PJ interfaith community asks for God’s mercy against COVID-19

May 31, 2020

PETALING JAYA: The Church of the Assumption’s Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (PMEIA) took the Holy Father’s call to unite in prayer on 14 May to overcome this global pandemic a notch up.

In addition to fasting, praying and doing works of charity, the parish arranged a 75-minute interfaith prayer session with leaders and members of several faiths and denominations via Zoom.

This was in line with Pope Francis endorsing the call to “the believers of all the religions to unite together spiritually on May 14 in a day of prayer and fasting, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic,” at the beginning of the month.

In attendance were Buddhist Maha Vihara Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Venerable Datuk K Sri Dhammaratan PJN, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz Grand Imam Ustaz Ezmir Al-Hafiz, Ustaz Zaid Aziz, Ustaz Hafizuddin and Brother Anuar, President of Taoist Association Malaysia Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow, St Paul’s Anglican Church Pastor Rev Joseph Vergis, Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya priests Giani Gursewak Singh Ji and Giani Sarindar Singh, Baha’i prayer leader Daniel Lim, Treasurer of the Petaling Jaya Hindu Association which owns and manages the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Kuil B. Sivabalan, Kuala Lumpur International Friends Fellowship Pastor Michael Moey and Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Most Reverend Julian Leow.

At 8.15pm, parish priest Fr Gregory Chan welcomed and thanked each representative for joining the inaugural Interreligious Virtual Gathering for Humanity. Some 37 people were online for the event.

The Muslim brethren, who were between breaking fast and Tarawih prayers, popped online to say hello. They apologised for not being able to join the unity prayer following their “local faith rulings principle base on Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan guidelines (Bayan Linnas 156)”.

Daniel Lim started with prayers from the Baha’i faith, followed by a brief sharing and chanting by Venerable Datuk K Sri Dhammaratan. He said, during these trying times and being isolated from society, people are also struggling to make ends meet. This can create a lot of negative thoughts which might lead to evil actions just to earn money. “So I am very happy to join leaders of other faiths  from around Klang Valley in this electronic session as we move beyond our temples and churches to reach out to people via visual technology to impart teachings from our respective faiths and hopefully help reduce all the negativity.” Venerable Dhammaratan prayed the four Brahma-vihara which are loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

The Sikh priest explained the essence of the Sikh Mul Mantar, which are the opening words of the Sikh scripture, before musicians on a jori and two harmoniums chanted the soothing prayers. Next was a Sanskrit prayer by Sivabalan from the Hindu faith, a Taoist prayer by Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow followed by Rev Joseph and Pastor Michael.

On behalf of the Catholic church, Fr Chan recited a Prayer for Liberation from the Epidemic to Our Lady of Divine Love and sung the hymn Canticle of the Sun before inviting Archbishop Leow to say the closing words.

Archbishop Leow thanked everyone who took time to come online, heeding the invitation of the higher committee of the Fraternal Humanity and Pope Francis’ invitation to prayer for the end of COVID-19.

“Often in our religious tradition, we pray for good health for our people, and our flock, and also for the world, but today is unique. To come together as people from different faith traditions and pray together, listening to each other’s prayer and the yearning for  good health for ourselves, our families and the world.

“More and more we are prompted to remember that we are one humanity. This virus has reminded us that what happens in one corner of the world will affect all of us in another part of the world, and that we need each other. Today, let us continue to pray that this virus will be overcome through the prayers of each person, especially the different faith traditions.”

He also congratulated the Petaling Jaya Interfaith Group for making the session possible and thanked Fr Chan, his team and the other religious leaders for making the effort to join and pray together as one humanity.

Comments from the religious leaders
“I was pleasantly surprised that our Interreligious Virtual Gathering against COVID 19 received the support of so many parties. I would like to thank Archbishop Julian Leow for gracing our virtual event with his presence. I would also like to express my appreciation for the representatives from the Bahá'ís, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Taoists, the Anglicans and the Protestants as we gathered to pray,” said Fr Gregory Chan.

“I especially like to thank the Muslims who took the time to join us. It is their month of Ramadan, yet they made an effort to support our event. It means a lot to us.

“Last but not least, we are most grateful to Pope Francis for calling us to meet, and for recognising that this pandemic needs the unity, solidarity and fraternity of all religions to combat it,” added Fr Chan.

Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow thanked Fr Chan for hosting the Interfaith Prayers for Humanity to fight COVID-19. “It was a very fruitful session and a very successful one.”

“It was a welcome initiative to show that the various faiths can unite and pray in the face of a pandemic that affects everyone, regardless of status, wealth or religious beliefs. We are indeed grateful to the Assumption Church for this meaningful effort,” said Sivabalan.

For and on behalf of Gurdwara Sahib PJ Management Committee and the Sikh community, “Thank you very much to ALL dear members for making this Interfaith Prayer Session a success. With God’s grace — it was a touching moment.”

Representing Christian participation, Rev Joseph said “Good effort, well-coordinated and inspired to come together with our Interfaith families in one accord in prayer. God bless.” --By Gwen Manickam