Assalamu’alaykum John,

It’s very humbling to see just how interconnected all of humanity is, and how one invisible virus can impact us all. We are reminded that we must work collectively to protect the vulnerable members of our communities, or risk greater danger to all.

As an organization that has worked to defend and protect the American Muslim community from violations against vulnerable individuals and organizations in the name of national security, we know the power of unity and the trauma of stigma. We work tirelessly to ensure that we do what we can, within our scope and abilities, to fund the work that makes justice possible.

What is happening all over the world now with social distancing and isolation is no different than what many of our beneficiaries have faced in their struggles for justice. They have been separated from families, lost their jobs, prevented from traveling, locked behind bars, lost years from their lives, and suffered reputational & emotional damage.

Imagine if Americans were forced to quarantine after COVID-19 subsides? Imagine it continues for 18 years? We wouldn’t stand for it.

We shouldn’t stand for policies that impact Muslim Americans'
freedoms, rights, and families either.

MLFA has been fighting back against this very situation. In defending the one, we protect the many. By educating our leaders, we build resilience in our communities. By challenging discriminatory policies, we disinfect the justice system.

The antidote to the contagion of Islamophobia is the work of fearless lawyers funded by MLFA who are on the front lines defending justice and protecting against discrimination in the Muslim community.

We can’t do this without your continued support.

Much of MLFA’s engagement efforts are centered around mosques and communities, ranging from khutbas to town halls, educational seminars to stakeholder meetings, and these activities must be halted for the time-being.

The total projected revenue from our fundraising efforts from March 8th - April 18th would have been $302,500 from now-cancelled events. These are funds that are crucial to sustaining the law center and the many ongoing cases dependent on donor support.

Despite the social distancing that is recommended to get us through this trial, we hope we can stay even more connected to continue the work that makes justice possible.

We are relying on the support of our virtual donor community to keep the crucial work of justice ongoing. A missed deadline, an unattended FBI interview, an unanswered complaint could make or break a case, many of which have already spanned months, years, or even decades.

Please help us sustain this work so that we can overcome the challenges ahead.

Each and every one of us has a role to play in the crises of our time, and there’s no better time than now to rededicate ourselves to serving & saving humanity, and defending & upholding justice.

In faith and for justice,