Jewish and Muslim group call for fast in support of U.S. illegals

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Two groups — one Jewish and one Muslim — are calling on their supporters to fast in support of undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice and the Muslim Public Affairs Council are advocating a fast on Dec. 6 to show members of Congress their support for reform of the country’s immigration laws. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), who is Jewish, and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), a Muslim, also will participate.

“Jews and Muslims share the tradition of fasting to mark especially important and somber occasions,” Hadar Susskind, Bend the Arc director, and Haris Tarin, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council D.C. office, said in a joint statement. “Our two communities are fasting together now to remind Congress that every day Congress drags its feet on fixing our broken immigration system, another 1,100 people are deported.”