In a unity of strength against the dreadful coronavirus, the religious, community and caste leaders joined together and appealed to the public to cooperate with the steps taken by the Kerala government in tackling the situation.
Stating that they were able to tide over many crises, they said “we are sure that we will be able to unitedly fight and destroy the Corona Virus too. To make that fight a success, what we need is total unity of the masses, transcending the barriers of casts, religions etc. and we do have that sort of unity in abundance.”
Sayyid Muthukkoya Jifri Thangal (President, Kerala Jamayath Ul-Ulama Samastha), Vellappally Nadesan (General Secretary, S.N. Trust), Cardinal Mar George Alenchery (Major Archbishop, Zero Malabar), Kanthakpuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar (President, Kerala Muslim Jamath Samashta (AP Sunni), G. Sukumaran Nair (General Secretary, NSS), Moran Mor Baselious Cardinal Cleemis (Major Archbishop, Syro Malankara Church), Bishop Joseph Kariyil (Arch Bishop, Bishop House, Fortkochi), Dr. Soosa Pakiam (Metropolitan Arch Bishop, Latin), Punnala Sreekumar (General Secretary, Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha, Dr. Hussain Madavur (General Secretary, Kerala Naduvathul Mujahid), Baselios Mar Thoma Poulose II (Major Archbishop, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church), Mor Baselios Thomas 1 (Puthencruz Bava ) ( Jacobite), A. Dharmaraj Rasalam )Bishop , CSI), Dr. Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan (Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church), Kadakkal Abdul Azees Moulavi (President, Kerala Muslim Jama-Ath Federation), Dr. T. Valson Abraham (India Pentacostal Church of God) are the signatories in the appeal.
They said that the timely intervention and the vigilance with which the state government dealt with the situation had effectively contained and helped in curbing further spread of the disease.
“To curb the spread of the virus, we enforced certain restrictions on the entry to pilgrim centers. We are fighting this menace, by highlighting the concern for the other and the subtle values of humanity,” they said.
They also appealed to be safe and also ensure the safety of others. “There is no room for panic. What the situation demands is alertness and vigil of the highest order. What leads us is not despair, but the hope for goodness. This should lead one and all,” the leaders said.
“Being the representatives of various religious orders, we urge upon all of you to stand together with determination and to overcome the trauma,” they said.
