AMMWEC Condemns Reported Refusal of Service to Jewish Israeli-American Woman at VA Salon

AMMWEC Responds to Reported Denial of Service at Alexandria Salon

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) today issued a statement following a reported incident involving a Jewish Israeli-American client at Karimi Brows, owned by Fatana Karimi, an Afghan woman, based in Alexandria, Virginia.

According to the client’s public account and video circulated online, a scheduled appointment ended after the salon owner learned that the client was Jewish and Israeli American. The client said she was asked to leave and requested a refund. The salon owner subsequently posted a public response explaining her position.

Although, AMMWEC was not involved in the appointment but is responding to the accounts and video made publicly available.

“AMMWEC opposes the denial of ordinary services based on a person’s religion, ethnicity or national origin,” said Anila Ali, founder and president of AMMWEC. “Political disagreements about the Middle East should not be directed at individual customers. We encourage business owners and community leaders to support equal treatment and respectful dialogue.”

“I wish Ms. Karimi had chosen dialogue with the Israeli-American woman, because listening to a different perspective is essential to pluralism,” Ali said. “Women do not advance dignity or equality by excluding another woman because of her identity, beliefs, or opinions. As Muslim women, we must never forget that many of us came to America from countries where free expression and women’s rights are severely restricted, including Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Islamic tradition also records that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, welcomed women with different beliefs and permitted respectful dialogue in his mosque. We came to America seeking freedom, pluralism, and respect for diverse opinions, and we have a responsibility to extend those same principles to our neighbors. The reported conduct does not reflect the American or Islamic values we seek to uphold.”

“As a Muslim-led organization, AMMWEC believes religious communities have a responsibility to reject prejudice consistently,” Ali said. “Our work is informed by the principle expressed in Quran 5:8, which calls upon believers to uphold justice even amid disagreement. That principle should apply equally to everyone.”

"AMMWEC encourages Muslim, Jewish, Christian and other community leaders to promote respectful engagement, and calls on leaders to bridge the divides between Muslims and Jews by providing opportunities to listen, debate, break bread and get to know each other.
AMMWEC invites the salon owner, Fatana karimi, to join Muslim Americans who will be taking yet another trip to Israel this coming Fall. Many Muslims have written about their experiences in a new testimonial on Israel and the resonating theme in their experiences is that "they were lied to' and the trip opened their eyes and gave them an opportunity to challenge their biases," said AMMWECpresident, Anila Ali.
Link to the book:
https://a.co/d/0dBXtGFK

About AMMWEC

The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council is a Washington, D.C.-based organization advancing women’s leadership, interfaith cooperation, civic engagement and efforts to counter antisemitism and other forms of hate. Through education, public programs and coalition-building, AMMWEC works with partners to strengthen pluralism and mutual respect in the United States.

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