STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM

We categorically condemn the vandalism and hateful, antisemitic symbolism that sought to desecrate the Beth Tikvah Synagogue here in Toronto on August 4, 2011, and we are both shocked and appalled that the perpetrators seemed to have associated their hatred and desecration with the religion of Islam.  As Muslims we unequivocally reject such attribution, and we bear clear witness that such behavior has no place within the religion of Islam.  More, we applaud all those, including the Canadian Council of Imams (CCI), who immediately rose to stand with the victims against this criminal expression of ignorance and hate. To see the CCI statement, click here.

We further decry all those who seek to spread dissension, mistrust, fear, and hatred through the malicious misrepresentation of people belonging to any race or religion or gender or orientation, and we call upon all truly religious people to serve as conduits of the Divine light that dispels all darknesses.

May the Jewish community of Beth Tikvah take heart that they are not alone and that we stand with them, and may all maliciously maligned and oppressed people take heart. We are one human family, all, and we are all created in the Divine image.  Let us then raise the call for universal respect, for universal reverence, and let us together stand as we uphold and defend the dignity of every human being.