Interfaith Service Honors Victims Of Paris Terrorist Attacks
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Religious leaders in Chicago came together Thursday for an interfaith prayer service for Paris, in the wake of last week's deadly terrorist attacks.
Leaders from all different faiths came together at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater, to say a prayer for the victims. They stood united in the message: no religion accepts terrorism.
There was a time for reflection while listening to the French national anthem.
The interfaith prayer service was planned months ago, but the agenda was amended to include prayers for victims of terrorist attacks Paris, Beirut, Kenya, and Colombia.
Represented in the prayer circle were Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Greek Orthdox, Hindu, Presbyterians, and many other faiths. Together, they prayed for peace.
"When afflicted with calamity, to Allah we belong, and to him is our return; offering our heartfelt prayers and sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks all over," Imam Kareem Irfan said.
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Vincent Floreani, Consul General of France in Chicago, praised the religious leaders for their show of unity in the face of terrorism.
"The terrorists want us to be divided. They want us to turn against some communities; to find some easy scapegoats like the refugees, but the refugees are fleeing the terrorist themselves," he said.
Meantime, a striking tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris has been erected on Michigan Avenue, where 129 red hearts have been lined up outside the French Consulate. The names and ages of some of the victims have been printed on some of the hearts. The memorial was created by Greg Zanis, an Aurora man known for erecting such tributes across the country.
