Jewish Muslim alliance takes exception to Trump’s tirade against Congresswomen

As President Trump continues to defend his remarks against four progressive Democratic Congresswomen, JAMAAT, an interfaith organization bringing together Jewish and Muslim leaders, has termed the statements unacceptable.

“If people want to leave our country, they can… I’ll never change on that, no,” Trump said Wednesday, echoing his Twitter outburst that the representatives – all women of color and U.S. citizens, should go back to their countries of origin because they do not like America.

The backlash to Trump’s Twitter remarks against Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley, includes allegations of racism against him. Trump has denied that his remarks are racist, and says that a lot of Americans support his stance.

On Wednesday Jews, Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT), an interfaith organization in the Greater Washington area, termed it “reprehensible and unacceptable, for the President to call for these Congresswomen, all of whom are American citizens and were duly elected by the voters of their districts; to “go back” to their countries of origin.

“Indeed, three of the congresswomen were born in the U.S. and the fourth, Rep. Omar, emigrated here to escape life-threatening violence in her native Somalia,” a JAMAAT statement said.

“All four of the Congresswomen have expressed their love for America and affirmed the belief, in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., that the best way to express that love is to fight injustice and work to improve the quality of life for all Americans.  No individual or party has a monopoly on patriotism in America.”

The statement also objects to the assertion that four Congresswomen are anti-Israel and anti-Semitic, adding that member communities will remain united and not be divided.

JAMAAT says it  exemplifies unity among Jews, Muslims and allies; and we will not allow anyone to turn our communities against each other.

“We fully understand at this time of rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism that ‘united we stand, divided we fall.’”

The organization says it rejects fear and discrimination and is working with like minded organizations in the DMV and across the country to build an America based on inclusiveness for people of all faiths, races, ethnicities and orientations and mutual support among people of diverse backgrounds.

“We expect the president of the United States to not only represent and respect all of its citizens; but, indeed, to respect the Constitution of the United States of America.”