Resolution Against Islamophobia

2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting

This resolution was adopted by the ALA Council on Sunday, January 10, 2016

RESOLUTION AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA

Whereas library staff and patrons who appear to be Muslim have been subject to verbal abuse;
Whereas arson has been used against at least one Muslim education center¹;
Whereas members of the public have been subject to threats² and abuse³ while attempting to exercise their religion; and
Whereas places of worship have been subject to vandalism⁴ and attempts at intimidation⁵;

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members:

1. recognizes the positive impact that Muslims have made in libraries and library science;
2. recognizes the contributions that Muslims have made to information and knowledge in fields such as the sciences, mathematics, philosophy, medicine and geography;
3. stands with our colleagues, community members and users in speaking out against Islamophobia;
4. deplores the hate speech being directed at Muslims from every level of society; and
5. issues a public statement that condemns Islamophobia and stands with our Muslim colleagues and users.

Adopted by the Council of the American Library Association
Sunday, January 10, 2016, in Boston, Massachusetts

Keith Michael Fiels
Executive Director and Secretary of the ALA Council

References:
1. Rojas, R. (2015, December 12). Man Charged With Arson in California Mosque Fire. Retrieved January 6, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/us/person-of-interest-detained-in-california-mosque-fire.html?_r=0
2. Lazare, S. (2015, December 18). ‘Off the Charts’ Violence Against Muslims Ravaging US Communities New data confirms anecdotes of rising Islamophobic violence reflect nationwide trend. Retrieved January 5, 2016, from http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/18/charts-violence-against-muslims-ravaging-us-communities
3. O’Conner, L. (2015, November 22). Gun-Toting Islamophobic Group Protests Outside Texas Mosque. Retrieved January 5, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/irving-texas-armed-mosque-protest_5651eddfe4b0d4093a581d14
4. Burke, D. (2015, December 11). Threats, harassment, vandalism at mosques reach record high. Retrieved January 5, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/10/living/mosques-attack-study-2015/index.html
5. Izadi, E. (2015, December 9). ‘Ignorant act’: Severed pig’s head thrown at Philadelphia mosque door. Retrieved January 5, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/08/severed-pigs-head-thrown-at-philadelphia-mosque-door/