CNN: Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Responds to Trump's Religious Liberty Commission
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Analysis
"Insurrection and Religious Extremism," A Panel Discussion
Following the attack on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, Interfaith Alliance brought together leading experts on religious freedom and Christian nationalism to discuss how we reached this moment and what it will take to realize our vision of a more inclusive democracy.
Moderated by Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline, panelists include Helio Fred Garcia, communications expert and author of "Words on Fire: The Power of Incendiary Language and How to Confront It;" Sabi Singh, community activist and past president of Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma City; and Sarah Posner, journalist and author of "Unholy: Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump."
This conversation took place on Thursday, January 14th, via Zoom and can also be found on our Facebook page.
Transcript
The Trump Administration’s Latest Attacks on Muslim Community Leaders
After months in detention, we finally received the good news that Ohio chaplain Ayman Soliman was released from jail as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dropped his deportation case. Soliman was an interfaith chaplain at a children’s hospital and a longtime leader of the Ohio Muslim community with deep ties to interfaith work across the state. As ProPublica reported, Soliman’s asylum status was restored and his application for a green card was revived. This news came through the dedicated hard work and advocacy of many organizations, particularly CAIR-Ohio and his colleagues at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, who were fired for speaking out on his behalf.
Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation case has alarming implications
Earlier this year, during the holy month of Ramadan, ICE agents followed Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil home after he broke his fast and forcibly detained him without a warrant. Khalil, a Palestinian activist, was then disappeared into an unmarked vehicle and taken to an unknown location as his pregnant wife watched and pleaded for information. It was later revealed that Khalil had been moved to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana, where he faced deportation. He was held for over three months in poor conditions, missing his graduation and the birth of his first child.
True Religious Freedom Means Protecting Our Faith Leaders, Not Detaining Them
In early July, Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after his asylum status was terminated in June. In response, local faith leaders organized a prayer vigil, rally, and peaceful march; during the march at least 15 protesters were detained by local police and charged with felony rioting.