Muslims and non-Muslims in the community agree the key to bridging the gap between the two faiths is respecting each other’s differences.
“We have to respect the rights of every human being and be caring and kind,” said Caren Goldman, executive director of Compassionate St. Augustine. “We need to get to a point where compassion becomes a verb and not a noun.”
Imam Youssef Filat of the Islamic Center on State Road 207 agrees.
“God made us people, and because of that, we are meant to love each other, respect each other and do good deeds. Love has to come from our house to the rest of the world,” he said during a prayer service on Friday. “If a person kills another unjustly, it’s like he killed all of mankind. And a person who saves one man saves all of mankind.”
Filat led the weekly prayer service at the mosque Friday. The center has been a gathering point for a group of protesters in response to the servicemen who were killed last week by a gunman in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The St. Augustine protesters said they are taking a stand against the evil in the world.
But they aren’t the only ones in Florida who are protesting in front of mosques, said Hassan Shibly, executive director for CAIR Florida. The Council on American-Islamic Relations was established in 2001 “to challenge stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and defend civil liberties,” according to its website.
“We’ve seen an increase in anti-Muslim bigotry in Florida, especially this past week,” Shibly said. “It’s hurtful to see anti-Muslim sentiment in the name of patriotism and to see people take advantage of tragic situations like Chattanooga.”
When a tragedy involving a Muslim person strikes, the nation is quick to blame all Muslims, he said.
“We are first to face the phobias, and we need to get rid of that whole standard,” he said. “The shootings in Charleston and Lafayette (Louisiana) doesn’t reflect white America. So why is it when a Muslim is involved, people are quick to say it’s not right.”
During his Friday sermon, Filat said the protesters outside the mosque had the right to be there.
“We have to understand they are upset their brothers in the Marines were killed, and we feel sorry for them,” he said.
He also alluded to how Muslims are portrayed in America.
“We are against it; what you see on TV is not our religion,” he said. “America is in our heart — this is our country.”
While Muslims were inside the mosque, a group of about 60 people stood in the parking lot to lend quiet support, a counter-demonstration organized by Compassionate St. Augustine.
Claire Southerland was one of them.
“They’re my friends, and I stand with them. They believe in kindness and peace,” she said. “I want the protesters to know I support them.”
There is a different kind of evil in the world than what the protesters are espousing, Southerland said.
“To stoke hatred is evil, and I find people who stoke evil to be dangerous,” she said.
For some, coming to the aid of their Muslim neighbors was a way to ensure they would pray in peace.
“If we get to a place in America where we can no longer pray in peace, we are no longer America,” said Ken Wilcox, a minister for the Center for Spiritual Living of St. Augustine. “I think our nation is in a lot of fear right now, but we have to step up to greater possibilities of love and compassion.”
While Goldman is pleased with the turnout, she says the number isn’t important.
“It’s not about the numbers, it’s about building bridges,” she said.
For Shibly, the way to do that is simple: Get to know a Muslim neighbor.
Filat added: “We have to teach society to help each other and build this country together, side by side.”