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UMHS Muslim Students Association Holds Orlando Shooting Vigil During Annual Fast-A-Thon on Campus

Posted by Scott Harrah
June 17, 2016

The UMHS MSA (Muslim Students Association) paid tribute Wednesday night to the 49 people killed at an LGBT dance club in Orlando in the early hours of Sunday, June 12, 2016. The vigil was held during MSA’s annual “Fast-A-Thon” observance (part of Ramadan activities) on June 15, 2016 at the Auditorium on the UMHS St. Kitts campus.

UMHS MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OFFERS HOPE: A post promoting the event to help victims of Orlando shootings. Image: Couresty of UMHS MSAThe vigil started with a large background sign stating “More Love, Less Hate.” UMHS MSA started posting the sign and announcement of the vigil on the St. Kitts campus on numerous UMHS Facebook groups shortly after the tragic event last weekend in Florida.

The vigil included an appearance by a UMHS student who spoke about a personal connection to the attack. A close friends of hers, Jonathan Camuy, was killed in the shootings at the Pulse club in Orlando. She posted a link to a GoFundMe account set up to help return her friend’s body to their native Puerto Rico.

The GoFundMe account had an original goal of $5,000, but thanks to the generosity of many--including UMHS President Warren Ross (who gave a substantial sum to reach the initial goal)--$6,565.00 total was raised to help pay for funeral and burial expenses.

UMHS students, faculty and staff demonstrated how much they care about helping those affected by the Orlando shootings.

"It shows how as a community we stand together in solidarity against evil and our willingness to help those who were so terribly affected by this tragic and senseless event," UMHS President Warren Ross said of the UMHS community's efforts to pay tribute to the victims.

Messages of support and hope for the Orlando victims and their grieving families have been posted on the Facebook group page UMHS Students by various members of the UMHS community.

The heartfelt Facebook messages from people at UMHS are a refreshing contrast to some of the hateful, divisive political rhetoric in the U.S. press and in Washington, DC about the Orlando tragedy.

“It is often tempting to listen to the evening news and conclude the world is hopeless. I feel blessed to be around people that affirm with action that this is not the case and I feel honored that they asked me to say a few words at this evening's gathering. It makes everyone proud at UMHS to know how compassionate our Caribbean medical school community truly is,” wrote Dr. Edwin Purcell, UMHS Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Chair and Professor of Histology.

"Lovely sentiments, Dr. Purcell. Terrible events. And as you say it is often tempting to resign oneself to the negativity of the media in such circumstance. Well done to all you guys that made the evening a positive from such tragedy. God bless," wrote Will Cobb.

“Seeing that these victims have been kept in your thoughts and prayers fills my heart with joy. Tonight's event was carried out splendidly. Also, thank you to President Ross for his kind act,” wrote Suzette Vazquez Roman.

“Like the saying goes, united we stand, divided we fall. Nothing but solidarity is our biggest support during such difficult times. It really feels special to be at a school like UMHS, where the faculty and the student body time and again makes you feel at home,” wrote Khan Nawsheen.

“It fills me with pride and honor that I am part of an institution that not only encourages medical curiosity and knowledge, but also encourages multicultural activities and interactions. I have learned so much about different cultures and people here that I can't help but think of how helpful these experiences will be in my day to day life. Thank you also to President Ross, who sent his support and encouragement for the event. Your vision has allowed all of us an opportunity to realize our dreams and your support continues to unite us as a community and gives us the ability to become good citizens of the world,” wrote Aamir Akram.

"Thanks to everybody for donating! Jonathan [her friend] will be transported back to Puerto Rico. My school is proof that love will always win. Thank you so much, President Warren Ross," wrote Lorelys Arroyo, friend of one of the victims killed in the Orlando tragedy.

"It was truly a special moment for me," Suzana Kely wrote of the vigil for Orlando.

“I've been living in Orlando for 20 years and went to University of Central Florida. Thanks, UMHS MSA, for keeping Orlando, Florida and Puerto Rico on your mind,” wrote Daisy Izaguirre.

UMHS MSA & SUPPORTERS: UMHS Muslim Students Association members, UMHS students & faculty paid tribute to Orlando shooting victims. Many posted messages of hope on Facebook groups. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

UMHS MSA & SUPPORTERS: UMHS Muslim Students Association members, UMHS students & faculty paid tribute to Orlando shooting victims. Many posted messages of hope on Facebook groups. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

'MORE LOVE, LESS HATE': Images of support for LGBT victims in Orlando on screens at the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

'MORE LOVE, LESS HATE': Images of support for LGBT victims in Orlando on screens at the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

DR. EDWIN PURCELL: UMHS Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Professor of Anatomy & Professor of Histology at the Fast-A-Thon on June 15, 2016. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

DR. EDWIN PURCELL: UMHS Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Professor of Anatomy & Professor of Histology at the Fast-A-Thon on June 15, 2016. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

DINNER'S SERVED! UMHS students get food served during the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

DINNER'S SERVED! UMHS students get food served during the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

UMHS MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION & SUPPORTERS: Another group shot taken during the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

UMHS MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION & SUPPORTERS: Another group shot taken during the event. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA

 

(Top photo) UMHS MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION & SUPPORTERS: Students paid tribute to LGBT victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy with a vigil during Fast-a-Thon on June 15, 2016. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS MSA



About UMHS:

Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences focuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. UMHS is challenging everything you thought you knew about Caribbean medical schools.

Posted by Scott Harrah

Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.

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