MPAC Calls on Fellow Americans to Speak Out Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), a national advocacy organization for American Muslims, issued a statement calling on political, media and religious leaders as well as Americans of all backgrounds to take a more public stand against incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry.

MPAC' s call comes in the wake of two separate Islamophobic incidents that occurred this week alone. Earlier this week, Texas teenager Ahmed Mohamed brought a clock to school that he was proud to have made on his own, and was arrested at school for what police falsely suspected as a bomb.  

Last night at town hall meeting in New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump failed to challenge an attendee who identified "Muslims" as a growing problem in this country and suggested to "get rid of them."

SEE: Trump Lets Comment About Muslims Being 'Problem' Slide

In a statement, MPAC: President Salam Al-Marayati, said:

"We need our national leaders to collectively take a public stand against Islamophobia and say its is wrong and will not be tolerated.

When Islamophobia or anti-Muslim bigotry goes unchecked, it sends a dangerous message to the rest of the nation that this type of speech is acceptable and it's okay to view 4-6 million members of its population with distrust and hate.

Just as our country witnessed the ugly heads of racism, xenophobia and homophobia, Islamophobia is an issue that we must confront together and hold people accountable for.

Islamophobia is not just a Muslim issue, but an American one."

Al-Marayati added that if this type of bigotry was directed against any other community, there would be a tremendous response to Trump and to the person who made this comment. To date, the bulk of the criticism from both Republicans and Democrats toward Trump has been in regards to his failure to correct the claim that Obama is a Muslim, underscoring the enormity of this problem.

"We need another Colin Powell moment," said Al-Marayati. "Being a Muslim in not a slur and our national political leaders need to make that clear."

Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media and communities.

@MPAC_National

MEDIA CONTACT: Rabiah Ahmed, Media and Communications Director, at 202-439-1441 or [email protected]

SOURCE Muslim Public Affairs Council