For Immediate Release
Contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful   

An invitation to end hostilities and work together

Feb 4, 2008 

Rev. Robertson,

Assalamu alikum, Peace be to you

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said "None of you will enter paradise unless you believe and none of you truly believe unless you love one another".  We are guided by the scripture stating "Then, We sent after them Our Messengers, and We sent Jesus - son of Mary, and gave him the Injeel (Gospel), and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him". (Qur'an, 57:27).  When we consider that love and compassion for one another is at the center of both of our faiths, can we now, at last, follow these teachings?

Back when Mayor Rudy Giuliani was a political frontrunner, you endorsed his candidacy, despite the fact that he is quite liberal and often differs with Evangelicals on many important issues. Muslims were very opposed to Mayor Giuliani because he often engaged in racist, anti-Islamic rhetoric against all Muslims.  We still suspect that your significant endorsement was for exactly the same reason as our humble opposition: his anti-Islamic views, and support of Zionism.  

Now that Giuliani is defeated, we are reaching out to you in hopes of making peace with you by building on what we all have in common: the love of God our Creator, who teaches us to know one another and work together: "O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Qur'an  49:13)  

People of faith all across the world -- and in America -- are protesting the siege of Gaza and the slow genocide being committed against the civilian Palestinian population, from whom Israel is denying not only access to food, water, medicine, but also gas and electricity.  Public protests across our nation were held in support of freedom and justice to the innocent Palestinians.  Hundreds of human rights organizations and groups, including many Jewish groups inside Israel, rushed aid, and made their voices heard to condemn this war crime by Israel.  Courageous rabbis and Christian Church leaders held high the Palestinian flags, as their way of solidarity with the suffering Palestinians. 

Jews, Christians and Muslims are all considered "People of the Book." We find our common origins in beliefs in the teaching of prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and many of the other prophets you find in your Old Testament. In today's troubled world, theologians from all three religions are condemning the principle of Zionism, which is clearly distinct from Judaism, calling attention to the dreadful truth that Zionism is pure racism and has absolutely no foundation in any scripture.  Listen to the voices of opposition to Israeli oppression.  The Christian Palestinians are appalled by your silence. When will you condemn Israel for its massacres? They are asking why a man who preaches the Bible would support injustice and terrorism.  Why you oppose two States living side by side in peace and call it "suicide of Israel?"  Why don't you support a single state where all Jews, Christians, and Muslims have equal rights?  

We recognize that you have held on to your position for a very long time, but now anyone can see the horrors and injustice of State Terrorism and what it is doing to our security and economy here in America.  We hope you come to the right path and consider these ideas proposed towards mutual reconciliation.

1. Meet with "People of the Book"  

We would like to invite you to meet with rabbis along with Christian and Muslim leaders who believe in cooperation, co-existence, and working together for peace.  This is an opportunity for a dialogue on theological basis, connecting all of us in the worship of the same One God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon all of them).  This very moment in human history is an opportunity to witness that all the scriptures call for love and mercy, and all reject racism, injustice, occupation, oppression, and terrorism. Rev. Robertson, will you accept our invitation?

 2. Stop the Hate Speech

Anti-Islamic provocations such as your famous quote, "Muslims are worse than the Nazis," has to stop.  Hateful speech targeting any groups cannot be tolerated. Will you immediately pledge to stop any hate speech and distance yourself from anyone with affiliation to Zionist / Racist / Hate groups?

3. Speak out against Israeli terrorism

The United Nations has condemned the acts of Israel; many call it a war crime.  The notion that Israel is permitted to break all international laws for so called "security reasons" is completely reprehensible.  Rev. Robertson, as a Christian leader preaching the Bible, will you loudly and clearly condemn the actions of Israel and call it "State Terrorism?"

4. Support American Health Care with American Resources

The issue of health care reforms is well discussed in recent presidential debates for the 47 million Americans without health care. Yet the argument against health care for all Americans is often that it is too expensive.  During the recent Bush trip to Israel, despite Israeli abuse of the Palestinians, a very generous $30 Billion aid package was handed out to Israel.  Rev. Robertson, all people of faith in this country believe in compassion and helping our fellow Americans who are in need, struggling during these difficult times.  Can we count on your voice to demand and press for an immediate freeze on the $30 Billion aid package to Israel , and the redirection of this money to be used as an emergency fund toward health care for the uninsured in America?  

5. Recognize that there is no Compulsion in religion

"There is no compulsion in religion" Quran 2:256. It is estimated nearly 500 Americans embrace Islam every day, including many women, well educated Americans such as college professors and students, even misters of Churches.  This should not be viewed in anyway as an area of contentions, nor should it alarm you to wage efforts towards converting Muslims to Christianity.  We are disturbed that you seem to be exploiting charity in order to wage efforts towards converting Muslims to Christianity.  We are concerned that significant donations collected by you are spent in poor and devastated areas in such regions as Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Southeast Asia where food is delivered in one hand, and the Bible in the other.  We have received many reports, including video footage documenting that the goal of missionaries in Iraq is to convert Muslims to Christianity while under US occupation.  We consider this as a form of "compulsion" or at least coercion, which is scripturally unacceptable. Rev. Robertson, will you respect our diversity and choices, and give help to the needy and most vulnerable people without conditions or expectations?

Rev. Robertson, we can think of more issues that require mutual cooperation, but the above five actions are certainly a good starting point for a change.  We offer you the olive branch -- a change towards cooperation with people that you really don't yet know well enough. Come get to know us, because when you do, you will find Muslims who are good Americans with ways to work together and resolve the challenges ahead of all of us. 

Rev. Robertson, thank you for your consideration.  We look forward to your reply.  

The Management team of MuslimBridges
Representing American Muslim Volunteers
Looking for Peace, Building Bridges. 
MuslimBridges.org
27475 Ynez Rd
Temecula, CA 92591   

###

MuslimBridges.org is a non-profit faith-based California Corporation founded in December 2006, and run one-hundred percent by volunteers.  It was founded with the mission to help spread peace, and to build bridges between people of all faiths-Jews, Christians and Muslims.  The website, launched on Jan 22, 2007, is non-commercial, not-for-profit and does not accept donations.  For additional details on the organization and the programs please visit:  http://www.muslimbridges.org/.

 . End .