Artie Bennett

Students sit in the Res Quad on March 29, 2022. A vigil will be held weekly for students in the res quad over situations in the Middle East.

In response to the ongoing violence in the Middle East, Loyola will be holding a weekly open-mic vigil for students to share their thoughts and feelings surrounding the conflict.

Ken Weber, Loyola’s associate director of ministry, said he hopes this forum will open a dialogue in pursuit of truth, a key factor in the Jesuit mission.

“The need for a space to peacefully, constructively, and charitably listen to each other’s perspective inspired the planning of this event,” he said.

He added that he hopes this forum will help the Loyola community relate to one another.

Environmental science junior Nour Saad said she attended to hear others’ perspectives, as the issue hits incredibly close to home.

“Every day for the past couple of weeks, my chest has been weighing me down,” she said. “I feel really sad to see my people suffer.”
Saad said she has difficulty distancing herself from the ongoing violence towards Palestinian people.

Although Saad said she is interested in hearing others’ perspectives on this issue, she hopes events like this vigil will help students recognize the humanity behind the lives lost due to this conflict.

“It’s easy to be desensitized,” she said. “You’re so far away from it, you have your own lives.”
Loyola’s vigil will be held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the residential quad. Saad believes it’s important for students to come.

“It’s important people come so we can share our humanity,” Saad said.