Walk gives mosque support

Members of several Bloomington churches and faiths staged a Walk and Prayer for Peace and Solidarity on Sunday afternoon in response to the hate crime against the Bloomington Islamic Center. \nThe walk, which was created in conjunction with an open house being held at the Islamic Center, began at the IU Outdoor Pool on Fee Lane, and ended at the Islamic Center, located on Atwater Avenue, where prayers, comments and feelings were shared among the various members of differing faiths and backgrounds. \nThe several hundred-strong crowd came from churches and congregations including St. Paul's Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church, the Unitarian-Universalist congregation and members of the Shalom Center. The walk, which was born from a discussion between Rev. Bill Breeden of the Unitarian Church and Nathan Ainslie, president of the Islamic Center, was created to show support and solidarity for the center and the Muslim members of the Bloomington community.\nAinslie said he was exceptionally pleased to see the support from the many diverse faiths of the Bloomington community.\n"This wonderful idea has shown the solidarity that can be created when several faith communities show their support," Ainslie said. "This solidity says that an attack on one faith community is an attack on all of us."\nMaher El-Sarrag, chairman of the Islamic Center, said the walk will help to produce a stronger sentiment of community between Islam and other faiths. \n"Muslims are a part of Bloomington," he said. "We are neighbors, coworkers and friends, and this walk shows that the community cares for us like we care for the community." \nBreeden, who proposed the idea for the walk, said he wanted to do it to show that Bloomington is a tolerant, liberal community. \n"Bloomington's a wonderful, liberal city and intolerance is a very small slice of the community; tolerance and acceptance of our community is what we're truly about," Breeden said. \nJohn Bava, a member of the Islamic Center, said he expected 300 to 400 people to attend the open house, and to collectively display their support. \n"It's great to see so many people rise above the hate and show their solidarity, regardless of their different cultural or religious backgrounds," he said. \nThe Muslim Student Union at IU also played an important part in creating the walk. Shahaab Uddin, current vice-president, said the MSU was active in spreading awareness about the event.\n"We sent e-mails to students and helped pass out literature and round up any students and professors who are in town who could help us further our goal of spreading awareness of Islam and the true meaning of the religion," Uddin said.\nRepresenting the various faiths in attendance were members of the First United Methodist Church and the St. Thomas Lutheran Church, who explained why they believed to it to be important to show their support.\n"I wanted to show that I care about them and I wish them peace," said Diana Igo, a member of the First United Methodist Church. \nPastor Lyle McKee of the St. Thomas Lutheran Church expressed similar sentiments.\n"I came to show that I stand against hatred and violence, and I stand for peace and tolerance," he said.\nLawrence Moss, a professor of mathematics at IU, participated in the walk. Moss, who is Jewish, said he felt a certain kinship with the members of the Islamic Center following the attack. \n"Jews understand the feeling of being considered outsiders, and we wanted to be with the community at this event," Moss said.\nMoss estimated about 30 Jews participated with him in the mile and half long walk, despite the heat.\nMembers of the Islamic Center expressed gratitude and appreciation at the overwhelming support they have received since the attack, adding that the solidarity walk was the ultimate sign of support and belonging from the community.\n"The walk was moving, and the number of people here filled me with awe," said Aisha Sharif, president of the Women's Committee at the Islamic Center. "I feel proud to be a member of this community."\nIhsan Colak, a former executive member of the center, said he felt an overpowering sense of belonging as a result of the walk and open house. \n"When the attack happened, I thought we were alone," Colak said. "But with all these people coming here today, I see that we belong and it's such a beautiful thing"