|
FORUM IN SUPPORT OF AMERICAN
MUSLIM AND ARAB COMMUNITIES
[09-18-01]
By Jeff Gardner
Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) met today at the Fletcher School with representatives of the
Islamic American community regarding the terrorist attacks of last
 |
| Massachusetts
Senator John Kerry and the Fletcher School's Dean Stephen Bosworth |
week and the challenges facing Americans of Arabic descent and Muslims living and/or studying in America. Both spiritual and community leaders of the Greater Boston area Islamic community and Islamic student leaders from Boston area colleges and universities joined the senator in the Fletcher School’s Hall of Flags.
Fletcher Dean Stephen Bosworth introduced Senator Kerry, his wife Teresa Heinz, and several leaders from the American Islam community. In his opening remarks, Senator Kerry reiterated his belief that the United States must respond to acts of terrorism, but expressed great concern that many innocent students and citizens who are members of the Islamic community fear for their personal safety. During the ensuing discussion he commented that the United States needed to measure its actions against all of history and reminded the audience that the attack on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon were “not an action of any religion.” “Islam is a peaceful religion”, he continued, reminding the audience of its responsibility to help in defining Islam to American society at large.
Referring to the murder of a Sikh in Arizona, the Senator said that “no one who died in New York will be redeemed by an indiscriminate act of vengeance and anyone who lashes out at people because of their color, creed, religion or ethnicity is not a patriot. They dishonor this country,” the Senator concluded.
Click here
for more photos of this event from Tufts
eNews.
|
