Southern California Muslims gathered in silence at a street corner in Orange County to mourn the death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the three other American diplomats killed in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. The silent vigil in Tustin was organized by a young Syrian American, who, along with her friends, wanted to send a message to the perpetrators who stormed the compound in Libya during a protest over a controversial film that insulted Islam’s Prophet Muhammad

"As a Muslim American, me and a couple of friends decided to show that what happened in Libya does not represent us as Muslims," said organizer Lilah Khoja, 21. "Even more important, we should stand by and honor the great Christopher Stevens, who did a lot for the Libyan people." The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA), along with the Libyan American Assn. of Southern California, cosponsored the vigil. Khoja's initiative has led to other planned vigils for Stevens and the three other American diplomats throughout the nation, including in New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago."We are very sorry," said Ayoub Misherghi, 63, a Libyan American who drove from Upland with his wife and daughter. "We wanted to express our sorrow and solidarity with the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Libya."" 'via Blog this'  Area Muslims call for peace, honor ambassador slain in Libya attack - latimes.com: "

Pope Benedict is calling on Lebanon to be a model of peace and religious freedom in the tumultuous Middle East. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church met with Lebanese officials and religious leaders Saturday at the presidential palace in Beirut, where he was met by cheering crowds. The pope said Christians and Muslims in Lebanon have shared the same space for centuries and that families often have members of both religions. He asked, “If this is possible in one single family, why would it be impossible at the level of the society as a whole?”

 "One of the Lebanese leaders at the meeting, Sheikh Mohammad Rachid Qabbani, gave Pope Benedict a letter saying he considers any attack on a Christian an attack on all Muslims. Lebanese President Michel Suleiman also spoke and referred to Syria, which has been gripped by 18 months of fighting between government forces and rebels. Mr. Suleiman said Lebanon would continue to care for Syrian refugees and wished the Syrian people would attain freedom and democracy through dialogue and other peaceful means. Upon arrival in Lebanon Friday, the pope said he has come to the region as a “pilgrim of peace.” The trip comes days after deadly Muslim protests in the region, triggered by a film produced in the United States mocking Islam's leader, the Prophet Muhammad. Pope Benedict says he never considered canceling his trip to Lebanon because of security concerns brought on by violence in the region." 'via Blog this' Pope, Lebanese Leaders Call for Religious Peace « VOA Breaking News: