Participants light memorial candles at service for victims of terror attacks
in Mumbai. [Carolyn Blackman photo]
TORONTO — Toronto’s Indo-Canadian and Jewish communities, as well as about 70 multifaith and multi-ethnic groups, gathered Sunday for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Nov. 26 terror attacks in Mumbai.
The rally, which attracted a capacity crowd in the large hall at the International Centre in Mississauga, was organized by the Canada India Foundation and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, with the support of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy and Canadian Jewish Congress.
It began with the singing of the Indian and Canadian national anthems, and went on to feature seven children who each recited a short poem about peace.
“Peace is quite calm and happy. If we had an election, we should all vote for peace,” said one.
Another said that we need to live in a place where all people live with respect and tolerance. “My dream includes people from all religions learning from each other. How wonderful if we could work together.”
One boy said he was appearing on behalf of all children. “I urge the adults to unite [in order] to make the world a better place.”
After a non-denominational prayer and a moment of silence, a video presentation highlighted worldwide terrorist attacks, beginning with 9/11 and moving on to attacks in Israel, and those in London, England, Bali and Madrid.
As well, speaker after speaker stood up to condemn the attacks.
Israel Consul General Amir Gissin said that our changing world now has two coalitions, the coalition of the extreme and the coalition of the moderates. “It is not a religious question, but a political question. The coalition of the victims of terror has a long way to go until it is united and strong.”
Keynote speaker Ujjal Dosanjh, MP and former premier of British Columbia, said that terror has no country, no nationality or no religion. “Terrorism and violence are absolutely unacceptable as a way of resolving issues.”
Guests were asked to light a candle for the victims when they entered the hall, and during the service, 100 representatives of community groups, each lit a candle in the name of one of the terror victims.
Also on the weekend, a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the people and nation of India was organized by the Indian Overseas Congress of Canada. Participating in the event were such community leaders as Bernie Farber, president of Canadian Jewish Congress; Asha Luthra, president of the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce; and Jim Kaygiannis, MP for Scarborough/Agincourt.