Islamic Center holds interfaith prayer vigil for Conn. victims

WEST CHESTER TWP., Ohio - An area mosque and its anti-violence group will hold an interfaith candlelight vigil Thursday to commemorate the victims of the Connecticut school shootings.

The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and Muslim Mothers Against Violence will hold the vigil immediately after the mosque holds its Isha prayer at 7:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public and people of all faiths, center representatives said.

Its focus, officials said, “will be to nurture the good God created in all of us, lessons in dealing with horrific tragedies as parents and families, honor the teachers who teach and love our children and the ever growing need for us to come together as communities and as a country in overcoming tragic times and the painful culture of violence that is so deeply impacting our children.”

The vigil will be held in the community room at the Islamic Center, which is located at 8092 Plantation Drive in West Chester Township.

Created in 2005, Muslim Mothers Against Violence was a response to the London subway bombings in Britain. It’s designed to speak out against terrorism and violence, and help guide Muslim youth to non-violent ways of dealing with problems.