I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Zia Rahman. On behalf of the Catholic people of the diocese, I offer my condolences to his family and the Muslim community of South Jersey. I always will be grateful for the role he played in promoting respect and understanding between the Muslim and Catholic communities of South Jersey.
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The Diocese of Camden serves 500,000 Catholics in Atlantic, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
On February 20, 2008, the Muslim and Roman Catholic faith communities in South Jersey-represented by Zia Rahman and Bishop Joseph Galante–signed a landmark agreement (“An Agreement of Understanding and Cooperation between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden and The Muslim American Community Association”) at the Voorhees Islamic Center.
The agreement, only the second of its kind in the nation, was made in order to promote mutual respect and understanding, to reinforce common values, and opening opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.
The Agreement contains five articles with commitments to uphold freedom of speech, thought, religion and conscience; to challenge religious and ethnic intolerance; to foster a deeper relationship based on knowledge, understanding and respect for each other’s history and traditions; to “build bridges” between the two faith communities; and to establish a joint committee and Catholic-Muslim Commission to assure that the agreement is fully implemented, as well as a Catholic-Muslim Institute to promote education in the respective faith communities.