Cabinet Condemns Billboards Regarded as Islamophobic

On Thursday, June 11th, 2015, the Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership released the following statement:

We, the members of the Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership, reaffirm our commitment to work toward equality for all our citizens. As we seek to tear down the racial disparities and prejudices that divide us, we remember a fundamental principle of all of our faith traditions—that we are called to treat others as we wish to be treated.

Billboards with cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad have been posted in the St. Louis area. Our Muslim friends and neighbors, and 1.2 billion Muslims around the world, regard it as an offense to depict the Prophet Muhammad in any way through pictures and drawings. It is also offensive to those who believe in freedom of speech which does not provoke violence and honors the basic tenets of others.

As we seek meaningful change and healing, let us honor the basic tenets of others. Let us pray for understanding of the pain of others. Let us hear one another. Let us commit to creating real solutions that bring an end to unequal treatment and unequal opportunity. Let us all help build a more just and peaceful community.

Interfaith Partnership includes 29 different faith groups in the St. Louis area. Our motto: “As communities of faith, we agree to differ, promise to love, and unite to serve.”

Rev. C. Jessel Strong, Cabinet Chair
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Dr. Paul F. Hintze, Cabinet Vice Chair
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

For a complete list of Cabinet members, please click here.