Chicago-area Catholics, Muslims come together to stop Islamophobia

CHICAGO (FOX 32 NEWS) - Catholics and Muslims broke bread together Monday in the Southwest Suburbs.

It's an annual tradition during Ramadan, where members of the two faiths come together to share a meal.

More than 100 Catholics and Muslims gathered inside the Zakat Foundation of America in Bridgeview, a first for Chicago Catholic Archbishop Blase Cupich.

The discussion held on Monday was serious: How to come together and stop Islamophobia.

"The more we can get clear and attain clarity on what the problem is and how it can be addressed, the better off we'll all be," Jamie Merchant of the Zakat Foundation of America said.

Archbishop Cupich said he is following the pope's lead and embracing Muslims.

Both sides feel this year, in light of the tragedy in Orlando, there are so many misconceptions about Islam, making meetings like this so important. Muslims sitting beside Catholics. Catholics next to Muslims,  sharing stories and seeing more similarities than differences.