Thank you

[dania_tamimi]

Thank you for everyone's support and understanding through these tough times.
As an American, I feel that the horrible events that have occured on Tuesday
have affected me and and my fellow Americans so deeply and that the tragedy
that has started on that fateful day continues with the grieving and remorse
of all the world, whether they are the victims or their families, the Muslims
and Arabs that are getting beaten up all over the Western world, or the horror
and shock that lies in the hearts of every human being (even in the Middle
east). This tragedy holds a lesson for all, that evil is not christian,
jewish, muslim, or any other religion; it is a human problem. One does not
condemn the entire Irish people because of IRA bombings, nor do they brand all
Italians as Mafia. The sentiment should not be any different Arabs or Muslims.
Islam is  peace-loving religion. It's basic greeting (like "good morning" and
"hi") is "PEACE BE UPON YOU". The "jihad" that is being blown out of
proportion by the media is merely a license to defend oneself when attacked,
and not an excuse to declare war on non-muslims. Even when muslims are at war,
their religion orders them not to inflict harm on women, children, elderly
men, or any man who does not attack. No buildings to be burnt down, no trees
cut down, no livestock slaughtered, and no houses of worship torn down or
replaced with mosques. This is the doctorine of Islam on war.

  Even though Muslims around the US are being mistreated, I should note that
the attitude here in Boston has been entirely benign. If anything, all I have
seen is extra care and sensitivity to the feelings of people of Middle Eastern
origin, who are grieving just as much as the rest of us, if not more, for as
we all feel unsafe about the lax security and the possibility of another
attack, they have the added anxiety of worrying if any one is going to hurt
them when the go to work in the morning, if anyone is going to try to run them
over with a car as they cross the street, or if they will come home and find
their homes and children burnt to the ground.

 I ask all of (around the world) to be tolerant with these people and try to
show extra sensitivity. After all, they had nothing to do with it, and are
victims of the media branding them as terrorists, when all they really want is
to live in peace.

 Dania Tamimi

 Harvard School of Dental Medicine