The memorial service on Friday, June 19, went very well. A Muslim cleric
from Kabul read verses from the Koran and recited an Islamic prayer. Several
members of the interfaith delegation brought ministry. Kathy Bachman designed
and helped build a centerpiece for the service. She used rubble from a nearby
destroyed building and placed flowers arising from the rubble to symbolize new
life and hope emerging from the destruction of war. Candles were placed around
it and Afghanis attending the service placed photographs of loved ones killed
during the U.S. bombing campaign on the centerpiece.
Half of the delegation has already returned to the United States. Dave
Robinson, Marie Dennis, and Tom Gumbleton will give a press conference on July
1 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (See press
release from Pax Christi USA.) The remaining delegates visited schools yesterday as well
as Internally Displaced Refugee camps. They took a driving tour of Kabul today
and visited some art galleries. Tomorrow they will meet with a women's
micro-financing program. Friday will be a free day and the rest of the
delegation will leave Kabul on Saturday.
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