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
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