Press Releases
CAIR-Houston Applauds City’s Designation of March 15 as ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’
(HOUSTON, TX, 3/25/2026) – The Houston office of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) today applauded the Houston City Council’s decision to designate March 15 as the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia.’
Yesterday, Houston City Council officials announced the proclamation designating the month, which said local Muslim students have been subjected to religious harassment, including “the desecration of the Quran,” which occurred at the University of Houston last year when a man threw the holy Islamic text into a bonfire at a Muslim Students Association gathering. The proclamation defines Islamophobia as a prejudice against the faith group rooted in fear, hatred and ignorance that manifests in “discrimination, exclusion and violence” against not only Muslims, but those who are perceived to be Muslim.
SEE: Houston City Council members raise concerns over Islamophobia, political attacks on Muslims
In a statement, CAIR-Houston Operations Director Imran Ghani said:
“We welcome and applaud this important decision by the city council. The city council’s designation of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and recognition of the threat posed by anti-Muslim bigotry come at a crucial time. Muslims nationwide and in Texas in particular are facing levels of hatred and discrimination not seen since the aftermath of September 11. We hope this designation will serve as a message to anti-Muslim bigots that the city of Houston will not tolerate such hatred against its Muslim citizens.”
In a testimony he gave to Mayor Whitmire and members of Houston City Council to pass an ordinance under consideration that would limit Houston Police Department’s cooperation with ICE, Ghani said:
“Islamophobia is rooted in the same ignorance and hatred that foments fear and violence against all minorities. There is no agency that executes state sanctioned xenophobia more than ICE. For that reason, we urge the city of Houston to pass this ordinance.”
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
Yesterday, CAIR-NY asked for the public’s assistance with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who reportedly attacked a woman on a subway platform while making “anti-Islamic” statements.
Last week, CAIR’s Northern Ohio chapter welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly plotted a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
CAIR’s Pittsburgh chapter also welcomed the arrest of an individual accused of making threats against the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania (ICWP) and is calling for continued vigilance to protect Muslim communities.
Earlier this month, CAIR’s Arizona chapter welcomed an arrest for a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix.
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: Imran Ghani, Director, CAIR-Texas Houston, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; Aliyan Hashmani, Outreach Coordinator, CAIR-Texas Houston, ahashmani@cair.com, 832-805-6410; John T. Floyd, CAIR National Board Member, CAIR-Texas Houston, 713-254-2016, jfloyd@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
