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April 30, 2004/Iyar 9 5764, Vol. 56, No. 32
Rally condemns terrorism
Muslims, Jews, Christians and Sikhs speak as one
DEBRA MORTON GELBART
Special to Jewish News
A simple but powerful message defined a Muslim-sponsored rally held April 25 in Patriot's Square Park in downtown Phoenix: the targeting and killing of innocent civilians is absolutely wrong.
The rally is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation - a public gathering of Muslims, in solidarity with people of other faiths, unequivocally denoun-cing terrorism.
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a Phoenix physician and chairman of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, organized the event.
Jasser said it's time to "rally together around certain absolute, moral truths that make civilized life possible. God has created all these spiritual paths to lay down certain eternal, absolute laws so that humankind can live in peace. The killing of innocent people out of revenge, hate or retribution is against those absolute laws. People can justify their actions all day long, but we as Muslims are saying ... that those acts are against every thing for which we stand."
About 400 people attended, including Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. "This was an important event that made an even more important statement - that we all are one in the war against terrorism," Gordon said.
Jasser said Phoenix is an ideal location for a first-time Muslim rally against terrorism. "We live in Phoenix, which in literature is a symbol of death and rebirth. This is the perfect metaphor for what we are starting. We want the American public to re-see our faith and, to do this, we must expose all those forces in our religious masses that confuse faith with their own ego and power needs."
Azra Hussain, a member of the Muslim community who lives in Scottsdale, also spoke at the rally. "Islam is very clear on the sanctity of human life, " she said, "(and) very clear on standing up for justice. When innocent people, no matter who they are, are hurt, terrorized or killed, it is not tolerated in Islam. As a Muslim, I am opposed to the killing of innocent people in any form by anyone."
Susan Gitenstein Assadi of Scottsdale attended the rally and was impressed with what she heard. "There are a lot of people who believe in peaceful activity among all religious groups," she said, "and those who believe this need to be a louder voice and need to come together and communicate together that there is potential for peace."
"The rally was not intended to take sides on any Middle Eastern conflict but simply to say we abhor violence in the name of religion for any reason by the Muslim faith or frankly by any faith," said David Engelman, a member of the board of directors of the Arizona Interfaith Movement who attended the rally. "I think this is a statement that the entire Jewish community can support."
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Bender, senior pastor at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, attended with about 30 members of his congregation. "Extremists in every religion are creating havoc in the name of God," he said. "And those of us in every religion who know that's not what God asks of us need to stand together to foster goodwill."
The church and Temple Chai in Phoenix have nurtured a relationship for the past year, planning joint educational programs of interest to both congregations.
Members of Temple Chai also attended the rally, including Eroca Daniel. "I hope the philosophy behind the rally grows in strength and moves across the country," she said. "We need to support Dr. Jasser and other moderate Muslims who have the courage to stand up and speak out against the terrorists."
"As we've fostered our relationship with Temple Chai," Bender said, "we know it's important for us as a next step to invite members of the Islamic faith into the circle."
Jews, Christians and Sikhs in attendance at the rally comprised about half of the audience, Jasser estimated. The other half were Muslims. "I was quite pleased with the turnout, both from the Muslim and non-Muslim commun-ities," he said. "There were so many Muslims whom I had never met before from all over the Valley."
Jasser was especially pleased that Sikh minister Soul Khalsa joined him on the dais. "A Sikh representative is key at this rally," Jasser said, "because Sikhs have been mistaken for Muslims and persecuted by some since 9/11."
"There is deep joy when free people come together for a righteous cause," Khalsa said.
The cause and the message were clearly appreciated by the audience. "The great majority of Muslims condemn outright - with no ifs, ands or buts - the targeting of innocents by virtue of the divine teachings of Islam," Jasser said as the crowd applauded enthusiastically.
"We hope that this start will give energy, hope and inspiration to faithful Muslims all over the country and perhaps the world that this type of rally and message is possible and beneficial to America and to Muslims. Our freedoms depend upon it and our security demands it."
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