Approved by the AAR Board of Directors on November 21, 2019
The American Academy of Religion is deeply troubled by the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in the United States and around the world. Hate speech and intemperate political discourse aimed at Muslims and other religious groups are opposed to the values of our learned society and to the most cherished commitments of American civic culture. We call on our members, other scholars of religion, and all Americans, to reject that divisive and dangerous speech and to reaffirm our shared commitment to a free and open society where all residents’ rights are recognized and protected.
The AAR is the world's largest scholarly society devoted to the critical study of religion. This week's sudden increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric and Islamophobia is taking place during the AAR's Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.