SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Hundreds joined with the Islamic community on the campus of California State University Sacramento to reflect on the mosque attacks in New Zealand.
The attack by a self-proclaimed white nationalist on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand killed 51 people.
The event focused on healing, unity, and solidarity following this traumatic event. Muslim faith leaders and a panel of mental health experts spoke at the somber event.
“Regardless of religion, of race, of nationality, we’re all a part of one human race and that should be our greatest focus because that will unify us rather than you know divide us,” said Oussama Mokeddem with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of the Sacramento Valley.
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Mokeddem is a Muslim-American who works with the non-profit that represents and advocates for the Islamic community.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also spoke at the event. He brought attention to numerous other mass shootings that happened at faith centers in America – saying action must be taken to prevent them from happening again.
Muslim women around the world are wearing head coverings to show solidarity in the attack, even if they don’t normally wear them. Zeyneb Abdelazeez attended the Saturday event and wore her hijab.
“This happening like, it just is made me feel more connected with my religion,” Abdelazeez said. “It made me...stand with other people and have the same emotions as them, I probably just say empowerment like, it made me want to be Muslim. It made me want to express my religion.”
She says, despite what has happened, she is not afraid. She says she will continue to practice her religion with pride.
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After a shooting that killed 50 in New Zealand, the Folsom Muslim community received an outflow of support in the form of cards, flowers, and letters that reminded them that their neighbors in the city are there to support them in difficult times.