As U.S. debates, metro Detroiters push for peace

[marmar]

from the Detroit Free Press:




As U.S. debates, metro Detroiters push for peace

BY NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


As Americans gather today, on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, metro Detroit religious groups are promoting tolerance and peace -- in mosques, churches and community centers.

As many as 1,000 Muslims packed a Detroit church on Friday as part of an interfaith gathering that included notable faith leaders.

The striking scene inside Second Ebenezer Church, a predominantly African-American church, was a show of unity among the region's diverse communities as a Florida pastor stirred fears with plans to burn Islam's holy book, the Quran.

"I feel a sense of oneness in this room today," said Bishop Edgar Vann, head of the church. "Fear will not divide us."

Today, Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, near Comerica Park, plans to ring its bells at noon to protest the planned Quran burning and other forms of prejudice in the name of religion. Other mosques and churches plan to hold interfaith gatherings.

The Florida pastor doesn't represent Christians any more than "the KKK dressed in white robes burning crosses in the name of Jesus," said Central's pastor, the Rev. Ed Rowe. "Some use 9/11 as an excuse to hate and discriminate."

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20100911/NEWS05/9110337/1318/As-U.S.-debates-metro-Detroiters-push-for-peace#ixzz0zEL4JXfJ

[spartan61]

1. We need to hear more stories like this.

Thanks for posting. This just proves that there is still a lot of good in Detroit.