Interfaith leaders rally behind Springfield City Council for defending Muslims

Rasa - Thirty-eight interfaith leaders and organizations have signed a letter of gratitude to the City Council for taking a formal stand against hate aimed at Muslims and said they find it "deeply disturbing" to hear the council vote triggered hate comments against some councilors.

News ID: 425872

Date: 18 December 2016 - 15:56

RNA - Thirty-eight interfaith leaders and organizations have signed a letter of gratitude to the City Council for taking a formal stand against hate aimed at Muslims and said they find it "deeply disturbing" to hear the council vote triggered hate comments against some councilors.

"We, too, share your concerns about our vulnerable Muslim neighbors, especially given the proliferation of anti-Muslim sentiment within the public sphere," the signers wrote in a letter to the council, dated Dec. 1 and made public Wednesday.

The letter follows a City Council meeting Oct. 24, when the council voted unanimously to condemn "all hateful speech and violent action" being directed at Muslims, people perceived as Muslims, immigrants and people of color.

The lead sponsor, Ward 1 Councilor Adam Gomez, said later that week that he was receiving "hate comments" on his phone by callers angry at his efforts and the resulting vote. Some of the callers said he should "burn in hell" or at least be removed from the council, he said.

Those signing the letter of gratitude to the council for its vote included representatives of the Interfaith Society of Western Massachusetts, the Pioneer Valley Interfaith Refugee Assistance Group, CAIR-Massachusetts and various churches and religious groups.

The support letter stated that "during these challenging times in which American Muslims are faced with unprecedented levels of discrimination and harassment, it is deeply meaningful to see elected officials taking a strong stance in support of their rights as citizens and human beings."

Gomez said that he is a member of the Young Elected Officials network that was circulating similar resolutions around the nation. Springfield's resolution was being submitted to the network.

Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, among the signees, said in a separate press release that many faith leaders were "appalled" to hear of the comments toward Gomez.

"When faith leaders from across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and northern Connecticut learned what had happened to the council as a result of its bravery, many were appalled," Amatul-Wadud said. "The resolution is beautifully reassuring and welcoming. Frankly, the sort of love and comfort it offers should make everyone happy."

The signees offered to serve as a resource to the council in its efforts to combat discrimination and "to proactively build bridges of understanding across diverse segments of our population."

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