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Muslim Advocates Condemns Anti-Muslim Harassment and Threats on Rashida Tlaib, Qasim Rashid & Zulfat Suara

“I will out-work your hate. I will out-love your hate.” -Rashida Tlaib

WASHINGTON, DC — The following is a statement issued today from Scott Simpson, Muslim Advocates’ director of public advocacy, on recent anti-Muslim harassment and threats lodged against public officials and candidates. Yesterday, Rep. Rashida Tlaib was harassed during a press conference with slurs and conspiracies about pork, Sharia law and being un-American; Qasim Rashid, a state senate candidate in Virginia, was recently threatened with lynching, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued; and Zulfat Suara, a city council candidate in Nashville, was recently told online that she “should be eliminated,” among many threats and anti-Muslim claims:

“American Muslims should not have to face harassment and death threats for becoming public servants. America is a place of religious freedom for all people—including Muslims—and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Qasim Rashid and Zulfat Suara are bravely facing harassment and threats on their lives even though they exemplify that principle.

All Americans should condemn these attacks for what they are: bigoted attempts to intimidate Muslims out of public service. As our Running on Hate report shows, anti-Muslim harassment and conspiracies are widespread in American politics, even though most anti-Muslim candidates lose elections. 

We urge all Americans to heed the words of Congresswoman Tlaib as she responded to a bigot who tried to silence her with anti-Muslim tropes and slurs about Sharia law and eating pork: ‘I will out-work your hate. I will out-love your hate.’”

Muslim Advocates is a 501(c)(3) charity that does not endorse or oppose candidates for office.  Muslim Advocates studies, responds, and works to prevent anti-Muslim rhetoric in public life as part of its mission to ensure American Muslims have a seat at the table to ensure all people can live free from hate and discrimination.

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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