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Calls for unity heard at Muslim-American rally

Members of the Muslim community and their allies rallied Legislative Hall Wednesday weeks after a state senator denounced their religion.

About 200 people gathered on the east steps of Legislative Hall, linked hands and sang in a show of unity.

Earlier this month, Sen. Dave Lawson (R-Marydel) walked out of the Senate chamber while an imam read from the Quran.

“I fought for this country not to be damned by someone that comes in here and prays to their god for our demise. I think that’s despicable,” said Lawson following the prayer on April 5.

He wasn’t available for comment Wednesday.

18-year-old Jena Awad came with her cousin, Farah, who recently moved to the Bear area from Jordan.

Awad says she doesn’t think that the majority of people who live here hold Lawson’s opinion.

“I felt hurt that he would say such a thing, but I knew that in my heart that Delawareans don’t think that way and that they would stand with us and as you can see today that they did,” she said.

Other elected officials who spoke Wednesday agreed.

Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley), who spoke at the rally, says he doesn’t share his colleague’s beliefs.

 

But he notes both sides benefit from the First Amendment, something that should be cherished.

 

“There’s lots of places in this world and countries in this world – some of them probably democracies – where people don’t get on to their governmental, legislative body floors to speak and pray and I think we should be very proud of that,” Lavelle said.

Senate Pro Tem David McBride (D-New Castle) said Legislative Hall “must always be a welcoming beacon” for all Delawareans, regardless of their religion or wider beliefs.

“By our actions, we’re speaking loudly and clearly,” said Gov. John Carney (D).

Carney recalled a favorite phrase of former Gov. Jack Markell (D), calling Delaware a “state of neighbors.”

“Neighbors look after one another and that’s why we’re here,” Carney said. “We will be here when you need us.”

This was the latest unity rally held by Delaware’s Muslim community since President Donald Trump took office in January over fears they’d be ostracized and marginalized.

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