Islamic center
editorial was inflammatory, Aref Assaf, July 9, 2004,
The Jersey Journal
"Good point, wrong conclusion".
http://www.nj.com/letters/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/letters-2/1089364226223870.xml#continue
We agree with your July 6 editorial that a distinction has to be
maintained between church and state. This delicate balance is at the
core of America's polity and scholars have argued over it for decades.
There is also a marked disagreement between people of faith as to what
the founders intended. However, this issue has little to do with the
Union City City Council holding an official meeting at an Islamic
institution.
Consequently, we view with the grave concern the implication that a
concession is being made to the Muslim community when the City Council
opted to hold one of its roving meetings at the Islamic Center of North
Hudson. In light of the recent bottle throwing incident on the center
grounds and the national volatile backlash confronting our community, I
would like to laud the mayor and the City Commission for exhibiting not
only savvy political instincts but also for acting upon their statements
of moral solidarity with a besieged community. The venue choice was
indeed a most appropriate and practical decision. Our community was
heartened by the attendance of the mayor and the council who by their
presence reassured and comforted us.
Absent from your editorial was any mention that the compound is a
multi-use facility which in addition to a prayer area, it also includes
a school, a cultural center and a meeting hall for all kinds of
occasions. Separation between church and state does not mean the two
entities function exclusive of the other. It only refers to disjoining
divine authority from temporal rule by maintaining an albeit ambiguous
but nevertheless a distinction between the two authorities.
Religious institutions have always doubled as a venue for public
gatherings, official speeches and active public discussions. The Islamic
mosque is not only a prayer hall but a meeting of soul, spirit and
intellect. Especially for a young immigrant community, a mosque is a
central social, cultural and educational institution.
I am certain that no religious dogmas or existential matters were
discussed at the meeting. I sense that perhaps The Jersey Journal does
not view the Islamic faith as one of the dominant religions in America.
in fact it is next after Christianity in the number of followers. Islam
continues and further embodies the divine message of the Judea-Christian
tradition - a natural succession and fulfillment of the Abrahamic
faiths. If the meeting was held at a synagogue or a church, I am
confident that no critical editorial would have been forthcoming.
The editorial message is indeed inflammatory and I fear that some
bigoted and racist individuals would find comfort in your view to
justify physical actions against our community.
AREF ASSAF President, NJ American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee,
West Caldwell
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