LEWISTON – City and religious leaders gathered Friday to condemn what some are calling an act of hate targeting the Somali community.

On Thursday several copies of an anti-Muslim poster appeared outside a downtown Somali-owned store. The poster showed an angry Rottweiler beneath the words “Lost Dog” and “Mohammed.” It said, “Mohammed is NOT GOOD with people or kids. Do not trust him.” It included a phony phone number.

The posters were affixed to a tree and a utility pole outside the Barwaqo Halal Store at the corner of Chestnut and Lisbon streets. They were discovered by store owner Hussein Ahmed.

The Lewiston Police Department and the Maine Attorney General’s Office are investigating. Police said at the very least the posters are harassment, and could be a hate crime.

Friday’s show of support for Muslims was organized by Rabbi Hillel Katzir of the Temple Shalom of Auburn. Katzir also represents the Lewiston-Auburn Interfaith Clergy.

Officials representing churches, the city, Sisters of Charity Health Care and the Maine People’s Alliance stood in front of Ahmed’s store Friday. They “turned out to say these posters that were left, this kind of hate, this is not us. This is not Lewiston,” Katzir said. “We wanted to be out here to make sure the general public knows that, that we represent the greater Lewiston and not these crazies who do this kind of thing.”

Words can hurt, the rabbi said. “The words on this poster have hurt members of our community. We’re here to offer our support and our healing to them.”

When any religion is attacked, all religions are attacked, Katzir said. He added that Mainers need to understand that their human rights “depend on safeguarding the rights of all Mainers.”

Sister Claire Lepage of Lewiston said she laments the harassment “of our local Muslim community. These are peaceful religious members that have earned our respect.” People need to remember “these people come from war-torn countries. We have a responsibility to welcome them in our city.”

Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert agreed that the “cowardly” posters are not reflective of the community. The incident is being investigated by police and will be prosecuted fully, Gilbert said. “The city supports people of all faiths, of all nationalities.”

Father Michael Seavey of St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s churches read a statement from Maine Catholic Bishop Joseph Malone, who said it’s discouraging “to see harassing displays of hatred aimed at peaceful people who are part of our own communities.”

Afterward, Ahmed said he was thankful for the show of support. The posters insulted Muslims and the prophet Mohammed, he said, adding the posters do “not reflect all the members of the Lewiston-Auburn community.” They were a criminal act by someone trying “to divide this community,” Ahmed said. “We are telling them we are not going to be easily divided.”

Previous incidents, such as a pig’s head rolled into a mosque in 2006, made the community stand together. “We prevailed. We stood strong,” Ahmed said. “We remain committed to have a community that is free of hate crimes.”

Few take part in this sort of behavior, observed Father Seavey. “But we all hear lots of things based on stereotypes and ignorance.”

Whether at home, at work or in the community, when ignorant statements are spoken, everybody has a moral responsibility to challenge it, Seavey said. “People need to say, ‘That’s not true’ or ‘That’s unacceptable.’ “

Anyone with information about the posters is encouraged to call Lewiston police officer Matthew Cashman at 513-3139, ext. 6359.

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