To the Islamic community of Christchurch, NZ: I am devastated for you. You went into your places of peace to have a sense of calm and community, and you deserved to have that. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re feeling, but I want you all to know that the world is grieving with you and for you. I pray with everything I have that you find peace in each other and in your faith still, because through the many difficult times I have faced, my faith kept me strong. I will be praying for all of you, and I am sending all the love I have your way. 😢❤️ Now, to the rest of the world, I ask this: when will this end? Why do we allow violence to be perpetuated? Why do we allow hatred to be a part of what we teach? I was always taught that just because someone comes from a different belief system, or they had a different skin color, that you look at the type of PERSON they are and examine their CHARACTER, and don’t pass premature judgements or act against them because they look different or believe different. I am one of the children who, at 6 years old, saw terrorism flash across TV screens in school on 9/11, but I had hoped on some level, by the time I reached the age of 24, that this world may have gotten better, that we would be better. I cannot remember a time in my life where people weren’t being treated differently or discriminated against. I pray with everything I’ve got for this to change. PEOPLE are being murdered just for differences in beliefs, and it’s absolutely abhorrent and disgusting. EVERYONE DESERVES A RIGHT TO LIVE, AND TAKING THAT AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, DOESN’T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO END THEIR LIVES. The rage and anger I feel about this is high, and while I sit here and pray for peace, love, and healing, I ask the same of all of you out there, too. Regardless of where you come from, your race, religion, class, or creed: please, please pray for a better world. Then, let’s all come together and find a way to make that happen. #IStandWithChristchurch #ChristchurchNZ #PrayersForChristchurchNZ #PrayersForABetterWorld #PrayersForPeace #PrayersForUnderstanding #LetsMakeABetterWorld #LetsBeBetterPeople https://www.instagram.com/p/BvCkcThgUbC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mac8f5r8vm1y