American Bar Association adopts resolution against Islamophobia

August 9, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Photo: David Zalubowski/AP

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The American Bar Association (ABA), a premier legal body representing the interests of lawyers across the nation, made a resounding statement against Islamophobia by passing a resolution condemning the issue. This move was met with robust support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a leading advocacy and civil rights organization representing the Muslim community in the United States.

The ABA House of Delegates, composed of 597 delegates from various ABA entities and associations including state, local, and specialty bar associations, is responsible for shaping ABA policy. Their unanimous adoption of Resolution 524 underscores their commitment to a diverse and inclusive America.

Resolution 524 articulates: “That the American Bar Association urges federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in the United States to condemn Islamophobia and to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to combat Islamophobia.”

Speaking in favor of the resolution, former CAIR National Board Chair, Roula Allouch, highlighted its significance in the current socio-political landscape. Further reflecting on the development, CAIR National Deputy Director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, stated, “We welcome this resolution against Islamophobia by the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world and the nation’s leading legal association. We are hopeful that the measures outlined in the resolution will gain traction among state and national policymakers.”

This latest development aligns with CAIR’s longstanding mission of promoting justice, empowering American Muslims, enhancing understanding of Islam, and staunchly protecting civil rights. The collaboration between the ABA and organizations like CAIR sets a precedent for institutions nationwide to take concrete steps against Islamophobia, reflecting the values of inclusivity and justice that the nation stands for.

The resolution was part of the ABA’s House of Delegates (HOD) meeting that began its two-day session this week by greenlighting a slew of resolutions on crucial legal topics. Convening at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Denver, the body, which sets the ABA policy, passed resolutions on a range of issues from plea bargaining to prison labor.

Other resolutions included one that advocated for increased financial support to rental housing tenants and more resources for administrative agencies (Resolution 507); another supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023 for unhampered access to abortion care (Resolution 511); one recommending action against caste-based discrimination to shield Dalits and other oppressed communities, especially South Asians in the U.S. (Resolution 513); and one enhancing credit limits for overseas field studies and distance learning courses (Resolutions 300 & 301).