As thousands gathered at Detroit Airport to protest the Executive Order on Immigration signed by US President Donald Trump last weekend, a spontaneous gesture of unity happened.
Realising it was approaching sunset prayers on Sunday evening, protesters lent their signs to be used as prayer mats by Muslims who wished to pray and formed a protective, silent circle around them.
Today, at Detroit Metro Airport, protesters made room for Muslims to pray.
— Diana Hussein (@heyadiana) January 30, 2017
They used protest signs as prayer mats.#nomuslimban pic.twitter.com/8SW8Pphhbo
Jeena Patel, who was taking part in the Detroit protests, told MLive that someone had informed protesters that it was time for observant Muslims to pray, and suggested they show solidarity.
"People put down their signs, knowing that the people who would be praying would have to kneel -- so they wouldn't have to do it on the wet concrete.
"Everyone just quieted down. It was a really moving moment," Patel said.
It had just began to snow, with temperatures in Detroit dropping below 0°C .
Detroit is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in America.
Patel said approximately two dozen Muslims took part in prayer using protest signs as prayer mats.
"Many of the Muslim activists gathered and said, 'Let's pray right here'," Bilal Dabaja, who participated in the prayer, told Vocativ.
"It was kind of spontaneous."
Many Muslim Americans are concerned that their family overseas will be prevented from visiting them, or joining them in America as a result of the Immigration Order.
Up to 200 people remain in limbo at airports across America, their freedom of movement restricted as a result of the immediate implementation of the executive order over the weekend.
"It's like a full on assault on us as Muslims living in this country, especially people who have families in these countries," Dabaja said to Vocativ.