Muslim groups: Resist ‘scapegoating’

While the brothers are Muslim and of Chechen decent — it remains unclear their motives. | Reuters
Organizations representing Muslim Americans and those of South Asian and Arab descent urged the public and the media not to scapegoat any racial or ethnic groups in wake of the ongoing investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings.

Farhana Khera, Muslim Advocates executive director, said in a public statement that Americans should “reject scapegoating groups” based on their “racial, ethnic or religious identity.”

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“Today our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack. Our nation’s strength is rooted in our resilience and our ability to come together as Americans to address our greatest challenges. That has never been more important than it is today,” Khera said in a statement.

(Also on POLITICO: Portrait of suspects takes shape)

Khera continued: “We strongly urge all Americans to reject scapegoating groups or targeting innocent Americans based on their racial, ethnic or religious identity.”

Authorities have urged Bostonians to stay indoors and shut down public transportation as the hunt for one of the suspected terrorists, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, continues. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed following an overnight police chase in suburban Boston.

While the brothers are Muslim and of Chechen decent — it remains unclear their motives and whether it is linked to religious extremism or related to Chechnya, a Russian region that has a history of some wanting to separate from Russian rule.

(Also on POLITICO: Bombing motive: Far from obvious)

Deepa Iyer, South Asian Americans Leading Together executive director, asked the media to “refrain from making broad characterizations.”

“As South Asians have joined Americans across the country in grieving for the victims of the horrific attacks in Boston, we are relieved to hear that law enforcement is making progress in the apprehension of individuals believed to be responsible,” Iyer said in a statement.

Iyer continued: “We ask the media and general public to refrain from making broad characterizations regarding immigrant, racial, and religious communities, given the potential for harm against innocent individuals which we have already seen in the last several days.”

And Linda Sarsour, the national advocacy director of the National Network for Arab American Communities, said that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”

“The Arab American community stands in solidarity with the people of Boston and all Americans. We hope the takeaway from this tragic event is to deepen our relationships as Americans and protect each other from senseless hate-filled attacks. An attack on one is an attack on us all,” Sarsour said in a public statement.

Meanwhile, Sapreet Kaur, Sikh Coalition executive director, called upon the media and government to “promote a message of unity.”

“Like all Americans the thoughts and prayers of the Sikh American community are with the victims of the horrific attacks in Boston. We ask our fellow Americans, the media and our government to continue to promote a message of unity in the face of those who would divide us,” Kaur said in a public statement.

Source http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/muslim-groups-resist-scapegoating-90347.html?hp=l6