Oregon’s various Muslim communities are gathering in downtown Portland for “peace and understanding” from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, 19 December. More than two dozen organizations — including Christian, Jewish and Buddhist groups — have added their names to the sponsorship list for the event
Muslims, as well as such groups as Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, are sponsoring an interfaith rally in Pioneer Courthouse Square (pictured), entitled “A Call for Love and Understanding: Responding to Violence with Unity”
The event is sponsored by the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center in Corvallis, Bilal Mosque in Portland, the Islamic Society of Southwest Washington, the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Interfaith Association of Albany, Interfaith Association of Corvallis, Interfaith Association of Salem, and Interfaith Council of Greater Portland. Other sponsors are to be announced.
The Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center and the Muslim community of Corvallis, along with the people of Corvallis and other cities, will hold the rally to “show their condemnation of the heinous Pioneer Courthouse Square plot and all other terror attacks, as well as to show their support and solidarity to all the people of Portland and beyond,” organizers said in a statement.
The statement alludes to the 26 November arrest of Mohamed Mohamud in connection with a plot to bomb the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting. Two days later, the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center in Corvallis was hit by arson in suspected retaliation.
“We are calling on all Muslims and non-Muslims to join us, showing our unity and solidarity against any form of violence against anyone regardless of faith, race, nationality or gender,” the statement read.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is a statewide association of Christian denomination, including Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox congregations, ecumenical organizations and interfaith partners working together.
Source: IslamToday