Amid the devastating COVID19 situation in India, Australian people, business and governments are extending their support and prayers to the people of India.
Melbourne based advocacy organisation Federation of Indian Australians made a call to Australian communities to pray for India in this difficult time of the COVID19 crisis.
“India is facing one of the toughest battles with Covid19. We request everyone from all Faiths to “Pray for India” in their respective places of worship or at their homes on Saturday 8th May from 12 pm to 4 pm, and share the positivity with the people of India.”
“Let us make it Australia’s National Day of Prayers for India to help overcome the Covid19. Please Pray in your Temple, Church, Mosque, Gurudwara or at Home.”
The call was immediately responded to by multiple Hindu Temples under the Australian Hindu Temples council.
Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood reached out to the Ganesh Temple based in the Victorian suburb of Basin to pray for India.
He posted a touching message on social media after attending the prayers.
Mr Wood said in the post, “It was a solemn moment as Temples, Mosques and Churches around Australia prayed together at the same time.”
“India, we are with you and always will be. Indian Australians in India of course we will bring you back, The Morrison government will never let you down. I say to all our Indian community we are with you and together we will win this battle.”
Muslim community under the Islamic Council of Victoria came forward to lend a supportive hand for collective prayers in the holy month of Ramjan.
Islamic Council of Victoria said in a statement, “We are reaching out to all communities and faiths to support this initiative and give comfort to all those in need.”
“As people of faith, our main hope is to reach out to Almighty God in prayer and seek his mercy and love to bring relief and ease the suffering of the people in India.”
Australian Sikh community is also anxiously worried about their loved ones in India.
Gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar based in suburb Officer also joined the collective prayers of India.
Gurpreet Singh Dhaliwal has family members in India who have tested positive of coronavirus.
He told The Australia today, “I attended the Sangat to pray for everyone else who is in the same situation as me.”
“Guru maharaj will bless us and give strength to over come this difficult time too.”
SMVS Swaminarayan Temple based at Tarneit did prayers in three languages Gujrati, Hindi and English.
Temple committee member Biren Joshi told The Australia Today, “Hundreds of devotees joined the prayers online. We shall be doing these special prayers through out the week for India.”
Sri Durga Temple based in the Victoria suburb of rock bank also participated in prayers for India.
Gary Verma, Vice President of the management committee said, ” Temple is committed to providing any support it can to its devotees in this testing time.”
Karthik Arasu is the President of the Federation of Indian Australians.
He said, “We want to have some positive energy for the people of India as well as those who are here and feel unable to help or support their loved ones back home. These prayers are not for one but it is the start of change which can be bought by collective spiritual power.”
“On behalf of Federation of Indian Australians, I thank all the faith communities and the religious places for standing with Indian Australian comunity.”
