Muslims, Arab-Americans and Nigerian-Americans stood together Friday outside the federal courthouse downtown to speak out against terrorism and Islamic extremists.
An estimated 150 people attended a peaceful demonstration, carrying large American flags and signs that read, “Not in the Name of Islam” and “Not in Our Name.”
The rally was held during the U.S. District Court arraignment of terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is accused of trying to blow up a Northwest Airlines jet bound for Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day.
Majed Moughni of Dearborn said he hopes Friday’s rally leads to a “movement” by Muslims to become more vocal in standing up to Islamic radicals who invade their schools and mosques.
“We are not going to let these terrorists hijack our religion,” said Moughni.
“We’ve been trying to recover from (the Sept. 11 terror attacks) for nine years. (This) comes right in our backyards, right over the heads of the largest Muslim population in North America.”
Nigerian-American Remigius Obi of Ann Arbor also was among the crowd. He held a sign that read, “Nigeria condemns terrorism. Nigerians disown Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Nigeria says sorry to America & the world.”
“I’m here to tell the world that Nigerians don’t support terrorism,” Obi said.
“Terrorism is not part of Nigerians’ culture. We love America. We love life.”
Hours earlier, a group of Muslim religious leaders held a news conference to denounce terrorism.
“The Muslim community is upset with what happened on Christmas Day, that this man tried to blow up the plane in the name of a faith in our own backyard,” said Victor Begg, president of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan.
At the same time, several imams expressed concern over how federal officials will come up with new security screening measures for travelers while also trying to preserve the civil liberties of individuals.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations earlier this week sent President Barack Obama a letter outlining the group’s concerns about Muslim women wearing hijabs, or head scarves, being singled out for additional screening.
On Friday, a coalition of Muslim civil rights organizations contacted U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano with concerns about religious and ethnic profiling.
Hebba Aref, a passenger aboard the targeted Christmas Day flight, joined the imams at the news conference to condemn the attack.
“I would have wished he had studied the religion a little bit better and maybe gotten a better idea of understanding of what our religion is all about,” said 27-year-old Aref, an international lawyer who attended the arraignment.