As did Dr. King, religions uphold equality and rights for all

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a holiday celebrated in the US to commemorate Dr. King’s important civil rights efforts. As a child, I remember learning about racial equality in school, but on the weekends I would reconcile my faith and secular education during Saturday class at my local mosque. I learned that all men are created equal not only before the law, but also before God. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “God does not look upon your bodies and your outward appearance but He looks at your hearts.” These words echo the sentiments of Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, in which he urged all to regard others “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
As all world religions preach the spiritual equality of man before his Creator, it is interesting to note that Martin Luther King Jr. Day has only been celebrated since 1986 and wasn’t observed in all 50 states until the year 2000. Despite how far we have come with respect to civil rights and a Constitution that protects the rights of men and women, how is it that we have relapsed into a discussion of racial equality in light of recent current events? I wish to convey my best to all readers, and hope for the continuous improvement of race relations.
Munazza Alam