Jewish, Muslim students hold vigil for Middle East peace

Posted 10/27/00

Muslim and Jewish students came together at Dartmouth College Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to demonstrate their common hope for peace in the Middle East.

Jointly sponsored by Hillel, the Jewish student organization, and Al-Nur, the Muslim student association, the event was highlighted by prayers from each group.

Members of both organizations and other concerned students, staff and faculty members, were among the crowd of approximately 100 people gathered outside Rollins Chapel as evening fell Wednesday. Carrying flickering candles, the crowd walked together to the center of the College Green, where Hillel President Jason Spitalnick and Al-Nur President Yousuf Haque, both juniors, addressed the circle of people.

"O God, You have called us to peace, for You are Peace itself," read Spitalnick.

"Our Lord, empower us with the courage and commitment to leave this place and take positive action for that just peace," said Haque, in the Al-Nur prayer.

Twenty seconds of reflective silence followed the prayers before the vigil moved on to its conclusion at the Tucker Foundation, Dartmouth's center for community service and religious life.

While originally planned as an event for Al-Nur alone, the presidents of the two organizations decided to make the vigil a joint effort to focus on the common ground both groups share.

Both Al-Nur and Hillel "are committed to a just peace for all Israelis and Palestinian," said Haque in an interview with the student newspaper.

Spitalnick expressed similar thoughts, noting that both organizations would like to see an end to violence in the region.

Rabbi Edward Boraz, who consulted with the students in organizing the event, said in an interview with the student newspaper that the event was unique "at a time when Jews and Muslims appear to be pulling apart."

Boraz added that he hopes the event will be a starting point for further student discussions of the Middle East crisis.