September 26, 2010

The Western New York Chapter of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, along with the Network of Religious Communities and others groups, came together on Aug. 26 for "Tent of Abraham" and the second "Abraham's Walk." Bringing together about 175 people, MPAC-WNY invited 10 interfaith leaders to speak and was able to raise 1,500 lbs. of food and cash to be donated to the needy in the region. The event fell in the middle of Ramadan, which allowed guests to partake in iftar with the Muslim community.

On Sept. 11, MPAC-WNY also hosted a 9/11 commemoration and interfaith dialogue about the current status of Muslims at the Islamic Center in Amherst, New York.

Representatives of several faiths gathered to show support to Muslims. With about 50 people in attendance, many of the speakers, which included representatives of Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism, acknowledged that Islam is under attack and delivered messages of solidarity.

"We as Muslims were actually held responsible for this barbaric act," said Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York. "For the actions of those 19 terrorists who truly had a visceral hatred for America, we were not prepared for that onslaught.

"We condemned the attacks in the strongest terms we could -- without reservation," he added.

Among those in attendance was the Rev. Stan Bratton of the Network of Religious Communities, who said "We need to tell the truth that Islam is not a religion of terrorists."