PHOTO GALLERY: Community members gather in support of Shakir Hamoodi

May 23, 2012 | 3:48 p.m. CDT

Six people spoke to community members about how they know Shakir Hamoodi at a gathering Wednesday morning at Rock Bridge Christian Church. Hamoodi, a Middle Eastern grocer and former MU nuclear scientist, was sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty to violating federal sanctions against Iraq by sending money overseas from 1991 to 2003.

Syed Arshad Husain speaks to a gathering of community members in support of Shakir Hamoodi. A panel of six people spoke of how they knew Hamoodi and the positive effect Hamoodi has had in the Columbia community. | Carrie Durkee

Members of the crowd listen to the six people who spoke in support of local business owner Shakir Hamoodi on Wednesday at Rock Bridge Christian Church. People at the event signed petitions intended to help Hamoodi avoid time in prison. | Carrie Durkee

Iman Eldeib signs the petition in support of Shakir Hamoodi. "I've known him since I was a little kid," she said. She said it was "a beautiful thing" that so many different types of people came together in support of Hamoodi. | Carrie Durkee