I am sorry for your loss

The terrorism got close to me. At the end of a spring Sunday, not so far from my house, a driver slams into a Muslim family, killing four people, and critically injuring the surviving little boy now in hospital. According to the Canadian Prime Minister, it was a terrorist attack – “This killing was no accident. This was a terrorist attack motivated by hatred in the heart of one in our community.”

Police officers arrested the driver a few metres from my house – within a peaceful city, in a tolerant country, where I’ve chosen to live.

It doesn’t mean that I didn’t feel sorry for other racism attacks that unfortunately happen around the world. But this was a different feeling, a vulnerable feeling, something too close to me. It makes me think about my responsibility, not just as an immigrant, but as a member of the world. 

What can I do to avoid this kind of hate-motivated act? As an individual, what ways can I do to help create a better society and promote tolerance? 

I truly believe that education is the first step to promote tolerance in our society. The lack of knowledge makes people fearless, allowing people to believe their own thoughts are more valuable than others. They use the violence or intimidation to prove it. 

After learning about diversity and understanding what it is, we have to comprehend that it is not enough to be ethical. It is necessary to show that you are ethical. “You must love each other just as I have loved you”. (John 13.35) Our heart was made to love, not hate. Despite the world sometimes being rude with us and showing the opposite, I sincerely believe that there is a love seed in each heart, such as a flower, we have to constantly water and give them good soil. 

Kindness is the best fertilizer for our love seed. We are all seeds. We are all of the same heart.

I am deeply sorry for the Muslim community’s  loss. My condolences to you. My wish for this little boy is that he will get love and grace to keep going on, and be an example that we are one heart.

Featured image from BBC.