Candlelight illuminated the Rock Plaza at the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus on Monday evening as members of the University community came together to honor and mourn the innocent Palestinian civilians killed in the continuing turmoil in the Gaza Strip and Israel.
More than 150 students, faculty and staff members, administrators, and others attended the candlelight vigil organized by the Arab Students Union (ASU), and led by Ramsey Shihadeh, a junior studying civil engineering.
“It is good to see so many gathered here in an embrace of community. Something life transforming has happened to us. Ordinary words fail us, yet it’s impossible to remain mute,” said Shihadeh, co-president of the student organization. ASU’s mission is to promote an understanding of Arab history, culture, and heritage at the University.
The vigil began with remarks by Shihadeh.
“This candlelight vigil is by our own definition and by our intention a remembrance of others—so many others. Our candles, soon to be lit bright and flaming, will burn this evening with many emotions,” he said. “There is sadness and grief at the loss we feel. So shocking in its horror, so great in its numbers, and so gripping in its connection to each and every one of us.”
Shihadeh's comments were followed by the playing of the national anthem of Palestine and a moment of silence for the thousands of victims of violence.
Attendees then illuminated their white vigil candles, passing the flame from one to another. One hundred candles were placed on the steps of the Rock Plaza in front of the speakers. Each candle represented 64 people killed in the conflict—1,400 Israelis on Oct. 7, and 5,000 Palestinians for a total of 6,400 people according to reported estimates.
Three religious figures, Imam Nasir Ahmad, Father Richard Vigoa, and Rabbi Brant Rosen led the group in interfaith prayers, calling for unity and peace.
“Now, the time in the world is calling for men and women to rise above labels. Labels is what is limiting us. We have to be like the air that all of us are breathing right now. The air is not limited to one religion, it’s not limited to one nation, it’s not limited to one tribe—air is itself in every life that God has created on this planet,” said Ahmad. “Religion’s focus is to realign humanity, to bring humanity back together as it was in the beginning.”
The evening concluded with remarks by Mona Abuzahra, a senior studying political science. In her comments, Abuzahra read the names of several civilians killed in Palestine to the crowd.
Amar Erikat, a senior studying physical therapy who was born in Jerusalem, attended Monday evening’s ceremony in an effort to bring awareness to the ongoing conflict in his homeland.
“We’re out here to spread awareness. A lot of people don’t really understand what’s going on,” he said, noting that the Israeli–Palestinian conflict dates back decades and spans generations of his family who still reside in the West Bank.
After the vigil concluded, attendees lingered on the Rock Plaza and offered embraces and support to one another by engaging in prayer and conversation.
