February 25, 2025
Labeling Muslim organizations as terrorists without evidence or cause is a dangerous old trick, one that we hope our fellow countrymen will no longer fall for. The 18 organizations accused have never been investigated or linked to terrorism, but the rhetoric still continues. They are registered nonprofit organizations who qualify for the federal funding they receive because of the merit of their work. To unilaterally and without cause make a declaration linking them to terrorism is not only discrimination but goes against our core values as Americans.
It also disregards the legal safeguards and policies that are already in place within the state department, and department of treasury to ensure that nonprofits do not have ties to terrorism. The sole purpose of such accusations is to cast suspicion on these organizations with the hope that the harm caused to their reputations will be enough to throw a wrench in the important philanthropic work they do. Why try to stop their work? Because the message they advocate, namely that of humanitarianism, peace, and justice flies in the face of US foreign policy.
The harm that such rhetoric causes is only too well understood by the American Muslim community. It leads to an increase in hate crimes, fosters prejudice, and it does absolutely nothing to promote safety or address national security concerns.
The bigger your pulpit is the more imperative it becomes for you to speak truth and not lies. We demand truth, and we will keep demanding it.
