Troy-area Interfaith Group has worked for peace and justice through our support of groups such as the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Detroit, the Michigan Campaign for Justice, and the Charter for Compassion. But when a Sikh Gurdwara, currently under construction in the neighboring city of Sterling Heights, was defaced with hate graffiti, we felt we needed to do something concrete. As a result, many of our members joined a group of people from many different faiths, to protest this action.
Sadly, soon after the event at the Gurdwara, a local Chaldean Catholic Church also was the victim of this crime, defacement of a House of Worship. Many TIG members joined others as we stood outside before most masses the weekend of the crime, in silent support of the church members, and to show we stand together with others in condemning such acts.
Following is the statement made by the TIG Leadership Team chair, Brenda Balas at the Sikh Gurdwara rally. It speaks for all of us who are members of TIG:
Sadly, soon after the event at the Gurdwara, a local Chaldean Catholic Church also was the victim of this crime, defacement of a House of Worship. Many TIG members joined others as we stood outside before most masses the weekend of the crime, in silent support of the church members, and to show we stand together with others in condemning such acts.
Following is the statement made by the TIG Leadership Team chair, Brenda Balas at the Sikh Gurdwara rally. It speaks for all of us who are members of TIG:
"The Troy-area Interfaith Group condemns the malicious acts of
destruction inflicted this week upon the Sikh House of Worship, the Gurdwara in
Sterling Heights. This cowardly,
hateful crime has no place in this century, no place in America, no place in
Michigan, and no place in our community.
The Troy-area Interfaith Group, which is composed of representatives
from across the world’s faith traditions, stands beside both its brothers and
sisters of the Sikh faith, whose house of worship has been
threatened and vandalized, and also beside its brothers and sisters of the
Muslim faith, whose name has been written in this
destructive act. We stand beside
persons of all faiths who seek peace and justice. For whenever one of our neighbors is threatened with disrespect
and violence, then we are all threatened.
Therefore, we must come together and on this, stand as one.
If we as a nation learned anything from destruction caused by
prejudice and misguided misinterpretations of religious beliefs, it is that we
value and honor the precious freedoms afforded to us in this country, freedoms
granted to ALL citizens. Let’s help
protect our freedoms and rights and keep ALL of our citizens safe. Keep this poisonous hatred off our soil and
out of our very own neighborhoods.
Join us in creating something positive and noble from this deplorable
act. Together--and even with greater
conviction today than a week ago-- we will combat such prejudiced behaviors
through education, interaction, discussion, and nonviolent action. In
order to protect our great, diverse communities, we ask persons of
every faith tradition to speak out against hateful, prejudiced words and
actions whenever they are shared—at home, in school, at work, in politics, and
in our community. Prejudices don’t
have to be physical—vandalism or violence-- to be hurtful and destructive. Look around you. Do your part to stand up to hatred and prejudice in your
every-day life--and then go one step further.
Learn something new and true about different faiths practiced by your
neighbors who share our community. Pay
attention to the news. Read a
book. Engage with a person whose faith
may be different from your own. Have a
dialogue. Attend a community event or
program. We’re all different, and yet,
we’re all the same.
The Troy-area Interfaith Group often shares the fact that at least 13
major world religions recognize the concept of the “Golden Rule.” In Christianity, it is said, “In
everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.” In the Bahá'í Faith, it is spoken, “Lay
not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire
not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.” And in Sikhism, “I am a stranger to no
one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am friend to all."
I ask you to consider the ever-relevant, call-to-action of the mission
statement of the Troy-area Interfaith Group:
The Troy –area Interfaith
Group exists to invite all faith communities to gather, grow and give for the
sake of promoting the common values of love, peace and justice among all
religions locally and globally. We believe that peace among peoples and
nations requires peace among the religions.
If this unacceptable act of vandalism on this house of worship can cause
just a few people, perhaps you, to re-think your own prejudiced viewpoints, or
cause you to stand up for justice, then the victory is ours.
We wish the best to our neighbors of this Sikh community and peace to
all."
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