We are concerned about the involvement of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in developing Connecticut's new Islamic and Arab Studies curriculum materials.[1]

CAIR has faced serious criticism and government actions:

• 2014: The United Arab Emirates included CAIR on its list of terrorist organizations. [4]
• 2023: The Biden White House condemned antisemitic remarks by CAIR's National Executive Director, Nihad Awad, calling them "shocking and antisemitic." [2]
• 2024: The Anti-Defamation League raised longstanding concerns about CAIR.[3]
• 2025: Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations under Texas law. [5]
• 2026: Florida designated CAIR and its state chapter as domestic terrorist organizations. On November 5, a federal court decision allowed these designations to take effect, while CAIR's legal challenge continues. [6]
• 2026: A George Washington University Program on Extremism report, The Long Game, documented CAIR’s efforts to influence K–12 curricula and education policies across multiple states, raising serious concerns about CAIR’s influence over public-school education and curriculum development. [10]

Documents obtained from the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reveal direct communications between CAIR-Connecticut and state education officials:

• July 2026: CAIR-Connecticut expressed interest in participating in curriculum development. [7]
• August 2026: CAIR-Connecticut's chairman recommended five individuals for consideration. [8]
• A state planning spreadsheet identifies a CAIR-affiliated consultant and four individuals recommended by CAIR-Connecticut. [9]

These facts raise serious questions about CAIR's influence on Connecticut's public-school curriculum. 

We are asking Connecticut officials to:

1. Exclude CAIR from institutional decision-making roles in developing, reviewing, selecting, or approving state-supported K–12 curriculum materials.

2. Publish the curriculum-team membership list, including members' affiliations, who recommended them, how they were selected, and any potential conflicts of interest.

3. Require independent academic review and public transparency. Publish proposed curriculum materials and independent review findings before distribution to school districts, allowing at least 30 days for public review and comments. 

Why this matters:

Connecticut's new Islamic and Arab Studies materials may be used in public schools across the state.[1] We support education about different cultures and religions. Every culture deserves to be taught with respect, and all curriculum materials should meet rigorous academic standards.

Our concern is how these materials are being developed, who has influence over them, and whether students will receive a balanced, academically sound education free from inappropriate ideological influence.

Our children deserve an education, not indoctrination.

Sign this petition to demand transparency, independent academic oversight, and the exclusion of CAIR from institutional decision-making roles in Connecticut's K–12 curriculum development.

 

 

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Sources and Supporting Documents

[1] Connecticut Public Act 26-1, Section 24, pages 14–15. Adds Islamic and Arab studies to the subjects for which the State Board of Education must provide curriculum materials and assist and encourage local school districts to include instruction.

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/ACT/PA/PDF/2026PA-00001-R00SB-00298-PA.PDF

[2] CNN, December 8, 2023. Biden administration condemnation of Nihad Awad's remarks and removal of CAIR's commitment from a supplemental White House fact sheet.

https://abc17news.com/politics/national-politics/cnn-us-politics/2023/12/08/biden-administration-strongly-condemns-recent-antisemitic-statements-from-cair-leader/

[3] Anti-Defamation League. Backgrounder on CAIR, its leadership, historical associations, and statements criticized by the ADL.

https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/council-american-islamic-relations-cair

[4] Associated Press, January 2015. UAE designation and CAIR's request for removal.

https://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/us-muslim-organization-seeks-removal-from-uae-terror-list-690671

[5] Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, November 18, 2025. State proclamation concerning CAIR.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-designates-muslim-brotherhood-cair-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations

[6] ACLU of Florida, October 29, 2026; Florida's Voice, November 5, 2026. Florida designated CAIR and CAIR-Florida as domestic terrorist organizations under state law. A federal judge rejected most of CAIR's request to block the designations, allowing them to take effect November 5 while the legal challenge continues.

https://www.aclufl.org/press-releases/cair-and-cair-florida-urge-court-to-temporarily-block-unconstitutional-terrorism-designation-before-more-harm-is-done/​

https://flvoicenews.com/cair-florida-shutters-operations-as-judge-leaves-terror-designation-intact/

[7] CSDE FOIA Record 26-102-0005, July 27, 2026. Email from Farhan Memon to Irene Parisi expressing CAIR-CT's interest in curriculum development. FOIA correspondence PDF, page 5.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JsSkHHV_KVEZP4bf_YNmKQKvZLSwCp8V/view?usp=drive_link

[8] CSDE FOIA Record 26-102-0006, August 6, 2026. Email recommending five prospective committee members. Same PDF, pages 6–7.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JsSkHHV_KVEZP4bf_YNmKQKvZLSwCp8V/view?usp=drive_link

[9] CSDE FOIA Record 26-102-0003. Curriculum-team planning spreadsheet listing a CAIR-affiliated consultant and individuals recommended by CAIR-Connecticut.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Ivoa0dRDj2NMEK6RbCdITj_dgBQ5D7d/view?usp=drive_link

[10] Stern, Asher, and David Collins. The Long Game: CAIR’s Campaign to Influence K–12 Education, October 21, 2026. 

https://extremism.gwu.edu/long-game