Branch County ministers speak up in defense of Muslim community
A group of Branch County ministers urged the community to allow freedom of religion after comments to the Coldwater City Council on May 23.
That prompted Pastor Julie Yoder Elmore, of Coldwater United Methodist Church, and over a dozen ministers to send a letter to the council.
"We make this statement because we believe that our Savior calls us to stand for what is right in the face of hate and injustice," the letter read.
On May 23, Second Ward resident Kent Miller said, "I'm here about a daytime noise ordinance concerning the construction of the new mosque on Perkins Street."
Miller expressed concern about calls to prayer.
"I asked if there would be a daytime call to prayer five to six times a day, as they do in Hamtramck north of Detroit. I've been up there when that's happened. And I don't think people in Coldwater really want to hear. And maybe it should be looked into before they're completed with this new building."
The ministerial group felt Miller disparaged the local Muslim community.
Miller said, "I don't have any problem. They're human beings, but I don't want to hear it in Coldwater. I believe I'd not be the only one concerned. It's not nice if you're not of that persuasion."
Miller's comments set off a fierce debate on several Facebook and other social media pages in the community.
Elmore read, "We believe as Christians, human diversity is a gift from God and reflects the diversity of our Creator. We believe that every person, no matter their faith, race, gender or other identity, is made in the image of God, and is therefore beloved by God." The letter continued, "We believe that ethnic and religious diversity strengthens, not weakens, the Coldwater community. We believe that the freedom to practice one's religion protects all people, whether Christian or non-Christian, whether religious or non-religious."
The large mosque is now going up to serve the local Muslin community, which comprises about 20% of the city's population.
Coldwater has the largest Muslim community in Michigan, outside Dearborn.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Branch County ministers speak up in defense of Muslim community
