Imam Mazhar Mahmood speaks at the Feb. 13 Peoria City Council meeting. At least 29 individuals chimed in on war in Gaza at City Hall.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali issued a statement on the “Resolution Calling for an Immediate, Durable, and Sustained Ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel to Protect and Save Human Lives” that concluded “As city leaders, we must remain neutral, yet compassionate in this matter.”

The Mayor stated “Peoria …
cannot afford to allow this international issue to divide our city or our communities. Yet, I don’t want it to appear that our leadership is not concerned about the tragic loss of life that is … impacting the families and loved ones of some of our residents. We care about all human life in Peoria and beyond.”

Read more:

Resolution for ceasefire is not city business

Silence instead of ceasefire: The cost of neutrality