By Khalida Sarwari
Members and supporters of the South Bay Muslim community are planning to gather for an interfaith rally and demonstration over the next two days in response to anti-Muslim protests across the country.
On Saturday, Terry Jones, a pastor at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., had planned to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks by holding an “International Burn a Koran Day.”
Thursday Jones called off the event following global outrage and condemnations by President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates among others.
Samina Sundas, founding executive director of American Muslim Voice, said a coalition of groups are organizing an interfaith rally in San Jose today, not to bring attention to Jones and his actions, but to celebrate diversity and friendship.
“I just want my fellow Americans to really stand with us in solidarity,” Sundas said. “Because if they remain quiet, they give permission to Terry Jones and people like him to speak on their behalf.”
Speakers at the event include the Rev. Chuck Rawlings, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Dave Cortese, Imam Zaid Shaker, and Rabbi Melanie Aron.
The rally will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at James McEntee Plaza, 70 West Hedding St.
The event is also organized by the Santa Clara Council of Churches of Santa Clara County, Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice, and endorsed by members of the interfaith and inter-community groups.
On Saturday, activist and new Muslim convert Tili Ayala is organizing a demonstration at Santa Clara City Hall from noon to 3 p.m. to protest the burning of the Koran.
“We are going to have signs that say ‘Do not burn Korans, I would never burn your Bible,'” Ayala said.
She said the protest will take place as scheduled despite Jones’ cancellation, to give people a platform to speak out against the discrimination and hatred against Muslims.