The politics of the Dove World Outreach Center has left a vile mark on the Gainesville community. The Center’s recent protest against the Islamic Center of Gainesville, 1010 W University Ave., sent a clear message of hate, bigotry and sheer ignorance of the Islamic faith and the Muslim communities that work, study and raise families in Gainesville. Many laudable public events in Gainesville have encouraged and showcased interfaith understanding, such as the Children of Abraham Seder held last year. However, the Monday protest was a divisive occurrence demonstrating the need for community action.
Fortunately, there are many avenues for the community. I have done research on the Muslim communities in Gainesville, and you can learn more about how Muslims actually live in Gainesville, too. One can find a podcast about Islam in Gainesville on the Samuel Proctor Oral History’s website: history.ufl.edu/oral. Visit a mosque for Friday (jumu’ah) prayer. Moreover, I implore local student groups, churches, mosques and synagogues to respond to this hate speech by supporting new interfaith events. Only with reason and dialog will this abhorrent mark on out community be lifted.
