RIT Holds Vigil in Wake of Christchurch Tragedy

Students, faculty and community members gather in Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. during Prayer for Solidarity with Our Muslim Community hosted by the Muslim Student Association at Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 20, 2019. The service was held in response to the recent shooting at Christchurch, New Zealand. Multiple religious speakers presented songs, hymns, prayers, meditations, and speeches to the attendees of the service. Photo by Becky Reich

Dr. Rauf Bawany, Muslim Chaplain at RIT Spirituality and Religious Life, reads a verse from the Quran on the implications of committing murder during Prayer for Solidarity with Our Muslim Community hosted by the Muslim Student Association at Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 20, 2019. Photo by Becky Reich

Anna Rose Layden and Matt Castranova read an excerpt from the Catholic Bible during Prayer for Solidarity with Our Muslim Community in Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 20, 2019. “I thought the service was beautiful. I’m extremely proud of our interfaith community for truly displaying such selflessness and love for one another. It was really cool to be able to sit alongside Muslim students and pray with them for their people in their tradition." Layden said. Photo by Becky Reich

(left to right) Craig Swanson, Lutheran Pastor at RIT Spirituality and Religious Life, and Dr. Rauf Bawany, Muslim Chaplain at RIT Spirituality and Religious Life, stand to read a verse from the Christian Bible at Prayer for Solidarity with Our Muslim Community hosted by the Muslim Student Association in Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 20, 2019. Photo by Becky Reich

Shudo Schroeder, Zen Buddhist at RIT Spirituality and Religious Life, reads an excerpt from the Sutras at Prayer for Solidarity with Our Muslim Community hosted by the Muslim Student Association in Allen Chapel in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 20, 2019. Photo by Becky Reich

“Whoever kills a soul, unjustly, it is as if he had slain the whole mankind. And whoever saves a single soul, it is as if he had saved the whole mankind.” — Quran 5:32

On Thursday, March 21, 2019, RIT held a vigil in the Allen Chapel in solidarity with those affected by the mass shooting that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand. The vigil saw approximately 100 students and community members in attendance, each there to honor the victims of the mosque shootings that occurred on March 15, 2019, as well as those affected by terror and hate worldwide.

“It was a hate crime, as simple as that,” said Dr. Rauf Bawany, Muslim chaplain at the Center for Spirituality and Religious Life.

Yet, Bawany encouraged forgiveness and noted that many had already forgiven the gunman. His sermons teach empathy and understanding — and above all else, love.