Jewish & Muslim students in #OneLoughborough unity event
By Esther Malkinson
Loughborough’s Jewish and Islamic societies came together to commemorate the recent events in France and consider racism and anti-Semitism that occur in the UK.
The aim was to celebrate the fact that here in Loughborough we are all one using the hashtag – #OneLoughborough.
Speakers included the VP Societies, Sophie Farley; Co-ordinator for the CFS/Methodist Chaplain, Deacon Jan Sutton, the Jewish Society’s Esther Malkinson and the Islamic Society’s Awab Elniel.
Esther and Awab stressed that students of Loughborough were accepting of their peers. Esther recalled some advice given to her in Secondary school, saying “I was warned, undoubtedly, that I would receive anti- Semitic comments”.
Esther says that she has found the complete opposite coming to University and that “educating people at Loughborough about Judaism has being a pleasure”.
Being a key organiser of the event, Esther prompted everyone to “be the positive impact on social media”, asking people to share their images of lit candles on Instagram and Twitter.
Awab said it is “dangerous to ignore the rage” that has being happening recently. He also said that “as the Muslim community- we stand alongside everyone”.
The event was uniting and moving as it presented students with a concept of peace and commemoration.
People were able to take an electric tea light and place it at the front of the stage, as well as leaving a message about unity and “one Loughborough” on a board.
The organisers also made it known that participants were invited to share messages and images of support throughout the month of February on social media, using #OneLoughborough.
Let’s make February the month of #oneloughborough @ErezUJS @LboroJSOC @UJS_UK @VPSocieties_LSU @LSUSoc_Culture pic.twitter.com/wRJ933ZZvx
— Esther Malkinson (@esthermalki) February 11, 2015
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