US politicians, local Muslim leaders in Norwalk strike out against Islamophobia

Monday 14 Dec 2015 - 10:56 Makkah mean time-3-3-1437

From left, Muslims Suhail Fadri, of Norwalk; Abdul Ghaffar, of Norwalk; Mohammed Asif Toor, of Monroe; and Azzeim Mahmoud, of Norwalk; stand with regional political leaders to address preventing backlash. Image from Connecticut Post

Norwalk, California (IINA) - In the wake of the recent California shootings and U.S. Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the country, elected officials and others on Sunday embraced the region’s Islamic community, Connecticut Post (CT) news reported.
“We must all reject bigotry and violence,” said U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., during a community meeting at the Al Madany Islamic Center in Norwalk, California.
“The most appalling crimes were committed by my religion,” Himes said, referring to Christianity. “We stand united with you today and we will win. We will not compromise the core values of this great nation.”
The meeting, attended by roughly around 70 Islamic center members, was called by Himes and other leaders to reject Trump’s travel ban and the Islamophobia fanned by it, and the recent San Bernardino shootings by fanatics calling themselves Muslims. The mass shooting during an office holiday party left 14 people dead and 17 wounded.
“We reject them and don’t call them Muslims,” said Tommy Theodore, a Stamford resident and Muslim, referring to extremists who kill innocent people in the name of the Muslim faith. “From what’s on TV all the time you feel like people are suspicious of you. I think meetings like this help and shows the community our elected officials are behind us.”
Himes, along with Stamford Mayor David Martin, Bridgeport Police Chief Joe Gaudett, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, met with members of the Islamic community privately and later invited reporters into the room.
All stressed that those undertaking violence in the name of the Islamic faith represent only a tiny fraction of the billions of Muslims worldwide who don’t condone and are appalled by their actions.
Martin said he supports the Muslim community and all it has contributed to Connecticut and the U.S. “We will not let hatred and extremists dictate our future,” he said. “I hope we can find peace on earth and goodwill.”
From her side, Kate Heichler, director of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut, said “Muslim phobia” has reared its head numerous times in the recent past. “The people in Fairfield County stand with you,” she said.
Farhan Mernon, a spokesman for the Islamic center, said politicians such as Trump makes life harder for law abiding Muslims.
“What Trump is saying motivates Islam phobia,” Mernon said. “People have to remember that before San Bernardino there were 344 victims of mass shootings, including three Muslims executed in South Carolina for being Muslim.”
SM/IINA

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