#Illridewithyou is trending again after mosque shooting

The idea is to offer anyone going to and from a mosque company, in an effort to make them feel safer

Americans have been expressing solidarity with Muslims by offering to walk them to mosque after a Muslim cleric was fatally shot on Saturday in New York City.

The cleric, Imam Maulama Akonjee and an associate, Thara Uddin, were walking together following afternoon prayers at the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid in New York's borough of Queens when they were shot dead.



The move seems to be inspired by the Australian #illridewithyou in 2014 that was started to show support for Muslims following a siege at a Sydney cafe. Lexi Alexander, a filmmaker and former world karate and kickboxing champion, appears to have been the first to adapt the Australian hashtag for American use.

The motive for the murder is still unknown and no arrests have been made. But, the mayor’s office said the New York Police Department was exploring all potential motives, including the possibility of a hate crime.



In a diverse neighborhood with a reputation for tolerance and relatively low crime, the mystery has raised suspicions among many residents that the brazen, daylight murders were inspired by hatred of religious or ethnic identities. An outdoor funeral was held for the two men on Monday. CAIR announced plans to give a $10,000 reward to anyone with information on the attacker that could lead to his arrest and help determine a motive.



https://twitter.com/bsweichsel/status/764689049823117312

https://twitter.com/RavMABAY/status/764924444531974144

To all you beautiful people who are using this hashtag #IllWalkWithYou to show solidarity- Thank you. This is what America is about. ✌🏼️

— sadia (@sadia_tweets) August 14, 2016

https://twitter.com/Lexialex/status/764587550585462785

https://twitter.com/zhombiehunter/status/764686816427384833

#IllWalkWithYou #Illridewithyou I am 6'10 you will not be messed with... North easten Central PA #nepa

— (((josh ua))) (@2TALL83) August 14, 2016

To anyone in the Albuquerque area. #IllWalkWithYou #IllRideWithYou https://t.co/ormQlOFyCF

— Natalie (@WhereisNatalie) August 14, 2016

https://twitter.com/StacyLeMelle/status/764696780088995840

phoenix, az. real tall white guy who loves walking. #illwalkwithyou

— jake (@JakeTheOliveira) August 14, 2016

https://twitter.com/allighater/status/764670698497466368

Representing Cincinnati, OH when I pledge that #illwalkwithyou Be the change you wish to see in the world and act peacefully

— Lexi Jamieson Marsh (@Lexanator9) August 14, 2016

To my Muslim neighbors in Birmingham, Alabama #IllWalkWithYou anywhere, any time.

— Zelda Hallman (@zeldahallman) August 14, 2016

 

This article originally appeared on Indy100.