(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 05/04/19) — In response to news reports about a community event involving students at Muslim American Society of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, today reaffirmed its condemnation of any and all manifestations of anti-Semitism.
Said Iftekhar Hussain, Chair of CAIR-Pennsylvania:
“Islamic tradition categorically rejects either speech or actions that harm in any way our Jewish brothers and sisters. Muslim history is full of examples of Muslims offering sanctuary and help to Jews, such as the events of 1492, when the Jews were expelled from Catholic Spain and were invited to resettle in Ottoman lands by the Ottoman Caliph Bayazid II, or recently, when the Muslim community of Pittsburgh, led by CAIR and other Muslim organizations, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue massacre.”
Said Jacob Bender, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia:
“As a Jew myself, and whose ancestors were victims of genocidal persecution in Christian Europe, I am proud to work for any organization that has always condemned all statements of hatred and prejudice, especially against minority or otherwise persecuted groups. We should be careful, however, not to conflate criticism of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians with anti-Semitism. Thousands of American and Israeli Jews like myself (such as the organizations Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, When?) are critical of the oppressive policies of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 267-515-6710 (office), jbender@cair.com
