Members of the University of Oregon community gathered in the Erb Memorial Union today for a Unity Vigil, showing support for victims of violence across the world. UO’s Division of Equity and Inclusion organized the vigil, during which speakers focused on the importance of fostering solidarity in a diverse community.
President Michael Schill listed the recent cities that have been victims of terrorist attacks. Addressing the ballroom of over a hundred people, Schill said, “This list is getting longer and longer; what is happening?” Returning to the theme of solidarity in trying times, Schill asked UO members “not to retreat into fear, bias or xenophobia.”
“Knowledge can be the antidote for fear,” Schill said.
Vice President Yvette Alex-Assensoh asked everyone to turn to the person sitting next to them and introduce themselves. The ballroom filled with chatter that quickly rose to laughter. A few people hugged.
“Who is our neighbor?” Alex-Assensoh asked. “Philosophically, in terms of faith.” She asked the university community to be open to each other’s ideas.
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy couldn’t be at the event, so Alex-Assensoh read a letter she wrote to the community.
“Historically, we’re not a diverse community,” Piercy acknowledged, “but I hope the tide is changing. Eugene will embrace the victims of war.” Piercy has previously showed her support for accepting Syrian refugees to Eugene.
Seven speakers from the UO academic community gave brief comments, many asking the audience not to make generalizations based on religion.
“We need to recognize the difference between a religious organization and a political one,” UO student Drew Williams said in his speech. Dennis Galvin, the vice provost for international affairs, gave the same speech in Arabic, French and then English. Angela Jaya, a professor of international studies, asked the audience to keep in mind that a majority of terrorist attacks have been in Muslim countries against Muslims, not against western ideology.
“Darkness has no physical properties. It is the absence of light,” professor Ibrahim Gassama said. “So, too, is terror. It is a reaction.” Gassama asked the audience to believe that love will conquer hate.
Members of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities each took a turn to speak and share a hymn. Haythem Abo-Adel, the president of the Muslim Student Association, spoke first.
“I’m not here to justify Islam,” Abo-Adel said after thanking the community. “There is nothing wrong with Islam. We condemn, as human beings, all terrorist attacks, not as Muslims.” He led the auditorium through a prayer and a selection from the Qur’an.
Jewish and Christian leaders also gave their support, and each lead the auditorium in a song. The night ended with the audience on their feet, joined together in a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!” the crowd sang. “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”