(PHILADELPHIA, PA – 4/27/24) — The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today joined greater Philadelphia-area mosques and Muslim community organizations in issuing an open letter calling on area college presidents and school district leaders to respect pro-Palestine students’ First Amendment rights and to refrain from disciplinary action and enacting police violence at anti-genocide protests.
Signed by a growing list of mosques and Muslim organizations, the letter states in part:
“The historically entrenched and ever-growing Muslim community in our region expects our area educational institutions to fully respect students who are advocating for peace and humanity as we witness atrocities in Palestine day in and day out, and as our federal and local elected leaders fail to act in line with moral values to address one of the most horrific episodes in world history.
“Threats of disciplinary action, securitizing campuses with police presence and violence, and tolerating doxxing and harassment of our students is unacceptable.”
Full Text of the Letter: pa.cair.com/collegeprotests
CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioğlu said:
“The collective voice of Muslim community leaders should be heeded by decision-makers such that we avoid witnessing scenes of violence similar to what we have seen on American campuses. It is time to be respectful of civil disobedience, a value deeply intrinsic to American history.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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: Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD, atekelioglu@cair.com, 617-401-5397.
