Religious Freedom Starts at the Door

AMMWEC spends two days on Capitol Hill advocating for the Right to Worship Act

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Religious freedom is not only a constitutional principle; it is also about whether Americans can safely walk through the doors of their houses of worship.

The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) spent two days on Capitol Hill last week advocating for the Right to Worship Act, joining congressional leaders and a broad coalition of faith and advocacy organizations in support of the bipartisan, bicameral legislation.

The effort included a Capitol Hill press conference featuring Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Brad Knott (R-NC), who are leading the House legislation. The Senate companion is led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). The legislation would establish a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services and address conduct that knowingly hinders, deters, threatens, intimidates, or disrupts worshippers seeking to attend, while excluding peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment.

Over the two days, AMMWEC representatives, together with interfaith coalition partners, met with congressional offices to discuss the legislation and the importance of protecting access to houses of worship. The delegation met with representatives from the offices of Senator Chris Coons, Senator Jacky Rosen, Senator Dick Durbin, and Senator Richard Blumenthal, including staff working on judiciary and related policy matters.

Joining AMMWEC throughout the Capitol Hill advocacy effort were Moshe Davis; Divarshi Khadke of the Hindu American Foundation; Lauren Wolman of the Anti-Defamation League; Hadas Alterman of StandWithUs; and Jessica Bernton of the American Jewish Committee.

Anila Ali, President of AMMWEC, emphasized that the issue extends across religious and political lines:

“As an American Muslim, I believe religious freedom is the birthright of every American. No one—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, or of any other faith—should ever be intimidated or afraid simply for entering a house of worship. The Right to Worship Act affirms that protecting people while they pray is not a partisan issue; it is an American responsibility.”

She also underscored the everyday meaning of religious freedom:

“No American should have to summon courage simply to walk through the doors of their house of worship. Whether you are a Christian entering a church, a Jew entering a synagogue, a Muslim going to a mosque, a Hindu entering a mandir, or a Sikh entering a gurdwara, the freedom to worship without fear belongs to every American.”

AMMWEC is among more than 30 national organizations listed as endorsers of the Right to Worship Act, representing a range of religious communities. For AMMWEC, the two-day Capitol Hill effort was an extension of its multifaith work, bringing together Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other faith representatives to engage congressional offices on religious freedom and access to houses of worship.

AMMWEC calls on Congress to continue its consideration of the Right to Worship Act and to safeguard the ability of Americans of every faith to enter their houses of worship without intimidation, threats, or disruption.

Staff Writer
Ammwec
+ + +1 202-600-5186
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X