EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Fifth-year UCLA
student Kim To (left) and Li’i
Faramoto, employee of UCLA Student Initiated Outreach
Progams, attend the inter-faith service at the First Congregational
Church of Los Angeles on Sunday.
By Timothy Kudo
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Americans gathered Sunday in their cathedrals, churches, temples
and mosques to remember the victims of Tuesday’s tragedy.
Throughout the country, religious gatherings swelled to numbers
usually reserved for Christmas.
The First Congregational Church of Los Angeles held a special
afternoon inter-faith service attended by about 30 UCLA students
that was marked by patriotism and religious feeling.
Blacks, whites, Asian Americans, Latinos, Muslims, Christians,
Buddhists, Pilipinos, Jews and others from different walks of life
all prayed together at the ceremony.
At two points during the service, American flags waved on either
side of the cross in the dark stone cathedral. The last stanza of
the hymn "America” was also sung in the service.
"Eternal God, our only hope, our help in times of trouble: show
nations ways to work out differences. Do not let threats multiply
or power be used without compassion," spoke one of the religious
leaders of the many faiths and ethnic groups.
Those who spoke mourned the loss and sent prayers for the
uncertain time ahead. They also recognized the hate crimes reported
against Muslims, people of Middle Eastern descent, and those who
merely look like them.
Last week, an Indian immigrant was shot to death and a Lebanese
American clerk was targeted, though not hurt, in Arizona. Shots
were also fired at the home of a family of Afghan descent.
A man charged with attempted murder in two of the attacks
reportedly shouted "I stand for America all the way" as he was
handcuffed by police.
 EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff UCLA Muslim Student
Association president Bilal Khan lights a candle
during part of Sunday’s inter-faith service. At the memorial, Saleh
Kholaki, a member of the Islamic Center of Southern California,
spoke of his appreciation for America.
"This country opened its arms for (my wife and me) and many like
us," he said.
He ended his short speech with "Thank God for America, the land
of the free, and God bless America," receiving ovations from the
previously quiet crowd.
After the memorial, the UCLA students in attendance gathered and
discussed ways to prevent hate crimes on campus and in the
community.
Huddled in a small circle outside, students shared their plans
as some older citizens listened and shared their support for
efforts to educate people on the Islamic and Arabic cultures.
"Islam is really about passion and peace and helping people in
their time of need," said Bilal Khan, the president of UCLA’s
Muslim Student Association.
"I hope (people) go out and grab onto Muslims and ask them about
their beliefs," he said.
With reports from Daily Bruin wire services.