Qatanani has been partner in peace

Fostering dialogue, understanding and trust between Muslims, Christians and Jews is critical for our nation and the world. In this cause here in New Jersey, Mohammad Qatanani, the imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, has been a tireless champion. Now our federal government is seeking to deport him along with his wife and six children.

With the billions our government spends now on homeland security, how could they get it so wrong?

The imam is a true religious leader in our midst and a close personal friend. I have known the imam since shortly after Sept. 11, when I was invited to preach at his mosque. Working with the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and our bishop, members of the mosque visited and spoke at more than 150 churches in our state.

Along with me and Rabbi David Senter at Congregation Beth Shalom in Pompton Lakes, the imam has been instrumental in developing the increasingly popular interfaith Seder now held annually at the synagogue in Pompton Lakes.

Most recently, Bishop Mark Beckwith, Rabbi Senter and the imam joined us as our partners in ministry in celebrating our church's 175th anniversary in Hope.

If the federal government is successful in deporting Mohammad Qatanani, who will be next?

Hear well the last lines of that famous poem by Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller: "When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out?"

The Rev. William A. Potter, Rector, Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Hope