With Islamophobia and related terrorist attacks occurring across the world, members of the Lansing area clergy have come together to issue a statement of solidarity with the Islamic Center of East Lansing.
On Feb. 12, several leaders from different Lansing houses of worship spoke, while many others stood behind them to show support for an event months in the making.
“The clergy association met in the fall and asked me how they could help,” the Imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Lansing Sohail Chaudhry said. “We are working at two levels right now, both the short term through these events and the long term, by working to build relationships within the community.”
Chaudhry expressed gratitude on behalf of the Islamic Center’s congregants for support they’ve received both on campus and within the Lansing area.
“In the last month or so, the Islamic Center has received so many requests from faculty for speakers to come talk with their classes about what is going on with Muslims in America,” Chaudhry said.
Despite the support shown, all is not well for Muslims both on campus and in the community.
“Islamophobia is not as bad at MSU as it is in other places because it’s a college town with a lot of diversity — that does not mean there is nothing going on,” Chaudhry said. “Sometimes Muslim students are stared at, harassed and denied jobs for reasons like a female is wearing a hijab.”
One recent incident caused a student to approach Chaudhry for counsel.
The student wore a hijab to class, and in response, she said her professor allegedly asked if she had brought any bombs to class.
“She was confused about what to do, should she report it?” Chaudhry said. “She didn’t have any idea why the professor said that. She thought he was a genuine guy and had no other problems during the semester.”
Some of the faith leaders present could relate to the prejudice Chaudhry recalled, such as spiritual leader of LGBT Christian group Q-Cross, reverend Jenn Tafel.
“Understanding what it means to have negativity and hurtful words aimed at us strengthens our resolve to stand with others who may feel oppressed because we know how it feels and the damage it can do,” Tafel said.
Q-Cross is holding a panel on Feb. 17 in cooperation with the Islamic Center and other faith groups to discuss interfaith solidarity.
For other clergy present, the press conference served as a reminder of what they consider an unfortunate reality of interfaith relations today.
Last year, the Christian holy day, Ash Wednesday, coincided with Chinese New Year.
The celebratory fireworks lit off near the pastor Sarah Midzalkowski’s One Community Church were mistaken by some congregants as an attack on the neighboring Islamic Center.
Fearing the worst, parishioners ran over to assist those at the Islamic Center, Midzalkowski said.
“That is not something we would have thought of when the Islamic Center was built here decades ago, but this is the world we live in now,” Midzalkowski said.
However, the presence of so many supporters left Chaudhry optimistic and proud.
“We will leave a legacy that not only this city can be proud of, but that will be an example nationwide for years to come,” Chaudhry said.
