After the 15 March 2019 massacre in two Christchurch Masjids, New Zealanders came together unitedly to support Muslims, and the world followed with their support as well.
People from all walks of life felt for their fellow humans without asking about their faith, ethnicity, culture, language, or color. A tragedy brought human feelings together, united them as a “Human family,” and brought them into the common ground of peace and harmony.
A group in Christchurch believes that rare unity should be celebrated with the remembrance of the tragedy, to encourage people to stay united on common grounds.
To celebrate the unity in diversity that 15 March tragedy brought, there was a Unity in Diversity event held in Christchurch on Saturday 10 September 2022 attended by 300 guests from diverse backgrounds participated over dinner to celebrate, to acknowledge and to encourage one another to continue working on the unity among humans for the peace and prosperity.
The event started with a prayer from Muslim children and ended by a Dua by the Imam of Masjid An-Nur.
The main speakers were included Farid Ahmed, Mayors of Christchurch and Palmerston North, Ministers of Housing and Ethnic Communities, Ambassador of Netherlands and the Cultural Attaché from US Embassy.
A timely tribute was paid to the late Queen Elizabeth II at the occasion.
Why do humans feel the pain of other humans? It is due to human love that the Creator has placed in human hearts, as He brought out all humans from the same parents Adam (a), and Eve (a).
When human hearts are obsessed with nationality, culture, extreme faith, and selfish desires, then they divide one another with hate, and enmity.
Does God (Allah) guide people to fight, kill, hate, and destroy other people? Not at all. Allah guides humans towards righteousness, human rights, fairness, kindness, and mercy towards one another.
Allah sent His last Messenger as mercy for the worlds (Rahmatullil A’alameen). Allah reminds it to the mankind in brief:
“O Mankind! WE have created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another (not that you hate each other.) Surely, the most honourable of you, in the Sight of Allah is (One who is) the most righteous of you.” [Quran 49:13]
How do I balance between my faith, and the human unity. Does it mean I have to compromise my faith? The answer is my faith will remain the same, and my actions will be righteous, but my human dealings will be with love, kindness, fairness, righteousness and with respect.
Other people shall not force their faith on me, and I will not force on my faith on them. I shall remain Allah’s servant with high confidence, with peaceful co-existence, and working towards harmony, peace, and progress.
That is called unity in diversity.
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