The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityA Statement On Behalf of the Muslim Community of Greater Boston
We who are representatives of the Greater Boston interreligious and intercultural community are shocked and saddened by the allegations of planned terrorist attacks attributed to Tarek Mehanna. We support the statement issued by the Muslim American Society of Boston: “if the accusations are true then we are horrified and unequivocally condemn the perpetrators of such acts and pray for justice. If he is innocent then we pray for a just judicial process and his speedy release.” We also share the concerns of our Muslim brothers and sisters that they will be unfairly stereotyped because of these events.
Hence, even as we await the full disclosure of all the relevant facts in this matter, we are fearful that regardless of the outcome, there are some who will seize upon what occurred as a justification for painting all Muslims with the brush of suspicion and mistrust. We therefore call upon our friends and neighbors, upon all decent and honorable people not to be swayed by such emotions nor by the rhetoric of those who would exploit them. We dare not forget at moments such as these that when one group is assailed for the acts of a few, no group is immune from a similar fate.
Hossam AlJabri, Muslim American Society, Board Interreligious Center on Public Life (ICPL)
Dr Abdul Cader Aasmal, Past President Islamic Council of New England, Board ICPL
Dr Brita Gil Austern, Andover Newton Theological School, Board ICPL
Anthony Barsamian, Armenian Assembly of America, Board ICPL
Rev Nick Carter, President Andover Newton Theological School, Chair ICPL
Dr Maria Teresa Davila, Asst Professor of Christian Ethics Andover Newton Theological School, Board ICPL
Dr Diana L. Eck, Director Pluralism Project Harvard University
Michael Felson, President Workman’s Circle, Board ICPL
Dr David Gordis, President Emeritus Hebrew College, Vice Chair ICPL
Rabbi Zachary Heller, Board ICPL
Father Raymond Helmick SJ, Professor of Conflict Resolution Boston College Dept of Theology, Board ICPL
Rev Jack Johnson, Executive Director Mass Council of Churches, Board ICPL
Rev Diane Kessler, Board ICPL
Rev Richard Malmberg, 2d Church in Newton United Church of Christ, Board ICPL
Jerome Maryon, Board ICPL
Bishop Margaret Payne, New England Synod Evangelical Church
Dr Jennifer Peace, Director Center For Interfaith and Communal Leadership Education Andover Newton Theological School and Hebrew College, Board ICPL
Dr Rodney Petersen, Director Boston Theological Institute, Board ICPL
Dr Paula Rayman, U Mass Lowell, Board ICPL
Robert M Sarly, Board of Trustees Andover Newton Theological School, Mass Council Of Churches, Board ICPL
Rabbi Sanford Seltzer, Executive Director ICPL
Enid Shapiro, Board ICPL
Rev John Stendahl, Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Board ICPL