Muslims and members of the Bloomington-Normal community gathered Friday to mourn and honor the lives of Muslims killed in the Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand.
Not In Our Town members showed support by meeting with Muslims for midday prayer at theIslamic Center of McLean County in Bloomington.
“An attack on any brother or sister is an attack on every American,” the prayer said.
The prayer encouraged worshippers to speak out against hate and stand in unity in times of fear.
“Attacks such as these have to be condemned. Let us unite upon peace and work together as one people against all people who try to divide us,” the prayer said.
Forty-nine Muslims were killed in two New Zealand mosques when a man opened fire on worshippers during Friday midday prayer.
Meanwhile, First United Methodist Church in Normal issued a statement about the Christchurch killings.
"We reject the racism and fear that led to this brutal taking of innocent life," Pastor Kent King-Nobles said. "We commit to work with others to end this scourge of gunning down innocents. We know God to be a source of love and compassion. We pray for those whose lives are wrecked by hate and who are mentally unstable. We grieve with all who grieve today. We will be ready to work tomorrow with all who desire to bring healing and justice."
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