Emgage Condemns Recent Acts of Islamophobia During Eid Celebrations

New Brunswick, NJ / Philadelphia, PA- Emgage, a leading organization advocating for Muslim American civic engagement, strongly condemns the recent incidents of Islamophobia experienced by Muslim communities in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The events occurred during the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the end of Ramadan, a sacred time for Muslims.

In New Brunswick, the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) suffered significant damage early Wednesday morning. Vandalism at the facility included broken windows, damaged electronics, and defaced artwork. This deliberate act of hatred coincides with a period of joy and reflection for Muslims worldwide.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, an appalling act of violence disrupted an end of Ramadan gathering, resulting in three individuals being wounded. The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon, with local police promptly arresting five suspects connected to the incident.

Nidal Hozien, a board member at Emgage and CILRU, stated: “These attacks are heartbreaking and utterly reprehensible especially when our community at Rutgers and across the country are celebrating Eid. The Muslim community is reeling in the aftermath of these attacks. Acts of hatred, whether they manifest as violence or vandalism, are attacks not just on the Muslim community, but on the values of diversity and inclusivity that should define us as a nation. We urge communities everywhere to stand in solidarity against such acts of hatred and to continue to work towards a more just society.”

Emgage is committed to addressing these injustices and calls upon community leaders, law enforcement, and government officials to take decisive action to prevent such crimes and to protect religious freedom. We stand with the victims and their families during this difficult time and reaffirm our dedication to promoting understanding and peace among all communities.

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Emgage educates and mobilizes Muslim American voters in support of policies that enable our communities to thrive and democracy to flourish.

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