Local Muslims Hold Prayer Vigil For Victims Of San Bernardino Attack
HOLBROOK (CBS) -- Local Muslims gathered Saturday at Holbrook Public Library to remember and pray for the victims of the San Bernardino attack.
Organizers say they wanted to reach out to others in the hope of increasing understanding of their faith.
"We wanted to engage our non-Muslim neighbors, our friends in America our non-Muslim American friends to come and meet us and hear our message and to hear what the ideals of Islam are, and to know that the terrorists who commit violence in the name of Islam do not stand with us and they don't share any values with us," said organizer Kashif Chaudhry.
There was apparent fear and apprehension in the room. Some say attacks against Muslims in the U.S. are on the rise, and there's a feeling that it's based on false impressions of Islam.
"We felt that Americans did not know a lot, have never read the Quran, and most have never even seen one, so they're going by things that are being said by people that are anti-Islam" one attendee said.
Organizers hoped the gathering will begin the process of building bridges.
"Just to honor the victims as well as the people in the hospital, to offer our prayers as a community and we invited all faiths," said organizer Masroor Sajid.