Vigil supports members of UB's Muslim community

More than 50 people gathered in Norton Hall on Thursday for a solidarity vigil hosted by the UB Academies to support Muslim members of the university community.

The event, organized by sociology graduate student Juweria Dahir, opened with a speech and poetry reading by Dahir encouraging empathy and understanding from the community. A moment of silence followed to honor victims of racial and religious discrimination. The words “Standing Out in Solidarity” were projected onto a white screen behind Dahir.

Throughout the night, several guest speakers — including graduate students Bryana DiFonzo, Sarah Hussein and Maggi Rex, and Chief Sustainability Officer Ryan McPherson — emphasized the need for solidarity and action during these difficult times.

Teresa A. Miller, vice provost for equity and inclusion, spoke about the university’s commitment to becoming a welcoming and inclusive institution. “It’s our job to teach students to be open to perspectives and judge people as individuals rather than reduce them to a single ethnic, racial, gender or religious stereotype,” she said.

In light of recent events, the vigil showed UB’s continued efforts to create a diverse and open campus environment, while preserving the safety and dignity of its students.

“This event is just the beginning of reaching that goal,” Miller continued. “We’re encouraging students to approach these issues more critically and have some empathy for what’s going on.”