Interfaith Vigil Outside NYC’s Pakistani Consulate Demands Justice for Victims of Pahalgam Terror Attack

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Despite wind gusts that refused to let vigil candles stay alight, the flames of unity and resistance burned stronger than ever among the crowd gathered outside Manhattan’s Pakistani Consulate on Sunday. The occasion was solemn: a candlelight vigil mourning the victims of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, where 26 innocent lives were cut short in yet another act of brutal Islamic extremist violence.

The vigil, organized by Interfaith Peace Vigil Against Terror, brought together a mosaic of voices—Hindus, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, and others—who stood shoulder to shoulder in defiance of hatred and in remembrance of lives lost. The organically formed movement has quickly grown in recent months, galvanized by a string of increasingly brazen Islamic global terror attacks. The group’s mission is clear: end the moral complacency surrounding Islamic terror and challenge the silence of global institutions and media platforms.

Though candles were extinguished almost as soon as they were lit, the spiritual and emotional energy of the gathering remained undeterred. A Christian participant opened the vigil by singing the American National Anthem, followed by a Hindu guru who offered a solemn Sanskrit chant for shanti, or world peace, setting the tone for an evening charged with both grief and resolve.

The crowd then erupted into chants that echoed across the street and into the diplomatic halls of the consulate: “Hindu Lives Matter, Every Life Matters,” “Enough is Enough, End Terrorism Now,” “CNN, NBC, NY Times, Washington Post, UN — Say Their Names, Show Their Faces,” “Pakistan: End Terrorism,” “IMF: Stop Funding Pakistani Terror Export Industry.”

Speakers drew poignant connections between the Pahalgam tragedy and some of the most horrific terror events in recent history, invoking the memories of 9/11 in New York, 7/7 in London, 11/26 in Mumbai, and 10/7 in Israel. All, they emphasized, stem from a common root: a radical Islamic ideology that weaponizes hatred.

Dr. Andrew Zeidman, lead organizer of the vigil and a co-founder of Interfaith Peace Vigil Against Terror, addressed the attendees with clarity and compassion: “Today, people of all faiths and backgrounds stood together in front of the Pakistani Consulate, united by a simple truth: every human life matters. We must reject all forms of hate and terror. Healing begins when we refuse to stay silent.”

Dr. Aruna Pal, a prominent voice in the Hindu American community, echoed that call: “Our vigil is a reminder that peace is sacred. We honor the lives lost and call upon our elected leaders and global institutions to act with moral clarity. Standing against all terrorist attacks is standing for humanity.”

Pankaj Mehta, a human rights advocate and co-organizer of the vigil, was uncompromising in his critique of global institutions and mainstream media: “Enough is enough. How many more innocent lives must be shattered before we name the ideology that fuels terror? Today we demanded that CNN, The New York Times, Washington Post, and the United Nations stop sanitizing the killers. Say their names. Show their faces.”

From the Christian community, Shaun Olia brought both scripture and strength to the vigil, referencing the moral imperative to oppose evil: “As much as it depends on us, we are called to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). But this supremacist ideology, which nurtures terror and hatred, leaves no room for true peace. It is our duty to resist evil, uphold justice, and shine the light of Christ into the darkest stronghold.”

Ronen Levey, representing the Jewish community, made a stirring declaration that resonated across traditions: “Hindu lives matter. Every life matters. And yet, for decades, terror against Hindus, Jews, Christians, and others has been ignored or whitewashed. We say today no more. No more excuses. No more cowardice. If not now, when? If not us, who?”

The vigil concluded with a unifying act: participants joined hands and took a solemn pledge to observe One Minute of Global Silent Prayer (OMGSP) at every future gathering—be it religious services, family meals, or public events. This act, they affirmed, will be their ongoing tribute to the victims of terrorism and their living vow to stand firm against hatred, wherever it may rise.

In an age where global terrorism seeks to divide societies and exploit differences, the gathering outside the Pakistani Consulate stood as a radiant testament to a different path—one of unity, remembrance, and moral courage. Though the wind may have snuffed out the flames, the fire in their hearts could not be extinguished.