(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/25/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned “dishonest and disgusting” comments made by Texas Senator Ted Cruz about prominent American Muslim imam and human rights activist Dr. Omar Suleiman.  

In a Twitter post, Cruz called Dr. Suleiman an “antisemite” for identifying the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza as a genocide and criticizing U.S. support for it.  

CAIR ACTION ALERT: Condemn Senator Ted Cruz’s Dishonest and Disgusting Attack on Texas Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman 

https://action.cair.com/a/shameontedcruz

Dr. Omar Suleiman is the President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He’s also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center, and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith alliance for peace and justice. He has studied throughout the Islamic world. In 2019, he gave an opening prayer in Congress.  

SEE THE POST 

In a statement, CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said: 

“We strongly condemn Ted Cruz for his dishonest and disgusting attack on Dr. Omar Suleiman, a widely respected theologian, human rights activist and champion of interfaith dialogue. Mr. Cruz’s defamatory, hateful rhetoric is contributing to a dangerous atmosphere of anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Palestinian racism. Mr. Cruz should be ashamed of himself and he should stop supporting the Israeli government’s ongoing war crimes against Palestinian civilians, including over 2,000 slaughtered children.” 

Mitchell noted that today, CAIR reported that it has received 774 complaints, including reported bias incidents, since the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine on Oct. 7.  

SEE: CAIR Reports Sharp Increase in Complaints, Reported Bias Incidents Since 10/7 

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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, 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