Imam Feisal Launches Movement to End Spiral of Violence

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf today announced the formation of the Cordoba Movement, a multi-national, multi-faith movement dedicated to improving understanding and building trust among people of all cultures and faith traditions.

The new organization grew from the Imam's work over the past 30 years leading a Muslim congregation in New York City and the expression of support he has received for his defense of the planned construction of the Park 51 community center and mosque in lower Manhattan.

"We must retake the discourse among religions and cultures from the hands of the extremists around the world who benefit from hatred and violence," said Imam Feisal, who is launching a national speaking tour to spread the news about the Cordoba Movement.  "We must stop this downward spiral of hatred, mistrust and misunderstanding if our world is to have a peaceful future. That is what the Cordoba Movement is all about."

Under the Cordoba Movement, Imam Feisal is broadening the work on existing programs to expand learning among Muslims, Jews, Christians and people of all faiths, including the Young Leaders program, the Women's Empowerment program and the Shariah Project.

"The Cordoba Movement is creating a new paradigm. The battle isn't between America and Islam. Instead, it is a battle between the 95 percent of people in the world who want peace and the violent radicals who benefit from hatred and violence," said Imam Feisal. "Right now, the 95 percent of people in the world who want peace are in the stands watching the extremists battle it out in the arena. We must enter the arena ourselves and retake control of this important global discussion."

Imam Feisal noted that when a terrorist bomber is arrested in the United States, a member of Congress or a clergyman or a radio talk show host too often attacks Islam. That response is heard in the Muslim world and helps Al Qaida recruit more bombers. Those new bombers then provoke a stronger response in the United States and the sickening downward spiral continues.

"The Islam that I have studied all my life, the Islam that I preach, is all about worshipping God and loving your neighbor," Imam Feisal said. "The same core values are common to all the world's cultures and faith traditions. These are the same values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on which the United States was founded."

More information about the Cordoba Movement, its mission and its programs may be found at www.cordobamovement.org.

SOURCE Cordoba Movement