CAIR Condemns Trump's 'Divisive and Insulting' Attempt to Target American Muslims During COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned President Trump's promotion of a notorious anti-Muslim bigot's tweet questioning whether U.S. mosques will be treated differently during the upcoming month of Ramadan than churches we treated during Easter amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

At the White House coronavirus briefing yesterday, Trump claimed without evidence that there "could be a difference" in how authorities enforce lockdown measures during Ramadan compared to how Christians were treated on Easter. He added: "And we'll have to see what will happen. Because I've seen a great disparity in this country."

Video: Trump Gives Incoherent Response to Question About Retweet of Islamophobe's Comment on U.S. Mosques
https://youtu.be/v3hCs9OTZWU 
SEE ALSO: Trump Says Social Distancing Rules Should Be Same for Ramadan, Easter

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"President Trump's bigoted attempt to use American Muslims as a political football just before the holy month of Ramadan was as divisive as it was insulting. 

"Mosques across our nation have already announced plans to remain closed indefinitely because the American Muslim community, unlike President Trump, recognizes the ongoing threat of the coronavirus.

"Furthermore, President Trump's claim that American mosques -- many of which have been protested, threatened, vandalized and even bombed in the years since he launched his first presidential campaign -- receive preferential treatment compared to other faiths is an Islamophobic fantasy.

"Instead of fanning the flames of bigotry to distract the public from his own failures, the President should focus on combating the continued spread of the coronavirus."

Awad also cited a statement by the Fiqh Council of North America that called on mosques and Islamic centers to "strictly follow the health and state official guidelines for social gatherings and distancing," and to hold special nightly Ramadan prayers "at home within a family setting."

SEE: Fiqh Council Advisory Opinon on Mosque Closures in Ramadan

Awad noted that CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.

The Washington-based civil rights organization has also repeatedly expressed concern about his anti-Muslim rhetoric and the Trump administration's Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist policies and appointments.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Selection of Trump's New Islamophobic Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-selection-of-trumps-new-islamophobic-press-secretary-kayleigh-mcenany/
CAIR Condemns Trump's Use of Racist Dog Whistle 'Chinese Virus'
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-trumps-use-of-racist-dog-whistle-chinese-virus/
CAIR Says Trump Retweet Targeting Pelosi, Schumer Mocks Islam, Endangers American Muslims and Sikhs
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-says-trump-retweet-targeting-pelosi-schumer-mocks-islam-endangers-american-muslims-and-sikhs-300985954.html

CAIR recently launched an online information portal offering vital information on the growing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on American Muslims and the entire society.

GO TO: https://cairnewsroom.com/

Every evening (M-F), CAIR hosts a live 30-minute "Daily Dose: COVID Conversations with CAIR" at 8 p.m. (ET) on Facebook featuring spiritual leaders, health care professionals, counselors, experts, community advocates, and CAIR leaders from around the country.

GO TO: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)