Pakistan Attack: A Note from Mosharraf Zaidi, Disruptor Foundation Fellow

By Craig Hatkoff

Earlier today, militants from the Pakistani Taliban attacked a school in Peshawar, Pakistan and killed 141 innocent and unarmed children, teachers, and school officials. I sent a message to Disruptor Foundation Fellow Mosharraf Zaidi,who is working on the Alif Ailaan campaign for education in Pakistan. This is the note that Mosharraf wrote back:

Thinking of friends who are thinking of us tonight. Don’t know what to say. Sharing the note I sent the Alif Ailaan team earlier today. We all need to pray for those kids and their families for now. Thanks for reaching out, and thinking of me and this country tonight.

—

Brothers and sisters

Salaam.

You all know what has happened in Peshawar. This is a time for prayer and reflection. And a time to control our anger and sorrow.

Our activists are the lamps that light up hope for us. Don’t lose hope. We won’t be able to operate without your light.

For those of you that want to, I am asking Imran and team to help you organise vigils and prayers in your respective areas. All events should include a silent moment of reflection and Fatiha for the deceased.

Our message right now is only one: sorrow and heartbreak.

We don’t need to say any more. Just to say that we are with our children and the mothers and fathers that lost their babies today.

Love you all very much.

Duas,

Mosharraf

Tonight at 6 p.m., the Pakistani Student’s Association at New York University is honoring the memory of the innocent souls lost to the barbaric act of terrorism by hosting a candlelight vigil. The vigil will take place on the steps of NYU’s Kimmel Center at 60 Washington Square South for all to attend. More information about the event can be found here on Facebook.

– Craig Hatkoff