Muslim Civil Rights Group Responds to History Making August 7 Election

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Scott Simpson, public advocacy director of Muslim Advocates, in response to last night’s primary elections. Muslim Advocates is a 501c3 and we do not endorse or oppose candidates for office:

“Last night was a history making night for American Muslims.

American Muslims in Michigan broke barriers as history-making candidates at state, local and federal levels.

Voters also, once again, rejected candidates who thought they could run their campaigns on anti-Muslim bigotry.

Michigan State Senator Patrick Colbeck failed dismally in his gubernatorial campaign that relied on accusations that an American Muslim opponent was an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood and that American Muslims are engaging in ‘civilization jihad.’  

In Missouri, a GOP candidate for the Senate vowing to ‘stop Muslim immigration cold for now’ among many other extreme views was rejected handily by many other candidates.

We know that anti-Muslim rhetoric has led to an unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim violence and mosque attacks. Parroting lies and attacks on Muslims only results in more bigotry and violence and does nothing to elect these candidates. We hope, for the sake of the country, that candidates and political consultants start taking notice.”

Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.

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