Why Muslims Should Support the ADL

We live in a time of rising hatred, polarization, and violence. Across the globe, extremists exploit religion to divide people, fuel fear, and erode the foundations of democracy. As Muslims who believe in human rights, justice, and dignity for all, we cannot remain silent. We have a moral responsibility to join forces with those who fight hatred wherever it spreads. One of the strongest and most effective allies in that struggle is the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The ADL’s mission—to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all—is not just a Jewish cause. It is a human cause. It aligns directly with Islamic values of justice, compassion, and the sanctity of every human life. The Qur’an teaches us that God created humanity “into nations and tribes so that you may know one another, not despise one another” (49:13). Supporting the ADL is a practical expression of that commandment: building bridges, not walls.

For over a century, the ADL has stood at the forefront of combating extremism, defending democratic freedoms, and fighting hate crimes—work that benefits not only Jews, but Muslims, immigrants, and every vulnerable community. Muslims who worry about Islamophobia, or discrimination should recognize in the ADL a tested and powerful ally.

Some may ask: why should Muslims prioritize antisemitism when we ourselves face Islamophobia? The answer is simple: hatred is never contained. Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is a societal disease. It fuels conspiracy theories, radicalizes extremists, and destabilizes democracies. The same forces that spread antisemitism also demonize Muslims, immigrants, refugees, and anyone seen as “the other.”

By fighting antisemitism, Muslims fight for a world where hatred cannot take root against us either. We should remember that when Jews are scapegoated, Muslims are rarely far behind. Silence in the face of antisemitism is not neutrality—it is complicity.

Muslims living in democracies enjoy freedoms to worship, organize, and express themselves that are denied to millions in authoritarian regimes. Those freedoms are fragile. They are under attack from both the far-right and the far-left, from online disinformation to street-level extremism. The ADL is one of the strongest defenders of democracy, pushing back against these corrosive forces.

If we truly believe in democratic principles, Muslims must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who protect them. Supporting the ADL means supporting the very freedoms we depend on.

For too long, extremists have sought to pit Muslims and Jews against one another, feeding mistrust and animosity. But history tells a different story: Jews and Muslims once thrived together, building civilizations of learning, trade, and mutual respect. Today, we have the chance to reclaim that legacy—not by nostalgia, but through action.

Supporting the ADL is not just an act of solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. It is a declaration that Muslims will not allow hate to divide us, that we choose dialogue over division, and that we will lead in shaping a more just, inclusive future.

If we believe in human rights, we cannot stay silent while antisemitism grows.

If we believe in democracy, we cannot ignore the organizations that defend it.

If we believe in justice, we cannot refuse solidarity when others are under attack.

Supporting the ADL is not about politics. It is about principle. It is about living up to the core of our faith: to stand for justice, even when it is difficult, even when it requires courage.

As Muslims, we should stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, and stand with the ADL because to fight hate against one people is to fight hate against us all.

Zunair Ashfaq, MSW, MBE, is a bioethicist, social worker, human rights defender, and writer.

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