Last Tuesday a New York cab driver was stabbed for being Muslim.

A Florida pastor has called on September 11^th to be “International Burn a Qur’an day.”

Voices of hate, intolerance, and bigotry have been growing in our country, and their current target is the Muslim community.

Religious leaders can help respond to this intolerance by declaring that the weekend of September 11^th is not a time to burn a Qur’an but to “Preach Tolerance, Preach the Qur’an.”

We call on religious leaders of all faiths to devote the lesson on the weekend of September 11 to the theme of religious tolerance. We encourage you to teach within your tradition, citing the texts of your faith that promote respect. We also encourage you to help your community see a more complete picture of Islam by highlighting texts from the Qur’an that promote peace and respect for difference.

Don’t stop at your congregations doors! If your congregation will participate, let ICPJ know so we can get the word out. Email us at chuck@icpj.net or cal 734-6639-1870.

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Racist comments can turn a conversation from fun to tense in an instant. By now the proper way to respond to racist remarks and jokes should be common knowledge to all, whether learned in school, or at a job training, right? However, few people know how to handle racism, especially if it is a friend, or boss telling the joke. That is why in conjuncture with the Race and Economic Justice book group, ICPJ has researched and come up with proper responses to racist comments and jokes.

Below are some websites that give good advice when it comes to handling racist comments and those that make them. Continue Reading »

We were all horrified when we saw the photos of abuse of foreign detainees in Abu Ghraib. We should all be aghast at the continued abuse of domestic inmates in U.S. prisons.

This Monday, June 14, we’ll discuss the connection between torture of inmates at home and abroad in a panel discussion with four amazing panelsts. Join us for the discussion:

What: Human Rights Beyond the Prison Door: Stopping Detainee Torture and Prisoner Abuse, a panel discussion

When: Monday, June 14, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Ann Arbor Public Library, Downstairs Multipurpose Room, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 (Map).

Details: Contact Chuck Warpehoski, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, 734-663-1870, chuck@icpj.net.

Who: Our panelsts include: Continue Reading »

During this economic downturn, we have all been hit by the hard times.

However, some people are facing this tough economy in a hostile work and unjust work environment.  For months, Restaurant Opportunities Center, Interfaith Worker’s Justice, and ICPJ have been protesting Andiamo Restaurant in Dearborn for hundreds of thousands of dollars of unpaid wages and workplace discrimination.

As a federal lawsuit against the owner works its way through the courts, we need to continue to show support for the workers.

WHAT: Faith & Civil Rights Vigil in Support of Justice at Andiamo workers

WHEN: Friday, February 19th from 7-8 pm;

WHERE: outside Andiamo Dearborn Restaurant, 21400 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn

WHO: Civil rights songs as well as Sister Cathey DeSantis, Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance & Pastor Bill Wylie-Kellerman, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Detroit. Sponsored by the Restaurant Opportunities Center, Metro Detroit Interfaith Worker Justice, and Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

WHY: Learn more about the struggle here.

HOW:  There will be carpools leaving at 5:45 from “The Cube” near Maynard and Jefferson in Ann Arbor. Please let Rick Durance know if you’re going at rdurance@umich.edu so we can know how many people to expect.

Whether you’re feel strongly about workers right, racial or sexual discrimination, economic injustice, or just feel called to help, please come and support the movement for justice at Andiamo.

Update: On Feb. 11th, over 50 community members of different faiths and backgrounds joined us for a screening of Journey into America, a documentary about the current experiences of American Muslims. Following the film, Dawud Walid, Executive Director of CAIR-MI (Council on American-Islamic Relations) spoke about the recent shooting of the Detroit Imam and about current protocols regarding the usage of confidential informants in houses of worship to entice or entrap congregants. Listen to the audio of his presentation here. You can also take action on this issue by writing a letter to your Congresspeople. You can print and sign this sample letter or write your own.

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Join a discussion of "Uprooting Racism" on Thursday, Feb 25 at 7:00 p.m.

We’re launching a racial justice book discussion group, and I hope you’ll be part of it.

Celebrate Black History Month by joining ICPJ for the first of our Racial Justice Book Group as we discuss Paul Kivel’s Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice. This is a chance to go deeper to explore issues of race, racism, and how to make a more just society.

UPDATE: Since the first few events were so successful, we plan to continue discussions based on this book. The next discussion is schedule for Mon., June 21st at 7:00 p.m. Check back at www.icpj.net for details.

When: Ongoing (first session: Thursday, February 25, 7:00pm)

Where: St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 1679 Broadway Street, Ann Arbor (map)

Childcare available – RSVP suggested.

Details: 734-663-1870, chuck@icpj.net

We encourage people to read the book ahead of the event, but you’re still welcome even if you haven’t.

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