WASHINGTON – At a time of giving thanks, the leader of an American Muslim group has published an editorial to give thanks to allies who publicly and vocally stood up to defend Muslim rights in a difficult year for them.

“This Thanksgiving, I join millions of American Muslim families in thanking fellow Americans of all faiths and political affiliations who this year publicly and vocally spoke out and showed up, again and again, to stand up for our shared American values,” Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)), wrote in an editorial published by HuffPost.

Awad recalled the moments after Pres. Donald Trump’s signing of the first ban on travelers from several Muslim-majority countries, widely dubbed the “Muslim Ban” when thousands thronged to airports to show support.

“We remember seeing live videos from an increasing number of airports nationwide showing tens of thousands of fellow Americans – Republicans, Democrats, and others – gathering at the airports,” Awad wrote.

“We were all united by our shared American values and our belief in the words of the Declaration of Independence, in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, in the 14th Amendment, and in the Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and equal treatment under the law.”

Awad went on the thank “thousands of attorneys who volunteered their time to help those facing obstacles” and “members of Congress and local lawmakers who held press conferences and joined demonstrators in solidarity.”

He also thanked several Christian pastors who took to the airwaves delivering the strong message that they stand with their Muslim neighbor and oppose anti-Muslim hate rallies on June 10.

“Our interfaith allies also helped fellow Americans understand that Muslims love and revere Jesus, may peace be upon him, as one of God’s greatest messengers to mankind,” Awad added.

“Your words will remind thousands of American Muslim children that they have the right to the same hopes and dreams as every other young American, with an equal chance to achieve the American Dream.”