(PHILADELPHIA/PITTSBURGH, PA, 8/15/2022) – The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia and CAIR-Pittsburgh) today joined more than 40 Muslim community organizations and leaders on a statement of solidarity with Shia Muslims over Albuquerque, N.M., murders allegedly linked to sectarian hatred.
Watch: Shia, Sunni Leaders Respond to Arrest of Suspect in Killings of Muslim Men
Signed by mosques, community organizations, and leaders from Pennsylvania and Delaware, the statement emphasizes Signed by 42 mosques, community organizations and leaders from Pennsylvania and Delaware, the statement emphasizes “Our Shia and Sunni communities are united by subscribing to the most important core tenets of our faith… Sunni and Shia scholars have also been vocal about their principled and civil disagreement on certain theological doctrines. None of these or any other differences justify any kind of violence, including sectarian hatred and violence – often sparked by modern political upheavals and ethnocentrism – and we reject any such violence categorically.
The collective statement underlined the shared challenges facing Sunni and Shia communities and noted “We embrace this opportunity to reaffirm the hard work required in our Sunni communities to support a recognized and safe space for our Shi’i communities and invite all our community members to join forthcoming bridge-building efforts.”
The full text of the statement and the list of signatories is available at: PA-DE-Shia-Solidarity (PDF)
CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu said: “This collective statement is a testament to the maturity of our communities to hold much-needed conversations and further intrafaith solidarity. We will continue our work to foster deeper relationships across all segments of our communities.”
CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said: “This solidarity statement proclaims the necessity of expanding initiatives on intrareligious conversations and peacemaking. We need to build upon mutual love and mercy, remembering we are all connected, and if one community hurts, we all hurt.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, 617-401-5397; atekelioglu@cair.com; CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed 412-606-3601; cmohamed@cair.com
