TORONTO – In a show of solidarity with the Jewish community, members of Toronto’s Muslim and Christian communities will be forming “rings of peace” around Toronto-area shuls this Shabbat.

“We are people of faith. We came from one lineage. We have to answer our creator on our actions to our fellow human beings. We may have different beliefs, but we are brothers and sisters unto each other,” said Osman Khan, general secretary of the Imdadul Islamic Centre, CJN News reported.

“There are Christians and atheists who will be joining us because they believe in standing in solidarity with what has happened in the States. The senseless killing at the Tree of Life synagogue resonated with every human being.”

A gunman identified as Robert Bowers was involved in a shooting at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill on Saturday.

Khan said rings of peace were inspired by those formed around mosques in February 2017, following the shooting in Quebec City.

Till now, rings of peace are planned to circle at least five synagogues this Shabbat – Holy Blossom, Beth Tzedec, Solel, City Shul, and Temple Har Zion. Other events are in the planning procedures.

“Every year, rabbis and members of the Holy Blossom Temple bring their busloads of children to the Imdadul Centre to learn about the close relationships between our two faiths … and to build a camaraderie between their children and our children,” he said.

Khan said that extra focus will be paid to Holy Blossom because one of the women killed in Pittsburgh, Joyce Fienberg, was married there and many of her cousins are still members. He also highlighted the relationship between Holy Blossom and the Imdadul Islamic Center.

Rabbi Splansky welcomed the show of solidarity from the Muslim community and anyone else who wants to join them.

“It reinforces what we know is true: that most people are good and most people are kind and most people are empathetic and compassionate and are willing to give of their precious time to express what is good and just. We know that’s true,” she said.

“The hard part is that it just takes one hateful person to do a lot of damage. But this Shabbat, I believe we’re going to see … that people are good. That’s the basic message. It’s to try to restore our faith in one another.”

Rabbi Splansky also stressed that every message of solidarity is meaningful.

“They do help when otherwise we might be fearful and bent by our grief,” she said. “This kindness is our best comfort and our best response to last week’s hateful attack.”

Muslim-American non-profits Celebrate Mercy and MPower Change have raised more than $60,000 for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.