FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Welcomes President Obama's Rejection of Islamophobia in Oval Office Address

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/6/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed President Obama's rejection of Islamophobia during tonight's prime-time address to the nation on his plans to combat terrorism and to defeat ISIS.

In his address, President Obama repudiated the view that there should be a war on Islam, acknowledged that the vast majority of the victims of terrorism are Muslims and that extremists are a "tiny fraction" of Muslims worldwide, and rejected both discrimination against American Muslims and a religious test for those admitted to this country.

The president concluded his statement against Islamophobia by saying:

"Muslim Americans are our friends and neighbors, our coworkers, our sports heroes, and yes, they are our men and women in uniform who are willing to die in defense of our country. We have to remember that."

Video: President Obama's Oval Office Statement Rejecting Islamophobia

Earlier today, CAIR called on the president to make just such a statement in his address to the nation.

"In light of the recent hate incidents targeting the American Muslim community and the hate-filled rhetoric we hear from a number of public figures, we welcome President Obama's strong statement calling for national unity and rejecting anti-Muslim 'suspicion and hate,'" said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "The president was clear in disassociating Islam from the thugs of ISIS, who are the common enemy of all Americans and of all Muslims worldwide."

Awad added that America needs to work with the international community to help the Syrian people end the Assad dictatorship and build a free and democratic Syria.

He said Assad's repression and murder have been the main source of instability in the region, which is in turn exploited by groups like ISIS to recruit and expand in the Middle East and around the world.

CAIR has received more reports about acts of Islamophobic violence, threats, intimidation and discrimination targeting American Muslims (or those perceived to be Muslim) and Islamic institutions since the Paris attacks than during any other limited period of time since the 9/11 terror attacks.

SEE: CAIR Reports Unprecedented Backlash Against American Muslims After Paris Attacks
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That backlash has been exacerbated by inaccurate and inflammatory Islamophobic statements by public figures like Donald Trump, Ben Carson and others.

Video: CAIR, NJ Muslims, Interfaith Leaders, Officials Condemn Donald Trump's False 9/11 Claim
President of Liberty University Urges Students to Get Gun Permits, 'End Those Muslims' (NY Times)
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CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, [email protected]