By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
In the aftermath of the horrific attack in Kuwait, its residents are showing the world they’re not caving to division or sectarianism.
On Friday, a deadly suicide bomb attack at a mosque in Kuwait City claimed the lives of 27 people and wounded 227 others, one person was decapitated and two others injured in a vicious attack on a factory in France and 37 people, including European tourists, were slaughtered in a hotel attack on the beaches of Sousse, Tunisia.
These brutal attacks sparked a massive outpouring of support and mourning on social media where people from across the globe put aside their differences to offer messages of condolence, grief and support to the affected countries. Within these countries, people also took to social media to publicly reject sectarianism, express national unity and voice their defiance over the Islamic State’s attacks on their home soil during the holy month of Ramadan.
In Kuwait, a country that has been spared the sectarian violence often seen in other Arab nations, the attack was designed to tear the tiny nation apart.
The people of Kuwait, however, have reacted in a beautiful way, both online and on the streets of Kuwait, proving that even in the wake of a horrific disaster, its people stand tall and united against terrorism in a powerful glimmer of strength, hope and resilience.
“No matter how much they try to separate us, no matter how much they try to break our unity. No matter how many times they want to bring chaos between us. We will hold on more and more. And we will stay united, as one,” said Abdullah Mubarak Alhajeri, Chief Manager of Jahzeen projects in one of several inspiring videos by Kuwait’s Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, promoting peace and voicing solidarity using the hashtag #صف_واحد which means “one rank” – a call for Kuwaitis to unify and join in the fight against terrorism.
Other trending hashtags included #OneKuwait, “Kuwait is one” and “Pray for Kuwait.”
Gulf Bank also launched a beautiful, tear-inducing video on YouTube just days after the attack showing a touching conversation in Arabic between a father and son on differences between people.
Roughly translated, this is their conversation with a powerful message for all:
Little boy to his father: “Dad. Am I Sunni or Shia?”
Father: “You are both and our God is one. But the names differ. Tell me, who is your best friend.”
Little boy: “My best friend is Hussein.”
Father: “You are one eye and he’s the other. God knows I love you both and feel that you’re my kids and precious to me, both of you. Since a long time ago, from the days we’ve lived in mud houses, we’re all brothers. There’s love between us. It’s not just the days that gather us, it’s the years. If someone asks you one day if your Sunni or Shia. Lock your eyes with his and tell him. I’m Kuwaiti. And all of God’s houses are my houses. This is my will to you.”
“Their actions will only increase unity and solidarity. Their actions will increase our strength & togetherness. This is Kuwait and we will defend it with all our souls. We will stand together, as one,” said Sheikha Al Zain Al Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti ruling and undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, in the video above.
Here are some other beautiful showings of solidarity and support on social media:
While Kuwait Central Blood Bank has struggled to get blood donations for years had to turn people away on Friday after thousands of people from all walks of life showed up to help on Friday.
Shared by online show host Shuaid Rashed, Sunni and Shiite Muslims prayed side-by-side during the Maghrib (sunset prayers).
Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah immediately visited the damaged mosque just hours after the attack, ahead of emergency Cabinet and parliamentary meetings.
Not forgetting what other countries are going through as well, many showed their solidarity and support for the people of Tunisia and France through powerful images and messages on social media as well.
In diversity, we take pride. In adversity, we unite. Out of unity, we rise. #OneKuwait #WeRise pic.twitter.com/AIrWvn2tw7 — Bensirri PR (@FollowBensirri) June 27, 2015
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Elan.tv
Great unity of Shia and Sunni. All prophets are SHIA to each other and therefore, all obeying prophets are SHIA of prophet. Picture of killing the snake of ISIS is perfect. Kill the devil. Whether ,we accept of not, Imamat and KHILAFAT is divinely decreed in verse 2:124, 3:33,34 and there is only one IMAM for humanity. 49th Imam and KHALIFA of God/Allah/Ishwar is here in the person of Kareem Shah Al Hussaini. Both denominational SHIAs and non Shias need to recognise, pledge allegiance and elimiinate obedience deficits.