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About
Hassan Shibly is an American civil rights attorney and activist. He is best known for his role as the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Florida chapter from 2011 until his resignation in February 2021. A graduate of the University at Buffalo and its law school, Shibly has been a prominent voice in Muslim civil rights advocacy, focusing on issues such as religious discrimination, hate crimes, and civil liberties. He has engaged in public speaking, media appearances, and legal representation on behalf of the Muslim community. His tenure and public profile have been marked by several controversies. In early 2021, he faced widely reported allegations of domestic abuse from his then-wife, Imane S., which included claims of physical violence and threats. These allegations led to his placement on administrative leave by CAIR-Florida, followed by his resignation in February 2021. Concurrently, accusations of financial impropriety related to CAIR-Florida's handling of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan also surfaced, prompting the organization to announce an independent investigation into the matter. Prior to these events, Shibly was involved in a defamation lawsuit against activist Joe Kaufman in 2014, which was dismissed in 2015. He has also drawn criticism for past public statements, including a 2014 tweet concerning ISIS, which he later clarified and apologized for, stating it was taken out of context, and earlier comments made in 2012 regarding homosexuality.