Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Interfaith groups respond to hate
Religious leaders are prepared to act quickly the next time swastikas or racial slurs show up in their communities.
The Clergy Coalition of Coral Springs & Parkland announced a new initiative Monday at a news conference at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Coral Springs. It’s called the Interfaith Rapid Response to Hate.
The response might involve removing spray paint, placing an ad of solidarity in a newspaper, or raising money to repair damages, said Rabbi Bradd Boxman of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland.
“This rapid response network is about putting in place the mechanism that if there is any kind of hate crime we’re ready to respond,” he said. “It’s not a matter of who do we need to contact, who’s our neighbors? We’re already united.”
The team is comprised of at least 10 faith-based organizations and individuals in the greater Coral Springs and Parkland area, using cell phones to notify each other should an act of hate happen in the area. Then they determine a strategy of how to help.
Boxman hopes the news conference helps expand the group to other faithbased organizations both in his area and elsewhere.
Pastor Randall Cutter, of New Dawn Community Church in Coral Springs, has been part of the Clergy Coalition for more than 30 years.
“During that time, our goal has been to bring together the community so that we are able to know one another, because when you know someone and you care for them, it is difficult to make them into the other,” he said. “It’s us together.”
U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch told the audience of about 70 people that it’s important to not let bigotry become normalized and to work together as a group to prevent anyone from being afraid.
“One of the most dangerous things we can do is stay silent,” he said.
Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky emphasized the importance of people getting to know each other.
“It’s really amazing what people can do when they decide to focus on what we have in common as opposed to those few things that may divide us,” she said.
Hafiz Furkhan Hakeem Omri, Imam of the Islamic Foundation of South Florida based in Sunrise, said the Prophet Mohammed taught him to have good relations with his neighbors, his community and society as a whole.
“We have to maintain peace. It doesn’t matter if they belong to any religion, or any color, or any sect or any nationality. As a human being, Islam said you are from one,” he said.
The clergy group adds that anyone who witnesses or experiences a hate crime or simply wants to join the network can call an on-call clergy person at 954-809-4454.