Contact:
Hala Hess White
Director of Communications
hala@stlukesatlanta.org
Cell: 678-641-8046
Muslim Public Affairs Council President to Speak
at St. Luke's Episcopal Church this Sunday


In the wake of yet another violent attack on our Muslim brothers and sisters, the Rev. Ed Bacon, interim rector of St. Luke's, welcomes Salam Al-Marayati to the Forum this Sunday, March 15 at 10:15 a.m. Salam's timely appearance in Atlanta creates an opportunity for dialogue and growth, as well as a collective reminder of the evil and peril in all separatists and supremacist beliefs; that violence and exclusion anywhere are threats to peace and justice everywhere.

Nationally recognized for his commitment to improving the public understanding of Islam and policies impacting American Muslims, Salam is president and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. He oversees MPAC’s groundbreaking civic engagement, public policy, and advocacy work. 

He is an expert on Islam in the West, Muslim reform movements, human rights, democracy, national security, and Middle East politics. He has spoken at the White House, Capitol Hill and represented the U.S. at international human rights and religious freedom conferences.

Salam's writings have appeared in every major national news publication (including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times ). His interviews have been featured on national and international news outlets (including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and C-SPAN). Because he believes that community development is essential to fully integrating Muslims within America’s pluralism, Salam has facilitated hundreds of civic engagement workshops around the country—from rooms of five people to conference halls of hundreds.

Founded in 1864 as a "refuge for the refugees," St. Luke's is a thriving, progressive worshiping community in the heart of midtown Atlanta dedicated to social justice and racial healing. Our interim rector, Ed Bacon, began his Episcopal journey of faith at St. Luke’s nearly four decades ago. Ordained in 1983, his ministry has led him to become a national voice on issues of faith and justice for all regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 

Until his retirement in May 2016, Ed was the rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, California – a 4,000 member multi-ethnic urban Episcopal parish, with a reputation for energetic worship, a radically inclusive spirit, and a progressive peace and justice agenda.
He has been a guest panelist in the Spirituality 101 segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show’s “Living Your Best Life” series as well as a regular on Oprah’s Soul Series. He is the author of "8 Habits of Love: Open Your Heart, Open Your Mind."

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