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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2015)
& Merry Christmas Happy Kwanzaa QR code for Portland Observer Online ‘City of Roses’ Volume XLIV Number 53 www.portlandobserver.com Wednesday • December 23, 2015 Established in 1970 Committed to Cultural Diversity photo by o livia o livia /t he p ortland o bserver Faith traditions from around the world are reflected in Portland as local leaders take action against Islamophobia and urge an end to the anti-Muslim rhetoric that that has erupted in the Republican campaign for president, Congress and across the country. Pastor E.D. Mondaine (far left) of Celebration Tabernacle Church in north Portland and Pastor W.J. Mark Knutson of Augustana Lutheran Church in northeast Portland (at podium) were among those speaking out. for United Peace by o livia o livia t he p ortland o bserver Religious and political leaders in Portland have come together during the holiday season to promote a message of peace over the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has erupted across the country. Representing faith traditions from around the world, the leaders gathered at City Hall for a press conference to condemn Islamophobia In light of the inflammatory words by candidates in the Republican campaign for president and Congress, and to show support for refugees of war from places like Syria and Iraq, and embrace our friends and neighbors of the Islamic faith here in Portland and across the northwest. The support for religious tolerance came Dec. 16 as the Portland City Council voted unanimously for a resolution to support the city’s Muslim community and welcome all of its immigrant and refugee populations. In addition, members of the African-American community held an interfaith service to promote religious tolerance and the common good. The press conference included a diverse group of lead- ers who have over many years courageously fought for human rights. Among them were Rabbi Joey Wolf of Ha- vurah Shalom Synagogue, Chancellor Mary Jo Tully of the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Wajdi Said, presi- Humanity wins out to anti-Muslim rhetoric dent of the Muslim Educational Trust, and Jan Musgrove Elfers of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. The delega- tion included representatives of churches serving diverse populations in north and northeast Portland, including Pastor E.D. Mondainé of Celebration Tabernacle and Pas- tor W. J. Mark Knutson of Augustana Lutheran. Portlanders were called on to do whatever they could to ensure that Islamophobia and other forms of racism have no place in the city. “At times like these,” says Wajdi Said, “when many are sowing seeds of division and fear, it is heartening to C ontinued on p age 5