Over the past week, we have opened our doors to our Islamic Center family and friends, our interfaith partners across Los Angeles, our civic leaders, and our friends in the greater Los Angeles community. Thank you for coming out to support our events - United Against Bigotry: An Interfaith Coalition and the LAPD Homelessness Outreach Town Hall. 

On Sunday, Mar. 13, Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Baset organized an event called "United Against Bigotry: An Interfaith Coalition" with the goal of bringing together a panel of interfaith leaders to discuss the roots of violent extremism that is leading to anti-Muslim rhetoric in America and to further discuss potential ways of restoring understanding and civility. In addition to Dr. Abdel-Baset, the two other panelists included Dr. Reinhard Krauss and Rabbi Susan Goldberg. Aziza Hasan from NewGround was the moderator. 

The panel dug deep into the importance of building friendship and understanding across religions. Rabbi Susan Goldberg reflected on the power of an image saying, "I don't care if they're even talking. Even having an image of a Muslim and a Jew that isn't contentious would make a difference." At the end of the discussion, Aziza asked all three panelists to share a challenge with those in attendance to take with them and put into action:

Rabbi Goldberg: "Think about how we can take individual conversations and put them on a larger scale. Stand up. It's time to take action. This is a critical juncture in American history. Commit to many, many, many, many, many acts of love."

Dr. Reinhard Krauss: "Be yourself. I have learned by being involved in interfaith dialogue that there is no typical Muslim, no typical Jew, no typical Christian... Nobody can deny your own experience or condition. I believe that being yourself is the strongest antidote."

Dr. Abdel-Baset: "If God is compassionate and merciful - and something doesn't fit that mold - reject it."

 

In peace,

Islamic Center of Southern California