ml wh VISION CCAIR’s vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding MISSION CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil promote justice, and empower American Muslims. Council on Americanslamic Relations Cover design and camposition by Kamila Berbour Content by Anniversary Research Team Copyright e 2019 by the Council on Americar-Islamic Relations Printed by MoreVerg, 3670 Wheeler Ave ‘Alexandria, VA 22304 Photographs: From the CAIR archives 2019 All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, + transmitted a any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic, recording ‘otherwise without the prior permissian on the Couneil on AmericaIslamic Relations.DEFENDING EDUCATING EMPOWERING _ Building the Next Gen of American M 25" ANNIVERSARY GALA SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2019 GRAND HYATT, 1000 H STREET NW., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful WE zw yeshs 4 te HALE a ae ok OMS sabes Fajen gs Oleh The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed {of grain} which grows seven spikes: in each spike is a hundred grains. And God God is all-Encomp: Those who spend their wealth in the way of God and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:262)As-salaamu alaikum, Close your eyes and think back 25 years. For those of you, including many members of our own CAIR staf who were not yet alive, let us paint you a picture. The year is 1994. You turn on the television and whenever the anchors mention Islam, they present biased misrepresentations and outright falsehoods about our faith. Employers like Best Buy, Quality Inn, J ney and others fire hardworking Muslim employees just for wearing hijab or growing a beard. You ar to deci trying who to vote for but none of the cancidates seem aware of the Muslim community and the issues impacting it. When a member of your community falls victim to bias or hate, itis impossible to demand justice Now think of today. Stauton thw belennor and seen CANC epakeeparcen elinmaheakinund wb inetvouciie know that if you ever face diserimination while traveling, working or expressing your First Amendment he end of this book rights you are not alone. Elected officials no longer ignore Muslim issues. [NO you will find 125 letters of support from members of Congress, three of whom are Muslim.] The violence and bias that targets your community is thoroughly documented every year in a report published by CAIR Yes, there are new challenges now. The Islamophobia Network makes millions of dollars every year spreading lies and misinformation about slam, as exposed by two recent CAIR reports. An unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American rity groups since the election of Donald Trump as president threatens four community and others. But CAIR and our community is ready to fight back. We are not the same Muslims and members of other mi ‘American Muslim community we were in 1994. om the hundreds of staff, board members, inierns and volunteers moving this important work forward, we thank you for being part of this journey. As we look toward the challenges that the next 25 years will pres: nt, we invite you to join us in building a tter future for our families, our communities and our country. Thank you for your support. ) ROULA ALLOUCH NIHAD AWAD CAIR Board Chairwoman CCAIR National Executive DirectorRST. 25 A photo exhibit celebrating the first 25 years of the Council on American-Islamic Relat Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, D.C10 2 3 4 8 27 30 34 166 Founders’ Story Program Chapter of the Year American Muslim of the Year Speakers CAIR HistoryTimeline Representing Your Voice in the Media CAIR Chapters & Offices Messages From Our Elected Officials Special Thanks to Our Sponsorsid (Cleeve eeare hits Pint pete} aor e COMET ITC te) 2 Suuyjsnyy UeseULy way) 405 1424 pyrom AUOLS SYIGNNOS BSE SNOLLV TAY OIWVISI-NVORIAWY NO TIONNOOPROGRAM Crete) ty ad ee LT CoML eed Mc Linda Sarsour, Co-Founder of MPower Change, Activist, Community Organizer Dee Te] Roula Allouch, Esq., CAIR National Board Chairwoman Featured Speaker Coenen aN NE Re nce it Sena eee a) CAIR Video Seang Yp Oue Sleeves een ren CAIR Chapter of the Year Award oN Dns Ca Od eee ena Pau R Co Uri) Cec fotee eg Political Commentator, Dean Obeidallah Corey ELE re) ee Cie ana Ate eee een accel ees Seas) Entrée Autumn Fig Glazed Chicken Mission Fig and Maple Syrup Glazed French Breast of Chicken, cee ae ee eee Carrot Ginger Puree, Fig Jus ed ee eae eee ee Strawberry Chantilly Cream, Fresh Berries Option 2: Pumpkin Cheesecake, Dark Chocolate Sauce, Pumpkin Seed Crunch, Vanilla Chantilly Cream, “All meals served with zabihah halal meatIST REFUSES TO SIGN IDGE AND LOSES HER JOB) CAIR-NY serves v el ers Rea]LINDA SARSOUR and civil rights ightmare, The mothe REP. ILHAN OMAR, D-MN al District i public speaker and mitted to fighting inter of our deme She is a frequent media commentator on issue Muslim communities, Middle East affairs and criminal justice munity educator at the University of ol of Public Alfairs an nneapolis City Coune elected as the Minne 40, making her the hiehest-electth Cc) REP. MOVITA JOHNSON-HARRELL, D-PA ABDERRAOOF ALKHAWALDEHan 1995 AI Nationa Teed : : EST. 1994 fia training be a , bon : , ‘ : CAIR - aa T ed CARNET < 2 : ISTORY nln nd ey ct lool evitelnplannl rab at Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to recat i ie protect civil rights and to promote a positive image of f en CAIN 7 ama Aurion Mae , : : Through public outreach, education and advocecy ; é SAIL pie toh orders presen sense ts society. al In offering this perspective, CAIR seeks to empower nd initi ts to eds pala and soca activ “ Today, CAIR is the most pron ice for American ut the hers oni Maslin andi aveoble resource and partner o : 7. oe and interfeth partnere pisteent 8TA ste fl kin me ES Jkt : PIS| BUILDING A NATIONWIDE LEGAL AND | ADVOCACY NETWORK REACHING ALL 50 STATESSr ford Perch Se Oe fea eee Se Dallas-F er Cay Coy Doers Dae Can eee ad Washington, D.C.The following pages are letters of recognition and congratulations from members of Congress, the mayor of Washington, DC., the go these leaders and the countle: honored by the opportunity to serve individuals and communities across the US. and look forward to many more years of success. ernor of Virginia, and several presidential candidates. We extend our thanks to thers that stand up for Muslim civil rights and equality every day. We are LETTERS LISTED BY PAGE NUMBER Murial Bowser, DC Gov. Ral Northam, VA 38. Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer Aguila, CA, fammy Baldwin, WI Nanette Barragén, 45 Sen Michael Bennet, 44 Rep. Ami Bera, CA 47 Rep. Earl Blumenauer, OR 8 hard Blumenthal, 49 Rep-Suzanne Bonamici 50. Sen. Cory Booker, NJ Rep, Anthony Brindisi, NY Anthony Brown, MD Salud Carbajal, CA 55. Rep. Tony Cardenas, CA 56 Sen, Ben Cardin, MD 59 Rep. Gil Cisneros, CA 60. Rep. Katherine Clark, MA 61 Rep. Yoo Clarke, NY Lacy Clay, MO 63 Rep. Gerald Connolly, VA 64 Rep. Lou Correa, CA 65 Rep. Jim Costa, CA 66 Rep. Joe Courtney, CT 67 Rep. TJ. Cox, CA Rep. Charlie Crist, FL Rep, Eljah Cummings, MD Rep. Rodney Davis, IL >, Madeleine Dean, PA Rep, Suzan DelBene, WA 75 Rep, Mark DeSaulnier, CA %4 Rep. Debbie Dingell, Ml 75 Rep. Mike Doyle, PA % Sen. Tammy Duckworth, IL 77 Rep, Anna Eshoo, CA 78 Rep, Dwight Evans, PA Rep. Mar ige, OH 80. Rep. John Garamendi, CA 1 Rep. Chuy Garcfa, IL 82 Rep Sylvia Garcia, TX 85. Rep. Jimmy Gome 84. Rep. Jimmy Gom 85 Rep. Ratil Grijalva, AZ 8 20 Hastings 88. Rep. Jim Himes, CT 89. Rep. Steven Horsford, NV Jared Huffman, CA Pramile Jo Eddie Bernice Johnson, TX Hank Johnson, GA 94 Sen. Doug Jones, Al 95. Sen, Tim Kaine, VA Marcy Kaptur, Robin Kelly, IL ep. Joseph Kennedy Il, MA Ro Khanna, CA nKildee, MI 101 Sen, Amy Klobuchar, MN 102. Rep. Raja Krishnamocrthi IL Larsen, WA 104 Rep. Brenda Lawrence, MI 105 Rep. Barbara Lee, C 106 Rep, Susie Lee, NV 107, Rep. John Lewis, GA 108 Rep. Dav ack, VA 109 Rep. Zoe Lofgren, CA THO Rep. Alan Lowenthal, m Sen. Ed Markey, MA, m2 Rep. Doris Matsui, CA Ns Rep. Betty McCollum, MN 14. Rep. Donald McEachin, VA, 15 Rep. Jerry MeNerney, CA 16 Menendez, NJ ” 1ce Meng, NY 18 Rep. Gwen Moore, WI 19 Sen. Chris Murphy, CT Patty Murray, WA, 121. Rep. Donald Norcross, NU leanor Holmes Norton, DC han Omar, MN han Omar, MN rank Pallone, N 126 Rep. Bill Pascrll,N. Id Payne, NJ Dean Philips, MN, Mark Pocan, WI 150. Rep. Katie Porter, C 151 Rep. Mike Quigley, IL e amie Raskin, MD 33. Rep, Harley Rouda, CA 134 Rep. CA. Dutch Ruppersberger, MD 135. Rep, Bobby Rush, Tim Ryan, OH 37 Rep. John Sarbanes, MD 158. Rep. Mary Gay Seanlon, PA 39 cowshy, IL 140. Rep. Adam Schiff, CA, 141 Rep. Kim Schrier, WA 142 Rep. Terti Sewel, AL 145. Rep. Donna Shalala, FL sten Sinema, AZ mith, WA Tina Smith, MN 151 Rep. Mike Thompson, CA 152 Rep. Rashida Thib, MI Paul Tonko, NY Lori Trahan, MA, Chris Van Hollen, MD | juan Vargas, CA 37. Rep, Nydia Velézquer, NY 158 Sen, Mark Warner, VA Bonnie Watson Coleman, NJ Jennifer Wexton, VA 161 Rep, Rob Woodall, GAGrectin Ja— @uuncil on Lmerican-Iulamie Rotations 25 Anniversary November 9, 2019 As Mayor of Washington, DC, I am pleased to extend greetings to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on the occasion of your 25th Annive For the past twentyfive years, CAIR has worked to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America and continues to be a leading advocate for American Muslims. CAIR’s legal work to uphold and defens the constitutional and civil rights of American Muslims ensures that the = of all Americans remain well protected. This year marks a significant milestone in the history of CAIR and is celebrated with its annual banquet and this year's theme: “Defendin Educating, Empowering’ to commend the years of CAIR community As you celebrate this special occasion, I thank each of you for continuing to bring together community leaders, scholars, and activists to celebrate CAIR's work defending civil liberties (On behalf of the 702,000 residents of Washington, DC Happy 25% Annivers ngron, DC COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA Office of the Governor Ralph S Noam November 9, 2019 Dear Friends On behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to yone celebrating the 25 anniversary of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CATR) Tam grateful for the great work CAIR does for Virginia and the United States. Since 1994, CAIR has served the citiz y enhancin the understanding of Islam, protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims. It warms my heat to see so many Virginians coming together to celebrate our rich ultural diversity. I am confident that your continued engagement will make our community a place to live for generations to come AAs Governor, I have worked diligently to create a community of inclusion. dignity. and equity. As I travel across the state, [am constantly reminded that our communities are built on the backbone of hardworking immigrant values - that is what makes Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. American-Muslim men and women lend their rich heritage to enhancing the Commonwealth in business, education, the ars, and our military Again, thank you for attending the 25" anniversary of the Council on American-Is Relations (CAIR) banquet, and I send my best wishes fora successful evening. Sincerely, PES OE Ralph S. Northam Pauck Heney Bulg ¢ 1111 Ec toad Suet» Rchnond, Vina (8) Teo 2211 + PTY 00)November 9, 2019 As-Salamu Alaykum Fret Congratulations to the Couneil on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for their historic 25 years of excellence and community service. The Councll has been at the forefront in assisting American Musiims and their quest for civil rights, justice, and empowerment, mend you all for this tradition of bringing together this distinguished room of leaders, 1 activists from communities all around our country to celebrate CAIR's omplishments in defending the rights and civil ibertes of American Muslims. On course of these past 25 years, the counell and its members have made great strides for ‘Muslim community. Collectively we know that the quest for lv for all is an American ight The council's grassroots approach has been imperative in the fight against antl-Muslim sentiment. And | support the work that CAIR has done to civicaly engage the wider -ommunity. CAIF has helped educate our nation on Muslim culture and bridge divides within ommunities, making our towns and cities stronger and bringing them closer together CCAIR’s work in the courts shows a commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all ‘Americans regardless of faith, For a quarter of a century, CAIR has progressed the legal protections to assure that American Muslims are treated equally under the law Because | believe a healthy democracy depends on the broadest participation possible, | applaud CAIR's get out the vote efforts in Muslim communities. Everyone must be able to vote with no discrimination and no barriers. ‘The council's work restores America to its founding principles — a democracy of, by and for the people, and CAIR will be needed to continue to protect our freedom for future generations For the last few years, have been a proud supporter of CAIR California chapters including CAIR San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA), and | wish them the best as they also colebrate this milestone in Santa Clara. Congratulations on yet another year of enhancing the understanding of Isiam, protecting our rights, and empowering American Muslims, By tomsteyercom iil, PETE AGUILAR September 30, 2019 Dear Friends L write to congratulate you on 25 years of outstanding community service as you hold the Council on American-islamic Relations 2019 Celebratory Banquet. CAIR’s work is invaluable in communities throughout the country, and your tireless advocacy for the rights of American Muslims deserves celebration on this historic anniversary For 25 years CAIR has worked to defend the First Amendment rights of all Americans promoting the values of equality and acceptance. Through legal advocacy and collaboration, CAIR seeks to build relationships between community, government and faith leaders to foster constructive dialogues and stand for the rights of American Muslims. CAIR’s work in my own. community, Southern California's Inland Empire, has been invaluable I look forward to continuing our partnership in order to better serve Southern Cal (Once again, | commend you on 25 years of activism and advocacy and thank you for your invaluable service to communities like mine. l hope the 2019 Celebratory Banquet provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress you've made and recommit to your continued efforts to stand for equality and civil rights Sincerely, Pete Ag ah Pete Aguilar Member of CongresTammy BALDWIN Unitep States SENATOR October 2019 Dear Friends of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Congratulations as you celebrate your 25" year at the Council on American- Islamic Relations’ Anniversary Banquet. For the past 25 years, the CAIR has been a leader in promoting mutual understanding by countering prejudice and combating Islamophobia. This ear’s banquet theme, “Defending, Educating, Empowering” celebrates and nizes the important work the CAIR does in the fight for civil discourse and civic engagement. During this time of divisive rhetoric in our national dialogue forts are greatly needed, as you remind us that our communities are interdependent and strengthened by our diversity Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for the example you set for us Tam confident that the CAIR will remain a leading advocate for the American Muslim community, as it has been for the past 25 years. Best wishes for a successful Anniversary Banquet, Sincerely TayAmy Baldwin United States Senator November 9, 2019 Dear Friends, am thrilled to congratulate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for historic quarter-century of excellent community service, May the 2019 Celebratory Banquet be ‘one yet! [can think of no better way to celebrate CAIR's work defending civil liberties g of together community leaders, scholars and activists Over the past year, CAIR’s local chapter in Los Angeles has continued to impress me with its civil rights advocacy. From advocating for the rights of Muslim Americans in LA County jails, to holding our schools accountable to protect students from bullying, CAIR is not only working to defend the constitutional rights of Muslim Ameticans, the council is ensuring that the ain well protected. When American Muslims lose their jobs for wear uffer discrimination while traveling, of face other forms of prejudice CAIR is there to give them a voice. I would like to further commend CAIR for its non-partisan voter registration, get-out-the- vote and voter education activities, which support the very principles of civie engagement ov Which our nation was founded. The council's work to expose Islamophobia and push back ‘against hate in every form is integral in moving this country inthe right direction Once again, congratulations on this momentous occasion. [sincerely hope that t banquet is a fantastic experience for everyone in attendance, and I am confident tha continue to be a voice for the American Muslim community In Solidarity Nanette Diaz Barragin US. Representative California's 44" Congressional District