April 21: Los Angeles Day of Religious Pluralism

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On April 21, 2015, faith leaders representing various religious traditions from across Los Angeles came together in solidarity to promote religious pluralism and peace and to shun religious discrimination and violence. Invited by the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini (President of the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California), along with other faith leaders, jointly read a statement on Standing Together for Religious Pluralism and Against Persecution and Hate. Imam al-Qazwini’s portion of the statement read: “We affirm with full resolve to stand with those who are persecuted and against those who spout evil ideology, bigotry or hatred, whether the victim or culprit be Jew, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, a person of any faith, or no faith affiliation.” All faith leaders, including City of Los Angeles Council Members and Officials together declared: “We pledge to work together to build bridges of understanding to create a shining light in Los Angeles that can be emulated throughout our nation and throughout the world. United in the name of God as brothers and sisters of faith, we pray for the wisdom and courage to transform despair into hope, conflict into peace, and darkness into light.” April 21 has been declared by the City of Los Angeles as Religious Pluralism Day.
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