ACLC Detroit proclamation peace between religions amid Anti-Muslim Sentiment

In Detroit, a coalition of pastors, imams and rabbis stood behind Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi and 40 other clergy to sign a proclamation promoting peace between religions. The event on December 17, 2015, at the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, was a culmination of several years of outreach between American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) Leader and FFWPU State Leader David Kasbow and a local group of interfaith pastors.

When Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom, a longtime friend to ACLC, recently received death threats because of his Islamic faith, Rev. Kasbow and the other ACLC pastors rallied

around him. A press conference was held to condemn the anti-Muslim rhetoric and to read a proclamation that they all had signed.

Rev. Kasbow wrote the proclamation calling for unity, based upon True Parents’ perspective on religions. It states in part, “We Jews, Muslims and Christians come together to declare that though our beliefs vary, the universal religious values we share, kindness, sacrifice for the greater good, belief in spirit and in the Almighty (called by our variety of honored names, God, Allah, Jehovah) who created us, bring us together as brothers and sisters, the children of Abraham and Adam.” You can read the full proclamation below.

Rev. Kasbow was interviewed after the press conference and appeared on the local nightly news. A newspaper article also appeared in the Detroit Free Press which quoted several faith leaders in their support for their Muslim brothers and sisters, and decrying racism and hatred.

Declaration of Peace Between Muslims, Christians and Jews

We, representatives of the Christian, Muslim & Jewish faiths, come together today to declare that religion is not the cause of conflict in this world as some are saying. We believe religion is the cause and the root of goodness in this world; as the source of ethics, morality and inspiration it has brought out the best of the world’s peoples and cultures. Of the world’s religions Islam, Christianity & Judaism have been at the very root of the great civilizations of the world. Thus, we decry the aggression we see within our religions and between them. Aggression never leads to peace. We Jews, Muslims & Christians come together to declare that though our beliefs vary, the universal religious values we share, kindness, sacrifice for the greater good, belief in spirit and in the Almighty (called by our variety of honored names, God, Allah, Jehovah) who created us, brings us together as brothers & sisters, the children of Abraham and Adam. As we pray for peace together, we pledge to work for peace within ourselves, in our families, in our faith communities and together for peace in the world. May the Almighty guide us and bless us as we go forth to be a source of peace and blessing to others and to this world.

Islamic House of Wisdom Dearborn Heights, MI American Clergy Leadership Conference Thursday, December 17, 2015