~STATEMENT
OF PRINCIPLES~
American Islamic Congress
Muslims have been profoundly influenced by their
encounter with America. American Muslims are a minority group,
largely comprising African-Americans, immigrants, and children
of immigrants, who have prospered in America's climate of religious
tolerance and civil rights. The lessons of our unprecedented experience
of acceptance and success must be carefully considered by our
community.
- American Muslims must champion pluralism and condemn all
forms of intolerance. American Muslims have a vested interest
in the strength of religious freedom and democracy. Because Muslims
are relative newcomers to America, we must work to guarantee our
equal rights and prevent hate crimes. At the same time, we must
condemn hate speech and calls for violence by Muslims. Hateful
statements and actions by fellow Muslims threaten the reputation
of our entire community. We must censure intolerance, whatever
its source.
- American Muslims must be leading ambassadors to the Muslim
world. America has been a haven for Islam. American Muslims
must educate the Muslim world about the remarkable freedoms and
coexistence we enjoy here. Calls for "Death to America"
and the murder of Americans are an attack on millions of Muslims
who are proud to call themselves American. Virulent anti-American
rhetoric and action by radicalized Muslims threaten our country,
our freedom, and our democracy.
- American Muslims must recognize and celebrate our own diversity.
Our community comprises individuals of various religious strains,
ethnic and racial backgrounds, and political outlooks. We embody
the spirit of American diversity and represent a rainbow of humanity.
By celebrating diversity and building bridges within our own community,
we help strengthen American society.
- All Muslims should enjoy the social and economic prosperity
experienced by American Muslims. We owe our strength and success
in part to classic American principles of individual rights and
social justice. And, as Americans, we are citizens of a nation
that has prospered greatly in the global economy. But in much
of the Muslim world, wide income disparities, high unemployment,
economic underdevelopment, and limited individual rights create
a fertile ground for despair and extremism. We should strive to
improve economic conditions and individual freedom in the Muslim
world.
- American Muslims must champion the rights of minorities in
the Muslim world. We know firsthand the importance of protecting
the full rights of minority communities. One of our gifts to the
larger Muslim world must be a new emphasis on considering and
protecting the rights of minorities. This includes a painful reckoning
with past and present episodes of intolerance in the Muslim world
- and a commitment to progress in the future.
If you support
this statement of principles, make sure to sign our petition. Click
here.
Download the Statement
of Principles as a PDF file.
|
