Tragedy hit one of America’s most historic cities when two bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon at roughly 2:50 p.m., killing three people and injuring many more.
First responders sent many victims to the Massachusetts General Hospital, where some victims required amputations.
Fatally injured victims included eight-year-old Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Lingzi Lu, 23.
Over 60 people gathered at the Stony Brook University academic mall on April 17 to mourn, pray and hope for those affected by the attack in Boston.
Many students on Stony Brook campus were shocked at the news of the bombing.
“You wouldn’t imagine in Boston just at a marathon, all this happening, ” said student Maleeha Siddiqui.
The incident hit close to home for students with family and friends living in the Boston area.
Alan Guan, 19, a Boston native, was relieved when he found out his family was safe.
“A lot of my family is right in the center of Boston, so it’s pretty scary for me.” said Guan. “As soon as I found out, I called my parents…Thankfully all the people that I know that were there are all okay.”
Hosts Daniel Ahmadizadeh and Mohammed Naeem worked together, along with the curator of the page Stony Brook Compliments, to organize the event via Facebook.
Stony Brook University’s Muslim Chaplain, Sister Sanaa Nadim, also spoke at the vigil. She reminded attendees of the importance of unity in times of tragedy.
Natasha Thiagalingam, a 19-year-old biochemistry major from Lexington, a town roughly 20 minutes from Boston, was grateful for the candlelight vigil.
“It means a lot that the Stony Brook community can get together, because Stony Brook is my home,” she said.
At the national memorial service, President Obama gave a speech where he vowed to not let this “act of terror” break the Bostonian spirit.
“Your commonwealth is with you, your country is with, we will all be with you as you learn to stand, and walk and yes run again,” he said. “Of that I have no doubt, you will run again.”
The spirit of Boston was reflected in the students of the university, as they stood in support of the victims.
“Growing up in the Boston area everyone is really resilient,” Thiagalingam said. “Everybody stands for the same thing. Everyone is really strong and I know they can get through this.”
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