of retaliation.
Since the incidents on Oct. 7, CAIR-MI has experienced an over 300 percent increase in complaints of discrimination in comparison to the same period in 2022. The vast majority, nearly 45 percent, are related to incidents in public schools and universities. Nearly 15 percent of all intakes received at CAIR-MI in the first 60 days following Oct. 7 were related to Islamophobic or Anti-Arab comments made by public school teachers and staff similar to those made at Tappan Middle School on Nov. 14.
Earlier this month, CAIR’s national office released civil rights data showing that it has received a “staggering” 2,171 complaints amid an ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.
SEE: CAIR Received ‘Staggering’ 2,171 Complaints Over Past Two Months as Islamophobia, Anti-Palestinian Hate ‘Spin Out of Control’
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today expresses extreme concern about the recent decision by the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to prohibit two student assembly votes relating to the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of Gazans by the Israeli military.
CAIR-MI is also asking to speak about the issue at tomorrow’s Board of Regents meeting.
University students put forward two resolutions for a vote relating to the ongoing war crimes and ethnic cleansing currently taking place in Gaza. Assembly Resolution 13-025 called for the university to divest from companies that give support and supply the Israeli military.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor President, Santa Ono, said in a statement that the two resolutions would not be allowed to be voted upon which he characterized as stoking “fear, anger, and animosity on our campus.”
SEE: UM prohibits votes for 2 proposed student resolutions on Israel-Hamas war (Detroit News)
“We are extremely concerned about the University of Michigan stifling the voices of its students in what appears to be a tacit endorsement of the ongoing war crimes currently taking place in Gaza,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Unfortunately, the university which is supposed to be an environment for debating competing ideas, is undermining freedom of speech and conscience of its own student body and unduly favoring the feelings of some students over the concerns of many others.
Walid also stated that he sent a request last week to speak at tomorrow’s board of regents meeting about the prohibition of these two resolutions as well as to voice concerns from university parents about the current campus environment but was denied.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
CONTACT: Dawud Walid, CAIR-MI Executive Director, (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; Amy V. Doukoure, CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/8/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Michigan Chapter of CAIR (CAIR-MI) today condemned the House of Representatives for censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the lone Muslim Palestinian-American woman in Congress. She is being targeted for daring to support Palestinian human rights and calling for a ceasefire in response to Israel’s ruthless killing of more than 10,000 Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including more than 4,800 children.
Despite initial reports indicating that the vote would occur today, the vote to censure Congresswoman Tlaib took place clandestinely last night at 10:24 PM. The outcome saw 234 House Representatives voting “YES” to censure Tlaib, with 212 Republicans and 22 Democrats in agreement. On the other side, 188 House Representatives voted “NO” to censure Tlaib, consisting of 4 Republicans and 184 Democrats, while 4 House Representatives voted “PRESENT,” including 1 Republican and 3 Democrats.
Before the censure vote, Rep. Tlaib publicly rebuked the suppression of her voice, declaring, “I am the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, and my perspective is needed here now more than ever. I will not be silenced, and I will not let anyone distort my words.”
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The American Muslim community stands firmly with Representative Tlaib, whose voice is indispensable in representing the concerns of millions of American Muslims and others who are horrified by the war crimes our government supports against the Palestinians. She should wear this cowardly censure as a badge of honor. We will not be cowed by those attempting to muzzle our voices.
“Both Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives, who orchestrated the suppression and censure of the only Muslim Palestinian voice in Congress under the cover of darkness, should be deeply ashamed of their actions. They ought to pause and reflect on their behavior, questioning whether they genuinely support American Muslim and Arab American communities.”
In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said:
“Michigan Muslims proudly stand alongside Congresswoman Tlaib as she champions the human rights and dignity of all people, including Palestinians. This censure also represents a disgraceful form of political intimidation that establishes a perilous precedent. Following Congresswoman Omar’s similar censure for speaking truth to power in Washington, D.C., it reinforces the perception that any Muslim member of Congress who dares to challenge the establishment will face suppression.
“It is also deeply hypocritical that Congress acted swiftly to censure Representative Tlaib while hesitating to censure Representative Brian Mast for his racist comments, equating Palestinian civilians with Nazis. Such remarks not only endorse but incite violence against Palestinians in Gaza and pose a threat to the safety of Muslims and Arabs in the United States.
“Congress’ failure to address Rep. Mast’s anti-Palestinian bigotry underscores a lack of consistency in the principles of fairness and justice that should guide the people’s House. It is disheartening that many Republicans and Democrats in Congress cannot uphold the values of equality and non-discrimination for all communities.”
BACKGROUND:
Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) proposed H.Res 845 to censure Rep. Tlaib after her emotional appeal against the inhumane actions of Israel. In contrast, House Representatives like Brian Mast (R-FL) have made inappropriate comparisons between Palestinians and Nazis, an unbecoming behavior for a congressman that both incites genocide in Gaza, and threatens the safety and security of Muslims and Arabs in the United States.
CAIR yesterday issued a message to all members of the House of Representatives urging them to “VOTE YES” to censure Rep. Mast for his racist remarks and to “‘VOTE NO” on censure resolutions unjustly targeting Rep. Tlaib.
CAIR’s mission is to safeguard civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
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Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
CONTACT: Cairmichigan@gmail.com (313) 559-2247
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, the Michigan Chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to hold a press conference with the family of a Muslim student who is reportedly not allowed to return to Bloomfield Hills High School after refusing to answer questions about her participation in a peaceful protest that occurred at the school last week.
The day after the scheduled walk out for Palestine occurred, all students who participated were called to the office and questioned about their participation and what their “intentions” were in attending the walk out. Students who refused to answer questions about their political beliefs and the exercise of their First Amendment Rights were removed from school pending an investigation.
CAIR-MI will be holding a press conference with the family of a student who has not been allowed to return to class since Friday, October 27, when she refused to answer questions without her parents present.
WHAT: Press Conference to Address Bloomfield Hills High School’s Removal of Students Related to their Participation in a Planned Walk Out
WHEN: Tuesday, October 31, at 11 am
WHERE: First Jamiah Masjid of Troy, 3635 Rochester Road, Troy, MI 48083
WHO: CAIR-MI STAFF, Bloomfield Hills High School Family, Community Leaders
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
“High School students should be able to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear that they will be interrogated and investigated for their beliefs,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “Bloomfield Hills High School officials, through their actions in interrogating students about their participation in a peaceful protest for Palestine, have made Muslim and Arab students, along with their friends and allies, feel unsafe and unwelcome within the school. We call on the school and the district to take action to return these students to class immediately and investigate to determine who instituted a policy of penalizing students who stood up for their rights.”
CAIR has issued guidance including ‘Know Your Rights While Speaking Up for Palestine’ and offered templates that can be modified to respond to biased statements from employers.
‘Know Your Rights While Speaking Up for Palestine’
Take Action: Download Templates to Respond to Your Employer or School/University About Biased Statements on Palestine & Israel
[NOTE: More than 80,000 participants in a CAIR congressional action alert have sent messages to Congress urging support for a ceasefire in response to war crimes, including genocide, in Gaza by Israel.]
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
https://twitter.com/CAIRMI
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
Support CAIR-MI Today!-
Within the past two weeks, incoming complaints and workload have significantly increased due to the war on Gaza. From our legal staff assisting other attorneys in suing the Biden administration to immediately repatriate Michiganders trapped in Gaza to a series of complaints relating to bullying and intimidation at public schools and universities, our staffers have been working around the clock.
In times like this, we need funding to not only sustain our work but to increase our capacity, especially given that those who wish to silence our community are well-funded.
Please donate today at www.cairmichigan.org/donate
Biden Administration Must Fix Reentry Harassment of Muslim-
From a recent oped written by CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid:
Recently, CAIR-MI has received an uptick of complaints of Muslims being held for questioning by federal agents upon arrival at Detroit Metro Airport. The complaints range from Arab Americans having their electronic devices seized and passcodes demanded to access their personal information to African American Muslims being questioned about their religious activities. The reported seizure of electronic devices and demand for passcodes, which is specifically conducted by Customs Border Protection (CBP) agents, is troublesome for multiple reasons. CBP has the capacity to download all files and personal contact information from such devices which in turn is shared with the FBI. This in turn had led to citizens being visited at home by FBI agents, not simply those who were stopped by CBP agents but also citizens whose contact information was obtained from the devices of those who were detained.
https://arabamericannews.com/2023/10/11/biden-administration-must-fix-reentry-harassment-of-muslims/
Community Circle for Palestine-
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-MI’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
https://www.twitter.com/CAIRMI
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
Contact Our Office – (248) 559-2247
(CANTON, MI, 10/13/2023)– The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today applauded the swift arrest of a Michigan resident who was allegedly making credible threats against Palestinians in Dearborn and calls on prosecutors to charge Farmington Hills resident with a hate crime under Michigan’s current Ethnic Intimidation Law.
CAIR-MI also called on prosecutors to further charge the suspect under Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Law which makes it a crime to threaten to assault someone in an effort to intimidate or harass them based on their national origin or religion. According to police reports, the suspect posted on social media that he was looking to “hunt Palestinians in Dearborn,” making his actions falls squarely within the felony provision of the Ethnic Intimidation law.
In the afternoon on Thursday October 12, Dearborn Police became aware of what appears to be credible threats against Palestinian Americans in Dearborn allegedly made by a Farmington Hills man on Twitter. The Dearborn Police acted swiftly in conjunction with the Farmington Hills Police Department to arrest the suspect in his home.
SEE: Dearborn police arrest man they say threatened Palestinians on social media
According to the Dearborn Police, the 41-year-old Farmington Hills man was arrested on probable cause of using a computer or electronic device to commit a crime.
“We applaud the quick work of the Dearborn Police Department in assessing the social media threat resulting in a swift arrest of an individual allegedly making threats to Palestinian Americans,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Hate has no home in Michigan, and violence based on hate has no place in civil society. We urge prosecutors to charge the suspect with Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Law to send a strong message that all Michiganders are safe from harm regardless of their national origin or religion and regardless of global politics.”
“Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Law makes it a specific crime to harm or threaten harm to someone for the purpose of intimidating or harassing them based on their national origin or religion.” Said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “Charging this suspect with a hate crime will send a strong message that you cannot utilize social media to threaten and intimidate whole communities based on bigotry and hate and that any person who calls for violence against a community based on their own hate will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Michigan’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-Michigan on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRMichigan
Subscribe to CAIR-Michigan’s Twitter Feed
Subscribe to the CAIR- Michigan YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@michigancair
Follow the CAIR-Michigan on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairmichigan
Donate to CAIR-Michigan
https://cairmichigan.com/donate
CONTACT: Our Office (248) 559-2247
CAIR-MI is seeking a highly motivated person for Civil Rights Manager position.
The responsibilities will include:
Intake of discrimination complaints.
Maintain master calendar for staff attorney’s legal consultations.
Mail legal correspondences including case closing letters and other official communications.
Manage the dissemination of press releases and civil rights community updates including on CAIR-MI’s website.
Execution of other administrative duties which arise.
The position will be part-time with office hours from Monday through Thursday. Legal office experience or case intake management experience preferred as well as Arabic language proficiency, the former being more important than the latter.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid at dwalid@cair.com.
By CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid
With the amending of the state’s civil rights act which includes legal protections for those with same sex attraction and gender dysphoria to the proposed expansion of the state hate crime law which includes causing “severe mental anguish” based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, Michiganians of vary religious are concerned that their 1st Amendment rights are being infringed upon. Furthermore, many persons of faith are concerned that their jobs are in jeopardy if they do not state their preferred pronouns or call others by their preferred pronouns. Moreover, there are concerns that have been raised that Michiganians may face legal repercussions by “misgendering” individuals per the proposed hate crime enhancement.
The 1st Amendment which includes freedom of speech and freedom of religion are quasi-sacrosanct in America. These two freedoms not only protect freedom to preach one’s sincerely held religious beliefs, even if those are found to be blasphemous or offensive, but these also include the freedom not to speak. In other words, no one can compel any American to take a pledge or to affirm anything against their conscience meaning that freedom of speech also has the shade of freedom not to speak. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of citizens to not be compelled to express ideals or beliefs that conflict with their bona fide religious beliefs.
If a Michigan Muslim believes being asked to provide their preferred pronouns is theologically problematic based upon the belief that gender is a Divine construct, not manmade, and that the question raises a metaphysically false proposition, (s)he has the right not answer such a request. Moreover, if a Muslim believes that the command “Do not dress up truth with falsehood” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 42) includes not calling persons “them or they” as if they have no genders or can be fluid in them, (s)he also has the right to simply talk to persons directly without using their preferred pronouns. No one can be legally forced to relinquish their sacred beliefs to operate in civil society nor in the name of showing compassion.
If you have any questions regarding these issues, please feel free to contact our office at 248.559.2247.
(CANTON, MI, 5/30/2023)- The Michigan chapter of Council on American Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a Notice of Claim with the Kent County Sheriff’s office for the forcible removal of an African-American Muslim woman’s hijab (Islamic head scarf) for a booking photograph that was later placed on the sheriff’s office website that is accessible to the general public. On April 8, 2023, Jannah Hague was arrested by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department after a domestic altercation at her home. She was taken to the Kent County Jail where she was forced to remove her religious head covering in front of male officers and detainees over her objections. Hague had originally been able to take her identification photograph wearing her religious hijab but was later told by a male officer that she must take an additional photograph without the hijab. She was then allegedly forced to stand in front of the male officer to take an identification photograph that was then placed on the sheriff’s office website that is searchable by the public. The acts of the male officers involved in the photographing of Hague without her hijab is a direct violation of the sheriff offices’ written policy regarding religious head covering. In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said: “Muslim women have the right to their sincerely-held religious expression even when encountering law enforcement. The Law enforcement officials involved in Ms. Hague’s detention need better training in religious competency and religious rights to ensure that no Muslim woman is ever again striped of her hijab in public.”
In a statement, CAIR- MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure said: “When a Muslim woman is stripped of her hijab for a photograph and that photograph is placed on the internet for all to view, it is akin to publishing an intimate and private photograph of any woman and leaves the Muslim woman ashamed and embarrassed. It should never have happened to Ms. Hague, especially in light of the previous litigation in the state of Michigan involving several other law enforcement agencies engaging in the same illegal conduct. Kent County Sheriff’s office knew better and should have done better by Ms. Hague.” CAIR offers a “Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to The Muslim Community” and “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices.”
BACKGROUNDER: Muslim women wear the hijab as part of their sincerely held religious beliefs that they must cover their hair, neck, and ears whenever they are in the presence of men who are not close family relations. Removal of the hijab by or in front of non-related men is highly offensive to practicing Muslim women and often leaves them in a state of undress similar to feeling naked. Despite the fact that Hague was released from the jail without charge, her hijabless identification photo remains a permanent public record in a manner that poses an ongoing threat of violation to her sincerely held religious beliefs.
Notice of Claim:https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/HagueNOI.pdf In 2022, CAIR-MI settled three similar lawsuits for Muslim women who were forced to remove their hijab for identification photos, one against the city of Detroit and a second one against the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), the third against the City of Ferndale.SEE: Ferndale police settle with Muslim woman over hijab removal lawsuithttps://www.fox2detroit.com/news/ferndale-police-settle-with-muslim-woman-over-hijab-removal-lawsuit
SEE: Lawsuit: Detroit police forced Muslim woman to remove hijab during booking photohttps://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/10/06/lawsuit-detroit-police-forced-muslim-woman-to-remove-hijab-during-booking-photo/
SEE Also: Civil rights group sues Michigan Prisons for photographing incarcerated Muslim women without hijabhttps://www.metrotimes.com/news/civil-rights-group-sues-michigan-prisons-for-photographing-incarcerated-muslim-women-without-hijabs-26010709 CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos. –
END-CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, Esq. (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 05/03/2023) CAIR-MI filed a complaint of religious based discrimination on behalf of Ms. Yaseen with the EEOC earlier this morning. Prior to filing a formal complaint with the EEOC CAIR-MI reached out to PGF and its CEO with a formal letter asking to discuss what took place on April 3rd, but has not received any response from the company. CAIR-MI today further filed a letter of concern with Oakland University’s office of career services to investigate these claims and ensure that all employers seeking to utilize their services to find candidates for internships and employment comply with the anti-discrimination laws set forth in Title VII and the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act. “We are deeply concerned about a company seeking to employ college students and young professionas just starting out in their careers engaging in what appears to be open disregard for anti-discrimination laws that protect Ms. Yaseen’s rigths to express her sincerely held religious beleifs, even in the workforce.” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “No student should be ebarassed or suffer uncertainty about their place in the job force simply because of their religious beleifs.” “Failing to consider a candidate simply due to their religious observance is a violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws.” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, “We call on PGF and Oakland University to look into this matter and determine what steps are necessary to ensure that no students will be subjected to discriminatory treatment in the future.” CAIR-MI recently released their 2022 Civil Rights Report where they reported that employment based discrimination was the second largest difficulty facing Muslims in Michigan. Employment based discrimination complaints account for over 10% of all complaints received by CAIR-MI’s office each year for the past three years. See: CAIR-Michigan 2022 Civil Rights Reporthttps://cairmichigan.org/cair-michigan-2022-civil-rights-report/ CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
END
CONTACT: Dawud Walid, Executive Director CAIR-MI (248) 842-1418 dwalid@cair.com; Amy V. Doukoure, CAIR-MI Staff Attorney (586) 943-8823 adoukoure@cair.com
| (CANTON, MI, 5/3/2023) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Michigan House bills that – if passed – will recognize several holidays of religious minorities in the state. Michigan House bills 4446-4449 seek to officially recognize specific Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh holidays on the state calendar. Regarding particular Muslim holidays, Bill 4447 mentions Eid al-Adha, the most important Muslim celebration that coincides with Hajj or pilgrimage season, and Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Recognition of these holidays would not mean that state offices close on those holidays. SEE: Bills would recognize Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, other celebrations as state holidays (Oakland Press) https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2023/05/03/bills-would-recognize-muslim-hindu-sikh-other-celebrations-as-state-holidays/ “We welcome the introduction of these House bills, which would give official state recognition to sacred times of minority religious communities in Michigan,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “In a time in which immigrant communities are being maligned and sacred beliefs of religious groups are being marginalized, it is important for our elected officials to signal that all Michiganians, irrespective of national origin or religious beliefs, have a sense of belonging in our state.” CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos END CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI State Attorney Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com |
(CANTON, MI, 4/19/2023)– The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed Judge Kuhnke’s order allowing Superior Lawn Care & Snow Removal, LLC’s Equal Protection Claim against Pittsfield Township to go forward. Trial is currently scheduled for early May 2023.
CAIR-MI also filed a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn the dismissal of Superior Lawn Care’s claims for a violation of the due process rights and claim for damages.
“Superior Lawn Care & Snow Removal provides essential services to businesses, schools and homeowners in and around Washtenaw County Michigan and should not be at risk of losing its business based on the owner’s national origin or religion,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure. “It is a shame that Pittsfield Township still faces concerns over whether it is applying their zoning laws fairly to American Muslims.”
“No small business owner who is acting in good faith should be threatened with losing their livelihood and the livelihood of all their employees simply because of their religion or ethnic identity,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
BACKGROUND:
Superior Lawn Care is owned and operated by an Arab-American Muslim of Palestinian descent and employs more than forty full and part-time employees. In 2021, Pittsfield Township revoked Superior Lawn Care’s CUP despite the company’s insistence that it was in compliance with the terms of the CUP and the Township’s municipal ordinances.
In November 2022, CAIR-MI joined ongoing litigation between Superior Lawn Care and Pittsfield Township and called on the Department of Justice to investigate the actions of the Township in revoking the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) of Superior Lawn Care for the operation of a commercial landscape yard.
SEE: CAIR-MI Joins lawsuit against Pittsfield Township for discriminatory zoning enforcement requests DOJ Probe
CAIR-MI had previously been involved in litigation against Pittsfield Township for its discriminatory zoning practices involving the denial of a Special Use Permit (SUP) to open an Islamic School. That lawsuit involved allegations that Islamophobic and Anti-Arab comments were made during Planning Commission Meetings.
SEE: Zoning request denial for Islamic school prompts lawsuit in Pittsfield Township
SEE ALSO: Updated: Justice Department lawsuit over Islamic school in Washtenaw County settled
Early in March of this year, Pittsfield Township filed a motion in the Washtenaw Circuit Court to dismiss Superior Lawn Care’s case against them. During the hearing Judge Kuhnke dismissed Superior Lawn Care’s claim for due process but found that there was enough evidence that Superior Lawn Care had been treated differently than a different landscape yard that was owned by someone not an Arab American Muslim of Palestinian descent.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization
Their mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
CAIR-MI Civil Rights Report Reveals Shift in Complaints of Michigan Muslims
(CANTON, MI, 04/11/2023) – On Wednesday, April 12, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will discuss its latest civil rights report which will highlight shifts in complaints filed by Michigan Muslims from the previous two years.
CAIR Michigan staffers will discuss the report online tomorrow, April 12, at 12:30pm ET.
SEE: CAIR-MI Civil Rights Report Discussion of 2022 Complaints
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY4fMKXODlY
The release of the Michigan report coincides with the CAIR National 2023 Civil Rights Report titled “Progress in the Shadow of Prejudice” which documents nationwide complaints by American Muslims relating to a range of issues including airline discrimination, banking discrimination, bullying, denial of service, education discrimination, employment discrimination, FBI Interrogation, First Amendment violations, hate crimes, law enforcement encounters, immigration/asylum cases, incarceree rights, sport discrimination, school incidents, among other reported issues.
SEE: 2023 Civil Rights Report: Progress in the Shadow of Prejudice
https://islamophobia.org/reports/2023-civil-rights-report-progress-in-the-shadow-of-prejudice (link will be active on 4/11)
SEE: CAIR-MI Civil Rights Report of 2022 Complaints
https://cairmichigan.org/cair-michigan-2022-civil-rights-report/
While discrimination complaints against Michigan Muslims have remained steady from the previous two years, the percentage of complaints increased relating to incarceree rights, law enforcement discrimination, and religious rights issues in public schools.
“Though complaints by Michigan Muslims specific to harassment by Customs Border Protection (CBP) and the FBI have declined in the past two years since the end of presidency of Donald Trump, the increase of complaints from parents regarding student bullying and violation of religious rights in public schools is a growing concern,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “We are optimistic that the changing political environment, however, signals a trend that harassment during border reentry will become less of a problem for Michigan Muslims driving back from Canada and flying into Detroit Metro Airport.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com; CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali, 313-717-4878, nsali@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 3/2/2023) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the recent arrest of a man who allegedly plotted to kill Jewish government officials in Michigan.
Michigan State Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is the state’s first Jewish attorney general, confirmed that she and other Jewish members of Michigan government were allegedly targeted by Jack Eugene Carpenter III. Law enforcement officials stated that Carpenter, on his arrest, was in possession of several weapons including rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
SEE: Michigan attorney general says FBI confirmed she was target of plot to kill Jewish officials (The Hill)
“We welcome the arrest of the alleged plotter who targeted Jewish officials serving in our state government,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “There is no grievance that can legitimately justify the targeting of any group of people.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali, 313-717-4878, nsali@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 3/2/2023) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed ethnic intimidation and assault and battery charges filed against a former Burton Police Detective for using racial slurs while assaulting an African American motorist.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton recently charged former Burton Police Detective Eric Freeman for an incident which took place last month in which he reportedly smacked the face of an African American motorist while simultaneously calling him the n-word. The 16-year police veteran currently faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted for the most serious charge.
SEE: Former Burton police officer charged with hate crime (Michigan Public Radio)
“We welcome the ethnic intimidation and assault and battery charges brought against former detective Freeman and call on the Burton Police Department to immediately hold racial and ethnic sensitivity training for all of its officers and support staff,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
Walid, who is African-American, also stated that he and other African-American Muslims who worship at an Islamic center in Burton should not feel apprehension about driving through Burton out of concern that they could be mistreated by the town’s police officers.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
(CANTON, MI, 3/2/2023) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today voiced its serious concern over yesterday’s vote by Michigan State Senate to expand the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) without the inclusion of language that would adequately protect the rights of religious organizations.
The Michigan State Senate’s vote seeks to expand sexual orientation and gender identification as protected classes under ELCRA. Unlike 22 other states, the senate’s version lacks adequate language to protect religious organizations from undue litigation.
SEE: Michigan State passes historic bill to protect LGBTQ rights (Detroit Free Press)
SEE: Long and Walid: Civil rights include religious protection (Detroit News)
“If the state house passes this bill as is and it is signed by the governor, the amendment will lead to people of faith being a new class of discriminated people and will force non-profit religiously-guided organizations into costly litigation,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “True inclusion cannot result in the exclusion of people of faith’s bona fide religious beliefs protected by the First Amendment.”
Walid also stated that CAIR-MI simply asked legislators to include specific language that is included in other states’ bills and did not call for the erasure of language within the senate bill.
He further encouraged constituents and fellow Michiganders of consciousness to contact their state house members to request inclusion of robust language to protect people of faith similar to other states’ legislation.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 248-842-1418, adoukoure@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 1/11/2023) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed last night’s vote by the Hamtramck City Council to protect the right for residents to perform religious animal sacrifices in the city.
After months of controversy and a proposal by a city council member to restrict Hamtramck residents from performing religious animal sacrifices, Hamtramck City Council unanimously voted to preserve the already existing right of residents to perform religious animal slaughters.
Despite objections from some participants at the council meeting and a desire by one council member to restrict the community’s religious rights, the council was swayed against restrictions after legal advice from the city attorney and testimony from CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali.
SEE: Animal sacrifice in Hamtramck (FOX 2 Detroit)
Hamtramck City Council votes to allow animal sacrifice for religious purposes in the city
Along with mentioning legal precedent, Ali informed the council that Muslims routinely perform religious animal sacrifices in connection with Eid al-Adha in commemoration of Abraham sacrificing a sheep instead of his son.
Hamtramck is the only Muslim majority town in Michigan in which the proposed restrictions would have caused a disparate impact of the city’s Muslim households.
“We welcome the Hamtramck City Council’s vote, which blocked those who sought to place undue burden on Muslim residents who uphold their sincerely held religious practice in conjunction with Eid al-Adha,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
“We continue to extend our services to the Hamtramck government to assist in facilitating conversations with mutual constituents, assist in crafting policies that protect religious rights of residents, and provide trainings to governmental employees,” said CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali. “Months of arguing and public debate could have been avoided if U.S. Supreme Court legal precedent about religious animal sacrifices and current practices in neighboring municipalities had been considered.”
[NOTE: There are two major “Eid” holidays for Muslims. Eid al-Adha (EED-AL-ODDHA), commonly referred to as just “Eid,” is associated with the pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, and commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command. The holiday is celebrated with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy, and social gatherings. During Eid al-Fitr (EED-AL-FITTER) or “feast of fast breaking” holiday at the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, Muslims offer public prayers, exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds.]
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali, 313-717-4878, nsali@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 11/22/2022) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local branch of the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and the City of Troy, Mich., today announced a full and final resolution of the lawsuit filed on behalf of Adam Community Center over a zoning dispute that have been ongoing since 2018.
In a joint statement, the parties said:
“While the parties involved are confident in their respective legal positions, everyone believes that settlement is in the best interest of all, especially given the emotionally charged nature of these long-pending cases. The settlement is not an admission of liability but clarifies that the property can be used for religious purposes. The mutually agreeable settlement resolves the lawsuit and includes an undisclosed award of monetary damages. The full terms of the settlement are confidential, and this press release shall serve as the sole source of information.”
Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said:
“The Troy City Council embraces the multi-cultural fabric of our city, where there are many varied locations for our diverse community members to worship, including the First Jamiah Masjid of Troy. We are grateful that we were able to amicably resolve the pending case and look forward to continuing a positive relationship.”
“Adam Community Center is pleased to have this lawsuit behind them and looks forward to having a permanent location in the city where they can provide religious and educational services, engage in community outreach and do the interfaith work that is at the core of its mission,” said Amy V. Doukoure, CAIR-MI Staff attorney. “The community stands with the City of Troy in celebrating this settlement.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 11/17/2022) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined a lawsuit as counsel for Superior Lawn Care & Snow Removal, LLC (Superior), against Pittsfield Township over alleged discriminatory zoning practices.
CAIR-MI is also calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the actions of the township. Superior is owned by a Palestinian-American Muslim and is one of only two owners and operators of landscape yards in the Township.
The Muslim civil rights organization is joining the ongoing litigation based on information that has come to light during the discovery process that supports Superior’s claims that it is being treated differently than other Conditional Use Permit (CUP) holders without proof of any legitimate zoning or regulatory concern of the township.
“At a time when small business ownership is made more difficult due to an economic downturn, it is unfathomable that Pittsfield Township would be actively seeking to close the doors of a minority-owned business that is employing community members and bringing revenue into the city,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Business owners should be able to work hard and earn an honest living without fearing that their livelihood can be taken away simply because of their religious or ethnic identity.”
“We are requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate Pittsfield Township for allegedly treating Superior differently than it has other businesses,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “It is unsettling to see that just a few short years after having a similar issue with discrimination in zoning in Pittsfield Township, there are still concerns that they are not treating their Muslim citizens equally under the law.”
CAIR-MI Letter to Department of Justice
https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DOJletter.pdf
BACKGROUNDER:
In 2021, Superior filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the county of Washtenaw Michigan after the Township revoked its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for operating a commercial landscape yard on a property located off Carpenter Road.
The lawsuit alleges that the Township violated Superior’s rights to due process and rights to equal protection under the law. The revocation of Superior’s CUP was the first ever for the township that is now attempting to shut down the minority-owned business, forcing it to close its doors and lay off dozens of full and part time employees.
Despite the township’s efforts to shut down Superior for alleged unidentified violations of the CUP, the township is actively working with the owner of another commercial landscape yard to rectify what are a series of serious and flagrant violations of that owners CUP and city ordinances to ensure that business owner does not have shut down.
The other landscape yard is owned by a person who is not a Muslim nor of Palestinian national origin, and Superior believes that the other landscape yard is getting preferential treatment based on their racial and religious identity.
Pittsfield Township reportedly has a history of discriminatory zoning practices involving Muslims and Arab-Americans.
In 2012, CAIR-MI filed a lawsuit against the township for its discriminatory denial of a Special Use Permit (SUP) to open an Islamic school. That lawsuit was followed by an additional lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the Township alleging that the denial of the SUP to open the school was a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
During Planning Commission meetings deliberating over the issuance of the CUP many Township citizens made Islamophobic and Anti-Muslim comments causing the Commission to deny the issuance of the CUP.
SEE: Zoning request denial for Islamic school prompts lawsuit in Pittsfield Township
Updated: Justice Department lawsuit over Islamic school in Wastenaw County settled
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/09/pittsfield_township_trustees_v.html
Many of the same county officials, and the zoning administrators that were active during the denial of the SUP for the Islamic school in 2012 are the same officials and administrators who are actively seeking to close the doors to Superior’s business while working with a similarly situated non-Muslim business owner to ensure he remains in business.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland.
Their mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 10/31/2022) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of a Yemeni Muslim man who claims he was wrongfully terminated after more than a year of complaining that he was the victim of employment discrimination by his supervisor.
READ THE LAWSUIT.
Jalal Muflihi, a Yemeni American Muslim man complained for nearly a year that his supervisor at U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Works location had been singling him out for discipline and unfair treatment based on his national origin and religion. After filing several complaints with his union and directly through U.S. Steel’s internal civil rights department, Muflihi received no relief. He believes that as a result of his complaints related to his discriminatory treatment, he was subjected to unfair disciplinary action and was recently terminated.
Muflihi obtained several letters of support as evidence of the alleged unfair treatment by his supervisor. However, once he submitted those letters of support, the witnesses were then allegedly targeted by the same supervisor for discipline and unfair treatment in what appears to be retaliation for their support of Muflihi. All three individuals filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to the alleged unfair treatment. Prior to filing suit, Muflihi and CAIR-MI unsuccessfully reached out to U.S. Steel to attempt to resolve this matter.
“Mr. Muflihi, should be able to provide an honest living for his family without having to suffer discrimination and harassment on the job,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure, “At no time should anyone fear that speaking up about discrimination can result in retaliation and termination from their place of employment. U.S. Steel had an obligation to fairly investigate Mr. Muflihi’s claims of discrimination, and the claims of his fellow co-workers related to retaliation. Instead, they allowed the individuals accused of targeting Mr. Muflihi for harassment and discrimination to investigate themselves, leading to Mr. Muflihi’s wrongful termination.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CAIR-MI today expresses dismay at U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for not voting to block weapons being sent to the Israeli military while genocide is taking place against the people of Gaza.
U.S. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) put forth two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) that sought to block:
S.J.Res.34 – A $675.7 million weapons sale that includes 1,000-pound MK 83 bombs and over 5,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits, munitions used to level homes, hospitals, and refugee shelters in Gaza.
S.J.Res.41 – A shipment of fully automatic assault rifles destined for Israeli forces and police, including those under the command of extremist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, fueling settler violence and ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.
Senator Peters yesterday voted against the resolutions while Senator Slotkin did not vote at all.
In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said:
“While we commend the 27 senators who voted to block offensive arms sales to a foreign government that is actively starving and slaughtering men, women and children on a daily basis, we are troubled that Michigan’s two senators failed to uphold international and American law by not joining them in voting in favor of the resolutions.”
This vote was the first time a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus supported stopping offensive arms transfers to Israel, signaling a major shift in congressional sentiment that mirrors the will of the American public. This week, Israeli human rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights–Israel declared that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Their reports echo prior findings from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and dozens of Palestinian organizations.
Under U.S. law, these weapons sales are already illegal. They violate:
The Foreign Assistance Act, which bars aid to governments committing gross human rights violations;
The Arms Export Control Act, which restricts the use of U.S. arms to lawful self-defense;
Section 620I, which prohibits U.S. aid to countries that block humanitarian assistance.
Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 143,000 injured in Gaza and the West Bank — the majority women, children, and the elderly. Israel’s destruction of hospitals, aid convoys, and food distribution centers has created man-made famine. More than 1,000 starving civilians have been executed by Israeli forces while attempting to reach aid, and doctors warn that famine deaths will continue to rise without immediate international action.
Walid yesterday also joined the Imams Council of Michigan urging American Jewish leaders to call upon government officials to end the systemic starvation campaign of the Israeli government against Gazans.
SEE: CAIR MI Calls on Jewish Leaders to Demand End of Starvation Campaign Gazans (CBS News – Detroit)
(CANTON, MI, 7/30/2025) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed hate crime charges for an alleged racist confrontation in Eaton County.
SEE: Eaton County man charged with hate crime after allegedly using racial slur, spitting on neighbor
Robert Burley, 38, from Eaton Rapids, was arrested for allegedly using a racist slur and spitting on his neighbor.
“We commend law enforcement authorities for taking this alleged racist assault seriously and for charging it as a hate crime,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Racist behavior and hate-driven attacks have no place in our communities and must be addressed with the full force of the law. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their neighborhoods.”
Walid said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
| (CANTON, MI, 7/29/2025) – On Wednesday, July 30, the Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will join the Imams Council of Michigan at a press conference to appeal to Michigan Jewish leaders to break their silence about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and genocide in Gaza. The Imams Council of Michigan has written an open letter that will be mailed to Jewish organizations based in the state urging them to use their voices to influence policymakers and politicians to completely end the starvation and ethnic cleansing campaign of the Israeli government against the people of Gaza. WHAT: Press Conference to Appeal to Jewish Leaders in Michigan to Break Silence on Gaza Humanitarian Crisis WHO: Imams Council of Michigan along with CAIR-MI WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 10 A.M. ET WHERE: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126 CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid, 249-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; Imams Council of Michigan Co-chair Imam Mustapha Elturk, 248-210-4156, ameer@ionaonline.org; Imams Council of Michigan Co-chair Imam Mohammad Elahi, 313-655-3215 |
| CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos |
(CANTON, MI 6/23/2025) – On Tuesday, June 24, the Michigan Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will join the Imams Council of Michigan to condemn recent military aggression against Iran and the continued Israeli slaughter of innocent Gazans.
The Imams Council of Michigan stated, “President Trump’s decision to join Israel in its illegal war against Iran without the consent of Congress is a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution.”
CAIR recently condemned the “illegal and unjustified” act of war of President Donald Trump ordering the bombing of Iran without consulting Congress.
WHAT: Press Conference to Condemn Aggression Against Iran and Continued Slaughter in Gaza
WHO: Imams Council of Michigan along with CAIR-MI
WHEN: Tuesday, June 24, 3 P.M. ET
WHERE: Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid, 249-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; Imams Council of Michigan Co-chair Imam Mustapha Elturk, 248-210-4156, ameer@ionaonline.org; Imams Council of Michigan Co-chair Imam Mohammad Elahi, 313-655-3215
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
(CANTON, MI, 6/9/2025) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for an independent and transparent investigation of reported undercover surveillance and harassment of anti-genocide groups at the University of Michigan.
According to the Guardian: “The University of Michigan is using private, undercover investigators to surveil pro-Palestinian campus groups, including trailing them on and off campus, furtively recording them and eavesdropping on their conversations, the Guardian has learned.
“The surveillance appears to largely be an intimidation tactic, five students who have been followed, recorded or eavesdropped on said. The undercover investigators have cursed at students, threatened them and in one case drove a car at a student who had to jump out of the way, according to student accounts and video footage shared with the Guardian.”
“This reported attempt by the University of Michigan to chill the free speech of anti-genocide groups through secret surveillance and alleged harassment must be investigated in an independent and transparent manner,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Academic officials would never allow this type of outrageous behavior if those targeted were members of any other groups speaking out against genocide and for human rights.”
CAIR’s national office previously designated University of Michigan as a “university of particular concern” as part of its unhostile campus campaign due to its reported creation of a hostile campus environment for Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish and other students, staff, and faculty opposing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Earlier this year, CAIR-MI concern of what appeared to be the University of Michigan’s continued targeting of pro-Palestinian voices on campus with the suspension of the student group Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE).
(CANTON, MI 06/02/2025) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) against Domino’s Pizza located in Waterford, Michigan, on behalf of two Muslim women and their minor children after they experienced what appeared to be food tampering by an employee who allegedly made racist and Islamophobic remarks about the family in front of another customer.
The MDCR complaint alleges violations of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, citing discriminatory comments made by a store employee and the intentional contamination of with both pizzas ordered by the family with pork, which is strictly prohibited in Islam, despite clear requests from the women for no pork. Additionally, according to the complaint, one of the pizzas was contaminated with a hair imbedded in the cheese, which further heightened the concerns of the women about intentional tampering motivated by anti-Muslim bias.
“This was apparently not an innocent mistake or a customer service issue—it was a targeted act of religious discrimination that humiliated and endangered a Muslim family,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “We are demanding accountability from Domino’s Pizza and a full investigation from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.”
According to the complaint, the family was informed by a bystander that derogatory and Islamophobic remarks were made by a store employee while referencing their visibly Muslim appearance. The incident, paired with the contaminated food and Domino’s refusal to address the matter adequately, raises serious concerns about religious bias and lack of accountability.
“This complaint is about far more than a mishandled order,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure, “It’s about holding businesses accountable when they permit or ignore blatant acts of Islamophobia, and about ensuring Muslim families can access public spaces and services without fear of being harassed or targeted.”
Following this incident the women made complaints to the management of the location and the corporate office for Dominos as well as the Waterford Township Police Department. Prior to filing this instant MDCR complaint, CAIR-MI wrote to the management at the location and the corporate office but did not receive any response addressing their concerns. According to a recent letter from the Waterford Township Police Department, they have completed their investigation and have submitted a request for criminal charges to the county prosector’s office.
CAIR-MI urges anyone who witnessed this event to come forward and contact CAIR-MI.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
(CANTON, MI, 5/5/2025) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the dismissal of felony charges against seven students and community members involved in the peaceful 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment protest at the University of Michigan.
SEE: Felony charges against U of M pro-Palestinian protesters dismissed
CAIR-MI also strongly urged the Attorney General’s Office to immediately dismiss all remaining misdemeanor trespassing charges, which the organization believes are politically motivated and rooted in bias against those advocating for Palestinian human rights.
In September 2024, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office headed by Dana Nessel brought charges against University of Michigan students who had participated in an encampment calling for the recognition of human rights of Palestinians and calling for the university to divest from weapons manufacturers and the state of Israel.
SEE: Michigan AG charges 11 pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Michigan
The felony charges, which were widely criticized by civil rights advocates, legal scholars, and student organizations across the country, were officially dropped this morning. CAIR-MI notes that the Attorney General’s decision to drop the charges reflects what we have long asserted: these prosecutions were politically motivated and lacked merit. The AG’s own acknowledgment in a statement about dropping these charges—that the case became a “circus-like atmosphere” due to outside interference and prolonged proceedings—underscores that continuing these charges would have served no legitimate purpose and only further targeted those standing for Palestinian human rights. However, more than a dozen individuals still face misdemeanor charges related to the protest encampment, despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration and the lack of any criminal conduct beyond alleged presence on university property.
“We welcome the dismissal of these excessive and retaliatory felony charges, which never should have been filed in the first place,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “But this moment demands more. All charges stemming from this peaceful protest should be dismissed. These prosecutions appear to have been driven not by law but by a desire to silence students and community members calling for the recognition of Palestinian human rights and accountability from the University of Michigan for its investments in Israeli weapons manufacturers. The continued prosecution of these individuals is a stain on our state’s commitment to civil liberties and equal justice.”
CAIR-MI further is highly troubled by the inappropriate attempt by the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor to influence the court process by submitting a letter to the presiding judge supporting the continued involvement of Attorney General Dana Nessel in the case. The Federation has no direct connection to the matter and its intervention appears motivated solely by the political views of the defendants, who have been vocal in their advocacy for Palestinian human rights and calls for divestment.
“The Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor’s unsolicited letter to the judge in this case is a disturbing example of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution,” said Amy V. Doukoure, CAIR-MI Staff Attorney. “They have no legal standing or factual connection to this case. Their intervention was clearly intended to influence the outcome of proceedings against students whose only ‘offense’ was to speak out for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. It is an affront to judicial impartiality and an example of how political interests attempt to weaponize the legal system against dissenting voices.”
CAIR-MI stands with the students and community members who bravely participated in the encampment and calls on the University of Michigan, local prosecutors, and the Attorney General to respect the First Amendment rights of protestors and immediately drop the remaining charges.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos
(CANTON, MI, 4/23/2025) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed concern over “aggressive” raids held this morning at the homes of pro-Palestinian student activists at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. This morning, multiple residencies in Washtenaw and Wayne counties of students and former students at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor who were involved in pro-Palestinian activism were raided in coordinated raids carried out by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. Property damage at residences took place, and individuals were handcuffed without charges during the aggressive raids.
SEE: FBI raids follow string of pro-Palestinian incidents around Ann Arbor
FBI, police raid homes of pro-Palestinian activists tied to U-M protests
CAIR-MI staff was on location at one of the raided residences in Washtenaw County to provide immediate legal support and observe the conduct of law enforcement. Staff witnessed armed agents executing search warrants in a residential neighborhood, causing significant fear and distress for the targeted students and their families. CAIR-MI continues to offer legal assistance to those impacted and is actively monitoring the situation for potential civil rights violations. This recent escalation comes on the heels of prior arrests and charges brought by the Michigan Attorney General’s office against University of Michigan student protesters for minor, non-violent infractions—including misdemeanor trespassing—during peaceful demonstrations advocating for Palestinian human rights, an end to the genocide in Gaza, and for the University of Michigan to divest from companies complicit in the occupation and violence.
SEE: Nessel charges 11 pro-Palestine protesters for University of Michigan encampment (Mlive.com)
“We call into question the aggressive nature of this morning’s raids of activists’ homes, which follows the recent misuse of prosecutorial power in Michigan and throughout our country against pro-Palestinian activists,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “In any other context, such minor infractions would be handled by local law enforcement or referred to local, elected prosecutors—not escalated to federal intervention. This disproportionate response further fuels the perception that Muslim and Arab students, and those who stand in solidarity with them, are being treated overly hostile by law enforcement compared to those who commit harm toward American Muslims.” Walid also called for full transparency and accountability regarding the rationale behind these raids and the nature of any ongoing investigations.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CAIR-MI is looking for an Immigration Attorney to join our team. The role includes providing direct legal services, community outreach, and advocacy to support Muslim and immigrant communities.
Must have 2–5 years of experience in immigration law.
Based in Michigan | Passion for civil rights
Apply now or share with someone who might be interested!
Email CV to dwalid@cair.com
(CANTON, MI, 04/15/2025) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, against the Wayne State University Police Department (WSU PD) for engaging in a documented pattern of racial and religious profiling, harassment, and the unconstitutional exclusion of Muslim, Arab, and pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide students on campus.
The complaint alleges that WSU PD officers unlawfully used force against peaceful student protesters, demanded immigration documents from students without legal authority, and repeatedly denied Arab and Muslim students access to public university spaces and events—often without cause or legal justification. It further asserts that these discriminatory actions were neither isolated nor accidental but constitute an official pattern and practice reflective of a broader institutional failure at Wayne State University.
The complaint is supported by numerous first-hand student narratives, video documentation, public statements by Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, and correspondence from prior incidents involving WSU PD. It details discriminatory conduct spanning from Late 2023 through April 2025, including the suppression of peaceful protest, retaliatory ID checks, and threats made by officers toward students wearing religious or cultural attire.
CAIR-MI has also issued letters to Wayne State University leadership requesting a formal meeting to discuss how the university intends to address the misconduct and prevent further civil rights violations.
The letter issued alongside today’s civil rights complaint, is one of many over the past year and a half that CAIR-MI has submitted to WSU administration, all of which have either went completely ignored, or have resulted in inaction by the University related to the events detailed therein. The organization has indicated that it is prepared to pursue litigation if necessary.
“This is not about one officer or one incident,” said, CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid. “This is about a systemic culture of profiling and exclusion that has created a hostile environment for Muslim and Arab students at Wayne State. These students deserve to be treated with dignity and equality—not suspicion and surveillance. We will continue to advocate vigorously until their full rights on campus are restored.”
“The allegations contained in this complaint are not only morally repugnant—they are legally indefensible,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure. “Wayne State University is a public institution bound by the U.S. Constitution and federal civil rights laws. When campus police officers demand passports, target students for wearing keffiyehs, or use physical force on peaceful protesters, they are violating core constitutional protections. The law is clear—and we are prepared to pursue all available legal remedies to protect these students.”
This action comes amid a broader national trend of increasing discrimination against Muslim and Arab students. According to CAIR’s 2025 Civil Rights Report, the organization received 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents in 2024, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year and the highest number since CAIR began collecting data in 1996. Many of these complaints involved educational institutions, where students faced harassment and suppression of their First Amendment rights, particularly when expressing pro-Palestinian views.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.