It was very early in the morning and still dark when I toddled across to morning prayer. It had not been a pretty time. I had dreamt badly, I was concerned for someone in hospital and there was that tricky letter to write. Multiples of paper had screamed at me for urgent attention.
When it came time to find some words there were none. The well had run dry and there was only sand at the bottom. I sat for what seemed to be the longest time and …nothing. But much later some words did come. They came from a lady leader of another country who spoke into the face of unspeakable horror. She recalled the time when she could not find any words.
“What words adequately express the pain and suffering of 50 men, women and children lost, and so many injured? What words capture the anguish of our Muslim community being the target of hatred and violence? What words express the grief of a city that has already known so much pain?
I thought there were none. And then I came here and was met with this simple greeting. As-salaam Alaikum. Peace be upon you.
They were simple words, repeated by community leaders who witnessed the loss of their friends and loved ones. Simple words, whispered by the injured from their hospital beds. Simple words, spoken by the bereaved and everyone I met who has been affected by this attack.
As-salaam Alaikum. Peace be upon you.
They were words spoken by a community who, in the face of hate and violence, had every right to express anger but instead opened their doors for all of us to grieve with them. And so we say to those who have lost the most, we may not have always had the words.
We may have left flowers, performed the haka, sung songs or simply embraced. But even when we had no words, we still heard yours, and they have left us humbled and they have left us united.”
It was very early in the morning and still dark, when He came and said to me ‘Peace be with you’.