Rep. Takano Statement on Anti-Semitic Sermon
Riverside, Calif. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement condemning the anti-Semitic comments made by Imam Mahmoud Harmoush during a recent sermon at the Islamic Center of Riverside.
“The comments made by Imam Mahmoud Harmoush are dangerous, offensive, and entirely inconsistent with the tolerant and respectful views routinely expressed by local Muslim leaders. Trust and respect between diverse communities is fundamental to overcoming the religious, cultural, and political differences that divide our country and cause conflict and instability around the world. These types of comments undermine that trust and respect, and they move us further away from the peaceful and welcoming community we strive to be.
“In all the time I’ve spent visiting with and getting to know the members of our local Muslim community, I’ve only experienced kindness, strength, and tolerance. However, sections of this sermon were clearly disturbing and discriminatory. I sincerely hope the Islamic Center will forcefully reject these comments and make clear that irresponsible and inflammatory rhetoric have no place in the Inland Empire.”
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