In the wake of last week’s attack on a mosque in Finsbury Park, London, and as we come to the last few days of Ramadan, where Muslims across the world have been fasting for 30 days (ends on Saturday 24 June 2017), it’s wonderful to see more than 41K Happy Ramadan cards being sent to more than 2,300 mosques in America by young people.
Galvanised by recent instances of hate crimes in their own country, DoSomething.org, a large tech company exclusively for young people and social change, were spurred on to create their Simply Us campaign, to reach out to their 3.3 million Muslim American neighbours.
The campaign, supported by Teen Vogue, demonstrated the need to break down walls and encourage better understanding, tolerance of difference and unfamiliar norms and customs.
One young American said she was compelled to be involved. She said: “Before this campaign, I had no idea of what Ramadan was.” “Learning that it’s a special time for Muslims, where they focus on community, charity, and compassion, made me feel compelled to participate in this campaign. To me, no matter what we believe, as Americans and as people, we should feel safe and wanted in this country. I hope the cards I make will spread love to everyone who reads them.”
This campaign from our neighbours across the pond, really resonated with us, particularly in light of the recent terror attacks in London. Our thoughts go to the victims’ families and we pray for more tolerance.
