Service remembers victims

People from Baptist, Catholic, Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish and Hindu faiths gathered together at Academic Hall Wednesday afternoon for an interfaith memorial service for the victims of the terrorist attacks on America.

"We gather in loving memory of those who died in the hijacking of the planes," said the Rev. J. Friedel of Catholic Campus Ministries at Southeast Missouri State University. "We gather in loving memory of those who died in the explosions and collapse of the World Trade Center buildings and at the Pentagon. We gather in loving memory of the mothers, fathers, spouses and lovers who left so many behind."

About 75 students, faculty and members of the community gathered for the event sponsored by the Association of Campus Ministries. Cliff Sodergren, a member of the association, said he hoped those who attended found hope, strength and encouragement in this time of tragedy.

Several area religious leaders offered words of hope and prayer for those affected by the attacks on the East Coast.

Dr. Mohammad Shakil of the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center offered a prayer for peace. He said the members of the Islamic Center share the agony of this nation and their hearts cry out for those in pain.

"God bless those families of the victims and give them comfort," he said.

He asked God to save the terrorists from their evil ways and direct them to take the right path and deal with their anger in a positive way.

Sodergren closed the service with a benediction and reading from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

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