Stand With Us: Defending Religious Freedom and Equal Representation

The Story:

I am an Assyrian immigrant from Iran, a country where religious minorities, Christians, Jews, Baha’is, and others, have faced relentless persecution under the Islamic regime. My family, like countless others, was forced to flee to escape oppression, torture, and systemic discrimination. For decades, organizations like Jewish Family Services have helped non-Muslims leave Iran legally, offering a lifeline to those seeking freedom.

On March 7, 2025, I walked into a local Whole Foods and saw a large “Ramadan” sign promoting the Muslim fasting period. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming wave of grief. It reminded me of the friends and family who were imprisoned, tortured, or even killed in Muslim-majority countries simply for practicing their faith, or for breaking fast during Ramadan despite not being Muslim. In Iran and many other countries, people have been arrested, beaten, and even executed for something as simple as drinking water during this time.

I reached out to Whole Foods to express my concerns. I asked why their store was promoting one religious observance while ignoring others, especially since just days before, Christians worldwide marked Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. If inclusivity and diversity truly matter, why were other faith traditions not represented? The manager admitted that many others had called with the same concerns, yet nothing had changed.

This is not about opposing any religion; it is about ensuring equal representation and acknowledging the pain of those who have suffered persecution. Whole Foods is not a religious institution, yet its marketing choices suggest a selective approach that disregards the lived experiences of countless religious minorities.

This moment is bigger than a sign in a grocery store. It speaks to a larger issue, how the voices of persecuted minorities are often ignored. That is why I reached out to an attorney to explore how we can take legal action to ensure religious minorities who fled persecution are not erased, dismissed, or forced to relive their trauma. The law protects against religious discrimination and promotes equal representation. 

We must stand together, Christians, Jews, Baha’is, Muslims, Hindus, and people of all faiths and backgrounds, including those I may not have mentioned (please don’t take it personally if I have omitted your belief) united with all who have suffered under oppressive regimes to demand recognition, justice, and fairness.

This is the United States, a nation built on the principles of freedom and unity, where the Constitution exists to uphold the rights and dignity of all people.

I invite you to join this cause. Your support will help us raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and take legal steps to ensure that businesses and institutions uphold the principles of religious equality and respect. 
Together, we can ensure that no one is forgotten and that our voices are heard under the protection of the U.S. Constitution.

Who is impacted?
This impacts everyone who is not part of the any agenda, from qualified employees who are denied job opportunities to businesses and organizations that are pressured to comply. If you believe in fairness, equal opportunity, and freedom from discrimination, your voice matters. Sign now to stand against exclusion and bias!

What is at stake?
If we remain silent, these patterns of exclusion and discrimination will only continue, even in places where freedom of religion is enshrined in law. When businesses and institutions selectively promote one religious tradition while ignoring others, they contribute to the marginalization of already-persecuted communities. This is not about opposing any faith but about ensuring that All religious traditions receive equal recognition. If we take action, we can uphold the principles of fairness, inclusion, and equal representation, preventing the erasure of those who have already suffered so much.

Why is now the time to act?
This issue is bigger than a sign in a grocery store; it reflects a larger failure to acknowledge persecuted minorities. I have taken steps to explore legal action to ensure that religious minorities who fled oppression are not dismissed or forced to relive their trauma. But we need collective action. By standing together, who have endured religious persecution, we can demand fairness and respect. Your support will help raise awareness, push for policy changes, and hold institutions accountable for upholding religious equality. Donate, share, and stand with us, because freedom of religion should never come at the expense of another’s suffering.