Goan priest among faith leaders at inter-faith prayer meet
Fr Feroz Fernandes while offering prayers in the presence of religious leaders from different communities during the prayer meeting in the High Commission of India at London on Monday evening.
LONDON
A Goan priest was among the religious leaders offering prayers at an inter-faith meet in the High Commission of India (HCI) at London on Monday evening, to condole the victims of the Air India plane crash at Ahmedabad on June 12.
The condolence and prayer meeting was organised by the High Commissioner Vikram K Doraiswami in the Gandhi Hall at India House, which was filled to capacity with the Indian diaspora, which included a number of Goans.
Before the service started, a one-minute silence was observed on behalf of the 241 passengers and crew and 38 people on the ground who lost their lives in the plane crash.
Fr Feroz Fernandes from the Pilar Society offered prayers on behalf of the Christian community in the UK and India, while the other religious leaders offering prayers were Harbansh Virdi (Buddhism), Kartik Dube (Hinduism), Hafez Owaeis Patni (Islam), Ranjit Singh (Sikhism) and Malcolm Deboo (Zoroastrianism).
Fr Fernandes reflected on the importance of coming together as a form of healing, on account of the shock and grief following tragic plane crash.
“We stand today, as sons and daughters of India — a land rich in heritage, diverse in faith, and united in spirit. This tragedy has shaken our nation and touched every corner of our global community. Yet, even now, it brings us closer. In sorrow, we find solidarity. In mourning, we rediscover our shared humanity,” said Fr Fernandes.
“Many have gathered here today at the High Commission of India in London — people of many faiths, traditions, and backgrounds, yet united as one in grief, as one in respect, and as one in hope. In this sacred moment, we stand not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters — Indians together in heart and spirit, raising one voice for the lives we mourn and the love that binds us.”
Among the Goans present at the condolence meeting included Clayton Barretto, Social Secretary to the Indian High Commissioner, UK, and President of Goan Association UK Ravi Vaz.
While addressing the gathering, Doraiswami said the HCI in London mourned the loss of precious lives in the Air India plan crash on June 12.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to friends and families to our British nationals, the Portuguese nationals, the Canadian citizen, and our Indian citizens on board the flight. The HCI in London has offered all possible assistance to friends and families of the victims,” said Doraiswami.
“Now, the priority is to ensure the painful and traumatic work to identifying and returning the mortal remains of every one lost in this accident. My team in London has also been helping and facilitating those who urgently need to go to India. We will help them in every possible,” he added.
He thanked all the faith leaders and the gathering for their presence and prayers at the condolence meeting
UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner thanked the High Commissioner of India for bring the various religious leaders together for the condolence and prayer meeting.
Reflecting on the long ties between India and the UK, Rayner said both countries grieve together and conveyed her condolences from the UK government.
Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, Ralph Goodale also shared the pain and anguish among all across India, UK, Portugal and in Canada.
Among others who addressed the condolence meeting included MPs Alan Gemmell and Ruth Cadbury, and former MP Virendra Sharma.
The High Commissioner of India in the UK Vikram K Doraiswami along with Clayton Barretto, Social Secretary to the Indian High Commissioner, UK, and the Goan delegation at the condolence meeting.
