Imam Shamsi Ali support letter to Mayor Jim Kenney

Dear Mayor Kenney,

I send you and the city of Philadelphia my heartfelt prayers for the speedy recovery of Officer Jesse Hartnet, one of our nation's brave heroes, following the horrible incident he suffered at the hands of a man claiming to be a "Muslim" and a supporter of ISIS. As an Islamic scholar and leader in New York City,

Imam Shamsi Ali (center) with New York Jewish leaders.

I feel deep sorrow and anguish by this and other recent attacks, not only for the victims, but also for my embattled Muslim community struggling to overcome the misplaced resentment and hate that such crimes help incite against them nationally.

I write to thank you for your courage and steadfastness for taking the unequivocal and strong stance in your recent press release that this terrible act "...has nothing to do with being a Muslim or following the Islamic faith." It is of critical importance for public safety and Philadelphia's diverse community to hear the truth from enlightened leaders like yourself, that only those who commit the crime are deserving of blame for their actions and must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

We need your level-headed and calming voice to reverberate in a political and social climate otherwise overwhelmed by negative rhetoric and rising Islamophobia.

May this be the last heinous crime to happen in Philadelphia and to any of Philly's brave young men and woman. May God bless your work as the new mayor of Philadelphia, and may God protect the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, and all who reside therein.

Sincerely,

Imam Shamsi Ali Director, Jamaica Muslim Center President, Nusantara Foundation An Interfaith activist