Interfaith peace vigil set by area Muslims

Citing a growing wave of anti-Islamic sentiment across the country, including fierce opposition to planned mosques in Manhattan and Tennessee, leaders of the Toledo area's Muslim community have organized an interfaith prayer vigil for peace Friday night in Sylvania.

"Unfortunately, during the holy month of Ramadan, we experienced - not in Toledo, but nationwide - many anti-Muslim activities," said Salmenna Sediqe, president of the Masjid Saad Foundation on Alexis Road.

Those reports include bitter opposition to plans for Park51, a 13-story Islamic community center to be built on a site several blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan; threats made against people planning a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn.; an announcement by a small church in Florida that its members will burn copies of the Qur'an on Sept. 11, and the stabbing of a New York cab driver by a passenger who asked him if he was a Muslim.

Dr. S. Zaheer Hasan of the United Muslim Association of Toledo, which organized the prayer vigil, said he is concerned by the increase in animosity toward Muslims and said it is misdirected.

"Every day, the level of hatred and animosity toward Muslim communities is increasing, and the sad thing is, it's not just focused on terrorism or 9/11, but anything about Muslims is being attacked. Because the 9/11 attacks were carried out by so-called Muslims, all Muslims are bearing the brunt and collective guilt is being thrown on us," he said.

Ms. Sediqe said that as Sept. 11 approaches, tonight's prayer vigil aims to rally support in the local community and bring people together for the cause of peace.

"We hope it's a way to prevent any anti-Islam activities and also to show that we have the support of other faiths, not just Muslims," Ms. Sediqe said.

The Rev. Steve Anthony, executive director of Toledo Area Ministries, is one local Christian leader who plans to participate in the prayer vigil.

"I think it's important for all people of faith to stand up and say that the [anti-Islam] reports are not the kind of behavior that we would accept in our community, and that all people, no matter what their faith or ethnicity may be, need to be respected and valued," Mr. Anthony said.

Ms. Sediqe said it has been troubling to see so much anger directed at Muslims, especially during Ramadan, the holy month of prayer and fasting that ends on Sept. 10. But an interfaith prayer service for peace "is beautiful," she said.

Dr. Hasan said prayer can bring dramatic results.

"God almighty is the only entity in this world who can change the hearts and minds of people if they are fixed on prejudice," he said. "There comes a point in time when talking doesn't work. History doesn't work. Facts don't work. But God can change hearts and minds."

The interfaith prayer vigil for peace begins at 5 p.m. tonight at Masjid Saad at 5225 West Alexis Rd., Sylvania.

Contact David Yonke at:

dyonke@theblade.com

or 419-724-6154.