This past weekend, a fire destroyed a significant portion of the Diyanet Mosque in New Haven. Officials have determined that the fire was deliberately set. The Wilton Clergy Association issued a message of support to the Muslim community and a call for friendship and peace.
On Sunday afternoon, the Diyanet Mosque of New Haven, was deliberately set on fire. It is fortunate that no one was hurt, but the building sustained enough damage that the community will not be able to gather within its walls to break their fast during Ramadan. We are devastated by the trend of houses of worship being desecrated by hateful acts and violence. We mourn the loss of life in the massacres in American synagogues, New Zealand mosques, and Sri Lankan churches. We mourn the destruction of sacred spaces from New Haven to Louisiana and beyond. We pray for and work toward a time when all can gather without worrying for their safety. And we call on all people to join us in this work, to build communities where people of all traditions are free to worship and pray in peace.
We wish all who are celebrating a Ramadan Mubarak, and we ask all those who belong to our faith communities to reach out to one another in friendship and hope. We give thanks for the blessing of our diverse faith communities in Wilton and for the rich friendships we share, even as we work and pray for the day when all people will live in peace.
As-Salaam Alaikum. Shalom Aleichem. Peace be unto you.
The Wilton Clergy Association
Rabbi Rachel Bearman, Temple B’nai Chaim
Rev. Dr. Anne Coffman, Wilton Congregational Church
The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Dr. Golnar Raissi-Sadeghi, Muslim Community Group
Father Reggie Norman, Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church
Reverend Caroline Smith, Wilton Baptist Church
The Rev. Shannon A. White, Wilton Presbyterian Church