DeBorah Boneta is the director, advocate, and chaplain for Oklahoma Prison Support, where she works directly with incarcerated individuals, their families, and those reentering society after prison. She is Oklahoma's first African American Certified Sign Language Interpreter and the pioneering Islamic Chaplain serving those housed in jail and prison spaces.

In today’s episode of CAIR On AIR, DeBorah joins us to share how she built a prison ministry from the ground up, the unique challenges Muslims face in and after prison, and why incarceration is not just a legal issue but a human problem.

We dive into the systemic gaps in Oklahoma’s incarceration system and the barriers individuals face when transitioning back into society. DeBorah also shares powerful success stories of formerly incarcerated individuals rebuilding their lives, along with the real impact of community support, from Ramadan initiatives to mentorship and advocacy.

Our conversation explores how DeBorah built trust within prison systems, overcame misconceptions about Islam, and created opportunities for both Muslims and people of all faiths.

DeBorah also shares advice for people wanting to start prison ministry and the impact of youth organizations like Muslim Student Associations and advocacy groups.

Join us today as we dive into prison ministry, justice reform, faith based advocacy, supporting incarcerated Muslims, building community impact, empowering the next generation, and how you can make a difference no matter your background.

Munjed Ahmad is a seasoned immigration attorney with over 25 years of experience representing individuals in complex deportation and civil rights cases. He is also serving as Salah Sarsour’s attorney. Kate Brady is the Immigration Litigation Department Head at the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), where she leads federal court litigation focused on defending non-citizens’ rights.

In today’s episode of CAIR On AIR, Munjed and Kate join me to discuss the case of Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (who was detained for refusing to remain silent on Palestinian issues), and the broader legal issues connected to it.

We dive into Salah’s background, his leadership role in his community, and how his situation developed into a complex case that has drawn wider attention.

Kate explains the arguments being used against Salah and how immigration law interacts with constitutional protections. She also shares the factors that make cases like Salah’s different from standard immigration proceedings and how complicated they become.

Munjed also provides insight into how cases like this are handled behind the scenes, including the preparations involved, the legal strategies used, and the challenges attorneys face while navigating multiple layers of the legal system.

Join us today to gain a clearer understanding of Salah Sarsour’s case, how legal battles work, and what every citizen, non-citizen, and immigrant needs to know about the state of free speech in the U.S.

Veronica Laizure is the Executive Director of CAIR Oklahoma and a National Staff Attorney, where she works on the front lines defending Muslim civil rights and helping other minority communities navigate discrimination, bias, and systemic injustice.

In today’s episode, Veronica joins me to break down the reality of civil rights for Muslims and other minority groups in America and how she began actively protecting Muslim communities across Oklahoma and beyond.

We dive into the history of Oklahoma and the events that fueled Islamophobia and shaped how Muslims are perceived today. Veronica also explains why Muslims and other minority communities are often at the center of political targeting and why these cycles continue to repeat.

We talk about the evolution of modern politics and why division is more tense than ever. Veronica also shares a powerful perspective on what will bring real change and how Muslims and other communities can stand against injustice.

Our conversation goes into what real allyship looks like, why most activism is surface level, and how to foster consistent action and true support for each other.

Join us today as we dive into how Muslims and other communities are navigating rising division, pushing back against systemic injustice, and building something stronger in the process.

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.

Disclaimer: 'The Johnson-Reed Act was passed in 1924, Saylor says another year twice."

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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