(New York, NY. 02/14/2019) – Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York unequivocally condemns the malicious attacks stemming from structural racism and Islamophobia levied against Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar for highlighting the influence AIPAC has on policies regarding Israel. Additionally, Majlis Ash-Shura of New York denounces the long history of attempts by political partisans to portray any dissent against Israeli apartheid and support for Palestinian human rights as being anti-Semitic.
Majlis Ash-Shura of New York recognizes that while several Republicans and Democrats attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar with a contrived controversy, they have been voting in favor of laws that criminalize the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS). These laws violate the principles of freedom of thought and speech.
“What seems to be an organized attack on Congresswoman Omar for criticizing a lobbying group is an attack on the principles of democracy itself,” said the Executive Director Raja Abdulhaq. “Intimidating the people and elected officials for questioning the status quo is usually a vile strategy employed by fascist regimes to sabotage any attempts of seeking the truth.”
Majlis Ash-Shura of New York is concerned about the elected officials of New York who have opted to validate the baseless smears against Rep. Omar, and by extension reinforcing the racist and Islamophobic accusations that presume Muslims are only critical of Israel because of anti-Semitism. Lastly, Majlis Ash-Shura of New York condemns the double standards exhibited in the outrage against Rep. Omar by her colleagues; such outrage is rarely ever shown against the many wars that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinians and Muslims, including American citizens, overseas.
Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York is an umbrella organization that represents over 90 mosques and Muslim led organizations in the New York area. Its mission is to provide a common platform for mutual understanding and collaboration in the spheres of spirituality, socioeconomics, and civic engagement for the betterment of society.