Your June 22 editorial “Palos Heights disgraces itself,” on the struggle of American Muslims to have a religious center in the south suburb, is as bold and praiseworthy as the stand taken by the city’s Mayor Dean Koldenhoven. Muslims might have lost the battle by a thin margin (5-3) at the City Council vote, but they have won the hearts of the advocates of freedom of religion and the tradition of tolerance. The officials of the Reformed Church, whose building is at issue, have also demonstrated that people of faiths trust and respect each other. By standing behind the contract, they have sown the seed of religious tolerance.
The offer of $200,000 to buy out the contract is a clear case of religious bigotry, racism and hypocrisy. As the supporters of Confederate flag claim that they respect blacks, opponents of the mosque also exhibit the face of civility by offering money to Muslims to move to another location.
