Press Release
Interfaith Alliance Celebrates the Muslim Ban’s Repeal
Interfaith Alliance Celebrates the Muslim Ban’s Repeal, Urges Passage of NO BAN Act
WASHINGTON — Today, in one of his first acts as president, President Biden issued an executive order rescinding the Muslim and African travel bans. In response, Katy Joseph, director of policy & advocacy for Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“In his first week in office, President Trump sought to define our nation through exclusion, signing into law the first of three bans on travel from majority Muslim and African countries. But four years ago - and every day since - Americans of all faiths, philosophies, and experiences united against these discriminatory policies. Interfaith Alliance, our network, and supporters across the country raised the alarm, fighting to see this overtly anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant policy reversed. To those who lifted your voices - your persistence made today’s victory possible.
“Today is a day of celebration and relief for the thousands of Americans separated from their families by the Muslim and African bans. For those seeking opportunity and safety in this country, President Biden has taken a vital first step in restoring America’s legacy as a beacon of opportunity for all. Now, Congress must do its part to secure this legacy for the future.
“The NO BAN Act would ensure that no president can ever again discriminate on the basis of faith. We must send a clear message that excluding millions of people because of where they’re from or how they pray is incompatible with the values of an inclusive, vibrant democracy. Passing this historic bill will prohibit similar action by a future administration and affirm the meaning of true religious freedom in immigration.”
If you are interested in speaking further with Katy, please contact Manisha Sunil at (202) 417-0171.
I.R.S. Support for Political Endorsement by Houses of Worship Erodes Critical Boundary Between Religion and Government
WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and inclusive multi-faith democracy, is deeply concerned by a new I.R.S. court filing that says churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations from the pulpit. This action by the Trump Administration violates the fundamental purpose and spirit of the Johnson Amendment, a decades-old ban on political campaigning and endorsement by non-profits, including houses of worship.
Interfaith Alliance Condemns Islamophobia and Extremist Targeting of Public Officials
As a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, Interfaith Alliance is appalled by the recent surge of Islamophobic hate speech and incitement against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and the broader pattern of extreme hate directed against public officials and vulnerable minorities. This hateful rhetoric seeks to spread polarization and division and wrongly pit diverse American communities against one another.
SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Harms True Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The decision clears the way for further discrimination against diverse groups and undermines public education. While falsely claiming the mantle of religious freedom, it in fact suppresses diversity and promotes exclusion.