The World Reacts... It is Your Turn Now?

Dubai: All Community Meet Condemns Church Attacks in Mangalore

Dubai, Sep 21: The solidarity show around the world against the unwanted violence in Karnataka continued as members for all communities in Dubai gathered together to condemn the attacks on Churches in India and Mangalore in particular at the Winny’s Restaurant at Karama at 7.30 pm, Sunday Sep 21.
The meeting was initiated by members of different communities of the coastal region.

The main speakers were Dayan Dsouza, representing the Catholic community, B G Mohandas of the Hindu community and Irshad Moodubidri of the Muslim community.
A large number of office bearers of various associations and community leaders made a packed gathering at the Winny’s Restaurant hall to show solidarity with the people who suffered back home due to communal unrest earlier last week.
Dayan D'Souza, well known community leader and orator spoke first. He said, 'People of Tulunadu are peace loving, be it a Muslim, Hindu or Christian. Tulunadu cuisines are world famous . Tulunadu culture is so beautiful, but this unrest has happened in Tulu Nadu?. Christians in Tulunadu, though a minority , gained lot of respect from all communities . There was hardly any violence from Christian communities back home. Even Hindus are peace loving and friendly people. A true Hindu will not do such barbaric acts” he said.
'For the first time helpless women and nuns where beaten up by the police. Catholics were never accused of conversions. Why should this has happen all of sudden? What power is behind this? Let us not blame all Hindus, let us not put a question mark after the name of each Hindu. Instead , let the government find out the truth . Let us keep up the pressure on the government. We all here today to condemn the incidents that have happened back home' he said
Irshad Moodubidri, a well known Kannada author and journalist spoke from his heart. 'No religion teaches violence. But bad sects of every religion always create problems.” He said . “ Look at Islam where a majority of Muslims follow true Islam and live by the teachings of the Holy Quran. But a handful of them cross the border, forget their true religion and go against it by disturbing the national security with all kinds of violence."
'It is very sad that people who incite violence in the name of religion never bother about the development of the region or nation. Look at some of the pathetic conditions of the roads in Mangalore. These same fanatics can use their resources and time on repairing the roads or develop the city, instead of damaging public and religious places. The acts of attacking churches must be condemned in one voice' he said
B G Mohandas, former professor , thinker, writer and editor of gulfkannadiga.com a popular Kannada language website spoke on various issues related to the Mangalore communal violence. 'I cannot bear to see my home town so badly disturbed. We are Indians first and then Hindus, Muslims or Christians. We all hail from the coastal region and are united at this moment. Indians abroad are well educated and have respect for each other. They rise above religion when they meet fellow Indians here. I myself have studied in Catholic institutions and so also my children. I have great regard for catholic institutions. I do not understand why these 'unemployed' people should target Churches, priests and nuns . What has happened in the coastal district and other parts of Karnataka is sad, and it pains me a lot” . he said.
He went on to say that “ violence was politically motivated, and there is no gain for ordinary people.'
He urged all those fanatics who trouble others in the name of religion to go to the villages and serve the poor and maintain their religious faith and not by stoning and destroying sacred prayer centres and churches.
Other noted leaders, Ganesh Rai, Prabhakar Ambalthere, Arshad, Ronald Saby, Prakash Payyar, Herman Lewis also aired their views and offered their suggestions.
It was decided that a memorandum be sent to the President and Prime Minister of India and the Governor of Karnataka along with a signature campaign.
Alwyn Pinto, compered the event, welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
Members of association like Mangalore Konkans, SMKC, KCO ABu Dhabi, Emirates Paradela, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, DaijiDubai, Jebeli Ali (JAAKC), Karnataka NRI Forum, regional Associations like, Pamboor, Kanajar, Katapady Konkans, Karaval Milan, Pernal, Pangla, Udentichem Neketram, Ferar, Kemmannu Flowers, Omzoor, Bellevion, Belman, Mudarangady, Thottam, Konkan Yuva, SMKC, Konkani Cahrismatic, Puttur, Byndoor, Perampalli, Shirva, Udyavar, and others were present
Canada: Mangalorean Association Holds Solidarity Prayer Meet
By Gerry D’Mello, BendurDaijiworld media network, Canada
Canada, Sep 21: A Prayer Service and a Holy Mass was organized by the Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Sts.Martha & Mary Church, Mississauga, Canada, for peace in India and as a sign of solidarity towards our Christian brethren suffering in Mangalore.
The theme of the Mass was forgiveness. Fr. Edwin D'Souza, Spiritual Director of MAC and the Parish Priest of Sts. Martha & Mary Church was the celebrant. Ronald Fernandes, the Vice-President of the Association, welcomed the gathering. Lydia Lobo, Janet D’Souza & Ronald D’Souza were the lectors during the Holy Mass.
The Mass was well attended by a large crowd and there was a prayerful and devotional ambience in the Church. The melodious Choir was arranged and well conducted by Merlyn Rodrigues. At the end of the Mass, the President Maxim D'Mello delivered a key note message and assured the gathering that an Appeal would be initiated, signed and forwarded to the Indian Consulate in Toronto and the Canadian Authorities ASAP for ACTION! He thanked everyone for attending the Holy Mass & showing their solidarity.
After the Holy Mass everyone was invited for a reception at the Knights of Columbus’ Hall for refreshments. It was truly heartening to see that the Indo-Catholics were rushing to sign the Appeal. The Appeal addressed to the Hon. Prime Minister of India emphasized on:
• Ensuring justice to the perpetrators of this abhorrence and brutality; especially the guardians of our society, the police.• Protecting the constitutional and religious rights of Christians in Mangalore, Karnataka and throughout India.• Providing compensation to Churches and Schools that were rampaged and damaged and also to all the victims that were assaulted.• Initiating measures to prevent this catastrophe from reoccurring in any minority groups all over India.
Hats off to Maxim D’Mello, the dynamic President of Mangalorean Association of Canada & all the Executive Committee members for their spirit-filled hard work in organizing a prayer service of this kind in such a short span. The support rendered by the Indo-Catholics who attended this service in large numbers showing their solidarity to their motherland India was really praiseworthy.

Tel Aviv: Indian Catholics in Israel Pray for Persecuted Brethern in India

Report from Preeti Roshan MonteiroPics: Praveen Lobo OmzoorDaijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv (SP) Tel Aviv, Sep 20: The Konkan Catholic Sanghatan (KCS) in Israel organized rosary, adoration of the blessed sacrament and mass in Konkani, to pray for the Christians persecuted in India, at 7.30 pm on Friday September 19, at St Anthony Church Yaffo, Tel-Aviv. Nearly 500 Catholics were present on this Occasion.
Fr Anthony Rodrigues, parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church Chandavar (Karwar diocese) led the Adoration and Fr Boniface Pinto, director of Mangala Jyothi Mangalore, Fr Hilary Lobo, parish priest of Tacode church, Fr Charles Menezes of Jabalpur diocese and Fr Tofique, parish priest of St Antony Church, Yaffo, Tel-Aviv were present during the mass.
Later, KCS handed over a Sum of 2,250 USD (about one lac rupees) towards the Medical Aid Fund of Mangalore diocese, to Fr Boniface Pinto. The collection was made by conducting a lucky dip.

Church Attacks: MCA Doha Sends Petition to President of India, PM

Doha, Sep 18: The Advisory & Executive committee members of the Mangalore Cultural Association Doha Qatar met on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at 6 pm at the residence of Felix Lobo to condemn the atrocious episode that has taken place in Mangalore. All the members came to a common conclusion that this incident should never be taken lightly and a sturdy action should be taken against these anti social elements that have destructed the peaceful environment of Mangalore. Mangalorean Christians all over the world should join together and raise one voice against these brutal acts which have vandalized our holy places and destroyed our church properties.
The members strongly opposed the cruel act by the police force on innocent people not even sparing Women, students and religious nuns. Mention was made to pressurize the authorities about unconditionally releasing all the innocent Christians who have been imprisoned without any fault of theirs. So a petition was drafted and signed by many members and their friends who have strongly criticized this incident.
This petition was addressed to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India through the Embassy of India in Qatar. The Advisory committee member Mr. Felix Lobo and the President of the MCA Mr. Harry Lobo met His Excellency George Joseph, Ambassador of India in Qatar on 18th September 2008 and handed over the petition to Him. In this petition request has also been made to give us Justice and provide us Safety in our own Motherland.
MCA Doha Qatar appeals to all the Mangalorean associations throughout the world to openly condemn this act and join the crusade.

Kuwait: prayer Service for Peace and SolidarityReport & pics by Wilson & Priya Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Kuwait, Sep 18: In view of the ongoing attacks on Catholic places of worship in and around Mangalore, representatives of Indian Catholics in Kuwait held a special “Prayer Service for Peace & Solidarity” on Thursday 18th September 2008 at 6:00 PM at the Cathedral auditorium. The program was held under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Melvyn D’Cunha.
The apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Monged El- Hachem, Fr. Mathews, Sr. Mariolita, Fr. Melvyn D’Cunha, Archie Menezes, Elias Sanctis and Wilson Coelho were present on the dais for expressing the views on behalf of gathering. Rudy compared the program.
Archie Menezes briefed the incident happened in English whereas Elias Sanctis delivered speech in Konkani. Elias explained the need of Mangalorean Catholic’s participation in politics, higher government posts and politics which will help in supporting to protect our rights. Goan Welfare Society president Wilson Coelho expressed his views and extended support of Goan community to Mangaloreans.
Fr. Mathew from Kerala state asked everyone to unite under one banner of Christ forgetting region and languages and show unity. He also asked the Catholics not to be violent and to be moralistic. Nuncio Archbishop Monged El- Hachem said that the whole world is shocked with the news as India is known for tolerance and famous for communal harmony. The program came to an end with hymns, prayer and blessing of holy sacrament.
The service was arranged by the call of Catholic Associations in Kuwait namely, Kuwait Canara Welfare Association, Shirva Welfare Association, Kundapur Varado Welfare Association, Agnesian Alumnae Kuwait, Aloysian Alumni Kuwait, Kuwait Pangla Association, Kanajar Welfare Association, Belman Welfare Association, United Derebalites, Goan Welfare Society, Kala Mogi Kuwait and Carmel Convent sisters.

Muscat: Catholics’ Meet Condemns Attacks on Christians in Mangalore

Muscat, Sep 18: Following the recent attack over the Christian faith in Mangalore an alert and concern has seized all over the globe, among Mangalorean Christian Community in particular. Mangalorean Catholics in residing in the Muscat, Sultanate of Oman gathered on September 19, 2008 at the Al Arsalan Restaurant Hall to discuss and bring forward their concern about the incidents happening at their home town and the Christian Churches in and around Karnataka.
The gathering was attended by some of the reputed members of the Mangalorean Catholic faith. The occasion was conducted by Clarence Donald Pinto, while the gathering was welcomed by the veteran of Muscat’s Konkani community Stanley T H Fernandes. The concerns and the agony of the gathering were put forward by three people, namely Nelson D’ Silva, Denis Mascarenhas and Chris Vas.













Nelson as he addressed the gathering said Catholic people and missionaries have always been a reason for the welfare of the society and people of Mangalore. They have always welcomed all religions and faith in equal manner with no barriers of caste and creed. He also added saying that this is a call for Catholics to show that we are witnesses of Christ and we should work diligently to bring back the society into its own normal form. Denis Mascarenhas stated that this is a time for forgiveness and we should reconcile with the people who have done wrong to us as Christ has taught us.
Chris Vas put forward her views about the good deeds done by the youth to safe guard the churches in this hour of need. She said the youth have worked selflessly towards protecting the people around and the morality of the Christian faith.
The congregation then formed a Core Committee to work towards this injustice happening to the Christians in Mangalore. The committee will be lead by Stanley T H Fernandes along with nine other dynamic members namely Donald Pinto, Henry Martis, Francis Aranha, Suraj Rebbelo, Pressilla Machado, Chris Vas, Benedict Pereira, Nelson D’ Silva and Clarence Pinto. It was then decided that the memorandum will be drafted from the core committee stating the concerns following the recent incidents happening in Mangalore. The appeal will narrate the Achievements by the Catholic people and the institutions to the Mangalorean society and mankind. It will narrate the incidents happened from September 14 to 16.
Memorandum will be submitted to the Ambassador of India in Muscat on Saturday September 20.