When a 10-year-old Muslim girl in Framingham, Massachusetts received threatening notes in her locker, the local CAIR chapter encouraged the public to send encouraging and supportive messages to the young student. Cut to two weeks later and there are more than 500 letters, from all different faiths, for the young girl to read.
“No child deserves to feel afraid at school because of their faith,” says Sumaiya Zama, director of community advocacy and education for CAIR’s Massachusetts branch. “We’re incredibly heartened by the wider community’s support for this young Muslim student, particularly by the powerful messages from the interfaith community.”
Here’s a sampling of the letters:
“Dear young sister, assalam ‘alaikum!” one letter with a colorful heart began. “May you have peace in your heart, a smile on your face, and every good thing in this life and the next.”
“Hi friend!” another read. “A Jewish family from Maryland is sending you love and support. You are wonderful.”
“People of all religions should be freinds [sic],” a 6-year-old child named Sophie wrote above a colorful illustration of a young girl in a red hijab holding hands with a blond-haired girl.
