03/28/2019
The following are excerpts from our vigil for the martyrs that were killed in New Zealand almost two weeks ago:
"Today we are here to honor and remember the victims of the mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. As a person of faith, I truly believe that they have passed on to a better place, that God knows best and that great good can come out of the greatest tragedies. The Prophet (PBUH) once said that such is the state of the believer that when prosperity comes to them, they remember and thank god for it. And when hardship comes, they remain patient and are better for it. We understand that our time in this world is short and temporary, but the pain of their passing is still fresh, and our wounds as a community have not healed. We stand here in support of our kiwi brothers and sisters and reflect upon what the Prophet (PBUH) said that the believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy is like a single person. If one limb hurts, the whole body hurts. If the head is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted. And many of us have felt the pain of what happened over 8,000 miles away."
"It is important to remember that this act of islamophobia and hatred was committed by a white-supremacist, inspired by acts of hate and terror from right here in the United States. From government actions like the Muslim ban to other acts of white supremacy and terror, we must not stay silent and always stand up for our marginalized communities. We remember the victims of antisemitism in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Tree of Life Synagogue. We remember our Sikh brothers and sisters from Oak Creek. We remember our black brothers and sisters from Emanuel AME church. We remember every victim of xenophobia and white supremacy. We cannot ever be silent."
“O Allah, surely the martyrs from Christchurch, New Zealand are under your protection, and in the rope of your security, so save them and have mercy on them from the trial of the grave and from the punishment of the Fire. You fulfill promises and grant rights, so forgive them and have mercy on them. Surely you are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful”
Ameen.
