Washington, December 5, 2008:A memorial Service for victims
of Terrorist attack in Mumbai, India at American University, Washington, DC was held on December 4th, 2008.
This was organized by Jewish Community of Greater Washington in collaboration
with several Indian American sponsors.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov was the key note speaker. He expressed ,
in a very emotional manner, the agony over the loss of lives in Mumbai and how he and Government of
Israel were in constant touch with Indian Government to help the victims. He
said, “We are thankful to Indian Government for help extended in returning the bodies
of Jews to their homeland in accordance to Jewish rites with dignity and honor.
The funeral of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, director of the Chabad House in Mumbai,
and his wife had drawn unprecedented crowds and their sole orphan child, a boy
who cried for his mother had overwhelmed people all over.” He further quoted an
American Jew who was fortunate enough to escape the horrific scene,’ I urge
citizens of the world to go to Mumbai, enjoy its warmth, behold its beauty,
invest there and not run away from there to prove to the terrorist that we are
not afraid of them.”
Other speakers included Dr. Praksh Ambegonkar, CEO and
Founder of Bridging Nations, Rev. Clark Lobenstine, Executive Director of Inter
Faith Conference, Dr. Even A Feigenbaum, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State. They all expressed their solidarity with people of India, Israel and
America and condemned terrorism worldwide in unequivocally terms .However, they
all cautioned that we should not retaliate against any community because of a
tiny fraction of extremist in that particular community is responsible for this
carnage.
Faith representatives from Indian communities were: Dr.
Siva Subramanian, Founder of the United Hindu-Jain Temple Association, Dr.
Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, Mr.
Shehzaad Dastoor from Zoroastrian community, Dr. David Faria, President-elect
of the Indian American Catholic Association, Mr. Nissim Reuben of American
Jewish Committee, Dr. Ajay Kothari, Indian American Jain Community, and Mr. Aly
Jiwali, President of South Asian Student Association representing Muslims.
There was an Inter Faith reading of statement of solidarity
by representatives of all communities. Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of Sikh
Educational Conference represented the Sikh faith. He said, "World is always in need of peace, but now more than
ever, after the tragic events which have challenged its citizens. In the face
of persistent flashpoints of cruel conflict which create anxiety throughout the
world, it is still possible to build between individuals and peoples bridges
that lead us to come together and walk with one another on the paths of peace.
This should be our resolve. Our hearts are filled with prayers for all the
victims and their families. May God be with them.
Rev. Clark Lobenstine, Executive Director of the Interfaith
Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), said, "We must not fall prey
to those who may use these attacks to advance fear and prejudice for that will
only divide us and weaken our sense of common purpose. Instead in times of
legitimate fear and uncertainty, we must rely on the faith that grounds us in
the truth of our existence. This truth,
though rooted in diverse religious traditions and experiences, is that we are
unified through our collaboration to build a peaceful, just and sustainable
world."
Amrit Kaur, President of IFC and Secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, said, “ It is
uplifting to see that so many communities come together in spirit of unity and
harmony to forge alliance and strengthen the soul of humanity to respond to
challenges by terrorists world wide. This is a global war which we can not
fight with hatred, vengeance and alone. We all have to be united in this
endeavor to bring peace and restore basic human right of life to people. “
This event was co-sponsored by American Jewish Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and American University School of International Service. Many other memorial services in spirit of solidarity are also planned in Washington area.
Contributed by Amrit Kaur
Pictures by SS Manku