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Sunday 13 Dec 2015 - 13:55 Makkah mean time-2-3-1437
Demonstrators hold signs during a vigil titled "Jews and Allies Gather on Chanukah to Challenge Islamophobia and Fight Racism. Image from syracuse news.
Syracuse City, New York (IINA) - Gathered around a large menorah in Clinton Square in Syracuse City, New York, Jews and other supporters called for an end to racism and Islamophobia in Syracuse and across the world, Syracuse NY Local News reported.
More than 50 people of all ages turned out for the Saturday afternoon vigil, just one of a series of vigils held across the country by Jewish Voice for Peace.
The organization, which advocates for peace in the Middle East and an end to anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments, held similar rallies in 15 cities, including Ithaca.
Andy Mager said he got the idea to hold the vigil on Thursday after he received an invitation to the Ithaca rally and wanted to hold a rally in Syracuse. Mager also works with the Syracuse Peace Council and Syracuse Jews for Peace.
From his side, President of the Islamic Society of Central New York Mohammed Khater spoke of how all are impacted by religious discrimination.
"Injustice to some people is injustice to everybody," he said.
Khater said his organization has been flooded with support in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, which led increased tensions and U.S. Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump to call for the U.S. to bar Muslims from entering the country.
Both Khater and Mager said they support Mayor Stephanie Miner's stance on welcoming Syrian refugees to Syracuse.
"This [terrorism] is not Islam," Khater said. "If you look at the true Islam, it stands completely against that."
SM/IINA
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