N.Y. synagogue hosts diverse meeting after bomb threat
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A group of interfaith religious leaders is meeting Friday at the Riverdale Jewish Center, which was the target of an alleged bomb plot by four suspects who are now in custody. Here, the center in the Bronx in New York City is seen on Thursday.
Enlarge image Enlarge By David Goldman, AP
A group of interfaith religious leaders is meeting Friday at the Riverdale Jewish Center, which was the target of an alleged bomb plot by four suspects who are now in custody. Here, the center in the Bronx in New York City is seen on Thursday.
By Shawn Cohen, USA TODAY
NEW YORK — Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders this morning gathered to denounce religious hatred and express solidarity two days after a Riverdale terrorist plot was foiled.

They spoke in a joint news conference at the Riverdale Jewish Center, one of two sites targeted by four men who had allegedly planned to detonate bombs outside synagogues.

The interfaith gathering aimed to send the message that "religious and ethnic bigotry cannot be tolerated," said Ari Hoffmung, chairman of the Riverdale Jewish Community Council.

BACKGROUND: Terror plot suspects have lengthy criminal records

"When one house of worship is targeted, all houses of worship are targeted," Hoffmung said. "God bless the NYPD, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security for all the work they do on our behalf."

Federal officials were aware of the plans for about a year and arrested the men on Wednesday night.

The four men were charged yesterday with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. The men, James Cromitie, Onta Williams, David Williams and Laguerre Payen, all of Newburgh, N.Y., were American citizens who had converted to Islam while in jail.

"We are here to condemn this act of terrorism because the act does not have anything to do with Islam. Islam is based on peace, tolerance, brotherhood and love," said Imam Konate Souleimane, of a mosque in Harlem, who was among three Muslim religious leaders who spoke out against the terrorist plot.

He had a message for young people who misuse the Islamic faith: "You must learn Islam from the right source."

The Koran gives no permission to kill in the name of Allah, Souleimane said.

About 30 people attended this morning's event, which included prayers and songs. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, all D-N.Y., were there too.

Jonathan Rosenblatt, senior rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center, offered perspective on the event.

"For every isolated pocket of hatred, there are oceans of respect and love and shared destiny," he said.

Cohen writes for The Journal News in Westchester, N.Y.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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