Inter-Faith Leaders Pray For Peace In Palestine

Jombang, E Java, Aug 8 (Antara) - Local Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Confucian, and Hindu leaders organized joint prayers calling for peace in Palestine. "Even when just one life is lost, irrespective of his or her religion, it is a tragedy for humanity, which needs to be responded," Zahrul Azhar, the chairman of Darul Ulum Peterongan, emphasized here on Friday. Azhar stated that Islam is a peaceful religion that calls for amicable means to solve a problem. He urged the world community and the United Nations to end the Israeli military aggression in Gaza. Chairman of the Jombang Church Association (BKSG) Priest Eddy Kusmayadi noted that the victims of the Israeli military attacks in Gaza were not only Muslims, but Christians as well. He also hoped that peace can be restored in Gaza, so that the people of different religions can live together in harmony. Petra news agency of Jordan reported that the Palestinian death toll caused by Israel`s brutal attacks on the Gaza strip rose to 1,886 as more bodies are being pulled out of the rubble. According to a statement by the Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra on Thursday, 432 children, 243 women, and 85 elderly people were killed in Israel`s four-week assault. The Ministry of Health estimates that 9,806 people were also wounded in the assault, including 2,979 children, 1,903 women, and 374 elderly.