Sacramento's famous diversity was on full display at the Capitol's East Steps this morning as 50 community leaders across faith and race condemned the rising tide of Islamophobia across California and the nation.
"Aren't we long past the freaky demonization of one group that lets us ... pretend we are defending America?" Elizabeth Sholes of the CA Council of Churches/California Church Impact told the crowd. "Muslims came here for the same reason my great-grandfather did - for freedom, a better life and a safer world."
Though Sacramento's broad-based civil rights leadership has helped keep the Capital City safe, hate is hitting closer to home. In the last two weeks, a brick was tossed at the Madera Islamic Center, and vandals have left signs reading, "Wake up America, the enemy is here" and "No temple for the god of terrorism."
From the cab river who had his throat slit in New York after telling a passenger he was Muslim to the mosque that was set ablaze in Tennessee, Muslim Americans feel they are increasingly under siege, said Irfan Haq, president of the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic organizations.
The controversy over the issue of an Islamic Center being built near the site of 9-11 has spun "out of control," Haq said. "People are saying Islam is evil, Islam should pushed from our shore. ... Muslims are an integral part of this country contributing in many ways - this is a country all Muslims are proud of. Let them live in peace."
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/01/2061974/gathering-at-capitol-condemns.html#ixzz0ycWNVjND
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment