Terrorist attack at Congregation Chabad in Poway

As-salamu Alaykum / Peace be upon you,

We stand in strong solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters at this time of increasing hate crimes and antisemitism nationwide.  We offer our prayers and condolences to the victims of the shooting at Congregation Chabad in Poway, California yesterday.  We renew our resolve to work together with the Jewish community, our interfaith brethren and all people of conscience to combat hate and replace it with goodness and love.  The Jewish community has always stood by MAPS when we have been victims of hate crimes.  I encourage each and every member of the MAPS community to reach out to a Jewish friend, neighbor or colleague this week, check on their well-being and reaffirm our common bond against hate.  Please attend the gathering of solidarity, inspiration and prayer at 6PM tonight being hosted by the Chabad Lubavitch of the Pacific Northwest (details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2466988203535615/)

The terrorist who shot and killed Lori Kaye and injured others including a rabbi yesterday appears to be the same person who started a fire at the mosque in Escondido last month.  The murderer also claims to have been inspired by the terrorist killings at the mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.  This ideology of hate puts all of us in danger.  An attack on one religious community is an attack on all religious communities.

I want to again emphasize that hate crimes do not happen in a vacuum.  Hateful rhetoric leads to hate crimes.  MAPS will continue to work with elected officials, leaders and community members to address the underlying causes of the violence by addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, xenophobia and other forms of hate and bigotry.  We will continue to advocate for the safety and security of ALL of us.  And we know that our faith is stronger than fear and our love will win out over hate.

Hyder Ali

MAPS President