"Stigmatized"

Dr. Reza Mansoor is my friend. He is a friend to many. He opens paths. He clears paths. He is a stonecatcher. 

I first met Reza several years ago while building Habitat for Humanity homes in Hartford. He was on the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut (MCCT) crew. The assembled construction crews were part of Hartford Habitat's interfaith collaborations designed to bring diverse faith communities together in side-by-side unity to build homes for families in need of simple, decent places to live.

In the intervening years since we met, our paths have intersected several times: on more Habitat builds, at a Hartford shelter's kitchen when my church volunteered with the MCCT team, and at numerous interfaith gatherings, where many people of diverse religious backgrounds have come together to learn from each other, and to share their common calling to love and serve their neighbors.

Dr. Mansoor has just published a book worthy of our attention. "Stigmatized: From 9/11 to Trump and Beyond, An American Muslim Journey".  Check out the book's website.

The following excerpts from testimonials found on the website are persuasive:

"In his recent work, Dr. Reza Mansoor describes the role of his Muslim brethren in the building of our nation... Those who revere Islam have as much to do with America's success as do Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, or any other religious sect...Sameness did not build America. Difference did...What makes us brothers is our love of America. This is what Dr. Mansoor's book celebrates."

Governor Lowell P. Weicker
Former Governor, 

State of Connecticut

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"This is a compelling and down to earth description of the experience of being a normal American citizen who is Muslim, seeking to practice his faith in post 9/11 USA, in which overt acts of hatred and the willful mis-understanding of Islam on the part of some, have been mixed with acts of friendship and solidarity on the part of others. Dr Mansoor's response to his experience within the Muslim community has been one that seeks in multiple ways to strengthen its identity and its institutions within the USA."

Dr. Heidi Hadsell
President,
Hartford Seminary

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"What I really like about this book is Dr. Reza doesnʼt just identify the problems that exist, he gives examples of successful strategies that can be used to eliminate those problems. He gives the reader countless stories about the great work that continues to be done in Connecticut by those Muslims who have made it their business to be pro-active! Muslims, who have been called to action to improve the image of the Muslims, not by talking or being seen in nicely placed photo ops, but by getting involved with issues that effect and concern the communities."

Imam Dr. Salahuddin M. Muhammad
Imam Emeritus – Newburgh masjid
Newburgh, New York.

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"This book is an important book for all those who yearn to see the true face of Islam, but also, it's a book that will inspire us to open the doors of our own faith communities to work together with others to make this world a better and more peaceful place for our children."

Rev. David W. Good
Minister Emeritus
The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

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"Into this climate of fear and bigotry stepped many heroes: ordinary Muslims who reclaimed the voice of Islam and their interfaith partners who stood beside them for the common good. In his memoir, Reza Mansoor tells the compelling story of his community and how they faced these challenges together."

Dr. Ingrid Mattson,
Past President,
Islamic Society of North America

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"You feel like you are sitting very close to Reza as he is sharing his experiences of what it means to be a Muslim in the US today...It is something worth reflecting on and to take to heart, when Reza writes about those who once left dictatorial regimes and oppression for the dream of the freedom of the USA and now increasingly see how the US...is becoming more and more like the states the immigrants and refugees once fled from.

But this book...is also a call to Muslims in the US to refuse being defined by the other...a call to Muslims to contribute creatively to open houses for new exchanges, new alliances and networks with people of different faiths, prepared to work together for a plural society, where respect for the other is a common value."

Rev. Dr. Hans Ucko,
Former Program Secretary for Interreligious Relations and Dialogue
World Council of Churches,
Geneva.

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"While the lens through which we understand the Middle East and its tragic modern politics are not always the same, we must always be open to each other's narrative. It will only be the mutual hope and confidence that arises out of the commonalities of our faith traditions---the idea that justice and peace are not ours to impose, but are Divine gifts and imperatives---that will help us overcome human antipathy toward the "other," someone different."

Rabbi Herbert Brockman, PhD
Congregation Mishkan Israel
Lecturer, Yale Divinity School
New Haven, CT



Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

"Honest Conversations With Muslim Neighbors" April 28, 2016

Don Shaw, Jr.
Write and Editor
RedTruckstonectcher.com

"Getting to Know Your Muslim Neighbors"

Muslim Coalition of Connecticut shelter serve - September 5, 2015 at Mercy shelter - thank you to all our volunteers!

The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury's "Getting to Know Your Muslim Neighbors" program promises to be an excellent interfaith learning opportunity.

Rev. Richard Allen and South Church have been on the vanguard of interfaith collaborations for years. I've seen first hand the good works of South Church and the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut through my work with them at Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity.

Please read Hartford Courant reporter Peter Marteka's  March 31, 2016 article titled Church To Host Series On Islam, which I printed in its entirety below.

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com



Church To Host Series On Islam

By PETER MARTEKA

pmarteka@courant.com


GLASTONBURY — Over the past decade Richard Allen, the senior minister at Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, has worked with what he calls his “Muslim neighbors” on everything from Habitat for Humanity to sharing worship experiences.

“Walking together to end hunger, sharing worship experiences in church and mosque, having coffee at local cafes, have allowed me to discover the humanity of my neighbors,” he said. “My many Muslim friends have enabled me to leave my stereotypical thinking behind. I am a much better person today because of these friendships.”

The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, which has a long history of working with other faith communities, is hosting a new series: “Getting to Know Your Muslim Neighbors.” Allen said the church is “committed to building strong relationships with all people, including people of different religious faiths and ethnic backgrounds.”

The series, given by members of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, will be held on the first Monday in April, May and June. The talks are free and open to the public and are held at 7 p.m. at the church, at 949 Main St. in South Glastonbury.

On Monday, the subject will be: “Understanding Islam and Muslims”; May 2 “Women in Islam”; and June 6 “Hot Button Issues Pertaining to Islam and Muslims.” The programs will be presented by Dr.Reza Mansoor, founding member of the Muslim Coalition, and Aida Mansoor, president of the coalition.

Aida Mansoor said 62 percent of Americans have never met a Muslim and are “more likely to believe the misperceptions and stereotypes.”

“The concern of American Muslims is that there is so much misinformation about Islam and Muslims,” she said. “The goal of these community conversations is to address these misconceptions and stereotypes and also provide a human connection. We need to humanize one another and this can only be done by face-to-face interactions.”

The coalition was founded in 2004 by a group of local leaders to provide an alternative to the negative illustrations of Muslims. The organization focuses on educating the public on Islam and Muslims and building alliances with other faith communities.
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Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors

Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors

Hosted by the Greater Suffield Interfaith Council, this Conversation is an an excellent opportunity to learn more about our Muslim neighbors as they reach out to share their stories.  To RSVP and for more information, please email the CT Council for Interreligious Understanding, or call First Church of Christ, Congregational at (860) 668-7223.

Don Shaw, Jr.

Writer and Editor

RedTruckStonecatcher.com