Multi-Faith Leaders Urge Compassion For Refugees During Vigil At Muslim American Society

A multi-faith gathering was held at the Muslim American Society (1933 Bath Avenue) in Bath Beach Wednesday to condemn the recent terror attacks in France, and demonstrate that Islam is a religion of peace, reports News 12 Brooklyn.

“If anyone is thinking they can kill anyone using this book, 100%, he is not Muslim,” said Ali Kamel of the Bronx Muslim Center holding up a Koran.

Faith leaders at the event urged compassion towards refugees from Syria, who are facing backlash from American legislators in the wake of last week’s violence.

Some Jewish clergy members drew a comparison between the struggle of the Syrians to find a safe haven and the xenophobia Jews faced when fleeing Nazi Germany half a century ago.

“As a Jew, I am particularly historically aware of the need for sanctuary and safe haven for refugees, and the most important thing we can do to honor those who perished, is to welcome refugees who are living and fleeing similar violence,” said Rabbi Michael Feinberg, executive director of Labor-Religion Coalition.

Lawmakers in congress and the senate, including Representative Daniel Donovan, who represents Staten Island and chunks of southern Brooklyn, have been pushing for a bill to halt the Obama administration’s plan to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States. In addition, more than half of U.S. governors have said they will block Syrian refugees from being settled in their states.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

Check out News 12’s video coverage of yesterday’s event here.