March 15, 2019
The news of the horrific massacre of dozens of innocent Muslim worshipers in their mosques in New Zealand was shocking and saddening. One more attack on a faith community, indeed, on all of humanity. One more act of violence motivated by religious bigotry. Still another heinous crime committed by an avowed white supremacist. And yet, this senseless massacre is unique, as they all are, in the profound pain and suffering on the lives affected.
Distance is no matter. We Americans, we Cincinnatians should all grieve with the victims’ families. We should stand in solidarity with the Christchurch Muslim community. Locally, we should extend our support, sympathies and concern to our Muslim friends and neighbors who continue to live in fear for the safety of their families. They are our brothers and sisters.
The Bridges of Faith Trialogue, a civic organization that works to foster interfaith inclusion and unity, and the organizer of the Cincinnati Festival of Faiths, holds to the belief that compassion and justice are central to all religions. Let us put our compassion into action by being alert to the present danger caused by the ideology of white supremacy, an increase our efforts to work together for a just and safe community for all of our neighbors.