PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Alarmed at the heightening bloodshed taking place in Syria, members of Rhode Island's Syrian community are inviting people of all faiths to a prayer vigil on the lawn of the State House Thursday.
Sterk Zaza, a former teacher at the Islamic School of Rhode Island, said she was so overcome by the gruesome images coming from her native country that she posted an invitation on her Facebook page inviting people to join in prayer. It is set to begin on the State House lawn at 7:30 p.m.
"It's a genocide, and people are dropping like flies," she said of the situation in Syria. "No matter what religion you are, it's unacceptable."
The initial prayer will be led by Mufti Ikram ul Haq, the imam of the Masjid Al-Islam in North Smithfield, though the hope is Christian and Jewish clergy will participate as well.
By Richard C. Dujardin