Representatives from several religious faiths in western Massachusetts are denouncing Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to bar Muslims from coming to the United States.
In a public statement Tuesday, members of the Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts said its members are concerned about recent comments from Trump, and others, about Muslims in America.
Council President Martin Pion, a religious studies professor at Elms College, said the group strongly objects to suggestions Muslims are not patriotic Americans.
" We hope to let our local community know that there are people who support and know the goodness of the local Islamic community," said Pion.
Pion said the council held an interfaith prayer service last Sunday in Springfield for the victims of recent attacks by terrorists and for refugees fleeing wars.
