One hundred candles illuminated the marble steps of the Rotunda last night, poignantly symbolizing 100 lives lost in the Middle East crisis. Standing out individually, each candle paid a tribute to a single life, but together, the single glow portrayed unity that can be achieved even in strife.
The Arab Student Organization, Greater Hillel Council, Muslim Student Association, and the Virginia Israel Public Affairs Committee organized the vigil after leaders of the groups cited similar experiences of University students approaching them with concern over the crisis.
Tension has been ongoing between Israelis and Palestinians over Israel's continued occupation of most of the West Bank and some of the Gaza Strip.
Many blame Ariel Sharon, a high-ranking member of the right-wing Israeli Likud Party, for the most recent outbursts that have claimed the lives of 100 people, mostly Palestinians. Sharon, leader of the hawkish opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, set off the violence taking troops with him to visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a holy place for both Jews and Muslims on September 28.
GHC president Shulamit Warren said fellow students came to her and other student leaders with the desire to pay tribute to those who died and to learn more about the situation.
Warren and the other student leaders responded, transforming the desire into reality by sponsoring the candlelight vigil to give "honor and recognition to all of the lives lost in the Middle East," Warren said.
Despite the turmoil and differences, each group involved in the conflict experiences a common thread -- each feels that the lives lost of their own people have not been recognized by anyone else, he said.
"There has been a lot of emotion involved, which leads to people pointing fingers," MSA president Bilal Aslam said. "The goal tonight is not to blame anyone ... but to recognize that both sides view the loss of life as a tragedy."
Religious Studies Prof. Peter Ochs appealed to each of the students at the vigil to "recognize that we are all the same body" to find common ground and unity.
"One unifying theme, one kernel we can glean from this divisive situation is the preciousness of human life," said Sabri Ben-Achour, ASO political action co-chairman.
Warren noted how complicated it is to find "the common ground with so many different definitions of peace ... peace is never easy." But she said "unity can happen."
The vigil also provided a forum for students to come together to educate themselves about the conflict. "This is a great opportunity to ask questions, a great opportunity to learn," Aslam said.
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