Kaila White

The Republic | azcentral.com

Several hundred people gathered at a Phoenix mosque Saturday afternoon, many for the first time, to show support for, learn about and connect with the Muslim community.

The atmosphere outside the the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix was friendly and positive, with people socializing and holding welcoming signs as local musician Obadiah Parker played the guitar and sang. It also was educational for many who removed their shoes and stepped inside the brightly- lit mosque. Participants sat on the plush red carpet and listened to ICCP President Usama Shami speak about Islam and misconceptions.

People standing outside the mosque participated in art projects and got heart-shaped sunglasses from Tara Ijai, a woman who converted to Islam and later founded Love Glasses Revolution, a social group aimed at spreading love and a positive outlook.

A student's idea

High-school student Mikala Teramoto created the Facebook event, Rally in Solidarity With the Muslim Community, three days after President Donald Trump's executive order that bannned citizens of seven majority Muslim nations from entering the United States, temporarily suspended the entry of all refugees and required an indefinite stop on refugees from Syria. The ban is on hold while courts weigh its constitutionality.

"I just wanted to bring attention to the fact that we do have a Muslim community here. We do have a lot of people who are being impacted by this and we need to keep our attention on them," Teramoto, 17, said. "You can fight for whatever policy you want, but people aren’t partisan issues."

It was the first time Teramoto, a senior at the Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix, has organized an event. She worked with students and mosque leaders to plan it, and said they all were surprised to see it grow from a small event for friends to one that attracted hundreds.

Facing protesters

A handful of protesters gathered outside the center's entrance, yelling into megaphones and condemning Islam.

One woman screamed "that's why Muslims don't drive" out her car window as she drove past a female driver wearing a hijab.

There was little other conflict, thanks in part to the presence of at least four officers from the Phoenix Police Department's Community Relations Bureau. Phoenix Police Lt. Dennis Orender estimated 300 to 400 people attended and said the event was peaceful.

Inside the mosque

At least 100 people sat under the mosque's five chandeliers and listened as Shami shared facts about Islam. For example, he said more than half of the world's Muslims live in Asia, not the Middle East.

"Don't despair about what's going on. People go through cycles but the love is there," he said. "All we have to do is bring it up to the surface."

Masha Priest was among those who said it was the first time she'd ever been inside a mosque.

"It has nothing to do with the administration, it has nothing to do with the politics right now," she said of why she decided to attend. "It’s just a good idea to love your neighbor, know your neighbors."