The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) desecrating the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank after he wore shoes in the mosque in violation of Islamic traditions and took selfies with Israeli occupation forces.
Last month, CAIR condemned the reported takeover of the Ibrahimi Mosque by Illegal Israeli settlers.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We strongly condemn House Speaker Mike Johnson for joining Israeli soldiers in desecrating the Ibrahimi Mosque, which has been illegally occupied by Israeli settlers and was once the site of a massacre by Israeli extremist Baruch Goldstein. Speaker Johnson literally trampled across a place of prayer while wearing his shoes and taking selfies with occupation forces.
“Desecration of a sacred site, whether by violation of religious customs or by offensive political displays, is unacceptable. House Speaker Johnson’s actions are deeply disrespectful to the Muslim community in our nation and worldwide.”
CAIR also condemned a ban preventing a Palestinian religious leader from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem because he spoke out against Israel’s manufactured famine in Gaza.
SEE: Israel slaps Palestinian mufti with 6-month ban from Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“The Israeli apartheid government has no right to ban any Muslim from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, much less the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. This is an attack on not only Islam, but the religious freedom of everyone in Jerusalem. We call on the international community to hold Israel accountable for these actions and to ensure that religious leaders are not silenced for speaking out against oppression. The right to condemn genocide and advocate for justice is fundamental and must be protected.”
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