A couple weeks ago, my pastor and I attended an interfaith gathering at a local Queens synagogue. The purpose was to express community solidarity amid the anxiety and uncertainty following the recent presidential election. The Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was there, along with members of the local police precinct and about 75 congregants from the synagogue.
The fear and unease were palpable.
We heard parents talk about children coming home from school saying that they were afraid they would be deported.
We heard people talk about bias crimes around the country, worrying when it was going to hit Queens.
And we heard a local imam express his gratitude for the large turnout and support. “We are in this together,” he said.
At one point, the rabbi who hosted the event said that if his Muslim neighbors were required to sign up for some sort of registry, he’d register himself as Muslim, as well. “I’ll be the first in line,” he said, to enthusiastic applause.
Now, a former secretary of state is adding her voice to that chorus:
Madeleine Albright has said she is prepared to register as a Muslim in solidarity with those who practice the religion in Trump’s America.The former Secretary of State tweeted: “I was raised Catholic, became Episcopalian & found out later my family was Jewish. I stand ready to register as Muslim in #solidarity”.
This comes after reports the President is about to sign executive orders including a temporary ban on most refugees and suspending visas for foreign nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Mrs Albright has previously said she will stand in solidarity with Muslims if Donald Trump forces them to register. She said at a Woman’s March rally last weekend: “If you force Muslims to register, we will all register as Muslims”. The former Secretary of State also tweeted: “There is no fine print on the Statue of Liberty. America must remain open to people of all faiths & backgrounds”.
Photo: Wikipedia
And today we celebrate...