Keep Religion Out of Mosque Project Debate
Dear Editor,
I am dismayed at the Aug. 10 letter to the editor entitled “Why Build a Mosque in San Martin?” I do not believe that the writers’ concerns and questions are reflective of the concerns of our community at large.
The six “tests” offered by the writers’ as a condition for approval of the project are clearly outside of any local jurisdiction’s scope.
It is pointless to answer the questions raised in the letter. Our Constitution, which the writers profess to support, seeks to create a nation where personal animus plays no part in decisions of this sort. An assessment of the proposed community should be based strictly on the merits, local zoning requirements, community impact and land-use aspects of the project.
Tony Tissot, Morgan Hill
Build Masjid in San Martin
Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of building Masjid in San Martin area. This will perhaps bring understanding to Islam and Muslims. There is lot of misconception about Islam.
Usman Ansari, Santa Clara
Fundamentalists Attack Muslim Mosque Project
Dear Editor,
As a 20-year member of the San Martin community, I can no longer sit back and read the one-sided representation of our community that is being printed in your paper.
With regards to the building of a mosque in San Martin, I have seen examples of arrogance, greed and narrow-mindedness, and very few examples of what our country was founded on – tolerance.
Any belief taken to an extreme is fundamentalism. As a Christian, I have empathy for my Muslim neighbors as I watch my faith taken over by fundamentalist who claim to speak for Jesus, but whose actions are anything but Christian. Christians take a chance for peace, as do real Jews, real Muslims, real Hindus, real Buddhists, and all the faith traditions of the world.
The American dream can and should exist, even in San Martin.
Luanne Giacalone, San Martin
All Faith Groups Must Be Welcome
Dear Editor,
A year has passed since I arrived in this area as acting Rabbi of Congregation Emeth, the synagogue serving the Jewish community of the South Valley. During that time, I have been most impressed with the wonderful people in the area – the warmth, the caring, the open hands both in greeting and in helping others in need.
Some of the letters to the editor in recent weeks regarding the new Islamic Center are surprising exceptions to that experience. Judaism teaches that we are all born of the same God, with the same potential to improve humanity. All religious communities must be welcome, and every individual should not only feel free but also safe to join with people who share their faith and worship in the House of God of their choosing. The Jewish people know all too well what happens when we deny others the freedom to express themselves religiously. Faith gives each of us the opportunity to discover the finer parts of ourselves and elevate it to serve humanity. Let us pray that our South Valley communities continue to thrive in the spirit of extending that opportunity to all.
Debbie Israel, Acting Rabbi , Congregation Emeth
