Dozens of people of all faiths gathered at the Islamic Center of Kingston’s Masjid Al-Hoda in Rhode Island, sending a message of solidarity with the Muslim community less than 48 hours after being targeted in a hate attack.
“We can either find strength and solace in our faith and be strong and do what we know is right, or we can cave into fear and ignorance and do foolish things like what happened at this place,” said Rev. Don Anderson of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.
“When this happens to any one of our houses of worship, it happens to all of us,” he added.
Removing the offensive graffiti, people of all faiths and backgrounds sat together Saturday afternoon to show support with the Muslim community.
“We stand together and will not be oppressed,” said Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman of Temple Beth El.
“We will not be cowardly, we will stand together to oppose hatred and division and fear.”
“We know who will ultimately prevail and it is not hatred and it is not evil. It is people like us coming together,” said University of Rhode Island President David Dooley.
“We time and time again are victimized as a result of other people’s actions who are acting in the name of Islam but not doing anything that stands for the religion of Islam,” Wendy Manchester Ibrahim of the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement, told.
URI professor Katrin Jomaa, who teaches Islamic religion at the school, said she worried about what would happen in the aftermath of the vandalism.
“I feel that I shouldn’t be afraid,” she said. “I feel that I shouldn’t let the fear sink into my mind.”
source : hawzahnews
