From The Tulsa World (Oklahoma)
by Bill Sherman
Muslims leaving a Friday afternoon prayer service at the Al-Salam mosque were greeted by dozens of smiling people carrying signs that read, “Standing in solidarity,” “You are a great part of our community” and “Howdy neighbor.”
They mingled with the people who had come out to show support for their beleaguered community, shaking hands and thanking them.
“Oklahoma Muslims have been under some pretty heavy scrutiny and fire lately, from elected officials and others,” said the Rev. Chris Moore of Fellowship Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, who spearheaded the event.
“Our point was to show them support from this community in a tangible way and to express our desire for them to understand that we consider them neighbors.”
Moore said he borrowed the idea from a similar event held several weeks ago in Oklahoma City, where he was an associate pastor until coming to Tulsa last year.
“I floated the idea to OCCJ (Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice) and Phillips Theological Seminary, and they ran with it,” he said.
Moises Echeverria, OCCJ program coordinator, carried a sign that read, “Oklahoma is more beautiful because of you.”
“I think it’s important to show the community that there is a different narrative involving Oklahoma Muslims than has been expressed by some government officials,” he said before the rally.
“We value diversity, and we think Oklahoma is better because of Muslims.
