FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2020
CONTACT
Manisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team
msunil@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-417-0171
Rabbi Jack Moline: Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Our Nation Demands Unity, Not Anti-Muslim Conspiracies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to President Trump’s comment that there “could be a difference” in the enforcement of social distancing guidelines for mosques compared to churches, Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“At any time, crisis or not, it is abhorrent for our leaders to target and antagonize a minority faith group. And amid crisis, when we are most vulnerable to giving into misinformation and fear, it is critical that our leaders ground their messages in justice, dignity, and care for one another.
“Considering the United States’ history of overpolicing and surveilling mosques and the broader Muslim community, the President’s notion that social distancing requirements will not be enforced during Ramadan is a baseless claim. All houses of worship, regardless of faith or denomination, must follow social distancing requirements, even in the holiest of times. It was not discriminatory for social distancing requirements to be enforced during Easter, nor was it during Passover, and nor will it be during Ramadan. Once again, President Trump is fomenting suspicion, distrust and fear toward the Muslim community during a time when we demand unity and shared responsibility.
“We stand firmly with our Muslim brothers and sisters, many of whom are on the frontlines protecting our communities amid the pandemic. Our friend and partner Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates, said it best: ‘Do your job, Mr. President. Tens of thousands of Americans have died so far. America needs ventilators and coronavirus testing, not bigoted anti-Muslim rants.’”
If you are interested in speaking with Rabbi Jack Moline further on this urgent issue, please contact Manisha Sunil at msunil@westendstrategy.com or 202-417-0171.
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.