Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Letter to the Islamic School of Rhode Island



This is the text of a letter I sent today to the Islamic School of RI, which was recently attacked and vandalized with incredibly hateful messages.  We should stand in solidarity against this kind of bigotry and hatred, which has no place in our society.

Dear Students, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Members of the Board of Trustees, Supporters and Friends of the Islamic School of Rhode Island:

It is with outrage and profound sadness that we received the news of bigoted and hateful messages spray-painted illegally and cruelly onto your precious school.  We condemn the actions, and more importantly, the spirit of hatred that caused them. 

Coming on the heels of the vicious attack and brutal killing of three upstanding Muslim students in North Carolina, and just one day after your school’s memorial of those honorable victims, may they rest in peace, it seems unlikely that the timing was coincidental.  Rather, the vandalism of your school was likely intended to rub salt in the proverbial wound and was calculated to cause increased fear and anxiety.  This makes these otherwise horrific actions that much worse. 

We extend our hands in offering you support during this time, and pledge to work together to fight intolerance and hatred all too common in our world.  Sharing the belief that all people are created in the image of the one true God, we join together with you in prayers for peace and respect. Assalamu alaykum.  

Sincerely,


Barry Dolinger

1 comment:

  1. As a former employee and parent of ISRI I would like to thank you for the solidarity and words of peace you have shown us. The world could learn from you and others who have stood with us and others in these times of hate. When voices speak out against injustices then we will know peace.Although I'm sadden over our school being graffitied with Hate but what
    it has awakened in its aftermath is a topic that needs addressing.
    The propaganda of hate displayed day after day by our leaders and media has caused an environment of fear and hate.Today Muslims are the face of the hated but we have seen this tactic in our history Blacks ,Jews, Japanese ,Native Americans and so many more people, human-beings made out to be the enemy of mankind.
    In turn we create societies filled with fear, ignorance of the truth based on insane evil individuals which fill people with only Hate...
    So this, this subject is real, it needs addressing, it needs action. Not just by a few but by all our families,communities our leaders our governments and most of all our individual Selves...
    Time for change...
    Bless you Barry and the many who show their voices and true love of thy neighbor.

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