Interfaith Prayer for MH370 family members

Apr 10, 2014

By Vincent D’Silva
People from all walks of faith gathered for an hour of Interfaith Prayerfor the family members of those on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

The event was held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s St James Hall. Some 200 people comprising Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Taoists, and Sikhs converged here March 29 to join their hands in prayer and hope.

Many were in a somber mood as they gathered together to give hope to the grieving families.

MH370 had been missing since March 8 and until today no wreckage or debris of the plane has been found.

The one-hour session was organized by the Melaka-Johor Diocesan Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs Ministry with the support of Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) Johor Chapter. Present was Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ.

The Interfaith group were represented by Hj Zulkifli bin Khair from Pertubuhan Ikram Johor, Paramjit Singh from the Johor Sikh Association, Venerable Shi Chan Liang from the Malaysian Buddhist Association, William Ng from the Johor Tao Association, P. Arumugam from Johor Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Fr Lionel Thomas from the Catholic Church.

Fr Thomas, the organizing chairman, in his opening address told the congregation that this tragedy has brought the whole world together.

He said, “It is indeed a sad day for us all here. We understand the pain the family members are currently undergoing and we continue to pray for them.”

He said our presence here from all the diverse faiths was to pray for the passengers, crew members and their immediate families.

He explained that only God knows what had happened, adding that, “we come here as one family to pray for closure for the family members.”

Prior to the reciting of the prayers, a video-clip was shown about MH370: its passengers on board the ill-fated flight, moments at KLIA, messages of condolences and the work of the search and rescue teams.

Later, the individual Interfaith leaders recited a short prayer in their own language.After reciting the prayer, a single rose was laid on a platform where lighted candles were arranged in the shape of Flight MH370.

“Although our sympathies cannot begin to heal their bereavement, we pray that they are granted the patience to endure this extremely difficult period,” said P. Arumugam.

He hoped that the international rescue operation will succeed in locating the black box to provide evidence for a conclusive end to the disaster and what caused it.

Hj Zulkifli Khair hoped that the family members of the crew and passengers would stay calm and be strong to go through these difficult times.

Joseph Teng, a Catholic, said he was saddened by the tragedy that had befallen the passengers and crew members.

“We pray that God will grant solace, strength and fortitude to the families and loved ones of the deceased as they bear the pain and agony of their terrible loss,” he said.

P. Sivakumar, a Hindu said, “Our presence here is a way of telling grieving families that we are all behind them. We feel very much a part of them.”