American Muslim Institutions Pledge to Continue ‘Freely and Fearlessly’
American Muslim Institutions Pledge to Continue ‘Freely and Fearlessly’ Contributing to America Amid Surge in Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
American Muslim religious and civic institutions today pledged that the American Muslim community will continue “freely and fearlessly” contributing to America and advocating for causes of justice in the wake of escalating expressions of anti-Muslim hate by extremist politicians.
READ THE STATEMENT: American Muslim Institutions Pledge to Continue ‘Freely and Fearlessly’ Contributing to America Amid Surge in Anti-Muslim Hate
On Aug. 6th, Senator Ted Cruz hosted a Senate subcommittee hearing that platformed known anti-Muslim extremists and attempted to resurrect debunked conspiracy theories about a Muslim takeover of the United States.
On Aug. 7th, outgoing South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said on Twitter, “Every single Muslim holding public office in America is a trojan horse, and a threat to both national security and our republic.”
On Aug. 9th, President Trump posted a photo of himself alongside a photo of an American Muslim politician and his wife, who wears a hijab, with the caption, “Two very different visions of America.”
On Aug. 11th, President Trump claimed that “jihadists” are being elected to office across America in an apparent reference to American Muslims.
Earlier this year, over 60 Republican members of Congress established a so-called Sharia Free Caucus. Members who are part of the caucus have called for banning Muslim immigrants, for criminalizing the practice of Islam, and for the “destruction” of “mainstream Muslims.”
In a statement, American Muslim institutions condemned these and other ongoing attempts to put a target on the back of American Muslims amid rising anti-Muslim attacks, including a white supremacist terrorist attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego and the stabbing of a Utah Muslim at a Salt Lake City mall by an anti-Muslim extremist.
Statement by American Muslim Institutions on Rising Anti-Muslim Hate
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
“The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees everyone in our nation the right to practice their faith, or no faith at all, without facing oppression from the government.
“Today, millions of American Muslims contribute to our society as doctors, activists, scientists, elected officials, athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and more. American Muslims are part of our nation’s fabric. So are American Muslim institutions, from charities to civil rights groups to political organizations to houses of worship.
“Just like bigoted extremists once claimed that Catholic and Jewish Americans were dangerous infiltrators planning to take over America from within, extremist politicians use similar conspiracy theories to manufacture hate against American Muslims—especially American Muslims who oppose U.S. support for the Israeli government’s human rights abuses against Palestinians.
“We commend elected officials who have spoken up against the rise in anti-Muslim hate, including Democratic senators who boycotted Senator Cruz’s hate hearing last week. We also welcome the fact that no other Republican senators attended. Although Senator Cruz’s hearing was a failure, it was still dangerous. So are hateful remarks made by other politicians.
“Hate speech can very easily lead to hate crimes. In fact, Senator Cruz had to delay his hearing because it was originally scheduled to take place the day after two anti-Muslim white supremacists perpetrated a deadly terrorist attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego.
“Extremist politicians may oppose the First Amendment as much as they oppose American Muslims, but the American Muslim community does not answer to them. Neither does the Constitution.
“As American Muslim institutions, we affirm that our community will continue to freely and fearlessly contribute to our nation, insha Allah (God willing).
“We encourage Americans of all faiths to reach out to their local mosques and Muslim organizations to build ties of friendship, understanding and collaboration.
“We encourage all elected officials to speak out against this manufactured resurgence of anti-Muslim hate and express solidarity with their American Muslim constituents.
“And we encourage all members of our community to continue exemplifying the best of Islam by standing up for justice here and abroad for the sake of God.”
National Organizations
American Islamic Congress
American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF)
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
Americans for Refugees and Immigrants
Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Emgage Action
Faith Power Alliance
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC)
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Islamic Society Leading American Muslims
Islamophobia Studies Center
Muslim American Society
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC)
Muslim Students Association for Middle and High Schools
MuslimGirl.com
Project TAHA
Salam Scouts
Tayba Foundation
Together We Serve
We Love Our Neighbors
Tunisian United Network
Young Muslims
US Council of Muslim Organizations
Regional Organizations & Houses of Worship
Abubakr Islamic Center
Ahlulbayt Society of Columbus
Al-Bushra Mosque
Arizona Muslim Alliance
As Salaam Islamic Center (ASIC)
Bay County Islamic Society
Charlotte Muslim Caucus
Chino Valley Islamic Center
College Democrats of America Muslim Caucus
Council for Social Justice New Jersey
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
Fullerton Muslim Community Center
Hamzah Islamic Center
Islamic Center of Brushy Creek
Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
Islamic Center of Reseda
Islamic Center of San Diego
Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
Islamic Community Center of Redlands
Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
Islamic Society of Orange County
Islamic Society of the Seacoast Area (ISSA), Portsmouth Mosque
Islamic Society of Western Mass (ISWM)
Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts
Libyan American Alliance
Madinah Qur’an and Youth Center
Manara West
Masjid al Wadud
Muslim American Society of Arizona
Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego
West Cobb Islamic Center
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