Muslims gather at Arizona mosque to promote peace amidst anti-Islam protests

Monday, June 1 event, organized by more than 20 groups, comes four days after an anti-Muslim event held outside the mosque drew more than 200 protesters, some armed, who berated Islam and its Prophet Muhammad

Attendees listen as speakers from different faiths speak at an interfaith rally titled “Love is Stronger than Hate” at the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix, June 1, 2015. The rally was held in response to an earlier anti-Muslim rally at the same location.

An Arizona mosque was the site of of a “love not hate” event on Monday (June 1) to promote peace and inclusiveness despite anti-Islam demonstration last week where counter-protesters were shouting “Go home, Nazis."

Religious News Service reports that the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix said it was hosting a gathering that includes a multi-faith prayer service and speakers to “show that when one of us is mistreated, our community responds with a message of Love and Not Hate.”

“We ask that you bring a FLOWER as a symbol of love and care,” the event organizers said on Facebook. “We are better together, and together we are strong.”

Monday’s event, organized by more than 20 groups, comes four days after an anti-Muslim event held outside the mosque drew more than 200 protesters, some armed, who berated Islam and its Prophet Muhammad.

The rally was held at the mosque in part because two Texas gunmen who opened fire outside an anti-Muslim event in Texas last month had worshipped there, said rally organizer Jon Ritzheimer, an Iraq war veteran.

As that event unfolded, demonstrators on both sides screamed obscenities at each other as police in riot gear separated the two groups.

It was gathered that on Monday evening, about 200 participants filed into the mosque, some carrying roses, tulips and daisies.

“There’s been a lot of effort to divide the faith community and set us apart from one another and we want to demonstrate a strong message of togetherness,” Reverend Erin Tamayo, executive director of Arizona Faith Network, which helped to organize the event, said. “I am praying we don’t get any negative response.”

Most of those who attended had left by Monday night with no reports of violent flare-ups or arrests.

Among other co-sponsors of Monday’s were the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona, Arizona Interfaith Movement and the Anti-Defamation League, according to the Facebook posting.