(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 11/19/2015) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton's "strong stand" in favor of Syrian refugees entering the state. 

SEE: Dayton: Calls by state governors to bar Syrian refugees are 'ludicrous' 

"We welcome our governor's strong stand for the Syrian refugees and for point out the political posturing by others state governors and presidential hopefuls," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein.

"We must continue to welcome Syrian refugees, while also continuing to ensure national security. This is not an either or situation. We can do both." 

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 10/29/2015) – On Monday, November 2, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN)    will join community leaders at a news conference in Hastings, Minn., to call on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate allegations    of  anti-Muslim bias in the rejection of a proposed Islamic cemetery in Castle Rock Township.

  WHAT: Community Leaders Press Conference on Denial of Islamic Cemetery

WHEN: Monday November 2, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Dakota County Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 11/6/2026) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called for hate crime charges to be brought against a suspect who allegedly attacked a Muslim woman in that state for speaking Swahili.

CAIR-MN said the Muslim woman suffered deep cuts to her face after being assaulted Friday at an Applebee's restaurant by another customer angry at her for not speaking English. Jodie Burchard-Risch, 43, was charged with third-degree assault.

• SEE: Woman Who Grew Up in Kenya Attacked in a US Restaurant for Speaking Swahili
• Coon Rapids Applebee's Customer Charged with Attacking Woman for Not Speaking English

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Names CAIR-MN's Jaylani Hussein 'Visionary Leader'