Lawmakers ask Obama for religious diversity summit

Omar Sacirbey | Jul 17, 2013

(RNS) Nearly 40 members of the U.S. House, among them Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, sent a letter to President Obama on Wednesday (July 17) urging him to convene a “Religious Diversity Summit” and do more to fight discrimination against religious minorities.

“The targeting of religious minorities in America is reaching a crisis point and we believe your leadership is crucial to stemming this rising tide of violence,” the letter writers said.

The letter comes just ahead of the first anniversary of the Aug. 5 attack by a white supremacist on a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., that killed six worshippers. Muslim advocacy groups say there has been an increase in attacks against mosques and Muslims since the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15.

A religious diversity summit would bring together religious leaders, politicians, academics and other leaders. Among other goals, it would develop “best practices” or “guidelines” that local communities could follow when dealing with religious divisions or other religious issues.

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/07/17/lawmakers-ask-obama-for-religious-diversity-summit/