Plans for a gambling casino in a small city in Suffolk, Massachusetts, have been widely rejected by Christian and Muslim religious leaders, organizing marches, speeches from worshipping houses pulpits and dropping flyers protesting the plans.

“Once a casino comes, you can’t get rid of it,” the Rev. George Szal, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, told about 100 parishioners during a post-Mass prayer service, Boston herald reported on Monday, February 17.

“In the end, this is a bad idea. This doesn’t come from heaven. It comes from hell.”

Located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, plans for a Mohegan Sun casino in Revere have been the center of debates over the past weeks.

Clergy’s speech at the mass-prayer service reflected a growing opposition to the planned casino ahead of a crucial referendum on the plans.

An earlier vote last November showed that almost 60 percent of Revere voters supported the Eastie-centric Suffolk Downs casino plan.

Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo said he’s confident of a similar or higher margin next February 25.

“They’re not solving the problem as it pertains to gambling in Massachusetts,” Rizzo said.

“They’re just focusing on Revere and trying to hurt Revere’s chances at earning a license.”

Yet, religious leaders were far from submitting to the plans.

Uniting efforts of faith and community leaders, members of Suffolk Downs formed a local opposition group “Don’t Gamble on Revere” to emphasize the social ills they say come with casinos, such as addiction, drunken driving and prostitution.

“Gambling is forbidden in every religion,” said Imam Sherif Shabaka of the Egyptian Association, who represented local Muslims at yesterday’s service.

“It brings hostility amongst people. If I lose my money or lose my house, I become a person full of hatred.”

The United States is home to a Muslim minority of between six to eight million.

Islam prohibits any game which involves betting, that is, which has an element of gambling in it.

According to statistics, around three million Moroccans practice different forms of gambling.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/469341-faith-leaders-protest-ma-casino-plan.html

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