CAIR-NJ Condemns Tulsi Gabbard’s ‘Delusional and Dangerous’ Attack on New Jersey Muslims
CAIR-NJ Condemns Tulsi Gabbard’s ‘Delusional and Dangerous’ Attack on New Jersey Muslims
(NEWARK, NJ – 12/22/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s “delusional and dangerous” attacks on Islam and the American Muslim community, specifically including Muslims in Paterson, New Jersey.
In a speech at Turning Point USA AmericaFest on Dec. 20th, Gabbard falsely claimed that Muslims in Paterson are plotting to impose “sharia law” and “Islamic principles” on the city through the “use of laws or violence.” Gabbard also attacked the broader American Muslim community, conflating an entire faith community with terrorism and violence.
CAIR-NJ called her rant targeting Islam and American Muslims “delusional” and “disqualifying.”
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“We condemn Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks as dangerous and inflammatory lies. By falsely portraying Islam and Muslim communities as threats to American freedom, she engages in reckless fearmongering that endangers real people.
“Paterson is obviously not governed by ‘sharia law,’ and New Jersey Muslims are obviously not plotting to impose their faith on the people of Paterson. Everyone in America lives under the U.S. Constitution and their respective state law. Suggesting otherwise is not debate – it is incitement that fuels harassment and discrimination. Claiming that Sharia, which refers to the rules Muslims follow like halacha for Jews and canon law for Catholics, is something to be afraid of is also anti-Muslim.
“By conflating Islam, civic participation by Muslims, and terrorism, Gabbard promotes a narrative that has historically fueled harassment, surveillance, mosque vandalism, and violence against Muslim Americans. This rhetoric has real-world consequences, and New Jersey communities have felt them firsthand.
“But what is the Sharia? Claiming that ‘Sharia law’ is something to be feared is itself ignorant and hateful. In reality, Sharia is a moral and ethical guide for personal faith and daily life for Muslims, not a political tool being imposed in Paterson or anywhere in the U.S. Framing it as a threat is classic Islamophobic fearmongering.
“We are calling on local, state, and federal officials to reject this divisive and dangerous rhetoric. Defending freedom means defending it for everyone, not scapegoating Muslim communities for political gain. We will continue to stand against anti-Muslim hate and in defense of civil rights and human dignity.
“But why is Gabbard fabricating these lies? It’s a distraction. One of the deepest frustrations shared by Americans across the political spectrum is the outsized influence of the pro-Israel lobby over US elected officials – an influence that often places Israel’s interests ahead of America’s stated values, public opinion, civil rights, and long-term security. This reality is increasingly visible, and public anger over it is growing.
“Tulsi Gabbard’s rhetoric is a deliberate distraction from that reckoning. Rather than address why bipartisan leaders continue to provide unconditional support, funding, and political cover for Israel despite mounting costs, she fabricates an internal bogeyman by vilifying Muslim Americans. This reframes legitimate criticism of U.S. policy as a civilizational threat, shifting scrutiny away from the entrenched political power of the pro-Israel lobby.
“Muslims are not undermining the West; they are exercising constitutionally protected rights. In reality, Muslim Americans are among the most vocal advocates for an ‘America First’ foreign policy – one rooted in international law, human rights, and accountability. Muslims are not undermining the country; they are challenging a political status quo that many Americans now see as corrupt, unresponsive, and harmful.
“By turning Muslims into a scapegoat, Gabbard attempts to fracture a growing, cross-community movement demanding that U.S. leaders serve American interests – not the genocidal state of Israel. Fearmongering is easier than defending the status quo that more Americans are questioning every day. The desperation is becoming increasingly clear.”
[NOTE:Last month, CAIR’s national office distributed a formal congressional briefing memo “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”]
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT:CAIR-NJ Executive Director, Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414
BREAKING: Press Conference Video from Facebook
Editor’s Note:
We need to view Gabbard’s rhetoric smearing Paterson – the largest Palestinian community enclave in the nation – as a threat and as a proclamation to commit genocide against our diverse Paterson community – attacks that would target the whole city in addition to the Muslims and Palestinians there.NJ needs to begin plans to be able to mobilize thousands of people to defend against potentially wholesale attacks on our cities.
We need some strong push back from NJ elected leadership on this matter – NSPM7 – ITA passage – NO IHRA .
THis is IHRA – this is what it means – attacks on people who disagree with Israel and threats of violence and actual violence against us!
NJ can not be a cess pool where Israel determines what we are allowed to say and troops , federal police backed up by local enforcers are there to beat down those who resist tyranny and genocide.
- Bob Witanek, editor, FightBackBetter
