FCNL petition

[deborahjross]

Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker organization, has posted an online petition in support of the American Muslim community. To sign, and for a list of other constructive actions, click here.

I stand with American Muslims and their supporters in the Christian and Jewish faith who are planning to build an Islamic Cultural Center in downtown Manhattan.

I stand with American Muslims in exercising their freedom to gather and worship, as guaranteed by our U.S. Constitution.

As a people and as a country, we can continue this country’s project to build a more perfect union by welcoming the Islamic Cultural Center and helping it to become a reality.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Do you think a signature from an non American would be welcome or helpful? I know some Americans hate it when the rest of us do that, and I don't want to undermine the campaign in even a small way.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. You're right that it's a touchy issue, and some of those most vehemently anti-Muslim are also rabidly "patriotic," so would not take the opinions of "furriners" at all kindly. Why don't you ask FCNL? Or blog about "a British view"? You can bring a different and valuable perspective to the discussion in that way.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That's sensible: thank you.

[sardonicus.livejournal.com]

That puts me in mind of an interesting letter I just heard of. It's written by George Washington in 1790 to Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island.

http://www.loeb-tourovisitorscenter.org/jll_gwlet.shtml

The part of it that comes directly to mind, as it clearly has to others I've run across in my research on it, is the following:"to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance". Admittedly, that is a partial quote but the full sentence doesn't lessen the impact.

What immense literacy and spirit is there in that letter!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this wonderful link! I've re-posted it here and on FB to make sure more folks know about it.