Jewish and Islamic communities react to Middle East conflict

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of Utah’s Jewish and Islamic communities are watching developments in the Middle East with cautious optimism tonight, following news of a reported ceasefire agreement. At the Islamic Center of Utah in West Jordan, prayers for peace are being offered amid heightened concerns. “We ask God that peace should prevail. Cooler minds should prevail,” said Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center during evening prayers. "May God give those who are in positions of authority and power the wisdom to make the right decisions." The announcement of a possible ceasefire comes as a welcome relief to many in the community, especially after a tense weekend of developments in Iran. “The ceasefire announcement is a sigh of relief, because for a moment it did seem like things were escalating and getting worse day by day,”  Din added. But, despite the hopeful news, local Islamic leaders remain on alert and are coordinating with West Jordan police as a precaution. “Every time something happens in that part of the world, there is a trickle-down effect here,” said Din. "We have some of the same concerns, same fears that everyone has. We're part of the American Fabric." The Jewish community in Utah is also feeling the ripple effects of the conflict. “It certainly is a challenging time. All of these activities cause stress, worry (and) uncertainty,” said Alex Shapiro, CEO of the United Jewish Federation of Utah. Shapiro emphasized the importance of strong relationships with Salt Lake City Police Department to keep a watchful eye on any possible violence. “Our relationships have to be strong and solid with local law enforcement,” he said. "Jewish communities have historically had to worry about hate incidents or hate crimes taking place against our community."

National security perspective

Professor Ryan Vogel, Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University, is optimistic about the security threat against Utah and the Country. “I don’t think Utah has real reason to be concerned at this point,” Vogel said. He noted that while immediate escalation seems unlikely, long-term consequences remain a concern. “I don’t expect a full-on escalation from Iran, just because it would not be in their strategic interest to do that. I think the greater risk is long-term consequences," he said.

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