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Council on American-Islamic Relations calls on Trump to respect rights of all Americans

Posted at 11:06 AM, Nov 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-10 14:08:08-05

CINCINNATI -- In contrast to the protests popping up in cities around the country after Donald Trump's election victory, Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and now the leading American Muslim civil rights organization have called for unity.

Cincinnati's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gathered with other local Muslim community-based organizations at 11 a.m. Thursday at the CAIR office in Sycamore Township to respond to the results of the presidential election. Check back on this page later for more details from that news conference.

CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, issued a statement Wednesday calling on Trump to respect the rights of all Americans. It also pledged to work with fellow Americans to strengthen the nation.

In a statement reacting to Tuesday's election, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"As citizens of this great nation, we accept the result of the democratic process that has bound us together as one nation.

Regardless of who won or lost yesterday’s election, American Muslims are here to stay. We are not going anywhere, and will not be intimidated or marginalized. God-willing, the American Muslim community will continue to mobilize to challenge bigotry, to uphold justice and to protect the freedoms and rights of all Americans. American Muslims will also increase outreach to their fellow citizens of other faiths and backgrounds to build bridges of mutual understanding and cooperation.

We will hold the new president to the highest standard in defending the rights of all those residing in our nation, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

America is strongest and best when all its communities, institutions and leaders are working together to build a better future for its people and for the world. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our federal, state and local leaders to achieve such a future.

CAIR will continue to be a fearless and principled defender of the Muslim community, regardless of who leads our nation.

To those in the American Muslim community who are fearful of the future, know that America is your home and you have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Americans. Rest assured that CAIR is here for you, your family and your children.

God is the best of planners."

Prior to Tuesday’s election, CAIR joined a coalition of interfaith and civic groups across the country in asking Americans of all faith, racial and political backgrounds to commit to working with each other after the election to build a more united country.

In October, CAIR released the results of a nationwide survey of Muslim voters on the presidential election and on issues of concern to the Muslim community. The survey found that 85 percent of polled Muslim voters believed that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. has increased in the past year. Thirty percent of respondents say they have experienced discrimination or profiling in the past year.

CAIR mobilized Muslim voters through a national get-out-the-vote campaign, through distribution of copies of its “2016 National Voter Guide” and with the launch of MuslimsGOTV.com, an election resource website.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members who believe their rights have been violated to contact local police and CAIR's Civil Rights Department at (202) 742-6420 or by filing a report at the website here.