Ijtihad Network Being Wise and Faithful Muslim in the Contemporary World
Thousands have tweeted with the hashtag #IMarchWithLinda in support of Muslim activist Linda Sarsour who has been subjected to Islamophobic abuse.
The online abuse began after a women’s march took place against Donald Trump which she helped organize.
Linda has been falsely accused of being anti-American, anti-Jew and a supporter of terrorists among other things.
On Monday, the disreputable site The Gateway Pundit, which claims to have received White House press credentials from the Trump administration, published a 2015 picture of Sarsour holding up her index finger. In the Gateway Pundit’s head-scratching estimation, this photo somehow showed Sarsour “flashing the ISIS sign.”
A tweet from Sarsour. Obviously an ISIS supporter.
Other sites deployed classic Islamophobic tactics in trying to discredit Sarsour, claiming she is connected to terrorist groups, that she supports the spread of Sharia in the U.S. and by equating her criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism.
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American, is the director of the Arab American Association of New York, a member of the police reform group the Justice League, and the 2012 recipient of a Champion of Change award from President Barack Obama.
“It’s a shame that the alt-right would spend their time putting out falsehood and discrediting a proven effective activist and leader,” Sarsour told The Huffington Post in a statement Monday. “I am still unapologetically Muslim American and proud.
“I am grateful for the outpouring of support and still committed to fighting for justice for all communities and against fascism.”
After being relentlessly trolled on Twitter since the Washington march, Sarsour said her “Twitter mentions are now overpowered by love from celebrities, high-profile activists, faith leaders, and ordinary people.”
“It’s remarkable.”
Thousands of people used the hashtag #IMarchWithLinda on Monday to show support for Sarsour, including the official Women’s March Twitter account:
Fellow Muslims came to her defense:
As did celebrities:
And members of other faiths:
During her speech Saturday, Sarsour told the crowd to keep their voices loud for “black women, for native women, for undocumented women, for our LGBTQIA communities, for people with disabilities.
“You can count on me, your Palestinian Muslim sister, to keep her voice loud, keep her feet on the streets, keep my head held high, because I am not afraid,” Sarsour said. “Sisters and brothers, fear is a choice.”
