CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the FBI, religious hate crimes have risen sharply in recent years. In response to this, a coalition from a variety of faiths, Scientologists, Christians, Muslims and members of non-denominational churches came to a consensus on Wednesday, the 22nd of February in the ballroom of the Church of Scientology’s Fort Harrison religious retreat: “If you see something, do something.” Their resolve means that they won’t let an incident of religious discrimination pass without acting upon it.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/973edb95-7349-4981-9372-89f77d9e2b45.
The luncheon started with speeches by Imam Wilmore Sadiki, President of the St. Petersburg Islamic Center and Mrs. Thania Clevenger, attorney and Civil Liberties Director for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Pat Harney, the Public Relations Director for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization was the MC for Wednesday’s interfaith coalition luncheon. She said, “The recognition that people no matter their color or religion have equal rights is a civilizing influence in any culture. Veering from these ideals will only lead to war and conflict.”
Imam Sadiki, who besides his careers in the Navy as a jet electronic specialist and after the Navy as an engineering technician and religious coalition builder, has been writing, composing and performing music. He opened his talk with a beautiful song he composed, “Let it Go” urging all to let the hate, resentment and negative emotions go. Then he spoke on what religion is and what it means to people no matter their theological beliefs.
Mrs. Thania Diaz Clevenger was born to Cuban immigrants and grew up in Florida. She worked for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and now works for CAIR with a commitment to protect the civil liberties of all Americans.
The coalition then discussed how they can maintain religious freedom for all and decided to begin educating themselves and others on individual faiths by visiting houses of worship and sharing in the commonality amongst the various faiths.
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization is the international religious retreat for Scientologists all over the world. This Clearwater Church makes its historic Fort Harrison available free of charge to nonprofit organizations to hold community events and supports area nonprofits. Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard once said, "On the day when we can fully trust each other there will be peace on Earth."