Naperville Group Planning 'Human Chain Of Peace' Around Mosque On Friday

Moms Building Bridges will form a human chain around the Naperville Islamic Center at 1 p.m. on Friday. Participants will also recite the Charter of Compassion before attending a reception inside the center.

“There’s a lot of fear in the Muslim community,” Kathy McBane, the organizer of the event, said. "We want to support our neighbors and get to know them."

While the debate about immigration was in the news over the past several months, McBane, a 52-year-old nurse practitioner and mother of four from Naperville, realized that she didn't know any Muslims or refugees.

"I looked into educating myself and reaching out because I thought it had to start with me," McBane said.

McBane said she hopes "people who don't know any Muslims come to this event with an open heart and an open mind and meet somebody new."

There are thunderstorms forecast for Friday in Naperville.

McBane asks that those interested in the event to check the Mom's Building Bridges Facebook page on Friday morning for an update on the event.

"If there's severe weather, we'll cancel and reschedule. If it's just rain, you got to suck it up and put on your raincoat," McBane said.

The event was scheduled on around the Friday noon prayers, which are the most heavily attended according to McBane. She also noted that Naperville District 203 schools are off on Friday for parent teacher conferences. “It’s a great opportunity for a family to do this together,” she said.

Map showing the location of the event, powered by Google

Photo at top of the Community Unity Walk in December, which Kathy McBane attended. Photo provided by Kathy McBane.