The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Congress to address Israel’s denial of the religious rights of Christians and Muslims after Israeli authorities prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to celebrate Mass on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday and continue to ban Muslims from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Denying Christians the ability to observe Palm Sunday at one of their holiest sites and continuing to restrict Muslims from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque are clear violations of the fundamental right to freedom of worship. Holy sites must never be subject to discriminatory restrictions or political control that targets people based on their faith.
“These actions are part of a broader pattern of policies that undermine religious freedom and inflame tensions in Jerusalem and beyond. All people must be allowed to practice their faith freely and safely at their sacred places.
“We call on Congress and the Trump administration to uphold and defend the principle of religious freedom and to hold Israeli authorities accountable for policies that deny access to holy sites for both Christians and Muslims.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com