Muslim organizations thank Presbyterians for divestment vote

July 3, 2014

Dear:
Ruling Elder Heath Rada                        The Rev. Gradye Parsons
PC(USA) Moderator PC(USA)                  Stated Clerk
Hunter Farrall                                        Linda Valentine
PC(USA) World Missions                         PC(USA) Executive Director

On behalf of American Muslims, we, representatives of some of the largest Muslim organizations nationally and locally in Chicago, write to offer our heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the Presbyterian Church (USA) for its courageous and difficult vote to divest from three companies complicit in Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian people.

Justice is a strong tenet that runs through our faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s move to expand its socially responsible investment policies to hold Hewlett Packard, Motorola Solutions and Caterpillar accountable for their role in the oppression of the Palestinian people sets the standards for other faith-based institutions and, ultimately, corporations to do the same.

Palestine is not just a Palestinian issue. It is also an issue that is important to members of all three Abrahamic faiths. All the prophets, from Adam, Abraham, and Moses through Muhammad (may God be pleased with all of them) have some connection to Palestine, whether they were born there, died there or passed through. We write to assure you that affording Palestinians their inherent human rights will not detract from the human rights of Jews or Christians living in the region. We write with great hope that one day we will see a free Palestine and that all people, regardless of creed or heritage, will live in peace, security and with equal rights in the Holy Land. The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s divestment vote means this dream is one step closer to reality.

We understand there was great pressure from what are called mainline Jewish organizations that do not support boycott or divestment. But, we urge your Church to think upon all the Jewish people who stand in solidarity with Palestinians and who support this vote. Working side by side, all of us can stand on the right side of history and justice and look forward to a rich future full of diverse and positive interfaith cooperation.

We certainly look forward to more opportunities to get to know our Presbyterian neighbors and find ways to work together to make our neighborhoods, our country and the world a better place.

With God’s peace and blessings,

American Muslims for Palestine
Islamic Circle of North America
Muslim American Society Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
Muslim Legal Fund of America
Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (A federation of 60 Muslim organizations)
Mosque Foundation
Islamic Community Center of Illinois
Muslim Educational and Cultural Center of America

CC: Katherine Cunningham
Amgad Beblawi