Dear Friend,

My name is Qasim Rashid. Three years ago, a man threatened to lynch me on Twitter because I am Muslim. He sent me several threatening messages and, in one, he sent a picture of a man who had been hanged from a tree and asked me to “VIEW YOUR DESTINY.” I later learned the picture was of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was lynched in 1915 by an anti-Semitic mob.

My cousin in Pakistan was lynched because of his faith. You see, my family and I are Ahmadi Muslims, and we face immense persecution in Pakistan simply for our faith. In 1995, a mob tied a noose around my cousin’s neck and dragged him to his death. So when I received a similar threat, I took it very seriously. 
 
Right now, the man who threatened me is serving a 10-month prison sentence. But even though I tried to forgive him and take the high road, he is unrepentant and is even trying to appeal his conviction. It’s clear he’s learned nothing and will continue to spread hate.

This hate doesn’t just hurt me. It hurts whole communities. That’s why I’m working with Muslim Advocates to sue this man. Since March 2020, Asian Americans have suffered more than 6,600 documented hate incidents. Anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and racist attacks are at record highs and white supremacist violence is now the number one extremist threat facing America.

We must demand justice and accountability. We must send the man who threatened me and everyone like him a message that online hate and threats cannot go unpunished. With Muslim Advocates’ help, I’m sending a message that this hate must stop.

I also want to let you know that you too can play a part. Please read and share my Twitter thread about my experience. Also, please speak out whenever you experience hate online.

With your help, and with Muslim Advocates, I know we can ensure that our real and virtual worlds are free from hate.

Be safe and be well,
Qasim Rashid