History of CAIR-MN

Founded to Protect

CAIR-Minnesota was established in 2007 in response to rising Islamophobia, racial profiling, and post-9/11 civil liberties violations. At a time when Muslims across Minnesota were being harassed at work, bullied in schools, and targeted at airports, a group of local advocates came together with a clear mission: to defend the rights of our communities and provide free legal support to those who needed it most.

Building Legal and Community Power

From our earliest days, CAIR-MN focused on handling civil rights cases across employment, education, housing, and law enforcement. Our legal team continues to represent people facing workplace discrimination, school bullying, police bias, immigration delays, hate crimes, and religious accommodation challenges. Over the years, we’ve also become a national leader in public education and equity training—offering diversity and inclusion workshops to over 5,000 people annually, including educators, hospital systems, and corporate staff.

A Frontline Presence

We’ve been on the frontlines of every major civil rights challenge our communities have faced in recent years. During the 2016 election cycle and its aftermath, we responded to a surge in hate and policy threats with legal action and public mobilization. When the Muslim Ban was announced, we were at the airports helping families and raising our voices. From 2021 to 2024, Minnesota saw 44 mosque attacks—the highest number in the nation. CAIR-MN supported impacted communities, helped secure over $3 million in federal safety grants, and worked with mosques across the state to strengthen security and resilience.

Grounded in Grassroots Coalitions

We are deeply rooted in grassroots organizing and proud members of coalitions across Minnesota that fight for immigrant justice, housing access, voting rights, community safety, and racial equity. Whether responding to police violence, advancing educational equity, or addressing Islamophobic policies, we collaborate with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and interfaith partners who share our belief that justice is collective.

Where We Are Today

Today, CAIR-MN remains one of the most active civil rights organizations in the state. We take on hundreds of civil rights cases each year, train thousands of people across sectors, and advocate at the local and state levels for systemic change. Led by Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, our team brings deep legal expertise, cultural knowledge, and a people-first approach to every part of our work. From legal representation to public advocacy, our vision remains the same: a Minnesota where everyone—no matter their background—can live with safety, dignity, and freedom.