At Tuesday night's vigil, Yousef Hussain read a passage from the opening chapter of the Koran.
He’s a Penn State junior, a member of the Muslim Student Association, and one of several speakers at last night’s candlelight vigil for the 50 victims of the New Zealand Mosque shootings.
“We should pray and act to change hateful rhetoric and the ensuing hateful violence, and above all, resist the temptation to lose hope," Hussain said.
About 100 people gathered in front of Old Main on Penn State’s campus. There they stood in solidarity with those killed in last Friday’s shootings that targeted two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Penn State sophomore Yaasat Nayeem attended the event. As a Muslim, he said hearing about the victims was one of the hardest parts.
“The one that struck me most was the three-year-old who prayed with his dad," Nayeem said. "It reminded me of my little brother who I prayed with every day when I was home.”
Nayeem said he thinks events like this one are tragic, but can ultimately bring people together.
“We’re not afraid," Nayemm said. "This only makes us stronger."
