First of
all, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation and gratitude
to you for having been able to participate in this Interfaith
Memorial Service(s) to honour and pray for the victims of the
Bali bombing whose lives have been brutally cut short by terrorists.
At the same time, we hope that those who sustained wounds may
also speedily recover and all the grieving families be able
to weather the loss of their loved ones. It will be less then
apropriate should we fail to recall that the victims of this
tragic incident are not only Australians or other foreign nationals,
but also Indonesians. Indeed, our thoughts and hearts are with
them in this moment of sorrow.
Our today's
gathering clearly signifies that followers of all religions
can indeed be united to confront the forces of evil that have
always tried to manipulate religious teachings to inflict damage
on human beings and their living environment. As an individual,
I happened to be raised in two major religions' values - Islam
and Christianity - which allow me to firmly believe that these
two Abrahamic religions have been descended from heaven to cherish
and preserve the world and all creatures contained therein,
not otherwise.
I would
accordingly like to use this opportunity to call on you to continue
to set an example by enlightening our family members, friends,
and neighbours not to be easily provoked by those wanting to
pit us against another.
Only with
solidarity and understanding can we pass through this difficult
moment. And, only through our determination and resolve can
we confront the forces of evil as to allow us to live in peace
and harmony. United we shall prevail.
May God
shower us with His divine blessings in our common endeavours
to achieve this lofty objective.
