—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
(NEW YORK, NY, 9/20/2010) –- A number of local and national American Muslim leaders today issued a call for “A Week of Dialogue” in October to combat bigotry and promote understanding and religious tolerance in civil society.
The call follows a summit of Muslim leaders in New York City held on Sunday, September 19, to discuss concerns stemming from opposition to the building of the Park51 community center in lower Manhattan and to mosques elsewhere in the country, as well as concerns about the rising level of anti-Muslim bigotry in American society.
In a joint statement released today, the Muslim summit participants said: “We stand for the constitutional right of Muslims, and Americans of all faiths, to build houses of worship anywhere in our nation as allowed by local laws and regulations.
“Also, we stand against the racism, hatred, religious intolerance and ethnic bigotry, directed at Islam and American Muslims.
“We call upon local and national elected officials to join their colleagues in denouncing and rejecting inflammatory rhetoric that endangers the lives of Muslim Americans.
“Further, we call for a nationwide “Week of Dialogue” around October 22, 23 and 24, during which Muslim leaders will conduct open houses at their places of worship. It is our hope and desire that these events will help to allay tensions in civil society caused by the Park51 controversy and will build bridges of understanding that unite and strengthen our nation.”
Signatories:
Imam Al-Amin A. Latif, The Majlis Ash-Shura of NY; Imam Muhammad Majid; Vice President Islamic Society of North America (ISNA); Dr. Zahid Bukhari, President, Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA); Dr. Ahmed Elbendary, President, Muslim American Society (MAS); Mr. Nihad Awad, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR); Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Ameer, Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA); Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman, The Fiqh Council of North America; Imam Al-Tayyab Abuel Yamaan, Chairman, North American Imams Federation; Imam Mahdi Bray; Executive Director, MAS Justice & Peace Foundation; Imam Asim A. Rashid, Amir of Majlis Philadelphia; Mr. Haris Tarin, Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC); Mr. M. Salim Akhtar, Executive Director, American Muslim Taskforce (AMT); Ms. Aisha Al-Adawiya, Founder & Exec. Director, Muslim Women in Islam, Inc.; Mr. Muhammad Nasir, Executive Director, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago; Mr. Abdul-Malik Mujahid, Chairman, The Parliament of World Religions
'A Week of Dialogue' to Combat Bigotry
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I see some hindus are getting into the mix ,funny how the pot is calling the kettle black .
As far as opening up mosques should not the House of God be open and welcoming of everyone ,especially who need God into their lives. Can’t wait for Muslims to clean up their mosques for the occasion hopefully one day they will clean up their act.
@Dennis – our acts are clean, and we are proud Muslim Americans. You are no better then us or worse then us according to the constitution and law of land. Thats a very silly argument that you are making, If I as a muslim am responsible for the acts of few Wahabis/Salafis then you as a Christian are responsble for the acts of KKK and IRA. Both of these groups use their Holy books and justify murder and lynching and wars or future wars. Dont forget your forefathers used Bible to justify slavery. Why dont you look into your own mirror first before throwing rocks at others.
Now secondly, i have asked this question numerous times in differnt post from ICNA. let me refresh them since i have not been pointed as to where it says in your constitution:
@ Are you a non secetarian, non denominational muslim organization that is working for the rights of ALL the muslims or are you simply protecting the rights of a certian sect of Islam?
@ If yes, which sect right are you protecting? If No, then point me where does it show in your constitution or charter where you claim to be non secetarian, non denominational?
It is important for three reason ICNA:-
@ You dont have the right to ask for the same rights that you are not willing to give to others within Islam which you are asking from non muslims in this country.
@ We are American muslims, i dont want to raise my children with secetarianism, and supporting and working for the rights of a certain sect exactly does that. we will be sowind the seeds of secetariansim for our children tomorrow.
@ If you are working for the rights of a particular sect then you should not ask ALL the muslims for donations since it not noble and its stealing in my view. You want their money and time but are not willing for work for their rights?
I would request all muslim and non-muslims for that matter to make sure these organizations are non secetarian since these sects would create divisions on our society and cause friction in the fabric of America.
Waiting to hear from you ICAN..!
The Clergy Letter Project was initiated in 2004 by Dr. Michael Zimmerman, biology professor, as a response to the common misconception that science and religion are inevitably in conflict, especially around the question of evolution. The Christian literalists are coercing school boards to teach their version of creationism in public schools,
Dr. Zimmerman worked with Christian clergy in US and nearly 200 Christian clergy in a wide variety of denominations had signed the statement, and that number has now grown to more than 12,000. A subsequent Jewish “Rabbi Letter” obtained more than 500 signatories, and a Unitarian-Universalist Letter was signed by over 250 clerics.
It then seemed appropriate and desirable that an Imam Letter be created so that Muslims could also be included among the clerics who affirm that the science of evolution is not in conflict with their spiritual inspiration and values. The message of the Imam Letter printed below
Here is exactly what the Imam Letter says:
“Literalists of various religious traditions who perceive the science of evolution to be in conflict with their personal religious beliefs are seeking to influence public school boards to authorize the teaching of creationism. We, the Imams of the mosques, see this as a breach in the separation of church and state. Those who believe in a literal interpretation of scriptural account of creation are free to teach their perspective in their homes, religious institutions and parochial schools. To teach it in the public schools would be indoctrinating a particular religious point of view in an environment that is supposed to be free of
such indoctrination.
We, the undersigned Imams of the mosques, assert that the Qur’an is the primary source of spiritual inspiration and of values for us, though not for everybody, in our country. We believe that the timeless truths of the Qur’an may comfortably coexist with the discoveries of modern science. As Imams we urge public school boards to affirm their commitment to the teaching of the science of evolution. We ask that science remain science and that religion remain religion, two very different, but complementary, forms of truth.”
I am seeking Imams who are willing to add their name to the Imam Letter. To do so, they simply have to go to
http://clergyletterproject.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k7/ and enter their name.
To get more information about the project, they can go to
http://blue.butler.edu/~mzimmerm/ImamLetter.html or they can contact me.
T.O. Shanavas.