Muslim Rights Group Urges Sequoia Capital to Cut Ties with Partner Over Anti-Muslim Remarks
CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the United States, issued statements condemning Maguire’s comments and urging Sequoia Capital to sever ties with him.
The controversy stems from a tweet Maguire posted last week targeting New York State Assembly member and city comptroller candidate Zohran Mamdani. In the tweet, which has garnered over 5.5 million views, Maguire wrote: “Mamdani comes from a culture that lies about everything. It's literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda.”
In a statement, CAIR’s Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor described the post as “nothing more than anti-Muslim bigotry.”
“We believe most of Sequoia Capital’s staff and leaders are as horrified by hate as we are. We hope Sequoia’s leadership chooses to stand against hatemongering and relieve him of his position,” the rights advocacy group quoted him as saying.
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Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of CAIR’s San Francisco Bay Area chapter, said the rhetoric was not only offensive but also dangerous. “They echo the same Islamophobic tropes that have fueled harassment, discrimination, and violence against Muslims in this country for decades,” she stated. “If the firm truly values equity and inclusion, it must act decisively.”
Sequoia Capital, a powerhouse in the venture capital world with a portfolio including Apple and YouTube, has not commented publicly. However, over 900 tech founders have signed an open letter demanding the firm denounce Maguire’s remarks and address a “documented pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric.”
While Maguire later released a video in which he apologized “for offending anyone,” he did not retract his statements, further fueling criticism.
Longtime Silicon Valley leader Dilawar Syed labeled the remarks “Islamophobic” and warned that such rhetoric undermines the inclusivity of the innovation sector. “We need to ensure our innovation ecosystem is inclusive and free of rhetoric that denigrates entire communities,” he said.
Source: Agencies
