Following the repeated acts of violence and oppression across the globe, the Luther community has organized a variety of events aimed at building a broader awareness of the recent Israel-Palestine situation with the goal of understanding, empathy and discourse.
In the last week, various clubs and organizations at Luther College have provided opportunities for individuals to share their experiences and find unity, including a candlelight vigil for peace and a table in Dahl Centennial Union for Palestine featuring first hand information from a student with connections to Gaza.
College Ministries organized a Candlelight Vigil for Peace in the Center for Faith and Life (CFL) lobby on October 24, which faculty, students, staff and alumni attended. The Palestinian traditional song “Let Your Peace Rain Upon Us” was followed by three Poems For Peace and the Israeli traditional song “Hine ma tov” at the Vigil. The Director of College Ministries and College Pastor, Melissa Bills coordinated the Vigil to honor Luther communities emotions and grief.
“We recognize that there are students who are directly impacted by this conflict,” Bills said. “We felt like we needed to offer a space where we could acknowledge the emotional and spiritual impact of this world event.”
Decorah community member Martha Monson-Lowe shared a reflection, written in the form of a letter to friends and colleagues in Gaza, where she and her husband have spent time teaching. Bills felt this reflection was “touching”, saying it reminded all in attendance that “there are real people navigating real life” throughout the conflict.
“People are still trying to work jobs, feed their families, and care for their households,” Bills said. “Her reflection really helped humanize things.”
The International Students and Allies Association (ISAA) also organized a Table for Palestine, which was coordinated by Rawan Hannoon (’25), a student who grew up in Gaza and still has family in the country. The table was set up on October 24th in the entrance of the Union, with infographics, books and resources from Hannoon.
“I tried to provide a non-Western perspective on what’s happening, shedding light on the lives of my family and friends,” Hannoon said. “The purpose was to educate, making information familiar, educational and informative. Some people came and took pictures, and we asked a lot of people to do so.”
The tabling took place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., a time where many students and community members walk through the Union. Hannoon wanted to ensure that as many people as possible stopped by, to see the facts that the students utilized to draw attention to the issue.
“There have been many Jewish and Muslim people around me who have been protesting for a peaceful resolution on this issue,” Hannoon said. “There is a difference between being anti-semitic and anti-Israel which people often correlate. Our intention with the table was to provide facts to the Luther community [and] to help them make an informed decision on calling an end to the violence.”
The events at Luther College serve as an agonizing lesson that even in the face of complexity, understanding, empathy and dialogue can flourish. The stories, songs, and discussions sparked on this campus exemplify the unwavering confidence that peace is possible, even in the most difficult of situations. These events not only call for a just conclusion to the dispute, but also serve as a lasting reminder of the power of unity, education and empathy in forging a better future for all.
Editor’s Note: The ISAA requested CHIPS to print this statement in connection to the above story:
“The International Student and Allies Association (I.S.A.A.) is dedicated to fostering the sharing of lived experiences among students and enhancing the engagement of Luther community students in issues concerning the international student experience. ISAA unwaveringly supports every international student and ally on our campus and is committed to amplifying student voices to further these objectives. At the same time, positions that are taken by individual members do not represent the ISAA as a whole.”
