The Council on AmericanIslamic Relations New Jersey CAIRNJ

The Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey (CAIRNJ) is a civil liberties and advocacy organization based in South Plainfield, New Jersey. With four employees, CAIRNJ is a regional chapter of the national organization, CAIR, which boasts 35 offices and chapters across the United States. CAIRNJ's mission aligns with the national organization's goals: to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. CAIRNJ provides a range of services to the Muslim community in New Jersey. Their work focuses on addressing discrimination and promoting justice for Muslims facing various challenges. This includes providing education and support for individuals experiencing discrimination in areas such as employment, public accommodations, and schools. CAIRNJ also handles hate crimes and governmental religious/racial profiling cases. They utilize various strategies, including in-person negotiations, filing discrimination charges, letter writing, and referrals to their attorney referral network to remedy these situations. The demand for CAIRNJ's services has significantly increased in recent years. The organization attributes this growth to the rise in restrictions placed on Muslims practicing their religion, as well as profiling and discrimination stemming from a lack of understanding of Islam. This surge in demand highlights the crucial role CAIRNJ plays in protecting the rights of Muslims in New Jersey. To learn more about CAIRNJ and their services, visit their website at nj.cair.com.