Task force strives for unity in Bay Ridge in response to intolerance
Aug. 19 breakfast event to take place at mosque
In the wake of a series of troubling anti-Muslim incidents in Brooklyn, a task force made up of religious, business and community leaders in Bay Ridge has decided to hold its annual breakfast event at a mosque as a sign of solidarity, the group’s leader said.
The Rev. Khader El-Yateem, chairman of the Bay Ridge Unity Task Force, said the organization is making a statement of support for the Muslim community. The annual breakfast will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Beit Elmaqdis Islamic Center at 6206 Sixth Ave., at 9 a.m.
“We are saying, ‘We are coming to your house to show you we support you and want everyone to be united at this time.’ We have a breakfast every year, but this year, we wanted to make a statement that we do not want the troubles in the Middle East to visit us here in Bay Ridge,” Pastor El-Yateem told the Brooklyn Eagle on Wednesday.
The breakfast has traditionally attracted religious leaders, police brass, civic activists and business leaders.