Farhana Khera testifies against the rise of anti-Muslim bigotry and flawed law enforcement practices to counter violent extremism

Today Muslim Advocates President and Executive Director Farhana Khera testified at a hearing chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that seemed designed to single out and attack the American Muslim community and to advocate for ineffective and unconstitutional law enforcement practices. Khera served as a witness to discuss the unconstitutionality of blanket surveillance and the responsibility our public figures have in creating a toxic environment in which violent hate crimes have thrived.

“All Americans want to be safe and rely on our law enforcement to protect us from extremist violence,” said Farhana Khera, president and executive director of Muslim Advocates. “To prey on our fears and score political points by demonizing an entire faith group is abhorrent and does nothing to keep us safe. It is time for us to look at the facts and not give into unconstitutional and discriminatory policies that hurt innocent Americans while making it harder to keep us safe. We must start holding public leaders accountable for their role in the rising rate of hate crimes.”

Khera’s testimony detailed how bigoted policies have proven to be ineffective, in some cases by law enforcement officials’ own admission, and ultimately hurt all Americans. The testimony also highlighted the rise in anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes, some which have been directly inspired by hateful rhetoric pushed by political leaders. Khera was invited to testify by members of the Committee’s minority as an expert witness on the constitution and civil rights.

To read Farhana Khera’s oral testimony, click here.

To read Farhana Khera’s written testimony, click here.