In a bid to encourage interfaith harmony, leaders of Detriot Arab-American and Muslim communities have gathered at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church to show support for upcoming egg hunt event and urging members of the community to attend it.

“We’re here to support the church as Muslims and Arabs,” Osama Siblani, local activist and publisher of the Arab American News, said Sunday morning, standing outside the church’s rear entrance with leaders from the church and the Arab-American community, The Detroit News reported.

“We believe the church is doing the right thing bringing the community together, bringing our children together so we can understand each other and love each other.”

The leaders’ visit to Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church followed an earlier debate after a Muslim attorney complained about flyers of the event as violating the separation of church and state widely ascribed to the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.

The problem erupted when flyers, emblazoned with the word “Eggstravaganza!”, were handed out at public schools advertising an Easter egg hunt at a local Presbyterian church.

Students at three Dearborn elementary schools received the flyers, including two Muslim children of attorney Majed Moughni who complained that his children were upset by receiving at school the flyer for a church event.

“My son was like, ‘Dad, I really don’t feel comfortable getting these flyers, telling me to go to church. I thought churches are not supposed to mix with schools,’ ” Moughni had said.

Moughni has said he was concerned about “using school teachers paid by public funds ... to pass out these flyers that are being distributed by a church. I think that’s a serious violation of separation of church and state.”

Sunday afternoon, Moughni said he was shocked that so much came from his bringing attention to the matter, adding that other parents have responded to him through social media supporting his stance.

“I’m standing up for my children,” he said. “My position hasn’t changed.”

Misunderstanding

The event was defended by Pastor Netta Nichols of Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church said the church invitation was aimed at connecting the community together.

“I do believe Mr. Moughni’s concern is more with the school system sending out a flyer for an event that’s happening at a church. It’s a surprise it’s become such a major discussion,” Nichols said.

“We just want people to get to know each other. This is a changing community, and it has been changing for years. We want to live in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.”

Muslim and Arab-American leaders at the church Sunday said they felt much was made of nothing with regards to the event.

“This ‘lone wolf’ voice does not represent the (Muslim) community,” said attorney Nabih Ayad, chairman of the Arab-American Civil Rights League.

Fatina Abdrabboh, director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said egg hunts are among the memories from her childhood.

Moreover, the leaders donated $500 for the activities in the event.

Christians celebrate on April 18, the Good Friday, a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus and his death, an event central to Christian faith.

The celebration is followed by Easter on April 20 which is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year.

Though there are no official figures, America is believed to be home to a Muslim community of between six to eight million.

Muslims believe in Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God and that he is the son of Mary but not the Son of God. He was conceived and born miraculously.

As for his crucifixion, Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was lifted up to heaven.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/471099-muslims-arabs-support-detroits-easter.html

http://97.105.52.213/en/artical/17424/Muslims-Arabs-Support-Detroit-Easter