For Immediate Release:
January 4, 2016
Larson Commends Islamic Association of Greater Hartford on Continued Service to our Community
Hartford– On Friday, January 1, 2016, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) visited the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford in recognition of their work with community youth, refugees, and the wider community. Rep. Larson praised the Association’s President, Dr. Reza Mansoor, for the group’s efforts to combat radicalization and promote tolerance and understanding across Connecticut.
Rep. Larson joins Dr. Reza Mansoor at the Berlin Mosque.
“It was an honor to join Dr. Mansoor and the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford today, as they have been powerful voices for peace and respect,” said Larson. “Recent tragedies in San Bernardino and Paris have left us all afraid, but it is crucial to remember our Muslim neighbors are important members of our community. We are a nation of immigrants, and it is our diversity and the freedoms we offer–including freedom of religion–which make our country what it is. I commend Dr. Mansoor and the entire Association for their tireless work across the First District. Helping refugees, nurturing youth, and serving homeless shelters makes a real, positive impact on our community.”
“The Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, in addition to being a spiritual place of worship for Muslims, has focused on giving our youth a positive American Muslim identity and living our faith through service to the less fortunate among our neighbors, including serving in shelters and soup kitchens” said Dr. Mansoor. “We are also focused on embracing and welcoming those refugees in the true American spirit of welcoming those ‘tempest tost and homeless yearning to breathe free’ that the statue of liberty still invites. This is the spirit of our faith and is the example of our role models in faith from Moses to Jesus to Muhammad, on all of whom be peace. I strongly commend you, Congressman Larson, for standing and voting on an American principal, in welcoming the refugees, and not giving in to fear and bigotry couched in national security.”
The Islamic Association of Greater Hartford is currently collecting towels to distribute to area shelters on January 18, the National Day of Service. For more information, visit http://www.berlinmosque.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/iaghberlin.
