[The Record] A coalition of Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders on Tuesday called on New Jersey to welcome Syrian refugees, part of a growing interfaith movement that is gaining traction to counter escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Newark Episcopal Diocese and other members of the New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders signed a statement making a pointed reference to the power of religious voters, apparently directed at Gov. Christie and other political leaders who have attempted to block the refugees.
“Faith-based voters are very attentive to these issues and we are steadfast in our resolve to help those in need,” the statement from the coalition’s steering committee concluded.
This is the latest pushback by religious leaders against inflammatory statements about the Muslim community that have been made by some Republican presidential candidates and a congressional attempt to pause the refugee program because of security concerns. Christie and 30 other governors, all but one of them Republican, are attempting to bar Syrian refugees from their states.
