How come my heartbreak isn't loud enough: Why celebrities, social media are going blue for Sudan

Thousands of people are taking part to show their solidarity using #BlueforSudan

You may or may not have noticed many people on social media, particularly Instagram, are changing their profile pictures to a plain blue image.

This is because they are expressing their solidarity with peaceful protesters in Sudan in the wake of a brutal military crackdown that reportedly killed hundreds in the capital of Khartoum.

This blue wave has spread across social media using the hashtag #BlueforSudan to bring international media attention to the horrors currently taking place in the country.

https://twitter.com/hamdia_ahmed/status/1138871417771057152

Other Twitter users were quick to point out that there is not enough international media coverage given to Sudan, while "an empty building in Paris did get it," referring to the mass circulation of news over the Notre Dame burning two months ago.

Why is no one talking about what’s happening in #Sudan why people all around the world were outraged by a building but don’t give a shit about people getting massacred??? pic.twitter.com/vKdFYI3oNI

— Ola (@ola_vishkurti) June 13, 2019

The blue colour is taking social media by storm and is part of a campaign to raise awareness about a Sudanese protester killed by a notorious militia.

Mohamed Mattar, a 26-year-old engineer and graduate of London's Brunel University, was shot by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as he allegedly attempted to shield two women from harm.

The color blue, one of our martyrs (Mattar) favorite color, started as a tribute to him, now turned to a symbol of all our martyrs, and their dreams of a better Sudan.#BlueForSudan#IAmSudaneseRevolution https://t.co/3LMxrtBOvi

— Saad The Lion سعد (@Saad_Alasad) June 12, 2019

He was killed in the peaceful sit-in demonstration that had massed outside the military headquarters in Khartoum demanding the armed forces hand power over to a civilian administration.

Recently, we saw Mahira Khan speak out against the violence by posting on her Twitter that international organisations need to give the ordeal proper news coverage, which has seen people raped, killed, beaten and thrown into the Nile River.

"Why is barely any international news channel giving this proper coverage?” she tweeted. “It’s heartbreaking to read about what’s happening in Sudan and so is the indifference towards it.”

Why is barely any international news channel giving this proper coverage? It’s heartbreaking to read about what’s happening in #Sudan and so is the indifference towards it. https://t.co/YxSRISaIIf

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 13, 2019

After Mahira, Janaan star Hania Aamir also came forth to urge people to raise their voice against injustices in Sudan, while also listing some donation links.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqE0twjcTz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In a detailed social media post, she called for people to begin a conversation on the unrest and turmoil in Sudan.

But Pakistani celebrities are not the only ones willing to draw attention to the plight of the Sudanese people. Olympic fencing champion and Nike ambassador Ibtiaj Muhammad also shared why she is changing her profile picture to the particular shade of blue.

"It’s a shame that when the victims are African or black or Muslim, their plight falls on deaf ears," she expressed on her Instagram post.  "Many of the victims share my last name, some share my faith, but above all they are human."

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqCY5shNcr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Somali-American model, Halima Aden, who has been making waves on the fashion front and became the first model to wear a hijab on the cover of Sports Illustrated, also shared a heartfelt post on the issue.

"There’s still so much unfolding but what’s happening is a violation of human rights!! The people in Sudan deserve our attention & our help," she wrote, with an accompanying picture of the white-clad Alaa Salah who led powerful protest chants and went viral.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BylX_61hQt7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Halima continued,"Please consider changing your profile picture to blue in support of #Sudan."

Mahira Khan calls for international news coverage on Sudan massacre

American actor, model and activist Yara Shahidi has also changed her Instagram profile picture to blue in solidarity.  The star, who has over three million followers on Instagram, expressed her anger over the atrocities in Sudan.

"The human rights violations perpetrated by the militaristic forces against civilians/protesters/families advocating for a fair government is horrific," she said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BymXd78AQ7P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

"The lack of regard for everyone’s right to life should enrage everyone and the lack of media coverage has made it hard to support our global community in need. #StayStrongSudan."

And it seems like the word has caught on even with superstar singers Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato.  Ariana posted on her Instagram stories for her fans to donate to Sudan, while Demi has changed her profile to blue too.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ARIANA GRANDE

We can only hope that the blue frenzy taking over social media will help bring the needed change for those suffering in Sudan.

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