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Petition to the General Conference, 2004, In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions, PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 3 SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: Prejudice Against Muslims and Arabs in the U.S.A. PETITION CONCERNS: Resolution #69 FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None PETITION TEXT: Amend Resolution 69 as follows: Today in the United States of America there are approximately 3 million persons who are adherents of Islam. Arab Americans, both Christian and Muslim, constitute a growing number of persons in the American population. These persons are suffering the effects of a particularly virulent prejudice too often aided and abetted by statements and images in the media and by rhetoric from some of the highest political leadership. The suffering of this community has increased dramatically since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As part of the fabric of racism in the U.S.A., in which both subtle and violent acts continue against ethnic minority groups and persons, such acts are also being perpetrated against the Arab and Muslim communities in the U.S.A. These expressions of racism manifested in violent acts have also increased since September 11, 2001. Arab American organization offices, mosques, and Islamic centers have been bombed and torched. Leaders of these communities have been murdered and questionable uses of law have been utilized to stifle the rights of association and freedom of expression. Arab persons and/or persons looking like Arabs are being detained in airports and other places without justification. They are continuously submitted to harassment and discrimination. Though discriminatory acts against Arabs and Muslims do not stand in isolation from similar acts perpetrated against other racial and ethnic minority persons in the U.S.A., their existence and effects upon Arabs and Muslims have been little acknowledged in U.S. society, with concomitant deleterious effect on U.S. perceptions, internationally, as they touch upon relations with predominantly Arab and Muslim nations and organizations. Therefore, The United Methodist Church, in the knowledge that Jesus calls us to the blessings of peacemaking and reminds us that the highest law is to love God and neighbor, calls its members and its leaders: (1) To oppose demagoguery, manipulation, and image making that seeks to label Arabs and Muslims in a negative way; (2) To counter stereotypical and bigoted statements made against Muslims and Islam, Arabs and Arabic culture; (3) To increase knowledge of neighbor by study and personal contact that yield a greater appreciation of the Muslim and Arabic contributions to society; (4) To act decisively to include Arabs and Muslims in interfaith and community organizations; and (5) To pray for the perfection of community among us and to participate fully in the process of bringing it into being. (6) To publicly denounce through statements from the Council of Bishops and the General Board of Church and Society current practices that discriminate against this community. In order to aid United Methodists to respond to this call, all boards, agencies, and institutions of The United Methodist Church are requested to provide resources and program and, where appropriate, to act in advocacy. DATE: November 24, 2003 SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806 |
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