Having just celebrated Black History Month, let’s roll into Zero Discrimination Day.

Zero Discrimination Day has been observed on March 1 every year since 2014. Its aim is to promote tolerance, diversity and inclusion, as well as to address issues of discrimination that persons have to deal with due to their age, gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

The day aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of discrimination on individuals, communities, and societies and to encourage people to take action to prevent and eliminate discrimination wherever it exists.

The irony of it all is now more than ever there are wars and rumours of wars erupting from every angle of the Earth and sadly there seems to be no end in sight. It seems we are subjected to be onlookers, just watching the theatrics of it all. Remember that song The Whole World is a Stage … well, indeed it is.

What can we the bystanders do? It seems for starters we must truly embrace the message of Zero Discrimination Day, we must vow to stand up against every form of discrimination and promote within our own circles an atmosphere that celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

None of us should be discriminated against because of our race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of our identity. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity; it is our God-given right.

We also must continue to demand immediate ceasefire wherever bombs and destruction exist. We have to demand ceasefire now in order to protect our very own existence.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) touched on the ills of discrimination in his last speech before he passed; it was a speech of guidance which he delivered on Mount Arafat:

“O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it.”

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor does a Black have any superiority over a White, except by piety and good action.

“Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

“Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

May Allah bestow upon us wisdom and humility to reflect upon the words and wisdom of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) to make for a better world. May our hearts be inclined to goodness, love and justice for all. Ameen.

Bermuda have a wonderful weekend and a blessed week. As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam