The message from the members of the interfaith community was clear: We do not condone terrorism, nor do we do not condone intolerance towards Muslims and refugees.
The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh says the purpose of their gathering was to talk about acceptance, like in a family.
"We have Thanksgiving coming up very soon and, we will meet with our family members and most families are dysfunctional. We have wonderful times, as well as times when we need to tolerate, etc. We are at a moment like that in the world."
Other faith leaders in attendance used stronger language when denouncing the discrimination of Muslims and refugees in America. Rabbi Alan Katz compared turning away Syrian refugees to refusing Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
"Many of us remember, not too long ago, when the borders of this country were closed to refugees. Many of those refugees were turned back, and then perished, in one of the greatest human tragedies, if not the greatest human tragedy, during the Holocaust."
Mohammed Shafiq is the Executive Director for the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth. He says America is perceived as growing more hostile towards Muslims, and recounted an experience with a student whose parents were worried about his safety.
"On Thursday I was coming out and a student was standing there. He's from a foreign country. He said, 'My parents are calling me, 'Are you safe?' "
Shafiq called on the media to stop playing a role in the discrimination of Muslims.
All of the members of the interfaith community stressed the need for tolerance, acceptance, and community.
