PHOTO: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN

DEARBORN — Dozens of Muslim religious leaders from as far as Grand Blanc gathered at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge on Wednesday to discuss action on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in general.

Osama Siblani, of the Arab American Political Action Commitee and the Congress of Arab American Organizations, spoke to the group about awareness campaigns and reaching out to groups beyond Muslim and Arab communities.

He announced the mounting of two new billboards that were to go up Thursday in support of the Palestinian cause.

“Once we reach out, you’ll see that we have more friends than we think,” said Siblani, who is also publisher of The Arab American News.

Imam Abdullah El-Amin of the Muslim Center of Detroit said swaying public opinion through widespread, peaceful messages is they way to gain admiration success in community and humanitarian causes.

“You can’t throw a rock at an F16 airplane,” he said, “but you can get public opinion on your side by being nonviolent.”