Interfaith group protects Islamic center

CINCINNATI,OH–People from diverse faiths gathered at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati to form a symbolic peace ring around the mosque. More than 100 Jews, Christians, Sikhs, and Muslims.

Organizers behind the first “interfaith peace ring” event told the Enquirer that they were inspired in part by a February incident in Scandinavia. Dozens of Muslims and others in Oslo, Norway, formed a symbolic, protective ring around a synagogue in the wake of a deadly attack on a synagogue in Denmark.

“There are numerous stereotypes out there about Muslims,” Erika King-Betts, executive director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, who was credited with the idea for the interfaith peace ring event.

“We will not allow stereotypes to be present in our community, and we just wanted to come together in a show of support,” said Betts.

Organizers hope to make it an annual event of interfaith unity.

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