Muslims, like us, are God’s children

Recently, my wife and I went to an open house at our local Islamic Center. Hundreds of people were warmly welcomed. We got to hear how Islam is one of the world’s major religions, based on the same roots as Christianity and Judaism. We heard how Islam believes in faith, family and community, just as our churches do. Visitors learned how Muslims work in our community, own businesses, and serve in health care and education.

This event made me proud that, in Chattanooga, our different faiths and ethnic traditions can get along.

Today in our country, anti-Muslim groups want to ban Muslims, ban refugees fleeing war and cut back on immigration. These groups want people to hate Islam because of acts of terrorism committed by a few Muslims.

To blame Islam for terrorist acts is like hating all the members of a church because one of its members or ex-members committed a crime.

I hope and pray that in the Chattanooga area, we can prevent these anti-Muslim hate groups from gaining a foothold. We have a strong community. We do not need it broken down by hatred. We are all children of God.

Allen Chesney