Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (CAIR-San Diego)
The Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (CAIR-San Diego) is a subchapter of CAIR California (CAIR-CA), which is itself a chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a pro-Palestinian advocacy organization for Muslims in the United States.1 The chapter was founded in 2004.2
CAIR-San Diego is a pro-Palestinian organization that considers Israel’s war against Hamas genocide.3 The group has organized protests against President Donlad Trump’s travel bans and college campus events that featured Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.45 CAIR-San Diego also opposes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).6
Activities
In addition to civil rights training, immigration services, and other legal advocacy work, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (CAIR-San Diego) publicizes and campaigns against what it considers civil rights abuses against American Muslims, and opposes actions of the Trump administration.78 In June 2025, CAIR-San Diego expressed opposition to President Donlad Trump’s order restricting travel from 19 countries, most of which are either African or Muslim-majority countries. CAIR-San Diego executive director, Tazheen Nizam, decried the ban as “racist.”6 In response to the ban, CAIR-San Diego organized a rally outside the San Diego International Airport.94
Also in June 2025, CAIR-San Diego condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration’s enforcement of immigration law, the deployment of National Guard units and U.S. Marines to communities in Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. The group called the ICE raids and deployment of the National Guard an “abuse of power.”6 CAIR-San Diego joined other southern Californian faith leaders in condemning ICE raids at restaurants in Los Angeles’s South Park neighborhood.10
In May 2025, CAIR-San Diego condemned what it considered a racist social media post shared by the University City High School baseball team. The picture included one of the team’s players during a game with an Israeli song playing in the background, the lyrics of which CAIR-San Diego claimed are racist and genocidal.11
In March 2025, California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) student organization Students Supporting Israel (SSI) announced they invited two Israel Defense Forces soldiers to speak on campus about Zionism and their experiences fighting in Gaza. CAIR-San Diego, along with the CSUSM chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Students for Quality Education (SQE), protested the event after a community petition against the event gained over 800 signatures. The San Diego chapters of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), BDS San Diego, North County for Palestine, and Code Pink all participated in the protest.5
In October 2024, CAIR-San Diego hosted a press conference at the University of California, San Diego about what it called the rise of anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism on campus. The conference was held on behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Muslim Students Association whose members gave speeches on the topic. A representative from Jewish Voice for Peace spoke as well. One speaker accused Israel of perpetuating genocide against the people of Gaza.3
Leadership
As of 2025, Tazheen Nizam was the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (CAIR-San Diego). A resident of San Diego for 30 years, Nizam is the founder and co-Chair of the North County Immigration Task Force. She also serves as Community Development Block Grant Commissioner for the City of Vista. Nizam sits on multiple nonprofit boards, including the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association, South Vista Communities, and the Tri-City Islamic Center.12
As of 2025, Mustanir Makhdoom was the president of the CAIR-San Diego Governance Board.13
Financials
In 2023, the CAIR California, the parent group for CAIR-San Diego, reported $17,442,755 in total revenue, $15,190,519 in total expenses, and $23,314,204 in total assets.14
INCREASE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES BY EXPANDING TRAINING FOR NONPROFITS TO HELP STAFF MEMBERS BECOME ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES UNDER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF LEGAL ACCESS PROGRAMS AND TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CLINIC CONVENING
provide general operating support to help the organization advance its mission of enhancing the understanding of Islam, protecting civil liberties, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims
To promote health and well-being, prevent hate and bullying, and address oversurveillance and criminalization of Muslim communities in California by strengthening base-building, organizing, advocacy, educational outreach and a statewide vision and strategy for justice reinvestment informed by grassroots campaigns.
To support resident leaders across the Central San Joaquin Valley to engage in local, regional and state advocacy efforts that advance health and racial equity.
To advance health and well-being, prevent hate and bullying, and address oversurveillance and criminalization of Muslim communities in California by strengthening base-building, organizing, advocacy, educational outreach, communications and a statewide vision and strategy for justice reinvestment.
provide general operating support to help the organization advance its mission of enhancing the understanding of Islam, protecting civil liberties, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims
INCREASE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES BY EXPANDING TRAINING FOR NONPROFITS TO HELP STAFF MEMBERS BECOME ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES UNDER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF LEGAL ACCESS PROGRAMS
PROGRAM – TO SUPPORT COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS CALIFORNIA IN PROVIDING COVID-19 RELIEF SERVICES TO IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS INCLUDING FOOD SECURITY AND HOUSING NEEDS. PROGRAM – FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE BAY AREA'S MUSLIM COMMUNITY. PROGRAM – CAIR IS BUILDING POWER IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY THROUGH OFFERING BYSTANDER INTERVENTION AND MICRO-AGGRESSIONS TRAININGS TO EMPOWER SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RESIDENTS TO PROTECT EACH OTHER IN THE FACE OF RISING HATE VIOLENCE, ADVISED – FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
To support resident leaders across the Central San Joaquin Valley to engage in local, regional and state advocacy efforts that advance health and racial equity.
