US Muslim Group Condemns Machado Nobel Award
A prominent U.S. Muslim rights organisation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has condemned the decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The group described the award as “unconscionable” and accused Machado of aligning with political movements that promote anti-Muslim sentiment.
Allegations Against Machado
CAIR pointed to Machado’s past support for Israel’s Likud party and her reported connections with far-right European groups. The organisation demanded that Machado clarify her stance and disavow support for what it termed “racism, bigotry and fascism.”
Nobel Prize Context
Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize this year for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights in Venezuela, despite political suppression and personal risks. She was barred from contesting elections and faced persecution, but continued her activism underground.
Backlash and Wider Debate
The controversy reflects growing international divisions over the Nobel Committee’s decision. While many hail Machado as a symbol of democratic resistance, CAIR’s statement underscores criticism from Muslim communities who question the moral weight of this year’s prize.
