2005.01.14	Inter-faith Gathering for South Asia Tsunamis Victims	West Australia, Australia
An inter-faith gathering was held on Friday, 14th January at the Sunken Garden of the University of Western Australia (UWA) to provide an opportunity for reflection and expression of support for those affected by the recent devastating earthquake and tsunamis. This remembrance service was organized by the UWA International Center and was presided over by the Vice--Chancellor of UWA, Professor Alan Robson, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UWA, Professor Margaret Seares. All staff and students of UWA were invited to attend this event in support of those affected and over a hundred people attended the service. Religious leaders of different faiths were invited to lead prayers and reflection at the service, namely Dr Mostafa Ismail of the Muslim faith, Pandit Shree Subrahmanya Bhat of the Hindu Faith, Reverend Chu and Reverend Ruan of the Fo Guan Shan Temple of Western Australia, and Reverend Dr Anna Killigrew of the Christian faith. Each guest speaker presented a moving and consoling prayer in remembrance of the victims. The Tsunami Remembrance Service at UWA not only consoled those attendees who have lost loved ones as a result of the tragic disaster but also offered the other attendees an opportunity to reflect upon their own lives and the contributions they can offer. An inter-faith service was particularly appropriate as it reminded us all that although we may be of different faiths, our spirit of compassion will always be the same. This was just one of the many events all over the world that have been held in remembrance and support of the tsunami victims. Particularly, members of BLIA in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Indonesia have provided much needed relief to the victims and their families in the respective local area. In such a time, our prayers and thoughts go out the children, youth and adults who have perished, their family members and those donating their time and effort to aid those in need.