[Vision2020] In support of Muslim neighbors

[Moscow Cares]

This letter and its signatories make me proud to call Moscow (the one in Idaho) my adopted home.

Courtesy of today's (February 3, 2017) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Letter: In support of Muslim neighbors
 
We, the undersigned faith leaders from Moscow and Pullman, wish to publicly proclaim our love and support for our Muslim neighbors. We find the "Muslim Ban" imposed by President Donald Trump to be unjust, unwarranted and possibly unconstitutional. The presence of our Muslim brothers and sisters profoundly enriches our universities, our communities and our lives. They are students, teachers, friends and co-workers, parents and children, grandparents, aunts and uncles and we value their contributions to our towns. Their message has consistently been one of friendship and solidarity, and we offer our friendship and solidarity in return.

We commit to allying with the Islamic community in the face of this discriminatory policy and any others that may be forthcoming. Should there be a "Muslim Registry," we will all be adding our names. Freedom of religion is enshrined in our Constitution, and is part of what makes our nation great. We have seen where religious discrimination leads; the fact that the travel ban was announced on Holocaust Remembrance Day sent a chilling reminder.

As always, we encourage all people of good will to stand against hate, and to step in to prevent acts of Islamophobia. We support peace through understanding. We support community through listening, learning and serving together in mutual respect. May we celebrate our common humanity rather than giving in to the forces that would divide us.

The Rev. Elizabeth Stevens
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse

The Rev. Mary Beth Rivetti
Retired, Episcopal Diocese of Spokane

Myron Schreck
Member, Moscow Interfaith Association
and Jewish Community of the Palouse

The Rev. Linda M. Young
St. James Episcopal Church

The Rev. Robin Biffle
St. Mark's Episcopal Church

The Rev. Steve VanKuiken
Community Congregational United Church of Christ

The Rev. Jodie Tooley
United Church of Moscow

Joann Muneta
Member, Moscow Interfaith Association
and Jewish Community of the Palouse

Sayed Daoud
Pullman Islamic Center

The Rev. Debbie Sperry
Moscow First United Methodist Church

Karla Neumann Smiley
Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Idaho

Pastor Norman Fowler
First Presbyterian Church

Kerrie May
Bahá'ís of Moscow

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"Imagine" by John Lennon
http://www.TomandRodna.com/Songs/John_Lennon/Imagine.mp3

Seeya at the rally on Saturday, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" 
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"A stranger is merely a friend you don't know." (author unknown)
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