Reference imageIn an open letter to the residents of Shrewsbury, the Shrewsbury Clergy Association especially offers support to neighbor Mr. Rashid Shaikh, his family, and friends, after an anonymous anti-Muslim letter was mass-mailed to some households in the Town.
Mr. Shaikh is a Muslim Pakistan-born neighbor, naturalized American, and activist, who arrived in the USA as an immigrant “with just $1,000 in his pockets,” according to an interview made by the Telegram in September 2010. He has lost the race for a seat on the Board of Selectmen two times.
Following, The Shrewsbury Post presents the entire piece:
Open Letter to the Residents of Shrewsbury
From the Shrewsbury Clergy Association
May 10, 2017
Dear Neighbors,
As an ecumenical clergy group, the Shrewsbury Clergy Association wants to take this opportunity to add to the many voices in our community, heard over the past several months, speaking words of peace, welcome, hospitality, and support for all those who live and/or work in Shrewsbury. Our town is blessed to be made up of many faiths and lifestyles, and we want to express not only support and appreciation for the contributions made to our town by all who live and work in it but also encouragement to everyone to participate in and contribute to our town creatively through the varied interests and resources each person and family has.
We all see from news at home and abroad that we are living in difficult times. Unfortunately, not everyone feels warmly welcomed everywhere in the world. At this time, we especially offer our support to Mr. Rashid Shaikh, his family and friends. We hope that they will feel the community support we have all come to associate with life in Shrewsbury. The members of the Shrewsbury Clergy Association join with all in our community who are extending the hand of welcoming friendship. On behalf of our faith communities, we extend hospitality and welcome to all, regardless of race, nationality, faith tradition, sexual and gender identities, and economic background in the hope that we can share our town in peace and mutual respect.
Our doors are open to everyone, and we invite on-going conversation about how we can make our town even more welcoming and supportive of all who come to share it.
In peace and with hope,
The Shrewsbury Clergy Association:
Rev. Nancy Allen, Wellspring United Methodist Church
Fr. Nicholas Apostola, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
Rev. Dr. Susan L. DeHoff, Pastoral Counselor, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Lynne Dolan, First Congregational Church
Fr. John Foley, St. Anne’s Church
Rev. Andrew C. Heisen, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church
Rev. Robert Henry Hyde, First Congregational Church
Msgr. Michael Rose, St Mary’s Church
Related:
Muslim candidate for Selectman denounced “smear campaign” against him (+ letter)
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