For Those Who Died Homeless & Alone on the Streets of San Diego: Interfaith Candlelight Vigil
(November 5, 2014 – San Diego, CA) Last week, a representative from the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego) participated in an Interfaith Candlelight Vigil to remember 56 homeless members who have died alone in the streets of San Diego since last October.
SEE: http://www.cbs8.com/story/27204423/vigil-honors-homeless-who-died-in-san-diego
SEE: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/02/homeless-dead-rescue-mission-vigil/
The event was sponsored by San Diego Rescue Mission and supported by The Council on American Islamic Relations San Diego Office, SDPD Homeless Outreach Team, First Presbyterian Church, First Lutheran Church, Third Avenue Charitable Organization, Horizon Christian Fellowship- North County, Chabad's Youth Action Movement SD, San Diego Center for Spiritual Living, Zen Peacemaker Order, and San Diego Downtown Fellowship.
The programs started with a walk from the San Diego Rescue Mission and ended at the County Administration Center. There the group assembled and conducted prayers and invocations from various faith groups.
Hanif Mohebi, Executive Director of San Diego Chapter of Council on American Islamic said, “it is our collective responsibility to alleviate the pain and suffering of those who are in need.” He further explained that “specifically as people of faith, we have an obligation of caring for our neighbors and community members, it is our obligation to take care of our homeless brothers and sisters and it is also our obligation to remember those who passed away homeless and alone in the streets of San Diego.”
“We need action to solve this problem,” said Sharif Battikhi, representing the Council on American-Islamic Relation’s San Diego Office who spoke at the event.
Other speakers included: Pastor Shawn Irving of Horizon Christian Fellowship- North County, Rev. John Poleski of San Diego Center for Spiritual Living, Don Tenant of the Bahai Faith Community, and Jackie Hider of the Zen Peacemaker Order. Also present were the police officers from the San Diego Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team, which were supporters of the event as well. The event concluded with reading the names of the 56 homeless men and women that had died since last October in the streets of San Diego.