NAACP Condemnation of Islamophobia
WHEREAS, the mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons; and
WHEREAS, the vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race; and
WHEREAS, Islamophobia is the fear, hatred of, or prejudice against Muslims or persons of the Islamic religion, especially when seen as a geopolitical force or the source of terrorism; and
WHEREAS, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments have resulted in the targeting, harassment, vilification, torture, and death of many black and brown people of the Muslim faith; and
WHEREAS, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People stands firmly against terrorism and acts of violence against houses of worship; and
WHEREAS, in an NAACP statement against one of the Muslim bans, the NAACP stated "Just as we fight against voter suppression and police brutality, the NAACP continued to stand against discrimination based on racial identity, ethnicity, national origin, or religion. We know that actions based on unfounded assumptions about that which one's knowledge is limited leads to dangerousness and often times violence will always come at the expense of the most vulnerable populations," and "We will continue to fight for equal rights of all, for policies based on evidence not fear"; and
WHEREAS, anti-Muslim acts, such as vandalism, desecration of mosques, and acts of violence against persons, throughout the United States have increased over the last decade. There have been over 763 reported anti-Muslim incidents that have occurred since 2011; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar is the first, and only hijab-wearing, Muslim Congresswoman in the history of the United States. Within her first few months serving in the U.S. Congress, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been targeted and vilified by the White House, members of Congress, the media and government officials. An anti-Muslim display was erected in the Charleston, West Virginia capitol rotunda, aimed at Congresswoman Omar. Congresswoman Omar was placed on a white supremacist hit list after she was targeted; and
WHEREAS, countless Muslim Americans, have been the victims of Islamophobic attacks and death threats. A hijab-wearing, Muslim college student was attacked at San Diego State University. A 22-year old, hijab-wearing, pre-med student was nearly run over at the University of Cincinnati and called a terrorist by the driver. In New York, three boys attacked a 6th grade Muslim girl for wearing a hijab called her "ISIS." On December 5, 2015, a Muslim shop owner in Queens, NY was attacked by a man shouting "kill all Muslims"; and
WHEREAS, four Muslim passengers were removed from a Spirit airplane at BWI airport after a passenger expressed fear after one of the Muslim passengers looked at his cell phone before take-off. At Philadelphia airport, two Palestinian were detained and questioned before boarding a Southwest flight for speaking Arabic; and
WHEREAS, the NAACP condemns Islamophobia, anti-Muslim, xenophobic, and anti-brown & black sentiments and urges action to prevent the discriminatory targeting, vilification, harassment, torturing, and death of innocent lives.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon the White House to refrain from propagation of intolerance, vitriol, divisiveness and Islamophobia and to launch a White House Leadership Conference to address Islamophobia and cultural diversity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP appeals to the United States Congress to show leadership by example in condemnation of any and all intolerance of Islamophobic/anti-Muslim rhetoric within its own establishment.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages its units to support educational awareness opportunities to promote dialogue, understanding and tolerance.