Imam Mustapha Elturk and William Antoun, the IONA Center Outreach Director, attended a conference on “Interfaith Religious Freedom,” held on November 7 at the University of Detroit Law School in Detroit, Michigan.
The new interfaith coalition was formed to defend the religious freedom enshrined in the constitution of the United States. The invite only conference portion focused on how to form a consensus on the issue and start the process to make an effective advocacy and support multi-faith coalition.
The initiative is headed by the Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The main event was held at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Detroit with Archbishop Vigneron of the Detroit Diocese and Elder Keetch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints acting as the main hosts. Afterward, there was a special interfaith program and prayer session in the cathedral.
There was a draft document introduced to detail the purpose and mission of the ‘Interfaith Religious Freedom Council’ and an agreement to continue the dialogue and coalition meetings to further develop this group.
In his comment, Imam Elturk said, “Religious Freedom is the right of every religious person and group in America.”
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