This week, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids signed on to letter of solidarity initiated by West Michigan Clergy Action and faith leaders. Our statement accompanying the letter appears below. Read the letter in full below and at this link.
Negative language and fear campaigns that attack people based on differences in race, ethnicity, and religious beliefs are dangerous. History teaches us that when contempt for a people becomes acceptable in our language, bulling behavior and mistreatment of those people becomes easier to accept.
On October 19, 2026, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids signed on to the West Michigan Clergy Action letter titled “Letter of Love and Protection of Our Muslim Neighbors.” Link
The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids agree with the letter which states: “Our Muslim neighbors are not abstractions in a political debate. They are our doctors and teachers, business owners and workers, parents and children, classmates, colleagues, friends, and neighbors. We may worship differently, but we do not have to believe alike in order to love one another.”
“To our Muslim neighbors, and to all people of good will: We write as followers of Jesus Christ, and we write with one voice: We love you. We stand with you. We will not be silent.”
We encourage you to speak up when you hear anti-Muslim sentiments or language that is divisive and harmful to our sisters and brothers, regardless of their religious affiliation. It is up to all of us to help build a community rooted in love, inclusion, and respect.
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Below is the letter in its entirety.
A Letter of Love and Protection for Our Muslim Neighbors
From West Michigan Clergy Action and Christian faith leaders across Michigan
To our Muslim neighbors, and to all people of good will:
We write as followers of Jesus Christ, and we write with one voice: We love you. We stand with you. We will not be silent.
In this election season, our Muslim neighbors face threats, harassment, suspicion, and open hostility. Political rhetoric and public discourse too often turn entire communities into objects of fear. History teaches us that when contempt for a people becomes acceptable in our language, mistreatment of those people becomes easier to accept.
Love Your Neighbor
This is contrary to the way of Christ. Jesus taught us, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Mark 12:31). Scripture reminds us that every human being bears the image of God
(Genesis 1:27) and commands us to treat the foreigner among us as our neighbor
(Leviticus 19:34). There are no exceptions to the image of God, and there must be no acceptable stranger for Christians to hate.
Our Muslim neighbors are not abstractions in a political debate. They are our doctors and teachers, business owners and workers, parents and children, classmates, colleagues, friends, and neighbors. We may worship differently, but we do not have to believe alike in order to love one another.
Christians also have a particular responsibility to resist false witness. A rumor does not become true because it is repeated. A social media post does not become true because thousands of people share it. Claims about millions of people should not be accepted simply because they confirm what we already fear.
Test what you hear. Test what you share.
To our fellow clergy and Christians: build relationships with Muslim neighbors and
communities. Visit a mosque. Share a meal. Learn one another’s stories. Speak when hatred is expressed at the dinner table, at work, online, or in the church parking lot. Refuse to spread what you cannot verify.
To Our Muslim Neighbors: You Are Not Alone
And to our Muslim neighbors: You are not alone. We see you. We honor your dignity and your freedom to worship. When you are threatened, we will speak. When your communities are targeted, we will show up. When lies are told about you, we will tell the truth.
May we build something deeper through our solidarity in these days of propaganda and lies. May our relationships grow stronger through this, as we stand together for one another, no matter who is being targeted.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
In the peace of Christ,
West Michigan Clergy Action and Christian faith leaders
View signatories at this link
