Local News

The response stems from a privately organized Eid al-Adha celebration held at Newton City Hall.

By Abby Patkin

June 24, 2026 | 4:03 PM

2 minutes to read

The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is alleging an “anti-Muslim hate campaign” in response to a privately organized Eid al-Adha celebration last month at Newton City Hall.

“Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest days in Islam when Muslim families across Massachusetts gather to pray,” CAIR-MA said in a news release. “That celebration became the catalyst for a coordinated campaign of anti-Muslim rhetoric that has not stopped.”

Leading up to the May 30 event at Newton City Hall’s War Memorial Auditorium, CAIR-MA alleged several people in a closed social media group circulated a petition to Newton Mayor Marc Laredo “raising baseless allegations against Muslims in general” and others “through a series of guilt-by-association claims intended to cast suspicion on Muslim neighbors.”

The letter is signed by 17 individuals, including 10 from Newton. The letter and its contents were first reported by local news website The Newton Beacon.

“Local Jews are on edge in light of recent incidents such as swastikas on synagogues and Nazi salutes in schools,” the letter read. “We seek assurance that you have a process to vet and approve out-of-town organizations involved in events in our community.”

The letter further accused one of the event’s “community partners” of having ties to terrorist organizations.

Reached for comment, the mayor’s office told Boston.com the War Memorial provides space “for a variety of meetings, events and celebrations and is available to private and non-profit organizations and groups interested in holding an event.” 

Further, the city “does not discriminate based on applicants’ religious or cultural affiliations” when renting access to public spaces, the mayor’s office said in a statement. 

“The City of Newton is pleased to serve and welcome a diverse community of residents, organizations and visitors,” the statement continued. “Making these City spaces available to members of the public helps to promote cultural programming and community gathering. ”

According to the city’s website, however, the War Memorial Auditorium and Newton Community Stage have paused all rentals indefinitely while officials “reevaluate our policies and procedures.”

In the meantime, CAIR-MA alleges the May 30 Eid celebration “was not the end of the hate campaign” in Newton, “which continued to pick up steam and has caused fear and concern among Muslims and other neighbors.”

Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, the chapter’s executive director, called on elected officials, neighbors, and interfaith partners to reject anti-Muslim bigotry. 

“We refuse to accept the premise that Muslims must continually prove their innocence and worthiness to celebrate and gather, in ways never demanded of other faith communities,” Amatul-Wadud said. “Dehumanizing rhetoric directed at an entire religious community is unconscionable. CAIR-MA remains committed to working with those who seek to build communities rooted in justice and shared humanity.”