Leaders from religious communities across the city unite to call for an end to the recent wave of Muslim hate crimes.
Members of the Muslim community denounced what they call “racist and Islamophobic” rhetoric of politicians, particularly that of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump.
They took to the steps of City Hall on Monday defend the 8 million Muslim New Yorkers who are worried for their safety.
“The GOP presidential candidates are applying the guilt by association approach to punish the entire Muslim community for the crimes of others,” said Cheikh Ahmed Mbareck, Executive Director of the Islamic Leadership Council of New York
“Law-abiding Muslim-Americans fear for their children’s safety.”
“Islam is a religion of peace and if your fear of difference leads you to act in hatred and violence, we will all respond as Muslims by speaking and acting in peace,” said Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of Sadhana, an organization of progressive Hindus.
The NYPD has reported a recent uptick in Muslim-targeted crimes.
Religious leaders have blamed politicians for building an anti-Muslim climate of fear.
To view the NY1 News video, click here
.
