Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Condemns Islamophobic Rhetoric from President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin

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Sofia Costas scostas@advancingjustice-aajc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) condemns the escalating Islamophobic rhetoric from President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin targeting Arab and Muslim communities. This rhetoric from the nation's highest-ranking officials reinforces harmful stereotypes and raises serious concerns about the normalization of religious and racial discrimination and the safety of targeted communities.

Sim Singh Attariwala, Director of the Anti-Hate Program at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), issues the following statement in response:

“The President's Islamophobic and anti-Arab remarks are offensive and revive a dangerous history of treating entire communities as potential threats. For decades, Arab, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities in our nation have faced the consequences of profiling rooted in fear and misinformation. After September 11, many were targeted regardless of their faith, background, or citizenship status because they were perceived as ‘other’.

“No community should be forced to prove its loyalty or belonging to be treated with respect and ensure their safety. Advancing Justice – AAJC condemns rhetoric that scapegoats people based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. We must reject attempts to divide our country through fear and stand united against hate in all its forms.”

You can learn how these narratives spread and how to counter them by visiting KnowTheNarrative.org.