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Advocates, students and faith leaders press for permanent commission on American Muslims
Summary
A broad coalition told the committee that H.3351/S.2134, which would create a state commission on the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims, is needed to address Islamophobia in schools, workplaces and public life and to build trust between Muslim communities and government.
Witnesses told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on Oct. 29 that Massachusetts should establish a permanent state commission to promote the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims.
Tahira Amatul Wadud, executive director of CAIR Massachusetts, said the commonwealth is home to "more than 150,000 Muslims" and presented written documentation she said details ongoing challenges in workplaces, schools and public spaces. "This bill is long overdue," she told the committee, and she urged lawmakers to advance H.3351 and S.2134.
Student and youth witnesses described routine bullying and discrimination in schools. Thayeb Abzal, a student representative from Methuen, said many Muslim students "learn far too young that being who they are could mean punishment and isolation" and cited a CARE report that found high rates of offensive comments and bullying by peers and school staff.
Speakers from interfaith groups, Jewish-Muslim solidarity organizations, community commissions and local businesses described the Muslim community's economic and civic contributions and urged action. Reverend Corey Sanderson, pastor of Second Church in Newton and a CAIR Massachusetts board leader, said Islamophobia is often politically motivated and suggested a permanent commission would create a formal mechanism to track and address discrimination.
Senator Jamie Eldridge, the bill sponsor, told the committee the commission would include 11 Muslim members and serve as a resource to lawmakers and agencies, noting a recent statewide Muslim lobby day and reports indicating many Muslim students report faith-based bullying.
Witnesses also detailed practical gaps — lack of representation in elective office and in state-level data collection, cases of Afghani families on the brink of homelessness, and school staff comments that students reported as offensive. No formal vote occurred during the hearing.
