Pittsburgh Meeting's Letter to the Editor

Oct 5, 2010

"Shared Struggles"

While the anniversary of 9/11 is still fresh in our minds, and as fears about Islam grow within the United States, we of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) of Pittsburgh would like to voice our support for Muslims within our community and nation.

We must work together to stem the rising tide of fear and the threat of persecution and violence. We stand with those who may face recrimination and retaliation for their views or their membership, whether they be Muslim or otherwise. We call for an end to political posturing and purposeful misstatements that poison dialogue, stigmatize individuals, inflame the worst in human nature, create divisions in our society and promote a view of America that is anti-Islam.

People of all faiths share histories of intolerance and persecution. In the early decades of our existence, Quakers were feared and the practice of our faith was against the law. We recall these shared struggles for acceptance when religious freedom is threatened. Our faith and experience teach us to reach out to those characterized by finding and connecting to the Divine which resides in us all. We bring a commitment to peace and the use of nonviolent means to resolve conflicts.

Freedom of religious expression is one of the cornerstones of American democracy. We all have opportunities every day to make this ideal a reality in our local communities.

Jon Webb
Clerk
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Pittsburgh Monthly Meeting
Oakland

Published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (9/19/2010)