Mosques Urged to Encourage US Muslims to Meet with Congress Members during August Recess

IQNA – Mosques and Islamic centers across the United States have been urged to encourage American Muslims to meet with their members of Congress during the August congressional recess.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the US’ largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, made the call on Thursday. 

CAIR also released its 2025 August Recess Toolkit, a resource to help Muslim communities schedule meetings and advocate on urgent issues impacting civil rights, global justice, and constitutional freedoms.

The August recess is a critical opportunity for constituents to engage lawmakers in their home districts, it said.

CAIR called on imams, khateebs, and mosque leadership to speak from the pulpit about the importance of civic participation and to distribute the toolkit throughout their congregations and communities.

This year’s 2025 August Recess Toolkit equips the community with talking points, legislative asks, and tips for scheduling and holding effective meetings. It focuses on the following four urgent issues:

- Genocide in Gaza: Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. The US continues to provide weapons and political cover for Israeli actions. Advocates are urged to support the Block the Bombs Act and oppose the Bunker Buster Act.

- Unauthorized War with Iran: US President Donald Trump’s June airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites were unauthorized and unconstitutional. Congress must pass the War Powers Resolutions and the No War Against Iran Act to prevent further escalation.

- Expanded Muslim Ban: A revived and expanded Muslim and African Ban now targets 19 countries. Congress must pass the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act to end discriminatory immigration policies.

- Free Speech Under Attack: Several bills threaten to criminalize Palestinian rights advocacy and nonprofit activism, including:

The misleadingly titled Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 1007 / S. 558)

The Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act (H.R. 3050)

The IGO Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 867)

A possible return/insertion of the so-called Nonprofit Killer Bill

CAIR is urging mosques to:

- Make announcements during Friday sermons and weekly events about the August recess;

- Share the toolkit with their congregations;

- Assist community members in scheduling district meetings with their elected officials.

Source: Cair.com