Indian-Australian community organises interfaith prayers for loved ones in India

A candlelight vigil was organised in Melbourne by the Indian community to show solidarity with their homeland which is battling widespread coronavirus infection.

Over 100 people joined prayers by priests from various faiths at the vigil. Source: Supplied by Kulbir Cam

Highlights

• Over 100 people congregated at Melbourne’s Federation Square in a candlelight vigil
• Multifaith priests offered prayers for India's COVID-19 crisis
• Attendees shared sories of friends and families suffering in India

On the evening of 28 April, a group of people of Indian origin held a candlelight vigil at Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne to pray for the well-being those living in India as its COVID-19 crisis continues.

The vigil, titled ‘Pray for India’ also saw multifaith prayers officiated by religious leaders of various communities.

More than 100 people participated in the vigil and joined the prayers.

 

Organiser Karthik Arasu told SBS Hindi how the idea of organising the vigil came about.

“Since the past few days, all we heard from India was how extended family, neighbours and friends were suffering from the coronavirus. We thought sending some positivity their way might be a good idea,” he said.

Members of Melbourne's Indian community at Federation Square on 28 April. Source: Source: Supplied by Senthill Sundaram

Mr Arasu said that initially, the idea was to arrange a small gathering of friends, but soon word spread, and quite a few people turned up at the city piazza.

A two-minute silence followed chants by priests from various faiths.

Hindu Priest Pandit Rajesh Tiwari, Catholic priest Rev Jossy Kizhakkethalackal Kuriakose, Pastor Jacob Simon from the Emmanuel Christian Assembly, Jasbir Singh Suropada from Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria and Muslim priest Mustafa from the Dawoodi Bora community offered prayers for the health and well-being of the people of India.

Karthik Arasu (second from right) addressed the gathering. Source: Supplied by Senthill Sundaram

Mr Arasu said that he wanted to travel to India to be with his family in these testing times but could not due to the current travel ban between Australia and India.

Attendees shared their stories related to coronavirus with each other.

“Everyone has a family member or a friend suffering in India at the moment. This event has, hopefully, helped bust their stress and mental pressure,” Mr Arasu said.

He added that people in India would do better by forgetting their political differences and joining forces to face this calamity.

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