Interfaith Solidarity Rally At Des Plaines Islamic Community Center

DES PLAINES, IL — About two dozen Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of other faiths stood together outside the Des Plaines Islamic Community Center Friday to show solidarity with the Muslim community after a bomb threat last month.

With increasing numbers of reported threats, incidents of vandalism and apparent arson targeting Jewish and Muslim religious sites, it is important for people of different faiths to support one another, said Carol Muskin of Jewish Voice for Peace.

"It seems as though the forces of hatred that have existed for many, many decades in the U.S. have come to the fore," she said.

She noted that when Jewish cemeteries were recently vandalized, a local Palestinian activist organized a fundraising campaign for their repair.

"This is the kind of message we want to get out. If there are forces of hatred, we are here are loving brothers and sisters."

Some people who live and work nearby saw the gathering and approached to show their support, as did passing drives with honks honks of encouragement.

"There are efforts to divide Muslims and Jews. They are cynical efforts. They are unnecessary efforts and they are immoral efforts," said Senator Daniel Biss, of Illinois 9th District.

"What I am here to say is that we're cousins, and an attack on a Muslim is an attack on my family, just as an attack on a Jew is an attack on my family."

Attendees talked and shared food with worshipers heading to and from midday prayers at the mosque.

"There's a growing force of intolerance and racism that is exerting itself in the country and every responsible citizen and non-citizen needs to stand up in defense" of every minorities group, regardless of their religious, racial or other identity, said rally attendee Roger Fraser of Rolling Meadows.

Mumtaz Khan, former secretary of the ICC of Des Plaines said he was very encouraged by the support from the event, which was sponsored by a coalition of Chicago and north suburban interfaith groups.

Viatorian Father Corey Brost, co-founder of the interfaith anti-hate group the Children of Abraham coalition, said the key to countering intolerance was meeting and learning from people of different faiths.

"Once you know something and once you have a relationship, you're automatically moved to stand up against the hate that's too prevalent right now," he said.

"God will not be silent or silenced" even in times of darkness, Brost suggested communities of faith can become closer and stronger. "God is moving us all together to speak in a unified voice for God and God's people. The God we all worship."

Laura Koskela of Carol Stream held a sign reading "Support Muslim Communities Reject Islamophobia" to passing motorists.

"In my America there's religious freedom, and we don't hate, we just don't hate," she said. "We have to comfort and support each other, that's the only way we're going to get through this. We can't normalize what's going on. We just can't."

Photos: Jonah Meadows