Today we stand with and send our prayers to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Our hearts ache for the families of the women, men and children murdered by a terrorist attack on two Masjids in Christchurch, New Zealand. This is a moment we must continue to remind each other that we are part of one family and together we must take bold action against the infections of racism, Islamophobia, anti semitism and white supremacy.
The same forces of white supremacy, extremism and hate have fueled terrorist attacks against the Jewish community at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, against the Black Christian community at Emmanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina and devastated Muslims in Jummah Prayer in New Zealand during their most sacred day of the week.
Muslims represent one of the smallest religious minorities in the US at around 1%, but according to FBI reports to the NY times, hate crimes against Muslim Americans and masjids have tripled in the United States since 2015. This is why we must always stand up against hate, bigotry and white supremacy, whether it comes from people in our community or people occupying elected offices, especially the highest office in the United States of America.
Let’s honor the victims by making a commitment to speak to younger people about the evils of this terrorist act. Let’s ensure our friends, family and members of our congregations are rejecting White Supremacy and speaking out when someone they know makes hateful comments and takes racist actions. Let’s honor the holy teachings of our faith traditions that teach us to love, care and defend each other and sisters and brothers of the human race.
Archange Antoine
Executive Director
Faith in New Jersey
