About 100 people gathered in prayer in Irvine — thousands and thousands of miles away from where a deadly earthquake killed more than 20,000 people in Turkey and Syria — to honor the victims and pledge aid.
Leaders from different faith groups gathered at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday night, Feb. 9, to pray for the people in Syria and Turkey “to have salvation as soon as possible,” said Osman Yildirim the executive director of Pacifica Institute, an Irvine-based organization that promotes interreligious dialogue.
Yildirim, one of the organizers of the event, said those affected by the quake are experiencing a “four-dimensional strike,” referring to the earthquake, cold temperatures, a lack of electricity and hunger.
Members of the Native American, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Turkish and Syrian communities gathered at the event, Yildirim said, to harness the collective power of prayer.
“How do we find stability in our own faith” to support the affected communities, said Syrian American poet Dania Alkhouli. She prayed for donations and resources to reach those who are affected.
Representatives from multiple faiths join members of the Turkish and Syrian community in Orange County in a moment of silence for the victims of the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria during a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
John Cetkin, center, becomes emotional as he joins members of the Turkish community and interfaith groups from Orange County during a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nureddin Kaya, left, and his wife Fitnat Mutlu bow their heads in a moment of silence for the victims of the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria during a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Turkish community and interfaith groups from Orange County hold a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Turkish community and interfaith groups from Orange County hold a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A poster asking for donations for earthquake disaster relief is on display as the Turkish community and interfaith groups from Orange County hold a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan speaks to a gathering of the Turkish and Syrian communities and Orange County interfaith groups during a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sewa Valencia, second from right, leads the druming group, One Drumm, in a Native American prayer during a vigil at the Anatolia Cultural Center in Irvine on Thursday, February 9, 2023 to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“I’m hearing rumors about them (aid and donations) not actually being received,” Alkhouli said.
Father Edward Becker of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, said it was important for him to be at the vigil to show the Turkish and Syrian communities that the “wider community” stands in solidarity with them.
“The more we gather in prayer, the stronger that prayer is,” Becker said.
Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan commended the diversity in the room, noting it was reflective of the city and globally. Khan also said it was “difficult” to see the news but it was also “heartwarming” to see the rescue miracles.
Khan said she will be collecting new blankets and winter coats, together with different humanitarian groups, at the Lakeview Senior Center at 20 Lake Rd. in Irvine, on Feb.12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
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