AMMWEC pushes Congress to back worship-site protections

The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council spent two days on Capitol Hill last week lobbying for the bipartisan Right to Worship Act. The proposal would create a 100-foot buffer around houses of worship during services and bar conduct that intimidates or disrupts worshippers.

Why it matters: - The Right to Worship Act is aimed at protecting access to houses of worship for people of all faiths. - The proposal would make it harder to threaten, deter or disrupt worshippers at churches, synagogues, mosques, mandirs and gurdwaras. - The effort reflects growing concern that religious freedom includes safe entry, not only the right to pray.

What happened: - The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council spent two days on Capitol Hill last week advocating for the Right to Worship Act. - AMMWEC joined a broad coalition of faith and advocacy organizations supporting the bipartisan, bicameral legislation. - A Capitol Hill press conference featured Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., who are leading the House bill. - The Senate companion is led by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.

The details: - The legislation would establish a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services. - The bill would address conduct that knowingly hinders, deters, threatens, intimidates or disrupts worshippers trying to attend services. - The proposal would exclude peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment. - AMMWEC representatives met with congressional offices for Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Richard Blumenthal. - The meetings included staff working on judiciary and related policy matters. - AMMWEC was joined by 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. - AMMWEC is listed among more than 30 national organizations endorsing the bill. - The organization said its delegation brought together Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other faith representatives to engage congressional offices on religious freedom and access to houses of worship. - AMMWEC President Anila Ali said the issue is not partisan and applies to Americans of every faith. - Ali also said no American should have to muster courage just to enter a house of worship.

Between the lines: - The coalition’s makeup suggests the bill is being framed as a cross-faith public safety issue, not a narrow sectarian concern. - The emphasis on First Amendment protections signals an effort to draw a clear line between protected speech and conduct meant to block worship. - The push on Capitol Hill comes as religious groups increasingly focus on physical access and safety around places of worship.

What's next: - AMMWEC is urging Congress to keep considering the Right to Worship Act. - The group wants lawmakers to protect Americans of every faith from intimidation, threats and disruption when entering houses of worship. - Further movement on the bill would depend on continued congressional action in the House and Senate.

The bottom line: - AMMWEC is using its Capitol Hill push to make worship-site access a bipartisan religious freedom priority.