Although the Dove World Ourtreach Center Quran burning was canceled, members of the Gainesville community still came together to stand against intolerance Saturday.
Four hundred people gathered at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza for a Day of Peace and Unity, hosted by the Gainesville Muslim Initiative.
“We want to continue doing positive things for the community,” said Karim Khan, Project Downtown Gainesville outreach coordinator.
“Even though [Terry Jones is] not burning books, we’re still out here.”
The activities continued through sunset, including a call to prayer and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” played on the oud, a Middle Eastern instrument.
“My message is to congratulate the city for coming together around things we all have in common,” said Russell Meyer, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches said. “The future lies along the way of peace and respect. I’m very proud of what Gainesville has done to express their common love and hope for humanity.”
After the speeches, the crowd held a moment of silence for the victims of Sept. 11.
At a press conference Friday, Ismail ibn Ali, president of Islam on Campus at UF, announced that even though Jones had canceled the Quran burning, the group still intended to go ahead with all events it had planned in response, including Quran 101, a public discussion of the Islamic holy book.
“We have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else, and we want to establish relationships and connections with our neighbors who enjoy good and repel evil,” said Ali.
