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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Babette Josephs |
  
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Josephs: forum needed to promote tolerance instead of bigotry
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., is calling on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to hold a forum to discuss the issue of inter-group relationships and the challenges Muslims face in the state.
Josephs today sent a letter to Stephen Glassman, chairman of the commission, asking for this forum in the wake of Wednesday's incident on the House floor in which Rep. Daryl Metcalfe objected to a resolution formally recognizing the 60th annual convention of the U.S. chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community because "the Muslims do not recognize Jesus Christ as God."
"I believe that this statement has the potential to do great harm to the members of the Muslim community who reside in our Commonwealth. This outrageous pronouncement does nothing but contribute to an environment of intolerance, fear and prejudice that, unfortunately, currently exists," Josephs wrote.
"I have already protested the remarks in question on the House floor and requested to have them stricken from the official record. However, more action is needed."
Josephs noted that incidents of hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims have increased significantly in recent years and this should not be tolerated in a country that was founded on a desire to pursue freedom of religion in the face of persecution.
"Our goals should include the difficult, but necessary, task of developing ways to counter bigotry by promoting a greater understanding of our differences as exposed and highlighted by our similarities," Josephs said in her letter.
"It is paramount that Members of the General Assembly be strongly encouraged to join with members of the Muslim community and others in order that we may attempt to turn this situation into a teaching moment about tolerance.
"With your assistance, we can take a dark and ugly occurrence that occurred on the floor of our respected House Chambers and use it to promote the tolerance and understanding that our founders intended."
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