Faiths coming together to pray for Fort Hood victims

Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in Lombard and Villa Park are inviting their communities to come together Saturday, Nov. 7, to pray for the victims of the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.

The clergy members said they're eager to get ahead of any negative feelings in the wake of the shootings by alleged assailant Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a Muslim.

"We want to show the community we're still friends," said the Rev. Steve Swanson of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park. "Sometimes we let our basest selves come forward when we hurt."

Swanson said religious leaders are inviting the community to gather at 1 p.m. at the Islamic Foundation, 300 W. High Ridge Road, Villa Park. He said he expects prayers to last for about 10 or 15 minutes, but clergy members will remain longer to meet with residents.

"We think it's important that we all gather together," he said. "We want to really get ahead of this and not let it become divisive."