#illridewithyou: Unity against anti-Muslim intolerance

MANILA, Philippines – Whenever extremists of any faith or race make the news, there’s always a fear of backlash toward the community they’ve connected themselves with – whether or not the members of that community agree with the stand the extremsists have taken.

Following the December 15 siege of a Sydney café that left two hostages and the gunman dead, Muslims in Australia have become fearful of reprisal from other Australians.

Although more than 40 Muslim groups in Australia have condemned the attacks, many peace-loving Muslims in the country fear they would be attacked as they make their daily commute by people who think all Muslims support terrorists.

And so a social media campaign to help keep Muslims safe on the streets was born, using the hashtag #illridewithyou.

“In times of great adversity it is imperative that we remain calm, united, and stand together,” Lebanese Muslim Association president Samier Dandan said, referring to the aftermath of the Sydney siege. 

Users of the #illridewithyou hashtag pledge to offer to ride with Muslims and potentially help them out of a sticky situation with harassers, or otherwise provide havens for Muslims who feel threatened.

The hashtag has trended, with over 90,000 tweets on the first night, and has become an example of the best way to counter the terror that a community feels when faced with an unwarranted threat.

UPDATE: There has now been more than 90,000 mentions of #illridewithyou tonight http://t.co/Yg80kag6qz #amazing pic.twitter.com/SEliFNmOfF

— Twitter Australia (@TwitterAU) December 15, 2014

Dozens upon dozens of Australians have picked up the hashtag that one unassuming tweet first used to offer to accompany anyone who feels unsafe on public transportation. They have since made their own offers to accompany fellow-commuters.

Would you take part in an initiative like this? – Rappler.com