WASHINGTON: Scores of pro-Muslim rallies were held across the United States this weekend to counter anti-Sharia protests held on Saturday.

Denouncing Saturday’s protests as anti-Muslim marches, Congresswoman Grace Meng, a New York Democrat, said: “These demonstrations are nothing more than attempts to fan the flames of hate, spread misinformation, and intensify anti-Muslim sentiment.”

I urge all Americans to join me in condemning this intolerance and bigotry.”

A group called ACT for America organised anti-Sharia rallies in about two dozen cities and 20 states this weekend to protest what they claimed were “traditional Muslim practices, such as oppression of women, honour killings, homophobic violence, female genital mutilation and other abuses.” The organisers claim they are the “largest anti-Muslim group in America, with 280,000 members and over 1,000 chapters.” But this didn’t reflect in their rallies, most of which had fewer than 100 people.

In contrast, pro-Muslim rallies were much larger and were held in more places, as reports in the US media show.

The participants chanted slogans, accusing”anti-Sharia” marchers of racism and Islamophobia.In Atlanta, Georgia, a small group of demonstrators gathered in Piedmont Park to protest against the Sharia.

The Los Angeles Times reported that they were met by counter-protesters,” who “held up placards and shouted, ‘No Hate! No Fear! Muslims Are Welcome Here.’ “The local media reported that a larger rally and food drive was held a few miles away where local Muslims and their friends collected food for the poor.

In Syracuse, NY, counter-protesters marched, shouting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and assured the city’s small Muslim population that they were welcome.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2017