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.