AMMWEC Backs Bipartisan Right to Worship Act On Capitol Hill

Muslim and multifaith leaders stand with lawmakers from both parties in support of the Right to Worship Act

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) joined bipartisan congressional leaders and national faith organizations on Capitol Hill Wednesday in support of the Right to Worship Act, legislation that would establish protections for Americans entering houses of worship during religious services.

Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Congressman Brad Knott (R-NC), co-sponsors of the House legislation, held the press conference on Wednesday alongside representatives of national organizations endorsing the measure. The Senate companion is led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), making the legislation bipartisan and bicameral.

"I will always stand up for people’s right to protest peacefully, but attendees of religious services should not be harassed, threatened, intimidated, or targeted for practicing their faith. I am proud to lead this bipartisan and bicameral Right to Worship Act that both protects free speech and the freedom to worship,” Rep. Suozzi said in his opening statement.


Meanwhile, Rep. Knott remarked, “Whether you’re in conservative America, liberal America, red America, or blue America, our Constitution considers your individual right to worship as you see fit. In every corner of this country, that right is being threatened. If people in the United States cannot worship, we do not have a First Amendment. And the right to worship is under attack.”

AMMWEC President Anila Ali also spoke at the event emphasizing, “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.”

The proposed legislation would create a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services and prohibit knowingly hindering, deterring, threatening, or intimidating individuals seeking to attend. It provides for civil penalties and legal remedies while excluding peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment from the prohibited conduct.

Anila Ali said that the freedom to worship without fear is shared across religious traditions.

“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 endorsing the Right to Worship Act, joining organizations representing Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other communities.

The Capitol Hill event brought together representatives of organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, National Association of Evangelicals, Jewish Federations of North America, Hindu American Foundation, UNITED SIKHS, American Jewish Committee, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Orthodox Union, Hadassah and Combat Antisemitism Movement, among others.

For AMMWEC, participation in the Capitol Hill event to support the Act reflects its continuing work to promote religious freedom, interfaith cooperation, and the protection of communities from religiously motivated intimidation and hate.

Staff Writer
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