My American family, I speak to you today about a challenge facing our nation: the rising wave of hatred, division, and fear. The racism, the antisemitism, the homophobia, the fear of our neighbors—it is fueled by lies that we must reject.
Before I share my thoughts, I want to begin with a prayer that President Eisenhower delivered at his first Inauguration. I ask that you read and reflect.
“Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment… Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially, we pray that our concern shall be for ALL the people, regardless of station, race, or calling. May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who hold to differing political faiths; so that ALL may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.”
That prayer is a perfect reminder for us today. I am a Christian, and I know many of you reading are, too. Let’s begin with a simple, historical truth that all Christians must understand: The man at the center of Christian faith, the historical Jesus, was not white. He was a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern Jew. He came from the same region, the same land, as many of our neighbors who are being persecuted today—our Arab, Muslim, and Middle Eastern brothers and sisters.
This truth makes one thing absolutely clear: A person cannot be a Christian AND a white supremacist.
A person cannot claim love and claim superiority based on skin color when their Savior is a man of color from the Middle East. It is a total contradiction. When a Christian stands against an Arab or Muslim American because of their origin, they are rejecting the very geography and heritage of Christ. Racism has no place in a faithful heart or a free country.
And what about the command Jesus taught: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” It’s easy to love the neighbors who look and talk like us—the ones who share our church pew, our skin color, or even our political party. The true challenge, the true mark of faith, is to love the ones who are different—the ones whose religion, culture, or background challenges us.
This means Christians loving Jewish neighbors. Jesus was a Jew; this identity is the foundation of Christian faith. To attack Jewish people is to attack the historical root of Christianity itself.
Loving our Muslim and Arab neighbors is also essential. When we witness hate against Middle Eastern people, we need to remember that Arab and Jewish communities have deep and ancient connections in the Semitic region, which includes the Holy Land.
Hate only divides us and affects those who are historically and geographically closest to this sacred place. And yes, it means loving our Republican and Democrat neighbors, too.
The mission in America is not to seek power for ones own group alone, but to seek justice and grace for everyone. As Americans, we must protect every community: Jewish, Muslim, Arab, African American, LGBTQ, Asians, Indians, and every person targeted by hate.
Their safety is non-negotiable.
Our job now is to choose compassion and unity over conflict. Let us commit to seeing the unique expressions of the Universe in every face. Let us live up to the true challenge of Christ’s teachings.
Let us build a nation-and a world where everyone—no matter their religion, birthplace, or political views—is treated with the dignity and respect.
Let’s use our freedom and faith to be a force for unity in this country, as President Eisenhower prayed we would.
It was great to see President Trump and Mayor Mamdani—who come from very different backgrounds (one is a white Christian Republican, and the other is a Muslim Democrat of Middle Eastern background)—working together respectfully as Americans in the White House to help the people of New York City.
My grandma was a simple Republican farmer from Oklahoma. She was the most spiritual person I knew. Not because of what she said but what she did. For 63 years, she taught Sunday school and sang this song each week “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow black and white they are precious in his sight jesus loves the little children of the world.”
We are all direct descendants and children of the Universe, God, Allah. Let’s make sure we treat one another that way.
Peace be upon you, Ahssala mu alaykum, and Shalom.
