Mass. Interfaith Rally Supports Proposed Mosque Near Ground Zero

Religious leaders from across Boston will gather at the State House Tuesday to support a proposed Islamic cultural center in downtown Manhattan.

The Greater Boston Interfaith organization has collected hundreds of signatures for a petition supporting the construction of the mosque near ground zero.

Rev. Hurmon Hamilton, president of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, says the petition affirms common ground among all of Boston's religious traditions.

"We call upon all political and religious leaders to pause, to think deeply about their next breath and their next statement and make sure that they're promoting democracy and not division, and not demonizing a particular religious group, either for political gain or out of fear," Hamilton said.

At the rally this afternoon representatives of Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities will make brief remarks.