July 13, 2023
The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut decries the hateful, racist, and Islamophobic harassment of two Muslim women traveling recently on CT Rail to Hartford. According to the Muslim women, a woman chose the seat next to the two Muslim women who were wearing head-scarves. She then began an unprovoked tirade against former President Obama and foreign exchange students. The incident was reported by all the passengers in the train and the harasser was filmed denying her behavior to the conductor.
The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut applauds the swift and firm response of the conductor who confronted the harasser and notified her that such verbal attacks against other passengers are not tolerated.
We wish to convey our solidarity with and support for the two Muslim women who were demeaned by this racist and Islamophobic attack. Furthermore, we encourage them to report such unprovoked encounters to law enforcement and demand an investigation as a deterrent to further attacks on themselves and others.
The rising number of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide is of great concern to us all. Muslim women, in particular, are vulnerable to both verbal and physical violence from white supremacists and Islamophobes. We ask that everyone do their part in documenting and reporting these experiences and standing up for those being mistreated. This is an Islamic duty.
In Sura al-Nisa, verse 135 of the Holy Qur’an, God says:
“O you who believe! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for God even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, God is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ God is certainly All-Aware of what you do.”