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Who Supports ISNA? Union for Reform Judaism

Special Announcement

Statement of the Union for Reform Judaism

on ISNA’s Designation as an
Unindicted Co-Conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation Case

July 14, 2008

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has been privileged to work with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) in an effort to advance tolerance and interreligious dialogue among our adherents in the United States and in the Middle East.  In our interactions with ISNA, we have found the organization to be a valuable partner in pursuing our shared vision of peace and cooperation. ISNA’s voice is an important one, adding to America’s religious prophetic voices seeking to make our world a better place.

Because of the positive relationship we have nurtured with ISNA, we lament the organization being labeled by the government as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the Holy Land Foundation case.  This charge includes no accusation of wrongdoing by ISNA, yet it nonetheless has a clear connotation of guilt which could greatly hurt the organization in its work to advance the cause of justice in our country.  Particularly concerning are reports that the government has informed ISNA’s lawyers that the naming was only a legal tactic and that ISNA is not a target or subject of any criminal investigation. Because ISNA is one of the nation’s largest Muslim umbrella organizations, the charge is also damaging, and has a chilling effect on, the entire American Muslim community.  

It is our sincere hope that the damage that ISNA has had to endure by being labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator” can and will be properly reversed, so that together we can all work to fulfill God’s vision of a world at peace with ourselves and with one another.