Democratic Iowa congressional candidate and Lutheran minister Sarah Trone Garriott recently wrote an opinion piece in response to criticism she faced for reading a Muslim prayer in the Iowa Senate in 2021. In her article, she reflects on her experience and how it has shaped her understanding of anti-Muslim bigotry. Titled “Iowa Democrat Pastor Running for Congress: 9/11 Taught Me About ‘Anti-Muslim Bigotry’,” Garriott’s piece was published on Breitbart, a conservative news and opinion website.
In her article, Garriott begins by acknowledging the criticism she received for her reading of a Muslim prayer in the Iowa Senate. She explains that she was invited to read the prayer as part of a multi-faith service, and it was meant to promote unity and understanding among different religious communities. However, some critics accused her of promoting Islam and betraying her Christian faith.
Garriott then goes on to share her personal experience of how the events of September 11, 2001, opened her eyes to the reality of anti-Muslim bigotry. As a Lutheran minister, she was serving a congregation in New York City at the time of the attacks. She witnessed firsthand the fear and suspicion that many Muslims in her community faced in the aftermath of the tragedy. She recalls how her own church opened its doors to Muslim neighbors who were afraid to attend their own mosques.
Through this experience, Garriott learned the harmful effects of anti-Muslim bigotry. She saw how it not only causes fear and division but also prevents us from truly understanding and connecting with one another. She writes, “As a pastor, I have seen the harm that bigotry and hate can cause. It does not bring people together; it tears them apart.”
Garriott then reflects on how her faith calls her to stand against all forms of discrimination and to promote love and acceptance for all people. She says that the teachings of Jesus and the values of her Lutheran faith have inspired her to fight against anti-Muslim bigotry and to stand in solidarity with her Muslim brothers and sisters.
Garriott also addresses the misconception that by advocating for the rights and dignity of Muslims, she is somehow betraying her Christian faith. She clarifies that her actions are rooted in her Christian values and her belief in the inherent worth of every human being. She states, “I stand with my Muslim neighbors not in spite of my faith, but because of it.”
In conclusion, Garriott reiterates that the events of 9/11 taught her valuable lessons about the harmful impacts of anti-Muslim bigotry. She urges us to reject hate and division and to embrace understanding and compassion towards all people, regardless of their religion. She also calls on her fellow Christians to join her in promoting love and acceptance for all, just as Jesus would have done.
Garriott’s article is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing against bigotry and promoting unity and understanding among different religious communities. Her personal experience serves as a testament to the fact that we are all connected and that by supporting one another, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society. As she rightly states, “We are all stronger when we stand together.” So let us follow Garriott’s example and strive towards a world where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their faith.