The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland is a state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Muslim advocacy group founded by Nihad Awad and Omar Ahmad. CAIR and its founders have a history of association with and statements on behalf of pro-Hamas organizations. ^{1 2} CAIR’s Maryland chapter is based in Baltimore. ³

Background

Zainab Chaudhry works as the director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland, representing the state chapter of CAIR. ⁴

The Maryland chapter lobbies for the overall policy objectives of CAIR at the state level. The chapter’s 2022 policy letter to the Maryland governor requested funding for Muslim immigrants, refugees, incarcerated people, and homeless individuals. It also requested a task force to combat anti-Muslim bullying, increased security for mosques, and the appointment of more Muslims to public office and staffer positions. ⁵

Activities

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland offers a variety of training seminars for Muslim advocacy. The organization also holds Bystander intervention training, self-defense seminars, and various other workshops. ⁶

The CAIR Maryland Chapter has held numerous demonstrations in support of the Palestinians. The organization held a pro-Palestinian protesting class to train community members in activism after the October 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel. ⁷ The organization conducted a similar training session for a pro-Palestinian protest in Rockford, Maryland. ⁸ CAIR’s Maryland chapter has held numerous protests to pressure the state government and several local governments to adopt “Gaza ceasefire resolutions” including protests at the homes of Maryland elected officials. ⁹

Antisemitism Controversy

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland’s director, Zainab Chaudhry, was suspended in 2023 from her position on the Maryland Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) for antisemitic posts made on social media in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks. ^{10 11}

Chaudhry made several social media posts seemingly in support of Hamas, comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and claiming the Israeli children killed by Palestinians were “fake.” ¹²

Chaudhry defended her statements and was reinstated to the commission two weeks later. ¹³

1. “US Census Bureau Partners with Controversial Muslim Group – Report.” The Jerusalem Post, August 30, 2019. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/us-census-bureau-partners-with-controversial-muslim-group-report-600143
2. “CAIR is Hamas.” Center for Security Policy. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CAIR_is_HAMAS.pdf.
3. “CAIR Chapters.” CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.cair.com/about_cair/cair-chapters/
4. “Zainab Chaudry – Director of Maryland Outreach.” CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.cair.com/ourstaff/zainab-chaudry/
5. “CAIR Submits 11 Policy Priorities for MD Governor-Elect Wes Moore.” CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations, November 16, 2022. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-submits-11-policy-priorities-for-md-governor-elect-wes-moore/.
6. Hooper, Ibrahim. “Cair Self-Defense and Bystander Intervention Training in Maryland Dec. 2.” CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations, November 28, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-self-defense-and-bystander-intervention-training-in-maryland-dec-2/.
7. Hooper, Ibrahim. “CAIR Maryland Office to Host Virtual Teach-in on Palestine Advocacy for Students.” CAIR, October 19, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-maryland-office-to-host-virtual-teach-in-on-palestine-advocacy-for-students/
8. Allison, Ismail. “CAIR to Join Maryland Rally in Montgomery County for #CeasefireNOW in Gaza .” CAIR, November 20, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-to-join-maryland-rally-in-montgomery-county-for-ceasefirenow-in-gaza/
9. “CAIR’s Maryland Office to Hold #EmergencyCeasefireNow Protests for Gaza at Offices of MD Elected Officials.” CAIR, November 20, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/tonight-cairs-maryland-office-amp-to-hold-emergency-ceasefirenow-protests-for-gaza-at-offices-of-md-elected-officials/.
10.  “Overnight, Dozens of MD Muslim Groups, 3,800 Petitioners Call on AG Brown to Restore Dr. Zainab Chaudhry, Reject Islamophobia.” CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations, November 22, 2023. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/overnight-dozens-of-md-muslim-groups-3800-petitioners-call-on-ag-brown-to-restore-dr-zainab-chaudry-reject-islamophobia/
11. Shepherd, Katie. “Chaudry Suspended from MD Commission on Hate ” Washington Post, November 21, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/21/zainab-chaudry-suspended-maryland-commission/
12.  “Maryland AG Suspends Task Force Member Who Said Babies Murdered by Hamas Were Fake.” New York Post, November 22, 2023. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://nypost.com/2023/11/22/news/maryland-ag-suspends-task-force-member-who-said-babies-murdered-by-hamas-were-fake/.
13. Wiggins, Ovetta. “Suspension of MD hate-crime commission member is lifted.” Washington Post, December 6, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/06/maryland-hate-commission-reinstated-cair/.