PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza signed an executive order Tuesday creating a Muslim-American advisory board, the latest component of his "One Providence" initiative begun after Donald J. Trump's election. Local Muslim-American community leaders have joined his effort.

"We cannot stand idle," Elorza said as he cited a post-election "rash of hate crimes" across the country targeting minorities, including Muslims and other vulnerable groups. A crowd of several dozen people applauded as Elorza signed the order at the Oasis International center on Broad Street.

"We’ve heard a lot, not only from the president-elect and but also from folks who surround him, that really worry us, and frankly really frighten us," Elorza said. "And so that’s why it’s more important than ever that we come together at the local level. … We’re going to stand together, we’re going to support each other, we’re going to protect each other and that’s what this is all about."

Because no one knows what's going to happen at the national level that will affect people at the local level, "we want to be sure we're ready," Elorza said. That includes establishing "a close relationship and tight communications between the Muslim-American community and my administration."

The mayor's "One Providence" initiative aims to "protect and serve every resident of the city" regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion or disability.

“Providence and the State of Rhode Island were founded on the principles of religious liberty and tolerance,” Elorza said. “Today and every day, we uphold those principles by telling our community that no one gets left out, not a single resident gets left behind."

Early this month, Elorza joined a group of U.S. mayors in vowing to protect undocumented immigrants from any unfair policy of deportation Trump may impose when he takes office. He said he will announce further "One Providence" initiatives between now and Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

The Muslim-American advisory board will help Elorza frame policy on issues directly and indirectly affecting the Muslim community, and enhance understanding of Islam "by encouraging dialogue among religions."

Elorza said anyone is welcome to apply: they should send a cover letter expressing interest and a copy of their resume to mayor@providenceri.gov. Once selected, the board will meet regularly.

Imam Mufti Ikram of the Masjid Al-Islam in North Smithfield, who was among the speakers, said: "Today Mayor Elorza has set an example for the rest of the country. Two weeks ago we had an election and many of us are depressed. Today he brought light."

Monsurat Ottun, a Pawtucket resident who also belongs to the Muslim Community Center of Rhode Island in Providence, said she is particularly concerned about "taking care of the Muslim women," who are easily identified by their garments. Those include a hijab, or head-covering.

"I’ve lived in this country my entire life and I've never felt afraid like I do now," Ottun said. "It's really unfortunate that a person in this community who has always felt safe in this environment — now I constantly have to watch my back everywhere I go." She praised Elorza and said she hopes Pawtucket will follow suit.

Trump set off a furor while campaigning last November when he floated the possibility of creating a registry or database of Muslims in the United States. His subsequent comments, and those by his advisers, have led to confusion.

In an appearance Sunday on "Meet the Press," Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus said the president-elect was not planning such a registry, but also declined to rule one out.

Last week, The Washington Post reported that a key member of Trump's transition team, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, said the just-developing administration "is already weighing a plan to launch a registry for immigrants and visitors from Muslim countries."

The mayor said FBI statistics measured a 67-percent rise in hate crimes against Muslim-Americans in this country since 2014, and "recent data suggests these numbers have risen since the election."