Pictured here Council General of India Prabhu Dayal, Mohammad Razvi, Rabbi Joe Potasnik , Michael Miller, Imam Shamsi Ali , Ali Mirza, Dr. Dr. Uma Mysorekar , Rabbi Shea Hech, Pastor Gilford Monrose, Adem Carroll, Ravi Batra David Weperan, and Fred Kriezman.

New York Religious, Community and elected Leaders Holding a prayer Meeting With

Indian consul general prabhu dayal

(New York, NY – 12/1/08) – On the steps of City Hall, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian and members of all faiths came together to express sorrow and remorse over the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.  Over 70 organizations Joined Indian Consul General Prabhu Dayal on the steps of New York City Hall. Mohammad Razvi Executive Director of Council of Peoples Organization started with a moment of silence for the victims of the attacks. Razvi stated “We are Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and members of all faiths coming together as one voice – Condemning the attacks and Praying for the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.” He then introduced Rabbi Potasnik President of New York Board of Rabbis “It is very important to condemn the attacks…but it is imperative we stand together with one voice.”  And then other faith leaders joined with the same sentiments. Many took turns condemning the violence, offering prayers for peace and understanding, and calling on the public to remain calm.  

On a day that media reports suggested India and Pakistan moving towards conflict over the attacks, Indians, Pakistanis, Muslim, Jews and Christians came together to deplore the violence and mourn the loss of community members.  According to Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Executive Director of Religions for Peace, “This moving and important act of solidarity clearly demonstrated to the world that whatever their political or cultural differences, New York religious leaders stand together, against terror and for the value and dignity of human life.”

“We call for all nations to be serious in combating the forces of evil,” stated Devorah Halberstam of the Crown Heights Lubavitch Community. And Dr Khurshid Khan, President of the Islamic Circle of North America, “ In this solemn hour, we also urge that a thorough investigation, under the auspices of multi-national agencies, be instituted to identify the culprits, and their supporters, who helped in carrying out an attack of this magnitude.” And added “The attack has also under-scored the need for a global concerted effort to root out terrorism in all its forms, through education and prevention programs as well as policing.”

A number of speakers also called on the media to exercise caution in their coverage of the atrocities and violence in order to avoid backlash. “We know how hard it is to build relationships across difference in times of crisis, and our hearts go out to Mumbai,” Said Rev. Chloe Breyer, the Executive Director at the Interfaith Center of New York.

Then Indian Consul General Prabhu Dayal stated he was appreciative of the NYC Leaders coming together in solidarity with the good people of India. He thanked the organizers.

Dr. Uma Mysorekar            Hindu Temple Society of North America

Kamal Syed                         Pakistan Federation of America

Imam Shamsi Ali                                96 Street Mosque

Rev. Jimmy Lim                  Council of Churches of City of New York

Janice Shorenstein               Jewish Community Relations Council

Dr. Khurshid Khan              Islamic Circle of North America

Devorah Halberstam          Crown Hts-Lubavitch

Ali Mirza                               Rep of  Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi

Ravi Batra                            National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs

Jaspreet Singh             Seek Coalition

Sponsoring Organizations and Leaders

Al-Mehdi Center, Hindu Temple, Interfaith Center, Jamaica Muslim Center, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), CHHAYA, Crown Hts-Lubavitch, Council of Churches of City of New York, Council of Peoples Organization (COPO),Peoples Community Center USA,Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR_NY), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Makki Mosque, MAS, Muslim Consultants Network (MCN),New York Board of Rabbis ,New York Board of Imams, 96th Street Mosque, Pakistan Federation of America, SAYA, We Are All Brooklyn, Women of Islam, Islamic Medical Association of North America, ADL, SAALT, Islamic Funeral Services, United American Muslim Association of New York, Turkish mosque, Fatih Mosque

Adam Carroll, Devorah Halberstam, Dr. Khurshid Khan, Dr. Uma Mysoraker, Imam Shamsi Ali

Imam Malik Hussain, Michael Miller, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik,Rabbi Craig Miller, Rabbi Charles Klein, Rev. Jimmy Lim, , Pastor Gilford Monrose, Erhan Yeildirim. Imam Ahmet Yuceturk

Elected Officials and Reps.

NYC Comptroller William Thompson Jr.-Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz-Governor Paterson Representatives Ross Wallenstein and George Hu-Mayors Office Commisioner Nazli Parizi , Gared Bernstein, Fred Kreizman and Jennifer Manley-Tom Suozzi Nassau County Executive Rep. Ali Mirza- Assemblyman Roy Lancman- City Council Comrere 2^nd Distrct St. Albans- Speaker Christine Quinn’s office Howard Pollack-City Council James Gennaro-Congressman elect Michael McMahon-City Council Member John Liu-City Council Member David Weprin-City Council Member Mathieu Eugene. Sergeant David Wadler NYPD, Ahmed Nasir NYPD.

Contact:   Elyse Peters Arnold 718-434-3266 ext 127 elyse@copousa.org