成人快手

Good morning

I鈥檝e never met Maysoon in person 鈥� I was introduced to her through the work I do with survivors of terrorism by Figen whose son Martyn was killed in the Manchester arena bombing. Maysoon lives in Christchurch, New Zealand and her son Atta was killed in the attack on two mosques five years ago, in which 51 people died.

I met her three weeks ago on Zoom, we鈥檝e been messaging each other since and I now carry her close to my heart. She鈥檚 resilient and determined to ensure that what happened to her son and so many families won鈥檛 happen to others. She also has anger and a feeling of being let down by those who could have prevented the atrocity. Maysoon takes great comfort from her granddaughter, Aya.

The anniversary of the New Zealand attack has been designated as the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia with events happening all over the world.

As part of the commemorations last week the Together Coalition and Faiths Forum for London hosted a fast breaking meal in a North London mosque, attended by politicians, community and civic organisations and representatives from nine faiths.

At the event there was a photographic display of Maysoon鈥檚 son and the 50 other people who鈥檇 been killed. Guests laid 51 roses.

An Imam, a Rabbi and a Bishop shared their reflections. I was struck by a comment from the Rabbi who said that while he remembered the attack very clearly he had not seen the faces of the victims so close up before. At the end of the event, as we tidied up and reflected on the evening, someone brought the board of photos over and placed it near us. We all stopped talking and looked at the board, in silence, for a long time. It was moving and powerful.

Maysoon sent a message from New Zealand, particularly aimed at our elected representatives and leaders.
She said, 鈥淎ttacks and prejudice against Muslims are on the rise in the UK and around the world. Politicians have an important role to play in not using hateful language and in stopping the spread of hate".

We need them to heed that message,

In the Qur鈥檃n one of my favourite verses says 鈥淲e have made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another鈥�
So often hatred is about ignorance and about not knowing each other. That board of photos of those 51 souls made it feel like they were in the room with us. I鈥檓 sure there will be more public conversations and debates about the divisions and hatred that threaten our society.
I鈥檒l treasure the solidarity I experienced last week, and carry Maysoon鈥檚 message with me as I seek to be mindful of my responsibility to foster reconciliation and understanding, wherever I go.

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