Letter to the editor published in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette on March 17, 2006:

We write in response to publisher John Foreman’s recent editorial exhorting readers to “rethink the threat that’s posed by militant Islam.” We are current and former board members of Whirlwind Project, a community nonprofit organization seeking to foster mutual respect and understanding among many cultures and faith traditions in our community. Our board includes members who are Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim. We come together as caring members of the greater Champaign-Urbana community.

We acknowledge Mr. Foreman’s concern that increasing worldwide violence is a horrific tragedy we must address. Yet we cannot foster tolerance and peace by demonizing any one faith and culture, nor can we do so by blindly sanctifying our own. Instead, we choose to explore imaginative ways to dispel stereotypes and misperceptions. Coming together as members of a diverse community begins the process of building trust, understanding, and hope.
By sharing songs, poetry, meals and stories at Whirlwind events, members of our community have developed meaningful relationships. Muslims, Jews, Christians and Buddhists, as well as African-Americans and other minorities, have grown to see each other as genuine human beings, not as caricatures.

Beginning April 21, Whirlwind Project 2006: “The Art of Being Neighbors” will offer an array of programs exploring sacred stories through music, dialogue and the arts.

We warmly invite John Foreman and everyone in our community to participate in our events, which will offer opportunities to get to know Muslims and others from a rich variety of cultures and traditions. Visit us online at: www.whirlwindproject.org.

Whirlwind Project Board:

ZERNIAL BOGAN, ROGER DIGGES, KEVIN KELLY, DON MASON, LEE MELHADO, STEVEN SHOEMAKER, ROBERT SILVERMAN, JENNY SOUTHLYNN
Urbana

MUJAHID AL-FAYADH, DEE BREEDING, LISA BUSJAHN, VERA DUNCANSON, JEFFERY FORD, ALLISON FROMM, DON NOLEN, WAYNE PITARD, ELIHU SMITH
Champaign

PETER DYCK
Thomasboro