The Words of the Khanson Family
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The Words of the Khanson Family |
Toronto, Canada -- The Universal Peace Federation and the Toronto Family Church jointly organized an annual Picnic Program for its members in the greater Toronto area in remembrance of the victims of the September 11 terror attacks in which more than 3,000 people belonging to different religions and cultures lost their lives. Beside services offered by UPF diverse religious groups, it was also an occasion to share diverse foods and non-alcoholic drinks with opportunities for recreation in the park.
Rev. Paul Tamale opened the gathering with a supplication to the Lord God in which he sought the mercy of God for the victims of 9/11 and consolation to the bereaved families. Rev. Paul was also appointed Master of Ceremonies for the day, and he invited Rev. R. Thillairajan to speak about the cooperation among people of different faiths.
Rev. R. Thillairajan applauded the presence of almost fifty people of different faith and cultural groups and he emphasized the need for cooperation among different religions to establish peace and face the challenges with resilience.
Rev. Mitch Dixon remembered the victims of 9/11 with grieving thoughts of their sacrifice and offered prayers for the souls of the deceased. He repeatedly stressed the need to promote tolerance among people of different faiths and recognition of different cultures as a solid means to bring peace among the feuding parties of different societies. He called for joint efforts to express our untiring resolve to eradicate hatred and animosity and develop a bond of togetherness as a human family. He appealed to those who were present to keep on working to establish peace through respect, dignity, and recognition that we are all one family under God.
Rev. Earl Smith, representing the Church of Scientology, expressed his anguish for the victims of 9/11 and prayers for the peace for the the bereaved families. He declared that the Church of Scientology is against violence of any kind and its founder, Rev. Ron Hubbard, clearly taught the principles of peace for humankind. The survival of humankind depends upon each of us attaining brotherhood with the universe without violence and terror of any type in it. He offered prayers for the victims and the surviving families of the victims.
Auth. Qamrul Khanson represented the Muslim community in voicing his grief and homage on the anniversary of 9/11. He said that the 9/11 attacks were a crime committed upon those who were innocently annihilated with no fault of their own. Such crimes are to be condemned and should never occur in future. Islam categorically forbids such crimes, and Almighty God condemns attacks where His creatures are killed brutally with no fault any fault of their own. Auth. Khanson prayed for peace and consolation to the bereaved families.
Rev. Dr. John Funelas, representing a Philippine Christian group, offered prayers for the victims of 9/11. He expressed his and his community's support for the bereaved families.
Dr. Hoossen Auckbaraullee expressed his tributes to the families who lost their loved ones in this terror attack. He condemned the perpetrators of the attacks in the strongest terms possible and labelled them as symbols of shame on the face of humanity. He encouraged cooperation among all religious and cultural groups to promote peace and harmony among humans beings to achieve the pleasure of Almighty God.
Later, lunch and games followed on the lake shore.