Emory students spark nationwide student solidarity statement

By Bradford Pilcher

Following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., and in response to growing instances of anti-Arab and anti-Islamic bigotry, four Emory University alumni drafted a document of solidarity.

Within 24 hours, the four, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian, quickly received endorsements from 124 organizations at 18 universities across America. The majority of the universities are located in metropolitan Atlanta, but organizations from California to Harvard and New York University also joined the effort.

The statement reads as follows:

We, the students representing the cultural, religious and civic organizations of our respective universities, wish to offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of those who have lost loved ones in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001.

This act represents an aberration against democracy, civilization and peace-loving people everywhere. This attack was indiscriminate, shameful, cowardly and meant to break the will of America and the world.

We, as a community, wish to affirm that these barbaric actions have failed in their objectives. Instead of inciting fear, our resolve has become only more united and steadfast.

In the events of the past few days, it is becoming increasingly more apparent that the global community faces a challenge unlike anything that has ever been encountered before. The forces of terror have drawn a line that can only be overcome by our unified commitment to peace and justice.

The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, however we can never achieve true victory over the forces of hate if we forget the essential foundations this nation was built upon. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths; our capacity to love and respect people of every faith and creed is the cornerstone that makes our society great. We encourage the use of rational decision making by all Americans and hope that every individual’s civil liberties are respected.

We men and women of all faiths stand together in mutual understanding and solidarity as a nation and as a world. We must remember that this act of terror in no way represents the principles of the Islamic faith. In this time of crisis all of us must turn to that part of our souls that believes in a higher power to find solace. Whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, or Muslim- all people of faith must rely on our love of peace and humanity to carry us through this darkest of hours.

May God bless our community, our nation and our world.

Signatories of the bill include: