A Historic Morning with Senator Bernie Sanders
By Salam Al-Marayati
Last week, I received a call from a member of Senator Bernie Sanders’ staff. The Senator wanted to visit Muslims and pay his respects to our community after the terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. We brought together interfaith and Muslim leaders, along with community members, for a historic morning.
As a United States Senator, Mr Sanders is the highest-ranking US official to visit a mosque since the New Zealand attacks. He spoke eloquently against xenophobia, a threat to all Americans.
It’s a testament to our community’s openness that any guest, whether a public official or a neighbor, can walk into a mosque and feel at home simply through our shared humanity and experience. We integrate our faith fluidly.
For thirty years, thanks to your support, we’ve been building access and inroads into the highest offices in America to ensure that the concerns of American Muslims are being heard, addressed, and acted upon. The access we’ve cultivated is critical in creating the change we seek. Whether it’s ensuring the safety of worshippers at a mosque, synagogue, church or temple, or pushing back against racism and bigotry, these relationships amplify our values and give our community representation where it matters most--in the arena of public policy.
Help us continue to build inroads with top officials of our nation to ensure that your voice is heard and we improve on the safety of our community and on all human security.
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