Letter to The Editor July 23,2010
“Mosque Resistance in Temecula Challenges Everyone’s Freedom and Rights”
I believe that the people opposing the building of a Mosque in Temecula or also opposing the freedom and rights of all Americans. There is already and has been an organized Muslim community in Temecula/Murrieta and have been worshiping here for many years in a rented space. The issue seems to be that the people that oppose this do not want the Muslims to build a permanent place of worship in Temecula. Many religious groups want to build here, will we start to oppose other faiths too? The same religious freedoms that protect the evangelical community and its dreams protect The Islamic Center of Temecula in this Valley. The mosque is far from a threat to our community, but rather an opportunity to live our ideals of liberty, freedom and equality. The mosque is a symbol of American strength, freedom and courage. We cannot allow fear, international conflict, or the actions of a few violent fundamentalists to undermine our core values, basic rights, and sense of decency in this country.
Some of the people in opposition to the mosque have stated “How do we know we can trust this community of Muslims?” I trust the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley based on my relationship with their leader and I challenge my evangelical brothers before they make a judgment “to not cast the first stone” and get to know the Muslim community. I think they will find no terrorists, but warm caring people that follow the some moral principles of their own community.
The Islamic Center of Temecula Valley has the full support of the Interfaith Council – comprised of Jews, Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Bah’ai and many others – in the construction of their new house of prayer. The mission of this organization “is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated prejudice and violence and to create a society of peace, justice and healing”, hate and intolerance has no place in a town that values justice, freedom and the Constitution.
People all around the nation are watching us, and this is an opportunity to publicly live into our most deeply held civic and moral beliefs – to love thy neighbor, stand for justice, and celebrate freedom. I sincerely hope the majority of the people in our valley feel the same way!
Mr. Michael Torretti MPM
Pastoral Associate – Co-Director Interfaith Council
St Martha Catholic Church
Thanks Mike for your great letter. I agree with all of your points. While I don't personally subscribe to Islamic tenets, I believe in the necessity to respect their freedom and stand with them and support their freedoms to worship and build places of worship.
ReplyDelete