Local Veterans Hold Rally in Boston in Support of Muslims

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Local antiwar military veterans gathered outside New England’s largest mosque in Boston Saturday to show support for Muslims amid growing anti-Muslim sentiments that some believe have been stoked by the inflammatory tone of the US presidential race.

The rally at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury was organized by the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of Veterans for Peace and drew about 200 people.

"When you listen to what’s going on in presidential politics there is a lot of misinformation and some people are really misrepresenting what this religion is,” said Bob Funke, a coordinator for the local veterans group. "They’re using it as a wedge issue and they’re scaring people. It’s the politics of fear.”

Members of the mosque said they were touched by the support.

"Some of the veterans know Muslims and they saw them as good people,” said Tina Serir Abdallah, 38, of Everett. "There’s 1.7 [billion] Muslims worldwide and the majority of us live in peace.”

Source: Boston Globe