Emotions were running high at the Muslim Association of Snoqualmie’s “Meet Your Muslim Neighbor” event as Valley residents expressed their support for the Muslim community in the current political climate.

More than 300 people gathered in the Timber Ridge Elementary School gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 28, for the Muslim Association of Snoqualmie Ridge’s second community outreach event.

The event, which coincidentally landed the day after President Trump signed an executive order blocking refugees and visitors from seven predominately Muslim countries, brought together the Muslim Association of Snoqualmie Ridge, the city of Snoqualmie, the Islamic Center of the Eastside, and Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church to speak about fostering stronger communities.

Mujeeb Mohammed, director of religious affairs for the association, said that after the huge response to the open house event in 2016, the group wanted to keep doing these events to help connect with as many people as possible.

“We did the open house last year and we have gotten a tremendous response. We have been asked to do it again, so here we are,” Mohammed said.

Usama Baioumy, a member of the association’s board of governors, said the intention behind the event was to help educate people on the Muslim community and faith to counter ignorance about their people.

“There is a lot of misunderstanding out there,” he said. “Ignorance creates hatred, hatred creates violence and violence creates more hatred. We cannot continue with this cycle, the only way we find out how to break it is education and understanding each other.”

The event featured speakers from Snoqualmie’s Muslim community, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, Imam Faizel Hassan of the Bellevue’s Islamic Center of the Eastside and the Rev. Monty Wright of the Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church. Each speaker addressed the concept taking care of your neighbors through understanding and respect.

Due to popular demand, the Saturday gathering also featured a returning guest from last year’s event, Islamic scholar Alaa Badr, who gave a presentation explaining some of the basics about the Islamic faith and the commonalities it shares with other major religions. Badr also took the time to dispel some myths surrounding Muslims.

“It kills me in the news when (people say) ‘they hate us because of our values.’ If we hated you because of your values then guess what, we wouldn’t be here. Let’s be clear about that. We love the values and that’s why we are here. That’s why we have kids here and these kids are going to have kids here and their kids are going to have kids here,” Badr said to enormous applause from the audience.

“The U.S. constitution is completely congruent to our beliefs, the concept of liberty, the concept of individual accountability, the concept of freedom of religion, protecting the innocent, these are pillars of faith for a Muslim.”

Badr also led the question and answer segment to close out the event. Audience members were given a microphone to ask Badr questions about the Muslim faith and the current political climate. Questions ranged from the immigration-blocking executive order issued by the president, to the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims, to what someone can do to make their Muslim community members and neighbors feel welcome.

The discussion quickly turned to politics. With tears in her eyes, one woman expressed worry about the state of politics and the future treatment of the Muslim community in the country.

“We keep generating this fear about what we don’t understand. We have powerful people with the money… who are pointing their fingers at various things and that is what’s scary. I’m so afraid for my grandchildren, my neighbors, for you and me,” she said to applause from the audience.

While many people who asked questions denounced the actions of the current administration, another man, overcome with emotion, said he was glad he came out to the event, despite his political beliefs.

“I voted for Trump and I love everybody in this room and I am so sick and tired of all the fighting,” he said, holding back tears. “For me it was a stretch to come here today, because of preconceived notions and what-have-you, and the fact is that I just hope, we can put all this political (stuff) aside and figure out how would we move forward with America and how do we… love each other rather than all of this fighting because it makes me so sad.”

As the question and answer segment ended, dozens of people came to the stage to meet with representatives of the local Muslim communities, to thank them for the event.

Afterward, Mohammed said the association originally planned to make this a yearly event, but with enough interest, the group will consider another event some time this year.

“It was a very successful event. Last time we had a standing-room only audience in the much smaller space in the city hall. This time in the school gym, with a much bigger space, once again we had standing-room only,” he said. “We are looking at increasing the frequency of our monthly interfaith dialogues to meet more people. The annual event and monthly interfaith events are open to all, irrespective of faith or non-faith groups and individuals, our goal is to bring people together for common understanding and doing greater good to help foster strong and healthy societies.”

For more information on the Muslim Association of the Snoqualmie Ridge, visit www.snoqualmiemosque.org.

In the question and answers segment, Tuesday Frindt asked Badr about how she can make her Muslim neighbors and community members feel welcome. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)

Islamic Scholar Alaa Badr, his daughter Mariam and Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson speak with Maple Valley councilmember Megan Sheridan after the presentation Saturday. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)

Imam Faizel Hassan from Bellevue’s Islamic Center of the Eastside, came out to Snoqualmie to speak about the way the Muslim faith teaches people to respect and care about their neighbors. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)

Mujeeb Mohammed speaks with Snoqualmie Valley School District Superintendent Joel Aune and School Board member Tavish MacLean. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)

Alaa Badr, Usama Baioumy, and Monty Wright are thanked for their participation in the event by Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)