By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The tsunami that hit south Asia last month made no distinctions between nations and religious groups, and an interfaith prayer service and fundraiser at Forest Park Hospital Friday recognized that people of several religions were affected.
Organizer Karen Arruda, a hospital employee, says it is important to bring people together in the face of such a tragedy.
"The four major religions that were hit really hard were Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists," Arruda said, "and if we single out any of them we're not doing justice to God or humanity."
All donations made at the event will be matched by the hospital's new president and CEO, Dr. John Hirsch, and sent to the Red Cross.
The tsunami's death toll has risen to more than 147,000 people.
In another service for tsunami victims, the St. Louis Sri Lanka Association will hold a candle vigil from 5 until 6:30 Saturday evening underneath the Arch.