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Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of 蜜柚直播 led the meeting, spurred by a conversation he had previously with Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash.

鈥淚 think there was a growing sense of concern among religious leaders regarding their congregations and the divisions that exist within congregations,鈥� Kicanas said. 鈥淎nd how could we, as leaders of this faith community, bring an initiative to try and urge respectful dialogue and affirm our moral teachings as people of faith to welcome the stranger and foster peace?鈥�

Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh leaders were joined by representatives from other faith organizations that work with immigrants and refugees. About 40 religious organizations were represented.

The public statement drafted during Tuesday鈥檚 gathering affirmed the commitment of the represented religious communities to welcome, support and defend Southern 蜜柚直播鈥檚 community of immigrants and refugees.

The statement was signed by 105 leaders from 57 congregations and religious organizations and will be sent to members of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 congressional delegation and the president. It asks that President Trump rescind the executive orders targeting these communities and develop immigration policies consistent with 鈥渢he values and moral fabric of our nation.鈥�

鈥淚f there is anything scripture is clear on across traditions, it is to welcome strangers and extend hospitality,鈥� said the Rev. Robert Hendrickson III of St. Philip鈥檚 in the Hills Episcopal Church. 鈥淚 think right now we are watching forces segment parts of the community, and it pits us against each other. ... The statement that came out is that simple proclamation that we are one community, and the faith community will respect human dignity.鈥�

The leaders at the meeting also acknowledged the diversity of opinions within their own congregations.

鈥淲hen there is polarization, the only way through is to engage in respectful dialogue,鈥� Kicanas said after the meeting. 鈥淚 think it was a clear commitment on the part of religious leaders here to try and work with people in our congregations of varied perspectives to see if we could reach some level of common ground and understanding among us.鈥�

The religious leaders鈥� statement strongly opposes the related executive orders and states clearly that the signing members stand beside immigrants, refugees and Muslims impacted by these actions.

鈥淲e have some brothers and sisters, they are afraid of what President Trump announced,鈥� said Imam Watheq Alobaidi of the Muslim Community Center of 蜜柚直播. 鈥淲e need to make these people not be afraid because we feel that we are citizens in this country and, yes, we are part of this community.鈥�

Alobaidi plans to share with his congregation the support shown Tuesday morning.

鈥淭his was very encouraging, and 蜜柚直播 has always been a gracious community,鈥� said Maqsood Ahmad, a director of the Muslim Community Center of 蜜柚直播.

The mosque community feels the impact of the ban directly, including among Syrian refugee families who are 鈥渁bsolutely devastated,鈥� Ahmad said.

Alobaidi himself is a refugee from Iraq. He has lived in the United States since 2009 and is now an American citizen, along with his wife and two daughters. The three women have planned a trip to Turkey to visit family in February. Now they鈥檙e not sure if they should go for fear they won鈥檛 be able to get back to 蜜柚直播.

鈥淲e need to let the Muslim community know they are cared about; they are part of the community,鈥� Rabbi Louchheim said at the meeting. 鈥淭hey are welcomed, not foreigners or strangers, but neighbors. It鈥檚 incumbent on us to reach out to them.鈥�

The group grappled with overcoming fear and building relationships.

鈥淲hile all religious leaders understand the need to protect our borders and make sure our country is safe, we shouldn鈥檛 be driven by fear,鈥� Kicanas said. 鈥淲e should be driven by our moral values, and that鈥檚 what we were trying to do.鈥�