Ohio Muslim Leader Warns Noncitizen Students Against Protesting Amid Crackdown and Rising anti-Muslim discrimination
An Ohio-based civil rights leader is speaking out against government crackdowns on anti-Israel protests, including those at Ohio State University, as a new report highlights a surge in anti-Muslim discrimination nationwide.
Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Ohio, criticized the growing mistreatment of marginalized communities, stating:
“Targeting immigrants and people of color has become disturbingly normalized in the U.S.”
Turaani also urged Americans to challenge the use of taxpayer dollars supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, he cautioned noncitizen students against participating in protests following recent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), emphasizing the risks they face.
These remarks came as CAIR’s latest civil rights report revealed a record-breaking 8,650 cases of anti-Muslim discrimination in 2024—the highest since reporting began in 1996. The organization attributes part of this increase to law enforcement clashes during pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
CAIR’s “Unconstitutional Crackdowns” report condemns nationwide violations of First Amendment rights, pointing to mass arrests and restrictions on anti-Israel demonstrations. The issue has escalated further, with the Trump administration recently warning 60 universities, including Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati, to address antisemitism or risk losing federal funding.
Turaani reaffirmed CAIR’s stance against all forms of hate, including antisemitism, while defending the right to protest alleged war crimes in Gaza:
“We must distinguish between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israel, a nation accused of genocide and human rights violations,” he said.
As free speech concerns grow, CAIR continues to advocate for the rights of all communities affected by discrimination and government overreach.
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