Interfaith Roundtable supports Islamic Cultural Center

SALT LAKE CITY — While opponents of the proposed Islamic Cultural Center near Ground Zero in New York City have stepped up their fight against the building, members of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable issued a statement in support of Muslims and the proposed center.

The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable is made up of about 150 people of different faiths who first came together to serve as chaplains for the athletes participating in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. They stayed together to promote understanding and tolerance of the different faiths in Utah with events like their annual Interfaith Concert.

Wednesday, the members said they stand united against anti-Muslim sentiment that has emerged throughout the country, specifically the Florida pastor who wanted to burn copies of the Quran. They believe the Islamic Cultural Center in New York City will be a place of peace.

The group issued a statement Wednesday, which reads in part, "The recent events of hateful speech and actions, confusion and misinformation about American Muslims that have spread across our nation have deeply concerned and pained us. A significant number of our Salt Lake Interfaith community are Muslims, who have been actively promoting love, harmony and understanding in our community."

"When the Muslim faith is under attack, all faiths are under attack," said Alan Bachman, chairman of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable. "Now that's putting it negatively. I could put it positively and say when faiths stand up for another faith, all faiths benefit."

To read the full statement by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable go online to http://interfaithroundtable.org/ read the full statement

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