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ONLINE INITIATIVE CALLS ON PEOPLE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER’S BELIEFS IN WAKE OF PANDEMIC
United in prayer against the coronavirus pandemic, leaders and representatives of various faiths came together to mark the Day of Global Prayer and Supplication yesterday.
Organised by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity (HCFC), the online prayer meeting called on all religious followers to mark the day with prayers, supplications and fasting to ward off the global pandemic in accordance with their own religious rites and customs.
Among the most prominent religious leaders who took part in the global initiative were Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. Both leaders were joined by several other religious figures, diplomats and celebrities representing Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
“On this day, we are all praying together and asking God to give us a cure and to be able to pass through this pandemic,” said Dr Ahmad El Tayeb.
El Tayeb also called on everyone to respect each other’s beliefs and differences. “We want this day to become an annual event to take part in, with people from across the world praying to God together as one, away from racism and hate, and instead based on love, respect, peace and coexistence between all humans,” he added.
The Grand Imam’s prayers were echoed by Pope Francis, who also took part in Prayer for Humanity.
“Today, all of us, brothers and sisters of every religious tradition, we pray. It is a day of prayer, fasting and penance, as called by the High Committee of Human Fraternity,” said Pope Francis during a Mass at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City.
“Whatever religious tradition we belong to, we pray to God … We are all united as humans, as brothers and sisters praying to God according to our own culture, tradition, and according to what we believe,” Pope Francis added, highlighting the theme of religious unity.
Shaikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, and religious leaders from various faiths also came together for the event. They included Dr Farok Hamda, religious adviser from the court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Bishop Paul Hinder OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia; Marcus Oates, president of the Abu Dhabi Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, executive director and university chaplain at The Bronfman Centre for Jewish Student Life at New York University; Raju Shroff, board member of the Hindu Temple Bur Dubai; and Surender Singh Kandhari, Chairman, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara — Dubai.
Al Nahayan said: “We have a reason for great hope as we have seen countries come together in unprecedented ways, people respond to the need of others with generosity and compassion. In the UAE we are proud to witness the growth of tolerance. We have different religions, cultures, nationalities and have shown compassion and strength.”
This [day of prayer] joins us together in this time of suffering and tragedy. We weren’t expecting this pandemic and it came most unexpectedly. But it is now here and many people are dying.”
Pope Francis
We want this day to become an annual event to take part in, with people from across the world praying to God together as one away from racism and hate, and instead based on love, respect, peace.”
Dr Ahmad El Tayeb | Grand Imam of Al Azhar and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders
Let us join together in our community to pray for a resolution to this pandemic, wellness for sick, protection of health care workers, providing inspiration and success to those dedicated in finding vaccines and cures.”
Shaikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan | UAE Minister of Tolerance
Most of us do pray in our homes but a prayer meeting with different faiths has a lot of power and a greater connection to God. A value in interfaith prayer lies in its power to unify hearts.”
Surender Singh Kandhari | Chairman, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara – Dubai