Post-Election, Interfaith Partners to Rally Against Islamophobia. After speaking program, participants will ask stores to put up signs saying “We Support Our Muslim Neighbors”
Oak Lawn, IL—(ENEWSPF)—November 10, 2016. On Saturday, November 12, a rally will be held in support of our Muslim neighbors at the First United Methodist Church Parking Lot (Corner of 100th Street and Central Avenue) in Oak Lawn.
A speaking program will begin at 12 p.m. Speakers include:
Lesley Williams, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago
Karen Danielson, Interfaith/Outreach for the Mosque Foundation and MAS Chicago
Lana Aldos, High School Senior and Syrian Refugee
Michael Kooy, Oak Lawn Clergy and Religious Workers Association
Rabbi/Cantor Michael Davis, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago and Rabbi of Makom Shalom congregation
Susan Cochran, Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network
At approximately 12:30 p.m., participants will form teams to go door-to-door and store-to-store to invite merchants, houses of worship and residents to put signs in their window affirming “We Support Our Muslim Neighbors.”
The President-Elect has called for a ban on Muslim immigration to the United states, a national registry of Muslim citizens, and surveillance of mosques. It is more important than ever for interfaith communities to come together to say enough is enough. This Saturday, the undersigned Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders and other community members will take a stand against the anti-Muslim vitriol that has been provoked by this election cycle. Participants will rally for a speaking program before spreading throughout the community to ask business owners to post signs in their windows affirming: “We Support Our Muslim Neighbors.”
This election cycle has been particularly rife with both rhetoric blatantly hateful toward Muslims. The President-Elect has called for a ban on Muslim immigration to the United states, a national registry of Muslim citizens, and surveillance of mosques.
As a result, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim are enduring vitriolic, frightening levels of hate and violence throughout the country–being spit on, verbally harassed and abused, physically assaulted, and even shot. This hate and violence do not exist in a vacuum. They take place in the context of ongoing and systemic Islamophobia that is pervasive and deep within our society.
Karen Danielson, Interfaith Outreach Chair for the Muslim American Society: “As interfaith partners, we will call on our community to publicly reject the anti-Muslim hate and discrimination which has been dredged up throughout this election cycle. Muslim children are experiencing vicious verbal and physical bullying, Imams (religious leaders) have been shot dead, Muslim women set afire, and others accosted in broad daylight –it has to stop.”
Signatories:
Michael Kooy, Oak Lawn Clergy and Religious Workers Association
Karen Danielson, Interfaith/Outreach for the Mosque Foundation and MAS Chicago
Rev. Jonathan Crail, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Oak Lawn
Halil Demir, Zakat Foundation of America, Bridgeview
Rev. Peggy McClanahan, Pastor of Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ*, Oak Lawn
Hanan Abdallah, Principal- Universal School, Bridgeview
Rev. Phillip S. Leo, Pastor of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Oak Lawn
Rafeeq Jaber, Oak Lawn
Rev. Steven Hoerger, Pastor Salem UCC, Oak Lawn
Rabbi/Cantor Michael Davis, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago and Rabbi of Makom Shalom congregation
American Muslims for Palestine – Chicago
Tammie Ismail, Principal- Aqsa School, Bridgeview
St. Fabian Parish/Mosque Foundation Dialogue Group
Rev. Kat Banakis, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Linda Wygant, Grace Seeds Ministry
Susan Cochran, Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network
Rabbi Brant Rosen, Tzedek Chicago and Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago
Rev. Nancy Goede, former pastor, Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn
* Affiliation provided for identification purposes only, does not signify organizational endorsement.
Source: http://jewishvoiceforpeace.org
