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'We Are Here in a Time of Pain.' Local Reaction to Mosque Attacks
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 15, 2019

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Fresno’s religious community expressed sympathy and shock over the massacre of 49 Muslim parishioners attending prayers Friday in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The interfaith community gathered at an Islamic community center for a news conference to show solidarity with Muslims in the wake of an international tragedy.

Click on the video above to see and hear from the leaders.

Shocked and Devastated

Thabet Anani, program director with My Deen, a Muslim community organization in Fresno, worried about the repercussions.

“It felt like it could happen here at any moment. And, it did create worry and concern in my heart toward my community as well,” Anani said.

Anani spoke while a dozen or so leaders representing a multitude of faiths stood behind him at My Deen in northeast Fresno. The hastily organized event was sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations Sacramento Valley/Central California.

Like many Muslim groups in the wake of the attacks in New Zealand, My Deen plans to increase security.

An Unwelcome Return Visit

“There are beautiful words in all of our religious traditions, but none of that is nearly as powerful as a hug.”Rabbi Rick Winer

Rabbi Rick Winer, spiritual leader at Temple Beth Israel in Fresno, wants to return spiritual support to his Muslim brothers and sisters.

The Fresno religious community, including Muslim leaders, reached out to Winer last year after a massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh and alleged vandalism at Temple Beth Israel.

“Unfortunately, it is time for us to be there for them. There are beautiful words in all of our religious traditions, but none of that is nearly as powerful as a hug,” Winer said. “Several of us will be checking in with the local community in person because we know what it feels like. It feels good to have friends in times like this.”

He added that this was another unfortunate but not unexpected tragedy.

“I am not surprised, however, I am horrified. Our hearts go out to our friends to the Muslim community,” Winer said.

Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner, with the United Japanese Christian Church in Clovis, noted how her parishioners felt the sting of racism in the past.

“Our community has also known the pain of discrimination, and we stand in love and support and solidarity with all of you,” she said.

Photo of Fresno interfaith leaders
Fresno interfaith leaders gather at My Deen in support of Muslims following the mosque attacks that killed at least 49 people in New Zealand. (GV Wire)

Calling Out Complacency

 

“We stand together in times of good, and we stand together in times of pain. Today, we are here in a time of pain.”Reza Nekumanesh, ICCF

Reza Nekumanesh of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno delivered perhaps the most impassioned plea.

“We stand together in times of good, and we stand together in times of pain. Today, we are here in a time of pain,” he said.

He called out complacency.

“They lived in a place where anti-immigrant rhetoric, where white supremacist rhetoric, where hateful rhetoric, racist rhetoric was the norm and OK’d … When these things are allowed to persist, when they are allowed to exist, when they are allowed to shine in the public and we stand by and say or do nothing, this is the outcome,” Nekumanesh said.

Work of the Devil

News of the slaughter in New Zealand shocked Pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church in Fresno, who was not at the news conference but spoke with GV Wire beforehand.

“I know this is not coming from God. I know this comes definitely from the enemy, the devil. And, that’s from a spiritual standpoint — the darkness that has invaded so much of world. We have to repel that with the truth.” — Pastor Jim Franklin

“This was unbelievable to see this attack on people of faith. There is never any excuse for this,” Franklin said. “We got to renounce this in every way … it’s happening too much.”

Franklin said such actions are antithetical to the Christian faith.

“I know this is not coming from God. I know this comes definitely from the enemy, the devil. And, that’s from a spiritual standpoint — the darkness that has invaded so much of world. We have to repel that with the truth.”

 

 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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