Following a disturbing act of vandalism at the Islamic Center of Twin Falls, faith leaders from across the Magic Valley are planning a rally Saturday in response to the incident.
Early one morning in late October, a caretaker at the Islamic center discovered a four-foot tall cross draped in bacon and other pig parts in the center’s parking lot. Authorities at the time referred to it as a hate crime.
In response, leaders from across the region are gathering at 11 a.m. on December 2 in Twin Falls City Park for a rally celebrating religious freedom and diversity in the area.
Haroon Rashid, who’s with the center, tells the Time News many people in the Magic Valley expressed concern about the cross incident. He’s hoping the rally will send a message that people of all faiths are welcome in Twin Falls and that discriminatory acts like the vandalism wont’ be tolerated.
Along with the Islamic Center, religious representatives from the Mormon Church, the city’s First Presbyterian Church and the First United Methodist plan to attend. The Mayor of Twin Falls, Shawn Barigar, is also expected to make remarks.
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