(TAMPA, 10/18/2023) – On Thursday, October 19, at 12:00 p.m. the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) plans to hold a press conference in their Tampa office with Florida residents who have close family relatives in Gaza that are American citizens.
WHAT: CAIR-FL Press Conference Calling for State Department Intervention to Protect American Citizens in Gaza
WHEN: October 19 at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: 8076 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33617
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Outreach Coordinator Shihab Ahmed, (813)705-5440, [email protected]; CAIR-FL Outreach & Media Director Wilfredo A. Ruiz, (305)502-6749, [email protected]
CAIR-Florida is calling on the Department of State’s swift intervention in ensuring the safety of all American citizens in Gaza and securing their safe passage to the mainland.
Hana Elnagar is a mother of 5 teenage children, all of whom are American citizens and presently in Gaza. Ms. Elnagar will be present at the press conference with pictures and videos of her children. Her attorney, Mr. Hasan Shibly, will be available for questions.
A second individual, whose identity we are keeping anonymous at this time, is a Florida resident who is pleading for the safe return of her elderly father, an American citizen, from Gaza. The specific details and names will be readily available privately to the Department of State for their actions.
A third individual, whose identity we are also keeping anonymous at this time, is a Florida teacher with his uncle and cousins, all American citizens, in Gaza.
CAIR-Florida is aware of multiple other cases of American citizens presently in Gaza. However, they fear speaking up about them publicly out of fear for their safety. CAIR Florida will continue following these cases.
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Executive Director, Imam Abdullah Jaber, said:
“American citizens in Gaza deserve equal treatment from the State Department. We expect their swift intervention to ensure that every American is safe. We are horrified to hear our governor accusing all civilians of Gaza of being antisemitic instead of pleading for their safety and making sure that every American is safe everywhere in the world.”
In reaction to these grievances, CAIR-Florida has launched #EveryAmericanSafe campaign to highlight our government’s obligation to keep all American citizens around the Globe safe and protected.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE DURING PRESS CONFERENCE:
The attorney for Ms. Elnagar, Hassan Shibly, will be present and ready for questions during the Press Conference.
Clergy from multiple community partner organizations will be present at the Press Conference: Pastor Andy Oliver (Methodist Church).
CAIR-Florida’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-Florida 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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