Nagaland prays for peace and healing in Manipur

Children of common humanity gather for ‘Solidarity and Prayer Watch for Manipur’ in Chümoukedima 

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | July 23

In a moving display of solidarity with the people of Manipur, hundreds of individuals from different communities and churches, including the affected communities of Manipur gathered at CT Square, Chümoukedima this evening earnestly praying for healing and peace.

The “Solidarity and Prayer Watch for Manipur” was organised by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in cooperation with Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, Fellowship of Naga Baptist Churches and Chümoukedima Town Baptist Pastor's Fellowship.

Addressing the solemn gathering, noted Peace Activist, Niketu Iralu acknowledged the FNR for doing the right thing to express fellow human solidarity with all the people of Manipur.

“I certainly feel inadequate,” said Iralu even as he expressed certainty that all the people gathered here feel deeply inadequate to respond to the realities that this moment of “prayer, watch and vigil” will reveal.

While acknowledging that the society has condemned in the “strongest possible ways,” of what is happening for far too long in Manipur, he urged all to continue to do so, as the events were ‘unspeakably wrong and will ultimately be destructive to all.’

He also expressed concern that what is happening in the neighbouring state can easily happen in Nagaland and across the increasingly volatile North-East region. 

Observing that the fears, insecurity, confusion and frustration which are all deeply felt, comes down to ignoring the essence of “sacrificing selfishness and discipline,” Iralu held that these factors have caused the Manipur “upheaval and disorder.”

At a time like this, he called for “intelligent speculation” as a freedom that the society should resort to, while also cautioning that there should be no room for any self-righteousness or shallow judgment. “Make no mistake that the same human weaknesses and failures in those who committed the horrific horrors, are in us also in equal measures.”

Taking a case in point from the Bible, he posed that if Jesus were to appear on the scene today, will he not say to us, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

With a call for healing and restoring peace among the affected communities, Rev Dr Wati Aier, the Convenor of FNR also delivered a powerful message.

 “We are here because we care. We are here because we love. We are here because we are children of a common humanity… and we long for healing. Above all, we are here because our faith in God who creates new life out of nothing is a faith that transforms death and life.”

Aier encouraged the gathering that faith in God bears in itself the hope that hatred, violence and death are not final or the end. “The word in which the creative God comes, overcomes the emptiness in which we are today, especially the victims and their loved ones.”

In a symbolic act, both the cultural communities of Manipur came forward and laid flowers in remembrance of all who have lost their lives in the ongoing violence. 

In a moving plea, the FNR Convenor urged the assembly not to let their hands remain empty, but to reach out and firmly grasp the open hands beside them, as this act symbolises an offering of life. 

A prayer was then led by the ordained ministers and the FNR members, remembering the people of Manipur.

The event also witnessed Tiameren Aier performing his recently released song, "Manipur may you heal soon" for the people of Manipur.

The service was led by Rev Dr Ellen Jamir, while Thejakrieno Kuotsu was the pianist and H Mosohrü Mao, the cantor. 

Earlier, Rev Moses Murry read God’s word and prayed for the service. Faith in Action Bible College performed “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Readings were done by Pastor M Omega and Lamneiphal Khongsai. Benediction was pronounced by Rev Dr Heni Gedeon.