The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today congratulated State Representative Movita Johnson-Harrell on her election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Johnson-Harrell -- a businesswoman, community activist, and civil servant -- was elected to the State House from Philadelphia’s 190th District in a special election and becomes the first Muslim woman serving in the Pennsylvania legislature.

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today mourned the deaths of more than 40 worshipers gunned down in terror attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during prayers on Friday, condemned the apparent anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hate that motivated the attacks and urged mosques in the United States and worldwide to step up security measures.

The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pennsylvania) today applauded Cross Creek Community Church in Kingston Township, Penn., for its decision to cancel a presentation by Brigitte Gabriel, head of the anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America. Pastor Dave Martin told a local media outlet that he withdrew approval to hold the event at his church after learning more about Gabriel and her hate group.

The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Pennsylvania (CAIR-Pennsylvania) today called for the resignation of a local school board member who shared anti-Muslim posts on Facebook and Twitter. The official, Frank Scavo, is the president of Old Forge School Board in Lackawanna County, as well as a Republican candidate for state representative. In the posts, Mr. Scavo portrayed Muslims as terrorists, pedophiles or rapists on his personal Facebook and Twitter accounts during the last four years.