In the Name of God, the Merciful and Beneficent

On behalf of the Imam Council of Metropolitan St. Louis (ICMSTL), a council of eighteen Imams that represent the various Islamic Centers and Muslim communities in the Metropolitan area, we would like to express our sincere sadness at this cowardly act of vandalism at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. We believe this act of hate is not only against the Jewish community but is an attack against all faiths and the values we hold as peoples of faith and Americans.

In the Quran, Allah, the God of Abraham says, “And from the followers of Moses are a people who are guided by the Truth, and by it, they are just.” (Qur’an 7:158).

We unanimously condemn this act of vandalism as well as the second round of bomb threats targeting Jewish Community Centers across the United States, and all acts of hate against religious groups. The growing antisemitism in our country is both alarming and unacceptable. Sadly, we’ve witnessed the rise of both antisemitism and bigoted actions against several religions in our ever polarized nation.

We want every member of the Jewish community to know that we will continue to stand in solidarity and are willing to help however needed. So please reach out to us. Currently, we are encouraging our congregations to help rebuild and repair not only the physical damage but the emotional damages this incident has these caused.

Finally, we believe that Allah tests humanity in many ways in order to bring them closer to Him. “Give good tiding to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to God, and indeed to Him we will return’”. We are here to support you and stand with you during these difficult times; as an ally, a friend, and people of the Abrahamic faith.

In peace, with full sincerity and respect,

The Imam Council of Metropolitan St. Louis