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A coalition of Islamic groups held a conference today on what the groups say has been an increase of fear and suspicion about their faith. The gathering is called "Challenging Islamophobia." About three dozen people attended the event at the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley. 


One of the groups sponsoring the conference is the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.  The group's Minnesota director, Jaylani Hussein, said many Muslims are worried about this week's arrest of two Middle Eastern refugees on terror charges, as well as the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer by a self-described Islamic State adherent. 


"There is a great deal of hysteria which is being fueled, not only by these incidents, but a lot of information online, a lot of information being spread through social media that is building a very negative view about Muslims," Hussein said. 


Hussein said he hopes people who attended Saturday's conference can help come up with new ways to improve outreach to the public at large.


The president of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, Shah Kahn, is worried that there is growing animosity towards the American Muslim community.  
 

"I hope that there won't be any backlash. But my fear is equal to any other US citizen living here. Everybody who has family, kids going to school, have jobs, and other issues in their life, they want to live a peaceful life. Everybody wants peace."


Khan said he hopes gatherings like Saturday's can win allies that will help broaden understanding of and familiarity with Minnesota's Muslim community.


Those sentiments were echoed by John Medeiros, a Minneapolis immigration attorney and member of the University Baptist Church in Dinkytown. 


"I have actually been trying to figure out ways in my own life to understand the Muslims around me. I have Muslim friends, I fasted a bit during Ramadan last year. And I do think that any little thing that opens our understanding is a good thing," he said.  


Saturday's conference was the first in a series of conversations around Minnesota.

Muslim civil liberties group holds conference on Islamophobia

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