Updated 04:40 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

World|Sat, Nov. 29 2008 10:12 AM EST

India Church Leaders Commit to Peace after Mumbai Siege

By Dibin Samuel|Christian Today Reporter

The Mumbai massacre which left more than 190 people dead finally came to an end on Saturday after Indian Commandos gunned down the remaining three militants at the Taj Mahal hotel.

  • Mumbai
    (Photo: AP Images / Lefteris Pitarakis)
    People gather to get a glimpse of the landmark Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at the luxury Mumbai hotel Saturday, ending a 60-hour rampage through India's financial capital by suspected Islamic militants that rocked the nation.

"They were the kind of people with no remorse - anybody and whomsoever came in front of them they fired," said one commando officer.

TV channels described the attacks on 10 locations, including two luxury hotels, across the city as "India's 9/11" and confirmed that 155 people were killed and 327 others wounded. At least 21 foreigners were among those killed, including six Americans.

It was the deadliest attack in India since 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai killed 257 people.

The Indian government has blamed "elements in Pakistan" for the attack by Islamist militants, according to Agence France-Presse although a Muslim group with a name suggesting origins inside India claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari vowed on Saturday the "strictest" action if there as proof of Pakistani involvement.

Church leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope have unanimously condemned the attacks that began Wednesday night.

Indian church leaders have speculated, meanwhile, that the terrorist attack was aimed at spreading fear and projecting the country as unsafe.

Michael Pinto, a Christian and vice chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, said the latest terrorist attacks were planned to project India as an unsafe country and hurt its economy.

"The terror attacks have shaken the church in the city," said Joseph Dias, general secretary of the Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum.

The church should take a proactive role to broker peace and harmony, he said, adding that his group would try to reach out to the victims and counter the efforts of terrorists trying to disturb peace in India.

Following the Mumbai seige, authorities in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel have vowed to work together on cracking terrorism.

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  • Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:20 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    steiner wrote:

    Hence, it is quite reasonable to conclude that the ideology of islam is to blame for the deaths of those in mumbai.

    Reasonable, because in every majority muslim country nonmuslim minorities are persecuted.

    I could not agree more, steiner

    Thanks for the comments

  • Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:35 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Islam is a religion of Peace but where are the Muslims who wants peace. Muslims badly need peace in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Would majority Hindus in India join their Muslim compatriots in India to work for peace in the Indian Subcontinent as a whole. Not until all terror outfits like Indian Mujahideen, Deccan Mujahideen, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayam Sevaks are dissolved and imparted with the scent of peace in their ranks.

    Loving human is one part of a peaceful religion but living with peace with your creator Lord The-God is a real religion. Create universal Human Brotherhood under God - peace would prevail everywhere.

  • Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:51 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    the religion of peace!

    is that not enough for Orwellian Doublespeak?!

  • Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:42 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Yes, yes, of course...how could the religion of peace be responsible?

    Hence, it must be Hindus who are trying to make the religion of peace look bad.

    These same should also be made responsible for 9/11. They made it look as if they were saudi nationals but they were hindus.

    Osama is a man of the religion of peace, not a hindu. The hindus are trying to smear his good work...

    The truth is so difficult to believe? now it has even become more difficult to publish...

    Yes, we are now living in the Orwellian days of doublespeak...

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