If we hate, they win. He sits silent for a moment.
Michael tells the story of him and his brother David, the elder and the younger, two brothers who loved each other. In their youth, their parents, both in the armed forces, moved around from Germany, Malaysia, and Cyprus. As they grew older, they left the air-force and the younger followed suit. In the following years, the elder became a nurse, helping individuals, and the younger worked for the UN, helping communities. In their time together, such as in the early hours of the morning over a glass of brandy, the brothers would discuss the potential risks of the younger’s path of helping others. Yet, the younger's desire to help overrode the danger and led him toward new paths. From the plains of Sudan and the mountains of the Balkans, he organised aid for refugees and negotiated with war criminals.
If we hate, they win. The silence extends into the following moments.
The younger’s path led him to Syria. On the 11th of March 2014, when returning to Turkey, his convoy was intercepted. Beaten, thrown into a van, the younger brother was kidnapped. The following days, weeks and months following this, the lives of both changed forever. The younger was beaten, tortured, practically starved and watched his fellow prisoners die. While the elder informed family friends and worked tirelessly to bring his brother home. The highest level of politicians, policemen and officials came together to help the elder brother in his efforts, and yet there was silence. No news was heard for months.
If we hate, they win. The silence continues.
It is discovered that ISIS has kidnapped the younger brother. On the 2nd of September 2014, a video was released in which he watches the murder of a fellow prisoner, Steven. The horror in his eyes brings great pain to the elder brother. On the 9th of September 2014, three minutes past eleven, the phone rings. The elder brother knows. The younger brother had been killed.
If we hate, they win.
The older brother proclaims that the death of his beloved younger brother was not due to differing creeds, but hate. He blames his brother’s death, not on the race, politics or religion of the killers, but their hatred. He continues that he was disposed to such a feeling too. It was easy to grasp natural feelings of hate when faced with this senseless violence. However, he chooses to forgive. If we allow them to cause hate within us, they will win. “All that's necessary for the triumph of evil is when good people do nothing”, he cries that we must make an active effort against hatred. The rise of hate groups, fascism in Europe and terrorism is because of the discord sewn by those who killed his brother. He will not allow this.
If we hate, they win.
His father, part of the Royal Air Force, told him that an alloy is stronger than a metal. He takes this view with society. His friendships with an east London Iman, former IRA members, and even a former ISIS member are his aim to prevent the seeds of hate and discord. He will not let his love for his brother lead to hate, not only within himself but in others. His charity, Global Unity, has workshopped 130,000 students. With the message that in a nation with 270 different nations, 170 religions hate is not an option. He implores us not to hate, because if we do, the murderers of his brother will win.
This was an incredibly moving assembly with a very crucial and timely message.
Maya
Senior Prefect Team
