1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Stand Against Bigotry: Reject Anti-Muslim Rhetoric I am writing to express alarm regarding the escalation of anti-Muslim rhetoric coming from Republican elected officials. Denigrating an entire religious group violates our nation's core principles of religious freedom and equality. This hateful commentary is not abstract; it inflicts direct harm on American citizens. For instance, Representative Andy Ogles publicly declared that "Muslims don't belong in American society," explicitly dismissing pluralism. Furthermore, Senator Tommy Tuberville labeled Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim-American public servant running for office, a "terrorist" immediately following a primary victory. Such statements go beyond aggressive political discourse—they scapegoat millions of peaceful citizens, normalize Islamophobia, and endanger families in our communities. Treating public service as an opportunity to promote bigotry betrays the oath of office to serve and protect all constituents, regardless of their faith. As public leaders, you have a duty to actively counter discriminatory behavior and uphold the First Amendment. I urge you to explicitly condemn these bigoted statements, reject anti-Muslim rhetoric within your ranks, and work to safeguard the religious liberties of every American.