Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has stated that he will fight to protect Muslims’ rights, days after 2016 US presidential candidate Donald Trump stated that he would prohibit any Muslims from entering the country for a period of time if he is elected.
In a post on the social networking site, Zuckerberg stated that “even if an attack isn’t against you today, in time attacks on freedom for anyone will hurt everyone.” He added that he would help ensure that Facebook will remain a “peaceful and safe environment” for Muslim users of the site.
Read the post in full below:
“I want to add my voice in support of Muslims in our community and around the world.
After the Paris attacks and hate this week, I can only imagine the fear Muslims feel that they will be persecuted for the actions of others.
As a Jew, my parents taught me that we must stand up against attacks on all communities. Even if an attack isn’t against you today, in time attacks on freedom for anyone will hurt everyone.
If you’re a Muslim in this community, as the leader of Facebook I want you to know that you are always welcome here and that we will fight to protect your rights and create a peaceful and safe environment for you.
Having a child has given us so much hope, but the hate of some can make it easy to succumb to cynicism. We must not lose hope. As long as we stand together and see the good in each other, we can build a better world for all people.”
The post currently has over 1 million Likes on the site since it was posted yesterday, along with nearly 200,000 shares.
Zuckerberg recently pledged that he would be donating 99% of his Facebook shares to his charity the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, estimated at around $45 billion, following the birth of his and wife Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg’s daughter, Max.
