Corey Saylor is the Research and Advocacy Director at CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), where he leads the organization’s national civil rights reporting and advocacy efforts. He is the primary author behind CAIR’s annual Civil Rights Reports, which are widely cited by policymakers, media outlets, and researchers to track Islamophobia trends in the United States.

In today’s episode of CAIR On AIR, Corey joins me to break down CAIR’s 2026 Civil Rights Report and what it reveals about the current state of America. He shares insights from thousands of cases and explains why this moment feels like a major turning point for the country.

We dive into the rise of Islamophobia and the spread of discrimination against Muslims in workplaces, universities, and government driven policies. Corey also breaks down real world examples and explains how rhetoric from leaders directly impacts everyday people.

We discuss the broader “culture war” happening in America, the role of media and technology in spreading misinformation, and how historical patterns of exclusion repeat themselves today. Corey also explains how narratives around identity create division and affect public perception.

Join us today as we dive into the reality behind the headlines, understand the forces driving discrimination, and learn what actually works to push the country toward justice and equity.

Sameerah Munshi is an advisor to President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission and a policy advocate focused on protecting religious freedom and ensuring that minority voices are represented in government.

In today’s episode, Sameerah joins me to discuss the Religious Liberty Commission, how it works, and what it’s like to represent Muslim perspectives in high-level government discussions on faith and freedom.

We dive into Sameerah’s background in interfaith advocacy and the activism that first brought her national attention. She also shares what happened behind the scenes during commission hearings, including the reactions her testimony about Gaza and Palestine received from commissioners and attendees.

We discuss the controversy surrounding a hearing on antisemitism, rejected witnesses, and the debate over whether criticism of Israel is being wrongly labeled as antisemitism.

Our conversation also covers the rise of Islamophobia in politics, how narratives about religion influence public opinion, and the importance of minority communities speaking up.

Join us as we explore religious liberty in America, free speech around Gaza and Palestine, the realities of participating in government commissions, shifting public opinion in the U.S., and the fight against Islamophobia.

Jamal Abdi is the National Executive Director of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), an organization that advocates for diplomacy, civil rights, and accurate representation of Iranian Americans in U.S. politics.

Jamal joins us today to discuss the escalating war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. He also explains the mission of NIAC and how the organization was founded.

We dive into how Iranian Americans are often portrayed in mainstream media and why that narrative can be misleading. Jamal explains why the community is far more diverse in its views than many people think and why many Iranian Americans oppose foreign led regime change despite their criticisms of Iran’s current government.

Jamal breaks down the political dynamics behind the conflict, including the role of U.S. policymakers, the influence of lobbying groups, and the debate inside Congress over war powers. We also discuss the different possible outcomes of the war and the possible impacts of the lack of a long term plan.

We explore how American public opinion is shifting on Middle East conflicts, what lessons policymakers should have learned from the Iraq War, and why many Americans are increasingly skeptical of new military interventions.

Join us today as we dive into the Iran conflict, how media narratives shape public perception, the role of U.S. politics in foreign wars, and what a more peaceful future between the United States and Iran could look like for both nations and their people.

Most people don’t hear directly from Muslim voices.

They hear headlines.

They hear opinions.

But not the full story.

That’s the gap the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is working to fix.

CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the United States, and after years of fighting legal battles and defending civil rights, we’re creating a space for direct, unfiltered conversations.

No media spin.

No filters.

I’m Edward Ahmed Mitchell, a civil rights attorney and the Deputy Director of CAIR, and in this episode, I break down what CAIR actually does, the issues impacting Muslim communities, and why this podcast matters now.

If you want the real story behind the headlines…

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