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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