(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 11/9/16) – The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic-Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today issued a statement calling on President-elect Donald Trump to respect the rights of all Americans and pledging to work with the new president to strengthen the nation.
In a statement reacting to yesterday’s election, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“As citizens of this great nation, we accept the result of the democratic process that has bound us together as one nation.
“Regardless of who won or lost yesterday’s election, American Muslims are here to stay. We are not going anywhere, and will not be intimidated or marginalized. God willing, the American Muslim community will continue to mobilize to challenge bigotry, to uphold justice and to protect the freedoms and rights of all Americans. American Muslims will also increase outreach to their fellow citizens of other faiths and backgrounds to build bridges of mutual understanding and cooperation.
“We will hold the new president to the highest standard in defending the rights of all those residing in our nation, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“America is strongest and best when all its communities, institutions and leaders are working together to build a better future for its people and for the world. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our federal, state and local leaders to achieve such a future.
“CAIR will continue to be a fearless and principled defender of the Muslim community, regardless of who leads our nation.
“To those in the American Muslim community who are fearful of the future, know that America is your home and you have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Americans. Rest assured that CAIR is here for you, your family and your children.
“God is the best of planners.”
CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender added:
“Although candidate Trump’s campaign was marked by the utilization of fear tactics and anti-Muslim bias, we hope, pray, and expect that a Trump Administration will be open to all Americans, regardless of their faith or race, and will respect the civil rights of all residing in our nation.
“CAIR-Philadelphia will continue to work with state and local agencies, as well as faith leaders from every community, in our campaign against extremism and violence. At the same time, we will continue to vigilantly defend the civil rights of American Muslims, guaranteed under our Constitution, should they be threatened by either government actions or private-sector discrimination. American Muslims are a patriotic and an indelible part of America and will refuse to be either intimated or marginalized into silence.”
Prior to Tuesday’s election, CAIR joined a coalition of interfaith and civic groups across the country in asking Americans of all faith, racial and political backgrounds to commit to working with each other after the election to build a more united country.
Video: CAIR Joins Campaign for National Unity #OnNovember9
In October, CAIR released the results of a nationwide survey of Muslim voters on the presidential election and on issues of concern to the Muslim community. The survey found that 85 percent of polled Muslim voters believed that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. has increased in the past year. Thirty percent of respondents say they have experienced discrimination or profiling in the past year.
SEE: American Muslim Voters and the 2016 Election
Muslim Voters Name Civil Rights as Key Election Issue as Electorate Turns Away From GOP
CAIR mobilized Muslim voters through a national get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign, through distribution of copies of its “2016 National Voter Guide” and with the launch of MuslimsGOTV.com, an election resource website.
As a nonpartisan tax-exempt organization, CAIR encourages American Muslims to participate in national and state elections and does not support one candidate or party over another.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Jacob Bender and leaders of Philadelphia’s Muslim community (numbering over 400,000 in the Greater Delaware Valley) are available for phone or in-person interviews.
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Contact: Jacob Bender, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director, 267-515-6710, jbender@cair.com
