Walnut Creek, CA – The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County forthrightly, unequivocally, and clearly condemns the dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric of Mr. Donald J. Trump in regards to Islam and Muslims.
We do so not to engage in political campaigns or endorse or not endorse any particular political candidate. We speak out in this instance to defend the rights of Muslims, especially in the United States, to practice their faith in peace and safety. We speak out to defend and uphold the basic human rights and dignity of all people. Misinformation, inflammatory rhetoric, false and half statements about Muslims and Islam feed the fears of many to think and act against their better nature. Mr. Trump’s statements are being condemned by responsible political and moral leaders across the board.
Several points of clarification are necessary:
- Trump’s rhetoric concerning Muslims and Islam give the impression that Muslims constitute an ethnic group that must be put under surveillance. Muslims are people of any ethnic group, race, or Nation. There are no singular features by which someone “looks like a Muslim”,
- More and more Americans are tempted to believe that Islam is inherently violent. An accurate survey of history and proper education will emphasize the contrary. Out of context quotes from the Quran without regard to history or circumstance is simply irresponsible,
- So called Isis and terrorists groups like it are not true, proper, or acceptable expressions of Islam by the standards of Islam,
- Muslims both locally and around the world have spoken and do speak out against acts of violence and terrorism. On San Bernardino and Paris, to mention two recent incidents, many Muslim leaders and people have stood in solidarity with their communities condemning terrorism in all its forms.
- The rhetoric of Mr. Trump and those like him is playing right into the hands of terrorist groups and fomenting unwarranted oppression and misconduct against peace-loving Muslims right here in our own community as well as around the country.
- Our country was founded on the constitutional rights and protections against these oppressive acts of discrimination that include the First Amendment rights of freedom of religion and association, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment rights of equal protection, due process and probable cause all rooted in our Founding Fathers commitment to unity in diversity and protecting the liberties inherent in the Bill of Rights. Muslim Americans are an integral part of American society and, like all Americans, are entitled to those protections.
Our immediate concern is the well-being and safety of our Muslims brothers and sisters whose lives and rights are being threatened if the rhetoric of Mr. Trump and those like him is not condemned in the name of what is civil, humane, dignified, and responsible.
Politics aside, we call on all people of good will to see their faith traditions as part of the solution not the problem. Our comments today concern the ethical and moral implications of the current political climate.
Left unchecked by people of good will, Mr. Trump’s rhetoric will lead to the harm of innocent children, women, and men both now and in future generations.
The Governing Board,
The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
For more information about The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, click here.
5 comments
If the Muslim community is looking for someone to blame regarding the “rhetoric” against your faith, you need only look inward at the members of your religion who are carrying out “jihad” against innocent bystanders.
GW, it is hard to monitor over 1 billion people and from that, less than 1% who are actually causing problems such as “jihad” as you stated. Every religion has their nuts, and unfortunately the media is only focusing on those bad apples. There have been multiple non Islamic massacres and shootings over the years which do not get the same publicity as an Islamic attack. Furthermore, when a non Muslim commits a massacre or shooting, religion is never stated, such examples include Columbine and Sandy Hook. There are a great majority of Muslims who never wage jihad or even think about it that live all across America. Just drive around East County and you will see that.
Yes, I agree if there is someone to blame for the unfavorable opinion of Islam or Muslims abroad, it would be themselves. An accurate survey of history shows many acts of terror against the west & Christians alike, only a few of which the U.S. has experienced firsthand. Most carried out by Muslims in the name of Islam. Show us the record of bloody, intentional & deadly attacks on Muslims by Christians in the name of Jesus, and you’ll find a much shorter list!
I’m not a racist, nor do I discriminate against others for their beliefs unless those beliefs threaten me or my family. But a war has been declared against ISIS, and whether radical or moderate, they are Muslim and they do worship Islam. You’re right, there are no singular qualities that identify radical Muslims. Just like there were no singular qualities that identified Japanese Kamakaze during WWII. But in the interest of safety of the American people, the Japanese were rounded up and watched after declaring war against the U.S. JUST IN CASE. Better safe than sorry? Perhaps.
The point is, when war is being waged against a known enemy, you don’t take the chance of letting your enemy walk freely amongst those you are sworn to protect! And since there is nothing to differentiate a peaceful or moderate Muslim from a radical terrorist willing to blow themselves up to kill US, action must be taken JUST IN CASE.
Remember, we didn’t initiate or instigate the war against Islam. It is their continued acts of violence against the west that fuels the war against freedom. Something must be done.
Uhh, Curtis, you might want to rethink that last paragraph. There were little things called the Crusades where Christians…Catholics specifically, did exactly what you say they didn’t.
I don’t defend the crusades or the barbaric acts committed in the name of the Roman Catholic Church during the middle ages. What I meant to say is since this country was founded (in protest of the Church of England) the west has become more civilized in the way we deal with others, at least for the most part! But the teachings of Islam still resonate the “convert, or be killed” mentality which was alive and well during the crusades…
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