The Women’s Studies Research Centre (WSRC) and the Gender Studies Programme at the University of Hong Kong are deeply saddened to learn of the attacks on churches and hotels across Sri Lanka. Such a senseless loss of life is always disconcerting, but we are especially troubled that churches were targeted on Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the Christian calendar. Moreover, this incident joins a number of recent attacks against minority religions across the globe. We stand with the victims of the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and with members of our HKU and Hong Kong communities who have been impacted them.
These attacks remind us that we in Hong Kong and at HKU must actively work to respect and support religious diversity and inclusion. We live in a multi-cultural and multi-religious community where religious identities often overlap with racial and linguistic identities and may be subjected to systems of power. The WSRC and the Gender Studies Programme are committed to supporting inclusion for religious diversity, and we will continue to be a safe space for intersectional interfaith dialogue.
If you require support or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact WSRC at womensrc@hku.hk or the Gender Studies Programme at genderst@hku.hk. CEDARS at HKU provides counselling services which are available for affected students. You can call 3917 8388 or email cedars-cope@hku.hk for an appointment or go to CEDARS – Counselling and Person Enrichment section at Room 301-323, 3/F, Main Building for walk-in support. Affected staff members of the HKU community may seek support through the Employee Assistance Programme, details of which are available here.
Sincerely,
Puja Kapai, Associate Professor of Law, and Convenor of the Women’s Studies Research Centre
Elizabeth LaCouture, Assistant Professor of Gender Studies and History, and Programme Director of Gender Studies
on behalf of the Women’s Studies Research Centre and Gender Studies Programme at the University of Hong Kong