Nearly 700 people assembled at St. Matthias Church Aug. 20 for a community vigil against hate, organized by the Franklin Township Interfaith Council.
Those gathered in the John F. Kennedy Boulevard church heard from the township’s religious and political leaders, then participated in a candlelight vigil.
The speakers included Alex Kharazi, president of the Interfaith Council; Rabbi Eli Garfinkel of Temple Beth El and the council’s vice president; Fr. Douglas Haefner from St. Matthias; Mayor Phil Kramer; Wije Kottachachchi, from the Buddhist Vihara Meditation Center; Somerset County Freeholder Brian Levine; Board of Education president Ed Potosnak; Township Councilwoman Shanel Robinson (D-At Large); the Rev. Sharon Culley from Somerset Presbyterian Church, and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17).
Statements were read from Imam Rizwan Rizvi, from the Masjid-e-Ali mosque and Pastor George Montanari from the Middlebush Reformed Church, and prayers were read by Shirin Poustchi and Board of Education member Ardaman Singh.
During teh candlelight vigil, Ali Chaudry, president of the New Jersey Interfaith Coalition led the group in the reading of the pledge to “Stand Up For the Other,” which he authored.
Click below for full report,
http://franklinreporter.com/hundreds-gather-st-mathias-vigil-hate/#.WZsKBUFeSMI.gmail
News, Views and More from Batch'64, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, SriLanka 
Congratulations,
Proud of your achievements in community Participation s
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Congratulations a Wije, you make us feel very proud.
Ariya
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Iam proud to say, that you and I were in med school together .
I have bragging rights !
The world needs more people like you, and then, the World will be a Better Place .
Love is The Winner .
Keep it up and continue the good work .
Deepthie .
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Dear Wije,
All the BAD things happening in this world is due to that word “HATE”
I am glad that you are involved in community work like this. The world needs many more such Vigils.
Best wishes
Seelan
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Congratulations Wije, good to get involved in community events.
Indragee.
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Dear Kotta,
It is lovely to see different Faiths coming together and praying for a common goal. If there were more of these taking place in our communities, I am sure the world will be a better place to live.Praxy
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Nice work Wije. Congratulations.
Nisantha
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Dear Kotta,
I just listened to your speech at the Inter faith council meeting.
Thank you and well done.
CJ
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Congratulations Kotta. Glad you were picked to speak at this significant occasion. If there was religious tolerance and understanding this world will be a better place. Thank you for your contribution.May you be blessed. As quoted before “may all beings be happy” dharma
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