You’re welcome

countries, was ostensibly to say to local Muslims, ‘‘we like having you here and appreciate what you add to our society’’. That’s as it should be.

We might live on the other side of the world to the newest fountain of bigotry, hate and aggression, but that doesn’t mean we should be complacent about the inclusive and tolerant values most of us share.

This was proven in the online reaction to an article about the rally on both the Manawatu Standard website and Facebook page.

Many comments were supportive of the wider values the rally represented. But some were straight out of the world occupied by Atticus Finch, where differences were scary and ignorance overflowed into illogical and confused hatred.

This confusion was highlighted by people who blamed those from other countries for all sorts of ills.

‘‘And I think most people are afraid what they really think that is social engineering for you,’’ said one syntax-free Facebook comment.

‘‘...Broadway that used to be a thriving part of Palmerston North these days it’s listed with [beggar] people trying to sell drugs at the corner of the square.’’

So, Muslims, or migrants, are responsible for beggars on Broadway?

The new leader of the free world may have professed his love for the ‘‘uneducated’’, but more than ever, we must open our eyes to the world around us and its influence on our lives.

Learning opens the mind, allows us to step into the shoes of others and gain an insight into their world.

As well as migrants who have decided to settle here either permanently or part-time, this city has for years homed refugees from the likes of Bhutan, Syria, Cambodia and Myanmar.

They live among us and add to our collective identity.

They’re not terrorists. They’re not here to take your job, nor are they responsible for drug dealing in the city centre.

We welcome them and hope you do too.