FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2022

CONTACT
Jonny Levenfeld, West End Strategy Team
jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-704-4535

Interfaith Alliance: Attack on Salman Rushdie is an Attack on Free Expression Worldwide

WASHINGTON—In the wake of the heinous attack on author Salman Rushdie last week in New York, religious freedom advocates assert that threats to free expression endanger the free exercise of belief. The Rev. Dr. Katharine Henderson, interim president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:

“The attack on Salman Rushdie was a stark reminder that our most basic rights of freedom of expression and freedom of belief are intertwined and under siege. True religious freedom means people of all faiths and none are able to exercise their beliefs freely without fear of harm or discrimination.

“Non-religious people are owed the same protections as all Americans. Violently encroaching upon these rights betrays our democratic values. I join leaders across diverse faith communities nationwide to condemn this deplorable act and pray that Salman Rushdie recovers quickly and fully.”

If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance, please contact Jonny Levenfeld at (202) 704-4535 or jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com.


Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.