Muslim Leaders to Trump: Protect Our Rights
With rising violence against members of the Islamic community, and amidst the rumors of a "Muslim Registry," hundreds of Muslim American leaders have signed a letter asking President-elect Donald Trump to stand up for the rights of all Americans.
The letter states "We urge you to clearly and strongly condemn bigotry, hate crimes and bias-based school bullying directed at any American, including American Muslims. We call on you to make mutual respect and acceptance a hallmark of your presidency."
The Southern Poverty Law Center recorded hundreds of hate crimes in the days after the election, with Muslim communities being the direct targets in many of those incidents. The letter noted that Trump's "denunciation of such behavior" was a positive first step.
Muslims have felt that Trump stoked Islamophobia throughout his campaign, specifically as he called for a ban - or, at least, a registry - on Muslim immigrants entering the United States - an action the letter called "unconstitutional."
Trump has specified that he wants a database on the Syrian refugees - although he has not ruled out a database on all Muslims.
At least one Trump supporter said there has been precedent in American history for an immigrant registry. During World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 and ordered Japanese-Americans into internment camps. One citizen, Fred Korematsu, sued. His case reached the Supreme Court, and - surprise! - the court upheld the government's decision. That case has been wildly criticized, but - surprise again! - it is yet to be overturned.
The letter called that incident as "one of the most shameful moments in our nation's history."
""As our President-Elect, one of your duties is to ensure our collective safety and security. This includes protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans to freely practice their faith, without fear, intimidation or reprisal."
One of the signatories, Engy Abdelkader, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, told the Huffington Post "it behooves President-elect Trump to recognize the impact of his words, let alone potential policies that single out Americans on account of their religion, race or ethnicity."
