Last night, the Trump administration issued a Proclamation expanding immigration restrictions in a broad attempt to further its xenophobic agenda while distracting Americans from its own failure to adequately respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
This Proclamation builds on a number of anti-immigrant policies put forward by the administration in the last several years by closing off almost all legal pathways to immigration.
“That makes it a monthlong marathon for Muslims,” said Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, education and outreach director for the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). “It’s a challenging time of year, but one of the most rewarding.”
CAIR-Philadelphia would like to thank all the healthcare workers, first responders, postal workers, janitors, store clerks and all others who are on the front lines at this precarious time serving their fellow human beings. May Allah reward them and keep them safe. “And if anyone saved a single life, it would be as if they had saved the whole world.” [5:32]
Responding to the unprecedented dual challenge of both the coronavirus and the necessity of keeping the American Muslim community informed and socially involved during this time of social distancing, CAIR-Philadelphia has begun to present a series of online educational and community empowerment programs to the community.
Please join us for a live webinar panel with health professionals this Thursday, April 2 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The webinar grew out of community demand and positive feedback to similar programs hosted by area institutions. CAIR-Philadelphia will, in the very near future, bringing additional healthcare professionals before the American Muslim community, helping to empower the community at this critical time.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad at this time due to the global impact of COVID-19, and has issued a “Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.” For those not in the U.S., the Department of States advises that they “consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.”
CAIR-Philadelphia today called for a hate crime probe of attacks targeting Asian-Americans. In the wave of attacks resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic, police are reportedly investigating two separate attacks on at least two Asian-Americans in Philadelphia.
Islam teaches us that each human being is precious, and that to destroy, or lose, a single life is akin to losing an entire universe.
In COVID-19, humankind is now faced with an unimaginable crisis, a global pandemic that threatens the fabric of life as we know it.
Throughout this emergency, and as long as we physically are able, the staff and communal leaders of CAIR-Philadelphia will continue to provide you with relevant information, both on the pandemic in general, but also specifically on the state of the American Muslim community in Philadelphia and its environs.
After careful review of recent public health updates in our area regarding the coronavirus epidemic and hearing from many of you in our community, the CAIR-Philadelphia team had to make the difficult decision to cancel CAIR-Philadelphia’s 14th Annual Banquet, originally scheduled for this Saturday March 14.
