Malaysians unite in prayer

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians of various faiths united in prayer yesterday for the victims of MH17 as well as their next-of-kin.

In Putrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin attended a special tahlil session at Sri Satria yesterday evening.

Accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, the prayers followed a breaking of fast function hosted by Muhyiddin for 500 NGOs, including MTUC, the Malaysian Youth Council, Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers’ Association, the Administration and Diplomatic Corps Association, and the Ex-Servicemen’s Association.

Bernama reported that Muhyiddin and Noorainee also presented contributions to 115 students from religious schools.

About 200 people gathered at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, to pray for those who died in the crash as well as their family members. Led by Chief High Priest of Malaysia Venerable Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, the crowd also prayed for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to be strong in facing this difficult time.

In memory: A group of people praying at the Council of Churches of Malaysia chapel in Petaling Jaya.

 

In his address, Dhammaratana said it was the duty of Buddhists to support those in need.

In George Town, more than 200 monks and nuns and some 1,000 Buddhists offered similar prayers.

Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia chairman Datuk Ang Choo Hong said the prayers were made during the National Maha Sanghikadana 2014 event held at the Penang Chinese Town Hall.

In Petaling Jaya, the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) organised a prayer and remembrance session at its chapel.

CCM general secretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri said churches nationwide prayed for those on board the flight as well as for their loved ones.

“Special prayers were said as Christians gathered in the churches, while a memorial service was also held on Friday.

“I am in a state of shock as this involved another MH plane, before we can even recuperate from MH370 and the trauma it caused.

“Through prayer, we have to try to come to terms with this tragedy. We join all Malaysians to show support and compassion to those left behind,” he said, adding that such prayers would be held every Sunday.

Calling on Malaysians to pray and grieve together, he said prayer was now more important than ever in breaking down barriers.

Sikhs, led by youths from the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya, will be dedicating prayers for those who died as well as to seek blessings for their loved ones at the Gurdwara Sahib here at 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday.