A Response to Donald Trump from the Faith Community

As leaders in America's faith community, our institutions do not engage in partisan politics. We do, however, speak to important moral and ethical issues facing our nation.

In this spirit, we write to express in the strongest possible terms our deep disappointment and disgust with the proposal made by you to stop allowing Muslims to enter the United States.

Our faith traditions demand that we extend a welcoming hand to those in need. America is an immigrant nation. We know that many have come to our country, and continue to do so, seeking religious freedom and an end to persecution. This is true for Syrian refugees fleeing ISIL today, and many others displaced by war, conflict and disaster.

We remember that too many religious leaders stood silent as Jews fled Germany during Hitler's rise to power. In fact, some religious leaders and politicians argued that Jews should not be allowed into the United States during that period. In that same timeframe, too many religious leaders stood silent as Japanese-Americans were interned into camps as their patriotism was questioned. Bigotry and discrimination prevailed.

Muslims serve this nation in offices of public service, in our Armed Forces, in law enforcement, and as community builders. These are our neighbors, our friends, and children of God.

We cannot remain silent as political leaders seek to divide Americans along religious lines for partisan gain. Your language and proposals serve only to divide our nation and to bring comfort to ISIL and their allies.

Mr. Trump, as leaders of many faiths we ask that you reflect on your proposals and repudiate those that you have made, that our country may be a beacon of hope and not fear.

Adapted from Faith in Public Life “Open Letter from Faith Leaders to Donald Trump”

Cantor Barbara Ostfeld

Placement Director Emerita

American Conference of Cantors

Rabbi Gary Pokras

Temple Beth Zion

Buffalo, NY

Muslim Public Affairs Council WNY,  Dr Khalid Qazi, Founding President

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein,

Congregation Shir Shalom,

Williamsville, NY

The Very Rev. Will Mebane

Interim Dean

St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral

Buffalo, NY

Rev. Heather Ramsey-Mabrouk

United Church of Christ

Hamburg, NY

Mother Ellen Brauza

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Buffalo, NY

Rev. Elizabeth Duffy

Pastor of Zion United Church of Christ

Tonawanda, NY

Rev. Leslie Latham

First Presbyterian Church

Tonawanda, NY

Rev. Manda Adams

Ordained Pastor

United Church of Christ

North Tonawanda, NY

Richard Wright

First Reader

Church of Christ Scientist

Buffalo-Kenmore

Robert LaVallee

Intern Minister

Church of the Larger Fellowship

Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Dr. Jonathan D. Lawrence

 St. Peter's United Church of Christ

 North Tonawanda 

The Rev. Frances Manly

Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Robert Hagel

First Presbyterian Church

Jamestown, NY

Rev. Merle Showers

United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. M. Bruce McKay

United Church of Christ

Rev. Drew Ludwig

Lafayette Presbyterian Church

Buffalo, NY

The Rev. Jason Elliott

Deacon and Canon Precentor

St Paul's Cathedral and St Andrew's

Buffalo, NY

Rev. Kirk Laubenstein

Coalition for Economic Justice

Buffalo, NY

Riverside-Salem

UCC/DC congregation

Dr. Enid Bloch
Board Member

Congregation Havurah

Rev. K. Wayne Butler

United Methodist Church

Rev. Lee M. Miller II
Lead Pastor
Holy Trinity - Buffalo, NY

Fuad H Sheriff
President
WNY-Muslim Public Affairs Council

Rev. Kenneth W. Neal

United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ

Rev. Bronwen W Boswell

Presbyter of Discipleship Communication and Transformation

Presbytery of Western New York (PCUSA)

Most Rev. Richard J. Malone
Bishop of Buffalo

Rev. Msgr. Paul A. Litwin
Chancellor - Diocese of Buffalo

Rev. Bill Hennessey           

North Presbyterian Church

Khalid J. Qazi

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Anwar Al-Kalai 

Lackawanna Islamic Mosque

Pam Kefi 

Jewish Family Services

Rev. Tom Yorty

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Rasul K. Mohammad 

Islamic Society of Niagara Frontier

Rev.Msgr. Frederick Leising PhD.

Diocese of Buffalo

Hodan Isse

HEAL International

Imam Ismail Ayyash

Islamic Cultural Association of WNY

Rasul K. Mohammad

Islamic Society of Niagara Frontier

Syed S. Jaffri

Jaffarya Center of Niagara Frontier

April Arman

RAHAMA

Imam Fajri Ansari

Masjid Nu’Man

Rev. Dr. William J. Russell
Representing the Niagara Frontier District of the United Methodist Church
to the Network of Religious Communities

Mrs. Mary Jane Russell
Treasurer
Network of Religious Communities

Rev. Paul Varuvel

Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo

Western NY Peace Center, Victoria Ross, Executive Director