media bias

Salt Lake City Attack: Driven by Conspiracy Theories

community security

double standard

muslim public affairs council

political rhetoric

salam al-marayati

Salt Lake City stabbing

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On July 17, 2026 By MPAC

If a Muslim stabbed a Christian or a Jew, there would be an immediate national outcry and calls for mass deportations. But when it's the other way around? Silence. In this urgent clip from MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati addresses the alarming reality of the recent stabbing of Syed Sohail Uddin in Salt Lake City by a man explicitly hunting for a Muslim victim. This tragedy mirrors the horrific killing of six-year-old Wadea in Chicago, yet local and national public officials remain silent. Salam directly links this localized violence to broader political tactics - pointing out the 61 members of Congress fueling "Islamic conspiracy" theories and states like Texas and Florida treating peaceful civic groups and mosques as threats. When political figures fuel anti-Muslim sentiments, they give a green light to radicalized individuals acting on dangerous conspiracy theories. MPAC stands firmly at the intersection of media and policy to break this institutional silence and demand that violent hate crimes are condemned equally, regardless of the victim's or culprit's background. We also extend our profound gratitude to the brave bystanders who stepped in, stopped the attacker, and saved a life. Confronting the toxic rhetoric that fuels these attacks is exactly how the team at MPAC fights to protect our communities every day. How can we force public officials and mainstream media to apply the same level of urgency and condemnation to anti-Muslim hate crimes as they do to other tragedies? Let us know below. #HateCrimeReform #MediaDoubleStandard #saltlakecity