CAIR-NJ Urges Montclair School District to Rescind Guidance on IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

(NEWARK, NJ – 6/12/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, urged the Montclair Board of Education to rescind recent guidance regarding educators’ responsibilities to adhere to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which falsely conflates criticism of Israel’s human rights abuses and genocide with antisemitism.

On June 2, 2026, attorney Mr. David Nash, on behalf of the New Jersey Principals and Superintendents Association (NJPSA), delivered guidance to Montclair Public Schools faculty on what constitutes hostility or harassment in classrooms. In it, he claimed New Jersey Schools are bound by the IHRA definition of antisemitism, citing a 2019 Executive Order by President Trump. 

CAIR-NJ wrote a letter to Montclair Public Schools Superintendent highlighting New Jersey’s repeated refusal to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, the unconstitutionality of this attempt to impose restrictions on students’ and teachers’ First Amendment rights, and called for the district to take corrective measures.

SEE: CAIR-NJ Letter to Montclair School District

Slide from NJPSA presentation citing examples of antisemitism: 

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:

“It is absolutely chilling to free speech for a school district to characterize critique of Israel as antisemitic. Drawing historical comparisons between the actions of Israel, particularly in Gaza, to that of other genocidal regimes is valid political discourse. The training goes further to say ‘claiming the state of Israel is a racist endeavor’ is an example of antisemitism. Israel’s very own ‘Nation-State Law’ restricts the rights of its Arab citizens – limiting discourse around this does nothing to address antisemitism.

“This training, by reinforcing the IHRA definition, violates New Jersey standards for discrimination and infringes on students’ and teachers’ constitutional rights. The school district should clarify Trump’s Executive Order is just that – a non legally binding recommendation for his executive agencies – and stay firm in its commitment to free expression and student safety.”

Last year, CAIR and CAIR Action, its advocacy affiliate, released a factsheet, called “Voices of Resistance Against the IHRA Definition and the Antisemitism Awareness Act.” That publication documents how the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism is being weaponized across the country to silence advocacy against genocide and for Palestinian human rights.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    

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CONTACT:  Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

COMMUNITY ADVISORY: CAIR-NJ Releases Congressional Tracker for Upcoming Election Cycle

(5/21/26 — NEWARK, NJ) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) is releasing a Congressional Tracker to inform voters on their federal representatives’ stances on various bills and measures important to the Muslim community.

SEE: 2026 Congressional Tracker

Congressional Tracker Outline

CAIR-NJ is committed to encouraging civic engagement and informed decision making.

The bills highlighted in the tracker address civil rights protections, foreign policy accountability, and Islamophobia. Some bills have been voted on while other bills have only been introduced in the House/Senate. The green check marks reflect votes or co-sponsorships in support of Muslim New Jerseyans’, and the red ‘X’ marks reflect lack of support. Grey circles represent a missed vote, or if the vote was not applicable. Not all co-sponsorships have been updated on Congress.gov. In cases of discrepancies, CAIR-NJ reflects the information as communicated by Members’ offices.

Please note, CAIR-NJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

CAIR-NJ Announces Release of NJ Resident Amrou Ibrahim from Israeli Custody

(NEWARK, NJ – 5/21/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) confirms the release of Nutley resident, Amrou Ibrahim, from Israeli custody. He is currently in Turkey, receiving medical treatment.

READ: Gaza flotilla activists deported from Israel as backlash over treatment grows.

Amrou is among hundreds of activists who were attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when Israeli authorities intercepted their vessels on international waters. Lawyers with Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel shared that their “team received a large number of complaints of extreme violence […] by Israeli authorities. This violence resulted in severe, widespread injuries, including at least three individuals who were hospitalized and subsequently released.” They also reported on the use of tasers, stress positions, sexual harassment and degradation, and in a few instances found broken ribs on some activists.

In a statement shared with CAIR-NJ, Amrou’s mother, Aiat Ibrahim shared the following:

“After speaking with my son today, I was relieved to learn that he is safe following his release alongside fellow activists from the Freedom Flotilla of Steadfastness and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. While I am deeply grateful for his release, I am devastated by the account he shared of the treatment he endured during his detention in Israel.

“My son described being subjected to physical beatings and severe physical and psychological humiliation—experiences whose full impact cannot truly be captured in words. During his detention, his prescription glasses and shoes were confiscated, leaving him unable to see properly and forcing him to leave occupied Palestine barefoot.

“As a parent, it is heartbreaking to know that my child was deprived not only of his dignity and safety, but also of basic necessities. The image of him departing in prison clothing, without shoes and without the ability to see clearly, is one that will remain with me forever.

“The only measure of comfort I have at this moment is knowing that he is now in Istanbul, where he and the other released activists are reportedly receiving the medical attention and care they urgently need.

“I call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all governments committed to justice and human dignity to investigate the treatment of these activists and to ensure accountability for the abuses they endured while in detention.

“No parent should ever have to hear such accounts from their child. No human being should be subjected to such treatment.”

Aiat shared that when she spoke to her son, he was in high spirits and wanted all the attention focused on Gaza: to urge governments to condemn the blockade on Gaza and the genocide of Palestinians.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

CAIR-NJ Denounces Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Participants, Calls on Representatives to Advocate for Amrou Ibrahim’s Release

(NEWARK, NJ – 5/20/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) denounces the mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla participants on arrival at Ashdod Port, Israel. New Jersey resident, Amrou Ibrahim, is among those detained by Israeli forces for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when their vessel was unlawfully seized.

READ: Global leaders denounce treatment of humanitarian activists by Israeli authorities.

In a video shared on social media, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is shown taunting detainees while they are dragged, bound, and forced to kneel.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:

“Nutley resident Amrou Ibrahim was on a humanitarian mission to Gaza when he along with other flotilla passengers were abducted by Israeli authorities on international waters. Our representatives should be outraged at how their constituent is being treated by Israeli officials.

We thank Representative Mejia and Senator Kim for advocating on behalf of Amrou. We call on all our federal officials to denounce this treatment and secure his release.”

WATCH: Israeli authorities mistreat foreign nationals at the port of Ashdod.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

On Monday May 18th, CAIR’s national office and its San Diego chapter (CAIR-San Diego) condemned the attack. Additionally, CAIR’s Texas chapter (CAIR-TX) joined Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by local politicians. CAIR have designated Florida Rep. Randy Fine as ‘Anti-Muslim Extremist’ Following ‘Unceasingly Violent’ Rhetoric.

The attack comes amid a national rise in anti-Muslim bias. Last week, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law,” while condemning Republican members and witnesses for promoting dangerous smear tactics. According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination continue to surge nationwide.

WATCH: Representatives Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal challenge Republican witnesses on their Islamophobic agendas.

New Jersey has the highest population of Muslims per capita, with over 160 mosques across the state. CAIR-NJ is reminding Islamic centers and houses of worship to review safety protocols. CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities secure.

CAIR-NJ encourages community members facing bias, discrimination, or hate incidents to immediately report them to local law enforcement and to CAIR.

Incidents can be reported online at CAIR-NJ’s webpage.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238

Take Action: Call for Immediate Release of Amrou Ibrahim, New Jersey Global Sumud Flotilla Participant

CAIR-NJ strongly condemns Israel’s interception of the peaceful Global Sumud Flotilla, whose sole mission was to deliver vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. We urge New Jersey’s Congressional Representatives to take immediate action to protect their constituents aboard the flotilla, including Amrou Ibrahim.

New Jersey resident, Amrou Ibrahim, was among those arrested by Israel trying to deliver desperately needed food, medicine, and aid supplies to Gaza. The nearly 500 people aboard more than 50 boats were stopped off the coast of Cyprus. We have not heard from Amrou since before his arrest. Urgent action is needed to ensure his safe return and that others are not abused. This comes just as Israel recently extended detention for some humanitarian activists who were previously arrested on another flotilla.

CAIR-NJ is concerned with reports that Amrou and other flotilla participants are being held on a cargo ship while they await transfer to an Israeli prison.

Send a message to your representatives today: demand that they protect everyone on board from abuse in Israeli prisons and publicly condemn Israel’s unlawful interception of the flotilla as they continue to strangle Gaza.

TAKE ACTION: Email and/or call NJ officials to demand they call for an immediate release.