Earlier this past Sunday the Muslim community moved the hearts of many french Catholics as they attended their Sunday mass in honor of 85-year-old Rev. Jacques Hamel who was brutally murdered by two young Muslim extremists last Tuesday.

This act of kindness and solidarity from the French Muslim community comes in as a fresh of breath air for the troubled french who have been victims of numerous attacks during the last year. Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen, was especially moved. “We are very moved by the presence of our Muslim friends and I believe it is a courageous act that they did by coming to us,” said Lebrun after mass.

Some Muslims even sat in the front row along one of the nuns that were taken hostage during Rev. Hamel's murder. and others were applauded outside of the church when they held a banner that read "Love for all. Hate for none." Jacqueline Prevot, a churchgoer, was delighted by their visit. “Look at this whole Muslim community that attended Mass,” she said. “I find this very heartwarming."

what is even more surprising is that this was not one isolated case. many other groups of Muslims attended Sunday mass in honor and respect of Rev. Hamel throughout France and even Italy.

Dalil Boubakeur, the rector of the Mosque of Paris, attended at Paris' Notre Dame where he repeatedly echoed the other group's message that the Muslim community seeks to live in peace. “Time has come to come together so as not to be divided,” he said.

Another surprise came from Italy's Treasure of St. Gennaro chapel where Abdullah Cozzolino, the secretary-general of the country’s Islamic Confederation, spoke from the altar of the chapel. Along with his visit, three imams visited another cathedral in Rome.

It is yet to be seen if these peaceful Muslims' actions will lead to any repercussions from radical extremist Muslims but they say they are not afraid and are willing to show their desire for peace. The imam of the Vobarno mosque, Ahmed El Balzai, said he is "not afraid. … These people are tainting our religion and it is terrible to know that many people consider all Muslim terrorists. That is not the case... Religion is one thing. Another is the behavior of Muslims who don’t represent us.”

whether this is the first step in a peaceful direction or just an isolated occurring this Sunday has definitely been a breath of fresh air not only for the European countries but for the entire world. hopefully, more Muslim groups will join their fellow believers in standing against the radical Islamists and thus begin a decrease in the horrible and senseless terrorist attacks that have plagued all media outlets all throughout last year.