It was the inclination to stand for her beliefs peacefully that brought Virginia Malik, who is Muslim, to the vigil.

Malik said she felt she wasn’t doing enough to inform others beyond posting to social media. The vigil was the first time she and her three children, ages 7, 9 and 13, participated in a public event. She said she brought her kids with her to help them become aware of world events and set a good example for them.

Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation encouraged the crowd to continue working in their communities to “make sure St. Louis is a hospitable place for Syrians to come. We can’t forget the faces we see and we can’t look away.”

She said people could write letters to local officials and donate to Islamic outreach groups to show their concern. She fosters the same sense of unity at her synagogue, she said, where on Christmas Day Jewish and Muslim people will serve communities together.

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