Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Aug. 1, 2002, edition 1 / Page 10
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Rumblings of Peace As America fights war on terrorism, locals meet to try to form organization to push peace HY T. KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONK L 1 Aboul 30 people came to a meeting last week aimed at starting a local peace initiative t(> counter the nation's war against terrorism. The meeting, which was held at the Forsyth County Main Library, was spearhead ed by the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem. It was the second community forum in three months sponsored by the mosque . In April, the mosque invited representatives to give tliif pro-Palestinian side of the ofigbing Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Last Thursday's meeting was a planning session for the initiative, which is being called Community for Peacqj Participants discussed what the organization's mission statement should entail and suggested ways to recruit new members. They also discussed ideas for disseminating their objectives to the community. "There are a lot of differ ent reasons why a peace initia tive is important," said Intam Khalid Griggs of the Commu nity Mosque. Some expressed interest in the peace initiative because they say the nation's war against terrorism is not well defined and has no end in sight. Others hoped that some type of peace effort could, in some way, help head off a war against Iraq, a possibility that has been frequently hinted at by the Bush White House. Jean Hopson, a local Christian who formed the group Friends With Palestin ian Christians in 1998. recent ly returned from a religious conference in Beirut. She said Middle Easterners there pre dict only bad things if the United States attacks Iraq, one of the nations in Bush's "axis of evil." 1 "This is not going to go well at all. We are in for a hellish situation if we contin ue," Hopson said. The meeting drew a diverse group - men. women. Griggs blacks, whites, people of Mid dle Eastern origin. Muslims and Christians. Participants agreed that the group should continue to open its doors to any and all who want peace. It was also agreed that despite the fact that representatives from at least two Muslim houses of worship were on hand, the peace initiative would be an independent organization that would wel come people of any religion and race. Participants made it clear, however, that those not inter ested or iffy about wanting peace should not be involved in the group. "We are not trying to cre ate a debate about peace.. .We do not want to fight with peo ple for a whole meeting about wanting peace," Griggs said. Many in attendance said that the news media were not giving the American people the whole picture of the nation's war against terrorism or of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Some said that in order to effect any change at all. there will have to be some educating of the public. "We must inform people of their ignorance with a smile," said the Rev. Otto Gaither, an associate pastor at Dellabrook Presbyterian Church. "We are the ones who are going to have to make a difference. No one else will." Participant Mischi Binkley said ihe peace group will be a welcome alternative for many local people. "People are looking for the truth," she said. "There are a lot of people out there seeking it. and we need to provide an environment where they can get to it." Although some at the plan ning session were clearly not pleased with the Bush presi dency or with many in his cab inet. the peace initiative will not be partisan. Group mem bers insisted that what they are trying to do - stop a war and violence - goes beyond politics and patriotism. "I think our interests and objectives are noble," said state Rep. Larry Womble, who has been a critic of the war in Afghanistan. "I think our call ing is a higher calling." The group will continue to meet regularly to hash out ways to try to divert the nation from its current warpath. Par ticipants also discussed the possibility of taking their mes sage to upcoming community events, holding essay contests to promote peace among local students and of holding a peace rally on Sept. 11. the one-year anniversary of the terrorists' attacks that killed more than 3,500 people. To many, it is hard to fath-' om that a local peace group, and groups like it throughout the nation and world, can have a big impact during a time w hen most Americans feel the nation is justified in its response to Sept. II. But par ticipants say the voices of a few have helped to create great social change in the past. Griggs used apartheid - the system of racial repression that existed in South Africa for decades until 10 years ago - as an example. No one could foresee the end of the practice, because South Africa enjoyed support fro pi nations around the world, Griggs said. It took ihe voices of a few to raise questions and stir things up. he added. "Some of our efforts were able to put a dent into the pol icy-makers." Griggs said. Nmty'lM'WMiv The Rev. Otto Gaither makes a point at last week's meeting of Community for Peace. ?"? ' Photo by Kevin Walker IHin. Mikal Muhammad addresses the crov/d at a rally Saturday in East Winston Shopping Renter as Min. Kevin Muhammad, left, and Min. Willie Muhammad look on. NOI jSm page AI Buck. NOI Muslims say that Far mkh an has been the only promi nent religious leader to speak out JJainst the war. Prominent black fligious leaders such as Bishop T,D. Jakes have been silent, the Muslims said. . '"Min. Farrakhan is more than able to sing a solo to bring the World's attention to the injustice tjjat is not only going on in Amer ica but is going on around the world." Effrianguan Muhammad stated. 1 NOI Muslims also made it 4tear Saturday that they are Qnhappy with the way Farrakhan has been portrayed in the media since embarking on his trip in June. During Farrakhan's trip to Iraq, the Washington Times (a D.C. newspaper known for its conservative views) and United Press International reported that Farrakhan told Iraqi officials that he would pray for an Iraqi victory if the United States ever anacked the nation. Farrakhan and NOI Muslims throughout the nation fiercely denied the report. Farrakhan him self said the false report was meant to discredit him. "That was designed in this atmosphere of patriotism to make Farrakhan look like an enemy of the United States of America." Farrakhan said late last month-' after returning to the United States. "I want to make it clear: I am a citizen of the world but this is my land. And I was most happy to get back here safe." But Farrakhan's words didn't stop many conservatives from verbally lynching the minister. Some argued that the Nation of Islam leader should be put on trial for his alleged words. NOI Mus lims say Farrakhan is being treat ed like other black leaders of the past who swam against the cur rent. "Min. Farrakhan is the bad dest black man in America." Min. Kevin Muhammad said. "They don't want Min. Farrakhan on the streets." NOI Muslims don't like the tough talk against their leader. Several held picket signs that read. "Flands off Farrakhan." "Leave Farrakhan alone." said Min. Willie Muhammad, who heads the Greensboro mosque. "If youmove against Min. Farrakhan. he will be the last one standing." The head of the Winston Salem mosque said he hopes the rally will force local people to ponder the current war and the state of America. He also said he hopes that more people, especially African Americans, view the war from a religious, godly perspec tive. not an American perspective. "You don't pledge your alle giance to no flag; you pledge your allegiance to God." Min. Mikal Muhammad said to a crowd that gathered at nearby East Winston Shopping Center. "We honor and respect the flag of the United States, but we don't bow down to no American flag. We bow down to God and God alone." Mikal Muhammad also told the crowd that the vast majority of those affected by the war in Afghanistan had nothing to do with Sept. 11 or Osama bin Laden. "Why should we he wasting our time, fighting innocent peo pleT' he asked. "We should be here in America, fighting for our own survival, fighting for the fruits of our children." A week before the rally, the Winston-Salem mosque held a town-hall meeting to inform locals about the Nation of Islam's stance on the w ar. Mosques across the country will likely hold other events aimed at spurring peace, officials said. family Reunions! VWLM ? o w?mmmmm-.: m?m??HT\ ? REGISTER TO WIN A ^udemi&m FAMILY REUNION Grand Prize: 5 cases of Budwe $500 Cash 50 Choire Steaks 50 Chitkens ('A) 100 Hot Dogs 100 6ozHamburgers K Wbll-%aaanc?d Day Includes the yaacai The learning and fun docsn I have to end when the hell rings - we offer quality, affordable eare on site at many sehools and at each YMC'A branch as well. Q Call the branch nearest you for more information about Before School (7 am until classes begin I and After School (from the end of X>?. the school day until 6 pm i programs. For a complete listing of the schools where on-site eare is offered, call 336-777-8055. ext. 300 or visit www vmca-ws.org. Financial Asnstame Available Yymca of Greater Winston-Salem A United Way Agency 0
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