Senator Eldridge and Representative Howard File Historic Legislation to Promote Civil Rights and Inclusion of Muslim Americans in Massachusetts
The bill will establish the first ever commission in the U.S. dedicated to studying issues affecting Muslim Americans
Boston, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) today announced they had filed SD 2376 / HD 3730, An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the Commonwealth, a historic piece of legislation that will establish a state-level commission to conduct research, share information and foster unity among the American Muslim community. The bill will establish the first-ever commission in the U.S.
The commission serves as a resource to the state government on issues affecting American Muslim communities in the Commonwealth. Members of the commissions will serve three-year terms and carry out various responsibilities, including:
Promoting research and serving as a clearinghouse and source of information
Communicating unique cultural, social, ethnic, economic, and educational issues
Fostering unity among the American Muslim community
Serving as a liaison between government and private interest groups
Identifying and recommending qualified American Muslims for appointive positions
Assessing programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect American Muslims
Advising executive and legislative bodies on the potential effects on American Muslims of proposed legislation
Undertaking activities designed to enable the Commonwealth to realize the full benefit of skills, talents, and cultural heritage of American Muslims in the Commonwealth
Safeguarding racial equity and promoting civil rights require dedication and resources. The bill will create a permanent commission on the status of people who practice Islam consisting of 11 people – appointments will come from the governor, leadership of both chambers, the attorney general, the state secretary, the Senate Chair, and the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion.
Senator Eldridge and Representative Howard collaborated with the Justice Education Technology Political Advocacy Center, commonly known as Jetpac. Jetpac seeks to build a strong American Muslim political infrastructure and increase the community’s influence and engagement.
“Massachusetts is home to many Muslim Americans, and it is long overdue that we look at our inclusion practices and take a step further. This bill promotes the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the Commonwealth, and I am confident that the commission will do an excellent job researching and identifying existing issues, and seeking new opportunities as they safeguard the civil rights of American Muslims,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “I am grateful to my Communications Director, Afnan Nehela, for doing incredible work on this legislation. I am also proud to work with Representative Vanna Howard for her dedication to this bill, and I am grateful to Jetpac for its advocacy.”
“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has long been a destination for immigrant populations, but the unequal treatment of immigrants is a problem that continues to this day. Muslim-American individuals and families in Massachusetts have not always been afforded the attention they deserve by the state. This bill seeks to right past wrongs and ensure that Muslim Americans feel welcome, appreciated, and safe in the Commonwealth. Many thanks to Senator Jamie Eldridge and the Justice Education Technology Political Advocacy Center (Jetpac), without whom this bill would not be possible.” said State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell).
“We are grateful to Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Vanna Howard for filing this important equity bill," said Mohammed Missouri, executive director of Jetpac Resource Center. "For decades, Muslims have falsely been described as untrustworthy, uncivilized, and violent in pop culture and by politicians and media personalities. This dangerous narrative has informed government policies that have caused direct harm and marginalized Muslim Americans from civic engagement. As a result, our perspectives and experiences are often absent in policy conversations on issues that directly impact us. It is crucial for the Muslim community in Massachusetts to have a permanent full-time commission dedicated to documenting the unique challenges we face in our state, and we look forward to working with the legislature and Governor to advocate for its passage.”
“This bill will help shine a light on the unique challenges that the Muslim community faces in Massachusetts. As proud Massachusetts residents, we hope the work of this commission will create a more inclusive environment for Muslim students, equitable opportunities for Muslim small business owners, and greater resources for Muslim refugees,” said Farah Abbas, president of the Islamic Center of Boston (ICB), Wayland. “ICB Wayland is very grateful to the sponsors of this bill, State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Vanna Howard. We look forward to advocating for the passage of this bill.”
“We are very pleased that this very necessary equity bill, which supports the civil rights and inclusion of Muslims, has been filed,” said Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). “It brings strength to the citizens of the Commonwealth and it brightens the future for the Muslim-American community. We thank Senator Eldridge and Representative Howard along with Jetpac for their hard work.”
With An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the Commonwealth, the approximately 100,000 Muslim Americans in the Commonwealth will benefit from more representation, information, and resources.
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