Dear SABA Florida Members & Friends,
Please see the below statement from SABA North America that was issued today.
Statement from SABA North America on Escalating Islamophobia by Elected Officials
April 9, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SABA North America reaffirms and builds upon its July 11, 2025 statement condemning faith-based attacks that dehumanize targeted communities and can lead to violence. Since that time, there has been a marked escalation in both the frequency and severity of such rhetoric.
Recently, public officials have made derogatory comments that incite fear and dehumanize Muslim Americans. These statements are not policy disagreements. They are explicit expressions of religious intolerance that seek to marginalize an entire community based solely on faith. When such rhetoric is voiced by elected officials, it carries even greater weight, legitimizing prejudice and increasing the risk of real-world harm.
As stated in the July 11, 2025 statement, calls to exclude, deport, or otherwise diminish individuals based on their religion or identity are not only baseless — they are an attack on constitutional principles, including equal protection and freedom of religion. That concern has only intensified as similar narratives continue to be repeated and amplified.
SABA North America unequivocally condemns these statements and calls for accountability. Elected officials must be held to a higher standard. Rhetoric that dehumanizes, excludes, or targets communities based on religion has no place in public statements and discourse.
We stand in solidarity with all impacted communities of faith, as well as with public servants who continue to lead with integrity in the face of hostility.
At a time when division is being amplified, it is critical that leaders reaffirm a fundamental principle: citizenship, dignity, and belonging are not conditional.
About SABA North America:
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA North America) serves as a representative voice for the South Asian legal community in the United States and Canada, promoting the professional development of its members and advocating for the interests of the South Asian community. For more information, contact executivedirector@sabanorthamerica.com.