Proposed Mosque Brings Albuquerque Faith Leaders Together to Promote Peace and Unity

A week after a confrontation outside a church, local religious leaders gathered to call for peace and unity, KOB 4 reports. The gathering followed heated debate and alleged acts of violence over a proposed mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley. The Bernalillo County Planning Commission approved the mosque on July 1, but the project near Second Street and Alameda Boulevard continues to spark debate.

Father Vincent Chavez, pastor of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church, invited Christian, Islamic and Jewish leaders to his church on July 29 to discuss the common ground among their beliefs. He called on their followers to choose curiosity and respect over anger or fear. Marciel Romero, the president of Nahalat Shalom, told people not to be afraid and to bring their questions, saying they would be welcomed and listened to.

Police say David Romero brought a gun to St. Therese on July 22 and harassed the church’s facilities director after an apparent dispute over the mosque. The incident reportedly followed a disagreement between Chavez and Romero’s girlfriend over the pastor’s vocal support for the mosque. No one was injured, and Romero was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Speakers on July 29 highlighted the commonalities among the three religions and shared stories about their own faith journeys. “Tolerance is not weakness. Respect is not surrender,” said Ahmad Assed, an attorney and former president of the Islamic Center of New Mexico, according to KOB 4. Chavez reminded people of all faiths of their common goal of raising up all people to a new hope.

Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit KOB 4’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.