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Two High School Seniors Organize An Anti-Islamophobia Rally

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Two High School Seniors Organize an Anti-Islamophobia Rally

On Saturday, January 16, a group of activists organized by two high school seniors from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, marched from the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit to Campus Martius Park to welcome refugees to Michigan and to protest the hate, xenophobia and Islamophobia that has become more rampant in the media and from politicians.Vivien and Elly, both Chaldean/Arab American and Christian

felt strongly about the recent rhetoric coming from Governor Snyder that the vetting process for refugees was not thorough enough and we should not accept any more. They wanted to have a rally and a march to make their voice heard that all refugees whether Christian or Muslim need to be taken in and welcomed. America should not stand for racism and hatred but for love and acceptance.

Members of the Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) joined the group and supported the cause. William Antoun, the IONA-Detroit Chapter Outreach Organizer said, “This was another great example of non-Muslims coming out and standing for human rights of others, especially Muslims.” When the group made it to Campus Martius Park, Vivien spoke and expressed her views. Imam Mikail Stewart also spoke and said, “America needs to be inclusive of all people since this is the nature of our

multi-cultural society.” Several other activists spoke advancing the message of love, acceptance and inclusion.

IONA, 28630 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092 | Tel: 586-558-6900 | E-mail: center@iononline.org
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IONA’s mission is to transform its members and help transform the surrounding communities to righteous, God-fearing people, who collectively strive for the highest moral standard and constantly seek forgiveness from our Creator to earn His pleasure. We seek His compassion and mercy in this life and in the hereafter. We rejuvenate our soul through internal struggle and spiritual exercise in worship of our creator God. The strength of our belief in God gives us the courage to establish good and forbid evil, thus promoting a system of justice for all mankind.