City Council Declares Support for Muslim Communities, But What’s Next?
After the second presidential debate on October 9th, the two presidential candidates’ responses to Islamophobia have stirred people’s discussion and concerns about the increasing anti-Muslim incidents in United States. The City Council in New York City has passed a resolution on Monday to declare its support for Muslim communities.
October 11th, 2016. City council members from different districts across the city voted and passed the Resolution №1230 which declares support for Muslim communities, affirms the religious pluralism of the United States, and urges all residents to stand together for peace and understanding. Representatives from faith-based organizations, community-based organizations and advocacy groups testified for this resolution during the hearing.
It’s a good start to address the anti-Muslim, Islamophobia and hate violence issue. But the Muslim communities in New York need more than “declaring support” as the situation for Muslims in the country has gone from bad to worse. With the emergence of ISIS and the recent terrorism attacks around the global coupled with fear and hatred of Muslim people, there has been an increase in incidents targeting the Muslim community.
“It’s a logical consequence of the years of policies which have laid the path to suspicion and mistrust. But it is also about the larger public policy decisions we make that criminalize our communities, rather than strengthen them.” said Kazi Fouzia, director of Desis Rising Up & Moving, a civil rights organization for South Asians.
Ms. Kazi accused the government spent millions for the wholesale surveillance of Muslim communities, which gives official legitimacy to anti-Muslim bias. Her accusation and concern is not groundless.
During Sunday’s debate, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has previously proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U.S., called the rising Islamophobia “a shame.” He said he has a plan for “extreme vetting” of refugees from countries like Syria and Iraq and “Muslims have to report the problems when they see them.”
Muslim communities are not happy with his response. Twitter users mocked Donald Trump with the hashtag #MuslimsReportStuff for his saying about Muslims should report terrorism.
Jimmy Van Bramer, the Majority Leader of the New York City Council and representative for District 26, pointed out the concerns among Muslim communities in New York about the republican presidential candidate during the hearing.
“ I visited some of the schools in my district and kids there were all asking about Donald Trump. They are afraid… As an elected democratic council member, I promise you, we will not not let that happen to our country,” he said.
Not only Councilman Bramer, five out of twelve advocates who testified for the Resolution mentioned Donald Trump as one of the major concerns for Muslims in their communities. As the political environment is critical for Muslims, they urged more actions from New York City Council to enact the resolution.
Dr. Debbie Almontaser, president of Muslim Community Network, proposed four motions to enact the resolution into action through policy and funding. Her proposal includes devising a K-12 cultural sensitivity curriculum, cultural sensitivity training for NYPD School Safety and funding for Muslim public schools.
“ What we do here in New York City, is always an example for not only the country but also the world.” said Dr. Debbie Almontaser.
Like she said, the residents of New York City and people around the world will look forward to what actions may follow with declaring support for Muslim communities.
