Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LOGAN — Holding a handwritten sign that said, "This veteran stands with you," Justin Bishop joined in support of Cache Valley's Muslim community during a rally Friday outside the Logan Islamic Center.
"I'm tired of politicians telling me who I ought to hate, who I should like. It's not about that. I served in the military to protect everyone in this country, regardless of your belief system, regardless of your views," Bishop said.
Bishop was among some 200 people who turned out to stand with local Muslims, many of whom work and attend Utah State University.
Erik Thalman, a member of Logan's Muslim community who serves on the mosque's leadership committee, expressed thanks for the outpouring of support. The event, organized by the USU Interfaith Initiative, brought together community members, university students, faculty and clergy of other faiths.
"We're better together than we are divided. There's a lot of voices trying to divide us. So all of you have come together to spread a very powerful message of unity and love. God bless, thank you," he said.
Rachel Tolhurst, an international studies student at USU, said she came to the rally because she wanted to stand up for "people who are discriminated against unfairly based on the actions of a small contingent of their religion."
Meili Stokes, a senior at USU, said many people have responded to recent violent events with fear and anger.
"I think any opportunity to stop that cycle of anger and terror is a positive thing," Stokes said. "It's an honor to be part of a community that's trying to spread love rather than hate."
Pastor Scott Thalacker, of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Logan, said he attended the rally to lend encouragement to the Muslim community "at a time not everyone is showing that kind of support. We feel as Christians it's really important to welcome other people and open our lives to them just as Jesus Christ welcomed us."
The rally meant a great deal to Muslims in Cache Valley, said Abdulkafi Albirini, a member of the Logan Islamic Center and an associate professor of linguistics at USU.
"This makes us feel like we are part of the community and that we are not alienated from the others, that people care about others. This is important, especially in this community. We want to feel a part of the community, and this is what the people are showing here," he said.
Representatives of the Logan Islamic Center invited all who took part in the rally to attend their Friday afternoon prayer service.
Muslim faithful were urged to cling steadfast to their beliefs for the "worship of Allah leads to peace and provision," said Mubarak Sulaiman, who offered the sermon.
"Those who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice, they will have security," he said.
