Christians & Muslims Come Together In Solidarity

CHATTANOOGA,TN, (WDEF)-Hundreds of Christians, Jews and Muslims gathered at the Islamic center off Gunbarrel Rd in an act of peace between all faiths in the Scenic City.

Leading Islamic leaders tell News 12 they were shocked by Sheriff Hammond’s remarks and want to move forward as a community.

Hammad El-Ameen,"Sitting in a seat of law enforcement, it sends a message to the people who work for them, if he’s telling people to watch the Muslims, watch their activity and that Islam is some kind of communist organization with a God see all that is opinionated".

El-Ameen focused Friday’s prayers on understanding of prophets from all faiths across the world.

"Hope people would remove themselves from being students of Fox News and these other propagandist TV stations and read a book, a non fiction book about the prophet".

Father Brian Merritt was joined by other church leaders and Chief Fred Fletcher for the 30 minute prayer session which was followed by a luncheon.

"We are not rabbits we shouldn’t be running away anytime we have fear, we should be engaging each other and understanding each other and understanding why we have fear".

Merritt condemned Sheriff Hammond’s remarks adding Chattanooga needs to come together not become more divided.

"We are all in this when it comes to religious freedom, doesn’t matter whether it is the Muslim, Christian community, Hindu, Jewish communities, we had a variety of faiths that were part of this program today".

There are now more than 3 million Muslims living and working in the U.S