FARMINGTON – Honoring the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., Old South Church will be hosting award-winning author, educator and activist Reza Jalali to speak beginning at 12 p.m. Monday Jan. 15.
Jalali, who has been recognized as one of Maine’s 50 Leaders in Maine Magazine, will discuss the “dehumanization” that he has witnessed unfolding in the United States since last year’s presidential election.
“With today’s anti-immigrant climate I intend to give a snapshot of how our Muslim neighbors are doing. Life has changed for us,” Jalali said.
After coming to the United States to seek refuge from his own country of Iran, Jalali became an advocate for others in similar situations, offering a voice to those who sometimes feel silenced by the overwhelming transition. He has worked specifically with immigrants and refugees living in Maine in numerous ways, including his work as coordinator at the University of Southern Maine’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and his contributions to the Maine Historical Society’s 400 Years of New Mainers exhibit.
Jalali will share pieces of his own personal story and discuss the stories that many Muslims in the United States are facing.
“It’s heartbreaking that we have to continue having this discussion. We love America as much as anyone else. We pay taxes, work hard, catch colds, vote, volunteer and send our children to school. The post-election America resembles a dark society we thought we had left behind, but it feels as though our past is catching up to us,” Jalali said.
I’d be interested to hear what he thinks about Sam Harris’s take on Islam and his (Sam’s) desire to help reform it.
As he is correct in part, last years election had very little to add. The previous administration had more to do with our downfall in race relations than Trump has had to do with it. I’m in no way saying he doesn’t have anything to do with it but we have been on this road for almost 9 years now.
If there is anything I cannot stand; it is for someone born and raised in a foreign country to travel around lecturing American born citizens on the way they should act or respond to Immigrants. Is Mr. Jalali going to speak about the hundreds of American families who have had their lives torn apart by immigrants who came for the ‘free ride’ and would, and will not join with us and honor the American culture and dream.
England now has ‘Muslim Ghettos’ and thousands who will not assimilate
and are in the process of dividing that long standing friendly nation. The United States trained the military of the country of Iran. For many years that gesture, so Iran could protect it;s own nation, has been used against the United States by a Muslim Government that would crush and bring death to to all infidels. One can only hope that Mr. Jalali’s lecture will not only bemoan the plight of good Iranian Immigrants, but understand the history of, and the price paid, to resist those who appear to make things as they are not. The ‘sleeping giant’ is once again waking up. Santa Barbara
sounded the alarm. The immigrants who come here have to prove who they are by their beliefs and actions, We owe legal immigrants nothing but the opportunity that we all have by our birthright.
For those who might think my comments racist..
I spent many months working alongside a honorable Muslim man who I respect and admire. He and his family love and enjoy America and cherish the American dream by working hard alongside Americans defending the freedom of the human spirit. I for one will hold one hand to welcome, the other will hold a sword to defend and always an ear to listen.
Remember when Church was apolitical?
Reza Jalali was a touching, moving, and gentle speaker. He is an intelligent and thoughtful man who articulated the fear that is part of any Muslim refugee’s life experience today. I wish that you could have heard his clever & wonderful poem about his love for this country (comparing it to a romance) and his worry about the “breakup” of the relationship. Who else but an immigrant can shed light and help us to understand what it feels like to be hated because of things one can not change (like where he was born)? Dr. King was a minister, ‘Nerf,’ and he was also a political/social activist. Jesus practiced and preached radical love; church has never really been apolitical.
Reza Jalali would never dream of “lecturing” this country, which is his country too. He is a bridge-builder, a teacher, a thinker, and his message was one of love. I felt privileged to hear him. Thank you, Wendy, for expressing so eloquently what I feel too.
I was also there to hear him speak. Amen to Wendy Oakley and Wendy Smith’s comments.
Ditto to Wendy O.`,s, Anne S., & Rodney P.`s comments above. Hearing Reza Jalali speak yesterday at the
Martin Luther King program at Old South Church was a very peaceful, insightful & hopeful way to honor
Dr. Martin L. King. The Service honoring Dr. Martin L.King, which was open to the public, was sponsored
by Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry which is represented by 9 local Churches.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message was made powerful because he demonstrated the Christian gospel being acted out in word and in deed. Islam does not have this same power.