Category Archives: statements

On Bomb Threats at Bay Area Jewish Schools

Posted on by — Leave a reply
The Silicon Valley Interreligious Council joins with other interfaith councils around the Bay Area in condemning the bomb threats that were directed at two Bay Area Jewish schools– one in Marin County and the other in San Mateo- that were part of a nation-wide series of threats that included school across the country.
     Fortunately, the robo-call threats proved to be a hoax, but we want to make it clear that we stand together with our Jewish brothers and sisters and that any attack on any religious community in our midst is unacceptable.
     On January 19th, SiVIC sponsored a Forum on Religious Liberty, highlighting the importance of religious freedom not only for religious practice, but for the health of a democracy and the strength of our economy. We noted that it is vital that we all be ready to defend religious freedom not only for ourselves and our own traditions, but for each other. This is the promise and the possibility of the American vision.
The San Francisco Interfaith Council released this message:
 January 18, 2017, San Francisco — The San Francisco  Interfaith Council was deeply disturbed and saddened to learn today that our Bay Area Jewish community is the latest Jewish community around the nation to receive bomb threats.  This appears to be part of a rash of bomb threats made against 28 Jewish community centers and other Jewish organizations in 17 states in recent days.  On Wednesday morning, the Jewish Community Center of Marin and the Wornick Jewish Day School, both institutions that receive and educate hundreds of young children every day, were evacuated after receiving bomb threats.  “We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, and will not allow them to feel intimidated or isolated.  We are here to lend moral support, and to let the Jewish community know it is far from alone; it is an important and valued component of our multi-faith and multi-cultural society,” said Michael Pappas, Executive Director, of the San Francisco Interfaith Council.
The San Francisco Interfaith Council represents 800 congregations in the City and County of San Francisco, their respective judicatories, sectarian educational and healthcare institutions, and faith-based social service agencies.  Chair of the Board, G.L. Hodge, stated “Two days ago, we gathered thousands of people of faith and conscience from around the Bay Area in a march and interfaith service to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.  The outpouring of mutual interfaith support stands in sharp contrast to these cowardly acts of intimidation against the Jewish community and the division they seek to sow.  In the spirit of all Dr. King stood for and taught us, we come together to support one another, and will support the Jewish community.”

Denouncing Hate That Targets Religion

Posted on by — Leave a reply

SF Bay Area Faith Leaders Denounce Incidents of Hate Targeting Religion
December 1, 2016

News of a hateful letter received by the Evergreen Islamic Center in San Jose and at least five other mosques is the most recent of an increasing number of incidents targeting people of different religions across the country.

As religious leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area, we cherish the rich diversity of religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions that comprise the mosaic that is America. Our diversity is a resource rather than a barrier to the democratic nation that we seek to be. Incidents of hate, such as this, seek to dehumanize “the other” and contradict the most basic principles common to our age-old faith teachings and those religious liberties enshrined in the American Constitution.

The rise of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in our country, catalyzed in part by the divisive rhetoric of the current political climate, is of great concern to all who seek cohesive and peaceful communities. When any one religion comes under attack, all religions come under attack. Therefore, we unite in condemning such acts. We stand together to denounce this and all acts that seek to marginalize and target entire faith communities.

G.L. Hodge, Chair, San Francisco Interfaith Council
Rita R. Semel, Past Chair, San Francisco Interfaith Council
Michael G. Pappas, Executive Director, San Francisco Interfaith Council

Imam Abu Qadir Al-Amin, Resident Imam, SF Muslim Community Center
The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, The Episcopal Diocese of California
Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Parish Priest, St. John Armenian Church
Fatih Ferdi Ates, Director, Pacifica Institute
The Rev. Sally Bingham, Canon for the Environment, The Episcopal Diocese of California
Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, Pastor, Third Baptist Church & President, SF Branch-NAACP
Rev. Angela Brown, JD, Associate Pastor, GLIDE
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Interim Senior Pastor, GLIDE
Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Society of SF Ken Chambers, Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Alameda County
Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco
Linda L. Crawford, Executive Director, Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Sister Chandrika Desai, Director, Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center, SF
Pastor Elizabeth Ekdale, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Maha Elgenaidi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Fred Fielding, Board President, Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., President, University of San Francisco
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco
Rabbi Marvin Goodman, Executive Director, No. California Board of Rabbis
Julie Greenfield, Facilitator, Eden Area Interfaith Council
Iftekhar Hai, President, United Muslims of America Interfaith Alliance
Sari Heidenreich, Regional Coordinator, URI North America
David Hoffman, Chair, Interfaith Council of Sonoma County
Rev. Mark W. Holmerud, Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA
Rev. Theon Johnson, III, Associate Pastor, GLIDE
Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice, Archdiocese of San Francisco
The Rev. Victor Kazanjian, Jr., Executive Director, United Religions Initiative
Rev. D. Andrew Kille, Chair, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council
Rev. Ronald Kobata, Resident Minister, Buddhist Church of San Francisco
Rev. Deborah Lee, United Church of Christ, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
Dr. James McCray, Jr., Tabernacle Community Development Corp.
Rev. Will McGarvey, Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
Abby Porth, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council
Rev. Scott Quinn, Acting Director, Marin Interfaith Council
Rabbi Larry Raphael, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Sherith Israel
Rev. Schuyler Rhodes, Superintendent, Bridges District, CA-NV Conference-UMC
Moina Shaiq, President, Tri City Interfaith Council
Rita Shimmin, Executive Director, GLIDE
Rabbi Jonathan Singer, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Emanu-El
Rev. John Weems, Pastor & Head of Staff, Calvary Presbyterian Church
The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean, Grace Cathedral
Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman Graf, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Sherith Israel

For additional information, please contact Michael G. Pappas at (415) 425-9631.

After the election- a recommitment

Posted on by — Leave a reply

The purpose of Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) is to build interreligious harmony and understanding so as to promote a just and compassionate society in Silicon Valley.

In light of that purpose, we have been concerned over the past months with campaign rhetoric and candidate statements that seemed intended to inflame differences between Americans of differing backgrounds, religions, ethnicity, social and economic status. These have particularly singled out Muslims and immigrant people as targets for suspicion and hostility, but have also disrespected women and given rise to increased acts of antisemitism and violence.

Following the election, guided by our code of conduct, we recommit ourselves to the never-ending task of strengthening connections between diverse people, nurturing respect and understanding across boundaries that might seek to separate us from each other, and defending freedom of religious belief and practice for all.

SiVIC letter to Pacifica Institute

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Pacifica Institute and the Hizmet Movement

June 15, 2016

We have been fortunate in the San Francisco Bay Area to work cooperatively with the Pacifica Institute, a local organization that is inspired by the Hizmet movement and the teachings of Fethulla Gulen.  Hizmet, meaning “Service,” is a world-wide faith-based movement, and has inspired hundreds of local groups dedicated to education, multicultural relationship-building, and compassionate relief efforts.

Through Pacifica’s regular dinners that bring together people from across the religious spectrum to learn from each other and distinguished speakers, their community multicultural events like the Children’s Festival held in San Francisco and San Jose, and shared service projects to the poor and homeless, we have developed deep and lasting connections and appreciation for one another across religious and cultural divides.

Some local religious and educational leaders have also had the opportunity to travel to Turkey, not only to see the sights, but to meet and dialogue with people there and gain a deeper appreciation of the country and its people.

In the South Bay, the Pacifica Institute was one of the founding organizations of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council. They have continued as staunch supporters of our shared work, and we have together sponsored many interreligious events.

It is particularly astonishing to hear that in Turkey, President Erdoğan’s government has sought to defame Hizmet and restrict its activities. It is not our purpose to comment on Turkish policy. However, in our experience, members of the movement have been deeply committed precisely to the things that counter terrorism—open conversation, shared service, education, and multicultural and interreligious understanding.

We appreciate the relationships we have built with the members of Pacifica Institute, and look forward to future cooperative efforts to build a more just and compassionate society for all in Silicon Valley.

Executive Committee, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council
Rev. D. Andrew Kille, Chair

Orlando: Diocese of San Jose, ING

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Statement from Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, Diocese of San Jose
June 14, 2016

The tragic events of Orlando are a horrific reminder of the power of hatred and violence.  Unaware as we still are of the motives behind the murderous rampage, the targeting of members of the LGBT community is a wound on our society.

While our first reaction is to lash out with the same degree of hostility, we hear the words of the Lord, calling us to repay even hatred with love.  We cannot become the evil that we detest.

The call within our nation to consider as suspect entire populations of citizens, immigrants or visitors is contrary to what is best in the American people.  We cannot relive the prejudices of the past, nor conjure up new ones in this century. Violence will only beget more violence.  The cycle must be broken.

We join with all who are committed to the common good, rooted in the values of justice, love, peace and tolerance, as we pray for those who lost their lives or their loved ones and who live now in fear because of acts of violence.

ING and Affiliates Stand in Solidarity with LGBTQ Communities Against Hate

We as American Muslims express our deep shock and sorrow over the horrific attack in Orlando, mourn the loss of innocent lives, and extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those impacted by this senseless attack, in particular the LGBTQ communities which have been the most impacted by this brutal act. As Muslims, we know all too well what it is like to be members of a targeted community, and we appreciate the long and unwavering support the LGBTQ community has given us. We stand in solidarity with them and categorically reject homophobia and any form of bigotry, hatred, and violence against any individual or group on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, familial status, sexual orientation, and national origin.

All human life is sacred, and all traditions forbid the wanton taking of it. Yet far too many lives continue to be lost due to hatred and bigotry which have no place in our country and our communities. While the motive behind this heinous act is yet to be determined, we will continue our efforts to bring people of all faiths and of no religious faith together to heal, to counter all voices of hate and violence, and to work for interreligious and intercultural understanding.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by American Muslims to support the families of the Orlando shooting victims. Click here to donate.

Responding to Orlando

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, friends, family and community in Orlando after the shootings at the Pulse nightclub. LGBTQ folks continue to be the object of lethal hatred, prejudice and the twisted interpretation of religious tradition.

The Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) is a coalition of dozens of diverse faith groups, with a great diversity of cultures and practices. But we are united in our despair and outrage at the attack on an LGBTQ club.  While religious institutions have not been united in perspectives on sexuality, all of us are speaking loudly and from every corner against this horrific violence, and against any intolerance expressed on social media.

To counter this senseless hatred and violence, we seek to create a groundswell of solidarity and compassion, and hope you will add your voice here from additional faiths (you can use the comments section below).

Local Vigils | Statements Worldwide | Local Statements

Local Vigils Planned

There is no right time.
There is no right place.
But there is a call to gather.
There is a call to respond.

  • Grace Lutheran Church (3149 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306) will have its sanctuary open Tuesday, June 14th, starting at 7PM for a time of prayer and lamentation. We pray for the LGBTQ+ community and lament the horrific shooting in Orlando. We pray for the Islamic community as they may face backlash. We pray for our AME Zion brothers and sisters in Christ as the first anniversary approaches of the Mother Emmanuel Charleston shooting. We pray for the Stanford community. We pray for the end of hate. We Stand with Orlando
  • In response to the tragic loss of lives that occurred in Orlando, FL this past weekend, the Center for Spiritual Living, 1195 Clark Street, San José will be hosting two opportunities to come together in love, prayer, peace and compassion:
    • Tuesday, June 14 – 6:00-6:45 pm – Silent Vigil
      Please join Senior Minister Dr. David Bruner for a time of silent reflection.
    • Wednesday, June 15th – 6:30-7:30 pm – Peace Prayer Vigil
      Please join Associate Minister Susan Overland for a Peace Prayer Vigil. Music provided by Michelle Jordan.
      #aworldthatworksforeveryone
  • Tri-City Interfaith Council & Tri-City Alameda County Chapter, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence:
    Remember the Victims of Hate, Terrorism, & Gun Violence
    WHEN: Tuesday, June 14th at 7:00 pm.
    WHERE: Walnut Avenue and Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
    We will stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community and vow to honor those lives taken. We also will remember the tragic event in UCLA and the two Fremont police officers who were shot in the line of duty. We will gather by the Veteran’s Memorial Park for brief interfaith prayers and remarks. We will then move to the four corners of the intersection to show our solidarity and to be a presence to the community that we will not stand for these hateful actions and this continued violence in our nation.If you wish to bring signs of support, please keep in mind that this is a peaceful event to mourn the victims of hate, terrorism, and gun violence. (Examples:  #WeAreOrlando   #Enough!    Love > Hate!     Violence is Never the Answer     90 Victims a Day, etc. )

Statements from Religious Leaders and Organizations Worldwide

“The terrible massacre that has taken place in Orlando, with its dreadfully high number of innocent victims, has caused in Pope Francis, and in all of us, the deepest feelings of horror and condemnation, of pain and turmoil before this new manifestation of homicidal folly and senseless hatred,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.

“No lesson is more fundamental than that which teaches that the spark of the Divine is present in every individual – gay and straight, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim.  In the face of tragedy, let us come together in a spirit of love and compassion for all and work together to create a nation that rejects violence and instead celebrates the holiness of every human being.” Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

“So let us (say) some silent prayer, OK,” the Dalai Lama said, “Although, one Buddhist monk grows quite skeptical about the effects of prayer.” Real change required serious action, he said, adding that it was important not to lose “determination or courage.”

“Today, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community. Your grief is our grief. Your outrage is our outrage. We are all one family,” executive director Farhana Khera said in a statement from Muslim Advocates.

“We at HAF (Hindu American Foundation) pray for the families of those lost in this senseless act of terror, along with those who are only just beginning to recover from physical and emotional wounds,” said Nikhil Joshi, Esq., HAF National Leadership Council member based in Sarasota, FL.

“We want to help any which way we can,” said Harjit Singh, a priest at Gurdwara Nanaksar Florida, which caters to the community in Orlando and the adjoining city of Kissimmee. The Sikhs have offered to raise money for food and donate blood for the injured, Singh said. And plans are afoot for a candle-light procession to demonstrate “our support to the community.”

“Such attacks wound our shared humanity and confront us with a stark choice: to mimic the hatred we see or to make a bold commitment to overcome it…the interconnected nature of our world means simply this: we must all become peace-makers now.  For, if we respond to every act of violence with a thirst for yet more violence in revenge, we will undoubtedly succeed in little more than inflicting unspeakable suffering on one another.  There must be a dedication to seeking and building a future in which the chains of suffering and violence are broken.” (Religions for Peace, USA; See additional statements at their website.)

Local Statements:

Council on American Islamic Relations, SF Bay Area
“We join our fellow Americans in expressing our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. We are horrified by this tragedy and encourage all people to donate blood, support the various victims’ funds, and attend vigils in their neighborhoods. We are stronger when we stand together against hate violence” said Executive Director Zahra Billoo.

Pacifica Institute
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Orlando terror and hate attack. We condemn all forms of religious and other forms of extremism that teach hatred and incite violence. However, we need to do more than merely condemning these horrific acts and proactively take steps to counter the “cancer” of extremism.

First, our society as a whole needs to deny the extremist narrative that their actions represent Muslims. It goes without saying that Muslim Americans should promote the peaceful message of Islam.

Our deeds matter more than our words.  We should build institutions and programs to cater to the needs of our youth and provide them opportunities to develop social skills to be productive members of our multicultural society. It is imperative to invest in our youth so that they are driven more by hopes and dreams, not hatred and fear of the others.

MCA Bay Area
We at the Muslim Community Association of San Francisco Bay Area express our horror over the mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, FL overnight. We offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for quick recovery for those who were injured.

We stand firmly against all forms of violence committed against any group, regardless of religious affiliation, creed, color, or sexual orientation. We condemn such heinous acts by individuals or groups who have no regard for the sanctity of human life.

The right to live free from violence, harassment or intimidation is the most basic human right and must be defended unconditionally.

Muslims of America Condemn Terrorism

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Muslims of America Condemn Terrorism

This statement appeared today in The San Jose Mercury News. A similar version appeared earlier in the San Francisco Chronicle. We support our Muslim brothers and sisters and their efforts to be heard.

There has been a rash of terror attacks most recently in Paris and San Bernardino. Several of these attacks have been carried out by people acting seemingly in the name of our faith, Islam.

As American Muslims we condemn these attacks. The killing of innocent people is abhorrent, barbaric and an affront to our faith. No cause justifies violence and terrorism against innocent civilians.

We strongly condemn ISIS and all of their claims. Most importantly, we completely reject their assertion that they are carrying out a holy war sanctioned by our holy book, the Quran. Despite claiming to act in the name of our faith, they do not represent us, nor do they speak for us. These terrorists do not represent the views of the overwhelming majority of the 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, more than a fifth of the world’s population.

American Muslims are part of the fabric of this country.We contribute to our society in a variety of ways as accountants, architects, doctors, economists, engineers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, nurses, students and teachers.We run businesses and we serve in the armed forces, the National Guard and the police.We are your neighbors, coworkers and friends in this great land of ours.We cherish the freedoms and liberties that are enshrined in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We dearly love our country and do everything in our power to make it strong and keep it safe.

Sponsored by:
Council of American Islamic Relations, Bay Area chapter (CAIR), Islamic Center of Zahra, Pleasanton (ICZ), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Network Group, San Jose (ING), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara (MCA), Muslim Community Center Eastbay, Pleasanton (MCC Eastbay), SABA Islamic Center, San Jose, San Ramon Valley Islamic Center (SRVIC), Shura Council of Southern California, South Bay Islamic Association, San Jose (SBIA), United Muslims of America-Interfaith Alliance, South San Francisco

Statement on Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

Posted on by — Leave a reply

cropped-logo.site-icon.fw_.pngA couple of months ago in the face of statements that had already been made by many in the political arena that sought to stir up and focus hostility toward our Muslim brothers and sisters, the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) joined with several other local and national organizations to speak out against the rhetoric and in favor of the values of our common humanity: mutual respect, understanding, and compassion.

Since then, things have only gotten worse. Too many are prepared to foster suspicion and fear not only against Syrian refugees fleeing death and destruction in their own lands, but against our neighbors, friends, and co-citizens here in the United States. Those who foster fear and suspicion are placing the blame on an entire segment of our own people for the actions of a few violent individuals claiming religious justification for their attacks.

We are distressed to hear how our Muslim friends and neighbors are living in fear, and even more distressed to hear of harassment, abuse, and attacks that have actually taken place. We stand together with them and join them in condemning those who would hijack Islam for their own purposes.

Violent individuals may use scripture or religion to shore up their hostility and to attempt to undergird their legitimacy and authority. These strategies have persuasive power because they touch on and manipulate deep psychological issues of authority, communal identity, relationships, and attitudes towards those named as “outsiders.” These very same potentially violent dynamics underlie current campaign rhetoric, as they provide a way for candidates to manipulate the truth in their efforts to win an election.

We are still nearly a year away from the election, and there is no reason to anticipate that the rhetoric of suspicion and fear will go away any time soon. We commit ourselves to upholding the human rights and freedom of all members of our society. We commit to continuing to reach out to those of different religious traditions and of no religious tradition. Our coming together is not something new, but an ever-growing and emphatic affirmation of who we are as a people.

Here in Silicon Valley we know that what makes for a great America is not division, suspicion, fear or demonizing of others. We are great because we stand together—people of diverse cultures, languages, traditions, and religions who work together to make the world better for all of us. Together we seek to build a more just and compassionate society.

SiVIC Board

NOTE: Two opportunities to join our Muslim communities this week:

Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 6:30 pm: Stand Together in Solidarity
Muslim Community Association, 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara
Join the Muslim Community Association, South Bay Islamic Association, Evergreen Islamic Center, Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center and many Bay Area Mosques for a solidarity event with the Victims’ families of the San Bernardino Shooting.  Sponsored by Bay Area Mosques Coalition.

Saturday, December 19, 2015, 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Eid Festival (Celebration of Muslim Holidays)
First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto
A special opportunity to learn how Muslims celebrate their holidays. Three panelists from Islam, Christianity and Judaism will share how they celebrate their holidays, followed by Q & A and table sharing to encourage dialog and to learn about each other’s holiday traditions. Sponsored by American Muslim Voice.

Details on the SiVIC Events Calendar

Celebrating Nostra Aetate

Posted on by — Leave a reply

symbols_16.fw50 years ago, on October 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI issued a proclamation Nostra Aetate (In Our Time) at the Second Vatican Council, opening up the relationship of Catholics to non-Christian religions. The document called for mutual understanding, respect, and fraternal dialogue across religious traditions. This simple but profound proclamation marked a new chapter in interfaith cooperation, and has underwritten many movements of interfaith action to address issues of systematic discrimination and injustice.

SiVIC has joined with Santa Clara University, the Diocese of San Jose, the Rabbinic Association of Greater San Jose, and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley in celebrating this anniversary and committing to ongoing efforts to build understanding and appreciation among the religious communities of our area:
Continue Reading →

Statement on Anti-Muslim protests

Posted on by — Leave a reply

hands togetherAt this time, when the forces of fear are calling for rallies against a religious minority, and xenophobia and bigotry are given more prominent voice in the public square, we feel it necessary to reaffirm the common values of openness, tolerance, understanding, and pluralism that unite us as Americans and as human beings. We stand against those who would fracture the unity of the human family along racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural lines; but even more we stand for the compassion and mutual respect that our world so badly needs. Continue Reading →