WASHINGTON — A large-scale Rally for “Americans Against Terrorism, Hate and Gun Violence” was announced by prominent leaders of America’s interfaith community Thursday.
The Rally will be held Saturday July 23 at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. from 2 to 8 p.m.
According to one of the Rally’s organizers, Imam Muhammad Musri of American Islam, this Rally Against Hate is intended to show support for American inclusiveness and is in reaction to the increase in terrorists acts, the rising tide of hate speech in the American political discourse and the number of violent acts involving guns.
Organizers are hoping “thousands of Americans will join together in national security and peace to demonstrate that America is stronger together and that we stand united for the security of our nation and in countering terrorism – and that when one person, one religion, one race is discriminated against, we are all discriminated against,” Imam Musri said.
Another Rally organizer, Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) of Sterling VA, noted that Islam stands for the protection of life and for religious freedom and human rights for all.
“American Muslims and their interfaith partners have long and consistently denounced any terrorist acts and have promoted national security for all Americans by vigorously working to protect this nation in cooperation with law enforcement”, said Imam Magid. “Too often these efforts are overlooked and even blamed for these acts, or questioned on “Where are the moderate Muslim voices?” This Rally will rebut all such uninformed allegations.
The interfaith rally is also in response to the divisive language that targets Latinos, African, Middle-Eastern and LBGT Americans, and the clear connection between hate speech and the increase of gun violence. While we staunchly defend the Second Amendment, we feel we can and should do more to reverse the increase in gun violence in America.
Walter Ruby of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, emphasized the Rally is intended to show America that Muslims are indeed speaking out against extremism, and that Americans of all faith traditions are coming together to fight bigotry against Muslims and all other communities. “By joining together on the National Mall on July 23,” Ruby noted, “Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Bahais, humanists and others will show that we are all committed to building ties of friendship and cooperation with each other; thereby contributing together to the strength, unity and well being of our nation.”
Pastor Joan Bell-Haynes of United Christian Parish also stressed that the more than 20 (and growing) interfaith and diversity organizations coming together to the Rally “will send a powerful message. We want to put an end to the xenophobic, bigoted and incendiary language that undermines American values and gives rise to extremist actions.”
“The dangerous cocktail of hatred and easy access to military-grade assault weapons has had devastating consequences across our country. The time is now to speak up, march for what is right, and reenact commonsense legislation in our halls of government.” – Imam Johari
“This initiative of the American Muslim March is yet another demonstrative statement and event of the willingness of the American Muslim community to speak out against hatred, bigotry, extremism and injustice in this great country we love and cherish. Partnering, not only with Muslims but other faiths and their leaders represents the unifying dynamic of Islamic beliefs and values. We American Muslims are standing up and speaking out and taking our responsibilities seriously as citizens of our great Nation.” – Da’in Johnson, Muslim Association of Virginia, Inc.
Information about the March is available on MarchforAmerica.US. The Rally is endorsed and sponsored by American Islam, Islamic Society of Central Florida, All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), the Indonesian Muslim Association in America (IMAAM), Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muflehun, Muslimat Al-Nisaat, United Christian Parish, Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Muslim Association of Virginia, Mclean Islamic Center, First Hijrah Foundation, American Muslim Institution, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Walter , Muslim Community Center, Shoulder to Shoulder Interfaith Coalition, Interfaith Action For Human Rights, Soka Gakkai International, Islamic Society of Washington(ISWA), Diyanet Center of America(Turkish American Cultural Center), DMV Chapter of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA), Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), and expects more organizations to join in the coming weeks.
