Blog by Associate Theresa Kempker, OPA[/caption]
In June, Muslims around the world observed the end of Ramadan, their month of fasting, with the holy day of Eid al-Fitr. In Columbus, a local hate group advertised that they were going to gather outside one of the mosques on this day and hassle the congregants as they went to worship. Soon, a request went out for people to make a barrier of love around the mosque, to separate the Muslim congregants from those who would hinder their right to worship.
We gathered at noon on a very hot, sunny day. I quickly found some Sisters and Associates. We waved at the Muslims as they came in, the Muslims brought us water, and the other group stayed across the street with some nasty signs. After a very hot hour, we went home.
A few days later, I was having lunch with a Muslim student of mine. She was saddened by the vitriolic language that she kept hearing. After talking about the news, I told her that there is hope, and I described the barrier of love. She was so touched to hear that these people came out in the heat so that Muslims could go to worship. She got tears in her eyes, and then she said, “Please tell them that I will pray for them always.”
May the prayers of this student combine with ours to make a world of peace. 