Emgage Condemns President Trump For Implying Muslims Won't Follow Social Distancing Orders During Ramadan

April 20, 2020
Contact: Amara Majeed, Press Specialist
amajeed@emgageusa.org
(443) 400-1056
Emgage Condemns President Trump For Implying Muslims Won’t Follow Social Distancing Orders During Ramadan<

Washingon, D.C. – Emgage, an influential Muslim American civic engagement organization with national headquarters in Washington, D.C., with five state chapters (Florida, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania), condemns President Trump for suggesting that mosques may be open this Ramadan while churches remain closed. He cites this as a “disparity” that has long existed. “They tend to go after Christian churches, but don’t tend to go after the mosques,” Trump says. This implication that Muslim Americans receive preferential treatment over Christian Americans only works to sow seeds of animosity between interfaith communities, which we will not allow to happen. Furthermore, we genuinely ask: what is this evidence of the preferential treatment? Per usual, President Trump makes claims that are absolutely unfounded, and without realizing their harmful ramifications. We are unsurprised, but will not allow him to divide us.

When asked whether he believed that Muslim leaders would adhere to social distancing orders, Trump responded, “No I don’t think that at all.”

“It is absurd that the man who banned Muslims somehow believes that they are getting preferential treatment. At a time of national crisis, the president of the United States should be focused on implementing effective measures to combat the virus while maintaining national unity. Muslim Americans are committed to doing their part to defeat COVID-19, including by adhering to social distancing guidelines. Muslims throughout the country, especially healthcare professionals, are at the front lines fighting this disease. We pray for their safety and for everyone that has been affected in these difficult times.” – Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage

Emgage is a family of institutions that seeks to empower Muslim Americans through political literacy and civic engagement. Emgage has national headquarters in Washington, D.C. and five state chapters (Florida, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania).