Banners, Chains and Hashtags!

We have witnessed some trail blazing social trends, movements and acts of solidarity recently. These can stir grassroots communities for a cause that binds people together, generating kindness and compassion.

Anyone can join in, regardless of age, race, religion or orientation. Take the 2015 'I'll ride with you' hashtag. As a gunman held hostages in a Sydney cafe, thousands of messages of support were posted online for Muslims in Australia who feared a backlash. Within hours, the hashtag went viral showing that a violent evil minority cannot break apart communities.

We have witnessed the power of ordinary people to express love and unity despite and in spite of tragic circumstances, time and time again. And it's incredibly inspiring.

Love hearts were pasted on to the doors of a mosque in Uppsala, Sweden following targeted arson attacks and vandalism. Hundreds joined demonstrations in solidarity with Muslims in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, generating the banner "Don’t touch my mosque”.

In 2017, Christians and Jews in a Texas town reached out to help their Muslim neighbours after a fire destroyed their mosque. The Jewish community handed over the key to their synagogue and at least four churches offered space for Muslims to pray.

After October's horrific 'Tree of Life Synagogue' terrorist shooting in Pittsburgh, local Muslims launched a crowdfunding appeal raising thousands for the victims. "The Pittsburgh community is our family; what happens to one of us, is felt by us all," was the statement from The Islamic Centre of Pittsburgh.

We have discussed hashtags, love bombs and the sharing of sacred spaces- now human chains! As Muslims in Quebec marked their first Friday prayers since a gunman shot dead 6 men praying in the mosque, local Jews, Christians and more, organised by the local Rabbi, formed protective human chains or 'rings of peace' around mosques.

Likewise, Welsh faith leaders came together to form a human chain in solidarity with those affected by the Finsbury Park mosque attack after a van drove into a group of worshippers.

Finally, we have the horrific shootings in New Zealand. Churches opened their doors as mosques closed for security. Mosques received messages of solidarity and flowers. The public have united under the banner 'They are Us' and many mosques have been full of people attending Friday prayers in solidarity.

I often speak to young people about activism and promoting positive social action. There is so much that we share in common. Acts of violence and terror strive to break the connections we have but can be overcome when we decide to reach out instead. It's a choice we make.

Sara Saigol

Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association.

Altrincham Interfaith Group