Campus gathers for peace in Gaza
A solitary candle stood at the front of Hendricks Chapel.
Approximately 100 people gathered at 5:30 Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil to show their support and sympathy for the people of Gaza.
‘We are here for those who died in Gaza,’ said Ahmed Al-Salem, president of the Muslim Student Association, to a crowd of students, faculty and community members. ‘We are here to answer the man who asked, ‘Where is humanity?’ ‘Humanity is here,’ we answer. Do not lose hope.’
Raed Sharif, a doctoral candidate in the School of Information Studies and one of the organizers of the event, told stories of the hardships and fear his own family and friends are facing in Gaza, his native city.
‘We are here today to show the world that we care about humanity, about people,’ he said. ‘We are here today to send a message of respect, support, sympathy and solidarity.’
Andy Mager, a Jewish member of the Syracuse Peace Council, brought a different perspective to the vigil.
‘It’s very important for people to know that not all Jews of the United States support the Israelis, and not all Israelis support it either,’ he said.
Toward the end of the vigil, Lara Yalouaya, a Syracuse University alumnus and audience member, walked to the center aisle and spoke loudly to the audience that the rockets being fired were a consequence of Israel’s aggressive occupation policy.
‘It’s not for America, for Bush or Cheney to choose who would be government,’ she said to some applause. ‘It’s democratically elected Hamas. It’s not for American policy to decide.’
Tula Goenka, a professor of television, radio and film and an organizer of the event, said she was very pleased with the vigil and the turnout.
‘The two women that spoke were very passionate,’ she said. ‘I think that people have been very silent about it. For people to feel that they were in a safe place to voice their concerns is good.’
Ahmed Kobeisy, SU’s Islamic chaplain, agreed.
‘People were supportive for the cause. People were very humane in their expressions and also very respectful of human life in general.’
He said he enjoyed hearing people’s stories, although he feels that the stories presented were the least of what happened.
In addition to speeches from Magel, Sharif and Al-Salem, there was a prayer and a song performed by Joanne Shenandoah and Dianna Schenandoah. Kobeisy and Rev. Gail Riina spoke on behalf of Rev. Kelly Sprinkle, dean of Hendricks Chapel, because he was sick and unable to attend. At the conclusion of the vigil, the attendees went outside on the steps with their candles.
Dorris Habayebe Courgi, an SU alumnus, spoke of a personal connection to the situation in Gaza.
‘There are SU alumni trapped in Gaza,’ she said. ‘Thanks to Facebook, we’re able to stay in touch. I send my friends pictures from all of the protests, and they say thank you because it shows we’re not alone.’
Published on January 13, 2009 at 12:00 pm
