Harvard Affiliates Gather at Vigil to Mourn Victims of Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria...

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

More than 50 Harvard affiliates gathered on the steps of Memorial Church for a candlelit vigil on Thursday to mourn the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria earlier this month.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which struck Feb. 6, killed more than 40,000 people and left tens of thousands injured or missing. The initial earthquake was followed by more than 30 aftershocks of at least magnitude 4.5, leaving hundreds of thousands facing freezing overnight temperatures without shelter or power.

University Muslim Chaplain Khalil Abdur-Rashid spoke at the vigil, offering prayers to victims, rescue workers, and volunteers who are responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“We are deeply moved in our own community, not only by the catastrophic loss that affects us all, but — more importantly — by the news that some of our own students here on campus were directly impacted by both of these earthquakes,” he said.

Abdur-Rashid added he was “inspired by the glimmers of hope and survival” in the aftermath of the earthquakes, referencing the rescue of a young woman who was trapped underneath rubble for 10 days.

“Throughout this huge — this tremendous — catastrophe, there are amazing inspirational signs of human resilience, strength, courage, and hope,” he said.

Sarah Aziz, a Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, said she attended the vigil to support her friends and colleagues who have been affected by the earthquakes, adding that it offered an opportunity to reflect on the “human connection” to victims in Turkey and Syria.

“This is the least I think we can do being so far away. So I came here because I think I need this. As a human being, it’s good for me,” she said. “It’s good for us to come together.”

Jana Amin ’25 said in a speech that she has felt “vulnerable, empty, exhausted and lost” since the earthquakes.

Full article:  Harvard Affiliates Gather at Vigil to Mourn Victims of Earthquakes ...

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Kofi Bilal Mahmud Eid AlFitr 1443 A.H.

http://oppressedpeoplesonlineword.ning.com/profiles/blogs/6273430:B...

Kofi Bilal Mahmud

Executive Director

Oppressed Peoples Online Word 

Support OPOW:  OPOW Needs Your Support - Oppressed Peoples Online Word...The Voice...

The Voice Of The Voiceless... A People Without A Voice Can Not Be Heard...

Paypal: [e-mail]

Or Cashapp: $bilal1370

Zelle: [e-mail]

Mail: Little Deep Creek LLC
P.O. Box 1241
Conley, Ga. 30288

Support OPOW Today...An Appeal From The Executive Director Bilal Ma...

Thank you from all of us here at OPOW