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Allies Offer To Walk Muslims To Mosque After New York Shooting

#IllWalkWithYou

In the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting in New York City that left a local imam and his associate dead near a Queens mosque, people on Twitter are doing their part to help Muslims feel safe.

Police are questioning a man regarding the deaths of 55-year-old imam, Maulama Akonjee, and his 64-year-old associate, Tharam Uddin, Reuters reported on Monday. While police said that there’s no evidence that the victims, who had just left afternoon prayers, were targeted because of their faith, they haven’t ruled it out either.

But regardless of whether Islamophobia fueled the shooting, Twitter users made a point to show that the Muslim community shouldn’t have to live in fear.

The online community indicated that they’d be willing to protect Muslims by escorting them to mosque through the hashtag #IllWalkWithYou.

Australians offered Muslims #IllRideWithYou, I'd like to offer my Muslim neighbors #IllWalkWithYou to & from mosque https://t.co/Kf6M2U4S9W

— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) August 13, 2016

The hashtag, which has been used in the past to show support for other groups that have been attacked, resurfaced after Arab-German filmmaker Lexi Alexander tweeted her commitment to keeping her Muslim neighbors safe. She noted that she was inspired by #IllRideWithYou, which began trending in support of Muslims following the 2014 Sydney hostage crisis.

This time, netizens were just as eager to prove they’ll be there for their Muslim counterparts.

Some openly stated their pledge to show that they’re serious allies.

I would consider it an honor and a privilege to walk with you. #IllWalkWithYou

— Mary Beth Mathews (@MaryBethMath) August 15, 2016

To my Muslim friends, neighbors, and strangers, #ILLWalkWithYou - in MI, in NY, wherever we meet...

— Stacy Parker LeMelle (@StacyLeMelle) August 14, 2016

Muslim brothers and sisters - we know it's a difficult time. As an ally, #IllWalkWithYou, anywhere and everywhere.
https://t.co/VkEaqUUhun

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) August 15, 2016

Others offered hopeful words during this difficult time.

To my Muslim brothers and sisters: We are truly #BetterTogether. #IllWalkWithYou. Salam, Pax, Shalom, Peace.

— Christopher Moore (@Doc_ChrisMoore) August 15, 2016

Eye for an eye & we all end up blind
Darkness doesn't overcome darkness-only light can do that Be the light#QueensShooting#IllWalkWithYou

— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) August 14, 2016

Hate only wins, when love gives up. Today will not be that day.

You are my brother, my sister and #ILLWalkWithYou https://t.co/EYJvVI0sM0

— Andrew Tumilty (@AndrewTumilty) August 14, 2016

And finally, a couple people on Twitter shared how the hashtag was exactly what they needed to see following the horrific news.

Whoever tweeted #illwalkwithyou just know you touched the heart of many Muslim Americans in a moment they needed it the most.

— {Haythem.Hammour} (@HaythemHammour) August 14, 2016

i clicked on the #IllWalkWithYou tag to see what it meant and now i'm almost crying becasue sometimes i forget people can still be decent

— RogerShaftly (@InfiniteJellyCo) August 14, 2016
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