CAIR-New Jersey Names Selaedin Maksut as New Executive Director

(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 12/26/2019) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the state office of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that Selaedin Maksut has been named as its new Executive Director.

Before joining CAIR-New Jersey, Maksut received his BA from New York University in Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, and his MA from Columbia University in Religious Studies. Throughout the past six years, Maksut has traveled to countries like Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Kosovo to study the religion of Islam and Muslim societies in academic and traditional settings.

In addition to his studies, Maksut gained community leadership and non-profit experience while volunteering with The Muslim Network, a New Jersey-based non-profit, for the past three years. Maksut currently serves as the Vice President of The Muslim Network.

“I welcome this opportunity to serve the Muslim community in New Jersey and to further CAIR’s mission of advocating for justice and mutual understanding,” said Maksut. “As our nation witnesses a rise in Islamophobia and right-wing extremism threatening people of different faiths and backgrounds, I am proud to be joining CAIR to protect the civil rights and religious freedom of Muslims and other minorities in New Jersey.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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