November 13th 2015, a Friday, will go down in history as the most terrible attack against the French people on French soil since World War II. Within one hour, six attacks were unleashed across Paris, killing over 120 people and leaving 200 injured. This atrocious movement against the French people has been labeled as an act of war by French President Hollande, as it should be. Twelve hours after the attacks began the Islamic State claimed responsibility for their actions, calling this violence “the first of the storm” and claiming that they are up in arms against France because they are “a capital of prostitution and obscenity.”

However, what ISIS was not expecting was the support the world would give to Paris. In the aftermath of such terror and grief people across the globe condemned ISIS’s actions Friday and showed Paris support by offering help and posting across social media #PrayForParis and #NousSommesUnis. The French people themselves displayed amazing courage and camaraderie to the tourists throughout Paris by posting #portouvert to offer shelter to those in need. Governments across the world, as well, are standing with France; as the Eiffel Tower went dark in memory of those who had died, monuments in other countries were lit with the French flag, as a symbol of solidarity, from the Empire State Building to the Sydney Opera House. World leaders have offered both their sympathy and their support in the aftermath of such atrocity, showing ISIS that an international community still exists, with France at its center.

Paris needs to know that the world stands with them against the terrible events that occurred Friday night. ISIS needs to know that the world condemns them. To those victims of these terrible attacks we share your grief and we offer help in any form in order for you to heal, even though this memory will live on. We all need to take into account that when the world goes dark someone is always there to offer light.

However, the same needs to be said for those who suffered just the day before on November 12 in a terrorist attack in Beirut in which 43 people were left dead due to a suicide bombing. Support and sympathy need to be extended equally to all of those who have suffered at the hands of the Islamic State. The magnitude of the attack may not have been the same, but damage was still done to innocent citizens of the world and today has been a day of morning for those in Lebanon. Yes I stand with Paris, but I also stand with Beirut and all nations that have been affected by atrocity. Light should be offered to Lebanon as it was to Paris. We share your grief as well and there are those of us who have noticed that your suffering has been silenced, but no more. To all those who have been harmed by ISIS we stand with you whether you are in France, Lebanon, or are Syrian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes. We stand with you.