As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its independence, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) joins fellow Americans in celebrating this milestone and renewing our commitment to a more just future.
America’s story and the Muslim story have been intertwined from the beginning. In 1777, Morocco — a Muslim nation — became the first country to recognize American independence, and the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship remains the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. Enslaved African Muslims were among the earliest arrivals to these shores, and Thomas Jefferson’s own Qur’an would centuries later be used by American Muslims taking the congressional oath of office.
American ingenuity has also blessed humanity far beyond these borders: the polio vaccine and mass-produced antibiotics; the Green Revolution in agriculture that helped save a billion people from famine; the science that brought electricity, computing, and the internet into daily life; the journey to the Moon and the satellites that connect the world; and a philanthropy that sustains health, education, and disaster relief on every continent.
America’s founding ideals of liberty, equality, and justice have inspired generations, yet have not always been fully realized. Tens of millions of Indigenous peoples were displaced from their lands and perished; the nation grew and profited from the enslavement of Africans; and wars abroad — from the Philippines and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq — brought deep suffering to smaller nations. The Civil Rights Movement demonstrated that meaningful progress is possible when people of conscience work together — and that the pursuit of justice is never complete.
Today, racism, religious intolerance, discrimination against immigrants, and polarization call upon all Americans to recommit to the values that unite us. True patriotism is expressed not only by celebrating our country but by striving to make it better.
Those values resonate deeply with Islamic teachings. The Declaration’s affirmation of inherent human dignity echoes the Qur’anic teaching that God has honored all children of Adam, and the Qur’an commands believers to stand firmly for justice. Religious liberty, equal justice under law, and care for the poor and the stranger are values Muslims recognize as their own.
America also carries a profound moral responsibility in the world. The devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of lives, including many children, and destroyed homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship. As Israel’s leading provider of military, financial, and diplomatic support, the United States has a responsibility to use its influence to protect innocent lives, uphold international law, and pursue a just and lasting peace.
American Muslims have answered this nation’s call in every generation — as physicians and scientists, teachers and entrepreneurs, first responders and athletes. We are proud to contribute through faith, service, and civic engagement — values that guide ICNA’s mission of serving our neighbors, defending civil rights, and working for justice for all.
On this historic anniversary, ICNA renews its commitment to building an America that rejects racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred; welcomes immigrants and refugees with compassion; protects the vulnerable; and ensures equal justice and opportunity for all.
May God guide our nation to be a source of justice, mercy, and peace, and grant us the wisdom and courage to build a better America and a better world for all humanity.
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