Muslim Students Seek Unity

To the Editors:

A great tragedy took place to the people of America as well as the people of the world. International relations as we know them, have completely collapsed. We can no longer afford to live in a bubble of safety and comfort. This was a grave incident to humanity. Our condolences and prayers go out to students, faculty and staff members of Oberlin College whose families and friends are in the New York and Washington D.C. areas.
During the same time of sadness and distress, anger, hatred and prejudice have also started to emerge. Unfortunately the media has fueled a lot of anti-Arab and anti-Islamic sentiments even before any evidence was found to confirm the background of the terrorists. We the Muslim Student Association condemn the terrorists who have taken so many innocent lives and caused such massive destruction, but at the same time, we stand against those who are acting upon racist and religiously intolerant notions towards people of Middle Eastern decent and of Muslim faith. People of South Asian decent who seemingly have similar physical traits as Middle Eastern people are also being targeted for hate crimes. We request the Oberlin community to understand these problems and incidents of anti-Arab, anti-Islamic, to a certain degree anti-immigrant feelings and the ignorant acts of violence against South Asians that have flared up in the United States. The actions of a few do not represent the entire Arab or the Muslim world. We ask the Oberlin community to stand in solidarity with those of us who are in a position to face hate crimes and racism. Violence cannot be met with violence. Muslim students and Middle Eastern Students speak in unison when we declare that we do not support any form or kind of terrorism anywhere in this world. Let us all stand together as a body of strength, peace, knowledge and compassion.
Again, our deepest sympathies to everyone in Oberlin College and to the American people. Thank you.

–Shahana Siddiqui
College sophomore

On behalf of the
Muslim Student Association

September 17
September 21

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