'We Had To Be Here,' Supporters Gather Outside Cambridge Mosque

CAMBRIDGE, MA —Members of several Jewish synagogues stood outside the Islamic Society of Boston during afternoon prayers Friday to show solidarity with their Muslim neighbors following news of a the mass shooting that claimed 49 lives at two mosques in New Zealand.

"We just knew we had to be here," said Rabbi Emily Mathis of the Tremont Street Shul. "This is no different from the type of things that have been happening in the Jewish community. They are our neighbors."

And that support is welcome, said those who frequent the Islamic Society's Prospect Street location.

Hakim Mohamud, who was helping direct traffic Friday outside his mosque, said the news this morning out of New Zealand shook him.

"It's against humanity," he said, choking up. "I feel very sorry about what happened to them over there. We are brothers in this world. We are human beings. We don't want anyone to lose life for nothing like this."

Mathis Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz of Temple B'nai Brith in Somerville organized the showing of solidarity after clearing it with the Islamic Society's community project manager, Karim Razzaz, who told them it would be appreciated.

"It's a terrible, terrible tragedy," said Jacobowitz, standing outside of the center as the sounds of Friday afternoon prayer filtered onto the street. "After (last year's synagogue shooting in) Pittsburgh, it was really meaningful for our neighbors to show support. And we wanted to make sure our Muslim neighbors are supported, too."

Jacobowitz said no matter who you are, there is no room for violence.

"There is no place for this kind of hate in Somerville, in Cambridge and in Massachusetts, and this is the thought that keeps me going," he said. "I believe we must keep ourselves centered on love and celebrating our diversities."

Cambridge Police say they have stationed a detail at the mosque and plan to continue that during services for the time being.

RELATED:

New Zealand Mosque Attacks: 49 Dead In Christchurch

MA Politicians, Communities Respond To New Zealand Attacks

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).