Inclusive Justice Initiative: Letter of Solidarity — Islamic Center of Naperville
Recently a video began circulating on social media showing a Naperville teen burning a copy of the Holy Quran. Below is an excerpt of the Islamic Center of Naperville’s response to the desecration.
“The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN), unequivocally, condemns all forms of hate, and violence against any human being, organization or religion — an edict that is prescribed by our faith. The recent, horrendous action of the desecration of our revered Holy Quran was indeed hurtful to the entire Muslim community. However, as part of our Islamic faith’s principles of forgiveness and mercy, we overlook the naiveté of the young perpetrator as an act of ignorance, and we urge that the youth’s identity be protected for their safety.”
A letter of solidarity from St. Thomas, signed by Fr. Peter and Jane Barnes (Inclusive Justice Initiative), was sent to the Islamic Center of Naperville.
The people of St. Thomas the Apostle want to express to you our shock and sadness at the desecration of your Holy Quran. We stand in solidarity with you in rejecting such abhorrent expressions of disrespect and ignorance toward you as a community of faith in God and an integral part of our city.
May God be with you in strength and peacefulness and may we all stand together to create a better world in our own backyard.
In prayer and solidarity.
