Christians pray alongside Muslims at Chattanooga mosque

Visit comes after the unfortunate shooting and murder of five US marines by a local Muslim

TENNESSE: A small group of Christians visited a mosque in Chattanooga, Tennessee and prayed alongside Muslims.

The visit comes after the unfortunate shooting and murder on July 16 of five US troops by a local Muslim who suffered from depression. The shooter, identified as 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was killed by police shortly after the attacks in Chattanooga.

As thousands joined the funeral procession of the marines in Chattanooga and waved American flags, a small number of non-Muslims joined Muslims at the mosque to show solidarity with the community.

Read: Four Marines killed in terror attacks on US military centers in Tennessee

The mosque was holding a prayer during the funeral procession for Marine Staff SgtDavid Wyatt, one of the four Marines fatally shot by Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez on July 16.

The visitors at the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga mosque were mostly Baptist and one was Presbyterian.

While the gesture resonated well with the Muslim community and the mosque Imam acknowledged the visitors in the course of his sermon, the visitors requested that their church remain anonymous as many did not approve of their visit.

Read: Murderous rampage: Probe of US shooting suspect focuses on Mideast travel

The shooting jolted the city of 168,000 on July 16. The Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga condemned the attack and canceled its Eidul Fitr celebrations out of respect for the victims.

The article originally appeared on the Associated Press.