RNA - Irfan Sheika grew in Pakistan, moved to Chicago in his 20s and eventually moved to Tucson with his wife and children.
He says he’s been in embarrassing situations where people looked at him differently because he’s Muslim.
“I dropped a pen and people around me get scared that something is going to blow up.”
Sheika has made it his goal to bring people from all walks of life together, helping build peace and unity. He co-founded Gain Peace, a non-profit organization that educates the general public about Islam.
He believes it’s the job of Muslims and non-Muslims to reach out and establish a connection.
“It is our responsibility to understand each other. It's the only understanding intellectual and educational effort among ourselves that's going to make it a peaceful society and keep it a peaceful society."
The Islamic Center of Tucson and Muslim Community Center have held unity gatherings and interfaith activities to accomplish this goal.
Also helping to inspire peace is Neil West, a Methodist, who’s been fortunate enough to visit several Middle-Eastern countries.
He understands not everyone has the means to travel to these nations, noting much of what Americans perceive about Muslims comes from headlines.
"There are some minor elements that are much more radical. But we have some of those same types of elements here in our American {Christian} culture that don't get as much press.But they're there."
West said if Christians were to commit atrocities, it wouldn’t be fair to generalize that entire group either.
Prejudice against Muslims may not end anytime soon, but West hopes more interfaith community gatherings will help address misconceptions.
"It's a learning experience for them. It's a learning experience for us and I'm glad that we're able to bridge that."
Sheikah is also hopeful more unity gatherings will eventually bring increased understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.
"I think the Muslim community in Tucson and the community in general in Tucson, civil society will not allow things to go in one direction too far."
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