“At 250, America needs its faith leaders to help heal divisions”| Victor Ghalib Begg

“At 250, America needs its faith leaders to help heal divisions”
OpEd from Victor Ghalib Begg
Arizona Daily Star, tucson.com, 4/23/2026

An interesting and thoughtful read from Victor Ghalib Begg, an interfaith partner of AM’s who previously presented at our Interfaith Celebration of Gratitude gathering. Begg’s reflection and look at history helps us to process the question “How do we celebrate this milestone [250-year USA celebration] at a time of deep division?”

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, the nation faces a defining question: How do we celebrate this milestone at a time of deep division?

This semiquincentennial should be more than a commemoration. It should be a moment of reflection on whether we are living up to the ideals of equality, liberty and justice outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

Religious leaders have a vital role to play in that reflection. Across traditions, faith voices can affirm the moral foundations of our national life — uplifting shared values of peace, justice, dignity and compassion. At a time of polarization, they can help bridge divides by encouraging civic engagement, pluralism and a renewed sense of responsibility to one another.

Read the full article here: https://tucson.com/opinion/column/article_53b6e952-af20-51ba-a549-96484d8b9e3f.html.

(Ghalib Begg is a former chair of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan and vice chair emeritus of Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities. He wrote this for The Detroit News and USA TODAY Network.)