Eight Things Churches and Interfaith Groups Can Do For Muslims

From Sound Vision, Inc.
adapted with permission by the Episcopal-Muslim Relations Committee
of the Ecumenical Commission Diocese of New York

Since the September 11th terrorist attacks and the subsequent harassment of Muslims in America (and of others who are perceived as Muslim or Arab), many interfaith groups and churches across the country have been very supportive. They have issued statements that condemn, not only the attacks, but also the backlash violence that has followed them. They have organized and participated in interfaith prayer vigils and events related to helping victims of the attacks. Some churches and interfaith groups are interested in doing more. They want to know how to reach out to their Muslim friends and neighbors in this difficult time. Here are some simple suggestions:

1. In your next sermon, discuss the tragedy from a Muslim perspective. Many church leaders have discussed the September 11th tragedy with their congregations from a Christian perspective, encouraging healing, forgiveness, and strength in this difficult time, and offering support to victims’ families based on Christian scripture. Consider giving a similar talk, but based on Islamic scripture: the Qur’an. A local Imam or scholar can help you find relevant Qur’an verses or hadiths (authoritative traditions of the Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings be upon him]). Articles by Muslims in newspapers and magazines explaining the Muslim perspective on the tragedy can also be helpful.
   
2. Develop a fact sheet based on your sermon and distribute it to your congregation or group and others in your neighborhood. The sheet should include, for example, the definition of Islam, the difference between the words “Islam” and “Muslim,” the Islamic stance on terrorism, etc. The USA Today website offers a good example of such a fact sheet, published a week after the attack
   
3. Invite a Muslim to speak to your congregation or group. Look for someone who is not only an Imam or knowledgeable Muslim, but also can communicate clearly in English. Ideally, choose someone with experience in interfaith work.
   
4. Protest anti-Muslim media bias. Much has been written about the presumed perpetrators of this horrific attack. So far, the prime suspects are a handful of people with Muslim names. However, as the investigation continues, many media outlets have been careless in their reporting and have painted Islam and the entire Muslim community as terrorist and responsible for the crime. Churches and interfaith groups can help by writing and calling to point out stereotypical coverage. Church and interfaith leaders can also point out examples of errant media coverage to their members and point them to sources of correct information.
   
5. Attend events hosted by the Muslim community. Mosques and Islamic centers across America have been holding prayer vigils, open houses, and other activities related to helping themselves and fellow Americans heal from the pain of this tragedy and to explain the Islamic perspective on it. Watch for such activities in the local newspaper, or call the mosque or Islamic center near you and ask if they will be holding such an event. If so, arrange to attend it as a group (which will reduce shyness). This could lead to further cooperation between your congregation or group and the Islamic center or mosque you visit.
   
6. Speak up for Islam and Muslims in their absence. Encourage your congregation or group to correct politely anyone who makes ignorant or prejudicial statements about Islam or Muslims. Pass along your fact sheet whenever possible.
   
7. Distribute a sheet to your congregation on what they individually can do:
  • Get to know your Muslim neighbors. Ask them questions about their beliefs and practices. Most Muslims are happy to share information about Islam with others, but they may feel shy to initiate their beliefs.
  • Protest media bias. Call talk shows and write letters to the editor to your local Muslims. In particular, protest the use of the terms “Islamic terrorist” or “Islamic terrorism.” Stress that the general audience would never tolerate terms like “Christian/Jewish terrorist” or “Christian/Jewish terrorism.” Similarly, we should not tolerate such a slur about the faith of one-fifth of humanity. You can also mention how President George W. Bush has made it clear that his desire to strike back is not at Islam itself, but at the perpetrators of the crime.
  • Call your congressperson. If you’ve never contacted him or her before, remember that he or she represents you and your concerns. Ask him or her to issue a statement calling on Americans not to make dangerous generalizations about the Muslim-American community. The statement should also express support for the Muslim community in these trying times.
  • Discuss the harm of generalizations and stereotypes. During family dinner, discuss the danger of generalizing about all people, with a special focus on Muslims. Get even the youngest children in on your discussion so they can learn, from an early age, how harmful stereotypes about people are.
  • Use a globe or map. If your world map or globe has been sitting on a shelf collecting dust, take it down and use it as a tool to teach your family the diversity and breadth of Islam. Show them which countries make up the Muslim world, and explain that although there is great diversity of race, culture, ethnicity and language, Muslims are united by a common faith that spans the globe.
  • Contact a local mosque or Islamic center. Look for one in the religion section of your newspaper or telephone book. Take your family to any events being held in relation to the September 11th tragedy. Or, explain that you are simply a non-Muslim neighbor who would like to get a better understanding of Islam and ask if you and your family may have a tour of the mosque.
  • Donate to a terrorism victims fund through your local mosque. All the money is going to the same place, but by donating it this way, you show trust and solidarity.
  • Invite your Muslim neighbors to your church for a tour and question-answer session.
  • Watch videos (especially those made by Muslims) that share what Islam is all about.
  • Plan a neighborhood party. This is a great way for neighbors to get to know each other and share common concerns.
  • Offer to shop for your Muslim neighbors. Especially Muslim women, who (in a few cases) either have been kicked out of grocery stores for the way they dress, or have been too afraid to do the shopping for fear of being harassed. Some non-Muslim women have donned headscarves for a day as a gesture of support for Muslim women who cover and who have been the target of mistreatment.
   
8. Suggest to mosque-goers in your area what they can do. While some mosques have been active in outreach since the terrorist attacks, others are sitting silent in fear. Make an effort to meet these congregations and suggest some ways they could develop a relationship with the neighborhood that could lead to better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.