Thread by @aliarsalem

I’m gutted to learn that my friend & interfaith colleague of 15 years, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, is one of the hostages being held at the Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville. I have known him & his wife Adena Cytron-Walker for 15 years and consider them dear friends. -thread

They are the kindest, most gentle, and loving people who have been absolute rock-solid friends and allies not only to me but to the entire Muslim community through thick and thin.

They are unapologetic allies for justice and are always working to unite people, educate people, and educate themselves to be the best they can be.

I call on every person of conscience, of any faith or no faith, to stop what they are doing and join me in offering prayers and positive energy to Charlie and the other hostages and their families.

The person holding them hostage identifies himself as a Muslim and his supposed motive in doing this is to call for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui who is a political prisoner convicted and sentenced to 86 years in a federal prison.

As a vocal supporter of the Free Dr. Aafia Movement I feel it is important to be clear in this moment. Our movement is a peaceful one that unequivocally condemns violence of any kind and we collectively reject violence done in Dr. Aafia’s name.

We further reject any compounding motives of antisemitism or hatred of any kind.

#BethIsraelSynagogue #ColleyvilleSynagogue

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