Opposing protests focus on 2 sides of Islam
Muslim ‘Love Fest’ counters nearby rally against Sharia law
Two demonstrations held in a north Phoenix park Saturday were among dozens organized across the United States focusing on Islam.
More than 100 people gathered at either end of Paradise Valley Park to support opposing viewpoints.
One demonstration, dubbed “March Against Sharia,” was part of a national protest held in 19 states by ACT for America, a conservative group that describes itself as the “NRA of national security.”
The Virgina-based organization, listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-Muslim hate group, opposes Sharia law, teachings from religious text used as guidelines for how Muslims should live.
ACT for America says Sharia is incompatible with U.S. law. It says Sharia violates human rights — particular for women, children and the LGBT community — and that it allows female genital mutilation and honor killings.
Across the park, Muslims, their friends and champions countered the protest with a “Love Fest” aimed to draw interfaith support and unity.
The counterprotest was organized by Deedra Abboud, 45, a U.S. Senate candidate who practices Islam.
Abboud was joined by about 125 people. They donned rainbow-printed hijabs, held signs of support and played love songs as they walked the block around the park.
The groups did not cross paths.
‘Love and peace and unity’
“Today is just our day,” Abboud said. “We’re not going to let you attack our neighbors, whether they’re Muslim, LGBTQ, Native American, AfricanAmerican.”
Abboud said the number of hateful incidents and events has increased at a level she’s never seen before.
“I think that the hate groups and the hate mentality has always been a part of the underbelly of America,” she said. “But last year we saw it raise its ugly head and have empowerment like it hasn’t had since probably pre-Civil Rights Movement.”
Jens Larson, 58, joined Abboud’s group, waving a turquoise sign with a large peace sign.
“This was all emphasizing love and unity and peace, so I’m all for that,” Larson said. “I believe that all the world’s faiths are peaceful at their heart. If we all made an effort to start at a point that we all have in common, we wouldn’t need to be as afraid of each other.”
Concerns about Sharia law
The anti-Sharia group, stationed about a half mile across the park, drew a comparably sized crowd near the Paradise Valley Community Center.
Speakers addressed attendees with their concerns about Islamic principles overtaking the U.S. Constitution.
Gerre Heron, 61, of Phoenix, said that as an atheist he was troubled the antiSharia demonstration promoted Christianity as a direct opposition to Islam.
“It troubles me that it seems to be that it’s Christianity versus Islam . ... They’re intruding with Christianity just as Islam is intruding with their religion,” he said. “It’s about an ideology that wants to take over our lives in the same way Christianity has tried; this is about an ideology that wants to destroy us.”
Arizona is one of 10 states with socalled “anti-Sharia laws” on the books prohibiting the use of foreign law in state courts. The law says that a court or agent of the court shall not enforce a foreign law if doing so would violate or conflict with the laws of the country or state.
Sixteen other states introduced similar legislation in 2017, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Braulio Hoggan said he heard about Saturday’s demonstration on the radio and came with a sign challenging Sharia law.
“I’m protesting against the ideology of Sharia law because it’s inhuman and anti-Christian,” Hoggan said. “We pray for our brothers and sisters who are Muslim. But we don’t agree with Sharia law.”
Another attendee, Cheryl Lo Galbo, 48, of El Mirage, said she is disturbed by what she’s read regarding the deaths of LGBT people and the treatment of women at the hands of extremists in the Middle East.
She said she fears for the security of the United States and believes the government has permitted opposing religious doctrine to seep into U.S. law.
“I hope that every woman and every person who is gay or lesbian will take hope because they don’t deserve to be thrown off a building,” she said. “They’re worthy of living just like everybody else.”
Lo Galbo said she is acquainted with a Muslim man she considers a friend but said violent extremists in the Islamic State, or ISIS, are “pulling down all the other Muslim people in the wrong direction.” She said the hijab subjugates women. At the other end of the park, 23-yearold Samantha Labib had very different thoughts about the hijab she wore.
Labib, a practicing Muslim, said her hijab is a tool of empowerment she chose.
“It makes people get beyond what I look like and get to know me for me,” she said. “It wasn’t forced upon us — it’s a personal decision.”
In her early childhood, Labib was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic school but decided to pursue her father’s religion in the sixth grade.
She said she is open to having a dialogue with anyone to answer question about her faith.
“People who know me know I’m not oppressed,” she said.