Columbus Clergy and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Ban on Muslims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2017
CONTACT
Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, 202-735-7123
Dan Clark, dclark@faithinpubliclife.org, 614-648-3663
Columbus Clergy and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Ban on Muslims
Columbus, Ohio – Today, a prominent and diverse group of interfaith clergy and community leaders rallied to denounce President Donald Trump’s ban on immigrants and refugees from predominately Muslim countries. Clergy, who gathered at the First Congregational Church in Columbus, spoke out against policy that ultimately suspends the resettlement of Syrian refugees indefinitely and bans the entry of nationals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen for 90 days.
Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Interfaith Association of Central Ohio
“As people of faith and conscious we consider all human life to be precious. And to protect all human life, we must work together as we are only as secure as the very least amongst us. And friends, as Americans we can be secure and be righteous.”
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey P. Kee, New Faith Baptist Church of Christ
“We come here today because we stand as a unified people of God. We will not walk in fear. When fear moves in, faith moves out. What affects one directly, affects all of us indirectly and we are going to stand until we win the battle against hate.”
Imam Hossam Musa, Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
“As a Muslim, as a clergyman, as an Imam, as an American. I grew up here safely, comfortably. I felt a as part of the great American fabric – up until now. There are many Muslims that feel extreme distress, discomfort, and experience constant harassment. That is unacceptable. That is un-American. God says in the Holy Quran…. all mankind, all people, we [God that is] have created all of you from one single soul and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may become acquainted with one another, learn from one another, be inspired by and with one another…. May God bless all of us all Americans, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus and any faith denomination as one united people.”
Carl Ruby, Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church, Springfield
“Scripture tells us to love the immigrants, because God loved them. We are to welcome them. We are to make sure they have access to justice, and even treat them as we would a member of our own families. Our neighbor is not the person that lives next to us. Our neighbor is a person that has a need. And when we meet people in need we need to step up as followers of Jesus Christ.”
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