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South Asian Fund for Education, Scholarship & Training (SAFEST) and Queens Solidarity Coalition are organizing a rally and press conference against Islamophobia and bigotry in all its forms following a brutal hate crime in Rego Park that left a Muslim father in serious condition in front of his wife and children . The rally called for a thorough investigation and apprehension of all the perpetrators of this heinous hate crime. The rally and press conference took place on November 15th at Queens Borough Hall at 12:30pm. 

The people of Queens must stand together as a community and speak out in one voice against hate crimes of all kinds. We sincerely appreciate the hard work that prosecutors and law enforcement officers have done in response to this horrific attack. We praise quick action of 112th’s precinct on apprehending the attacker and unyielding decision of Queens DA’s office on charging her with a hate crime. With law enforcement agencies working overtime on this case, we are confident that the other male attacker will be arrested soon. 

“We must come together as a community to educate people and 

fight against hatred of any kind.” – Mazeda Uddin from South Asian 

Fund for Education, Scholarship and Training (SAFEST). 

“We must confront anti-Muslim hate and stereotypes in our homes 

and communities. Hate crime victim denial of any kind is simply 

unconscionable.” – Democratic District Leader Ethan Felder from 

Queens Solidarity Coalition. 

“Immigrants and faith communities are part of our city’s fabric. We must always stand up for our Muslim communities against the forces of bigotry, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. No New Yorker should have to live in fear because of who they are or where they come from. Hatred and violence perpetrated against any of our communities is reprehensible and will not be tolerated.” – NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. 

“No one should be subjected to violence because of who they are or their religious beliefs. The New York City Council stands with Khaled Aly, Neamat Taha, and their family against this vile bigotry. I am grateful this case is being taken seriously by the NYPD, and I pray for swift justice.” – Speaker of NYC City Council Cory Johnson

“Hate has no place in The World’s Borough. This act of hate was inhumane and un-American. To Mr. Ali, Ms. Taha and especially to their young children, know that you belong here, you are as American as I and everyone else here who stands with you in the pursuit of justice and as you try to heal from this terrible trauma.” – Queens Borough President Sharon Lee 

“Attack on one of us is an attack on all of us… There should be one standard of law, those individuals should be held accountable.” – Queens Borough President-Elect Donovan Richards 

“As we stand here as one, we will say to any who dare to challenge this love and unity, please leave. Your brand of lifestyle is not welcome here, but we do welcome all colors of rainbow.” – NYC District 28 City Council Member Adrienne Adams 

“It’s unfortunate that hate kept on rearing his ugly head. I want you to know that Religious Garb bill was passed prohibiting discrimination against religious attire. ” – New York State District 24 Assemblyman David Weprin

“There is no place for hate in Queens. There is no place for islamophobia in my district. There is zero tolerance towards those who would commit hate crimes. If anyone comes for my Muslim brothers and sisters, they will have to get through me first.” – New York State District 38 Assemblywoman-Elect Jenifer Rajkumar 

“I am proud to stand in solidarity with a diverse group of advocates and elected officials to declare that hate has no place in Queens. We must work to address systemic racism, Islamophobia, sexism and xenophobia that still permeates our communities so that all families can live, work and raise their families with dignity and safety” – New York State District 34 Assemblywoman-Elect Jessica González-Rojas. 

We thank the elected officials who joined us today to show solidarity against hate. Even though we have more questions than answers on how to address this issue of hate, we strongly believe that when Queens united as one, love can always defeat hate!

QUEENS UNITE AGAINST HATE 

The co-sponsors of this rally includes: 

Jamaica Muslim Center, Interfaith Center of America, Queens Community Board 6, Bukharian Jewish Union, ICNA Council for Social Justice, the Saul Weprin Democratic Club, Muslim Commuity Forum, Building Our Movement, FM786, Masjid Mission Center HCM USA, ITV(Islamic TV) , Bangladeshi American Society, Muslim Entrepreneur Society. 

The organizers of this rally are: 

Mazeda Uddin, Founder, South Asian Fund for Education, Scholarship and Training (SAFEST) Ethan M. Felder, Co-Founder, Queens Solidarity Coalition