The Sunday service at the Baha’i House of Worship in Sydney on 21 December will be dedicated to prayers for the innocent lives lost this week in Sydney and elsewhere in the world, and for the unity of the entire Australian community.
The program for the service, dedicated to the theme of Harmony, will commence at 11 am. Everyone is welcome to attend the service.
The national governing body of the Australian Baha’i Community, the National Spiritual Assembly, which initiated the service, has also written to the Baha’is throughout the country about the tragic events that took place in the central business district in Sydney this week.
“An event such as this has the potential to divide a society, as we all come to terms with the horror of the actions of the perpetrator of this heinous crime,” the National Spiritual Assembly said.
“But such tragedy can also serve to unite us and galvanise our resolve to work towards a common purpose.
“It is the National Assembly’s hope that members of the Australian Baha’icommunity, rather that dwelling on the darkness of these events, will focus all their energies on service to their fellow human beings.
“Let us honour those who lost their lives by seeking ways, completely freed from all forms of prejudice, to offer our selfless support, and work with others to build bridges and to be a cause of unity within the community.”
Representatives of the Baha’i Faith throughout Australia have been coming together with members of other religions and government leaders in meetings where they have renewed their commitment to religious and social harmony, have expressed their condolences to the victims of the siege and their families, and offered prayers on their behalf.