Supporters form a human chain around Bridgeview mosque for “We are All America” day of action. (Photo courtesy of The Mosque Foundation)

Supporters from around Chicago came to a Bridgeview mosque Feb. 3 to show support for Muslim immigrants in one of 30 nationwide events for the “We are All America” day of action.

“We’d like to express our deep thanks for those who stood not only with the Muslims in America, but they stood for what America is all about,” said Mosque Foundation President Oussama Jamal.

Supporters included Rabbi Michael Davis of Jewish Voice for Peace who was part of a large pro-immigrant march in Morton Grove the previous week.

“We’ve known what it’s like to live in fear and to pray in fear, so we feel in our hearts what the Muslim community going through right now, and we’re here to stand with them,” he said, on a recorded newscast.

Also present were representatives of Allianz Americas, a Blue Island group supporting Latino immigrant rights.

“If there is one group who knows what it is to be demonized, what it is to be hated, that’s us.” said Alianza America’s leader Oscar Chacon. “In you, we see us. And we want you to see yourself in us.”

Some women in headscarves carried small signs reading “thank you.”

Members of a Bridgeview mosque carry “thank you” signs at “We are All America” day of action (Photo courtesy of Alianza Americas)

Blue-collar Bridgeview and neighboring towns of Bedford Park and Summit are starter communities for immigrants who move to the Cook County suburbs. Harlem Avenue, which cuts through the towns, is known as a destination for Arab restaurants and grocery stores.

The Mosque Foundation was formed by 30 Palestinian immigrant families in 1954 to build a mosque in Bridgeview, according to information on the group’s website.

The building was completed in 1981, with the help of money from Saudi Arabia, according to a Chicago Tribune investigation. The congregation has been criticized for preaching a “hardline” view of Islam. In the early 2000s, federal authorities investigated leaders for evidence of financial support for terrorist organizations, but no charges were ever filed.

On Friday, Jamal was specific in condemning violence.

“We respect the law, we respect one another. We are all against any violence against anyone, irrespective of any religious background or gender background. We respect you today for being great,” he said. “This house of worship is open for everyone,” said Jamal. “Out of this comes our love, our respect and our loyalty to the country we have adopted.”

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— ‘Human chain’ of supporters surrounds Bridgeview Mosque —