'Washing My Brother's Feet.' Texan Supports Muslims Outside of Mosque

A Presbyterian man from Texas has taken a public stand to support Muslims, posting a picture of himself on Facebook holding a sign that read, 'You belong, stay strong, be blessed, we are one America.' 

The Texan held the sign while standing outside of a mosque in Irving, wearing a cowboy hat with a plaid shirt. 

The post went viral, with more than 6,500 shares on Facebook as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a report from DallasNews.com.

Justin Normand, who is 53 years old, said he felt the need to "share peace with his neighbors" after the election results from Nov. 9. 

"I have been in a malaise and turmoil since the election, as have many of the people in my community," Normand said. "It was just an expression of mine. This happened because I needed to do something, and I had nothing else that I could do," he added. 

Normand manages a Dallas sign shop and made the sign himself. 

"This was about binding up the wounded, about showing compassion and empathy for the hurting and fearful among us," Normand said on Facebook. 

"Or, in some Christian traditions, this was about washing my brother's feet. This was about my religion, not theirs," he added. 

"Targeting people for their religion not only threatens our way of life, it is the polar opposite of our way of life," he wrote. 

Normand says the Islamic Center of Irving has shown hospitality and love and an "avalanche" of support from people on social media. He calls it the "most humbling experience" of his life. 

His wife also shared her opinion on his action. 

"I think that it was an act that very much represents him and what is in his heart," Cathey Normand said. 

"It was him trying to live out his faith," she continued. "I'm very proud of him because the message was pure and genuine to a group of people he felt were being singled out negatively. But it was just as simple as that. It wasn't anything other than a simple expression of his faith."

The director of outreach for the Islamic Center of Irving, Nick Pelletier, went up to Normand after he finished praying at the mosque. 

He recorded his conversation with Normand over political topics surrounding the Muslim community and the fear he lives with as a Muslim. 

Normand shared his advice for how he thinks Americans should treat those who are immigrants or Muslims. 

"Find a group marginalized by the haters in this current era we find ourselves in," Normand said in his post. "Then, find a way to express your acceptance to that group in a physically present way, as opposed to a digital one. I can assure you, from their outpouring of smiles, hugs, tears, hospitality, messages extending God's love, and a bouquet of flowers, it will mean a lot."