STATEMENT BY UIA 
CLERGY ON ATTACKS
 
 
In response to the attack on the mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, South Coast Christian and Jewish clergy rose as one to console our local Muslim community, who responded in heart-felt gratitude.  Today, we, the undersigned leaders of South Coast faith communities - Muslim, Christian and Jewish-  jointly express our horror and grief at the unconscionable actions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 and again at a synagogue in Poway, CA, on the Sabbath of April 26, 2019.  It is unfathomable how someone can take it upon themselves to carry out such acts of violence in any venue, but especially in places of worship.  Both the Talmud (Jewish) and the Holy Qur’an (Islamic) teach us that when someone takes the life of another, it is as if they had destroyed the whole world. This fundamental value is echoed in sacred teachings of all the world’s great religions, which are grounded not in killing, but in acts of compassion and love.  
 
Speaking personally, as a representative of the local Muslim community, I would like to let our neighbors know that Islam teaches that all of the three Abrahamic faiths call on us to believe in One and the Same God, and to follow the words of God revealed to all God’s Holy Prophets; including Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Mohammed, may God's Peace be with all of them.  God tells us in the Holy Qur'an to respect the Holy Books that came before, specifically citing the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels, and to hold in high regard all those who believe in One God; Jews and Christians.  God reminds us we are all His Creation.  God is Merciful and Compassionate.  God alone is the best of all judges.  God makes no distinction between any us, by color, race, origin, or status.  God has created us for the purpose of doing good on this earth. Believers and people of conscience cannot condone violence against innocents, because such an act is an attack on God's own creation.
 
May God receive with mercy all those who have been so ruthlessly taken by violence.  May God's justice prevail in the end over those who have done such enormous wrongs against their fellow creatures.  May God open the eyes of all who fail to see God’s image in all humanity.  May God give us patience and strength before adversity.  May God give us one voice to speak out against intolerance and hatred.  May God give us the resolve to continue working towards building a world of love, understanding, and peace, despite these recent senseless acts, and despite any future acts of intolerance that may come.  
 
Letter drafted by Mr. Martin Bentz,
Outreach Coordinator of the Islamic Community of Southeastern Massachusetts
 
Co-signed by Members of the United Interfaith Action:
 
Our names (you can add mine and Rabbi Mark’s)