Sign to Support Religious Freedom

Friends, members, and supporters of InterAct Cleveland,

As I am sure all of us are aware, there has been growing publicity concerning the building of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero in New York and some indications that members of the Muslim community are fearful about retribution due to the coincidental proximity of Eid al-Fitr and the anniversary of 9/11 this year.

InterAct would like to suggest that this is an opportunity for the interreligious community in our region to respond and offer our support to our Muslim sisters and brothers. If you and your community would join us in signing this statement please indicate that willingness by adding your name in comment box below.

Wishing you peace,

Sister Donna

InterAct Cleveland

 

 

We, the undersigned, stand in support and solidarity with our Muslim Sisters and Brothers during this 2010 celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan and including the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the festival at the end of Ramadan, which this year coincides with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, as well as the start of the Jewish High Holy Days and Rosh HaShana. This coincidence of events, particularly the proximity of Eid al-Fitr and the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks presents very specific challenges.

All of us have the right to feel safe. We have the right to celebrate our religious beliefs without harassment or harm. We are aware that some of our fellow citizens are filled with many mixed emotions and so we are challenged to find a focus that will continue to unite us as a country that not only tolerates, but holds dear the religious liberty and freedom that is the right of each and of all who call this land “home”.  As reported in a recent article in USA Today, some Christians have suggested that this anniversary of 9/11, because it will be at the end of Ramadan, should be remembered with a “Koran Burning Festival.” We are appalled by this invitation.

We do not accept the conclusion that since the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks were Muslim and seemed to have been religiously motivated, that all Muslims are to be held suspect.  We want our Muslim neighbors to know that we respect them and will work to guarantee that they have the same rights to which we all are entitled.

Signed,

InterReligious Partners in Action of Greater Cleveland

Comments

[InterAct Cleveland]

Thank you to those who already signed up.

Michael Wells
Theresa Pretlow
Nancy Newman and Frank Giaimo
Samaa Moosa
Judith Wood
The Very Rev. Tracey Lind and Trinity Cathedral
Peter Frank Womack
William and Molly Avery
Erin Maxin
Karen E. Grochau, Ph.D.
Daniel and Judyth Zaczkowski
Rev. Donna Hughes-Hargraves and United Protestant Campus Ministries Of Cleveland
Rev. David Ernat
Deborah Mizak and Beverly Will
Mayo Bulloch
Heidi and Lee Makela from Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights
Kristen Boyesen
Carolyn Horvath and Tom Leonhardt
Beth Karr
Dr. Robert J. Campbell and The Church of the Covenant
Rev. Susanne Carter and Rev. Kenneth Jones
Thomas Ott
Chascensus2010
Eric Skinner
Joyce Callahan
Corinne and Robert Dunn
D. Roger Dixon of East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Carol Bartosch
Bill Butler
Jan Beeman and Paul Burstadt
Mary B.
Joseph Hogan
Julia Shearson, Executive Director of CAIR
Isam Zaiem, President of CAIR
Rev. Wayne Arnason of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Kathleen C. Rolenz of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Rabbi Melinda M. Mersack
Sarah Lukowski
Sr. Maureen Grady, OSU
Hedy Westra
Julie Tamarkin
Bonnie Goldner
Angela S. Lowery
Justin Robert Hodges
Rose Bouch
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess of United Church of Christ
The Rev. Dr. Jon M. Fancher of Rocky River Presbyterian Church
Katherine Bosche
Peggy Schaffer
Maria Lemler
Rev. Laury W. Larson of Church of the Covenant
The Rev. Dr. Shawnthea Monroe and Plymouth Church UCC, Shaker Heights OH
Mary Ellen Lucas
Kirsten McClain
Jill Bangerter
Katie Varatta and The 8th Day Center for Justice Staff
Sensei Dean Williams and Jijuyu-ji Zen Sangha of Cleveland
The Rev. Dr. Bob Gross, OCC of Lake Avenue United Church of Chrsit
Rev. Roger Osgood
Pattie and Dave Repko
June D. Jones
Mary Beth Ray
Rabbi Stephen Weiss and B'nai Jeshurun Congregation
Peter Haas
Mary Drummer
Virginia Malloy
Mary Ann and Jack Breisch
Sr. Mary Denis Maher, CSA, PhD
Rev. Mark J. Suriano of Old South UCC, Kirtland OH
The Rev. Tricia Dykers Koenig of Covenant Network of Presbyterians
John and Kathy Baker
Charlene Nevans
Christopher Karr
Nikhill Sriram
Angela Smith Kenton
Pam Marvinney
Toni Sacco
Katiria Cardona
Louise Mosher
Maureen Meslovich
Linda M. Richards
Michele Hofer
Marge Samosky
Cathleen Graf
Darlene Montonaro
Diane Seith
Barbara Mansh
Susie Cobbledicle
Keith Miller
Luba Hrubys
Nance Hikes
Carol Ann Baker
Mary E. Murphy
David Robbins
Rabbi Rona Shapiro of Congregation Bethaynu, Pepper Pike OH
Rabbi Shawn Zevit
The Rev. Daniel Budd of First Unitarian Church
Rabbi Alan Lettofsky
Denise Horstman
The Rev. Lisa Hackney - Associate Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights
Rev. Dr. Bertrice Y. Wood
Rabbi Edward J. Sukol
Robert Marva, OFMCap., and St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
Rev. Dr. Joy Bostic
Dorothy Lemmey
Mary Hill
Martha Wiersma
Bill Bruner
Bette and Brian Case
Jan Wolf
Carol Pred
The Rev. Peter Faass of Christ Episcopal Church, Shaker Heights OH
Betty Jurkowski
Shad Neiss
Gale and John Bromelmeier
Beth Friedman-Romell, Ph.D.
Janet M. Alt
Joshua Kanary
Ellen Mayer
Sister Mary Ann McFadden
Helen Wilson
Tracy Moavero
Rabbi Leah M. Herz of Temple Israel, Canton OH
Dr. Charles D. Yoost, Senior Pastor for Church of the Saviour, Cleveland Heights
Church of the Resurrection Social Justice Commission, Laura Miller and Lisa Frey, co-chairs
Rabbi Susan B. Stone
Lyn Cooper Tomaszewski and Jim Tomaszewski
Richard and Donna Weinberger
Rabbi Moshe Adler
Gary Richter
Paul Sherlock
William Savage
Peter Frank Womack
Sr. Donna Wilhelm, ssj-tosf

[Rev. Daniel R. Fickes]

Rev. Daniel R. Fickes

[InterAct Cleveland]

The Jewish News picked up our story! Read why Jewish leaders Rabbi Weiss from B'Nai Jeshurun and Rabbi Edward Sukol are supporting this letter of support for our Muslim neighbors and for religious freedom.

"Ground Zero Islamic center stirs emotions" written by Marilyn H. Karefeld
http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2010/08/26/news/local/doc4c766b70439af433799722.txt?utm_source=CJN+Update&utm_campaign=510657f0b3-Newsletter_08_26_2010&utm_medium=email

[Lynn Sacco]

Lynn Sacco

[Thomas Powell]

Thomas P. Powell from Powell & Associates

[Partners]

Ruth Heidi
Paramjit Singh
Suzanne Shovlin

[Patricia and Ronald James]

We are pleased that InterAct has taken the initiative to show support for our Muslim brothers and sisters.

[Rev. Douglas C. Horner and the congregation of St. Paul's Community Church, UCC]

May God bless the reconciliation of all of God's children in this nation, in our city, in the world. May we work together for harmony and justice; may hatred cease, and may we follow the Scriptural admonitions of all great faiths that guides us to honor the stranger and be kind to the outcast, suffering and oppressed. Amen.

[Debra Gold]

Debra Gold

[William R Webster]

As a disciple of Jesus Christ and American citizen who cherishes religious freedom I pray that, together, we may discover new insights about matters of faith, community,and country. Take heart, fellow citizens, for God is still speaking, still creating. The question may be whether we are prepared to deal with the inconvenience and costliness of truth.

Bill Webster
retired American Baptist minister

[Tim Walters]

religious freedom does not mean a thing if we determine who receives it and when it is applied.

[The Leadership Team of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland]

The Leadership Team of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland:Angelita Zawada, OSU; Maureen Grady, OSU; joan Marie Russ, OSU; Mary Ellen Brinovec, OSU, Joanne Buckman, OSU

[Rev. Joseph T. Hilinski]

Rev. Joseph T. Hilinski
Delegate for Ecuemenical and Interfaith Affairs
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

[Adam Hange]

Pastor Adam Hange of Plymouth Church UCC, Shaker Heights, OH

[Rev. Dr. John Clayton Lentz Jr.]

The Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr. Pastor Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian Cleveland Heights