On Sunday March 17, 2019 Prayer and Vigil was hosted by ISNF, co-sponsored by WNYMuslims and MPAC-WNY, for the victims of New Zealand Massacre, which was attended by the representatives of the faith communities and the people from different walks of life.
Mr. Faizan Haq, President & Founder of WNYMuslims Inc. said,” As concerned communities, we should look into the video games, which project enemies or target shooting in Muslim attire with Muslim countries’ flags. We are preparing a generation with a mindset of hate and violence and its a concern for not only one community but for all the communities. The principle that I teach in my class is that the most important conversation is the one that we have with ourselves”. As conversations in our heads, around dinner table, with our close friends, as a community or even as a nation, if these conversations are going in the wrong direction, we must challenge them that is the only way to change the negative narrative.
We want to thank the respected speakers of the following faith organizations:
- ACCESS of WNY
- Calvary Episcopal Church of Williamsville
- The Jewish Community Center
- Network of Religious Communities
- North Presbyterian Church
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst
- Westminster Presbyterian Church of Buffalo
- WNY Peace Center
- Interfaith Peace Network
- Williamsville Clergy Association
- National Federation for Community and Justice of WNY
- St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Williamsville
- Town of Amherst Community Diversity Commission
- Temple Beth Zion
- Congregation Shir Shalom
- Amherst Presbyterian Church
- Congregation Havurah
- Christian Medical and Dental Associations of WNY
- Catholic Diocese of Buffalo
- Christ United Methodist Church
- St. Gregory the Great
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
- Eastern Hills Christian Church
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Sikh Cultural and Educational Society WNY
- Buddist Community
- Hindu Community
- Baha’I Community
- Buffalo Police Department
- Jafferya Center
Their kind words not only consoled us but also showed us that we are not alone suffering from the anguish caused by the horrendous tragedy. Their sympathetic gestures further strengthen the bonds among all peoples and reassured that we all are united when it comes to condemning such appalling incidents. We highly appreciate the over-whelming response of the WNY community by showing up in such a large number on a day’s notice.