Maryland Anti-Palestinian Hate Crime Jumps in 2024
Anti-Palestinian incidents are on the rise according to the Maryland CAIR office. Complaints have gone up an estimated 23% statewide since last year, a 413 incidents were documented in early 2024, according to CAIR-MD.
"There's just a very real fear and reluctance to want to come forward," Zainab Chaudry, CAIR-MD Director said. "Oftentimes, a lot of students feel pressure to not come forward, or they feel like there's going to be some retaliation or harassment."
Source: WBalt TV - Link
Contact Commissioner Nassar
If you live or work in Maryland and wish to discuss issues related to hate incidents, hate crime, bullying, discrimination, prejudice please feel free to reach out to Commissioner Nassar using the form below or on the right. You can also use the form to invite the commissioner to your community or organization.
"O mankind, We have created you from a single pair of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."
Al-Hujarat (49:13)
Greetings of peace,
I have been appointed as one of Maryland's 15 members on the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. This commission is dedicated to addressing and preventing hate crimes across Maryland.
I am appreciative to the trust Attorney General Anthony Brown has placed in me to represent the marginalized in our Free State, Maryland
Youth and many disadvantaged groups including Muslims have been suffering in silence . With Allah's will, in this role, I look forward for making a dent in amplifying Maryland's young population community’s voice and needs and work alongside other members to develop strategies, policies, and initiatives aimed at protecting all residents, workers and visitors, fostering unity, and ensuring justice. I am committed to representing the interests and concerns of the young population and marginalized groups including and not limited to refugees, immigrants, faith-based groups, BIPOC populations.
I look forward to visiting many communities and organizations across Maryland to learn about our needs for safer and equitable lives, and to building trust between the state, law enforcement, schools, and communities that feel marginalized or threatened through awareness, education, public policy and accountability.
Hate crimes involve various social, economic, and political complexities. Addressing these comprehensively requires nuanced understanding and multi-faceted approaches. I humbly request you keep me in your prayers to fulfill this responsibility in a manner that is just and fair, with no compromises to our practices, values and principles.
Your support and prayers are invaluable as I embark on this important journey. Together, we can create a safer, more inclusive Maryland for everyone.
As a Muslim, I believe that every human being is entitled to their beliefs, way of life and that every soul is sacred. Feeling safe and well is a basic human right, and one of the main objectives of my faith.
My appointment needs to be confirmed by the Maryland Senate during the next General Assembly in 2025. Read the official state press release here.