Source: The Providence Journal

http://www.ricma.org/media-Interfaith.htm

On May 14, 2004 The Providence Journal reported on an interfaith prayer service held at the First Baptist Church of America to reflect on the recent events in Iraq: "The vigil was sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. Nine ministers, including the leader of the Muslim American Dawah Center of Rhode Island, spoke, prayed and sang. Imam Farid Ansari, of the Dawah Center, shared his unique perspective on the war as a Muslim, an American, and a former police officer. A police officer, Imam Ansari said, has the power over life and death, but may only use that deadly force when his life, or the life of another, is threatened. 'We as Americans have been blessed by God as custodian of an enormous amount of power,' he said. Do not abuse it, he warned. 'We cannot forget those values that established this country,'Ansari said. Nearly 50 clergy of the Council of Churches also signed a statement expressing their shock at and disapproval of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners."