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Faith Groups Anticipate Federal Action to Protect American Muslims & Religious Freedom in Wake of Hate Crimes

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

(WASHINGTON, DC)—In the midst of a national increase in violence and intimidation toward American Muslims, a coalition of faith groups and advocacy organizations met late yesterday afternoon with U.S. Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez and senior advisors to the Attorney General and Deputy General to ask that specific measures be taken as soon as possible to protect millions of American Muslims and the right to religious freedom of all Americans.
Representatives who met with Perez—including J. Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy of the Interfaith Alliance, Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Farhana Khera of Muslim Advocates—expressed optimism that the administration is taking seriously the growing mood of hostility, by some, towards American Muslims.

Farhana Khera, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates:

“Muslims have been a part of America since the first slave ships landed on its shores. Yet, today there is an alarming trend of anti-Muslim hate and violence that is creating deep fear and anxiety throughout the Muslim community. These hate activities threaten public safety, as well as undermine the very fabric of our democracy. Muslim Advocates is hopeful that the Attorney General will send a strong message to those who would use violence and intimidation against Muslims, or any other group, that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Rabbi David Saperstein, RAC:

"We appreciate the broad range of actions taken by the federal government in combating bias against Muslims. The growing spate of hate crimes, attacks on Muslim groups and mosques, and anti-Muslim rhetoric calls for even more vigorous and effective responses from both the government and our nation’s religious communities. Securing the right of religious freedom and ensuring that we, and our neighbors, are able to follow the dictates of our conscience, free of fear, is an issue of urgent importance in America. Both the government and religious leaders must act to defeat religious discrimination and intimidation and to combat this recent wave of Islamophobic activity by enforcing laws when they are violated and promoting civility, tolerance and mutual respect between our religious communities."

Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President, The Interfaith Alliance:

“Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez's willingness to meet with us today was a gesture of openness and helpfulness and serves as a model for the appropriate partnership between religion and government. It is a model in which religious leaders encourage the Department of Justice to be highly visible and unceasingly bold in protecting the guarantees of the Constitution for minorities as well as for the majority, and government leaders affirming religious leaders call for civility and mutual respect for all citizens in a context of tension. This is a time for good religion and good government to call on all Americans to act on behalf of the common good.”

J. Brent Walker, Executive Director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty:

“We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters against attempts by some to thwart their constitutionally protected freedom of religion. History and experience have taught us that when anyone’s religious liberty is denied, everyone’s is in jeopardy.”

The coalition of organizations has suggested that officials at the DOJ and the Attorney General’s office take the following actions to protect and preserve religious freedoms and the rights of all American, including Muslims:

Make a Public Statement: Attorney General Eric Holder should make a strong public statement underscoring the federal government's commitment to religious freedom, condemning hate crimes and other forms of harassment and discrimination targeting the Muslim and other faith communities, and stating that the Department of Justice will hold perpetrators accountable.
Lead a Coordinated Federal Response: The DOJ Civil Rights Division office should lead other federal agencies, including Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Department of Education (DOE), in creating a coordinated federal response to the backlash. The Division should direct its Community Relations Service (CRS) offices to act to defuse tensions where incidents have already occurred and in areas where incitement activities are expected to take place, such as Gainesville, Fla., where a church is planning to burn copies of the Quran on 9/11/10 (and perhaps even the Talmud).
Utilize recently-passed federal Hate Crimes Law: The federal government should provide funding and technical assistance to state and local jurisdictions to help them to more effectively investigate and prosecute hate crimes, consistent with The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr, Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama in October of last year.
Create a Civil Rights Division Hotline for Reporting Hate Crimes: The current system of filing a complaint with the Division is confusing because it instructs members of the public to file complaints with individual sections. The Division should create one centralized hotline for the receipt, referral and tracking of all civil rights complaints.

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The Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.

Interfaith Alliance: Congress Should Oppose Funding Religious Organizations that Discriminate in Hiring

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

Interfaith Alliance today called upon Congress to reject an appeal from a group of religious leaders to lift restrictions in a bill that would prevent public funding of faith-based organizations that discriminate in hiring on religious grounds. Today Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:

"Religion and civil rights guarantees belong together. Nothing should pull them asunder – especially not a desire for federal money. Religious organizations that receive taxpayer funds should be required to comply with civil rights laws, just as do all other federally funded organizations and initiatives. The battle to protect religious freedom is difficult enough without the government – which should be defending the Constitution – making it even more difficult.

"Religious organizations cannot have it both ways. Historically, religious entities have been protected from government regulations related to employment and other matters, but those religious organizations were not accepting federal money.

"The religious leaders who recently requested that Congress permit them to discriminate with federal tax dollars fail to recognize that the boundaries between institutions of religion and government have given them freedom, respect and vitality. If religious organizations want to discriminate in hiring on religious grounds, they have that right – but they should not expect a government committed to non-discrimination to fund such discrimination. Religious organizations desiring such a counter-Constitutional exception display frightening insensitivity to the religious freedom clauses in the Constitution that have contributed to the vitality of religion in this nation.

"I was pleased to see that a recent New York Times article about this issue noted the Coalition Against Religious Discrimination’s support for these restrictions that prevent federal funds from going toward religious discrimination. It is a shame, however, that the Times neglected to mention that there are numerous religious groups in our coalition who not only support but actively work to secure these restrictions.

"Though it is my hope to one day see all 'charitable choice' programs stricken from federal law, I was encouraged by the affirmative civil rights provision included in the latest version of the legislation in question, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Act. This provision will help ensure that all Americans can apply for the jobs their taxes pay for, regardless of their religious beliefs, or lack thereof. My support for the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that gives houses of worship the freedom to hire co-religionists if they choose is unwavering – but when government money is involved, the rules change.

"Quite simply, if religious organizations want to determine who to help or hire based upon religion, they should refrain from taking federal tax dollars. Doing so is best for the integrity of religion, the mission of these organizations, and the American people, whose tax dollars should only fund jobs for which all Americans are eligible."

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The Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.

Interfaith Alliance Supports Investigation Into Army's Punishment of Soldiers Who Opted Out of Christian Concert

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

WASHINGTON, DC — The Interfaith Alliance today expressed concern over recent reports that soldiers at the Fort Eustis Army base were punished for refusing to attend a Christian rock concert in May. The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, a practicing Baptist minister and President of Interfaith Alliance, issued the following statement:

"We welcome the Pentagon’s decision to investigate U.S. soldiers’ claims that they were punished for refusing to attend an Army-sponsored event featuring a performance by a Christian rock group. Though we do not yet know all the details of this situation – or of the reported “Commanding General's Spiritual Fitness Concerts,” of which this concert was part – we commend the soldiers for coming forward and publicly standing up for their beliefs. This, too, qualifies as an act of defense of our nation and its Constitution.

"Historically, our service men and women have committed themselves to defending our country and its many freedoms, including the right to religious liberty. Not all battles involve guns. The Army’s sponsorship of these concerts is on shaky grounds as is; forcing our soldiers to attend an event that goes against their beliefs, or else be unfairly punished. No American should have to experience such an imposition of religion. Whether it is the Army or any other organization mandating attendance at a religious event, it is a grievous violation of the First Amendment and an insult to the freedoms upon which this country was founded."

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The Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.

Rachel Maddow and Joan Brown Campbell to Receive The 2010 Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award

Monday, 16 August 2010

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

Washington, DC – Interfaith Alliance announced today that the 2010 Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award will be presented to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, and the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, Director of the Department of Religion at the Chautauqua Institution. The awards will be presented at a gala dinner in New York City on October 24, 2010.

“Walter Cronkite once told me that no less than the future of our nation was at stake in the work of Interfaith Alliance, and I can think of no two people who contribute more to advancing our mission than Rachel Maddow and Joan Brown Campbell,” said Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of Interfaith Alliance. “Rachel’s passionate coverage of the intersection of religion and politics exhibits a strong personal intellect coupled with constitutional sensitivity to the proper boundaries between religion and government. Joan was instrumental in launching the work of Interfaith Alliance and never has wavered in her vigorous commitment to and involvement in strengthening religious freedom in our nation and around the world.”

The Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award, established by Interfaith Alliance in 1998, recognizes individuals who courageously promote democratic values, defend religious freedom and reinvigorate informed civic participation. The award recognizes individuals whose actions have embodied the values of civility, tolerance, diversity and cooperation in the advancement of public dialogue and public policy on traditionally controversial and divisive issues. Mr. Cronkite served as Honorary Chairman of Interfaith Alliance until his death in 2009.

Past recipients of the Cronkite award include actor and activist George Clooney, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, CNN’s Larry King, journalists Bill & Judith Moyers, U.S. Representatives Chet Edwards & Amo Houghton, the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Rabbi Steven Jacobs and activist Judy Shepard. A full list of past honorees can be found at www.interfaithalliance.org/gala, along with information on how to purchase tickets for the event.

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The Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.

Interfaith Alliance Expresses Disappointment In Tone of Discussion About Cordoba House

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

Washington, DC – Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, released the following statement in response to comments from President Obama and Members of Congress during the last week regarding the proposed Islamic Center in lower Manhattan:

I was proud to see President Obama’s strong endorsement of religious freedom on Friday, only to be disappointed on Saturday when he seemed to walk back his comments. This is a project that shows the American Muslim community’s commitment to democratic values, interfaith dialogue, and civic engagement and is, in many ways, a slap in the face to the extremists who sought to destroy those values with the September 11th attacks. Opponents must stop intentionally mischaracterizing the motives of those behind the Cordoba Initiative. To oppose this project because Islam is involved and Muslims are sponsors of it is a violation of the religious freedom guaranteed and protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

It has been disheartening to see Members of Congress and other national leaders cite public opinion polling as a reason to stop the project. Anyone with a basic knowledge of the history of the First Amendment knows that religious freedom exists in part to protect the rights of the minority from the whim of the majority. In fact, it would not be a stretch to say that if the Founding Fathers had relied on polling data, the First Amendment might not exist at all. The President and Congress should remember that they have sworn to defend the Constitution. Never is there a time to waver from that commitment.

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The Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.

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