The event served both to draw attention to and collect donations for those suffering in Gaza and Israel, said Ryan Strom, president of the Muslim Students’ Association.

There wasn’t a focus on politics, but on healing the wounds inflicted by both nations.

“My background isn’t even Palestinian,” said Afreen Syed, vice president of Students Allied for Freedom and Equality. “It’s not even about that. It’s not about religion. It’s about losing basic human rights.”

More than 1,300 are dead and 5,300 are injured after Israel invaded and bombed Gaza, a report from the BBC stated.

One and a half million Gazans lack water, and only 2,000 hospital beds are available, according to the World Health Organization.

“Doctors can’t get in,” Strom said.

“There’s a huge shortage of supplies. Lots of people are suffering unnecessarily. Electricity is sporadic — people are lucky to get a couple of hours a week. It’s hard for individual families, but it’s really hard for schools and hospitals. Things like food and grain are all in short supply.”

Yael Aronoff, an assistant professor and expert in Israeli studies, said it’s important for students to come together to support initiatives focused on a peaceful solution.

“(It is) basically a tragic situation for Israeli and Palestinian citizens,” she said. “My hope would be that there would be … an atmosphere of empathy on campus for both sides.”

Although many of MSU’s Muslim students have a personal connection to the ?crisis, Strom said the loss is not theirs alone and the destruction of innocent lives should be significant to all MSU students.

“Any time you have those types of numbers, it becomes very important for people to be involved and see what they can do,” he said.