Page 40 - The Indian EYE 081823

The Indian Eye
NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 18, 2023 40

Christian community hosts prayer for

Manipur at the United Nations

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
he Indian Christian community
in the Tri-state area organized
Ta prayer vigil in front of the
United Nations for the perpetrators
to come to their senses and for the
authorities to reign in the continuing
attacks on the Kuki-Zo tribal people,
mostly Christians. The vigil, attended
by more than seven hundred people,
expressed solidarity with all the griev- Dr. Anna George, the leader of tral Government has intervened ad- as said that India is a country with a
ing people of Manipur. Prayers by the this event, pointed out that when our equately. It must end. This vigil also secular constitution. He demanded
Clergy reflected the deep pain felt brothers are in pain, it hurts us too. demands that the American media that the government should act ac-
across the Indian Christian Commu- It is a reflection of this that so many and government speak for us on this cording to the Constitution. FOKA-
nity in the U.S. for the great calamity people gathered here on the day off, issue. It is a shame that this country NA leader Leela Maret appreciated
that befell Manipur with tremendous putting aside all other programs. She is silent on women being abused and those who took the initiative to hold
loss of human lives and destruction of said, “People are being killed and be- run naked,” Dr. George added. such a prayer vigil. She said, “The
homes and churches. come refugees. Women are sexually New York State Senator Kevin sorrow of Manipur is our sorrow too,
The Prayer rally was initiated by molested, gang-raped, and marched Thomas attended in solidarity with and there should be justice and peace.
a handful of concerned citizens that naked. People are without food, wa- the victims. He was the only legisla- Pastor Jacob George gave the
resulted in bringing Christians from ter, or shelter. Their anguish and tor to attend. He clarified that justice opening prayer. Evangeline Jacob
all denominations and regions in co- pain are beyond our imagination”. and peace should prevail and that the American National Anthem, and Fr.
operation with FIACONA (Federa- “We have lived in India in har- lives of all human beings are equal. Francis Nambiaparam sang the In-
tion of Indian American Christians of mony with various religious sects There is no difference between Hin- dian National Anthem. Pastor Babu
North America) united for the cause for years. But what has happened du, Christian, Sikh or Jain. He called Thomas, Dr. Sam Samuel, Pastor
of the Manipuri Christians who have now? A genocide or massacre is tak- to work for a world where people live Itty Abraham, Rev. Dr. Taylor, Rev.
taken the brunt of the suffering in the ing place right before our eyes. One as one. Jess M. George, Rev.Dr. Hemalatha
last 90 days. President Koshy George hundred forty-five people died. Sixty Bishop Johncy Itty of the Epis- Parmar, Pastor Percy McEwan, Rev.
stated the purpose of the vigil at the thousand people were left homeless. copal Church said,” the wonderful Jatinder Gill, and others participat-
beginning. “This is not a protest rally. Over three hundred churches were thing about humanity is that we re- ed in speeches, prayers, or scripture
We aim not to examine why the riots destroyed, and One hundred seventy veal ourselves in times of distress readings. Mr. Mathew George ex-
happened, who is responsible, or pol- villages were burnt. It is continuing. and how we come together in times pressed a vote of thanks.
itics. We are here today to pray for Undoubtedly, Christians are being of anxiety and frustrations because The organizing committee was
the rule of law in Manipur, and ob- targeted. These are massive human we care about justice, freedom, and led by Anna George, Koshy George,
viously, there are limits as to what we rights violations”. peace. George Abraham, Raju Abraham,
can do to help. However, Prayer does “We cannot be silent when we He urged the gathering to be res- Mathew George, Jimmy Christian,
not have any limitations”. He further see the tears and lamentation of our olute in fighting for justice and pray- Mary Philip, Paul Panakal, Leela
clarified that we aim not to condemn brothers and sisters. So far, neither ing for those who are persecuted”. Maret, Pastor Jatinder Gill, Shaju
or oppose anyone politically. the State Government nor the Cen- FOMAA president Jacob Thom- Sam, V. J. Macwan, and many others.

www.TheIndianEYE.com