KINGSTON – 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, WPRI 12 reported on Saturday, July 16.

“When this happens to any one of our houses of worship, it happens to all of us,” he added.

Late Thursday, the center’s windows were shattered and the words “Muhammad Prophet of Butchers” were painted in red on the front of the building just moments after the attack in Nice.

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.

The message of support was echoed by Congressman Jim Langevin.

“Something beautiful has come out of something ugly. And people have come together. That room was full with people of different cultures, faiths, backgrounds, orientations,” he said.

Relief

Shocked by the Islamophobic attack, Muslims were relieved by the support they got from the wider community.

“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 ABC 7.

“Your presence here tells me I should not be afraid,” added Nasser Zawia of the center.

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.”

After the vigil, the community center’s spokesman, Nasser Zawia, said he hopes the vandal will join them in prayer one day, adding that hatred is born of ignorance.

“When they get to know you and talk to you, then they find you’re just a human being like them,” he said.