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A rally in Times Square was organized by a coalition of more than 100 interfaith, nonprofit and government organizations who claim the hearing, scheduled by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King, a Long Island congressman, will demonize and alienate the nation's Muslims.

Among the few hundred in attendance was hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of the Cordoba Initiative -- a key supporter of Park51, the proposed Islamic community center and mosque near the World Trade Center.

"My concern is that if the perception that in the Arab-Muslim world that Muslims are under attack, the perception among the youth here that Muslims are under attack by their own members of Congress, by their own government, this helps radicalize people. And we need to reverse that cycle of radicalization," Rauf said. "That is why I suggest if he wants to have hearings, have it around radicalization and extremism, because that's our common enemy."

As the protestors gathered in Times Square, the White House's deputy national security advisor told those at a Washington-area mosque that condemning whole communities is not the solution to the United States' terrorism problems. It was a sentiment echoed here in the city.

"To single out Muslim Americans is not to examine all forms of violent extremism beliefs, that I see as an injustice," said protester Rabbi Marc Schneier.

A few blocks away, another group called the Liberty Alliance rallied in support of the hearings.

“We need politicians who are strong enough to stand up to all the lefists groups and the media, and if they don't stand up, then they're going to stand down," said one rally participant.

"Basically I'm supporting the right of every American citizen to know who are in the midst, who are living among us, who are plotting to take down our current form of government, our current judicial system and replace it with something that's so totally foreign to what we have in this country as a foundation," said another.

While appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, King defended the hearings and says although a vast majority of Muslims are outstanding citizens, he is concerned about perceived efforts to radicalize the community.

"Whether it's Major [Nidal Malik] Hassan, or whether it's [Faisal] Shahzad or whether it was [Najibullah] Zazi in New York, these are all people who are identifying in one way or another with al-Qaida or al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. So it's an international movement with elements here in the United States," King said.

Meanwhile, a group of Queens residents held their own demonstration in Jackson Heights on Sunday.

Protesters joined City Councilman Daniel Dromm outside a community office on 75th Street.

They said hearings on perceived Muslim radicalization are not the solution, and that they will not make anyone safer.

"You, Peter King, as a Congressman should know better. You, Peter King, are responsible to represent everyone in your district. You have Muslims in your district also. Shame on you, Peter King, for doing this," Dromm said.

"Targeting one community takes us back to an era similar to what happened with the Japanese after World War II, what happened under the [Senator Joseph] McCarthy era. We're spreading fear and hatred rather than tolerance and justice," said Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) Executive Director Monami Maulik.

Protesters said King has a history of targeting individual communities and say they want to keep Queens a diverse place to live.

The hearings are scheduled to begin Thursday, and the first Muslim elected to Congress, Democratic Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, is expected to testify.