'We stand with them': Community gathers for interfaith prayer vigil for Turkey and Syria

Prayers were offered in English, Arabic and Chickasaw.

Scripture was shared from the Bible, the Quran and Baha'i Faith sacred writings. A Sikh hymn was sung in Punjabi.

In different ways, Oklahoma City religious leaders representing various faith communities and organizations came together on Tuesday to offer prayers and words of consolation and hope for individuals affected by the earthquakes that have devastated Turkey and Syria in recent days. More than a dozen leaders, including U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, led prayers for earthquake victims and first responders at the Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Turkey and Syria Earthquake Victims at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 127 NW 7.

Katie Churchwell, dean of St. Paul's, welcomed an estimated crowd of 250, commending community members for taking the time to unite with others for an evening of collective prayer.

She said it was an honor to host the prayerful who gathered "with one voice to remember and to pray, and to hold space for the tragedy and devastation for people we love, for people we don't know, but who are our brothers and sisters."

Terri Angier, representing the metro-area Baha'i Faith community, shared readings from her faith's sacred writings.

"The Baha'i writings compare the world of humanity to the body," she said. "There is one quote that says that if one member of the body suffers anguish or distress, all the other members suffer. Likewise, we are hurting for our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria, for the loss of lives, and for those going through unimaginable hardship in this calamity. We stand with them in their pain. We stand with them in their suffering and sorrow."

Bice, R-Oklahoma City, said she followed the Catholic faith tradition. Noting that the Lenten season would begin on Wednesday, she said one of her Lenten promises would be to pray for people who have suffered tremendously due to the earthquakes.

Saraub Singh said Oklahomans know all too well what it means to face disasters, both "natural and human designed." Representing the Sikh Gurdwara of Oklahoma and Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, he led a prayer and sang a Sikh hymn in the Punjabi language, translating it into English before taking his seat.

"Divine, the world is suffering in pain and misery," he sang. "Please shower your grace, shower your mercy and save it by whatever means possible. You might show us the way to stability, peace, contemplating on divine wisdom. We know no other other than you forgiving divine, can help us in this situation that we are facing."

Lisa Johnson Billy, speaker of the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature, led a prayer in English and Chickasaw, reciting Psalm 23. Imad Enchassi, senior imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, said he had helped many Syrians find refuge in Turkey over the years, and he learned that the recent earthquakes have left some of them orphaned or homeless.

Other speakers included Les Thomas Sr., executive director of Urban Bridge; Wes Lane, chairman of Salt & Light Leadership Training ((SAALT); Michael Korenblit, Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City immediate past president; the Rev. Diana Davies, First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City senior pastor; the Rev. Shannon Fleck, Oklahoma Faith Network executive director; the Rev. Kris Ladasau, spiritual leader of the Dharma Center of Oklahoma; and Tom Gray, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oklahoma City stake president.

'Shared humanity'

In closing remarks, Muhammad Sezer, executive director of the Dialogue Institute of Oklahoma and Raindrop Turkish House, said the prayer vigil was a reminder of the "power of faith and strength of unity."

"You may have you may come from different faiths and backgrounds, but in times of crisis and need, we can all come together to support one another's tragedies like earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes," Sezer said. "This shows us that it is our shared humanity that brings us together in solidarity and compassion. It is heartening to see so many people come together to offer their support their prayers, and their love to Turkish Oklahomans and their have loved ones who have been affected by the disasters."

Sezer led a prayer for survivors in Syria and his homeland of Turkey, before telling the crowd about a planned Turkish Food Fair fundraiser for earthquake survivors and other ways to make earthquake relief donations.

Churchwell reminded the crowd that they didn't have to wait until the food fair to make donations for earthquake relief. She said donors might not ever meet the recipients of their aid, but Oklahomans with ties to Turkey and Syria would know that they care.

Turkish food and art will be sold at the Turkish Food Fair set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 25, at the Turkish Raindrop House, 4444 N Classen.

For more information, go to https://www.dialogueoklahoma.org/.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Interfaith prayer vigil held for Turkish, Syrian earthquake victims