ISNA Rejects All Expressions of Racism and Bigotry

Plainfield, IN (July 10, 2009) - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) rejects all expressions intended to demean any community of faith, including the statement that was made by one of the 300 speakers that spoke at ISNA’s 46th annual convention during the weekend of July 3-5 in Washington, DC.

We just learned that a presenter in one of our parallel sessions had made a pejorative statement in reference to the Jewish community during his presentation. We would like to set the record straight and state our complete rejection of all prejudicial views and bigoted stances toward the Jewish community and any other community of faith. The Islamic Society will continue to work diligently with our interfaith partners in the Jewish community to build understanding and respect between our two communities, and will continue to cooperate with all people of good will to rid our society of racism, bigotry, and prejudice.

“We pride ourselves in the many good relations we build with our interfaith partners for peace. There is no place for bigotry and intolerance in our organization and community,” Dr. Ingrid Mattson, ISNA president, stated.

The statement was made during a parallel session on Sunday morning. These sessions are proposed by members of the community, and the proposal described a completely different content than what reportedly transpired.  The title of the speaker’s presentation was “Jews for Salaam [Peace],” and the presentation was described as a “… blue print for world peace. Christians, Jews and Muslims have common roots; focuses on the unique position Jewish people are in to move the world toward peace.”

ISNA is committed to working with its partners in the Christian and Jewish communities to promote peace and understanding, and will take the necessary precautions to ensure that its convention and conferences are not used as a platform to attack its faith partners and undermine social peace.

Source: ISNA