Tag Archives: Muslim

Orlando: Diocese of San Jose, ING

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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.

Halaqa and Seder: Muslim and Jewish Perspectives on the Exodus Story

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ING has posted a video of the recent Muslim/Jewish dinner centered on the Exodus story, the Prophet Moses and the women who play key roles in the tale. The event was sponsored by ING, the Pacifica Institute, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and Congregation Shir Hadash (where the event was held).

For more on the event and a link to the program, go to the ING website.

Muslim/Jewish Halaqa-Seder: A Celebration of the Exodus Story

Join us for dramatic reenactments of scenes from the Exodus Story from Muslim and Jewish scriptures followed by engaging interfaith table conversations and a halal/kosher dinner among Muslim and Jewish members of South Bay communities. Last year’s event was sold out.

Register online at ing.org/events/muslim-jewish-halaqa-seder-a-celebration-of-the-exodus-story/

At last year’s event, a group of Muslims and Jews gathered in Palo Alto on Sunday, March 29th, 2015, for a one-of-a-kind Seder and Halaqa that looked at scenes from the Exodus story from the perspectives of Muslims and Jews. Following each scene, attendees participated in fruitful interfaith discussions of the different narratives at their tables. The discussions were so engrossing that people had a hard time ending their conversations, which continued through the halal/kosher dinner. The event concluded with an open mic session where participants voiced their appreciation for the event and their desire to learn more about each other’s tradition. For more information and photos from the event, go here.

Ashure- Noah’s Pudding

We dream a ship. On this ship, people of the globe live in harmony with one another. As a cup of Noah’s pudding, each nation embraces the other. We dream a ship. On this ship, everyone will be able to keep and retain their own identity, culture, faith, heritage, richness and taste.

Pacifica Institute cordially invites you to enjoy Ashure with us.

Meet the Muslims of Evergreen

Please join the Evergreen Islamic Center for an opportunity to meet your Muslim neighbors and to ask honest and tough questions about their faith and the community in Evergreen. Several members of the Evergreen Center will be on the panel.
Lunch will be provided.

 

Muslim Communities Confront Fear Mongering, Hate Speech, & Suspicion

A conversation with Zahra Billoo, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, SF Chapter, and Mike German, Fellow, Liberty and National Security Program, Brennan Center for Justice, Former FBI Special Agent, Domestic Terrorism (Appearing via Skype). This month’s forum will take a look at the very real fears of the Muslim community, both locally and nationally, and explore how best to respond, as allies across all communities, to the fear-mongering and hate speech.

Other Voices Monthly Forum is sponsored by the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, and held at the Midpen Media Center, where it is recorded for later broadcast on local cable television and streaming on the Internet. Previous forums (and other videos) can be seen at our YouTube Channel or the Video Page at our website.

Details and registration at www.peaceandjustice.org/forum-hate/.

Eid Festival (Celebration of Muslim Holidays)

A special opportunity to learn how Muslims celebrate their holidays.

All great religions encourage its followers to love their neighbors.But to love our neighbors, “we must know our neighbors.”

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.

There will be a free gourmet Pakistani lunch, desserts from around the world, Mehndi (Henna) and bangles for girls. Photo booth/Ethnic clothes for you to play dress up, and Nasheed (Spiritual singing) Kids would share their favorite parts of Eid.

Register at www.eventbrite.com. search for Eid Festival (Celebration of Muslim Holidays)

Donations will be greatly appreciated. You can pay via paypal at www.amuslimvoice.org, or write a check payable to AMV Foundation and mail it to 120 Park Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306.

“A holiday to build ‘a beloved community'”
(coverage of last year’s Eid Festival in Palo Alto Weekly- see page 13)
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/morguepdf/2014/2014_11_21.paw.section1.pdf

Stand Together in Solidarity

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.

 

Statement on Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

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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

SiVIC joins in “Call for Civic and Religious Literacy”

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SiVIC joined ING and other local organizations in calling for education for both religious understanding and civic involvement in the United States, following unfortunate comments by presidential candidates in recent days. The statement says, in part:

We urge Dr. Carson and other fellow Americans to learn more about the history and founding of this great country, which, based on the wisdom of its Founding Fathers, guarantees the right of every American to practice their faith, hold public office, and aspire for the highest office of the land.

… We would like to educate Dr. Carson and others about the relationship between Islam and democracy. Principles of equal representation and respect for religious pluralism were early hallmarks of Muslim societies, and despite modern examples of Muslim-majority countries doing a poor job of upholding such rights, the reality is that the majority of Muslims, especially but not only in the United States, hold views of their faith and its values that are eminently compatible with American democracy. Dr. Carson’s words do not target any potential Muslim presidential candidate (there aren’t any) but they do serve to further isolate and demonize a community already under added scrutiny. In this Islamophobic environment, words such as Dr. Carson’s have real-life effects upon the lives of American Muslims, especially students who are often the target of bullying.

To read the full statement and list of supporters, go to the ING website.