“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
This past Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 a Vigil of Love and Solidarity was held in front of San Fernando Cathedral. After the mass shootings in two New Zealand Christchurch mosques, a group of leaders from the religious community in San Antonio gathered together to support those suffering with this idea in mind.
Imam Beytullah Colak from the Raindrop Foundation started the vigil with a prayer. Sakib Shaikh, the public outreach for the Muslim Children Education and Civic Center, shared his thoughts on why it was so important that everyone gather today.
Other prayers and support were shared by these community leaders: Waheeda Kara, the Chairman SoL Interfaith Center, Rev. Ann Helmke, the Community Faith-based Liason for the CoSA, Rev. Beth Knowlton from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Rev. Gavin Rogers from Travis Park United Methodist Church and Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force Veteran Fellow.
The Santa Nino Church Choir also gathered to perform two songs to draw those at the vigil together through music. These were followed by the supportive words of: Monica Ramirez Alcantara, Chairman of the Bexar County DP, Rabbi Sam Stahl, Rabbi Emeritus Temple Beth-El, Imam Omar Shakir, Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Texas’s 20th Congressional District, Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg and Archbishop of Sam Antonio Azaan, Gustavo Garcia-Siller.
Bishop Bruce Baillio from a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave his own prayer in love and support as well. He prayed for continued religious freedom and he echoed the sentiments expressed the day after the shootings by the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of so many lives as a result of yesterday’s senseless attacks in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased, the injured, and all others impacted by this tragedy. We also pray for all New Zealanders and our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.”
Elder O. Vincent Haleck
Elder Ian S. Ardern
Elder K. Brett Nattress