Action Alert - Sign this open letter in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The letter below was written by Rev. Brad Brookins, Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, and the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability, and is offered to Mt. Horeb and surrounding communities in hope of garnering signatures from people who support its sentiments. Once everyone who wishes to has had the opportunity to sign, this letter will be sent on to a variety of Muslim communities in Madison. We will be circulating the letter through any area civic organizations and churches that want to participate, as well as through web sites, Facebook pages and email connections.
If you would like to sign directly, please go here.
An open letter to our Muslim neighbors:
Dear Friends,
Recent weeks have brought more violence—in Paris and Beirut, in California and in the sky over Egypt. In a terribly misguided and reactionary response in this country, Muslim places of worship are being targeted for vandalism; hate crimes and threats of violence against American Muslims are becoming even more common. None of this reflects the best of the religious traditions that can guide us toward an open and inclusive society. All of this contradicts the highest American values of equality, fairness, generosity and the Constitutional protection of freedom of religion that are held by religious and secular people alike. Violence and hatred can never bring us to peace and friendship. In every setting they are to be deplored by women and men of good will and good sense.
We are writing this letter because we reject the hateful rhetoric now coming from some American politicians and religious leaders. Their expressions of fearfulness are putting great strain on Muslim communities. They do not speak for us. Even in times of crisis, and especially in times of crisis, we will not give into fear by turning our backs on our values or on you, our valued friends and neighbors.
Our thoughts toward you are of simple kindness and acceptance. We believe yours are the same toward us. We want you to know we stand with you in these anxious times and we will resist the efforts of those who would demean your faith or restrict your freedom.
We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers and ask you to do the same for us.
As-salamu alaykum. Shalom Aleichem. Peace be with you.
Action Alert - Sign this open letter in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The letter below was written by Rev. Brad Brookins, Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, and the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability, and is offered to Mt. Horeb and surrounding communities in hope of garnering signatures from people who support its sentiments. Once everyone who wishes to has had the opportunity to sign, this letter will be sent on to a variety of Muslim communities in Madison. We will be circulating the letter through any area civic organizations and churches that want to participate, as well as through web sites, Facebook pages and email connections.
If you would like to sign directly, please go here.
An open letter to our Muslim neighbors:
Dear Friends,
Recent weeks have brought more violence—in Paris and Beirut, in California and in the sky over Egypt. In a terribly misguided and reactionary response in this country, Muslim places of worship are being targeted for vandalism; hate crimes and threats of violence against American Muslims are becoming even more common. None of this reflects the best of the religious traditions that can guide us toward an open and inclusive society. All of this contradicts the highest American values of equality, fairness, generosity and the Constitutional protection of freedom of religion that are held by religious and secular people alike. Violence and hatred can never bring us to peace and friendship. In every setting they are to be deplored by women and men of good will and good sense.
We are writing this letter because we reject the hateful rhetoric now coming from some American politicians and religious leaders. Their expressions of fearfulness are putting great strain on Muslim communities. They do not speak for us. Even in times of crisis, and especially in times of crisis, we will not give into fear by turning our backs on our values or on you, our valued friends and neighbors.
Our thoughts toward you are of simple kindness and acceptance. We believe yours are the same toward us. We want you to know we stand with you in these anxious times and we will resist the efforts of those who would demean your faith or restrict your freedom.
We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers and ask you to do the same for us.
As-salamu alaykum. Shalom Aleichem. Peace be with you.
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