Miriam Itzkowitz – Year 11

As Jews, we are well aware of the pain that racial and religious discrimination can cause. We know how hard it is when someone makes a nasty comment, draws a swastika or targets and kills or injures members of a Jewish community. We understand the hardships that are faced.

Four weeks ago, a far-right, white supremacist, neo-Nazi from Australia shot up two mosques in Christchurch killing fifty people, all of whom were in prayer. These people were non violent. They were in their sacred place trying to connect to their God, yet, in what was meant to be their most peaceful, safest place, they were brutally slaughtered for practising a religion.

While this was definitely a shock at first, unfortunately I am not surprised. Our words cause impact. Not only on the victims, but the perpetrators too. Had there not been so many negative statements made about Muslims over the past decade, it is far less likely that this heinous act would have occurred. That being said, white supremacists tend to hate anyone who isn’t them, but I strongly believe if we’re able to eliminate stigma and create love and peace, we will hopefully be able to ensure a safer world, where attacks such as these will eventually cease. Racism is ignorance. Let’s educate.

“The pen is mightier than the sword”. I believe this quote is especially relevant to this particular situation. With people constantly labelling all Muslims as “terrorists” and telling them to “go back to their country”, this has created a stigma surrounding Muslims and Islam, perhaps resulting in an attack such as this one.

It is appalling. It is despicable.

I urge you all to keep these victims in your mind and prayers. Whether you say Kaddish or write a personal condolence to them – whatever you think would be appropriate, please remember the fifty lost, the other fifty injured. As an Australian, I stand in solidarity with my New Zealander cousins and as a Jew, I stand in solidarity with my Muslim brothers and sisters. Please don’t let them be forgotten, and together, let us strive for peace.