Dear Friend,

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives, especially those who are most vulnerable to this health and economic shock.

At Muslim Advocates, we feel this unfathomable crisis, too. Our staff has moved to a remote-work environment, we’ve cancelled our upcoming events, and we’re responding to new waves of discrimination. We have our work cut out for us.

American Muslims are disproportionately impacted by the spread of this disease. We’re overrepresented among populations most at-risk like health care workers and incarcerated people. Our religious practices, many of which are inherently communal, have had to change drastically.

Crises like these demand that we come together, but there are some who see an opportunity to stoke hate and bigotry.

We’ve seen a real rise in hate targeting Asian Americans in particular. Texas Senator John Cornyn resorted to schoolyard taunts about people eating “bats and snakes and dogs and things like that,” and President Trump insists on calling it a “China virus.” Hate groups are now organizing online and discussing how to leverage this crisis to push for more discrimination.

Racism is not a disinfectant. Not only is this vile, this rhetoric undermines our ability to make real change, like focusing on impacted workers and speeding access to testing, ventilators and hospital beds.

We’ll keep you updated about actions we’re taking and when your voice can help make a difference. In the meantime, please be well, be safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Thank you,
Farhana & the Muslim Advocates Team

Farhana Khera
Executive Director
Muslim Advocates